by Stephanie Modkins

Think your dog needs to eat grass? Well, you're wrong. The idea that canines need to eat the green stuff we call lawns is a myth. Here are four reasons why:

1. Grass isn't medicinal.

Forget all of the rumors you've heard about how grass is so medicinal for dogs. It does not contain any magic properties that will help them digest their food better or cure an ailment. You actually hold the power to prepare them a well-balanced, digestible meal and take them to the vet when their sick.

2. Treated grass has chemicals.

If you are one of those people who is competing to have the best lawn in the neighborhood, you probably use pesticides and other chemicals to treat your grass. These things might make it green, but will harm a dog. No dog should be allowed to graze on a chemically treated lawn because it can poison them causing a myriad of awful side-effects.

3. Sick dog is still a sick dog.

Some dogs like to eat grass when they feel sick to their stomach. They vomit afterward, which is why we think it's good for them to eat grass. After all, it helped empty out a bug in their stomach. Truthfully, a sick or nauseated dog can vomit without the help of grass. So, it's not really necessary for him to eat it. Also, if you think that the grass is treating the underlying reason for your dog's nausea, it could keep you from discovering the real reason he does it. If your dog is always sick after a meal, it could be for a serious reason. Instead of believing that the grass is curing it, take him to a vet and get him checked out.

4. Grass can be an "empty" food choice.

Ever try to figure out why your dog is really eating grass. Maybe it is because the diet you feed him is lacking in nutrition or isn't filling him up. So the grass is like a green salad for us - an empty food choice that makes us feel full or satisfies an unnecessary craving. Make sure he's getting the proper balance of protein, vegetables and starch.Then, if he still continues to eat grass, it's probably just a poor habit he formed because you let him.

by Ellen Silverberg

Several years ago, a young woman from Massachusetts contacted me regarding a portrait she wanted me to do of her two dogs who had passed away in a fire. Very few photos remained of her babies but I knew this was a job I had to do. I wanted to bring them back to her in the only way I could. While I was painting, I asked the animal’s spirits for guidance as I had very little to go on from the photos she had sent. When the portrait was finished I emailed her a photo for final approval. She didn’t call me back for three days and, in those three days, I worried that I hadn’t really captured them in the way she wanted and that she was unhappy with the painting. Them I received the following letter which she posted in my guest book:

"Ellen is AMAZING. I would like to share this story with everyone to let you know what an incredible artist AND person that Ellen is. A couple of months ago we lost our home to a fire. Due to our rural location the fire was not found until it had been going for hours. Tragically our 2 dogs, Cassidy and Sega, and 2 cats, Oreo and Matty, were lost in the fire.

Cassidy and Sega were like our children. Cassidy was a 7 year old Husky/Border Collie mix that I had rescued from the pound when she was 4 months old. Sega was a 14 year old Rottweiler that my boyfriend brought home as a puppy.

When I met my boyfriend 3 years ago Sega got arthritis. We would have to make him get up to go outside. When Sega was introduced to Cassidy he somehow found his reason to get up in the morning. Cassidy was so full of vim and vigor - it was all Sega could do to get up and chase her around. Slowly but surely Sega got up on his own every day and became more and more active. At the end of a 3 month period Sega was moving better than he had in years.

The bond the 2 of the developed was a sight to be seen. People used to laugh when we would make the statement that they were like a couple until they saw it for themselves. Sega would "grunt" and Cassidy would come running to his side. They would sit next to one another and lick each others faces over and over and over again.... to the point we would tell them to stop and get a room!! Sega always knew where Cassidy was - he never let her out of his site - his way of protecting her.

After the fire I wanted to find a way that we could have something that would remind us of all the wonderful memories we had with our 2 best friends. I thought a painting would be the best way to do this and I desperately wanted to have this done. I began searching the web for artists that specialized in portraits of animals. One of my biggest limitations was the pictures I had presented. We had lost all of our photographs in the fire and I only had one of Sega and 2 of Cassidy. The pictures were dark and I was afraid it would be difficult for an artist to see the expressions and personality that I so wanted to capture.

When I contacted Ellen, her response was phenomenal. After explaining to her the lack of photos I was able to provide she stated she could work with what she had and began immediately working on the painting. She displayed no hesitation when I let her know the time frame in which I was looking to have this done - I had little control over the timing of the fire. and period of time until his birthday.

