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Dogs Are People Too!

This blog is dedicated to our four-legged friends-everyone's favorite pet-the beloved dog. Here we can discuss anything and everything related to dogs. We can share stories, photos, health and training tips, grooming tips; anything and everything related to the canines in our lives. Welcome and please do not hesitate to comment! I love to read other's stories and this blog was created to share. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you come back often!
ABOUT MAGGIE-We decided to get a puppy and began scouring the local online market places in the beginning of July in 2005. We answered an ad that was advertising small, mixed breed pups, made an appointment and drove an hour north to Nordingrå to visit the puppies. The breeder had the puppies out in her yard in a small enclosure. The pups were 8 weeks old. She told us that the mother was a Papillon and that the father was a Yorkshire Terrier. Both parents were there. One of the puppies looked very much like a Chihuahua, as he was short-haired and black and tan colored. I questioned the owner, because the father of the puppies did not look like a pure bred Yorkie to me, but she insisted that he was.There were four puppies in the litter. One had been sold already. Beside the one that looked like a Chihuahua, there was Maggie and then another female that had the same features as Maggie, only she was all brown with a black stripe running down the middle of her back. We decided that we liked the coloring of little Maggie and her sweet disposition, so we happily bought her and took her home that day.I have heard of so many names of this mixed breed. They can be called Yorkipaps, Papiyorks or Yorkillons! Maggie has the Yorkie face with the Pap ears and coloring. So many people that meet her have said what a perfect combination of breeds she seems to be!One of the neat things about Maggie is that we will never forget her birthday. She was born on May 5, 2005, so it's 5/5/05! So I suppose you could say that her lucky number is 5!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Shelters in California Have Overflow of Chihuahuas

The state of California has more Chihuahuas then it knows what to do with and workers at shelters are blaming Hollywood. There are so many Chihuahuas at the shelters in Oakland that the shelters are being forced to send the dogs to shelters in neighboring states. The tiny breed makes up at least thirty percent of the total dog population at shelters across the state. Experts say we can blame the likes of Paris Hilton and Miley Cyrus as well as other celebrities for the problem as people have rushed to buy Chihuahuas to tote around and to use as a status symbol of sorts.

Thankfully, at least for now, the problem seems to be specific to the state of California as Chihuahuas are the most popular breed in Los Angeles and thus has become the breed that is abandoned the most. Some shelters report receiving an average of ten Chihuahuas every single day. The reason given by the owners who bring the tiny dogs to the shelters range from statements saying that the dog has become “too old”, or that the dog is “too yappy”. Many of the owners also state that their dog has nipped or bitten someone in the household.

California has also seen a rise in the number of backyard breeders who are trying to cash in on the popularity of the Chihuahua. Unfortunately, many people have no problem in kicking a Chihuahua, and due to the small size of the dog, many Chihuahuas are mishandled by children and adults alike.

Now, back to Paris Hilton. In September of this year a news story came across the wires saying that two of Hilton's Chihuahuas were killed by coyotes. Neighbors as well as paparazzi had reported that they have often found some of her dogs roaming the streets after they had gotten out of her compound--due to not being watched. It was reported that Hilton did not even find the bodies of her two dogs until the day after she discovered them missing. We can only hope that she does not buy more dogs to replace those two. The Hollywood heiress was the first person to use her Chihuahua Tinkerbell as a fashion accessory, toting the poor thing around with her from nightclub to nightclub in a handbag.

Thankfully, most of the shelters who are getting the overflow of Chihuahuas from California report that they are having success placing then often abused and neglected dogs into new and loving homes. In my opinion, it's time for people in California to wake up and quit looking at Chihuahuas as 'fashion accessories'!!!





