the pet museum for peace

Thanks to Miss Peach I realized today was the Blog Blast for Peace! I found a Peace Globe here and now I too am joining the effort.

This morning as I was waking up Elizabeth was sitting on my hair purring, and I lay there so comfortable and pleased with the moment, and thought (this is before I knew about today) "I feel peaceful."

May peace spread across the world in actions large and small. And I wish it to you all, my friends.

How to Teach Your Dog Proper Leash Etiquette

By Linda Cole

Walking a dog is necessary to provide them with proper exercise and give them access to new stimulation they can't get locked up in the house all day. Many times, though, owners find that their dog is so excited and eager to see what's around the next corner, he ends up dragging them down the street. It's not difficult to teach your dog proper leash etiquette, but it does require practice and time.

As with any dog training session, pay attention to your dog and stop when he is tired. Make it fun and he'll be eager for the next lesson, especially if you have lots of CANIDAE Snap-Bits™ dog treats on hand for a reward. Stay calm, consistent and patient, and you can teach your dog to walk beside you on a loose leash. Walking a dog should not leave you feeling like you need a trip to the emergency room once you get back home.

When you allow your dog to rush forward on his leash, you're teaching him it's okay to pull you down the street. But this also creates a dog who can be more aggressive when he's on a leash. The tight leash puts tension on his neck, and he's not in a relaxed state of mind. The result is a dog who barks at other dogs and people, or a dog who rushes up to people or dogs in his path. Walking a dog on a loose leash keeps the dog calmer, and he learns to control his excitement.

Begin by practicing with your dog inside your home where you can control distractions. Put the leash on your dog and walk around the house with him by your side. When you're ready to move outside, grab the treats and head out to the sidewalk in front of your house. You need to teach your dog how you want him to behave before going on a regular walk.

Practice by walking back and forth in front of your house. When your dog tries to move forward, call him back and drop a treat at the back of your heel. You want to teach your dog that's where he'll find his favorite treat. As you walk, drop a treat behind your heel each time he moves ahead of you. You’re teaching him that when he stays next to you, good things can happen. Positive reinforcement and treats – what more could a dog ask for?

Another trick you can use to teach your dog not to pull on his leash is each time he moves forward, when the leash becomes tense, stop walking. Call him back to you and take a couple of steps back to get him into a walking position at your side or a little behind you. Place a treat at the back of your heel when he comes to your side. Stop each time he tries to pull ahead, step back when he returns to you and reward him every time he comes back. When he stops rushing ahead and is constantly walking by your side, you can eliminate the treats if you want.

When practicing in front of your house, change directions suddenly to keep your dog on his toes. He will learn to watch what you're doing instead of looking around for something or someone to bark at. Your dog learns it's in his best interest to pay attention to where you are going and what you are doing. By suddenly changing direction, he no longer knows which way is forward and is more intent on following you.

Once your dog learns how to walk on a loose leash, you can drop the leash and your dog should continue walking beside you, because that's where good things happen. He'll be more interested in walking with you instead of pulling you down the street. This is also a good opportunity to teach your dog to sit whenever you stop walking to help keep him in a relaxed state of mind if you stop to talk to someone and when you stop at a street crossing.

Walking a dog should be relaxing for both of you. If your dog drags you down the street, don't expect overnight success when you start to teach your dog to walk on a loose leash. It can take several training sessions before you're ready to go for a walk, so keep trying. It's much easier to enjoy an afternoon walk when you don't have to worry about fighting your dog every step of the way.

Did you know that cats can also be trained to walk on a leash? It’s true! Julia Williams has a great article on the subject, which you can read here.

Read more articles by Linda Cole

artist: marjorie weiss

Image copywright M. Weiss and used by kind permission of the artist

A few years back during my professional petsitting days I once had the pleasure of housesitting a tiny West Highland White terrier - a Westie. He was only a few months old, not much bigger than both my fists together. I had to watch him carefully on the big back lawn, as his house was out a bit in the country and - must I say it? - hawks.

