Animal Planet - Pet Trends blog

Healthy Mouth

My good friend Laura (and momma to a totally adorable chihuahua named Buddy who Miss Dixie just adores) told me about this brand spankin' new product called healthyMOUTH™ dental care water. It's water that actually reduces plaque by 80% without the use of scary chemicals.

It is made with only 100% natural ingredients, and organic actives including papain, a highly effective enzyme derived from papaya, pomegranate and blueberry, powerful anti-oxidants and yucca, selected for its deodorizing properties. The key to the formula is the combination of the ingredients selected and how the actives operate off of each other to produce the desired result.

You simply get a box and replace your dog's H2O. It tastes just like water, but fights gross plaque and protects their smile.  Dixie's granddaddy is a Dentist, so we've always been very protective of her pearly whites, but recently I learned that taking care of your dog's teeth can extend the life of your dog by 2-5 years!  That's something to smile about!

Tune-In Tonight!

Curious about the yoga trend, DOGA??  Yes, that's yoga for you and your dog!  Well, join me tonight at 11:35 pm on ABC Nightline News tonight to learn all about it! 

Safety First

We all want to keep our pets safe (and trendy ... hee, hee) and did you know that the Red Cross now offers a Pet First Aid guide with instructional DVD and Pet First Aid Classes?! I wanted to learn more about this so I turned to my good friend, Pam King, who works at the Red Cross for tips and advice. She put me in contact with the veterinarian, Dr. Deborah C. Mandell, who wrote and advised the Red Cross on their new emergency preparedness guides, Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid.

      

I had a bunch of questions for her and here's what she had to say: 

What are the most important things pet owners need to know to keep their pets safe?

• Provide shelter from harsh environments,
• Establish a relationship with a veterinarian and have at least yearly checkups. Make sure they are up to date on vaccines, especially rabies,
• Get them spayed or neutered so they will be less likely to want to get outside and/or roam,
• Keep dogs on leashes when outside – a squirrel or other animal is just too much temptation,
• Give them plenty of exercise,
• Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first aid and care,
• Know what is normal – check gums, breathing, pulse/heart rate, eating/drinking, urinating, weight and look for early warning signs:
  • are you filling the water bowl more?
  • are they not finishing a meal like they used to?

What made you want to write these guides?

Every day, dogs will wag their tail and lick your face countless times – no matter how they are feeling. Dogs (and cats) hide their signs or will only show subtle signs when they are sick until a disease or problem is very advanced. Having owners know what is normal for their pet and having them be able to recognize changes early, can make a huge difference in treatment success.

Being prepared in an emergency will also help pet guardians and their furry friends. Teaming up with the American Red Cross, who has played a pivotal role in first aid for humans, just seemed like the natural thing to do.

What are your favorite pet trends?

• Microchips for identification
• Pet insurance (may not be for everyone)
• Organizations and areas trying to crack down on animal abuse
• People accepting behavioral problems and modification

What are your special safety tips in time for spring?

One of the most important things is to slowly let your dog get acclimated to the nice weather. Heat stroke is most common in the spring. Dogs are not accustomed to the warmer weather and on the first nice day, they run around like crazy which can lead to heat stroke.  Make sure there is plenty of shade and cool water for your cat and dog.  Monitor your dog carefully while outside - they won't stop running until it is too late. Start heartworm, flea and tick prevention.  Be careful with all of the chocolate during Easter, which is bad for all pets.

Tell me what someone will learn at the Red Cross Pet First Aid course?

Through a combination of course materials, skills demonstrations and practice, class participants learn how to:

• Be prepared for emergencies involving pets,
• Protect themselves and their pets from further harm, injury or suffering during emergencies,
• Provide prompt, effective first aid and care until veterinary care is available.

So there ya have it!  I'm glad to be "in the know" now and feel good about being able to help Dixie in an emergency. 

Visit the Red Cross Store to purchase a copy of the Red Cross Pet Safety Series for your family or favorite pet owner.

Locate a Red Cross Chapter near you to see if they offer a Pet First Aid course.

Ode To A Best Friend

"My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am."  ~ Author Unknown

When I was a freshman in college, a very special Welsh Corgi, Fanny, came into my family's life.  This breed is well-known as the favorite pet of Queen Elizabeth II. In fact, the Royal Family currently has five corgis and four "dorgis" which are corgis crossed with dachshunds -- I guess Dixie is a royal favorite too!  After meeting our Fanny, we quickly understood why this breed is so well-favored. 

We named her Fanny, because at the time, I was playing the role of the real-life comedienne Fanny Brice in a theatrical production in Washington DC.  Both the real woman and this special canine brought a smile to my face instantly, so that was how she got her name.

When any of us came to the door, including all of my friends, she would rush to the door and look up at you with such joy at your arrival, even when I had only been gone a few minutes.  I know ... I know, I've been told that dogs have no sense of time, but that's not the point.  Nothing beat knowing that Fanny was so happy to see me, no matter how much time had passed, that she could barely sit still. 

Fanny had a particular game she played with my father when he came home after a full day of seeing patients.  He would pretend to ignore her, and she would give him a playful growl until he got down on the floor to play with her and rub her belly.  When he would inevitably fall for her charms, I swear I could see her smile -- A real toothy grin.  I knew that this was a highlight of my father's day too. During the day, Fanny took pride in her role as my mother's sidekick.  The phone would ring and she'd joyfully bark as if to say "Hello, you've reached the Gallants!" 

But it is in the more quiet moments that I most cherish with Fanny.  Wherever I was in the house reading, working, watching television or listening to music, she wanted to be near me.  And when I looked at her, she looked back at me with these wide, dark eyes filled with such a tender, unconditional love.  Most of my friends and family always say the same thing about Fanny, "That is the sweetest dog I’ve ever seen." 

