I can’t believe it is October already. Where did the summer go? Oh that is right,not much of a summer here in the North West.

My favorite month is October for many reasons, one is the spooky little creatures that come to my door every October 31 and while everyone enjoys treats and tricks, we mustn’t forget our four-legged furry friends.

I found these tips from the Pet Sitters International webpage and thought I would post them here.

5 tips to ensure pets stay safe, comfortable.

When asked about his plans for Halloween, Garfield, the world’s most finicky feline, said, “Halloween is my kind of a holiday. Not like those other stupid holidays. I don’t get pine needles in my paws. There’s no dumb bunnies, no fireworks, no relatives, just candy. Boom, you go out, you get candy. It’s as simple as that.”

Halloween can be a traumatic and even dangerous time for pets. As the only “Garfield-approved” pet-sitting association, Pet Sitters International cautioned the fat cat about eating candy.

The association shares these suggestions with its members, and the 740,000 pet owners who use its members’ services, in hopes that all pets have a howlin’ good Halloween.

1. Think things through before putting your pet in a Halloween costume. Unless your dog or cat is extremely receptive to this kind of thing, you could be causing discomfort and stress. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume doesn’t obstruct your pet’s vision and isn’t uncomfortable or unsafe.

2. Know when to say “No!” This isn’t news to anyone, but dogs and cats will beg for treats. But please remember that Halloween goodies are for the Trick-or-Treaters, not pets. Most pet owners know that chocolate is poisonous to pets, but candies made with the sugar substitute xylitol are also dangerous. Candy wrappers can also pose a problem. Be sure to keep candy and candy wrappers out of paw’s reach.

3. Your pets might not be the party animals in your family. If you’re having a party, put your pets in a room where they won’t be disturbed. Be sure to check on them and reassure them that everything is all right. They may not be prepared to take part in the Halloween fun, but they don’t want to be isolated and ignored, either. Also don’t give alcoholic beverages to dogs, cats, birds or any other animals. Keep a watchful eye on party guests. Some may think it’s funny to give an animal alcohol, but it can result in serious illness and even death.

4. Don’t let your pets become escape artists. Be extra careful that cats or dogs don’t dart outside through an open door. Once a pet is out the door, its familiar neighborhood can become unfamiliar and scary territory on Halloween. House and yard decorations, Trick-or-Treaters and increased traffic can panic an escaped pet. A panicked pet may run too far from home to find its way back.

5. (Fire) safety first. Pets don’t understand that small fires are inside of Jack-O-Lanterns. Dogs, particularly enthusiastic tail-waggers, can easily knock over a pumpkin and cause a fire. Curious kittens also run the risk of getting burned. Place Jack-O-Lanterns where they can’t be knocked over by swinging tails or prying paws.

Most of all, have a safe and fun filled Halloween.

apparently is not that easy. Since we have become such a social society, I feel having Facebook and Twitter is the way to go. I love technology and enjoy discovering the latest and greatest.

For updates and day to day tips you can now follow me on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pawcific-NW-Petsitting/185523738159904

I saw this in a monthly news letter I get and thought I would post this in its entirety.

Written by Casey Lomonaco, KPA CTP

Seasonal pet health hazards should be considered during the extreme temperatures of both winter and summer. Keeping pets safe during the summer is easiest if you know what the risks are and how to manage them for your dog’s safety.

The dog days of summer provide lots of opportunities for fun with your dog (camping, hiking, swimming, kayaking and backpacking, to name a few) but also bring a unique set of health hazards and risks pet owners should be aware of; including, but not limited to: dehydration, burned pads, parasite infestation, heat stroke, leptospirosis, and seasonal allergies.

Six Common Summer Hazards for Dogs

1. Dehydration
One of the best ways to keep your dog safe in the summer time is by providing lots of cool, clean, fresh water. Consider preparing low sodium chicken broth or yogurt ice cubes, and introducing canned dog foods (best when frozen in a Kong!) to increase the moisture content in your dog’s diet.

2. Burned Pads
Under the summer sun, asphalt on sidewalks and streets can heat to a temperature that can burn a dog’s paws. To avoid scorched paws, walk your dog very early in the morning or in the late evening when the streets have cooled off. If you must walk your dog during the day, dog booties can protect his feet. Always put your hand down on the asphalt for about thirty seconds – if you must pull your hand away because the street is too hot, it is too hot for your dog to walk on without hurting his paws. If you don’t want your hand on the street for thirty seconds, your dog probably does not want his paws on it for thirty or more minutes of walking.

