All About Puggles

Thanks to Eduardo's Mom for this great review on Puggles.

Alright a quick rundown of the breed, everything you need to know about puggles.

One quick note:Every purebred breed was established by mixing one breed with another at some point in time to create a certain look, desired trait or working ability.

A puggle is a hybrid. A hybrid is an intentional mix of two purebred dogs and a mutt is generally one of unknown parentage - usually on the father's side (the uh oh factor). A puggle can be registered as CKC, as long as the parents are AKC/CKC purebreds.

1st generation puggles are: Half beagle-Half pug

2nd generation puggles are: Half puggle-Half puggle

Although the Puggle is a mixed or hybrid dog, a true Puggle has verifiable (registered) purebred parents. Without the registration, anyone can tell you the parents are purebred. If you are looking for your puggle to look a certain way you need to find out what the parents are.

Traditional puggles(i.e. One that looks like Eduardo) are 1st generation. But ones that are multi-colored are second generation. It is looked down upon to breed puggle to puggle as if we ever want to establish puggles as a breed then they must all have the same look.

Puggles are energetic dogs with a thickset body, a smooth short-haired coat of fawn, tan, apricot (golden) or black in color (white markings may also be present), a wrinkled forehead, curled tail, black facial mask and drooping ears. Not all puggles have these features, every puggle is different. Depending on the size of the parents, Puggles stand at a height of 10-15" at the shoulder and weigh between 15-30 pounds at maturity.

Eduardo was the runt of the litter so he is fairly small for a puggle, standing at 12" and weighing 21 pounds most puggles we meet are bigger than him! Both beagles & pugs are food obsessed so if your looking for the best why to train your puggle, I suggest using food.

From what I've read & my own experience training Eduardo, puggles are very easy to train. They pick up on things so quickly & Eduardo has a great memory. Like their parents, puggles are sensitive to the tone of your voice and body language so bold gestures or harsh tones can upset your puggle. Usually if I say, "Eduardo, NO SIR!" he will stop what he is doing & run straight to his bed!

They love to play, walk and snuggle with their owners. Beagles are very active dogs, loving to play. Some pugs are active but most love to relax. Mix these two together and you'll have a dog that's willing to play WHENEVER, WHERE EVER or feel like staying in & relaxing? No problem! Puggles love to snuggle!(That's why Eduardo's nickname is Eduardo the Snuggle Puggle).

Since they are a mixture of beagle and pug, Puggles can inherit characteristics of either breed. They can develop a howl like a beagle, a muffled throaty sounding bark of the pug, a normal dog bark or talk very little at all. Puggles make a variety of interesting sounds also. Most puggles that I have met do grunt like pugs. Eduardo grunts like a little pug when he gets too excited, & howls just like a beagle when he sees someone to close to the house. Puggles do whine and growl like every other dog can.

Beagles and pugs can and do sometimes snore. Eduardo is the KING of snoring, he will wake me up sometimes because I'm scared he's having trouble breathing. Puggles like most animals, have occasional gas and believe me they are stinky little farts! LOL!

Unlike their full-blooded parents, Puggles do not usually experience the same issues that some find troublesome. Full blooded Pugs can suffer from breathing complications and intolerance to warmer and cooler temperatures due to their almost nonexistent muzzle. Purebred Beagles love to hunt and will often become distracted by a scent and wander away from home if left unattended. They'll come home eventually but beagles can get injured or killed due to their nature. They tend to run with their head down, unaware of the world around them and are often hit by passing cars. Because of this, beagles need to be kept indoors, on a leash or in a large run when not accompanied by their human family.

Puggles have an elongated muzzle inherited from their mother, and usually does not become overly distracted by scents and has a wrinkled face through maturity. But puggles do have a nose for trouble! They sometimes can get a scent & just stay with it for a while unless they are pulled away from it with a call. Eduardo will go to the dog park & smell the entire park before playing with any dogs!

Most puggle puppies do go through a chewing stage. Eduardo completely grew out of his chewing stage at about 1 year. I'm sure it was a little before that but I remember by time his birthday came around he hadn't chewed up anything, & his Daddy was so proud!

