By: Joseph Then
I really liked the part about the doogie bad breath.
You might disagree, but hear me out on this.
Dog treats are not something that you give as bait for better behavior of your dog. Dog treats are not something that is cheap to come by.
When you think of dog treats you are probable thinking of doggie bones and snacks. There are a lot more different kinds of dog treats out there that you can choose from for your family pet. You are able to purchase many different items such as soft chew treats so that you dog is not going to be able to eat up their treat right away. When you are purchasing a dog treat that is a soft chew treat you know that you are not going to need to purchase a new different treat right away in most cases.
No matter if your dog is just a family protector for the long night or if they are part of the family, because you spoil them you are going to want to get your dog some kind of a treat every now and then. If you notice that the dog has bad breath then you may want to even check out the dog treats that will help them out with bad breath. That could be a good lifesaver if your dog is one that likes to make sure that you are up in the morning so that you do not end up running late. Just think if you are getting them one of the dog treats that will help with bad breath then you are not going to be knocked out in the morning when they are trying to get you moving.
No matter what kind of a dog treat you are looking for there is so many different ones out there that you can purchase for your dog. There are even ones that you are going to be able to make in the privacy of your own home so that you are going to be able to save a little money in the long run. Plus you may end up feeling better if you are making the dog treats for them instead of buying them all the time. At least when you make them you are going to know what all is in the dog treat that you made them.
In conclusion, never make a dog treat like bait. Use them wisely and you can reap the benefits of giving your dog the treats they deserve.
Depending on you, dog treats can have a positive or negative effect on your beloved dog. Know more about dog treats for FREE by visiting this website: http://www.1-dog-treats.info
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
All Dogs Go To Heaven And So Do The People That Love Them
By: Marcus Engel
I ran across this touching article, and thought I would pass it on.
"Sacrifice is a part of life. It is supposed to be. It's not something to regret - it's something to aspire to."
This quote comes from a conversation between an old soldier and his former captain in Mitch Album's book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Now deceased, they meet in heaven which, strangely enough, looks identical to the foreign soil on which they fought together.
As the two souls talk, the soldier, who died some 60 years after the war, learns that his captain sacrificed his own life to save those of his men during a battle. The former soldier learns from the captain, as well as the four other individuals he meets in heaven, just how much his existence affected those around him.
Very few of us will ever experience the ultimate sacrifice of giving our lives for another person. Yet, this part of the book stuck out so much due to some recent events.
We all make sacrifices every day. Some are big, some aren't, but each decision means turning away from another possibility. Maybe it is something as small as giving up a fun activity with friends in order to fulfill an obligation to a job, or maybe its something much, much larger.
Perhaps you or someone you know has given up a portion of their life to help care for an aged relative in the twilight of life. Privacy and freedom are moved to the back burner in order to assist a loved one nearing the end. The trade-off comes in the knowledge that someone is benefiting from that sacrifice.
From its inception, The Marcus Engel Newsletter has been a forum where each month I share a positive experience from which everyone can learn. If there's a little humor thrown in or you have an "ah-ha!" moment, all the better! This month, for the first time, I'm not sure thats going to happen.
If we've been acquainted for less than two years, you probably never had the pleasure of meeting my first Seeing Eye dog, Dasher, other than as a character in my autobiography.
I want to share a little history on the black lab that helped change my life.
Dasher and I were paired together when I was 19, less than a year and a half after losing my sight. Still fumbling through darkness and insecurity, Dasher helped reclaim more of the life I had prior to blindness than any other single element of my recovery. Through our seven years together, Dasher was the introduction to nearly every friend I met and every social interaction I had. As I began speaking professionally, Dasher shared the platform and broke down the barriers between the audience and me - something that is easier for a dog than any human!
In August of 2002 Dasher retired his leather harness and was lovingly adopted into "the good life" by my friends, Tempe and David. Knowing full well their new family member was in his golden years, Tempe and David still took on Dasher with all the enthusiasm and affection one would shower onto a new puppy. Handing over Dasher's leash was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but my heart and mind were put at ease with the knowledge that Dasher was going to a family he loved and who loved him.
Six weeks ago, Tempe and David lost a member of their family when Dasher breathed his last breath. Those of you who've experienced the death of a pet know how traumatic that loss can be. The inevitable passing of a pet is always unique and tragic in its own way.
Dasher's adoptive family made a HUGE sacrifice when they welcomed him into their home. After all, how many people really want to take on an animal in its later years knowing their time with that pet is governed by the laws of life expectancy. Practically no one. This is why I am so humbled and grateful for the sacrifice made by Tempe and David.
