Hi everyone! As you may know…Thanksgiving Day is fast approaching here in the USA.

I can almost smell turkey baking…pumpkin pie smell in the air…kids running all around with family and friends talking in the background and good old football on the TV.

Yes, it can be a good time of year - but also a dangerous one for our four legged friends. Yes, I mean our dogs.  As you know, they are great “beggars” when it comes to human food.

I just want to remind you, (and for those who don’t already know): Do NOT feed your dog any turkey skin. Left over foods aren’t really good for your dog anyway, and turkey skin is so unhealthy for him because it has a high fat content in it.

Now I don’t want you to be scared of feeding your dog table scrapes…. YES I DO !! If you want to treat your dog at Thanksgiving or any special occasions – just keep dog biscuits handy. You can still feed him some of these at the dinner table while you eat.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day - and remember to keep human food out of the reach of your dogs.  You don’t want your turkey missing do you?                                                                     Gooble Gooble

For more tips on safety and health for your dogs…check out this:

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We  would like to announce the arrival of our new litter…

Our “Reinier’s Georgie Girl Sunrise” ( OFA  Hips:   GS-78016G25F-VPI    Elbows: GS-EL21501F25-VPI)

was bred to:

CH. Von Hamm Bedkar I Know Nothing (OFA Hips and Elbows -  Sorry, I don’t know his numbers).

8  Beautiful puppies were born on Oct. 13th  2009    3 boys & 5 girls

Georgie is owned and loved  by Jim & Betsy Reinier & Donna Gonzalez (WA.)….the stud dog owner  is  Kay Reamensnyder   (WA).

These pictures were taken Oct. 20th,  2009   when the pups were 1 week old.

more pictures as the puppies grow    

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The heat from the summer sun can be almost unbearable for us at times. We can turn on fans or even air conditioners to keep us cooler, but what about the dog? How can you protect your dog from the summer heat when the temperature keeps climbing?

Below I have a few suggestions that may save your dogs life from the blistering heat of summer.

1. Air Conditioner - For people who own a kennel, the best thing for the dogs would be to have an air condition building that you can keep your dogs in when the temperature keeps climbing. After the heatwave, than they can go outside in their kennel runs so they are able to enjoy the cooler breeze of summer. (Note: I have kennel runs inside my building and kennel runs outside as well. I do bring my dogs inside the building every night around 9 pm. or so; no matter what the weather is. I feel the dogs are safer and it keeps the neighbors happy because they don’t hear any noise from the dogs during the night).

2. House dogs - If you only have house dogs and live in a super hot place during summer - having an air conditioner is a real plus for your dog(s) as well. During the hottest part of the day, the dog needs to be in the house. If the dog needs to go “potty,” make sure that the dog is not outside for too long. The dog can not survive without shade and plenty of water during a heatwave. (Note: I have a doggy door installed in my backdoor. This way the dog can go out when he needs to potty and can come back in when he is done).

3. Fans - Use fans or a “gel pack” fan covers over the fans. There is a product that fits over the round plastic (or medal) cover of the fan, (that protects the blades from being touched). It’s a thin netting type material, that holds a “gel pack” in the middle. This gel pack can be frozen and put in place on the fan cover. When the fan is turned on, it forces the air to blow on the “gel pack,” and it instantly produces a cool breeze.

4.Garden hose - Use your garden hose to wet down the “underside” of the dog, (belly, inside back legs and up to his chest. Also soak the dogs feet. This helps keep him cooler.

5. Make a pool of water - I fill the front of my kennel runs with water so they can run around in it and stay cooler for a little bit, (until the water leaks out). I do this several times a day, (along with soaking the dogs underside thoroughly each time).

6. Fresh drinking water – Always change the dogs water daily. The dogs love the taste of cold water.

7. Swimming – Take you dog swimming when you go the lake or swimming hole. One of our friends has a very large pool that she uses just for the dogs. ? Swimming is a great way to cool down your dog and it is also great exercise for him/her.

8. Use a sprinkler – Turn on your sprinkler and let the dogs play in the water, or get a child’s plastic swimming pool and fill it with water and let them jump in and out of the pool. They love to splash the water everywhere. Try to keep the kids pool in a shaded area if you can.

9. Your yard – Soak a large section of your yard that is in the shade, so they can lay in it and/or roll around in the cool wet grass.