3. Parasites
Summer is the season for fleas and ticks, and mosquitoes; pests which can present a minor discomfort to your dog at best and at worst may be life threatening or cause self-mutilating behaviors. Feeding your dog a high quality diet, without preservatives or chemicals will build his immune system, making him generally more resistant to parasite infestation. There are a wide variety of preventatives on the market, including chemical spot-on treatments, repellent shampoos, essential oils, and flea and tick collar; talk to your vet to see what she recommends for your dog. Cleaning your house frequently and keeping your dog well groomed will also reduce the risk of parasite infestation.

4. Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a serious risk to dog’s health – in worst case scenarios, it can be fatal. You can prevent heat stroke by restricting your pet’s exercise during the hottest hours of the day (early morning or late evening are the best times for exercise during the summer), by making sure he is well hydrated, providing cool places for him to relax, providing opportunities to swim, cooling mats, and by never leaving your dog unattended in the car during summer heat.

Many dogs die annually in hot cars. Even if your windows are cracked or you park in the shade, heat can build quickly in a car in the summer, turning it into an oven. If it’s 95 degrees at noon and you leave your windows cracked, the temperature in your car may still rise as high as 113 degrees. This is a recipe for disaster for your dog. If you must leave your dog in the car for any period of time, the air conditioning should stay on. Leaving a dog to die in a hot car is not just a health risk for your dog, but may be cause for animal cruelty charges in some area. The solution? Don’t leave your dog in a hot car.

5. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is contracted through bodily fluids or tissue and can be transmitted through direct (as in the case of a bite or ingestion of flesh) or indirect contact (through water sources, food, etc.) with an infected animal. Stagnant waters are a common source of leptospirosis bacteria. Lepto can cause permanent health problems or death if not treated quickly. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, trembling/shaking, lethargy, anorexia, tenderness of joints and muscles, and increased water intake. If you suspect your dog has lepto, get him to a vet right away, an emergency vet if need be.

There are vaccines for lepto but they do not prevent all strains and can cause significant adverse reactions. Talk to your vet about weighing the risk of infection with the risks associated with the lepto vaccine.

6. Seasonal Allergies
Your dog may be allergic to one or more seasonal items, which include fleas, grass and various plants, and mold. If you suspect your dog may have seasonal allergies, is scratching and perhaps losing fur, a visit to your vet is recommended.

“He loves me, he loves me not?” Fortunately, that’s something you never have to worry about with your dog. He’ll love you no matter how you look or how much money you have. It doesn’t get any better than that! Your dog gives you unconditional love, and you love him with all your heart. But you can do one thing your pooch can’t: you can whip up some Valentine goodies for him this month as an extra special treat.

Red Velvet Pupcakes

Adapted from Kaboose.com

Red velvet is all the rage in the world of cupcakes these days. So why not try these crimson-hued beauties on your best friend? Beet juice gives them their color, an whole-wheat flour gives them fiber. The cottage cheese icing helps make these trendy treats a balanced meal.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1/3 cup beet puree or fresh beet juice
• 1 and 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a six-cup muffin tin with muffin cups.
2. In a large bowl whisk together oil, applesauce and beet puree.
3. In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Slowly stir flour mixture into the wet ingredients.
4. Spoon batter into muffin cups to three-quarters full and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from the pan and cool on a rack.
5. In the bowl of a food processor, puree cottage cheese until smooth, about 30 seconds. Keep frosting refrigerated until cupcakes are completely cool. Frost and serve.

   *Taken from Dogster.com

I just got back from a 30 hr trip to California to pick up the newest addition of my family.

This is Moolan Roux’s Rooby (Roux for short) She is an American Bulldog.

Yep, it hasn’t been this cool since 1984. It is starting to look more like the start of Spring than the start of Summer.

It is also a bad season for fleas as I unfortunately found out. I have four dogs of my own and two of a family members that stay with a lot these days. They did not have nary a flea, but then about two weeks ago, the itching started. I wonder now if I inadvertently  brought in fleas from my daily pet sits or walks. However these nasty bugs came into being here in my home. Home they are, right in my dogs fur. Now it is not a cheap expense to get rid of fleas, believe me, especially with the number of dogs I have. I went to Petco today and not only purchased Frontline, but flea shampoo and powder, just to be safe. My pocket book  was a bit more empty. Its bath and flea control time tomorrow, even if the temps are not all the warm.