Puggles have short fur but once it hits summer, they shed, a lot! So before getting a puggle you may want to get a good dog brush! Eduardo is not allowed on our bed unless a blanket is up there, because he sheds so much.(I don't mind it, his Daddy does though!).

Most puggles I have met are very friendly. Beagles & pugs are both consider family dogs. Eduardo thinks everyone is his friend & wants loving from everyone.

Now about where to find a puggle. I personally recommend pups raised inside a home. Generally, pups raised in a home environment instead of a kennel (no matter how nice) learn socialization skills that many pups do not. When living among a family, (depending on breeder and program) they are used to household noises from birth, tend to be handled and played with more often, receive care on a constant basis, seem happier, are potty pad trained, get some obedience training, gain more socialization skills, are generally cleaner, are not exposed to outdoor parasites, or fecal material of their mother or other kennel residents.

If raised in a kennel, they may be cleaned and handled at feeding time but may not have much human contact otherwise. It's certainly much harder to bring a pup in from a kennel to cuddle with on the couch rather than walking from one room to the other.

It's important to note also that not all breeds of dogs are raised to be family companions. Some dogs are working dogs, guard dogs, some are show dogs, etc. and may have different socialization needs.

Interested in doing a write up on your dog? Email me at info@poochieheaven.com or leave a comment.

New Dog Collars & Leashes

Has all the swimming in the lake and outdoor bath made your collar look dull? We have recently added some adorable and affordable dog collars and leashes!

Sultry Dog Collar and Leash Set

Rock Candy Dog Collar and Leash Set

Hamptons Dog Collar and Leash Set

Some Pictures Just Don't Need Captions

Here is another darling email sent to me. It is called Some Pictures Just Don't Need Captions. Feel free to add some captions in the comment section. I would love to see what you can think of. Enjoy!

How to Avoid a Dog Bite

Tips on how to avoid a dog bite:

If you want good advice on avoiding dog bites, ask a mail carrier.

"I always approach dogs cautiously. Even though an owner says, 'Oh, they won't [bite],' you never know," said Rafael Rivera, who has been delivering mail in Richmond for six years.

He was bitten once while putting mail into a door slot without a safety flap on the inside that would've protected his fingers. He said he didn't fault the dog because "it was taking care of the house."

Last year, more than 3,000 postal employees across the nation were bitten by dogs. Many were attacked by pets that broke free from their owners or jumped through screen or glass doors. In the Richmond district, which includes the entire state except Northern and Southwest Virginia, 24 employees were bitten in 2008.

The U.S. Postal Service is spotlighting safety this week -- National Dog Bite Prevention Week -- by offering these tips.

How to avoid being bitten

• Don't run past a dog. Its instinct is to chase and catch prey.
• If a dog threatens you, don't scream; avoid eye contact. Stand still until it leaves or back away slowly until it is out of sight.
• If you think the dog is about to attack, put something between you and the dog, such as a backpack or bike.
• Don't approach a strange dog, especially one that is tied up or confined.

How to be a responsible dog owner

• Get obedience training for your dog to teach it proper behavior and help you control it.
• Keep your dog inside and away from the door when the mail carrier comes.
• Spay or neuter your dog. Neutered dogs are less likely to bite.

Source: http://www.timesdispatch.com

Cat Carriers

Jax got a new cat carrier this weekend. He does not ride good in cars. Besides meowing the entire time, he tries to get out of the carrier. When the style I had, he was cutting up his nose. I got him this cat carrier and it has worked great!

There really is no difference between cat carriers and dog carriers. This one is a dog carrier, but works perfect for what I need. Jax seems to like it too. Carriers are important to use while traveling for a few reasons. First is for their safety. If you were to get into an accident, they would be more protected in a carrier then they would be riding freely in your car. Second, for your safety. When they are confined to a carrier, you don't have to worry about where they are and have them crawling in and on places they shouldn't be. You would not want them crawling under your brake and then you needing to use it.

Prison-trained puppies help wounded troops

If there's anything Oprah Winfrey knows for sure, it's what the love of a dog can do for your life. "There is nothing in the world like puppy love," Oprah says.

Still, dogs are more than just companions. They can be the eyes for those who can't see, lead those who can't walk and calm people suffering from conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder.

