Archive for the ‘News & Tips’ Category
We are admittedly still in the throws of grief since losing Kylie, and we have found ourselves spending time on petloss.com. There we found this beautiful essay by Crystal Ward Kent.
When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey – a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage.
If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.
Along dao, you will learn much about savoring life’s simple pleasures – jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears.
If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower – except when heading home to the food dish – but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field.
Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details – the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own.
Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching summer insects collecting on a screen. (How bizarre they are! How many kinds there are!), or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life’s most important details slip by.
You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride.
You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewie toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie – with a cat in hot pursuit – all in the name of love.
Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound.
You will learn the true measure of love- the steadfast, undying kind that says, “It doesn’t matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together.” Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race.
And you will learn humility. The look in my dog’s eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.
If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be – the one they were proud to call beloved friend.
I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets\sunsets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down.
And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet’s time on earth is far too short – especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for awhile, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left.
The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken.
But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead – young and whole once more. “Godspeed, good friend,” we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.
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If you or someone you know is also suffering through the loss of a pet we recommend the online support group on petloss.com. You may also want to do a search for pet loss support groups you can attend in your area.
We have an affinity around here for what we like to call those little white dogs – Jack Russell Terrorists and mixes thereof (like our dear Kylie). So when we discovered Russell Rescue, Inc. online we were very pleased.
ussell Rescue, Inc. (RRI) is a national network of volunteers dedicated to placing unwanted, displaced or abandoned Jack Russell Terriers into permanent homes. They are of course funded by general, tax deductible donations and they also have a spotlight page featuring specific terriers in need, like Noni.
Noni was rescued from an unfortunate home foreclosure situation where she had not had appropriate vet care and had not been spayed. This ten year old had had multiple litters of puppies, she had unattended lumps and bumps, and was badly in need of dental work. A foster mom with Russell Rescue, Inc. saw to it that Noni received all the care she needed, spending about $1000 of her own money.
But in the terrier spotlight section of RRI you can make a donation that goes specifically to help a dog or a foster person like this. We personally made a little donation to help Noni on her way then felt rewarded the next day when an update was posted that Noni has found her forever home!
Pop Art Pet encourages you to seek out an animal rescue locally or online that touches your heart, and please donate your time or some money today. We know its not easy in the current economy but that’s why the need now is so great.
DOGS DESERVE BETTER is a nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing the thousands of dogs that
are left chained outside at all times by educating their caretakers and encouraging them to let them in the house where they belong.
And this week, February 7th – 14th, they are sponsoring Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week. They are asking people to send them addresses of homes and families in their neighborhoods where they know the dog is left on a chain. Then they will send them a valentine’s day card to plead the dog’s case.
2009 is the 7th year of the campaign and their goal is to send out 12,500 cards! Visit their site to see how you can help support this great cause and/or make a donation, and read their success stories!
We are unfortunately no longer able to guarantee delivery of any new portrait orders in time for Christmas.
However if you contact us directly with the specifics of what you would like to order, and we can evaluate your photos, you may still be able to have a proof of your custom pet portrait by the holiday!
This would allow you to make some sort of presentation to the recipient on Christmas then deliver a belated, but still wonderful, gift to them after the Holiday. But don’t wait, we will probably only be able to handle a very few orders in this manner.
Also, remember we still have a special on Gift Certificates – they’re 30% off! Just visit our specials page for the details.
Happy Holidays Everyone!!
In our current economic climate everybody needs to find ways to save money. That doesn’t mean you have to cut corners on your pet’s health care. The ASPCA offers the following ten ways to reduce costs for veterinary care and still keep your pet healthy and happy!:Â Â 
Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Remember the saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?†Well, it applies to pets, too. Don’t skip your pet’s yearly exam. It’s much more expensive—and risky—to treat illnesses than to protect against them.
Personalize Your Pet’s Vaccines
Hard times are not an excuse to skip your pet’s annual shots, but it does make sense to talk to your vet about personalizing your pet’s vaccine protocol. Some vaccines are optional, while others are essential in preventing serious diseases.
Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Spaying or neutering your pet can save a lot of money by preventing serious health problems including uterine, ovarian and testicular cancer. Many local shelters provide resources for low-cost or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries. Visit our online database to find a low-cost program in your area. If you live in New York City, check out our mobile clinic.
Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
Dental disease—such as tartar, gingivitis, loose or infected teeth—can lead to heart and kidney problems and expensive procedures. Start a daily dental routine to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy.
Protect Your Pet from Parasites
Flea and tick infestations can cause a host of costly medical problems from minor skin irritations to life-threatening anemia. Stick with a topical flea and tick solution to keep the critters at bay.