Friends, I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to have Dasher's final years spent under loving care and watchful eyes. That, faithful reader, is one of the truest definitions of sacrifice.
As I read the story of the captain's voluntary loss of life for his men, and especially the lessons he taught his former soldier, I couldn't help but think of what my friends gave up by adopting an old dog, and what they lost when Dasher died. Yet, what the captain said next helped ease that pain: "Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you're not losing it, you're just passing it on to someone else."
I'm not sure truer words have ever been spoken. If you are one of the thousands whose life was touched by Dasher, thank you. Your acceptance and love gave him one of the best lives a dog could ever ask for. I'm sorry if this newsletter is a bit of an emotional downer, but I wanted to acknowledge the sacrifices of Tempe and David.
Plus, after giving the majority of his life to my needs, Dasher deserves a fitting epitaph. In my humble notions of heaven, all things are perfect and all things are possible - including the presence of animals. So, to Dasher Thanks buddy, for seven great years. You helped me more than you'll ever know.
The article did not come with a link, so if any one knows of a link to Marcus's site I will be glad to add it.
"Sacrifice is a part of life. It is supposed to be. It's not something to regret - it's something to aspire to."
This quote comes from a conversation between an old soldier and his former captain in Mitch Album's book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Now deceased, they meet in heaven which, strangely enough, looks identical to the foreign soil on which they fought together.
As the two souls talk, the soldier, who died some 60 years after the war, learns that his captain sacrificed his own life to save those of his men during a battle. The former soldier learns from the captain, as well as the four other individuals he meets in heaven, just how much his existence affected those around him.
Very few of us will ever experience the ultimate sacrifice of giving our lives for another person. Yet, this part of the book stuck out so much due to some recent events.
We all make sacrifices every day. Some are big, some aren't, but each decision means turning away from another possibility. Maybe it is something as small as giving up a fun activity with friends in order to fulfill an obligation to a job, or maybe its something much, much larger.
Perhaps you or someone you know has given up a portion of their life to help care for an aged relative in the twilight of life. Privacy and freedom are moved to the back burner in order to assist a loved one nearing the end. The trade-off comes in the knowledge that someone is benefiting from that sacrifice.
From its inception, The Marcus Engel Newsletter has been a forum where each month I share a positive experience from which everyone can learn. If there's a little humor thrown in or you have an "ah-ha!" moment, all the better! This month, for the first time, I'm not sure thats going to happen.
If we've been acquainted for less than two years, you probably never had the pleasure of meeting my first Seeing Eye dog, Dasher, other than as a character in my autobiography.
I want to share a little history on the black lab that helped change my life.
Dasher and I were paired together when I was 19, less than a year and a half after losing my sight. Still fumbling through darkness and insecurity, Dasher helped reclaim more of the life I had prior to blindness than any other single element of my recovery. Through our seven years together, Dasher was the introduction to nearly every friend I met and every social interaction I had. As I began speaking professionally, Dasher shared the platform and broke down the barriers between the audience and me - something that is easier for a dog than any human!
In August of 2002 Dasher retired his leather harness and was lovingly adopted into "the good life" by my friends, Tempe and David. Knowing full well their new family member was in his golden years, Tempe and David still took on Dasher with all the enthusiasm and affection one would shower onto a new puppy. Handing over Dasher's leash was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but my heart and mind were put at ease with the knowledge that Dasher was going to a family he loved and who loved him.
Six weeks ago, Tempe and David lost a member of their family when Dasher breathed his last breath. Those of you who've experienced the death of a pet know how traumatic that loss can be. The inevitable passing of a pet is always unique and tragic in its own way.
Dasher's adoptive family made a HUGE sacrifice when they welcomed him into their home. After all, how many people really want to take on an animal in its later years knowing their time with that pet is governed by the laws of life expectancy. Practically no one. This is why I am so humbled and grateful for the sacrifice made by Tempe and David.
Friends, I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to have Dasher's final years spent under loving care and watchful eyes. That, faithful reader, is one of the truest definitions of sacrifice.
As I read the story of the captain's voluntary loss of life for his men, and especially the lessons he taught his former soldier, I couldn't help but think of what my friends gave up by adopting an old dog, and what they lost when Dasher died. Yet, what the captain said next helped ease that pain: "Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you're not losing it, you're just passing it on to someone else."
I'm not sure truer words have ever been spoken. If you are one of the thousands whose life was touched by Dasher, thank you. Your acceptance and love gave him one of the best lives a dog could ever ask for. I'm sorry if this newsletter is a bit of an emotional downer, but I wanted to acknowledge the sacrifices of Tempe and David.