But he loved to run! He would zoom back and forth and backandforth, like a possessed cottonball. And when I ran across this card at the shop LALOO* in Nevada City CA, I snatched it up because it looked exactly as I always think of that tiny animal: the only important thing in all that landscape.

The art is by Marjorie Weiss, and her dog-themed artwork as a whole truly does tap into the creature as seen through the lens of your heart and your passing time. As she says in her website bio regarding her earlier "Black Dog" series,

The shadowy, silhouetted figures that appear in these paintings come together with the feeling of memory and reminiscence that is an intrinsic part of her work. Together, they create a sense of mystery and enigma that make these paintings captivating works of art.

In this "Westie" image and her recent others like it, the playful upending of scale and generalized, emptied surroundings result in the dog as all-important center. And let's face it: that's exactly where all our dogs are when we remember or think of them.

Do find a moment to enjoy Marjorie Weiss' website and work. I know you will.

* * *

*Full disclosure: my aunt owns that shop, and it's super cool and cute

Does Your Dog Chase Rabbits in His Dreams?

By Suzanne Alicie

Have you ever watched a dog sleep? First, it is really sweet to see their highly animated and active faces resting peacefully, but it is also rather entertaining to watch and wonder what is going on in a dog’s dreams. Their feet may move, their tail may wag, they may growl or even bark. Some dogs have been known to sleep walk and even sleep eat. In these ways dogs are much like humans; I am sure it would be interesting to know what a dog is really dreaming about that causes these activities.

Around our house we call it “chasing rabbits” when our dog is sleeping peacefully and then suddenly seems to be running, all the while lying on her side with her feet making running motions. Then it will stop and she will seem to rest peacefully again for a while. I have also heard our dog growl deep in her throat and the hackles on her neck stand up while she is sleeping. I made sure not to disturb her or wake her up for fear of being attacked simply because she was in a dream state. This is one reason that people who sleep with their pets should be wary.

Veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Dodman reports in his article Do Dogs Dream that scientists tend to dwell on the differences between humans and dogs, while others search for similarities. Like humans, dogs have two main types of sleep – rapid eye movement or REM sleep, and Slow Wave or SWS sleep. Also like humans, the first stage of sleep is the SWS stage when the mind slips into sleep. The thought processes are muted but bodily process and muscle tone remain active. Once the body is fully relaxed and the dog is in REM sleep, the mind begins to dream, and the eyes may dart rapidly. During REM sleep is it common for dogs to whine or whimper, growl, bark, breathe rapidly and show other signs associated with being awake.

Unfortunately, our canine friends can’t tell us what they are dreaming about which leads us to watch them sleep and come to our own conclusions. I enjoy watching our dog sleep and wondering what is going on in her head. I hope she is having an active and fun dream that involves running free, chasing rabbits and rolling around in the grass.

While I enjoy watching our dog dream I have found several videos on YouTube that just seem cruel to me – of dogs who dream bad things and jump up still asleep snarling and run into walls and furniture. I don’t know what the solution is for the owners of dogs like this, but I would assume that a responsible pet owner would take the dog to a vet instead of taking videos of the dog hurting himself to post for entertainment value. Imagine if that were your child instead of a dog, would you let your child harm himself while sleeping and laugh about it? This also leads me to wonder what type of treatment those dogs have been through that make them have dreams like that over and over again.

Rather than dwell on unpleasant thoughts, I think I’ll just go give my dog a CANIDAE Snap-Bits™ treat and hope she naps soon so I can indulge in daydreaming while I watch her.

Read more articles by Suzanne Alicie

and the winner of "dewey's nine lives" is!

The usual hat - just off my head (I got in late today)

Kinda dark, but you can see Elizabeth doing her thing

and of our three contestants

(why do I hear the "Dating Game" theme in my head?)

the winner is. . .

oh my, it's our brand new friend

Danielle

Wow!

Dearest Sweet Praline and Katnip Lounge, I wish I had 2 more copies to give away. But this has been fun and there's always another giveaway!

I wonder what I'll get to give for Christmas.