Toss the Cigarettes
Secondhand smoke is no joke for pets—it can cause asthma, bronchitis, lymphoma and oral, nasal and lung cancers. Quit now and you’ll save money on vet bills. At the very least, avoid smoking around your pet.
See a Specialist
Pet parents can reduce costs by getting a pet’s condition diagnosed and treated by an expert as quickly as possible. Veterinary specialists are available for everything from skin disease to cancer, and will often work within your budget.
Consider Pet Health Insurance
If the cost of an emergency vet visit or serious illness would be a financial strain, consider investing in pet health insurance, while your pet is healthy. Be sure to read the fine print, though—not all plans are created equal.
Buy High-Quality Pet Food
A good quality pet food—formulated under the guidelines of the American Association of Feed Control Officials—is often more cost effective than a homemade diet. Avoid overfeeding your pet, which can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Shop Smart
Whether he’s looking for pet food, medicine or grooming supplies, the smart shopper clips coupons and buys in bulk. It’s also a good idea to shop veterinary practices by comparing fees for preventative care.
We’ve been so busy around here with all our holiday orders that we almost forgot to let people know about our holidays orders. You know the important stuff like deadlines about when you can place your order. So here’s what they are so far:
Nov. 22nd – the deadline to place your order for a stretched portrait with guaranteed delivery by Dec. 24th. Please note we must have a photo to work with by this date, and any requested revisions could result in delivery after the holiday.
Nov. 29th – The last day to place your order for a rolled portrait with guaranteed delivery by Dec. 24th. Again, we must have a suitable photo by this date and revisions could cause delivery to be delayed.
Dec. 10th – The last day to order and receive proofs online by Dec. 24th. You will be able to show the recipient their artwork and even let them select which proof will be printed after the holiday.
These dates are subject to change so please don’t procrastinate – click here to place your holiday portrait order today!
Remember we do have a spectacular holiday special on our Gift Certificates! You can get 30% off a gift certificate for any size and any style custom pet portrait. And since they are delivered via email you can order a gift certificate all the way up until midnight (CST) on December 23rd. Click here for more info and to order your gift certificate now!
Halloween should be fun for everybody but can be pretty scary for your pets. The following are just a few precautions recommended by the ASPCA:
No Chocolate: Even if your pet has a sweet tooth, ingesting chocolate—especially baker’s and dark chocolate—can be dangerous for dogs and cats, possibly causing vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity and even seizures.
No Sweets for the Sweet: Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures.
Dangerous Décor: Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
Don’t Play with Fire: Keep your pets away from jack-o-lanterns with lit candles inside—knocking the pumpkin over can easily cause a fire. And curious kittens can get burned or singed by candle flames.
Costume Caution: Please don’t put your pet in a costume unless you know that he or she loves it. Costumes can cause skin irritations, obstruct a pet’s vision or impede his breathing.
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I don’t know if Kylie loved being the “Queen of Cool” last Halloween, but she sure looked cute!
This is an amazing report from Yahoo news about a new veterinary hospital for animals who have served in the military hospital:
A new $15 million veterinary hospital for four-legged military personnel opened Tuesday at Lackland Air Force Base, offering a long overdue facility that gives advanced medical treatment for combat-wounded dogs.
Dogs working for all branches of the military and the Transportation Safety Administration are trained at the base to find explosive devices, drugs and land mines. Some 2,500 dogs are working with military units.
Like soldiers and Marines in combat, military dogs suffer from war wounds and routine health issues that need to be treated to ensure they can continue working.
Dogs injured in Iraq or Afghanistan get emergency medical treatment on the battlefield and are flown to Germany for care. If necessary, they’ll fly on to San Antonio for more advanced treatment — much like wounded human personnel.
“We act as the Walter Reed of the veterinary world,” said Army Col. Bob Vogelsang, hospital director, referring to the Washington military medical center that treats troops returning severely wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan. The dogs can usually return to combat areas if they recover at the Military Working Dog Center, he said.
Before the center opened, veterinarians treated and rehabilitated dogs in a cramped building that opened in 1968, when the military trained dogs for work in Vietnam. The hospital was already overloaded by Sept. 11, 2001, but since then, demand for military working dogs has jumped dramatically. They’re so short on dog breeds such as German shepherds, Labrador retrievers and Belgian Malinoises that Lackland officials have begun breeding puppies at the base. Lackland is training 750 dogs, which is nearly double the number of dogs there before the Sept. 11 attacks, Vogelsang said.
