Pet Health

Judy McKonly loved animals her entire life, but she always had a special affinity for cats. She dreamed of putting her family’s fortune to good use by one day opening a cat shelter like no other. Unfortunately, she passed away before her dream became a reality. Her family carried out her dream using $1.5 million dollars in seed money from the family’s nonprofit, The McKonly Foundation. Image Screenshot WGAL YouTube Built to Please Cat Residents The Columbia Animal Shelter is a state of the art facility that is as modern and beautiful as it is highly functional. Filled with windows that allow light to pour in from outdoors, the rooms are spacious and bright. Tall, expertly designed cat towers fill the visiting rooms in large numbers. This gives the cats plenty to climb on and allows potential adopters to see their potential new fur babies in action. Cats absolutely love the screened in area on the back of the building. It gives them a chance to look around outside, feel the bree...

Not a day goes by when I don’t get a comment like “You must be a dog walker.” Or, my personal favorite “I have enough trouble managing two!” I have become a fixture in my neighborhood. Albeit an unconventional one. People yell across distances at me “Awesome! Way to go!” or “Do you train?” Passing cars slow down to watch and smile. An older gentleman a few blocks over from my house confided in me one day, “My granddaughter watches for you every day. She calls you the Beagle Lady.” Most recently a young neighbor boy walking by us with his father asked me a question “Why do you have so many dogs?” he asked shyly. Not knowing how to simply answer that question, I just smiled and said “Because I love dogs.” The truth is that my dogs and I were meant to find each other. Call it fate, providence, or whatever you choose to believe. It is actually as simple as that. Tags:  literature essays from The Bark https://ift.tt/2ZsVIIr

Dog's name and age: Dobby, 3 years Story behind the name:  When I adopted Dobby at 6 months, he looked just like Dobby from the Harry Potter series with these huge ears. He has grown into his ears now! Adoption story:  I lost my first dog, Samson, in August of 2016. I was completely devastated and thought it would be a long time before I could handle getting another dog. I still needed to get my "dog-fix" in so I started volunteering at the Humane Society of Huron Valley a few months later. Three weeks of volunteering later, I was cleaning up the back holding room and saw Dobby. It was absolutely love at first sight. Tags:  smiling dogs from The Bark https://ift.tt/2ZyunV8

Advice on how to deal with a dog who eats everything in sight. Dear Bark: Our adorable dog Mercury eats everything in sight—mostly small socks, but also napkins, dog toys, food wrappers and so much more. We’ve tried to train him to “leave it” and “drop it” and sometimes it works, but usually he becomes possessive of whatever it is and will choke down said item like a snake. Recently, he had emergency surgery to remove a child's sock. He’s now restricted from most of the house so we can keep an eye on him but he's also taken to eating fruit pits in the yard. What do you advise?        —Mercury & Co Tags:  advice behavior blog tips from The Bark https://ift.tt/2ZxmPBT

A few years ago, my 15-year-old dog died — an American Eskimo that I’d raised since he was an 8-week-old puppy. His name was Jersey . Here’s more about Jersey’s last days and what we think we did to help him live to be 15 (or 105 in dog years). A few weeks ago, my 14-year-old dog died — a Great Pyrenees / Black Lab mix that hubby and I picked out of the litter. Or rather, he picked us… literally. His name was Tenor . I’ve learned firsthand that one of the hardest things ever is euthanizing your four-legged companion . (I’ve had to do it a few other times before this, as well.) Read more: How Do You Know When It’s Time To Euthanize Your Dog? My Experience… Personally And While Working For A Vet from Dog Guide https://ift.tt/2HukRrO

While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to investigate a serious multi-state salmonella outbreak linked to pig ear dog treats, a Florida-based pet treat company is now issuing their own alert. Brutus & Barnaby is recalling all size variations of their pig ears because they may be contaminated with  Salmonella .  Brutus & Barnaby officials issued this recall alert after the FDA did routine sampling and found their pig ear treats tested positive for Salmonella. In an official statement by the company, officials said they have: “ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.” What’s Recalled  Bags of the pig ear treats were sold nationwide via amazon.com, chewy.com, and Brutusandbarnaby.com. Plus, they were also sold at one brick and mortar store — Natures Food Patch — in Clearwater, FL.  The affected products were available in 4 sizes: Brutus ...

