22
Aug 2019
Sergeant Stubby took part in 17 battles, saved his regiment from mustard gas attacks and caught a German spy during World War I. By any standards, Stubby is a hero. But what makes his story all the more extraordinary, is that he was a dog. Stubby became the official mascot of the USA’s 102nd Infantry Regiment after Private J. Robert Conroy found him in July 1917 at Yale University campus where troops were training before being deployed to France. Conroy found he could not part with his four-legged friend and smuggled Stubby in his......
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26
Jan 2017
Most people can’t help but smile when their dog greets them at the door, tail wagging in full force, or when their cat purrs and crawls onto their lap when they sit down after a long day. However, studies have shown that a pet’s companionship provides humans with more short- and long-term benefits than a simple, brief mood lift. While caring for a pet does come with a host of responsibilities and obligations, the reward of being an owner pays off in countless ways. Pets Improve Your Mood and Attitude When your......
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27
Sep 2016
Seattleites are used to talk of “The Big One” — the megaquake projected to happen sometime in the Pacific Northwest’s not-so-distant future. Should a natural disaster strike, you and your family want to be prepared with an evacuation plan and a stockpile of emergency goods. You may already have a disaster kit ready to go for the human members of the family — but what happens to your fur babies in the event of an earthquake or other unforeseen event? If your pets aren’t yet part of your emergency plan, it’s best......
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26
Jul 2016
Some of the most commonly euthanized shelter dogs are medium to large mixed breeds. In 2005, pet and family lifestyle expert and animal welfare supporter Colleen Paige dubbed July 31 and December 2 National Mutt Day in an effort to advocate for these unsung shelter heroes and drive aspiring dog owners to adopt. Whether or not you’re ready to care for a dog of your own, mark your calendar for this summer’s National Mutt Day and choose your preferred mode of celebration at the end of July! 1. Adopt! If you are......
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18
Jul 2016
When it comes to your pet’s laundry list of needs and preferences, you know every detail by heart — and when you leave your dog or cat in a new sitter’s hands, you’ll want to arm them with the same knowledge. Lucky for Sarah’s Pet Care clients, our state-of-the-art software, powered by Precise Petcare, streamlines this process. Does your dog or cat have any food allergies? What kinds of treats are Fido’s favorite? At the same time you register, schedule or pay for our services, you also have the opportunity to provide......
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05
May 2016
When you adore your dog, but just can’t stand the shedding fur all over your sofa, it may be time to train your four-legged buddy that this piece of furniture just isn’t a welcome place for him to be. These tips for keeping your dog off the couch are tried and true, provided that you’re consistent and patient … Discipline Training is crucial to your dog following your rules, and if you’re unable to start teaching your dog that the couch is off-limits right from puppyhood (for instance, if your dog is......
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26
Sep 2015
Microchipping of Animals FAQ Microchipping of Animals: Information Check the Chip Day Q: What is a microchip? A: A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery—it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radiowaves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen. The microchip itself is also......
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14
Aug 2015
Tips to keep cool in the heat Swimming pools, spraygrounds and cooling centers Don’t use fans as primary cooling system Check on your neighbors Don’t leave kids or pets alone, especially in cars If you work outdoors, take frequent breaks Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing Take advantage of discounted public transit Exercise in an air-condition place and drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour Protect yourself from the sun with suncreen of SPF15 or higher, as well as wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses With high temperatures expected in......
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03
Jul 2015
Humans may “Ooh!” and “Aah!” at the thundering booms of fireworks displays this Fourth of July weekend, but pets are far less impressed. In fact, many dogs and cats are deeply frightened by fireworks displays, and can injure themselves — and even run away — trying to escape the nerve-wracking racket. “The Fourth is the busiest day of the year here because so many dogs get freaked out,” said James Dress, community engagement manager for Sonoma County Animal Services. Dogs left in back yards, for example, can panic at loud sounds they......
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12
Jun 2015
What You Must Know Before Going to Any Dog Park May 25, 2015 | 30,027 views | Disponible en Español By Dr. Becker If you’ve taken your canine companion to an off-leash dog park, you’ve probably noticed that some dogs and their owners seem pretty clueless about proper dog park decorum. Some dog guardians clearly don’t plan or prepare for a visit to an environment in which dozens of dogs who don’t know each other are running loose and engaging in a variety of canine behaviors, some of which are potentially dangerous. According to Dr. Wayne......
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26
May 2015
Dental care isn’t just for humans. Dogs and cats need it too. “Taking care of our pets’ teeth doesn’t only make them smell better but it contributes to a longer, healthier life,” Dr. Dan Carmichael, a veterinary dentist at Animal Medical Center in New York City, told CBS News. “Not only can dental problems cause pets to have oral pain and infection, but the bacteria from oral disease can spread through the bloodstream to the vital organs,” he explained. Carmichael treats a variety of dogs, cats and even Bronx Zoo animals. He......