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Monday, November 23, 2009

Greyhound Dog Racing-The Dirty Truth


The national greyhound protection group called GREY2K USA ran a successful ballot campaign against greyhound racing in the state of Massachusetts in 2008 and this year they took the battle to the state of Florida where they are out to close down the thirteen dog tracks in that state.
Christine Dorchak, president of the group, says that dog racing is cruel and inhumane and that the dogs live miserable lives in confinement. The state of Florida does not require race tracks and kennels to maintain published records of injuries or deaths.
GREY2K USA shot video footage showing two greyhounds who died as a result of injuries they received while racing. One of the dogs was a two year old greyhound who suffered two broken legs while racing at the Palm Beach Kennel Club.
Dogs live in small cages that are barely big enough for them to stand up or turn around in and most greyhound race tracks house one thousand dogs in warehouse-like structures. The general public is unaware of the fact that thousands of greyhounds are seriously injured every year while racing. These injuries include broken bones, heart attacks, broken necks and paralysis due to spinal cord injuries. Greyhounds are forced to race in the most extreme weather conditions, both on the hottest summer days and in sub-zero temperatures during the winter months.
When greyhounds are no long pulling in a profit, they are killed. It is estimated that at least 5,000 greyhounds are unnecessarily killed every year across the United States. In Wisconsin in 2002, a greyhound trainer was videotaped injecting several greyhounds with an anabolic steroid and in Florida, over 100 dogs tested positive for cocaine between the years 2001 and 2003. The state of Florida did nothing to find out how the dogs had ingested the cocaine. To add insult to injury, greyhound racing dogs are fed low quality and cheap meat-often diseased and dead livestock.
The greyhounds need to be protected and greyhound racing needs to be shut down. Until dog racing is outlawed, these dogs will continue to be sentenced to inhumane treatment and living their lives in small cages. It is time people stood up and told their state legislators that greyhound racing should be illegal--in every single one of the sixteen states that allow greyhound racing today.
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Saturday, May 30, 2009

Walking Your Dog Should Be Pleasant


Walking your dog on a leash should be a pleasant experience for both your dog and for you. It is important that you take your dog out for regular walks if you don't have a fenced in yard. Dogs need exercise and it is in their nature to explore the environment. I have a neighbor who owns three dogs, two Chinese Crested dogs and a Standard Poodle. The owner has no control whatsoever over his three dogs and allows them to jump and bark at people and other dogs that they pass on the street.
The poodle is absolutely hysterical on the leash. He jumps and barks constantly and when the owner tries to stop this behavior, the dog stands on his hind legs, and his owner allows the dog to do this. It is very obvious that the owner is embarassed by the dog's behavior and that he has no control over any of this three dogs when they are out walking.
As a dog owner, you must always remember that your dog looks to you to give the directions. Dogs are pack animals and need to have a leader, and the leader is you, the owner.
When you are out on a walk with your dog and another dog is approaching, if your dog starts pulling, barking, jumping or exhibiting any other undesireable behavor, immediately shorten the leash and turn the dog away from the approaching dog. Do not allow your dog to win this small 'battle'. Simply turn the dog away from what it is that he is overly interested in, and then move along.
Walking your dog should be fun, relaxing, and a pleasant experience. If you feel that you need help in training your dog how to behave while walking on a leash, you can take a short course that will teach you and your dog how to enjoy a walk. Most cities offer dog training courses and it would be well worth the time and the small amount of money the course costs.
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Monday, May 4, 2009

The Importance of Having Your Dog Wear an ID Tag


If you own a dog, there is little doubt that your dog is a part of your family. He goes places with the family, is always by your side and depends on you to take care of his needs. You could not even imagine how terrible you would feel if you were to lose him.
No matter how careful you are, there is always a possiblity that your dog could slip away from you. It could happen in a variety of ways and under differing circumstances, but you must know that is is in fact a possibility. To give you peace of mind, you should always have an ID tag on your dog's collar that shows his name, and your phone number. If you wish, you can also get your dog implanted with a tiny identification microchip. This microchip is injected under the surface of your dog's skin by your veterinarian and contains your information, such as name, address and phone number. If your dog should become lost, and is found by someone, local police forces have a reader that they use to scan your dog's body to see if he has an identification microchip. Then the information comes up on the computer and the police can contact you to tell you that your dog has been found. The actual microchip is very tiny and it causes absolutely no pain to your dog to have it injected.
So whether you choose a dog tag that your dog wears on his collar or an microchip, it is up to you. The important thing is to be sure that your do have your dog identifiable so that you and he will never be separated.
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Meet the World's Biggest Dog!

