PetSugar

The Scars Tell the Tale: A Follow-Up on Michael Vick's Dogs

PetSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:00:36 -0700

Last week I was flipping through the channels and caught the tail end of this MSNBC segment that follows up with a few dogs that were once prized fighters in Michael Vick's pack. We've already seen how well Leo has turned out through intensive training, and now we get a glimpse at the lives of Lucas and Georgia, who are being rehabilitated in California and Utah. Although Pit Bulls are generally stereotyped and given a bad rep from horrible stories (like the Vick case) and irresponsible pet parenting, these pooches prove that no matter what your past looks like, there's always room for love.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Horse Therapy Helps Boy With Rare Disease

PetSugar — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Obviously, I love animals! And I believe that they contain a special ability to help us heal – whether it's dogs, cats, or even horses! This time, our pony pals are taking the spotlight by helping disabled children, especially one boy stricken with extremely rare disease in the UK. The disease is called Chromosome 8 deletion (no super scientific name since there are only five cases in the world) that hinders a patient's ability to walk and talk. So far, a program offering "Hippotherapy" has been able to help 3-year-old Dyfan Wynne learn how to do just that!

Being offered at the Clwyd Special Riding Centre for the Disabled in the UK, Hippotherapy is a form of therapeutic horseback riding that allows special-needs children to learn how to use their limbs to sit, kneel, stand, and walk. Dyfan arrived at the center unable to perform these basic tasks, but after six months, he is joining in on vaulting competitions, and is even considering training for Dressage!

Do You Leave Music on For Your Pets?

PetSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:00:10 -0700

Not only are pets great companions, we now know what good therapy having a pet can be. Petting our furry friends, or even just watching our fishies swim around their tank can lower our blood pressure and reduce the risk of a heart attack. But as much as pets benefit humans, I can't help but wonder how we can help them in return. I know from experience that pets can get stressed and anxious too, showing it by tearing up your couch cushions, or ripping to shreds their fave toy in five seconds flat. Now, a recent report says there's an easy way to return all the healthful favors.

A study conducted in 2000 shows that the sounds of a harp aid in lowering the blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety in pets that were recouping at a Florida vet hospital, leading us to believe that classical music could be as calming to Fido as it is to humans.

While I don't personally leave tunes on for North to chill to while I'm at work, he does get treated to the soothing classical sounds when he's staying at our fave Pet Camp and at our local Wag Hotel. Now I just might add a few classical tunes to our road trip soundtrack! Until then, I'm curious to know: do any of you leave music on for your pets while you're out?

Source

Cat Owners Eight Times More Likely to Have MRSA at Home

PetSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:55:01 -0700

If you're not familiar with it already, MRSA is a bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics, dangerous because of, well, its drug resistance. The first cases in pets popped up about five years ago in therapy dogs exposed to patients or healthcare workers, but the tables could turn, putting humans in more danger any day.

Typically, humans usually infect pets (and not vice versa), but animals can serve as a reservoir for the bacteria and pass it back to humans. Healthy animals rid themselves of bacteria in a matter of weeks.

According to a study this Summer, Elizabeth A. Scott and colleagues at the Center For Hygiene and Health in Home and Community at Simmons College in Boston swabbed household surfaces and found that one variable that overwhelmingly predicted the presence of the germ was the presence of a cat - they were eight times more likely than others to have MRSA at home.

To learn some tips to keep your human (and furry) family safe, read more.

Wash your hands or use antibacterial hand gels before and after playing with a pet or handling wastes and food.
Don't let pets lick near your face or any cuts or sores, and be sure to keep your broken skin bandaged up.

11 Weird Pet Fads : In the LINK of an Eye!

PetSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:00:09 -0700

Follow weird pet fads through the decades - Paw Nation
Would you let a dog swim in your pool? - CasaSugar
Cat Livin' Wedge Scratcher available now - moderncat
Kristin Cavalleri makes a French(ie) friend - Celebrity Dog Watcher
Have you heard of shock wave therapy for pets? - Wag Reflex
The hows and whys of feline heartworm prevention - Dolittler
Royal Thai Police run a doggie bootcamp! - Dogster
Is DERMagic magical or what? - Haute or Not?
Get the scoop on PAWS Chicago - DogTime

Geeky Cats Use Mac Minis in Litterboxes: In the LINK of an Eye!

PetSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:00:51 -0700

Cat Jet combats litterbox stinks with a Mac mini and a lot of DIY – Boing Boing

Eco-tastic, customizable bumper beds news from West Paw! – moderncat

Chasing tail? Bizarre pet behaviors explained – Womansday.com

Top 10 pet peeves dogs have with humans (if they could talk) – PetPlace.com

How do you really get stinky pet smells from your sofa? – Apartment Therapy

Super sporty Tina takes Jessica Biel for a walk – Celebrity Dog Watcher

Hurricane safety tips for your pets that come in handy anytime – Dogster

Baking These Homemade Dog Cookies For Holiday Gifts Is One Yummy Idea!

PetSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:15:49 -0800

'Tis the season of giving and my pup's wagging tail tells me homemade snacks definitely get the message across! TeamSugar member kristyy is team captain for a Furry Friends Pet Assisted Therapy Services site, and wants to treat the 20 pups in her group with something she baked up herself.

I'm recommending North's fave four ingredient snack recipe – grab a pet-themed cookie cutter and festive holiday baggies or cellophane and get started when you read more.

Simple Simon's Birthday Bones
From the Three Dog Bakery Cookbook
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup skim milk
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk. Add wet mixture to dry, and mix well. Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll out to 1/4-inch thick and cut out shapes. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on a rack then store in an airtight container.
Makes 30 large bones

Print recipe with images | without images

Source

Would You Rent a Pet?

PetSugar — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 07:00:00 -0700

I've got a bunch of friends who have the room in their hearts for a pet . . . but no room in their studio apartments/ lease restrictions/ busy schedules/ travel plans to care for a pet. Refraining from getting a pet who relies on you to survive when you know you can't give it the care and attention he deserves is a smart move, so what are those animal lovers to do? Although North practically has a waiting list of friends who want to borrow him for the day, I recently read a story about dog rental services in Japan, which reminded me of our very own Flexpetz.
It's already expanding quickly, so clearly someone's buying in. With this pricey service, you can "rent" a dog, which makes me wonder if I'm missing out on a key business plan. I know that pets are good for therapy so I can see the desire, but I'm not sure I wholly agree. What's your take on renting a pet?

Source

Professional Pet Photography: A Great Mother's Day Gift

PetSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

I love taking pictures of North . . . even when he doesn't feel like sitting still for the camera! It'd be totally neat to get a professional to get some cute piccys, but I fear even the best professional would be left with close-up shots of his tongue or tail! So, I thought I would do some research and, while browsing, I came across this awesome LA-based studio called Shine Pet Photography that takes some a-ma-zing shots of cats and dogs alike. Coincidentally, Apartment Therapy thought so too and did a piece on photographer Grace Chon back in February. Seems like everyone is recognizing her talents and it's definitely deserved!

After drooling awhile over client proofs, and checking out her blog (which features even more cuteness than you can handle), it hit me that this would make a great Mother's Day Gift for a pet mom! What's better than an awesome and classy shot of your furry beloved to hang right next to your family photos? I can't think of anything I'd like more. How about you? To check out more of Grace's work and to see package pricing info, just read more.

For those lucky pet owners in the LA area, packages start at $175 on up to $500.

View 2 Photos ›

Source and Source

Adoro Baby Lion Gets Anthelmintic Therapy!

PetSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:00:11 -0700

Yay, it's another beautiful baby lion, this one in Germany! The mother, Shaba, gave birth to the lil guy and two other cubs on April 20. The family currently lives in Osnabrueck, Germany and are being watched over at the zoo they call home. This cub is still unnamed (I bet we can suggest some cute names in our comments below!), but it's not too soon for him to get a special anthelmintic therapy during a medical check on May 16. Sounds like a fancy term but it's actually something many of us have gotten for our household pets. Curious what it is (and to see more piccys) – just read more.

Anthelmintics are drugs that expel parasites (aka, helminths) from the body, by either stunning or killing them. Some common types that your pets – and even you . . . yuck! – can get are hookworm, pinworm, and ringworm infestations as well as other intestinal parasites.

View 5 Photos ›

Source