We have VERY sad news. Livy had a little Gerbil named Princess - Princess manged to sneak out the door and onto the back deck - where, of course, the cats hang out. Enough said.
R.I.P Princess!
If you haven't seen it before - here's the video of me and Princess playing
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Another Gloomy Day in East Tennessee
It's another gloomy day here - so there won't be too much happening -
Last night tho the grandchild [Livy] was here - and I love it when she's here, she's the only human I will sleep with and I like to get up really close and snuggly with her.
I thought that you might like to see my cats - Mommy is NOT much of a cat person, but I love them and Livy loves them, so mommy tolerates 3 of them - outside of course - but she assumes FULL responsibility for these 3 [there are a few others who eat here but mommy won't claim them]
This is Louie - He's really fuzzy and we love to roll and play - he's a terrific cat - he's very loving
This is Chant - She is the QUEEN - she's 11 years old and she lets me play with her occassionally - Mommy says she must be remembering Keats [mommy & daddy's dog before me] Chant used to ride on his back when she was a kitten - Keats left for the rainbow bridge many years ago 
This is Liza - she's a bossy little thing and doesn't put up with me much. But that's okay because Chant, The QUEEN, keeps her in her place. Poor Louie - he has to wait to eat till the girls are through......he is definitely NOT the king!
And of course this is me - just chilling outThen There is this video of me and Livy this morning
Friday, March 27, 2009
Look At Me Now
This is me and my groomer, Doug! He's really nice and very patient with me - and more importantly he's patient with mommy!
Doug only grooms a couple of days a week - at Harry's Aquarium - he goes to school the rest of the time [I think] His wife Jamie was by obedience trainer. She's really sweet and nice and patient too. They have a little business called Pawrific Dogs http://www.pawrificdogs.com/
They are super nice people and they house a lot of shelter animals and are very active with the local shelters - mostly SARG [I think] They know a lot about dogs and they really love dogs....so if you are in the area you might want to check them out for obedience classes or grooming! I highly recommend them.
How here's more pics from today
How here's more pics from today
This is Livy checking out the shelter cats. She really loves cats - she has 3 of them. Chant, Lila and Louie! Harry's Aquarium ALWAYS has a few cats and dogs around that need new homes. Everyone who works at Harry's shelters a dog or cat and they always keep a few around for people who might want to adopt. Harry's is a really good place for animals.
They also have rabbits, and guinea pigs, and hamsters there - have you seen the video of me and the hamster? They have icky things too like lizards and snakes - but they always make sure those thing
s are not out front when mommy's there because she doesn't like them and she's very scared of them. 
And.....while mommy was there - she got me a new toy -
Off to the groomer
Mommy's taking me to the groomer - I'm only getting nails, ears and head done - I'm still pretty short from the last time Doug got a hold of me - so no BIG hair cut today. We'll post pictures of me AFTER I've been groomed.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
ABC's Nightline Investigating Puppy Mills
Note from Bill Smith Main Line Animal Rescue PLEASE PAW THIS FORWARD
Well friends, once again, the cat is out of the bag - or should we say the dog out of the hutch! This Friday night, March 27, ABC's Nightline will be investigating puppy mills! ABC Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi and investigators from Nightline travel the byways and back roads of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - visiting numerous puppy mills and filming Main Line Animal Rescue's volunteers as they rescue breeding dogs and puppies from Lancaster County's notorious Amish commercial breeding facilities.
This promises to be a very special program. If you are involved in rescue, advocate on behalf of the millions of puppy mill dogs interned in our nation's commercial dog breeding facilities, or if you just simply love animals, you will not want to miss this. Sharyn Alfonsi interviewed, on camera, an Amish breeder while touring his facility - a first for network television. With approximately 500 dogs housed on his property, this commercial breeder speaks openly about an industry cloaked in secrecy and suspicion - the cruel factory farming of man's best friend.