We met this big Irish Wolfhound male dog when we were out walking this week. He was huge and a 'gentle giant'. The woman in the picture is his owner and she is of average height. The top of his back came up to the top of my hip! Maggie was with us and she ignored him as she is mostly only interested in people. The 'entire Maggie' is the size of his head! I looked up the Irish Wolfhound and found that this breed is 'probably' the biggest dog in the world. They were used for hunting wolves, wild boar, bear and deer. One thing I can say for sure is that he is the biggest dog in Sundsvall, Sweden!
I look forward to meeting him again on future walks. He only lives a couple of blocks away.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Long-Haired Dogs Need A Spring Beauty Treatment


It's springtime and if you own a dog that has thick fur or long hair, it would be a good idea to make an appointment at the local groomer to have a spring makeover. Dogs, if they live in places with changing seasons, need their long hair for protection from the cold weather. If the summers are hot it is a good idea to have your dog's fur trimmed or thinned out a bit so that he is more comfortable in the hot and humid weather.
Dog groomers become very busy in the spring and early summer months, with their customers bringing their dogs in for a yearly trim. The groomer usually will begin with brushing and combing through the thick fur and using special grooming tools that are designed to remove tangles and matted fur. Many long haired dogs get quite matted behind their legs, at the base of the and on the undersides of their body. Once the initial combing and brushing is done, it's time for a bath with a good quality dog shampoo. After the shampooing, it's back to the grooming table again to be dried with the dog hair dryer and start clipped and shaving away old, dead fur or hair. The groomer will also clip the long hair that has grown between the dog's pads, as this hair can twist and pull, causing your four-legged friend discomfort and pain.
Your dog will feel much better with this thorough grooming and will most definitely be much more comfortable in the hot summer months and especially if you dog is outdoors a lot in the summertime. So, do your dog a big favor and schedule a grooming appointment to get your dog prepared for the warm weather.
I am sure you have seen dogs with tons of heavy, matted fur panting as they walk alongside their oblivious owners in the summer months. These dogs are miserable, hot and very, very uncomfortable, that i borders on animal cruely. Dogs depend on us humans to care for them, and getting your dog groomed regularly is a part of the very basics of carring for a dog.
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Thursday, April 2, 2009

Dogs,Dogs Wonderful Dogs!


If you are reading this article, then I would guess that you are a person like me in the fact that you love dogs! Perhaps more specifically, your own dog or a past dog that was a big part of your life. Dogs are without a doubt the most popular type of house pet in the entire civilized world. And for good reason.
I cannot imagine my life being 'dog-less'. I grew up with dogs. All of my childhood memories involve the family dog that we had at that time. I have fond memories of our Wired Hair Terrier that we four children got as a suprise Christmas present from our parents when I was nine years old. She came into our lives on Christmas morning with a red satin ribbon tied around her nine week old neck. My mother christened her 'Chrissy Noel' in commeration of the day she joined the family.
Then there was Lizzy, the wonderful Collie pup that we rescued in a blizzard. Some horribly mean spirited person had driven the entire litter of puppies into our small town early one morning, in hopes, we assumed, that the towns' people would take pity on the poor, shivering puppies and give them homes. Thankfully it did happen, as every one of the six puppies were adopted by people doing their banking or shopping that cold winter morning. Lizzie was a fixture in our home for 14 years. We got another dog when Lizzie was about 8 years old-a scruffy black 'mop' named Archie. Lizzie immediately saw to it that Archie would not drink out of the in-ground swimming pool, as he loved to do. When he bent down and leaned over the edge of the pool, Lizzie would run over to him, walk in between him and the pool and force him away from the water!
Dogs. Such fine memories. I plan on always having a dog in my life as long as I am mobile and have the capacity to care for him or her and provide the necessary daily exercise that dogs need. I never get tired of meeting a new dog when I'm out on a stroll with my little Papillon, Yorkie mix. I love watching young puppies romping and play in the fall leaves, or tire when being walked on the leash, and just simply sit or lay down because they are 'pooped out'.
Dogs. Gotta love 'em! I have yet to meet a dog that I didn't like. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about people! I never really 'get it' when a person says that they don't like dogs. How could that be? Why? Dogs love us no matter what. They are loyal until the end. They look to us for everything and depend on us to feed and care for them and love them. What's not to like about that?
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Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Importance of Grooming Your Dog


