What do you give the dog lover on your list who already has everything? Why not make a donation to a pet charity in their name. And how do you know if the charity is a good one or simply a scam? We’ve done all the work for you! The following ten charities are listed as 4-star organizations by Charity Navigator, based on their efficiency at using your money wisely and on their ability for future growth. (More details on their methodology here.)
All posts by The Dog Lady
Sled Dog Adventures
Looking for something exciting to do this winter? Check out Yellowstone Dog Sled Adventures in Emigrant, Montana.
Bandaging Your Dog
On one of his recent escapades running loose through the neighborhood, my Vizsla, Cooper, ended up with a nasty open sore on one of his foot pads. Of course, he didn’t want to leave it alone, and I didn’t want to put him in one of those ridiculous Elizabethan collars, so I did a bit of research on bandaging on a dog. Thought you might be interested in what I found.
Saturday Survey: Your Dog’s Holiday Gifts
Stats from the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association show that we spend an enormous amount of money on our pets, particularly around the holidays. Will you buy for your four-legged children this year?
German Shepherds Carrying on Princess Diana’s Landmine Work
Shortly after Princess Diana’s untimely death, do you remember seeing all of the pictures of her with children who had been injured after encountering landmines? I hadn’t realized it while she was alive, but apparently, Diana had a big interest in helping prevent such injuries by finding buried landmines and safely removing them. The pictures were quite heart-breaking.
Continue reading German Shepherds Carrying on Princess Diana’s Landmine Work
A Wag of the Doggies.com Tail to Katherine Heigl
Katherine Heigl, Dr. Izzie Stevens of Grey’s Anatomy fame, has proven herself to be a true canine-atarian, with her recent actions.
Continue reading A Wag of the Doggies.com Tail to Katherine Heigl
Buy Pretzels to Benefit Carroll County (Ohio) Dog Pound
This e-mail came from a friend of a friend. Her products are absolutely excellent!
Continue reading Buy Pretzels to Benefit Carroll County (Ohio) Dog Pound
New Breeds Added to AKC Stud Book
If you paid careful attention during the broadcast of the National Dog Show on Thanksgiving Day, you may have noticed that the American Kennel Club has approved three new breeds, bringing the total number of recognized breeds to 162.
The three new breeds are the Irish Red and White Setter, the Norwegian Buhund and the Pyrenean Shepherd.
The Irish Red and White is part of the Sporting Group. This breed looks very similar to the conventional Irish Setter, except for the coloring. However, the breed is sufficiently different to warrant recognition as a separate breed, rather than a variety of the Irish Setter. Originally bred in 17th century Ireland as a hunting dog, the Irish Red and White was nearly extinct by 1900, but careful breeding efforts revived the breed by the 1940’s. These dogs were eventually exported to the United States, where they have now been added to the official ranks of AKC breeds. For more information, click here.
The Norwegian Buhund started its history as a farm dog companion of the Vikings. The breed is capable of herding, guarding, and hunting, but is classified as a member of the Herding Group. This dog is medium-sized and descends from the Spitz family, which also gives us the Chow-Chow, the Husky, and the Akita. Like other Spitzes, the Buhund carries his beautifully plumed tail curled over his back. For more information, click here.
The Pyrenean Shepherd is also a member of the Herding Group. This dog may also be known as Berger des Pyrenees or Pyr. Shep. Smaller than the Great Pyrenees, the two breeds often work together to help shepherds in their everyday tasks. The long, lean body of this breed shows off the dog’s natural athleticism. For more information, click here.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Help Your Dog Fight Cancer
I have been privileged to be chosen as a reviewer for Laurie Kaplan’s book, Help Your Dog Fight Cancer: What Every Caretaker Should Know About Canine Cancer. Laurie wrote the book after watching her beautiful Siberian Husky, Bullet, die from lymphoma in 2004.
This book had to be tough to write, as it chronicles Bullet’s story through four years of valiant struggle against the disease that kills as many as half of all dogs. However, the book is an invaluable resource to those of us who never want to give up on our dogs, even when the situation seems hopeless.
Laurie answers such questions as whether or not you should have your dog tested for cancer, and what you should consider when trying to decide whether to treat the cancer or to keep your dog comfortable while the disease takes its course or to put your dog down when there’s nothing else that can be done.
The book reviews medical and surgical interventions, including the side effects you can expect to see. It also covers diets which may be beneficial, as well as other things you can do to assist your dog including supplements and alternative therapies.
Finally, Laurie explores “Pawspice”, the canine version of the wonderful Hospice program with which many of you are already familiar.
“Plus if you order now”:
Bonus #1: Especially for readers of this blog, Laurie is offering a discount on the book which you can receive by clicking here.
Bonus #2: Laurie also founded the Magic Bullet Fund which provides financial assistance to families who cannot afford their dog’s cancer treatment. 10% of proceeds from the book go towards MBF. More information can be found at their Web site.
For those of you who have fought the brave fight with your animals, I hope you will consider buying the book for a friend who is dealing with his or her dog’s cancer. And if you are in the middle of your dog’s fight, I can’t think of a better resource to help you.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
After I posted this, I received the following e- mail from Laurie:
Bullet did not die from lymphoma – he survived lymphoma. The best prognosis for that disease is 12-18 months, and Bullet survived 4 years and 4 months after the diagnosis. The cancer never came back!
I lost my sweet boy to kidney failure when he was almost 14 years old (very old for a Siberian!)
That was 5 years and a month ago, and I still miss him so…
I apologize for the error, Laurie – thanks for the correction!
Saturday Survey: You be the judge at the National Dog Show
We all know by now that Sadie, a Scottish Terrier, won best in show for all four days of the National Dog Show held in Philadelphia and broadcast yesterday on NBC. Assuming that you had to pick from the group winners, which dog would you have picked as best in show?
Continue reading Saturday Survey: You be the judge at the National Dog Show