PLEASE tell your friends, your family, your coworkers - ABC Nightline investigates puppy mills - this Friday at 11:35 pm (Eastern Standard Time). Please take the time to forward this to all the rescues, shelters, and legislators in your area. It has been almost one year since Oprah's puppy mill show aired. That program received the highest viewer response of any Oprah Show in years. Now we need to spread the word about this very special Nightline. Only by educating as many people as we can, will we be able to help these animals. And after you watch the program, please don't hesitate to contact ABC and Nightline to thank them for casting such a strong light on the plight of our nation's puppy mill dogs.
Well friends, once again, the cat is out of the bag - or should we say the dog out of the hutch! This Friday night, March 27, ABC's Nightline will be investigating puppy mills! ABC Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi and investigators from Nightline travel the byways and back roads of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - visiting numerous puppy mills and filming Main Line Animal Rescue's volunteers as they rescue breeding dogs and puppies from Lancaster County's notorious Amish commercial breeding facilities.
This promises to be a very special program. If you are involved in rescue, advocate on behalf of the millions of puppy mill dogs interned in our nation's commercial dog breeding facilities, or if you just simply love animals, you will not want to miss this. Sharyn Alfonsi interviewed, on camera, an Amish breeder while touring his facility - a first for network television. With approximately 500 dogs housed on his property, this commercial breeder speaks openly about an industry cloaked in secrecy and suspicion - the cruel factory farming of man's best friend.
PLEASE tell your friends, your family, your coworkers - ABC Nightline investigates puppy mills - this Friday at 11:35 pm (Eastern Standard Time). Please take the time to forward this to all the rescues, shelters, and legislators in your area. It has been almost one year since Oprah's puppy mill show aired. That program received the highest viewer response of any Oprah Show in years. Now we need to spread the word about this very special Nightline. Only by educating as many people as we can, will we be able to help these animals. And after you watch the program, please don't hesitate to contact ABC and Nightline to thank them for casting such a strong light on the plight of our nation's puppy mill dogs.
True Colors Thursday - BEIGE
Beige is a chameleon, taking on some of the attributes of stronger warm or cool colors it accompanies. On its own, the color beige is a calm neutral background.
Shower Floor Daddy's Shirt Mommy's new Sandals
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
I tried to tell her she didn't need to learn to knit!!!
I tried, I tried and I tried to tell her that she didn't need to learn to knit. I sat as close as I could while she knitted, I pawed at the thread, I tried to make her stop. She just had to keep trying to knit.. Well I showed her......yep - I think mommy just may have to quit this knitting stuff. She went to the store and I got those bamboo needles and I chewed the ends up - I would have chewed them up completely but she came back too fast! The picture's not too clear - but TRUST ME - I chewed it up.......and I got all of it off the needle too - so it was just a pile of yarn!!!!!!
I told her not to be upset because there are a lot of neat doggie sweaters on
Etsy and she can just go there an buy me one...then she doesn't have to waste her time trying to knit and not playing with me. Besides those ladies at the knitting store don't like me and don't want me in the store - so, how much fun can knitting be without me????????Now I'm just gonna go play with my donkey
Today's Outing
Mom and Dad took me to the feed store this morning. I love going there - there is so much stuff there - Dog foods everywhere, toys and more. The ladies who own the store have 4 dogs - they look like little bitty dobermans, but they are some kind of terrier - I can't remember exactly what. They are very strange dogs tho - They just sit there - One of them is always on the sofa, one on the floor and the other two sit up on stools. They don't bark or move. Now if it were me I'd greet everybody that walked in and I'd NEVER sit up on those stools quietly - I'd be jumping from the stool to the counter to the floor and then back. But those dogs just sit there! What kind of life is that!!!!!
There is also a groomer at the feed store - I don't go to that groomer because she takes too many dogs at once and I don't like sitting in a crate and waiting. I go to Doug because he takes me all by myself and I never have to wait on other dogs.
This lady came in with a white dog - I think it might have been a maltese - to be groomed. He was awfully big tho - then when the groomer got him she went to her car and got 2 more dogs....a Shih Tzu and a Lhasa Apso - WHOA....they were huge too. Each one of them weighed at least 20 pounds and they had really big round bellies! Obviously they are not nearly as picky about eating as I am. I didn't know those kind of dogs could get so big and fat!!!!! All three of those dogs live together. Hmmmmm - I can't decide if I prefer being an "only dog" or if I'd like to have a buddy. I think I'd like a buddy but mom doesn't know if she can handle the potty training again. I told her I'd teach the new guy to use the doggie door.
