Adventures in buying your pet food online: Mr. Chewy

I have to confess, in the day and age of being able to buy almost anything online, I had been a stubborn naysayer when it came to purchasing dog food that way. I did check out a few online stores, but always left convinced that I could find the same variety and better pricing at my local retail establishment. Even if that store was sold out of what I needed, I just substituted and went with a different store. Until, one day a month ago, I received a friendly invitation from one such online establishment to give them an honest try. “Mr. Chewy’s” is a rapidly growing dog and cat food/treat retailer I heard of before from people in the rescue community. Those who follow my blog know that I am a stickler for knowing what’s inside my dogs’ food after losing three beloved animals to the tainted with rat poison food scandal five years ago. I regularly scour the web for forums, rumors, reviews and opinions. I make note of any brands that make mine and foster dogs fat, irritable or lethargic. I regularly torture my vet with questions about any latest research. So, given the opportunity to buy dog food through Mr. Chewy’s with a coupon for $50 in return for a sincere review, I considered it and then immediately looked up the quality of food they offer.   

Weight loss for dogs: tips to help slim down your round fosters

"Not my dog!” I say, together with the 70% of dog owners* who refuse to admit their dogs are fat. My dog is cute, huggable, and attractively round! I play with her. I buy her toys. I spoil her with love. Until one day, I see her next to another of the same breed and the nagging thought creeps into the underbelly of my ironclad conviction. Many lives ago, when my dog was a wolf, gaining extra pounds was simply impossible. It took the whole pack to chase down any kind of nourishment. But, here’s a bit of good news: if I inadvertently helped her expand, then it will have to be I who will help her regain her svelte figure. 

What to do? Reduce her food intake? Get her onto an expensive veterinarian-prescribed diet? Talk to my pooch about her self image? No, the first step should be the understanding of what caused this change. In the dog community, there are three main reasons for weight gain in dogs:1) Just like with humans, lack of proper diet or exercise are key, 2) The dog’s metabolism and hormonal issues might be an underlying driver; and 3) Bet you didn’t know, but spaying and neutering has an almost guaranteed weight gain as its side effect?

Being a responsible dog owner, I went to the vet to identify which of the three culprits it was. The vet said it was

Grooming Blossom or you never know what hides under the fur

Want to hear a story about heartbreak mixed in with important bits on grooming? Here it is.

Blossom - the before pic

Every foster has one: the one dog that got away. Mine was little Blossom. Part Sheltie, part Pomeranian, she had a way of leaning against you when she wanted attention and picked up on how things worked after just one go. No heavier than 15 pounds, she came to the rescue, like so many other dogs, as a stray. Somebody obviously lost her in the rural wilderness of Virginia on the border with Tennessee, but why that somebody never looked for her will remain a mystery. Going off just one picture, I agreed to take her in, but by the time I arrived to take her home, I discovered a creature quite different from my expectations. She actually smelled, was extremely matted, and displayed a clear “stay-away-from-me” attitude.

Who knew: holidays can damage your pet

Had an interesting chat with my favorite vet just before Christmas. So much enlightening and comprehensive information! And even though some of us are already done with the holidays, lots or most of the information below will still be of interest for this year or the next. Who knew holidays are this fraught with danger?

Dangerous Foods -The following can be toxic to dogs: chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, garlic, onion, caffeinated beverages, bread dough, and sugar-free candy and gum containing artificial sweeteners.

        Chocolate - Can affect cardiovascular, nervous and digestive systems. Even people are affected by the caffeine in chocolate in different ways, so you definitely won't know how your poor dog will react to it either. The smaller the dog - the more immediate the reaction because of their low body mass.

     Candy and Gum (especially if sweetened with Xylitol)

What do you really want for Xmas?

Whether you are all done with your holiday shopping or are still rushing night after night in search of that one special gift - this short, but oh so poignant dog tale is sure to help. A very special thank you to a fellow blogger for posting. Here is to our pets, be they found or adopted, for reminding us what the Season is really all about. Enjoy!

I want to start seeing other dogs or how to socialize your dog

With Thanksgiving holiday now behind us and jolly memories of family and friends still fresh in our minds, let’s turn to socializing. Yes, more of it. We all need it, albeit in different doses. And that is no different for our four legged companions. Whether a foster or a regular dog owner, socializing your dog is important. And it doesn’t matter if your furry ward is a ready-made extravert extraordinaire or a shy, hide-under-the-couch-kind of recluse, it falls to you, his human to provide the interaction. 

You are probably thinking - I already do plenty. I play and pet, and I even share my couch. I offer intelligent baby talk when my face gets licked. The dog is obviously happy?

A war dog becomes a Hero Dog Awards finalist, no surprise there

A follow onto the War Dogs post earlier this year. Just found out that the American Humane Society and the Hallmark Channel teamed up for a great cause: to seek out, recognize and award Hero Dogs in all walks of life in America. Out of 453 nominated for this honor dogs, 8 were chosen to represent different Hero categories. Bino C152, the Military Dogs category nominee, illustrates all the incredible and extraordinary qualities these dogs exhibit every day, from their supreme focus on any given task to their unique ability to inspire the will-to-go-on, to pull through both in soldiers and in other dogs. After 11 years of non-stop service, Bino C152 is both an exceptional and a universal story of a fearless war dog who had already done so much and is doing more still. Watching his story, albeit short, makes you realize how amazing and devoted these furry soldiers truly are. Thank you Bino C152 for your service and your faith in us. You are already a winner.

Here are stories of other remarkable Hero Dogs finalists: Meet the top 7! 

Do you really want to herd me? The truth about fostering or adopting a herding breed dog

Humans are funny creatures. We complain and sigh over things we don’t have in our lives only to complain and sigh about them when we do get them. In a way, we never grow out of that awkward kindergarten stage when another kid brings a toy over which we immediately lose sleep wanting it, only to get bored the moment it comes in our possession. Over time those wishes must have become more elaborate for our needs got more complicated. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a dog that protects us? Let’s breed one whose teeth will scare the neighbors – be they people or wild boars? - Done! Or, wouldn’t it be great to have a dog so little it’s imprisoned by its cuteness into being its owner’s permanent companion? - No problem. The one that takes the cake in my mind is the working breed dog. Originally, it all came out of the basic need for help herding livestock. So humans designed these dogs to have superior intelligence and the ability to understand human language, while doing it all for just a praise instead of a regular paycheck. Sounds perfect? Apparently not. 

Rediscovering Padma or how to foster an unusual pet

Padma

Remember Padma? The Chihuahua - Basenji mix foster, who was found hiding in a barn after a snow storm? She got adopted by a family with four kids, only to be returned because her energy level and endless need to play overwhelmed them. To curb her destructiveness, kids' parents admittedly relegated her to a crate, where hours on end she grew more rambunctious and vocal. Long story short, she is back, now living with me and my dogs.

Looking at her frolicking, first thought that comes to mind is "Ah, to be that young again".

Here's jumping at you, kid or the tale of Molly landing in your heart

Molly

Here's a face of a stray to fall in love with. Molly, my “jumping” foster, stole hearts at every adoption fair she appeared at, which explains why she stayed with me only two weeks. Just adopted by a young couple from Alexandria, she is now looking to have a new life filled with every imaginable dog dream. Surprisingly, it is I, who is now acclimatizing to her not turning the house upside down. Literally bouncing from couch to couch, corner to corner, bed to ceiling and back, she was my favorite speedy-Gonzales foster with legs made of springs. 

I am sure Mr. Darcy (my resident cat-extraordinaire) probably won’t agree with my sentiment. Not after he experienced the fastest case of weight loss he’ll remember.