Fanny was recently diagnosed with Lymphoma and lost her battle with cancer this weekend. My family lost one of our most cherished members.  The idea of going home and not having her there to greet me at the door breaks my heart.  I will never forget the unconditional love I saw in her eyes when she looked back at me.  She reminded us to take time out of our busy days to play and love each other.  Her paw print will be forever left on my heart. My life is forever changed because of the sweetest dog named Fanny.  A best friend indeed.

P.S. Did you know cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in forty-seven percent (47%) of dogs and thirty-two percent (32%) of cats and that cancer kills almost 50% of dogs over ten years of age?  Learn more about cancer in pets and how you can help by visiting Tails of Hope.   

Reaping the Rewards of Pet Ownership

To have a pet or not to have a pet — there is NO question! I've always grown up with animals, so I can't fathom why anyone wouldn't want a pet.  But, in case you know someone who could use some persuasion, check out these interesting findings from Science Daily magazine.

• Senior adults who own dogs go to the doctor less than those who do not. In a study of 100 Medicare patients, those who owned dogs made 21 percent fewer visits to a physician than non-dog owners.
• Pet owners have lower blood pressure, and one study showed that just 10 minutes in the company of an animal significantly reduced blood pressure rates.
• Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than non-owners.
• Pet owners have overall better physical health due to exercise with their pets.
• 70 percent of families surveyed reported an increase in family happiness and fun after acquiring a pet.
• Children exposed to pets during their first year of life have a lower frequency of some allergies and asthma.
• Children who suffer from autism have more pro-social behaviors if they own a pet.
• Owning a pet - especially a dog - helps children in families better adjust to the serious illness or death of a parent.
• Pets decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation in their owners.
• Having a pet may decrease heart attack mortality rates by 3 percent, which translates into 30,000 lives saved annually.
• Positive self-esteem in children is enhanced if the child owns a pet.
• Children owning pets are more likely to be involved in sports, hobbies, clubs or even chores.

Why do I love having Dixie?  Where would I even begin?! One reason is because of how much fun we have playing with our other friends who have dogs. My building in Gramercy Park is one of the most pet-friendly buildings in the city. In the morning, when Dixie and I are heading to work, my neighbors say hello to both Dixie and I. If I'm walking in the building without her, someone will inevitably say, "Where’s Dixie?!" Making me feel a little bit like a side-show act to Dixie as the main event, but WHATEVER!

Our neighbors fell so in love with Dixie that they decided to get a girl doxie of their own named Lulu. Now, Dixie and Lulu run up and down the halls with each other. When I see the joy on their faces when they first spot each other, there are times when I get a bit teary-eyed.  The unbridled excitement they have at seeing their friends reminds me of my own friends and how much fun it is to just play.

Dixie's other gal pals, Tessy May and Lilly Rose, live on the fourth floor (three dogs with such southern names, right?!). Often, Dixie is invited to take strolls with her favorite pugs through the park (as pictured). Or they just lie around together on heaps of pillows watching movies or chasing each other while the pugs emit their inevitable snorts. 

I am constantly meeting new people, as I'm not exactly a wallflower, but those of you who have pets might agree with me that you feel an instant connection with others who share their adoration for pets, or if we're being honest THE OBSESSION.

Photo courtesy: Ronnie Schultz

Dixie's Day at the Dentist

Over the holidays, while hanging out with my family, I looked over to see my dad inspecting Dixie’s teeth like he does to all of my other friends.  I guess I should mention that he’s a dentist, so you don’t think he’s too weird. 

Dixie rolled her eyes and sat relatively patient while he checked out her choppers.  (Fun fact: Most dogs have about 42 permanent teeth by the time they are seven months old.)  My dad told me in a stern voice, that Dixie was due for a teeth cleaning and an appointment MUST be made.  He had a point, she can’t be seen with bad teeth or bad breath, that’s a major faux-paw!

Last week, I made her appointment at the Gramercy Park Animal Hospital for yesterday at 9 am, and I was told no food or drink for Dixie after midnight on Sunday due to the use of general anesthesia.

Yesterday morning, as we began walking towards the Gramercy Park Animal Hospital, Dixie tried to turn the other way.  She knew where we were going!  And, if I’m being honest, she wasn’t the only anxious one.  As we sat in the waiting area, other dogs and cats arrived.  They each seemed to have an uncomfortable look on their furry faces.

Dixie’s vet, Dr. Kuhlman, brought us back to a room for her exam.  Dixie began to shake as he placed her on the scale -- I know how she feels, getting weighed makes me shake a bit too!  Before long it was time to leave Dixie to get her pearly whites cleaned.  I tried to leave quickly so as to not draw attention to my disappearance, but she was on to me and began to cry.  *sniff* *sniff*  Now, I don’t have children yet, but if this is even a little bit like what it must feel like to drop your kids off at school on the first day, I don’t know how you parents do it!

They assured me she was in good hands and promised to call me as soon as she was ready.  Sure enough, at 3 pm, my phone rang.  The nurse said Dixie had been a great patient (due to the general anesthesia, I’m sure), and she’d be ready by 5:30 pm.  At 5:29, I arrived to pick up my girl. 

She was a little woozy, walking a little bit like I do after too many glasses of wine.  I paid the bill ($365, which is a little more than $8.50 per tooth according to my calculations) and was told that Dixie shouldn’t eat until after 8 pm and only soft foods for a couple of days.  They also said that other “normal post-dental reactions” may include blood-tinged saliva for 3-4 days, some increased sensitivity around the mouth and some decreased activity for a few days. 

They also told me that she should have her teeth cleaned once a year.   So, I guess 364 days 'til Dixie (and I) have to do this all over again.  Until then, Dixie is ready for her close-up.