The Morris Animal Refuge in Philadelphia has an extremely large and popular cat in their care. Based on the response of potential adopters, he won’t be a resident at the refuge for very long. His name is Mr. B and he is 26 pounds of cuddly love. Not only is his large stature entirely appealing, he has the cutest puffy mouth that appears to be pursed lips and green eyes that seem very serious. In short, he is large, adorable, and fully in charge of the cat loving internet. Image Morris Animal Refuge Facebook The shelter has been absolutely blown away by the outpouring of support and interest in adopting Mr. B. When people started sharing his photo, the refuge’s website was so inundated with clicks that it crashed and stayed that way the remainder of the day. In the Facebook post announcing Mr. B’s availability for adoption, the shelter asked for donations  to help take care of him and all the wonderful cats and kittens the shelter currently has in residence. So far, they have ...

Learn how to prepare for the care of your pet in an emergency A year ago, Tropical Storm Lane barreled into the Big Island of Hawaii and dropped a torrential 51+ inches of rain on the mainland. People and pets had to dodge mudslides, and rescues were needed to save lives. Three months prior, Mt. Kilauea erupted followed by a 4.4 earthquake -- 280 homes were destroyed, 1,700 people and pets had to flee their homes and those not directly affected, suffered migraines and worse from inhaling sulfur dioxide as their beautiful countryside was covered in a LAZE (lava and gasses). California celebrated July 4th this year with the boom and rumble of three main 6.4, 5.4 and 7.1 magnitude shocks followed by more than 1,400 aftershocks! Although relatively minor damage was suffered, a few building fires and loss of power to thousands, next time the epicenter could be in a more heavily populated area. Tags:  Hurricanes dogpatch blog Outdoors/Nature tips from The Ba...

As a lifelong dog owner and full-time employee at a veterinarian’s office, following are some of the things that I’ve seen can be deadly to a dog — and a reason that puppy proofing before you bring your dog home is so important. Most of us are keenly aware that there are a number of plants that are poisonous to dogs . And many of us have it ingrained in our brains that there are lots of human foods that dogs cannot eat . But there are a number of other very common  household items that many (especially first time dog owners) would never think of as being harmful to dogs. So when you’re puppy proofing, be sure to modify the following items first — both inside and outside your home — to keep your dog safe.   Read more: Puppy Proofing 101: Things You Need To Do Right Away To Make Your Dog’s World Safer! from Dog Guide https://ift.tt/32bqBii

Fatherly dog accepts little birds as buddies Guarding a castle in Essex is the main job of a 10-year old Labrador Retriever named Fred, but it’s not his only one. He also serves as Foster-Dad-In-Chief. When members of the castle staff found 9 orphaned ducklings roaming the grounds, Fred stepped in to be their guardian and protector . (It is presumed that the mom was taken by a fox or some other predator.) His fatherly instincts were strong and the ducklings took to him like ducks usually take to water. They snuggled around his legs while he lounged on the grass. They climbed onto his head and hung out there for a while. They rode on his back while he moved around the grounds—a slight tail wag visible. Tags:  blog dogpatch from The Bark https://ift.tt/2ZgCCG5

Celebrate National Dog Day with these incredible dog facts. We never get tired of learning new facts about dogs so check out these 11 incredible dog facts that you might not know. Plus we've pulled together four facts about the people (like you!) who care for them. 1. Sniff Rate. A dog breathes in and out around 15 times per minute when sitting calmly. That frequency goes up to 31 times per minute while walking. But when a dog is actively sniffing, the inhalation/exhalation rate goes up to 140 to 200 times per minute .   2. Communication. Dogs do communicate to each other when they vocalize, bark or growl. A more common means of communication between dogs is body language—an upright or tucked tail, forward ears or tense body can speak volumes . Tags:  dogpatch blog tips from The Bark https://ift.tt/2ZojyAY

Every year cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for 17 million deaths globally, so when a recent study demonstrated that dog ownership may help to reduce CVD risk factors and maintain a healthy heart, that is an important story. When the research was conducted by the renowned Mayo Clinic it becomes an even bigger story. The findings examine the association of dog ownership with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular health and reflects the first analysis of data from the Kardiozive Brno 2030 study. This work was conducted from January 2013 to December 2014  in Brno, Czech Republic, with 2,000 subjects. Further evaluations will take place until 2030 in five-year intervals. Tags:  life with dogs research Reports health care from The Bark https://ift.tt/2KWURHX