Where do these service dogs get their start? For some, it all begins behind prison walls...

At the Fishkill Correctional Facility in upstate New York, more than 1,600 men convicted of abuse, robbery and murder are serving their time.

"I've been incarcerated for robbery in the first degree," an inmate named Michael says. "I really had no regards for other people. It was always me, me, me, me."

Now, a groundbreaking program called Puppies Behind Bars is transforming these offenders.

Inmates are given 8-week-old puppies and taught to train them to become service dogs for the disabled, including wounded soldiers.

The puppies and prisoners are together 24 hours a day. The puppies sleep in crates in the inmates' cells.

In return, the puppies give the prisoners something many of them have never experienced before -- unconditional love. "I'm going to make my family and those around me proud of me again. Joining this program, it helped me to give myself a sense of pride again. To know that by nurturing and raising these dogs to their fullest potential, that I could give back."

Animal lover and five-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close first learned about Puppies Behind Bars when she volunteered to help inmates at the women's prison in her town. She was so moved by the impact of the program that she called "The Oprah Winfrey Show" herself to share this story.

"We know the bond that can be created between humans and animals. And there is common knowledge that it's a healing quality," she says.

"The bond that's created between inmates -- who never knew love, never knew responsibility, have only been told that they're worthless -- and the bond that they then train their dogs to establish with these wounded returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan is changing their lives."

Roberto is an inmate whose life has been changed by the program. Convicted of second-degree murder, Roberto has been in prison since he was 17. "I am now 33 years old. I wish I could turn back the hands of time for the hurt and pain that I've caused so many people, especially my victim's family," he says.

Roberto was chosen for Puppies Behind Bars and immediately bonded with his yellow lab, Frankie. "From the moment I got her, it was amazing," he says. "There was some beautiful moments in here that I shared with my puppy."

Eventually, Frankie had to move on -- and Roberto had to say goodbye. "The first night I was without Frankie, I have to say it was a long night," he says. "It was hard for me to realize that the next morning I was going to wake up and not actually feed her that morning."

Since leaving Roberto, Frankie has become a lifeline for Sgt. Allen Hill, who suffers from traumatic brain injury and severe combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder after he was hit by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Frankie helps Sgt. Hill overcome his paralyzing, violent flashbacks by kissing his face.

After a few months together, Sgt. Hill and Frankie return to Fishkill to meet Roberto. When Frankie sees Roberto, she takes off running. "She looks beautiful," Roberto says.

Sgt. Hill thanks Roberto for all that he's done. "Frankie has been there for me. She's been my rock when I've needed her to help me out with a flashback or a nightmare. I can do things that for a year and a half I couldn't do," Sgt. Hill says.

Roberto is moved. "This is an overwhelming feeling, and to see you is breathtaking," he says. "And to see what Frankie had done in your life."

Now paroled, Roberto is expected to be released from prison this summer, but what he learned from Puppies Behind Bars will stay with him forever. "Being able to be involved in the puppy program has taught me to be a responsible person," he says. "It has taught me patience."
Sgt. Hill, his wife, Gina, say Frankie has changed their lives. "The biggest difference that Frankie has made in my life was, one, she allowed me the opportunity to go back to church," he says.

"And, two, she's helping me gain my independence back so I'm not so reliant on Gina and other family members."

Gina says she's starting to see her husband's playful, energetic side come through once again. "We're starting to see that side of him again that we haven't seen in the year and a half he's been home from Iraq," she says. "Frankie has brought my sons their daddy home. She has lit the light back in him that had been so dark."

Perhaps the greatest legacy of Puppies Behind Bars is the lesson of love each inmate learns. Jesse, another prisoner at the Fishkill Correctional Facility, is currently training Joy, his third dog.

"She brought forth in me the ability to love again. It had been so dormant in me for so long because of the cold place that I'm in," he says. "I didn't know that I could love again, and we all get to see how greatly these dogs affect the lives of the people that they touch."

Source: CNN and Oprah

Necessities for a New Kitten/Cat

Are you thinking of getting a new kitten or cat? Have you already made the decision to get a new kitten or cat? Are you now unsure what you need to get. Below is a list of what you should be thinking about getting for your new family member.