Well - back to the food. Mom picked out EVO chicken - then she got a can of duck! I don't know why because I'm not gonna eat it! She got some merrick Granny's pot pie chicken - I'll probably eat that - but then she got some Duck & Pheasant - she was all excited when we got home and put it in my bowl. Yum, yum she said - I was dancing around thinking - "this smells good" - then she had to go ruin in by adding the milk thistle - Honestly I'm not sure if I like it or not - but I'm going to be stubborn for a while and NOT eat it just to show her I'm the boss.
She's talking about making a white shepherds pie for dinner. I hope she'll give me some of that since it's white [no beef]. And, if she gives me some I hope she leaves the milk thistle out - of course I know she'll be adding that stuff - but a dog can always hope can't he?
There is also a groomer at the feed store - I don't go to that groomer because she takes too many dogs at once and I don't like sitting in a crate and waiting. I go to Doug because he takes me all by myself and I never have to wait on other dogs.
This lady came in with a white dog - I think it might have been a maltese - to be groomed. He was awfully big tho - then when the groomer got him she went to her car and got 2 more dogs....a Shih Tzu and a Lhasa Apso - WHOA....they were huge too. Each one of them weighed at least 20 pounds and they had really big round bellies! Obviously they are not nearly as picky about eating as I am. I didn't know those kind of dogs could get so big and fat!!!!! All three of those dogs live together. Hmmmmm - I can't decide if I prefer being an "only dog" or if I'd like to have a buddy. I think I'd like a buddy but mom doesn't know if she can handle the potty training again. I told her I'd teach the new guy to use the doggie door.
Well - back to the food. Mom picked out EVO chicken - then she got a can of duck! I don't know why because I'm not gonna eat it! She got some merrick Granny's pot pie chicken - I'll probably eat that - but then she got some Duck & Pheasant - she was all excited when we got home and put it in my bowl. Yum, yum she said - I was dancing around thinking - "this smells good" - then she had to go ruin in by adding the milk thistle - Honestly I'm not sure if I like it or not - but I'm going to be stubborn for a while and NOT eat it just to show her I'm the boss.
She's talking about making a white shepherds pie for dinner. I hope she'll give me some of that since it's white [no beef]. And, if she gives me some I hope she leaves the milk thistle out - of course I know she'll be adding that stuff - but a dog can always hope can't he?
Rainy Days
It's a VERY rainy day in East Tennessee. Mommy better get to the feed store tho because all I have is kibble and these days I'm refusing kibble. I hope she gets more of that EVO - I really liked that - but of course I could get picky again and refuse it just for fun.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Designer Dog Rant
Well – it’s apparently been a stressful day for mom here. She went in to Knoxville this morning on business but somewhere along the way she got off track with someone about “designer dogs”…so when she got home we had to sit down and have a talk. You see my mom agrees with President Obama - “a lot of dogs are mutts like me”
Now, I know, I know I’m a Peek-A-Poo and we’ve been around since the 50’s – but we have no illusions about exactly what I am. Of course we think the AKC should recognize us as a breed because, like I said, we’ve been around for a VERY long time!!!! But, the bottom line is I am a mutt, I always will be a mutt - but I’m a loveable mutt and my mommy and daddy love me just the same as if I had those fancy papers!
The truth of the matter is that probably 80% of the dogs bought from breeders are kept as pets. Sure, there are some that are working dogs, show dogs, etc. but the VAST MAJORITY are kept in homes by families just like mine. Every dog my folks bought before me were dogs with “papers” - mommy said they were no better than me!