10. Shade – Don’t let your dog(s) outside in the direct sun for very long. They need shade, (and water). Dogs can get “heat stroke” just like humans can and they can also get sunburned; (especially the light colored dogs and/or dogs with a white nose).

For more information on how to keep your dog safe all year around, take a peek right here!

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1 ¾      Cups     Flour
¼         Cup      Sesame Seeds
½         Cup      Brown Sugar
½         Tbsp.   Butter
½         Cup      Ground Walnuts
1                       Egg Yolk
½          tsp.     Vanilla Extract
2           Tbsp.   Toasted Wheat Germ

Combine in given order. Knead until thoroughly blended. Cut into strips or squares. Bake at 375 degrees on un-greased cookie sheet for 12 – 15 minutes.  Cool.  Store in an airtight container. Keeps for 2 weeks.

. . . . . . . . . . Get more recipes for dog goodies . . . . . . . . . .

If your dog gets sprayed by a skunk, its almost an unbearable smell. You have to get that smell and thiols out of the dogs coat as soon as possible. ( Thiols: a yellow oil that the skunks spray, which is stored in the two glands at the base of their tail). If you live in place where your dog may come into contact with a skunk, you’ll need to know what to do.

1. Grab some rubber gloves and be sure to protect your eyes, should your dog shake himself off. You don’t want any skunk spray in your eyes. (Try “safety glasses” or “goggles”).

2. Now you need to get the oily spray off the dog as soon as possible. Grab some paper towels or old absorbent towels and wipe off your dog, to get whatever you can before it has a chance to soak in, as this will help reduce the effect of the skunk odor.

3. Before shampooing the dog, get a wet warm washcloth and clean the face and eye area. Skunks usually spray their predictors in the face with their spray. This spray can cause momentary blindness if the liquid gets near the eyes. To clean the eyes…try to keep the dogs eye open with one hand and gently pour the lukewarm water into the eye. Then do the same with the other eye. (Keep the dogs head turned sideways and down a bit so the water can run out).

4. I have been told that a drop of mineral oil in each eye, will protect the dogs eyes from the soap during his bath. Then use little saline solution after the bath because that will rinse most of it out so your dog can see again without a film.

“Old Standbys”  that are commonly used

1. Tomato juice –  Pour the tomato juice over the dog , keeping it away from the eyes, nose and mouth, and rub it into the dogs coat. Rinse well. When washing the face area, be careful not to get any in the dogs eyes. Depending on how much of the skunk spray got on the dog, you may have to repeat with more tomato juice. Then after rising off the tomato juice again, wash dog with his shampoo in lukewarm water and rinse thoroughly. Again, this may have to be repeated until the smell is gone. This is one of the “old standbys,” but does it really do the job well enough? I have learned that tomato juice only masks the odor.

2.   Vinegar and water – This is another home remedy that really doesn’t do all that well. The smell of the vinegar may mask the skunk smell, but it doesn’t to much else.

Now…I will list what I was told, works a lot better.

(Note: Although this solution does work well, the coat and skin will get very dried out. This dryness can be counteracted by using a good quality creme rinse that replenishes moisture. It is NOT recommended to use conditioners during the de-skunking process). Now…

Mix the following in an container

1 pint Hydrogen peroxide

½ cup Baking soda

1 teas. Dawn dish washing soap (Dawn cuts grease/oil)

After you have mixed it well, now fill the bathtub with lukewarm water and carefully lift the dog into the bathtub. (If your dog will jump in, it will be easier on you). Once the dog is in the tub start applying the mixture to the dog that you just made, rubbing it in generously over his whole body down deep into the skin. Let this solution sit on the dog for a 5 – 6 minutes. Important: DO NOT get any of this solution in the dogs eyes, nose or mouth.

Now rinse your dog thoroughly and drain the tub. Rinse the dog again. Once you are done rinsing the dog well, then use a dog shampoo with a good pH balance to thoroughly wash the dogs coat. You may have to wash the dog several times, depending on how much the dog got sprayed by the skunk. ( if you have any lavender oil, add a few drops to the dogs coat as you are giving the dog his last lathering of shampoo). Rinse well to make sure there is no residue left on the dog. (Again – keeping the shampoo away from the dogs eyes, nose and mouth. You can wash the dogs head and muzzle with a washcloth, but rinse it off right away so it doesn’t get into the dogs eyes, nose or mouth).