If you are the proud owner of a dog, (and I say proud because I know that all people who own dogs are very proud of their four-legged friend), then it is absolutely essential that you keep your dog clean and healthy.
Dogs need to be groomed on a regular basis. This includes regular brushing which will keep the fur from matting or tangling, and will also remove the dead hair from your dog's coat. You can purchase a good quality dog brush at any pet store. Be sure you get a brush that is made for the type of hair or fur you dog has. You can ask the shop attendant for assistance in choosing the brush if you are unsure.
Dogs do not necessarily need to be bathed so terribly often. This all depends on how dirty your dog gets. I own a mixed breed between a Yorkie and a Papillon and she only requires to be bathed every few months. We live in the city and walk mostly on groomed trails and sidewalks, so she stays relatively clean.
Do use a shampoo that is made specifically for dogs. These too can be found at pet stores. Dog shampoos are created with your pet in mind and will not irritate their skin like some shampoos that are made for humans can. Be sure to put some cotton swabs just inside the dog's ear cavity when giving him a bath, to stop water from entering the inner ear, which could lead to an inner ear infection.
Part of a regular grooming routine for you dog should include regular clipping or trimming of the claws. Keeping the claws trimmed will, for one, be more comfortable for your dog, plus it will prevent the claws from curling and possibly growing into the pads of the paw. Some breeds have an extra claw a bit higher up on the front legs. These are called 'dew claws' and it is essential that these be trimmed also, as a long dew claw can easily grow into the skin of the leg of your dog.
You must be very careful when trimming your dog's claws so as not to take off too much of the tip, for if you trim too far down, it will create pain and some bleeding. There are some really great claw clippers/trimmers available in pet stores that make the job easier. If you do not feel comfortable trimming the claws, call your local dog groomer and make a quick appointment. You need not pay more than around five dollars for this service. Ask your groomer to show you how to safely trim the claws.
Dogs like to be clean and well cared for, just as we humans do. Your dog depends on you to keep him clean and healthy, so do not neglect the hygiene of your best friend!
Written by Cin Rupp. Come and visit my blog and see some really cute photos of Maggie!http://mycutemutt.blogspot.com/

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Friday, March 20, 2009

Want Companionship? Get Yourself a Pet!

If you want a companion or a little company in your home, consider buying a pet. There are many types of pets to choose from and you should choose your pet to fit into your lifestyle and the size of your home.
If you live in an apartment building, getting a dog may not be your first best choice. Dogs must be taken outdoors several times a day, and if you leave home to work, your dog will be left alone in your apartment and will become lonely, may disturb the neighbors with barking, plus you will need to hire someone to come and take your dog out for walks while you are away.
There are several other pets that would do well living in an apartment. A cat can live happily indoors all it's life and can be left alone for longer periods of time. Having a hamster or other some animal is also an alternative. Birds make great pets for apartment dwellers as well, and provide company. It is nice to start the mornings off with a sweet bird song!
Having an aquarium filled with colorful fish is cheerful, and it is said that an aquarium provides a calming affect to people. Aquariums come in all sizes and shapes, so an aquarium would be a perfect choice for a person living in an apartment.
If you live in a house or share part of a house, a dog or a puppy would be a good choice. Dogs need space and adore being outdoors, so if you have a little patch of grass, your dog will be very pleased.
It is known that pet owners live longer then people who do not own a pet. Pets provide company to people and they depend on you to take care of their basic needs. Once you have chosen your pet, visit your local pet store to buy the necessary pet supplies tailored to your new friend.
Written by Cindy Rupp

http://mycutemutt.blogspot.com/ Best Top-Quality Pet Supplies!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_Rupp