To treat the trainees and injured working dogs, the new hospital has operating rooms, digital radiography, CT scanning equipment, an intensive care unit and rehab rooms with an underwater treadmill and exercise balls, among other features. A behavioral specialist has an office near the lobby.
“This investment made sense … and somehow, we were able to convince others,” said retired Col. Larry Carpenter, who first heard complaints about the poor facilities in 1994 and later helped to launch the project.
Training a military working dog takes about four months. With demand outstripping the number of dogs available, hospital and veterinary workers were trying to keep them healthy and working as long as possible, Vogelsang said. Working dogs usually enter training at 1 1/2- to 3-years-old, and most can work until they’re about 10, he said.
Then, the military tries to adopt them out and “station them at Fort Living Room,” Vogelsang said.
We almost forgot about October’s most important happening.. but we were reminded by Dog Hobbyist:
“October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) suggests people who are looking for “man’s best friend” to check out the millions of dogs at local shelters across the country. However, responsible pet ownership requires more than simply agreeing to take an animal into your life; the potential adopter should be ready to make a commitment that will enhance the lives of both the human and the animal.
With nearly 10 million animals entering local shelters across the country each year the Adopt a Shelter Dog 
Month helps focus attention on the pet population problem we face in this country.
Renowned dog trainer Joel Silverman also says that shelter animals make good pets, and that proper training is the key. Silverman’s many canine pupils have starred in commercials, television shows, and feature films and often come from shelters. According to Silverman, pet owners that train their dogs have better relationships with their pets and less problems in the home.
“Most people don’t realize that training is not as difficult as they think,” says Silverman. “Training should be fun for both the pet owner and the dog and, in fact, usually strengthens the bond between them.”
In a recent study conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, researchers surveyed people turning animals in to 12 various shelters around the country to try to find our exactly why animals end up there. The study was published in the current issue of the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, and can be seen at The ASPCA’s Web site (http://www.aspca.org). The study’s researchers reviewed reasons why people gave up their dogs up for adoption, and found the following frequency of answers:
# 29 percent surrendered their dogs due to behavior problems
# 29 percent surrendered their dogs because of the family’s housing situation
# 25 percent surrendered their dogs citing incompatibility with the family’s lifestyle
# 15 percent surrendering their dogs due to the family’s preparation and/or expectations.
According to The ASPCA, people bringing a companion animal into their lives need to thoroughly review their lifestyle and their readiness to take responsibility for the animal’s care. The ASPCA advises people to consider the five questions below before they adopt a dog:
1. Am I ready to make a long-term commitment? Adopting a pet means being responsible for it’s health and happiness for the rest of his or her life, which could be up to 15 years for dogs.
2. Is the animal right for my household? A strong, active pet may be too much for a young child or elderly person to handle. Small pets may be too delicate for rough play with children. Always make sure that everyone in the household agrees to adopt an animal.
3. Who will be the primary caretaker for the animal? One adult in the home should be designated as the primary caretaker so that the pet’s needs do not become lost in the shuffle of busy schedules.
4. Can I afford the animal? The cost of a pet is more than just the purchase price or adoption fee; remember to include the cost of food, pet supplies, veterinarian bills and training.
5. Am I ready to commit to making this dog a good canine citizen? A well-trained dog is a pleasure and is welcome in public parks, on walks, and as a visitor. Research shows that people who take the time to train their dogs are more likely to keep them longer than people who don’t.
Looking for a dog to add to your family? Consider adopting a shelter dog!”
This one has already made national headlines:
A 9-1-1 operator didn’t expect to hear a canine when he answered the phone.
A dog had his day last week in Arizona. A German Shepherd saved his owner’s life by dialing 911.
In Scottsdale, Buddy saved the life of his owner, Joe Stalnaker, after he had a seizure. Buddy called 9-1-1 and began barking and whimpering to the operator. The dog stayed on the line enough for police to trace the call and arrive at the scene.
Chris Tott was caught off guard when he said, “Hello, this is 911. Hello . . . Can you hear me? Is there somebody there you can give the phone to,” and was greeted with barking from a furry friend.
Police arrived 20 minutes later and Stalnaker spent the next two days in the hospital recovering from the seizure.
“It’s pretty incredible. Even the veteran dispatchers – they haven’t heard of anything like this,” said Sgt. Mark Clark of the Scottsdale Police Department.
Stalnaker suffered injuries to the head several years ago due to a military-exercise accident. He adopted Buddy at eight weeks old as part of the Paws with a Cause, a company that trains animals for assisting those with disabilities.
“He’s my world. He’s my best friend, no question. He’s always there, and I just hope I can be as good to him as he’s been to me,†said Stalnaker.
From: thecelebritycafe.com