My mommy and daddy waited 8 years to get another dog after their beloved Springer Spaniel, Keats, crossed over the rainbow bridge. All they wanted was another pet – and they found me. When I got sick a few weeks ago they took me to the vet, paid for my intensive care and took me to the University of Tennessee Veterinary hospital to get me taken care of. The cost was over $2000 but they have not complained about the cost or blamed the lady who has my parents. They just contacted her to let her know what was wrong with me and that it might be congenital - my folks are very responsible about their pets [I’m neutered and the cats are all fixed too]
So today someone told mommy that she shouldn’t have gotten a “designer dog”. They chastised her for not getting a pound puppy. First of all, what business is it of theirs? Second of all, if mommy hadn’t gotten me I could have ended up in a shelter!!! Truth is, mommy looked in shelters but they didn’t have any little dogs that didn’t shed…but whatever the reason mommy got me and it’s nobody’s business. We’re all for people going to shelters. Mommy writes a pretty big check with four figures on it every year to our local shelter – so we think we’re doing our part for shelter dogs. We also donate all the food I refuse to eat to the shelter and toys I don’t like. So get off our case!!!!!
I don’t know why people have to bash people who want designer dogs!
Hey’ we’re not thrilled with breeders, designers or pure bred, who charge exhorbitant amounts of money for dogs that are going to be family pets. Designer breeders are in the business of making money! DUH! Purebred Breeders are in the business of making money! As long as there is a market out there of people who are willing to pay $2000 and more for a dog these people will keep the prices up. If the people stop paying those prices then the prices will drop!! -
Same thing with puppy mills - if people will STOP buying dogs at pet stores then pet stores will stop getting dogs from puppy mills and puppy mills will have to close down!!!!
Breeders say they genetically test their dogs! Give me a break! If that were the case then why are so many small dogs suffering from Liver Shunt! Sure some do the testing but I bet that percentage is below 15% of breeders. And the AKC doesn't keep tabs on these breeders to the extent of stopping them. I know some folks who bought a dog that ended up with a Liver Shunt - when they contacted the breeder the breeder said it wasn't their fault. The owner called the AKC to stop the breeder and were told "that's not our job". Pleeeeeeeeease.......you are "registering"" these dogs with a congenital, sometimes life threatening disease. You don't refuse the registration of the puppies from these dogs.....so how are you controlling genetic defects????????
Bottom line is we’re all dogs - pure bred, designer or just plain ‘ole mutt! Just like humans are all humans whether they are white, black, brown or pink! And most importantly – my mommy and daddy love me and I love them!!!!!!!!
DOGS ROCK……..
Now, I know, I know I’m a Peek-A-Poo and we’ve been around since the 50’s – but we have no illusions about exactly what I am. Of course we think the AKC should recognize us as a breed because, like I said, we’ve been around for a VERY long time!!!! But, the bottom line is I am a mutt, I always will be a mutt - but I’m a loveable mutt and my mommy and daddy love me just the same as if I had those fancy papers!
The truth of the matter is that probably 80% of the dogs bought from breeders are kept as pets. Sure, there are some that are working dogs, show dogs, etc. but the VAST MAJORITY are kept in homes by families just like mine. Every dog my folks bought before me were dogs with “papers” - mommy said they were no better than me!
My mommy and daddy waited 8 years to get another dog after their beloved Springer Spaniel, Keats, crossed over the rainbow bridge. All they wanted was another pet – and they found me. When I got sick a few weeks ago they took me to the vet, paid for my intensive care and took me to the University of Tennessee Veterinary hospital to get me taken care of. The cost was over $2000 but they have not complained about the cost or blamed the lady who has my parents. They just contacted her to let her know what was wrong with me and that it might be congenital - my folks are very responsible about their pets [I’m neutered and the cats are all fixed too]
So today someone told mommy that she shouldn’t have gotten a “designer dog”. They chastised her for not getting a pound puppy. First of all, what business is it of theirs? Second of all, if mommy hadn’t gotten me I could have ended up in a shelter!!! Truth is, mommy looked in shelters but they didn’t have any little dogs that didn’t shed…but whatever the reason mommy got me and it’s nobody’s business. We’re all for people going to shelters. Mommy writes a pretty big check with four figures on it every year to our local shelter – so we think we’re doing our part for shelter dogs. We also donate all the food I refuse to eat to the shelter and toys I don’t like. So get off our case!!!!!