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Monday, March 9, 2009

Choosing Treats For Your Dog


We usually feed our dogs the same dog food every day. Dogs enjoy having a bit of variation in their diets, and there are an lot of dog treats available on the market. It can be a bit confusing choosing a good treat for your dog.
Many supermarkets offer dog treats in their pet aisles. If you check the ingredient list on the package, this may aid you in deciding what treat to choose. You want to give you dog only treats that are healthy and should avoid low priced treats, as the quality is often on the low end.
Many of these cheaper dog treats that are for sale in grocery stores and discount chain stores, unfortunately contain a lot of artificial ingredients and chemicals. It may be a wiser choice to shop online for a high quality dog treat that contains only natural ingredients. Pet shops also have top quality treats and the shop owners or clerks are well-informed and can assist you in choosing a good treat for your dog.
If your dog is older and not as active as he or she used to be, it may be wise to choose a treat that is low in fat. Another dog treat option is finding a 'chew stick' that is made to clean the dog's teeth as he or she chews. Dogs have a tendency to get a buildup of plaque on their teeth just like humans do, and if you do not brush your dog's teeth (many dog owners do not) then most vets will advise dog owners to provide this type of chew treat to their pets.
Your dog will be happy getting a bit of variation and you will be happy knowing that you made a wise choice.

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Thursday, February 12, 2009

WALKING THE PUP ON A LEASH


It is important from an early age to put a collar on your pup to get him/her used to it. Do not, however, leave the collar on the puppy if she is un-attended to to avoid the risk of an accident. If a dog is startled or becomes upset, they can sometimes ‘choke’ on the collar by getting it caught in their mouth or accidently get it caught on something which could cut off their air supply. We would attach a lightweight leash to our 9 week out while she was in the yard with us and simply let her drag it around for a few minutes to get used to having something attached to her and then approach and gently pick up the leash handle and gently lead her around the yard, enouraging her to come with us. We then began slowly leaving the yard with Maggie on the leash and taking walks around the complex. We used an harness for walking-we felt that since she was so small that a harness provided security and we didn’t really feel comfortable using a collar on that tiny neck. We bought a ‘no pull’ type harness on Ebay. The leash clip is on the front of the harness, so when Maggie would begin to pull ahead and the leash became taunt, it automatically forced her to turn around to face us-hence stopping the pulling. Note that this type of harness is for training purposes only (as it could easily slip off) to teach the dog to break the pulling habit. We highly recommend this type of harness. It proved to be very effective while training our small dog not to pull. There were times when we would use the training harness again as she sometimes would revert back to trying to get ahead and pull on her regular harness. Only after a day or so with the no-pull harness training it was back to the regular harness once again!
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Sunday, February 8, 2009

Picking The Right Food For Your Pet


Pets are great to have and to share our lives with, and they require just as much care as humans do in order to be healthy and happy and to live a long life. All pets need to be fed properly, and we often have the question of what is the best food for our pets to get from us. There are many people who give their pets human food, while others believe this is wrong and only feed their pets with pet food. We will concentrate on dogs here since this is a dog related blog. Is it wise to feed your dog human food?
Dogs are related to the wolf family which are strictly carnivourous, which means they eat mostly the flesh from other animals. This does not mean, however that human food is the correct food for them. It is best to find a dog food product where the first ingredient is meat. Make sure it is real meat and not some kind of a meat substitute. Feeding your dog only human food is not really a great idea because it can be too greasy for them and can block their arteries and they need a well balanced diet. A good dog food has a great balance of meat, grains, vitamins and fiber.
Dogs have very sensitive digestive tracks and can get diarrhea quite easily and upset stomachs if there are changes made to their diet. It is best to find a quality dog food that is healthy for them. Your vet can recommend a good food for your dog if you find it confusing.
It is also a good idea to keep them on the same food as changing food too often can cause problems for your dog. If you feel you need to change food, you should slowly mix the new food in with the old until you have fully replaced the old over a few weeks.
Dogs should get varying amounts of food each day, depending on their activity level and their size. Most dog food packages have guidelines regarding this.
Choosing the correct food for your dog is important to ensure that your dog will live a long and healthy life.
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Friday, February 6, 2009