I encourage pet owners to take the steps to prevent fleas from taking over their furry four-legged companions. Just a quick trip to the pet store or your vet can save you the time and trouble of getting an infestation.

I have had a great year, thanks to all my clients. Without you, there would be no Pawcific Petsitting and I thank each and every one for your business and support.

We here at Pawcific NW Petsitting would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.

Just when you thought you have seen all the technology there is, in comes a new one and it has to do with GPS and your dog’s location.

Yes, there is a company that is releasing a gadget called the Spotlight. It is a rectangle box that attaches to fido’s collar and is smaller than a business card. It will connect with satellites and cell phone towers pinpointing the location of your dog’s whereabouts, through GPS tracking.

Now if the dogs goes beyond a certain point, the Spotlight will send a text message to your phone telling you where the dog’s location is. Not only that, but  if you  have a smartphone with web access it will provide directions! Nifty huh?

If you have an escape artist, this is an ideal solution, provided the device stays on the collar. Right now they haven’t released it,  but when they do I will be curious to find out just how well they do. It will be waterproof, and weigh less than 2.5 ounces and get this, it will have a LED light you can turn on remotely..I tell you it doesn’t get any more better than this. There of course will be a charge of $250 for the device with a monthly service fee, depending on what type of plan the owner wants.

The company releasing these devices is PAW , short for Positioning Animals Worldwide. They partnered with the American Kennel Clubs Companion Animal Recovery division. You can see the devices by going to www.pawgps.com

Every month I receive the Modern Dog magazine. A Christmas gift subscription from a friend of mine, who like me, is very passionate about her dogs.

This months issue had me wondering if what I feed my dogs is really the best thing for them. The reason I feed them what I do, is my first adopted dog, Gus, had a very bad outbreak of skin allergies. I tried the expensive medicated shampoos, the very expensive foods; I tried oral medications, even putting vitamin E in his food, to no avail. He oozed and had a horrible smell about him. It finally got to the point where he lost most his hair. Poor thing, he was a site to be sure.

As I wandered the pet food aisle at my local grocery store, I saw a bag of food that had Salmon and yogurt. “Good for skin issues” is what the bag proclaimed. I thought, “why not”, nothing else is working.  Well low and behold his skin cleared up and his hair started growing back! Yes, it is a name brand food, but it worked and I have used it ever since.

I have been asked what brand I feed my dogs and after answering the question, get scowls and the ever common, “it’s full of fillers and it’s bad”. His vet recently even went so far as to give him a rated F on the brand of dog food! Although he did not find anything wrong with Gus and said his skin and hair are in great condition, I now feel like I am committing some great crime in feeding my dogs a brand named dog food from “ack!” a grocery store shelf!

So it was that I happened upon this article about “The Raw Debate”. It talks about the pros and cons of feeding your dog a raw food diet vs. the commercial brands out there. More are heeding the call to raw diet in wake of the pet food scares in recent years. Saying, “It is a more natural diet for dogs”. But, is it?

There are two types of raw diets, ones made commercially and ones you make yourself. (I have six dogs, so I won’t be heading to the kitchen anytime soon). Each consists of raw meat, veggies and supplements with a few grains and fruits thrown in. However, you have to be careful in making sure that it is properly balanced and meets the dogs’ requirements.

Pros are:

Safety, (you know what is going into the raw food when preparing yourself)

Health, when making or buying raw food it allows you to meet your dog’s specific needs. An example would be if your dog is allergic to wheat products or has any food allergies. It also has a high water content that allows you to feed more while keeping your dog weight under control.

Cons are:

Safety, When feeding a raw diet, people need to be aware of Salmonella and other canine pathogens. Bones that are in the mix can also cause choking and intestinal blockage.

Health, it is can be difficult to get an adequate, balanced and nutritional diet your dog needs. Sometimes it takes months for deficiencies to show up. Raw veggies are also hard to digest for some dogs. (They recommend cooking the veggies)

Last but not least is the question you have to ask yourself when considering a raw food diet. “Am I prepared for the expense and time it takes to prepare the food”? If you work a lot and spend more time on take-out food for yourself on a weekly business, chances are that you’re too busy to prepare a home-made raw diet for your four-legged furchild. If you travel a lot and board your dogs, many boarding kennels charge extra for the space and time it takes to store the food.

Right now there is little evidence on the health benefits of feeding your dog a raw food diet. I am sure as more health food scares arise and more people become aware of what really goes into their dogs’ food, there will be. For now, if you’re like me, it’s a matter of personal preference and what is working for your dogs.