A day later she sent me a photo of her rough sketch on the canvas. I was floored. Those were my babies and there was no doubt it was them. You could see them beginning to take form. I was so anxious to see the finished painting... it could only get better from here. The day came when I opened the package that had arrived which contained the framed painting. I literally shook with excitement as I carefully opened the box. All I can say is the painting is the MOST INCREDIBLE thing I have ever seen. I could never have imagined that someone could capture every little piece of Cassidy and Sega - especially if they never saw the dogs themselves. Right down to the little scar on Sega's nose - to the ice blue color of Cassidy's eye. You can feel the bond between them just by looking at it.... Absolutely amazing.

I could never have asked for a more precious memory of Cassidy and Sega. Every time I look at it I see the light in their eyes and I remember how special they were to us and to each other. I would like to thank Ellen with all my heart for giving this memory to us. She went out of her way for us - I truly believe she connected with both of them while she was creating this painting. There is no other way she could have captured their spirit like she did."

Since then, I have done many paintings of pets who have passed over the rainbow bridge and the reaction is always the same, “how could you know about that little scare on his nose?”; “I can’t believe you knew he had a spot on his other side. That wasn’t in the photo!”; but most of all, “thank you for bringing our baby back to us!” This is why I do the work I do and I truly believe that the spirits of deceased animals remain with us always and can be summoned up when we need them most.

With love,

Ellen

via Fox News

Dog owners have no one to blame but themselves when they think their canine pals give them that familiar "guilty look."
You see guilt, but the dog doesn't necessarily feel it, a new study shows.

By setting up conditions where the owner was misinformed as to whether his or her dog had really committed an offense, researcher Alexandra Horowitz of Barnard College in New York uncovered the origins of dogs' allegedly downcast mugs.

Horowitz was able to show that the human tendency to attribute a guilty look to a dog was not due to whether the dog was indeed guilty. Instead, people see guilt in a dog's body language when they believe the dog has done something it shouldn't have, even if the dog is in fact completely innocent of any offense.

During the study, owners were asked to leave the room after ordering their dogs not to eat a tasty treat. While the owner was away, Horowitz gave some of the dogs this forbidden treat before asking the owners back into the room. In some trials, the owners were told that their dog had eaten the forbidden treat; in others, they were told their dog had behaved properly and left the treat alone. What the owners were told, however, often did not correlate with reality.

Whether the dogs' demeanor included elements of the "guilty look" had little to do with whether the dogs had actually eaten the forbidden treat or not. Dogs looked most "guilty" if they were admonished by their owners for eating the treat. In fact, dogs that had been obedient and had not eaten the treat, but were scolded by their (misinformed) owners, looked more "guilty" than those that had, in fact, eaten the treat.

Thus the dog's guilty look is a response to the owner's behavior, and not necessarily indicative of any appreciation of its own misdeeds.

This study sheds new light on anthropomorphism — the natural human tendency to interpret animal behavior in human terms, Horowitz said. Anthropomorphism involves comparing animal behavior to human behavior, and if there is some superficial similarity, then the animal behavior will be interpreted in the same terms as superficially similar human actions. This can include the attribution of higher-order emotions, such as guilt or remorse, to the animal.

via HealthDay News

Forget about joining a gym. If you want to get into shape, all you need is a four-legged pal. Dr. Robert Kushner, a human obesity expert and professor of medicine at Northwestern University said that dogs make great workout partners in winning the battle of the bulge."They are natural exercise machines on a leash," he said.

Research has shown that it's easier to be physically active and stick with an exercise program when you team up with a workout buddy, Kushner said. But unlike human partners, who might make excuses for not wanting to go for a walk or run, a dog never will. They will generally be the first ones at the door, ready to go, rain or shine.

Deborah Wood, an animal shelter manager in Portland, Ore., lost 140 pounds in two years after enrolling in a national weight loss program and going for three-mile daily walks with her three papillons -- pushing the two oldest in a doggie stroller.

But enthusiasm for exercise is just one of the healthy behaviors humans can learn from dogs, said Marcus, who last year wrote Fit as Fido: Follow Your Dog to Better Health. Dogs instinctively get enough sleep and maintain good hydration -- traits that have, for instance, been linked with weight loss in people.
 
Kushner said that pets really do motivate people to stick with a diet and exercise plan until the pounds come off and stay off. People in the study reported that their dogs not only gave them incentive to work out but made the experience more enjoyable -- two predictors of sustaining an exercise program long term, he said. For Wood, taking long treks with her dogs has paid off. She's now half the woman she used to be, dropping in dress size from a 3X to an 8.