Teaching Kids And Pets To Co-Exist Peacefully


It is possible for children and pets to coexist together under the same roof? Many people believe that small children and dogs are not a good combination. They fear that the dog will not get along with the new child and that the dog may hurt the child in some way. This need not always be the case, and if you take the time to correctly introduce your dog to your children, your kids and pets can live in harmony and become the best of pals!
One of the biggest concerns that many parents have when it comes to dogs in the home is how it will react to a new baby. The fact is tha most dogs readily accept a new child into the home and become loyal and very protective over the baby, as they view the child as a part of the family unit.
You should introduce your pet to your new baby slowly and be sure that you are always in the room. Allow your dog to sniff your child at his or her own pace. Make the introduction pleasant for your dog. Sometimes the dog will not give a new baby a second thought!
Allow your dog time to adjust to the new family member on his or her own terms. When a baby comes to the house, it is an adjustment for everybody. It is a good idea too to be sure your dog's nails are trimmed properly to avoid any accidents, as dogs like to put their paws on people at times.
It is a good idea to keep your dog well-groomed too. If you keep the dog clipped and brushed it will certainly help your home stay a little bit cleaner and lower the risk for allergy problems. Studies have shown that children who are around dogs and cats from early in their lives, actually have less trouble with allergies.
Make sure that your dog does not have access to your baby’s room when you are not there..such as at naptimes.
Be sure that you are still spending quality time with your dog and giving him or her attention, as dogs can become jealous easily. Do what you normally did before the baby arrived such as playing in the yard and going for walks.
Teach your child from a young age that they should never play rough or pull on the dog's fur or tail. They must learn to respect the dog. It is also important to teach your child to respect your dog and his or her space in the home.
There are many things you can do to ensure that your kids and your dog can live together happily in the same home. Your children and and your dog need to learn to respect each other from the very beginning. Children and dogs do make great bonds and having a dog in the family greatly enriches the household.
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Monday, February 2, 2009

Abandoned Dogs-A Different Way To Rescue a Dog!

When I was a kid of twelve, there was a big blizzard in the small town I grew up in. My father had walked home for lunch that particular day, and told us that someone had dropped off or 'dumped' a litter of four puppies in the center of town. He told us they looked like Collie puppies.
My younger sister and I, being total animal lovers, immediately put on our winter outerwear and ran into town to see for ourselves. Sure enough, the poor, wet and cold puppies were trying desperately to get into the local banks' front door whenever customers would enter or exit!
We lured the five puppies away from the town center into a neighboring lot. They appeared to be no more than 6 or 7 weeks old! We played with them for a bit, then started walking the two blocks back home. We were just hoping that some adults in town would gather them and take them home so they would be safe. As we started walking away, all of the puppies ran after us for a few yards or so, then turned back and started wandering as a group back toward town. One female puppy however, looked back at us, then looked at her litter mates, then back and us again, and came running to us and followed us home. We knew that very instant, that she was going to become a member of our family!
When our mother saw the wet, muddy and very cold puppy, she took her upstairs and gave her a warm bath and towel dried her. What a beautiful puppy she was!
When our father came home from work later that afternoon, he had heard that all of the puppies were adopted by sympathetic people that were in town that day.
We took the female pup to our veterinarian that week and upon examining her, the vet told us that he was quite convinced that she was a full-bred Collie! She was the sweetest, prettiest dog I have ever known! Lizzie lived a very happy life with our family until she died at the age of fourteen. She was loved by all and is still missed.
How on earth could a human being gather up a whole litter of young, innocent puppies, put them in his or her car, drive to the nearest town, and just release them in the middle of a snowstorm? We never found out unfortunately, who had abandoned those puppies that cold winter day. Dog abandonment is a crime which is punishable by law most everywhere and is an inexcusable act.
Written by Cin Rupp. Come and visit my blog and see some really cute photos of Maggie!
http://mycutemutt.blogspot.com/ Best Top-Quality Pet Supplies!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_Rupp
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Sunday, January 25, 2009

Dog Clothing-Is It Right Or Wrong?


Now, this is just WRONG!