How to Create Your Own Pet Emergency Kit

By Tamara L. Waters

You never know when a natural or man-made disaster will occur. Perhaps you already have a family disaster kit stashed somewhere, but what about your pets? To prepare for something that is unexpected and unpredictable, you should plan ahead by putting together your own pet emergency kit. Use some of these tips to get started.

A Container for Your Pet Emergency Kit

To keep all of your supplies in one place, you will need some type of container. A lidded box, backpack or duffle bag can hold your pet emergency kit and keep all items together and ready. Protect your kit from water damage (in the event of flooding) by putting all emergency kit items inside a plastic garbage bag, tie it tightly, and then put the bag into your container. Be sure to label your container “pet emergency kit” with a permanent marker. Mark it prominently in more than one spot.


Necessary Items for Your Pet Emergency Kit

* Leashes and extra collars (one for each pet).

* Tie-out stakes and cables to contain dogs temporarily when necessary.

* Pet Food – enough for three or more days. Depending upon the size of your pet and the number of pets you have, you might be better off stocking your emergency kit with canned food (or a combination of canned and dry) in order to save space within your container. I have three large dogs, so dry food for all of them for three days would take up a great deal of space within the kit. Don't forget a package of treats for your pets and a can opener (if needed).

* Water – stock your kit with regular, 20-ounce bottles of water. Store one bottle per pet, per day. You should stock your pet emergency kit with enough water to last for three or more days.

* Towels can be used for warmth, bedding, comfort, cleaning or first aid for your pet. Stock one or two towels for each pet, depending upon how much room you have in your container.

* Toys – just like people, pets can get bored or anxious. Throw in a few chew toys or other items that will keep your pet entertained and comforted during an emergency disruption.

* Cat litter – fill a plastic zippered freezer bag with a few cups of cat litter. In a pinch during an emergency, a cardboard box can be dug out of the trash for a temporary litter box.

* Emergency numbers and plans – keep at least one printed copy of an emergency plan in your kit. You may need to refer to it if you become upset, confused or simply frazzled during an unexpected emergency. You should include phone numbers for your veterinarian, pet sitter or kennel, as well as any other pertinent information.

* Records – have an up-to-date copy of immunization records for each pet as well as a list of all medications and, if possible, copies of veterinary records for your pets.

* First aid supplies – check with your veterinarian for recommendations on first aid supplies. I include general first aid supplies like scissors, tweezers, bandage rolls, Betadine, stypic stick (to stop bleeding), and a book on animal first aid and medical care. If they are available, you can include various medications your pet needs.

Pet Carriers

While pet carriers probably won't fit into your pet emergency kit, keeping them stored with the kit is a good idea. Folding or pop-up pet carriers are ideal for limited storage space, especially if you have to travel due to an emergency and need to stash the carriers in your car when not in use. If you have hard shell pet carriers, be sure they are all together in an accessible place. A pet carrier that is buried under boxes and boxes of stuff in your garage or storage shed won't be any good in a sudden emergency.

Final Thoughts

Keep your emergency kit in an accessible spot where you can easily grab it and run if a disaster or emergency happens. You don't want to waste precious time looking for it. Keep an inventory list in the container that details each item in your pet emergency kit. Resist the temptation to take things out for daily use (as in, you're in need of an item and it's quicker to just grab it out of your emergency kit). If you must dip into your pet emergency kit, make sure you replace any item used. Check your kit regularly to make sure there is no damage from insects, rodents or water.

Planning ahead and preparing for an emergency or natural disaster (which you hope never happens) is how a responsible pet owner keeps their pets safe and sound in the event of an emergency.

Read more articles by Tamara L. Waters

for all saints' day, a lovely pet epitaph

Here lies DASH, the Favourite Spaniel of Queen Victoria
By whose command this Memorial was erected.
He died on the 20 December, 1840 in his 9th year.
His attachment was without selfishness,
His playfulness without malice,
His fidelity without deceit.
READER, if you would live beloved and die regretted, profit by the example of DASH.

Queen Victoria, written on the grave marker of her spaniel Dash. After her coronation, a long arduous day of ceremony, the young Victoria came home and ran upstairs to give Dash his bath.