Tips

• Keep the ingredients above handy if you live in a place that your dog may come across a skunk, so it can be made up fast. This solution,(Hydrogen peroxide, Baking soda and Dawn dish washing soap), can not be made up for future use, because it can’t be kept in a sealed container. This is because the gases can build up, and can cause an explosion.

• You want to use lukewarm water to wash the skunk spray off, because hot water will open the pores in the skin and you don’t want the smell to work it’s way deeper into the skin. Also, using hot water may burn your dog.

• No matter what product you use to get the skunk smell off, it’s important to put something on him to start getting rid of the smell right away. (Remember, you first need to remove the odor causing oils and then you can mask the scent). Bathe the dog with the mixture of your choice and rinse well. A second shampooing is recommended, and again, rinse the dog off thoroughly. I was told that you can use commercial products because they are the most effective way to get your dog smelling like himself again.

• Also, no matter how good of job you do in de-skunking your dog, the dog may still have some odor left because of the pores opening again. Especially if it’s raining or is a damp day, you’ll still get some of that “skunk smell” coming off your dogs coat. When this happens you can mask the smell by using a pet cologne. As soon as you can, you’ll need to give the dog another bath with a good dog shampoo.

• If the dogs gets on your furniture or carpets before he gets his “de-skunking process,” you can use bowls of bleach to get out the smell. Simply place several bowls of bleach in the room that smells, (keeping out any pets or children in that area), as the bleach is said to destroy the smell.

• If the smell is on your clothes, (you’d be very lucky if it isn’t), it’s best to take them to your local dry cleaners, or toss them away.

Supplies you’ll need:

• paper towels

• safety glasses or goggles

• rubber gloves

• dog shampoo

• washcloth

De-skunking Mixture:

1.  Tomato Juice

or

2.   Vinegar

or

3.   Hydrogen Peroxide

Baking Soda

Dawn dish washing soap

.

There are over-the-counter solutions that are said to work very well, but in a pinch, you can make up any of the three solutions mentioned above.    Good luck.

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Happy 4^th of July

The 4th of July is fast approaching.  Remember to keep a watchful eye on your dog when fireworks are set off  on the 4^th of July. Too many dogs are frightened by the loud noises and run. They don’t know where they are heading, but think if they run they can get away from the noise.

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To keep your dog safe –  Keep your dog in the house or kennel building. I have a kennel building with runs inside where I keep them every night. I keep the fans running whenever it’s too hot inside the building and especially on the 4^th of July, because they make a little bit of noise themselves while they are running. I also have a radio playing at each end of the building to help cover up some of the loud bangs outside from the firecrackers; but nothing can cover up the M80’s that I hear in amongst the other loud noises.

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If your dog  lives  in the house – Turn up the TV(s), radio or stereo, so it can help cover up most of the noise. If your dog is anything like mine, you would think he was glued to my leg.

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Thunder and lightning – The Loud roar of thunder and the quick flashes of light terrify many dogs as well. If you leave your dog by himself, thinking he will be okay in his crate when a storm hits, best think again. Some dogs get so panicked that they will chew their way out of rooms and/or crates which ends up hurting themselves, not to mention the damage they will cause.

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What you can do

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• If your dog is afraid of loud noises from fireworks and/or thunderstorms, you need to visit your Veterinarian and see what will work best for your dog during those stressful times.

• Never “reward” his “scared” behavior, because that will teach him nothing and will just do the opposite of what you want him to do…which is to learn how to stay keep calm and confident doing the storms.

• Keep calm yourself. If you act scared or panicky, the dog can pick up these “vibes” from you and that make him more frightened. As the song says, “Don’t worry – Be happy”.  You have to be, “upbeat” while talking to the dog, happy and confident in voice and in your body language, so the dog will sense that you are not frighten and in time will learn to do the same.

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Check  this out for more  info on keeping your dogs

safe, healthy and very spoiled!