Clothing for dogs has become a very lucrative business for many canine lovers. You can now buy dog clothing with ease, both online and in boutiques; especially in larger cities. Owning smaller dogs is very popular these days, partly due to the fact that they are easy to take along with you, and also because so many people live in smaller living spaces and can accommodate a smaller pet.
I must admit that I do own a few dog jackets for my small Yorkillon mixed breed. When it's raining heavy, I put a lightweight raincoat on her as she absolutely hates to go outside in the rain. When it becomes really cold outside (below zero Fahrenheit) I slip a fleece-lined red jacket on her, which keeps her belly warm and prevents the snow from 'balling up' and tangling her fur. This is as far as I go with dressing my dog.
I have seen numerous websites that sell all kinds of clothing for dogs. Everything ranging from t shirts, hooded sweatshirts, boots and even pajamas! I know that the media shows many celebrity women carrying around their small dogs dressed in outfits, and it somehow became 'hip' or 'posh' to dress dogs up in all kinds of hideous outfits. To me, I get the impression that they look at their dogs as toys or dolls in some respect. Fun little things to play with and make fashion statements to the world!
I cannot even imagine putting a pair of pajamas on my dog at night! Talk about un-natural! I know there are many people out there who totally disagree with me. They think that they have the right to dress their dogs if they please to do so, with which I agree, but I honestly do not think that the dogs who must endure the changing of clothing several times daily are the happiest creatures on earth.
Now I also know that there are those people out there that do not think that a dog should ever wear any type of clothing-not even a rain or winter jacket. I can say that I think dog outerwear has become quite acceptable for some of the practical reasons I stated earlier. I have never spoken to a dog owner who has closets full of clothing for their four-legged friends, so I really cannot say what their justifications are for this behavior. All I can say is that I personally find it a bit disturbing and totally ridiculous. What do you think?
Written by Cin Rupp. Come and visit my blog and see some really cute photos of Maggie!
http://mycutemutt.blogspot.com/ Best Top-Quality Pet Sypplies!

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Sunday, January 18, 2009

White House Puppy?

Well, there are only two days left until the Obamas move into the White House and we all have heard that he promised his daughters a dog when they moved into their new home. When asked what kind of dog he was going to get he replied 'Probably a mutt like me!'. So of course, everyone is wondering and waiting to see what kind of pooch gets to occupy the big house on Pennsylvania Avenue! Offers poured in from all across the US and around the world, offering puppies, making suggestions and on and on! I personally don't care if he gets a mixed breed or a pure bred. It's the family's choice. No one can make the choice for them, but it will be interesting to see what kind of dog they get, as it will be an instant celebrity! What do you think? Will it be a pure bred or a mutt?
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Sunday, January 11, 2009

Dogs and Fireworks-Not a Friendly Combination



We humans love fireworks. They are a part of many culture's celebrations across the globe. In the United States, most towns and cities put on an incredible fireworks display on Independence Day. In Europe, fireworks are used to celebrate holidays the year round. As an American living in Sweden, I was not aware that Swedes shoot off fireworks on New Year's Eve with total abandon gusto! There are no restrictions regarding the sales of these air-born rockets to the average citizen, believe it or not.
I am the owner of a dog. She is now three years old. She is a wonderful, small female mixed breed between a Papillion (her mother) and an Yorkshire Terrier (her father). She is a very well-balanced dog. She loves and trusts everyone and loves to go along with me whenever she can.
The sale of fireworks begins here in earnest in early December. You can hear the occasional one here or there being fired at any time in December, as it seems some people are too anxious to save them until New Year's Eve. My dog hates fireworks. If we are out for a walk and one goes off, she will immediately turn toward home and pull on the leash in that direction and nothing I say or do will convince her that 'it's ok'. As you can imagine, the closer to the big holiday, the more often we encounter this when going out for a walk.
This past New Year's Eve I was home alone with the dog. I took her out at around 8 pm because I knew it would be pointless to try and take her out much after that time. She was hesitant to leave the front step, but I convinced her to at least take a few steps away from the building so she could relieve herself.
When midnight came, our neighbors from downstairs came out the door with their party guests and were carrying four full cases of fireworks! They did not even have the consideration to go several dozen feet or yards away from the apartment building; rather they set up their makeshift 'launching pad' only fifteen feet from the building!
They proceeded to fire off some pretty impressive rockets, complete with the 'whooshing' noise and the smoke. My poor dog was frantic! She saw the bright flashes in the front windows and tried to leave the apartment. I closed the blinds, turned up my music a bit, but nothing could damper the incredible noise coming from just outside the windows. I talked calmly to her, held and reassured her, but to no avail. She was shaking with fear! She finally took refuge in the shoe rack at the front door. She literally crawled onto the shoe rack and cowered there in the corner until the celebrating was over an hour later.
Next year, sadly, I will have to make a visit to my vet to get her a tranquilizer so she can endure the long night. I know that there are countless pet owners out there that feel, as I do, that there should be restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks.
Written by Cin Rupp. Come and visit my blog and see some really cute photos of Maggie! http://mycutemutt.blogspot.com/ Best Top-Quality Pet Supplies!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_Rupp