Plus, after giving the majority of his life to my needs, Dasher deserves a fitting epitaph. In my humble notions of heaven, all things are perfect and all things are possible - including the presence of animals. So, to Dasher Thanks buddy, for seven great years. You helped me more than you'll ever know.
The article did not come with a link, so if any one knows of a link to Marcus's site I will be glad to add it.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Toilet training a cat - the pros, cons & hints
I have seen these types of articles before and they always intrigued me. I wish we had taught our two house cats how to use the toilet. Maybe we could get some comments from people who have taught their cats to use the toilet. Enjoy the following article.
Toilet training a cat - pros, cons & guide
Claudine du Plessis
Cat toilet training in easy steps:
Toilet training your cat is an easier task than you might think. Several techniques can be used for training your cat to use the toilet, and you can even buy products that will assist you in toilet training a cat.
The advantages of cat toilet training:
Teaching your cat to use the toilet can hold several advantages for any cat owner. The biggest advantage of having your cat use a toilet is that eliminates most of the disadvantages that using cat litter holds. Cat litter is expensive. After toilet training your cat, you won't ever need to buy cat litter again. Cat litter boxes needs to be cleaned regularly or they will become smelly. With cat toilet training, the water in the toilet masks most of the offending smell and all you need to do is flush regularly - much simpler and easier than cleaning a litter box. Going away for weekends or holidays also becomes easier for your neighbor - instead of asking someone to clean out the litter box, all they need to do is flush your toilet once in a while (when they come around to water your plants and feed your cat).
How to toilet train a cat (do it yourself):
Toilet training your cat depends entirely on the cat's personality. Toilet training sociable cats that love being praised make the training task much easier. You might want to adapt the toilet training technique described below to fit your cat's personality. Training your cat to use the toilet can take anything between 2 weeks up to 3 months, depending on the individual cat's personality.
Cat toilet training basically consists of a simple procedure: gradually moving your cat's litter box closer and closer to the toilet, finally placing a bowl with cat litter inside the toilet, and removing it altogether when your cat is comfortable and used to it. Toilet training a cat is a gradual, step-by-step process, consisting of making small changes to the location of the litter box and only continuing to the next step when your cat is entirely comfortable with its current situation. You might have to wait anything between 2 days or 3 weeks before moving on a next step in cat toilet training. You might even have to go back a step once or twice when it turns out that your cat wasn't ready to move on to the next toilet training step. Beware - cat toilet training takes a lot of patience!
Cat toilet training steps:
- Start gradually moving your cat's litter box nearer to the toilet until finally it should be next to the toilet. Ensure that your cat is always comfortable and sure of its litter bog's location.
- Now start elevating the cat's litter box. Put something non-slippery like newspapers or cardboard underneath the litter box. A normal rate to increase the height of the litter box would be about 5cm a day, but be very attentive to signs that your cat is not comfortable with the current height, and adjust the pace of raising the litter box accordingly. The cat litter box should be raised until it is at a level height with the toilet bowl. Throughout this process it is very important to keep the toilet lid open and the seat down, because your cat will get used to it and might even start climbing on the toilet seat in order to reach its litter box.
- Move the litter box to rest on the open toilet seat. Keep it there until your cat seems comfortable with this arrangement.
- Buy a metal bowl or tray that will fit snugly inside the toilet bowl. It would be advisable for the metal bowl to have small draining holes. Fill the bowl with cat litter (preferably the flushable type). Now remove your cat's litter box entirely. If you have reached this step successfully you are very close to having a toilet trained cat!
- While your cat is using the metal bowl inside the toilet, be attentive to where its paws are. The goal is teaching him to squat with all four paws on the toilet seat rim. You can move the cat while it is using the toilet and praise it (or reward it) when it is sitting in the correct position. Normally the cat will first sit entirely inside the metal bowl, then with front paws on the toilet seat, and finally it should sit with all four paws on the toilet.
- Start using less and less cat litter. This can get smelly, so be sure to clean the bowl after every time your cat uses it. Cats scratch in sand or cat litter to cover up the smell (this is out of instinct), so if the bowl becomes too smelly your cat won't be comfortable using it (and you probably wouldn't be comfortable with using your toilet either). Using flushable cat litter makes cleaning the bowl very easy - just throw out the contents in the toilet and flush down, rinse out the bowl, refill with correct amount of cat litter and replace. A handy tip is to place newspaper on the floor around the toilet to help keep the room clean should your cat scratch in the cat litter. Decrease the amount of cat litter in a pace that your cat feels comfortable with.