I don’t know why people have to bash people who want designer dogs!
Hey’ we’re not thrilled with breeders, designers or pure bred, who charge exhorbitant amounts of money for dogs that are going to be family pets. Designer breeders are in the business of making money! DUH! Purebred Breeders are in the business of making money! As long as there is a market out there of people who are willing to pay $2000 and more for a dog these people will keep the prices up. If the people stop paying those prices then the prices will drop!! -
Same thing with puppy mills - if people will STOP buying dogs at pet stores then pet stores will stop getting dogs from puppy mills and puppy mills will have to close down!!!!
Breeders say they genetically test their dogs! Give me a break! If that were the case then why are so many small dogs suffering from Liver Shunt! Sure some do the testing but I bet that percentage is below 15% of breeders. And the AKC doesn't keep tabs on these breeders to the extent of stopping them. I know some folks who bought a dog that ended up with a Liver Shunt - when they contacted the breeder the breeder said it wasn't their fault. The owner called the AKC to stop the breeder and were told "that's not our job". Pleeeeeeeeease.......you are "registering"" these dogs with a congenital, sometimes life threatening disease. You don't refuse the registration of the puppies from these dogs.....so how are you controlling genetic defects????????
Bottom line is we’re all dogs - pure bred, designer or just plain ‘ole mutt! Just like humans are all humans whether they are white, black, brown or pink! And most importantly – my mommy and daddy love me and I love them!!!!!!!!
DOGS ROCK……..
oh no she's not!
I just found out that mommy is heading out to Knoxville this morning and she is NOT taking me with her. Can you believe it? 2 days in a row she's heading out WITHOUT me! The nerve! It's a good thing I have a doggie door so that I can come and go. One thing is for sure - she better put away all that new knitting project of hers and reading glasses or I am going to really show her who is boss!
I'm going outside right now to pout!
I'm going outside right now to pout!
Monday, March 23, 2009
I better step it up a notch
Well, I've been looking at some other doggie blogs and I think I need to step it up a notch or two! There are some really great doggie blogs out there. Maybe mine is too informational and that's why I don't have so many followers....
So - let me tell you about my day. When I got up this morning I got that awful Denamarin tablet.....then I had to wait a full hour to eat. It turns out the wait was worth it because mommy mixed up chicken with my EVO. Of course she sprinkled that awful Milk Thistle in - but I ate it anyway. When I finished my breakfast it was time for a little lap time with Daddy so I jumped up in his lap while he drank his coffee. This of course forced him to put down the laptop and stop reading the paper. I don't know what he needed to read - Carolina is made it to the Sweet 16 - so he didn't need to read about it!
So far my day was going pretty good - then mommy went to take a shower........WHOA......I don't know why daddy thought it was time to take me into the laundry room and that big sink for my shower........I mean, I'm not that dirty AND I have an appointment with the groomer on Friday - so, now I will have at least 2 baths this week! YUCK!
When the bath was finished I decided it was time to hit the deck for some sunshine - so out I went before daddy could figure something else out....FREEDOM!!!!!!!
Oh, no, I'm getting some sun and who do I see????? Why it is mommy getting in the car and leaving!!!!!!! That's right she was leaving WITHOUT me. I don't know where she went but she left me on this stinking deck! So, I head back in to find daddy - Now he's in the shower - NO WAY! I'm not going near that or he might get the idea to give me another bath!!!!!!!!!
It's back to the deck for me.
The rest of the day was pretty much just that - checking on who was home, where they were and what they were doing and going in and out to the deck.
I figured out where mommy went - She decided to learn to knit. She thinks she's going to start making sweaters for me........We'll see! Now she's paying a lot more attention to those knitting needles than me. I'll just have to figure out what I'm going to do about that!!!!!!!!
So - let me tell you about my day. When I got up this morning I got that awful Denamarin tablet.....then I had to wait a full hour to eat. It turns out the wait was worth it because mommy mixed up chicken with my EVO. Of course she sprinkled that awful Milk Thistle in - but I ate it anyway. When I finished my breakfast it was time for a little lap time with Daddy so I jumped up in his lap while he drank his coffee. This of course forced him to put down the laptop and stop reading the paper. I don't know what he needed to read - Carolina is made it to the Sweet 16 - so he didn't need to read about it!
