Fur-Filled Holiday Video: December 2

Dakota sings Jingle Bells... and pretty darned well at that!
http://www.tinyurl.com/y8ryxov

ENJOY!

Fur-Filled Holiday Video: December 1

Team Tailwag starts my month of fur-filled holiday videos for your viewing pleasure! One a day through Christmas Day, so visit daily!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUtPKbMwnRo
To the tune of "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee. ENJOY!

P.S. I hope their owners have the boys neutered so the only things dangling next year will be on the tree!

HOWL-A-WEEN Safety Tip #2

You may think the constant stream of neighborhood children dressed as superheroes and aliens arriving at your door is cute, but your fur friends will most probably be in a heightened and perpetual state of arousal as the result of unremitting doorbell ringing and strange voices. Such unfamiliar commotion can easily cause extreme anxiety, door dashing, and perhaps an uncharacteristic nip or bite from even the most even tempered of dogs.

Do Fido or Fluffy a favor by safely secluding them in a room far removed from the hubbub of the holiday. Soothing music, a favorite chew toy, and periodic reassuring visits from their beloved family will make this year’s Halloween a REAL treat!

HOWL-A-WEEN Safety Tip #1

If you’re planning to costume your canine (oh come on, you KNOW you want to!), be sure to strike that all important balance between “adorable” and “appropriate”. Beware of those parts of the outfit that may obstruct movement, hinder breathing, or entice chewing. Ease him into the idea by practicing the dressing process and ensuing activity over the course of the days prior to Halloween; some encouraging words and extra treats might help make the process more tolerable for them.

But the bottom line is, if Fido or Fluffy look or act miserable in their holiday attire, they probably are. ‘Nuff said?

HAPPY HOWLIDAYS!

As you see, I kissed up to "The Big Guy" on behalf of fur friends & family members everywhere! I'm a pretty good smoocher so hopefully they received everything they needed, wanted and deserved!

FURvent wishes to you and yours for a fabulous holiday
AND a tailwaggingly wonderful new year!

Top Dog Eileen Proctor

Top 10 Howliday Safety Tips: Day 10

Shocking But True...

WOW, your Christmas tree, holiday lights and decorations look fantastic! But what you've created as a feast for the eyes may inadvertently be a danger zone for your pets. Here a a couple of bright holiday ideas to "chew on" so that your pets don't... chew on them, that is:

• Be sure to keep electrical cords hidden, out of reach or taped down to save your dog from electrical shocks.
• Plug your lights into a GFI outlet that will interrupt the flow of electricity if the cord becomes wet or chewed… perhaps in the mouth of an unsuspecting pup.

Top 10 Howliday Safety Tips: Day 9

Hair of the Dog

While alcohol may help you get into the holiday spirit, it can do just the opposite for your pet. A mere three ounces of liquor swallowed by a 10-15 pound dog can depress its nervous system enough to cause it to stop breathing. Be sure to keep all glasses up high where they cannot be lapped up or toppled over. And if you suspect your dog has sipped some champagne, wine or spirits, call your veterinarian immediately for treatment advice.

'BONE'-US POST: Hanukah Sing-A-Long

For all of our "Chewish" Friends..
and everyone else who wants to join in!

DROODLE DROODLE DROODLE
(to the tune of Dreidel-Dreidel-Dreidel)

Droodle, Droodle, Droodle
It's what we doggies do
And if you get too near us
We'll get our drool on you!

-----

Licking, Licking, Licking
It's how we doggies kiss
Some call it wet and yucky
Some call it doggy bliss!

-----

Shedding, Shedding, Shedding
Our hair gets on your clothes
But you'll still hug and love us
Guess that's just how it goes!

No matter how you spell it... Hanukah, Chanukah... The Top Dog and her "shayna madel kelevs" Dizney, Cassie & Tracey wish you a VERY happy howliday!

Top 10 Howliday Safety Tips: Day 8

There's No Place Like Home... Or Is There???

Keep a close eye on your pets to make sure that they don't bolt or wander out while visitors come in and out of your house. If you have a cat or dog that is easily frightened, overly rambunctious or potentially aggressive, it is best to put him in his favorite room and close the door so he feels safe and secure. Be sure to put a sign on the door that restricts entry and to verbally explain the situation in advance to all guests.