- When you basically don't use any cat litter inside the bowl anymore, start gradually filling the bowl with water. The water will also help mask the smell so your cat will be more comfortable using the toilet. Be attentive to your cat's behavior through this whole process - if your cat stops using the bowl inside the toilet, you may be moving on too fast and might need to go back a couple of steps.
- When the water level in the bowl has reached about 4cm and your cat has no problem using it, it is time to remove the bowl entirely. Your cat should now be toilet trained. Remember to always leave the toilet seat up and flush regularly!
Products to assist you in toilet training your cat:
There are several cat toilet training kits available on the market. They basically consist of a tray that fits inside the toilet, and with a hole in the middle that you can gradually make bigger. When choosing a cat toilet training kit, ensure that you buy quality. The cat training kit should not be flimsy and should be able to support your cat's weight even when the hole becomes large. Be aware of cheap, flimsy products you buy at toy stores or pet stores, because if your cat falls in, it might loose interest in toilet training completely.
The disadvantages in toilet training your cat:
Not everyone agrees that cat toilet training is such a great idea. They argue that it is unnatural for a cat to use a toilet, as it goes against their natural instincts to cover up their smell. Toilet seats can also be slippery and there might be the risk of your cat injuring itself. Even if your cat doesn't fall in at all, he may become anxious whenever he uses the toilet and going to the toilet can become an unpleasant task.
A litter box also has the health benefit in that it's easier to monitor your cat's urine for signs of infections or sickness.
Moving locations will also be harder for the cat, because a litter box can be moved easily but the cat will first need to get used to using the new toilet. With some cats this is no problem and they can become comfortable with the new toilet very fast, while other cats might be less adaptable.
Things to remember when toilet training a cat:
The most important thing to remember is that the toilet training should be done gradually. Be very patient and never rush to the next step until you are sure that you cat is completely comfortable with the current setup.
Make using the toilet as easy as you can for the cat. Always remember to keep the toilet seat up and the bathroom door open. When you have guests, ensure that they also know about considering your cat. Flush the toilet regularly as cats do not like using smelly toilets.
For more information about interesting facts about cats, cat urine problems and cat urine removers see http://www.cat-urine.net
About the Author:
Cat Toilet Training
On a closing note I would think that in most cases at least, the cat wouldn't forget what a litterbox is for after it was trained to use the toilet. Well what do I know anyway, let's hear from some of the experts out there.
Kevin Lee
Monday, February 20, 2006
Winter and Dogs and Cats
We are well into the winter weather season and I hope everyone's pets (and the Humans too) are doing well.
This is just a quick reminder that the cold weather can take it's toll on cats and dogs. Please do make arrangements for your pet to be warm and comfortable. The best scenario would be to allow them into the home, but this isn't always possible for many reasons.
Some of the cats, and the dogs, as well as the monkey we have around here have to stay outside, but they are provided with shelter from the wind, as well as access to a heated area. Now this is South Texas and we don't get the 20 below temps, but it does get cold enough at times to be a danger to them.
This is also a time to make sure the cats and dogs have plenty of quality food available. Food will provide the calories to burn, which in turn provides some warmth. If your pets are like ours they are much more active in the cooler weather, which will also impact their food needs.
A supply of fresh water is also a must, and in the colder climates where freezing is likely please check into a heated water dish.
That is it for these basic reminders. We will be updating this blog more frequently with fresh ideas for the Health, Care, and Training of our pet Cats and Dogs. Please Bookmark us, and check back often.
Till then,
Kevin Lee
This is just a quick reminder that the cold weather can take it's toll on cats and dogs. Please do make arrangements for your pet to be warm and comfortable. The best scenario would be to allow them into the home, but this isn't always possible for many reasons.
Some of the cats, and the dogs, as well as the monkey we have around here have to stay outside, but they are provided with shelter from the wind, as well as access to a heated area. Now this is South Texas and we don't get the 20 below temps, but it does get cold enough at times to be a danger to them.
This is also a time to make sure the cats and dogs have plenty of quality food available. Food will provide the calories to burn, which in turn provides some warmth. If your pets are like ours they are much more active in the cooler weather, which will also impact their food needs.
A supply of fresh water is also a must, and in the colder climates where freezing is likely please check into a heated water dish.
That is it for these basic reminders. We will be updating this blog more frequently with fresh ideas for the Health, Care, and Training of our pet Cats and Dogs. Please Bookmark us, and check back often.
Till then,
Kevin Lee
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