"Walking a dog is absolutely fun," Wood said. "It's good for the dog; it's good for the human."

Furry fashionistas are no doubt were wagging their tails in anticipation of Pet Fashion Week that kicked off late last month in Vancouver. The one-day inaugural event saw Olympic athletes manning the leashes as local dogs showcased the latest in canine couture.

Whenever possible, the human models were dressed in styles that complemented their four-legged counterparts, explains organizer and founder, Olympia Devine. "The event was quite a success with Vancouverites", she explained adding it will eventually expand to seven days. "We are pet-crazy," says Divine, who has a rescued Chihuahua. "We are a city of animal lovers."

Admission to the event was free with donations for SAINTS, an animal shelter that cares for seniors or special needs pets, were accepted at the event.

If you’ve ever wondered exactly what your dog is thinking, a spunky Papillon named Genevieve will let you know. In the new book “Small Dog, Big Life: Memoirs of a Furry Genius” by Dr. Dennis Fried, the clever canine lets us humans in on the secrets of dogdom.

Though she’s only seven pounds, Genevieve’s personality is much larger. Told from her point of view, the book is part memoir and part education for canine-kind. She recounts her youth, learning to live with her humans and their peculiar habits, her exploits as a “juvenile paplinquent,” the joy of pizza, and the many lessons she’s learned along the way.

Genevieve is a strong-willed dog with a few ideas of her own. She shares her version – the real version – of the history of dogs and people as well as a few insider tips for her fellow dogs: beware of cats, how to properly ride in a car, dog park etiquette and more. She even offers a few suggestions for her own version of agility training with obstacles like The Blanket Tunnel and The Bed Vault and exercises like The Supersonic Crawl. With wit and creativity, the tales and philosophies of this playful Papillon will keep you entertained from start to finish. And who knows? You might even understand your own dog a little more.

Hot weather can make anyone feel uncomfortable, and your dog is no exception.
 
Never leave your dog unattended in direct sunlight or in a close vehicle heatstroke can occur and lead to brain damage or death. Signs of each store or panting, drooling, rapid pulse and fever. Immediately immerse the dog in cold water, and seek emergency veterinary assistance.

Never leave your dog unattended in a pot, parked car. When it's only 80° outside, the inside of a car can heat up to more than 120° in just minutes. Leaving the windows partially rolled down will not help. Your dog is susceptible to heat stroke and possible death in these conditions. Always make sure your dog has access to fresh water.
 
Taking your dog to the beach can be a great way to spend a beautiful summer day. Provide plenty of fresh water and shade for your dog dogs can get sunburned, especially short haired dogs and ones with pink skin and white hair. Limit your dog's exposure when the sun is unusually strong, and apply sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside. Check with a lifeguard for daily water conditions - dogs are easy targets for jellyfish and sea lice.
 
A few dogs out of shape, don't encourage him to run in the sand. Running on a beach is strenuous exercise, and an out of shape dog can easily pull a tendon or ligament. Cool ocean water is tempting to your dog. Do not allow him to drink too much seawater. The salt of the water will make you sick. When you are ready to leave for the day, rinse them with fresh water.
 
Not all beaches permit dogs. Check local ordinances before you begin your excursion.  The majority of dogs can swim, and they love it. But dogs entering the water for the first time should be tested. Never throw your dog in the water. Start in shallow water, and call your dog's name. You can also try to coax him in with a treat or toy. But always keep your dog within reach.  Another way to introduce your dog to the water is with a dog that already swims and is friendly with your dog. Let your dog follow his friend.
 
If your dog begins to doggie paddle with his front legs only, lift his hind legs and help him float. He should quickly catch on and within keep his back and up.  Swimming is a great form of exercise, but don't let your dog overdo it. He will be using new muscles and may tire quickly.  The careful of strong tides that are hazardous for even the best swimmers. Never leave your dog unattended. You should always be in a position to help you get out of the water.

Now that the weather is pleasant, humans and dogs alike are looking for excuses to get out into the sunshine and do something useful. It is particularly important for working dog breeds and individuals with particularly driven temperaments to stay busy tin order to avoid behavior problems and finding your job a job or hobby is a great way to do that.