• Food- make sure you get a good high quality food. Check the ingredients list, the first ingredients should be a meat product, not a filler such as corn. Good examples are innova, orijen, and taste of the wild. Bad examples are purina foods and ol roy.
• Litter box- if you already have one cat, you should still get another, it is recommended that you always have one more litter box than you have cats. Example- 2 cats means 3 litter boxes.
• Litter scoop & litter
• Scratching post- a definite need if you are not getting your cat declawed, but still recommended even if you are
• Toys- cats can get lazy and fat fast if they don't have something to entertain them. There are so many cat toys out there such as wands, stuffed mice, small balls, and crinkly toys
• Grooming brush- to help reduce shedding and hair balls it is a good idea to brush your cat. If you can has longer hair, this is a must so they do not mat.
• Cat collar and tag- this is a must if letting your cat outside, but it is still a good idea for those indoor cats in case they ever sneak out. Make sure you get a collar made for cats as they have the safety buckle.
• Bed- giving your cat their own place will help them feel more secure. It will also help to keep them off your furniture and reduce the amount of hair
• Cat carrier- these are needed for those trips to the vet and boarding facility if you are ever gone.

More Dog Treat Recipes

Peanut Butter and Banana Oat Drops

Ingredients
4 cups rolled oats
2 Tbsp ground flax seed
2 medium very ripe bananas
½ cup natural (no sugar or shortening added) peanut butter
½ cup water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix together oats, flax seed, bananas, and peanut butter in an electric mixer. Add water and mix well. Drop ½ teaspoon-sized drops onto greased cookie sheet or roll out and cut with a cookie cutter (let dough stand for a few minutes before rolling; it’s sticky initially). Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. The drops last longer and are delightfully crunchy if they are placed in a dehydrator for several hours after baking to remove all moisture. This can also be done in a low temperature (170 degrees) oven.

Berry Bountiful Bars

Ingredients
6 cups large flake rolled oats
1 Tbsp carob powder
6 Tbsp cold pressed safflower oil or another oil of your choice
4 Tbsp unsulphured blackstrap molasses
2 Tbsp unpasteurized local honey, e.g., wildflower, fireweed
1 tsp Manuka healing honey
4 eggs
1 cup sun dried unsulphured blueberries or other dried berries of your choice
1 cup boiling filtered water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Line a 9” x 12” baking dish with parchment paper.
Process 2 cups of the oats in a blender or food processor until finely ground.
Mix together all ingredients, except water, in a large mixing bowl.
Add the boiling water a little at a time, and continue to blend ingredients until the water is absorbed.
Spoon mixture into baking dish and press down with a wooden spoon until the mixture is an even thickness.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Remove from oven and score into small bars.
Allow berry bars to cool completely before storing in an open container.

Berry Bars freeze well and this recipe can easily be doubled.