A miraculous recovery thanks to the help of the Arizona Humane Society has led Copper, a three-year-old Redbone Hound, back from the brink of death after being stabbed by his owner. Nearly one month later Copper has regained the use of his right side and has been adopted into a deeply loving forever home. In July, an AHS Emergency Animal Medical Technician™ (EAMT) responded to the scene of Copper completely soaked in blood after suffering multiple stab wounds. Copper was quickly transported to an overnight clinic to be stabalized before being transported to the Arizona Humane Society’s trauma hospital. Once in the care of AHS’ animal trauma hospital, chest and abdominal x-rays revealed the hound had three lacerations 1.5 centimeters deep to his neck. Tags:  humane news blog from The Bark https://ift.tt/2ZqTZTC

When I got my first dog, I was in the same position that lots of first time pet parents find themselves in. I was asking my vet a lot of questions about feeding puppies: How often should I feed my puppy? How much food does he need? What about when he grows up… how frequently do adult dogs need to be fed? My vet reassured me that a puppy feeding schedule isn’t exactly rocket science. The main thing to remember, she told me, is that consistency comes with lots of benefits . Now, I’m not a vet – but thanks to my tendency to adopt dogs large and small, I’ve got this whole food scheduling thing down! Today, I’m going to help you create your own daily dog routine, including: Why you should feed a dog on a set schedule. How to tell when your dog needs to go to the bathroom. What to do if your dog has an accident in the house. How to create a puppy feeding schedule. When puppies typically have to pee and poop. Puppy potty training tips. How to create an adult dog feeding sche...

Call of the Wild Nose to the ground, a brown Belgian Malinois with black markings and large pointy ears scans a Missoula, Mont., neighborhood. Athletic and focused, her name is Tule and she has a stare that says “Don’t mess with me.” Her owner, Megan Parker, follows quietly behind, waiting for Tule to find the scat she’s hidden in a neighbor’s yard; over the years, seeding the neighborhood with scat has become one of Parker’s routine activities. “Hi, Jake,” says Parker to her neighbor. “She’s going to get this dangerous poop out of your yard.” Jake laughs. “Work hard, Tule!” Seconds later, Tule sits down by a little stream. Calm and quiet and very still, she keeps her dark eyes focused on Parker, a signal that she has found the target buried beneath the rocks: mountain lion scat. “Oh, you found it?” whispers Parker. “Who’s the best dog ever?” Tags:  humane international orgs that matter from The Bark https://ift.tt/2KK7F3X

Dougie is a 15-year-old ginger cat who LOVES to be held. According to a post on the Facebook page of  Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland: “When he’s not being held, Dougie’s meow can be heard from galaxies far away.” The shelter needed to think creatively to allow Dougie to be held while the staff still got work done around the shelter. According to the Facebook post: “We thought creatively and decided a baby bjorn allowed Robert [Weimer] to both hold Dougie and do his job effectively 🙂 And, we think it’s pretty much the cutest thing we’ve seen, ever.” Dougie, who had been fighting inflammatory bowel disease, was just put up for adoption this week. Luckily for him, that Facebook post went viral and he had a great new home within a day! Since Dougie already has a fabulous new home, we’d like to remind you that your local shelter is still full of pets that need great homes! If you’re interested in finding a pet from the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, yo...

Julián Castro, a Democrat running for president , just unleashed the most ambitious and visionary animal welfare plan coming from anyone running for political office, ever. His plan centers around making the U.S. a “no kill” nation and calls for ending euthanasia of all domestic dogs and cats in shelters.  It also calls for improving federal housing policy for people with pets, a subject that this former Housing and Urban development secretary is well familiar with. Also, very importantly, he wants to prohibit the testing of cosmetic products on animals, and will make animal cruelty a federal crime and establish minimum spaces for farm animals. Tags:  news blog law & politics from The Bark https://ift.tt/2HfTiCp

Attending the show is a part of their training The theater is for everyone, full stop. In order to make that ideal a reality for people with service dogs, the dogs must be trained to handle the specific challenges of attending a live performance. That’s why a group of dogs and their handlers from K-9 Country Inn Service Dogs went to see Billy Elliot The Musical . The outing allowed the dogs to gain experience navigating the narrow spaces in a theater and staying in the same spot for long periods of time both before and after intermission. They also benefited from exposure to the loud noises, bright lights and all the movement associated with a live show. Tags:  work of dogs training blog from The Bark https://ift.tt/2Zc4OVt