Protection Training
Many dogs really need to feel useful to be emotionally healthy and protection training is a great way to give your dog something to do and benefit from it. Protection training sounds dangerous, but it gives your dog a firm groundwork so that he understands that it is not appropriate to be aggressive unless you say so- and the type of aggression is also proscribed. Protection training is not appropriate for unpredictable aggressive dogs, however. Your dog is not ready for protection work unless he is already very reliable in obedience.

Your Dog- An Athlete
If your dog is energetic, obedient and eager to please, he may find his place in one of the many available athletic pursuits for dogs. Athletic pursuits are often a good outlet for dogs who have behavioral issues like hyperactivity and chasing, so even if your dog isn't a perfect angel, consider giving one of these fun canine sports a try. If you're dog is energetic and eager to please and enjoys jumping and running, agility may be her sport. 

Does your dog want to be a hero?
Is she well-behaved and calm and enjoys human interaction, she may be a good candidate for Animal Assisted Therapy. These give the elderly or people with illnesses and handicaps the opportunity to interact with animals in a positive way.

Just Get Out
Maybe you and your dog aren't looking to be heroes, athletes or superstars. Maybe you just like to get out and have fun with other dogs and dog owners. Whatever you do, get out and have fun. It's good for you, it's goof for your dog, and it's a shame to waste the summer.

by Rene Knapp

Many people believe crating a dog for any length of time is cruel and they refuse to consider it. Thousands of dollars are spent by families every year because of the damage done by a new puppy who is given the run of the house while their owners are at work or out for an evening. The crate is a proven way to train dogs who act like ... well, dogs.

Not punishment

The first and hardest thing to get into your mindset is that a crate is not for punishment. Crates need to be a positive place where your dog can find security and pleasure. An attractive crate makes for a welcoming den — a nice blanket, yummy treats, a favorite toy and a chew stick help to make the pup comfortable. The crate needs to be in a place where your dog will not feel isolated (our dog’s crate is in our bedroom), so the pup feels like part of the family.

Using a crate properly establishes limits for your dog when you are away from the house and unable to monitor your dog’s behavior. A crate is also a safe area for your dog to be if you’re having a party and have a less-than-social canine. Dogs who are afraid of thunderstorms and fireworks often find refuge in their familiar crate.

The best way to get your dog to live happily with his crate is to introduce it when he is a puppy. Rather than have to punish him when he messes or chews your favorite pair of shoes, you can crate him before the trouble actually happens. While crates certainly don’t train your pup for you, they are a useful tool in housebreaking. You need to make sure the crate is the proper size for the animal. If the crate is too big, the puppy will use part of it as the bathroom, and that won’t help in the long run. You also have to be around to hear him. If the puppy is whining, chances are he needs to go to the bathroom and should be taken out. After meals and naps and before going into the crate, there should first be a trip outside.

The crate should be big enough to allow the dog to stand up and lie down comfortably. If you know your dog is going to grow into a big dog, then consider getting a divider so you will have the proper size crate in the beginning and the crate can grow with the dog. It should be put in a room where there is activity. Starting the puppy or dog in the crate for a few minutes at a time and working your way up in time is the best way for the dog to learn he is not being abandoned or “caged.”

Your dog will get accustomed to his crate and will enjoy the security of having his own space, but do not leave a puppy crated for longer than three or four hours at a time, or an adult dog for longer than eight hours. If left too long, your dog will start feeling trapped and frustrated. There are also many types of crates available: Aluminum, plastic, foldable tents, mesh or fabric, fiberglass, plastic, wicker and wire. All have pros and cons, including cost, ventilation, cleaning, etc. You will need to see which crate will work best for you.

A University of Cincinnati researcher thinks he is getting close to developing a canine hearing aid that could hit the market by the end of the year.

Pete Scheifele started his research after his own 17-year-old dog lost his hearing. The highly trained miniature pinscher/beagle mix has appeared on television and performed for schools and didn't seem to mind wearing the prototype. In fact, he would seek it out and nudge it when he wasn't wearing it, according to Scheifele.

Researchers are now working on modifications to make the prototype version smaller and more comfortable. The hearing aid would only work on dogs with acquired hearing loss, says Scheifele, director of the University of Cincinnati's Facility for Education and Testing of Canine Hearing Laboratory for Animal Acoustics.

Scheifele says he is in discussions for commercialization of the prototype now and hopes is might be available for sale sometime later this year.