Source: Modern Dog Magazine

Response From Evangers Food Company

June 14, 2009To All Valued EVANGER'S DOG AND CAT FOOD, INC. Customers,As you are aware, The F.D.A. has taken action against our company. Although there are no recalls, or any allegations of unsafe foods manufactured by Evanger's, we feel that we must respond to this situation with a detailed report.The main reason for the suspension of our permits involves confusion while updating the FILED SCHEDULED PROCESSES as required by F.D.A. rules 21 CFR 108.35(2) and 21 CFR 113.83. To elaborate, these rules dictate that all "STYLES" of food must be studied for adequate heat penetration to achieve "commercial sterility". This procedure usually involves the understanding that heat penetrates different consistencies of product at different rates. For example heat penetrates Evanger's 100% ALL MEAT COOKED CHICKEN at a different rate than Evanger's ALL FRESH VEGETARIAN style formula. Our "Process Authority" (F.D.A. recognized expert) communicated to the F.D.A. that he intended to file a single SCHEDULED PROCESS that would cover ALL loaf style foods that are manufactured at Evanger's using the "MOST RIGOROUS" process (VEGETARIAN). The intention being, that applying this process to all loaf style products would add an additional layer of safety to all other loaf style products. At the same time our process authority indicated that he would "CLEAN UP" our file by deleting older processes.In August of 2008, our process authority completed the update of our file.During a regularly scheduled inspection by the F.D.A we were notified by the inspector that the FILED PROCESSES that we normally use were deleted from our file. Furthermore, the only FILED PROCESS that remained only allowed us to manufacture "VEGETARIAN" foods. To validate this account: we are publishing the actual explanation that was sent to us by the F.D.A. as sighted for the reason for taking action (SEE ATTACHED)[FDA RESPONSE]Your firm's processing authority's response stated it had replaced two older filings with a new filing, Submission Identifier (SID) 2008-03-21/003, to cover all variations of "Loaf Style" pet food produced by Evanger's in the 300 x 400 can size including "Vegetarian Style Loaf". However, documentation on all formula types that your firm intended to include under this filing was not provided. Compliance with 21 CFR 108.35(c)(2) will require your firm to submit a filing for each of the above products, including the ingredients for the various formulations. The additional products that can be called "loafs" using the same process will need their own SID unless they can be included in the existing filing (SID 2008-03-21/003) in which case your processing authority will have to show that these additional products heat the same or faster than the product originally filed as SID 2008-03-21/003 and that the filed minimum scheduled process is sufficient for the safety of all the various product formulations.Your firm failed to submit to FDA, within 30 days after first use, a complete description of the modification made and utilized and a copy of the file record showing prior substantiation by a qualified scientific authority for the following products as required by 21 CFR 108.35(c)(2)(ii):· On 8/12/08, TechniCAL (your contracted process authority) cancelled SID# 1996-03-15/001 and SID# 1977-08-23/001, Loaf Style Dog and Cat Food Ground Meat & Grain Blends in tinplate steel 300 x 405 and 300 x 407 cans, respectively. FDA was not notified of the change from the can size filed to 300 x 400 for Loaf Style Dog and Cat Food Ground Meat & Grain Blends.The management of EVANGER'S is working closely with the F.D.A and our Process Authority to resolve this matter quickly.The issue involves only canned food products.THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR SAFETY ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SITUATION. All Evanger's products that are currently on store shelves are safe as they always have been.Evanger's Dog and Cat Food Co., Inc. continues and will continue to manufacture the highest quality, nutritious, wholesome, innovative and safe pet foods and treats as it has done for over 75 years.We hope this response addresses the confusion that has been in the marketplace as of recently. For all additional inquiries, please contact EVANGERS DOG AND CAT FOOD CO., INC. at 1800 288-6796.We thank you for your understanding.Respectfully,Joel SherVice PresidentEVANGERS DOG AND CAT FOOD CO., INC

The True Meaning of Words

I got this email sent to me. I'm only including the animal related pictures. These are the true meaning of words. If you want the whole email, contact me at http://www.poochieheaven.com/ and I'll send it to you.

Best Friends

Respect

Rescued

Patience



Innocence

Friendship

Freeze Dried Raw Product

Nature’s Variety recently identified two lots of Freeze Dried product that didn’t meet our quality standards. These products do not represent a health hazard to your pet. We have voluntarily withdrawn distribution of these specific products:

Freeze Dried Raw Chicken Formula (UPC # 69949 60151) with a “best if used by” date of 05/25/10
Freeze Dried Raw Beef Formula (UPC # 69949 60251) with a “best if used by” date of 05/25/10

Our distributor and retailer partners have kept control of these products, and because we retrieved these products so quickly, it is very unlikely that you purchased this batch of food. If, however, you believe you may have purchased one of these products, you may contact Nature’s Variety at 1.888.519.PETS (7387) for a full refund or replacement.

We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us by clicking CONTACT US at the top of this page, or call our Customer Service Team directly at 1.888.519.PETS. We will be happy to respond to you as quickly as possible.

Our Commitment to Quality At Nature’s Variety, we’re committed to product quality. Our team is passionate about providing nutritious products, formulated with high quality meat, poultry, and fish protein. Our Quality Assurance Team takes extra care to ensure the wholesomeness of our premium foods.

Nature’s Variety has and will continue to enforce strict quality standards as we offer our nutritious foods to your special pet. Thank you for your continued trust in Nature’s Variety. Be assured, your pet’s health and happiness is our first priority.