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Friday, January 9, 2009

Just some thoughts....



The weather remains cold here in Sweden and I see on the news that most of Europe is in the deep freeze too. This cold weather sure makes you appreciate having a roof over your head and a warm bed to sleep in. I see that Russia has stopped the supply of natural gas to it's neighbors during this cold snap. Very bad indeed. And for the conflict in Gaza--now Lebanon has fired rockets into Israel. I sure wish somehow this could be resolved, but it seems that it is just an ugly, endless cycle of violence. I wish Obama all the best when he takes office! He will have his hands full and will be the first US president elect to have such a full plate of messes to handle! I am going to be sure to be around the tv on inauguration day to watch history in the making! I never dreamed that I would live long enough to see a black man be elected to the higest office in the US! I know the amount of bigotry and racism that runs across the land, and have experienced it first hand personally on several ocassions in my lifetime. I am proud to be an American. Always have been, but now so more than ever.
Keep the comments coming and I promise to reciprocate! Cin

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Brrrr....baby it's cold outside!



Hi! It's Sunday morning. I just checked the outside thermometer and it reads -17 celcius, which is 0 degrees farenheit! Brrr! Had to bundle up good to take the dog out-no long walks this morning; it's just too darn cold! :( Now that the holidays are over, what I look forward to is to get through the dark, cold winters of Sweden! I have planned an ice fishing trip with some friends in February. We plan on going to Sweden's Höga Kusta (High Coast), which is an hour's drive north to fish. That means I have to buy a couple of ice fishing poles, as I only have regular casting poles. It should be fun!I went ice fishing a couple of years ago. We had borrowed a hand drill for the ice. The standard variety that you use while standing and cranking the thing. It was useless; old and dull and wouldn't even make more than a dent in the two foot thick ice, so we were forced to use old fishing holes in the ice that had frozen over a few inches, but we were able to break through that ice and fish. This time we plan on taking a small, one-time grill and eat our lunch out on the ice. Hopefully it will be a nice sunny day!How's the weather where you are? I love comments, so please feel free to make one here! Thanks and bye for now, Cin

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Happy New Year!



Today is new year's eve. I have to take Maggie out to exercise her extra well today because people go absolutely crazy shooting off fireworks on new year's eve here in Sweden. It gets dark here at this time of year at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, so they start the insanity early! Maggie is scared to death of fireworks so it's not a nice time of year for pets! There has been some talk here in Sweden about outlawing people from shooting off rockets, but so far nothing has happened. People here can buy any type of rockets or fireworks they please and they are sold everywhere! It is bad for pets, and the fact is that the majority of people who shoot off these things are highly intoxicated, resulting in lots of injuries! I plan on playing my music high later towards midnight, in hopes that it will distract Maggie from the constant banging outside.New Years dinner tomorrow will be whole lobsters, pepper steak and baked potatoes. I am looking forward to the lobster especially! Have a happy and safe new year's eve! Update...now it's only 65 minutes left till we ring in another new year here in Scandanavia! The firework activity is really 'picking up'. Again, Have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009 everyone!

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A Video Worth Watching - A dog and An Elephant!