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04
May 2015
Cats may prefer to use their eyes rather than follow their nose when it comes to finding the location of food, according to new research by leading animal behaviourists. Felines have a tremendous sense of smell and vision, but the new study by researchers at the University of Lincoln, UK, has for the first time investigated which sense they prefer to use under test conditions — and suggested sight may be more important than smell. A group of six cats were placed in a maze which had ‘decision’ points — and the......
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05
Apr 2015
Is YOUR pet rabbit happy? Mammals may be stressed by their hutch-mates and a lack of exercise, study claims Study by the University of Bristol shows rabbits needs are not always met Researchers surveyed 1,254 pet rabbit owners in England Found pets have irregular access to exercise at the wrong time of day While 60 per cent lived on their own, limiting their opportunity to be sociable, a quarter put up with unsuitable, feisty hutch-mates Just over 12 per cent had dental or eye problems, seen in previous studies Just under 60......
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12
Mar 2015
TAKE HEART FELINE enthusiasts. Your cat’s continued indifference toward her new Deluxe Scratch DJ Deck may be disappointing, but there is an object that’s pretty much guaranteed to pique her interest. That object, as the Internet has so thoroughly documented, is a box. Any box, really. Big boxes, small boxes, irregularly shaped boxes—it doesn’t matter. Place one on the ground, a chair, or a bookshelf and watch as Admiral Snuggles quickly commandeers it. What’s Up With That? Each week, we’ll explain the science behind a strange phenomenon that you may be wondering about, or......
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25
Feb 2015
Frequently Asked Questions about Trap, Neuter, Return What is a feral cat? Feral cat is a term that has been used to describe a homeless cat that is undomesticated. We consider “feral” to describe a particular behavior a cat expresses when it is not used to people or feels frightened. It is virtually impossible to differentiate whether a frightened cat was born without human contact, formerly had human contact and became un-socialized from living on its own or if it is simply frightened. For our purposes we choose to call these cats......
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07
Feb 2015
Marley, a Springer Spaniel, was always licking and chewing at her feet. Her owner, Lin, didn’t know what to do about it, but she knew it was driving her 3-year-old dog crazy (not to mention turning Marley’s snow-white feet dark burgundy). Lin decided to take her suffering spaniel to her veterinarian for some answers.Lin had guessed Marley chewed at her feet because they itched so much. Was Marley having a reaction to something she stepped in? Did she have bug bites? What Lin didn’t know until she saw her veterinarian was......
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12
Jan 2015
Experts consider puppyhood, particularly the first three to four months, the most important period of a dog’s life. In that short window, a dog’s experiences shape his opinions about what’s safe and what’s scary — opinions that can be hard to change later on. During puppyhood, your dog will: Learn how to get along with other dogs, if he has lots of positive interactions with them. A dog who misses out on these interactions — part of what trainers call socialization — can grow up to be fearful or aggressive around other canines. Learn how to be safe and......
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27
Oct 2014
Pets come in all shapes and sizes with their own unique quirks. While many furry friends are adopted as happy additions to loving families, there are some animals that are overlooked at shelters because of certain “less adoptable” traits. Senior pets, pets with special needs, adult cats and pit bull-type dogs don’t always receive the love that their counterparts do, and can take about four times longer to get adopted than the average pet, according to adoption database Petfinder.com. This year, “Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week,” first launched by Petfinder.com, is being held from Sept. 21-27 to show that every pet......
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30
Sep 2014
Bloat is a life-threatening emergency that affects dogs in the prime of life. The mortality rate for gastric volvulus approaches 50 percent. Early recognition and treatment are the keys to survival. Anatomy of Bloat Bloat actually refers to two conditions. The first is gastric dilatation,in which the stomach distends with gas and fluid. The second is volvulus, in which the distended stomach rotates on its long axis. The spleen is attached to the wall of the stomach, and therefore rotates with the stomach. Gastric dilatation may or may not be complicated by volvulus. If volvulus......
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18
Aug 2014
A heartbreaking case at an animal hospital in North Melbourne, Australia offers another opportunity to warn pet owners about the dangers of feeding biologically-inappropriate diets to cats and dogs According to the Herald Sun, this is a clear-cut case of “people ‘forcing ideologies’ on their pets.” Kitten Fed Vegan Diet by Vegan Owners Nearly Dies at Animal Hospital The presumably vegan owners of a kitten brought the little guy into the Lort Smith Animal Hospital in July. The kitten was in very bad shape. “It was extremely weak and collapsed when it came in. It......
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