Evanger's Dog Food

FDA Suspends Temporary Emergency Permit of Pet Food Maker
June 12, 2009

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today it was suspending the temporary Emergency Permit issued to Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Co., Inc.

Evanger's, operating in Wheeling, Illinois, deviated from the prescribed process, equipment, product shipment, and recordkeeping requirements in the production of the company's thermally processed low acid canned food (LACF) products. The deviations in their processes and documentation could result in under-processed pet foods, which can allow the survival and growth of Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), a bacterium that causes botulism in some animals as well as in humans.

In April 2008, Evanger’s was issued an “Order of Need for Emergency Permit” after the agency determined that the company had failed to meet the regulatory requirements to process a product that does not present a health risk.

In June, 2008, FDA issued Evanger’s a temporary Emergency Permit. During inspections conducted between March 2009 and April 2009, FDA determined Evanger’s was not operating in compliance with the mandatory requirements and conditions of the Temporary Emergency Permit. “The FDA is stopping Evanger's ability to ship pet food in interstate commerce,” said Dr. Bernadette Dunham. “Today’s enforcement action sends a strong message to manufacturers of pet food that we will take whatever action necessary to keep unsafe products from reaching consumers.”

In order for Evanger's to resume shipping in interstate commerce, the company must document that corrective actions and processing procedures have been implemented to ensure that the finished product will not present a health hazard.Botulism is a powerful toxin that affects the nervous system and can be fatal. The disease has been documented in dogs and cats. Signs of botulism in animals are progressive muscle paralysis, disturbed vision, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, and progressive weakness to the body. Death is usually due to paralysis of the heart or the muscles used in breathing.

While FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition is responsible for regulating all human and animal LACF processing, FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine has authority over animal feed and foods. The two centers are collaborating on this enforcement action.

Source: FDA website

Samuel's New Collar

Samuel is so cute in his personalized collar!

Why does my dog need a dog swim vest?

Do you think that it is a ridiculous idea that a dog would need dog swimming vest? While many people would agree with you, there are legitimate reasons for a dog life jacket.

Do you have a very small dog yet enjoy taking them on trips to the beach, lake, or just to your backyard to the pool? While many dogs are very good swimmers, there are some that cannot swim very well and need the extra boost that a dog water vest would provide.

You may not be able to get to a small dog by the time you realize that it has fallen overboard before it sinks. If the dog was wearing a dog swim vest, the floatation would allow them a little more time so you can get to them.

If you own a pool and want to make sure your dog is safe, a large or small dog life jacket will keep your dog safe and prevent them from drowning. It provides that extra buoyancy they need to keep their heads above the water. Many dog life jackets have a handle on the top that allows you to pull the dog out of the water.

There are even large dogs that need a dog floatation jacket. If your dog is anything like my 100lb German shepherd, once the water hits his belly, he freaks out. I wouldn’t trust him in the middle of a lake. A dog life vest would also be great for an aging dog. One, who may not have the strength or stamina to allow for a swim, but with an extra aid from a dog life preserver, can enjoy the water how they did when they were little.

But please note you should never leave a dog unattended when around water and wearing the swim vest.

Finally, it is important that you measure your dog correctly so that your dog can’t slip out of the jacket. The jacket should provide adequate movement for their legs and neck so they can safely swim while in the water.

Some of the most popular brands for designer dog floatation vests are Doggles, Outward Hound, Ruff Wear, and Paws Aboard.

New Drug for Feline Hyperthyroidism

FDA Approves First Drug to Treat Feline Hyperthyroidism
June 9, 2009

The Food and Drug Administration announced today the approval of Felimazole (methimazole), a new drug for the treatment of hyperthyroidism in cats. Felimazole, a new molecular entity for animals, is the first drug approved for hyperthyroidism in cats.

Hyperthyroidism is caused by an increase in production of thyroid hormones from the thyroid glands. Methimazole is an antithyroid drug and works by blocking the creation of thyroid hormones.

"Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common diseases seen in middle-aged and senior cats," said Bernadette Dunham, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. "Cats can become seriously ill with this condition. The approval of Felimazole offers cat owners, in consultation with their veterinarians, an effective medical treatment for this serious disease.”