So far my day was going pretty good - then mommy went to take a shower........WHOA......I don't know why daddy thought it was time to take me into the laundry room and that big sink for my shower........I mean, I'm not that dirty AND I have an appointment with the groomer on Friday - so, now I will have at least 2 baths this week! YUCK!
When the bath was finished I decided it was time to hit the deck for some sunshine - so out I went before daddy could figure something else out....FREEDOM!!!!!!!
Oh, no, I'm getting some sun and who do I see????? Why it is mommy getting in the car and leaving!!!!!!! That's right she was leaving WITHOUT me. I don't know where she went but she left me on this stinking deck! So, I head back in to find daddy - Now he's in the shower - NO WAY! I'm not going near that or he might get the idea to give me another bath!!!!!!!!!
It's back to the deck for me.
The rest of the day was pretty much just that - checking on who was home, where they were and what they were doing and going in and out to the deck.
I figured out where mommy went - She decided to learn to knit. She thinks she's going to start making sweaters for me........We'll see! Now she's paying a lot more attention to those knitting needles than me. I'll just have to figure out what I'm going to do about that!!!!!!!!
Sunburn and dogs
Ah, the sunny days of summer are here--time for dogs to take long walks and play Frisbee at the park or beach and for cats to sunbathe on the windowsill.
Before stepping out to enjoy the summer weather, you should protect your pet as well as yourself from the harmful effects of too much sun. Sunlight is healthy for pets as it is for people; sunlight helps the skin produce vitamin D, which protects the skin and helps balance the body's calcium levels and metabolism. However, too much of anything can be harmful, and too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause sunburn, or solar dermatitis, in cats and dogs.
According to Dr. Karen Campbell, veterinary dermatologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, sunburn starts as redness and hair loss on the ear tips, bridge of the nose, or abdomen and can lead to skin ulceration, infection, and carcinoma.
Excessive sun exposure can also exacerbate existing skin problems. Certain breeds of cats and dogs may be predisposed to sunburn. "White cats are those that most commonly get sunburn, usually on the tips of the ears," explains Dr. Campbell. "Cats don't need to be outdoors to get sunburn; the UV radiation can pass through windows."
Sunburn is also common in pale and short-haired dogs, usually on the bridge of the nose, the abdomen, groin, and insides of the legs. "The belly is prone to sunburn because of sunlight that reflects up from the sidewalk. Similarly, dogs that spend a lot of time at beaches can get sunburn from sun reflecting up from the hot sand," says Dr. Campbell. Sunburn and repeated, excessive exposure to UV radiation can lead to skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma, in dogs and cats as it does in humans. Therefore, breeds that are predisposed to cancer, such as boxers and Weimaraners, need extra protection from the sun.
Sunburn can also cause skin ulceration, leaving the skin susceptible to opportunistic bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Sun exposure may also exacerbate autoimmune skin diseases in which the immune system attacks skin cells, such as pemphigus and lupus. As the sun damages the skin, skin cells die and can release proteins that inappropriately trigger the immune system.
To protect pets from sunburn and its consequences, Dr. Campbell recommends applying sunblock on the small susceptible areas of skin, such as the bridge of the nose and the ear tips. You can also apply a line of sunblock along any part in the fur along the head or back.
For cats, sunblock is usually sufficient. For dogs, sunblock is usually not effective on the abdomen, since it can rub off in tall grass, wash off at the beach, or be easily licked off by the dog or its playmates. "There are spandex-type bodysuits on the market designed to block UV radiation," says Dr. Campbell. "I highly recommend these for dogs who spend a lot of time outside, especially dogs who visit the beach." Although the idea of bringing a bodysuit-clad dog to the park or beach may sound ridiculous or embarrassing, it may be the most effective and important sun protection you can provide for your pet. Dr. Campbell explains that doggie bodysuits are common at some beaches, and "it doesn't look ridiculous if all the other dogs are wearing one."