(This is based on pet insurance claims)

The most common symptoms are listed for each

1.    Ear Infections –  red, itchy and/or smelly ears.
2.    Skin Allergies –   red skin, hair loss, and/or itching.
3.    Hot Spots -  a hairless, moist, painful area on the skin, often on the thigh area.
4.    Gastritis/Vomiting – farting and/or lack of appetite,  “throwing up.”
5.    Enteritis/Diarrhea –   loose or frequent stools, “cow pies,”
6.    Urinary Tract Infections –  frequent urination, inappropriate urination, and/or bloody urine.
7.    Benign Skin Tumors –  an abnormal lump or growth on or under the skin
8.    Osteoarthritis –  lameness, trouble getting up or walking.
9.    Eye Inflammation –  red, irritated or painful eye.
10.    Hypothyroidism –  hair loss and weight gain

Beware of any changes in your dogs behavior or appearance so that you will be able to recognize an illness quickly. Check your dog daily for any lumps or sores, and inspect the dogs ears, eye, skin, and the pads of the dogs feet. Make sure he doesn’t have any foul odor on his breath, as this could be a sign of rotten teeth or another medical problem. Also check is gums for that pinkish gray color. Pale gums means trouble.

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Here are 4 more fun dog facts for you out of my book:  365 Fun Dog Facts Enjoy!

Eating Grass: If Rover likes to eat grass, you can alleviate this problem by offering him vegetables. Offer him Fresh raw vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli and cauliflower, (in moderation). Stay away from potatoes and onions. (potatoes give dogs gas, and onions can be fatal to dogs).

The Basset hound made famous in the Hush Puppies shoe commercials was named Biggles.

Burying Bones: The burying of bones is part of a dog’s instinctive feeding ritual; shaking things viciously is part of the hunting ritual

Bassets can’t swim because their legs are too short to keep their heavy, long bodies afloat.

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Once you decided on what breed of dog you want, you’ll need to know what is needed before you bring the dog home. I have listed 14 quick tips on what to do “before and after,” when bringing your new puppy or adult dog home.

Before you bring the dog home

1.  Make Time - Make sure you have time to spend with your dog. You have your job, friends, shopping, dinner parties…your dog only has you. He needs your time, love and attention.
2.   Leash - Buy the proper length for the activity you want to do with your dog. A 6’ leash will work when teaching your dog to heel and when taking your dog for a walk. You can also use a “retractable” leash when you take your dog for “potty” walks. This way he can go further away from you and you’ll still have control.
3.  Collar - Buy the proper collar size and style you need for the dogs activity. If obedience training, you’ll need a choke chain. You can use a regular leather or nylon collar for every day use with his dog tags on it.
4.  Food and water dishes - Keep these washed daily to fight off bacteria.
5.  Food – Feed the proper amount of food daily. Some like to feed once a day, I prefer twice a day. Remember to keep the dog food sack out of your dogs reach, as some dogs would eat the whole sack of food, which means he could “bloat” and you don’t want that to happen.
6.  Dog treats - You can give your dogs treats like dog biscuits, or even a piece of hot dog as a reward, but every dog has different tastes. My dogs only like the “dog cookies” that they are use to getting and rarely take treats from anyone else.
7.  Dog toys – Buy safe dog toys; not ones with eyes, or parts that could be chewed off and eaten.  Kong toys are the best. They come in different styles and sizes, and the best thing about them is, that you can fill them with different treats, (like peanut butter) and it keeps them busy for quite awhile.
8.  Puppy proof your home and yard – Basically pick up everything in your house that doesn’t belong on the floor or in their reach. Check your yard for poisonous plants, trash, kids toys or anything else that you don’t want chewed up.
9.  Popper scooper - You’ll need this to keep the yard clean on a daily basis. You’ll need to do this for 3 reasons: so the dog won’t eat it – so you won’t step in it – and sanitation.
10.  Safe area - Have a safe place prepared to keep the dog, and I don’t mean tie him out in the yard and leave him there 24/7.  He needs shelter from the winter and summer elements.  A fenced yard is very important for not only the dogs safety, but also gives the dog room for running, exercise and playing You’ll need a doghouse or building, (with clean blankets or rugs), so he can get out of the wind, rain, snow or sun. Your dog will need fresh water by the doghouse, or in the shelter building.

Once the dog is home

1. Have your dog checked out by a Veterinarian.
2. Set your dog on a schedule for shots and worming with your Vet.
3. Take walks with your dog or take the dog jogging with you (if your dog is old enough). Try taking him out with you at least 4 – 5 days a week.
4. Remember the 3 P’s :  Patience    -    Praise    -    Playtime

Take good care of your dog – He’s part of your family and will remain a loyal companion until he dies.  Don’t break his heart or his spirit

Check out this site to see what we offering to  you on  how to keep your dog safe, healthy, happy and very spoiled!