Thyroid hormones play an important role in controlling the body’s metabolic rate. Hyperthyroid cats generally have weight loss, despite increased appetite and food intake. The disease can also cause increased thirst, hyperactivity, rapid heart rate and irritability. Left untreated, the disease can result in heart failure or high blood pressure.

The effectiveness and safety of Felimazole were evaluated in field studies conducted in the United Kingdom and the United States. Success was measured by a decrease in the production of thyroid hormones or T4 levels and improvement in clinical signs, i.e., weight gain, no longer vomiting, return to normal eating habits, etc. A total of 166 hyperthyroid cats were treated with Felimazole. By day 42, 77% of cats in the UK study had normal T4 levels and 81% had reduced disease severity. In the US study, by day 42, 61% of cats were considered treatment successes with a significant decrease in T4 concentration and improved clinical signs.

The most common side effects associated with Felimazole included a change in food consumption (increase or decrease), lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Less common side effects include anemia and low platelet count in some cats.

Felimazole is manufactured by Dechra, Ltd., Staffordshire, United Kingdom.

May Gift Winner

Congrats to Kathy and her dogs Torry and Izzie. They are the May Gift Winner! These two adorable dogs got new dog collars!

Sign up for the Poochieheaven Gift Contest

Traveling with your Dog

From AAA living

Traveling with your Pets

Many pets love car rides. When you travel with Fluffy or Fido, be sure to protect them just like any other member of the family.

Similar to seat belts for humans, pet restraints and travel carriers help protect animals from injury and from injuring other passengers. They also reduce driver distractions, while offering a safe, comfortable place for your pet to ride.

Pet restraints attach to your car’s seat and come in a variety of styles. Be sure to choose the right size restraint for your pet.

Travel carriers should be big enough for your pet to comfortably satand without touching the top. Cats should always ride in a carrier to prevent them from crawling under your feet while you drive.

Never ride with a pet in the front seat, whether in the passenger seat or on your lap. Pets in the driver lap present a dangerous distraction, and front seat air bags could seriously harm your pet if deployed.

Don’t let your pets stick their head outside car windows; debris can get in their eyes, ears, and nose. Leaving pets inside a parked car can lead to heat stroke or hypothermia. Dogs riding in the rear of pickup trucks should be in a carrier that is fastened securely to the truck bed.

Items to pack:
Health documentation and pet first aid kit.

My dog is a wimp

Duke is afraid of a little kids' pair of Elmo slippers

A Dog's Purpose?

A Dog's Purpose? (from a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker 's family surrounded him.. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why'.

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long'.

From an email sent to me.

New Informational Articles

We have added some new informational articles to Poochieheaven.

Here are the links:

http://www.poochieheaven.com/articleseries.php?article_id=29
http://www.poochieheaven.com/articleseries.php?article_id=28
http://www.poochieheaven.com/articleseries.php?article_id=27
http://www.poochieheaven.com/articleseries.php?article_id=26
http://www.poochieheaven.com/articleseries.php?article_id=30

A Dog's Love

A great email I received.

'Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!' My father yelled at me. 'Can't you do anything right?' Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.

'I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.' My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt. Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about him?

Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon . He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess. The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man.

Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone.

My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm.. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.

The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered. In vain. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, 'I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article.' I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.

I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons 'too big, too small, too much hair.'

As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly. I pointed to the dog. 'Can you tell me about him?'

The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow.'

He gestured helplessly. As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. 'You mean you're going to kill him?' 'Ma'am,' he said gently, 'that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog.' I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision. 'I'll take him,' I said.

I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch. 'Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!' I said excitedly.

Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. 'If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it' Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house. Anger rose inside me. It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples. 'You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!' Dad ignored me. 'Did you hear me, Dad?' I screamed.

At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate. We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw. Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal.

It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet. Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends.

Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night. Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind.

The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.' 'I've often thanked God for sending that angel,' he said.

For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article...Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter. . his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father. . and the proximity of their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.

Life is too short for drama and petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly. Live While You Are Alive. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. Forgive now those who made you cry.. You might not get a second time. And if you don't send this to at least 4 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. Lost time can never be found.