Before stepping out to enjoy the summer weather, you should protect your pet as well as yourself from the harmful effects of too much sun. Sunlight is healthy for pets as it is for people; sunlight helps the skin produce vitamin D, which protects the skin and helps balance the body's calcium levels and metabolism. However, too much of anything can be harmful, and too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause sunburn, or solar dermatitis, in cats and dogs.
According to Dr. Karen Campbell, veterinary dermatologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, sunburn starts as redness and hair loss on the ear tips, bridge of the nose, or abdomen and can lead to skin ulceration, infection, and carcinoma.
Excessive sun exposure can also exacerbate existing skin problems. Certain breeds of cats and dogs may be predisposed to sunburn. "White cats are those that most commonly get sunburn, usually on the tips of the ears," explains Dr. Campbell. "Cats don't need to be outdoors to get sunburn; the UV radiation can pass through windows."
Sunburn is also common in pale and short-haired dogs, usually on the bridge of the nose, the abdomen, groin, and insides of the legs. "The belly is prone to sunburn because of sunlight that reflects up from the sidewalk. Similarly, dogs that spend a lot of time at beaches can get sunburn from sun reflecting up from the hot sand," says Dr. Campbell. Sunburn and repeated, excessive exposure to UV radiation can lead to skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma, in dogs and cats as it does in humans. Therefore, breeds that are predisposed to cancer, such as boxers and Weimaraners, need extra protection from the sun.
Sunburn can also cause skin ulceration, leaving the skin susceptible to opportunistic bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. Sun exposure may also exacerbate autoimmune skin diseases in which the immune system attacks skin cells, such as pemphigus and lupus. As the sun damages the skin, skin cells die and can release proteins that inappropriately trigger the immune system.
To protect pets from sunburn and its consequences, Dr. Campbell recommends applying sunblock on the small susceptible areas of skin, such as the bridge of the nose and the ear tips. You can also apply a line of sunblock along any part in the fur along the head or back.
For cats, sunblock is usually sufficient. For dogs, sunblock is usually not effective on the abdomen, since it can rub off in tall grass, wash off at the beach, or be easily licked off by the dog or its playmates. "There are spandex-type bodysuits on the market designed to block UV radiation," says Dr. Campbell. "I highly recommend these for dogs who spend a lot of time outside, especially dogs who visit the beach." Although the idea of bringing a bodysuit-clad dog to the park or beach may sound ridiculous or embarrassing, it may be the most effective and important sun protection you can provide for your pet. Dr. Campbell explains that doggie bodysuits are common at some beaches, and "it doesn't look ridiculous if all the other dogs are wearing one."
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Spring is here
It seems that spring has arrived. Daddy is mowing the grass, ACHOO! The cats are running in the clippings - nobody will let me go because they're afraid I'll start biting at my paws! The flowers are bloomin - ACHOO! Soon it will be Easter. I'm hoping that maybe they'll take me to the park this afternoon. Of course I have to promise that I won't eat the duck poo. That's kind of hard for me to promise - I don't know why I do that but I do. I am so picky about the good food that mommy/daddy give to me and yet I eat duck poo! Mommy hates the duck pond - especially the geese because one of the geese went after her when she was holding the bread. They are kind of mean and really ugly with those nasty little tongues!
Well - I've got to run because it looks like I really am going to go to the park!
Well - I've got to run because it looks like I really am going to go to the park!
Most Popular Names For Dogs
For the second year in a row the name "Max" has taken top honors as the nation's most popular pet name.
And you might ask....what is in a name? Check out this article and review our list below of the most common dog names.
Now, let's look at the top male, female,
Top 10 Male Pet Names1. MAX2. BUDDY3. JAKE4. ROCKY5. BAILEY6. BUSTER7. CODY8. CHARLIE9. BEAR10. JACK
Top 10 Female Pet Names1. MOLLY2. MAGGIE3. DAISY4. LUCY5. SADIE6. GINGER7. CHLOE8. BAILEY9. SOPHIE10. ZOE
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