Great Alternative Idea!
For those especially hustly-bustly situations... like this weekend's home-based holiday fetes... treat your fuzzy-faced kids to some respite at a facility that specializes in caring for "their type". In the greater Phoenix area, I HIGHLY recommend Villa La Paws... they provide fully supervised cage-free daycare and overnight slumber parties that will delight your dog with tons o' fun and interaction with 4-leggeds AND 2-leggeds alike in a fabulously spacious and doggy-friendly indoor/outdoor setting. My K-9 Kids LOVE it there, especially Tracey who visits a minimum of 2X/week all the year through! (Hey, every day's a holiday for her!!!). And good news for you feline fanciers... they also have Kitty Casitas to pamper your pussycat!

Top 10 Howliday Safety Tips: Day 6

More From Santa's Gift Bag

Still not sure about what to bestow upon your beloved Bow-Wow for the holidays? Here are a few more ideas and guidelines, straight from the Top Dog's mouth (and with Santa's blessings)!

• Avoid toys that contain a noisemaking device if your dog feels it is his right and duty to perform “squeakectomies”. Ditto for stuffed toys which may contain hard-to-digest fillings such as nutshells or polystyrene beads, and tennis balls which are easily “peeled”.
• Remove string, ribbon, rubber bands, tags and labels from all toys before turning them over to your dog. Discard toys that start to break into pieces or have pieces torn off.
• Very hard rubber toys, such as Nylabones, are virtually indestructible, are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and are fun for both chewing and carrying around. Kong-type toys are great for fetching and, when filled with broken-up treats or peanut butter, can keep a dog busy for hours.
• "Busy-box" toys also offer long term fun and foster problem solving skills.

Okay, only a few days to go before the holidays are upon us. If you have an idea about what the fur kids will find below the Christmas Tree or Hanukkah bush... or still need some last minute direction... take a moment to check out/respond to the survey in the left column. (Undecided poochy parents will appreciate it!)

Top 10 Howliday Safety Tips: Day 5

SANTA PAWS IS COMIN' TO TOWN!

Just because a product is sold in a pet supply store does NOT mean it is necessarily safe or suitable for your dog. Over the next few days, I'll be sharing some great tips for making your fur kid’s holiday doggone delightful!

• Provide your pet with a variety of toys that fulfill many different purposes; for example, one to carry, one to roll, and one to "baby."


• Keep your dog’s age, size and activity level in mind when purchasing toys. Anything too small or light-duty can easily be swallowed or destroyed.


• Rawhide, hooves, and pig's ears are a high source of protein and can cause significant weight gain when ingested in large quantities or on a frequent basis. Furthermore, they can easily break off into small pieces and lodge in your pet’s throat or intestines. Imported rawhide is commonly preserved with carcinogenic preservatives such as formaldehyde; while American-made rawhide is more expensive and difficult to find, it is a safer product and well worth the extra cost and time.

Top Ten HOWLiday Safety Tips: Day 1

Ah the sights and smells of the holiday! Is it any wonder we look forward to it all year? To ensure a fun and safe time for all… including your four-legged family members and friends… I'll be posting an important safety tip (or 2) each day for the next 10 days. Please share them with your other pet-loving pals.

TIP #1: The Christmas Tree
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, How steadfast are your branches! Not very… as many pets inadvertently remind us each year, sometimes MORE than once! Be sure to anchor your tree so it can't topple over. Stabilize it by putting heavy bags of flour or sugar on top of the legs of its stand, hiding them with a decorative tree skirt, and positioning the heaviest gifts closest to the trunk.

Regardless of whether you have an artificial or live tree, chewing of branches can result in injuries to your dog’s mouth or throat. Be consistent about disciplining if you catch him chomping. To deter even a teething puppy from opportunistic nibbling, spray the lower branches with a chewing deterrent such as Bitter Apple; always use as directed on the product label to keep it safe for both human and K-9 Kids.

AZTV: THE CHAT ROOM 12/12/08

Doggone GRRRReat HOWLiday Gift Ideas

Thanks for tuning in to see my top safety tips and the seasons most unique gifts for dogs & dog lovers alike! My Golden girl Cassie is QUITE stunning, isn't she? LOVE how she just sits there and makes me look good (and doesn't try to steal the microphone from yours truly!). If you missed the show, or want to see it again, click here)!

You can find out more about all of the fabulous products I "show & told" about... and hundreds of other dog-friendly sports, travel and gift items... at Travel Hounds USA: 3375 E. Shea Blvd. in Phoenix or online at http://travelhoundsusa.com. The owner Layne is a real sweetheart and great resource for finding and selecting the ideal items for you and the pet/pet lovers on your list! And, like The Top Dog, she's also a great friend to the local animal welfare community.