(for Lili and Marlene) My friend’s dog Is a happy little girly girl Summertime: a puff of dandelion, pink ribbons, all ‘look at me’. My friend’s dog Kisses the big boys Dances for carrots Barks out the window Snores Hides her food Mocks the cat Waits at the door. My friend’s dog is there when I can’t be Sharing the daily-ness of my friend’s joys and sorrows. A little dog, an enormous spirit. My friend’s dog. Tags:  literature poems from The Bark https://ift.tt/2HfqTfT

You don’t have to have a dog to stay in one of the resort’s nine custom-built, compact hideaways, but if you do, there are lots of ways for both of you to unwind. Take a leisurely pack walk with other guests and their dogs or wander the resort’s 28 acres on your own; grill a meal to share on the patio; hang out in the new enclosed off-leash play space, which includes a seating area for you and a fine selection of doggie toys for your co-pilot. (We don’t know for sure, but we’d bet the goat yoga class is off-limits to the pooch!) atinyhouseresort.com Tags:  lifestyle travel from The Bark https://ift.tt/30itZXO

The thought of your dog having surgery is a scary one. Sure, there are some surgeries (like spaying a female dog) that’s become so common, many tend to think of it as routine. But spaying a female dog is major, invasive surgery! To put it in perspective, think about a human having a hysterectomy. It’s the same procedure. In most cases, the surgery entails removing the dog’s ovaries and uterus. So, it should be no surprise that little Fifi will need ample down time to recover and plenty of care. Proper post-surgical home care for your dog is crucial to her recovery. The best way to recover safely and uneventfully is to first understand the procedure and then get familiar with your veterinarian’s post-op instructions. Read on for some basics on spaying and what to expect.  What Is Spaying? Most often, female dogs are spayed to prevent unplanned pregnancy. After spay, a female will no longer have heat cycles and will be unable to get pregnant. Then there are intact dogs who ...

We love our furbabies: Hubby and I started our family with our beloved, original “biker dog” — who motorcycled everywhere with us riding in a trailer pulled behind one of our motorcycles. Then, we added 2 cats to our then RV lifestyle — who also lived in many places all over North America with us. A few years later, we ended up rescuing another dog — who became our second  “biker dog” . Just when we thought our little family was complete, along came our baby … as well as home ownership. I’m going to show you how we ended up creating a separate dog mudroom area in our house (to keep the dirt and mud to a minimum inside) and how we made cheap extra large dog beds ourselves to keep them comfortable in their new space.   Read more: DIY Dog Bed Ideas: See How I Made XL Orthopedic Dog Beds For Our 2 Large Dogs & Created A Simple Dog Mudroom Space from Dog Guide https://ift.tt/2TNBIuR

Dog's name and age: Jax, 1 year Adoption story: I was ready to adopt a dog and thought that a smaller breed would suit me best. When I first spotted Jax I wasn't sure because of the size and the amount of work they take. But since I have always been a dog person and melt for puppies, I decided he to take him. He was full of energy, very happy and I fell in love. Jax has helped me stay busy and has kept my mood up with his goofy antics. I now believe he came into my life for a reason and I could not be more grateful. Behind the name: Jax was named after a character from the TV series Sons of Anarchy . Jaxson's favorite things: His absolute favorite place to go is the dog park so he can hangout with his pals. He loves going for long walks and looks forward to his Kong every morning. Tags:  smiling dogs from The Bark https://ift.tt/2ZbUmkQ

Hike a mountain, catch some sun, sink your teeth into a “spicy pig” sandwich … all with your dog at your side. At the end of the day, both of you are welcome at the Hotel Ketchum, which not only provides the pup with a dog bed, leash and backpack, but also donates a percentage of the pet fee to a local animal shelter. Plus, the hotel does its bit for the environment by sponsoring a PUP (Pick Up for the Planet) waste collection bin at the Adams Gulch trailhead. hotelketchum.com Tags:  editor's picks tips blog travel from The Bark https://ift.tt/305nfwo

Rewind the clock to when I was a television news reporter. After moving to Texas and starting fresh at a new station, the first story I covered was a family reunited with their dog after he went missing for several years. So how did this magical moment come about? Well, it was all thanks to the dog’s microchip! While microchips are a great resource for helping lost dogs find their way back home, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) are reminding pet parents that it’s not enough to simply chip your pets and move on. Find out more on microchips and the mission behind National Check Your Chip Day! What Is a Microchip for a Dog? A microchip is a small, rice-sized electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that’s implanted under your dog’s skin, between his shoulder blades at the back of his neck. It isn’t a GPS. Rather, it contains a unique tracking number that’s registered to a database and linked to an account with ...