Camping isn’t something I do much of personally, but it’s not that I don’t like camping – not at all actually – it’s just that I don’t get the opportunity to do it much and the summer (for me) is a VERY busy time so it’s really tough to set out and get a weekend to do it.

That said, if I were to go camping I would most certainly bring my hounds – or at least I think I would. Obviously I’d have to have them tied up at all times, but I really think they would love all the new smells and everything that goes along with it.

Probioticsmart.com listed a bunch of great camping tips when bringing your pet, so I’ll post the topics here, but please go to the site here to read the particulars:

Before you leave

1. Get  a “Pre-Camping Physical”
2. Bring a Pet First-Aid Kit
3. Ensure that Travel Tags Are Up to Date

While on the road

1. Restrain Your Pet
2. Don’t Leave Your Pet Alone in your Vehicle

While Camping

1. Bring Plenty of Food and Water
2. Allow Your Pet Time to become Comfortable
3. Clean Up after your Pet
4. Respect the Campers Around You

There are also some great tips in the comments section as well which are pretty important to take heed of. So instead of the most exciting thing for them this summer being dressed up in baby halloween costumes in the fall, perhaps I’ll take my hounds camping!!

Tags: camping
Categories: Heavenly Creatures
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Over at the WalletPop.com site, they recently did an article on which was cheaper to own? A dog or a cat? Before I even read the article, I had my mind set that it was going to be the dogs.

I love how they gave some tips on how to save money when considering a new pet, and the #1 way to save…

Adoption

I also liked how they put the reasoning behind it:

To save the most money and to save a life, don’t use pet stores. Get your pet from the pound or ASPCA. You’re more likely to get a mutt or mixed breed there (which, if you ask me, makes a more healthy and emotionally stable animal), but if you insist on a purebred, there are many purebred rescue associations that you can find online by breed: Pugs, Dalmatians, Pit Bulls, and other popular breeds are often discarded when their owners tire of trends.

They had some great tips and lots of good information on the site, so save your money for a Black Friday sale and check out walletpop.com for some tips on adopting or rescuing (and not buying from a pet store) your next animal!

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/07/13/savings-experiment-cats-versus-dogs/?sms_ss=digg

Tags: Adoption,Cats,Dogs,money,price of owning,rescue
Categories: Heavenly Creatures
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It’s no secret that I like to give to the Humane Societies in my life – both with this one at Heavenly Creatures, and with the PEI Humane Society over here in PEI.

The best way for me to give back to Heavenly Creatures over there in NFLD is to do this blog, help out with the web site, and also donate some cash via the monthly Golden Wings program.

Over here in PEI, I volunteer for the PEIHS as much as I can – doing web work as well as being part of the marketing committee here as well which is a great way to start, but I’m always looking to do more. I run the Facebook page as well as the Twitter page but they’re relatively quiet as well.

Something I did yesterday which I’m quite proud of and encourage others to do is I dropped off my beagles old toys that they no longer use and just sit around to the PEIHS! Let’s face it, those dogs are bored – so by giving them some toys to play with, gnaw on, chase around – well that makes me feel good. If you have any that your dog or cat have become bored with – donate them! If you don’t have any, consider having a yard sale or something where you could perhaps sell used books or your old used clothes and donate that to them.

 The animals really appreciate it – and that kind of good karma doesn’t go unnoticed.

Tags: cat toys,dog toys,Donation,donations,toys
Categories: Heavenly Creatures
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Ever since Hunter had (both) surgeries on his knees to have his cruciate ligament repaired I’ve realized that my boy won’t be the same. After long walks he still is struggling a bit and they just don’t work the way they used to. I don’t really understand why that is as the doctor told me that he should be just fine, but then I have to realize that it’s really only been 5 months since his surgery so I’m going to keep walking him and making sure that he gets it out and exercised as much as he should.

It made me think however about what I should be doing otherwise to perhaps aid in the recovery? Is exercise enough? Should I be feeding him more? Less? How about a joint supplement of some sort? Cod Liver Oil?

I took to Google to find out, the first article I found was written by a surgical veterinarian:

I believe that the post operative period is as important as the surgery. Beginning
immediately after surgery we ice the leg as much as possible to reduce pain and swelling.
Starting the next day we want to encourage weight bearing on the leg. Also we train the
owner to do range of motion exercises and massage (as well as icing) to reduce pain,
swelling and atrophy due to lack of use. I also use weekly injections of a drug called
cartrophen which increases joint fluid production which helps to reduce pain and heal the
joint. Starting in the second week after surgery we use an electrical stimulation machine
at least 3 times per week to reduce pain, prevent atrophy and hasten recovery. As each
week passes we increase exercise to strengthen the joint and muscles. Usually with in 1-2
weeks they are bearing more weight than before surgery and by 3 months post-op they are
bearing full weight and can be back to full exercise.

Well I can honestly say that THIS didn’t happen during Hunters surgeries, but a lot of that makes a lot of sense – simple, gradual rehabilitation.

Instead of re-inventing the wheel – I found a great article over at ‘dogkneeinjury.com’ which had all kinds of great information on each surgery type and the post-op care:

After 4 to 6 months your dog will be able to return to normal activities without any restriction. The leader line placed in the knee will break at 2 to 12 months post-op, and your dog’s scar tissue will support the knee on its own. Restriction of movement is absolutely key for the successful healing in patients undergoing extra-capsular imbrication repair surgery. Rest will help to encourage fibrous tissue formation and also prevent the premature breakage of the monofilament suture stabilizing the joint during the healing process.

It also mentions:

All dogs with CCL injuries will go on to develop some level of arthritis. It is a good idea to have your dog’s knees x-rayed during your yearly veterinary visits to examine the presence of arthritis and determine what type of treatment plan would be best for your pet to make them the most comfortable.

I’d also like to share with you the site CanadaVet.com as it’s a good spot to get your online pet medications at a lower cost than what you’d pay for at the vet.

Tags: cranial crutiate,cruciate ligament,Health,Healthcare,post op care,Surgery
Categories: Heavenly Creatures
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My beagles are pretty odd, they’re the cutest animals I’ve ever seen, but they can do some strange ass things in my humble opinion! How about Bella and her love of eating … ahem.. poop.. or what about Hunter eating my bottle of eczema cream after I left for work.. *sigh*

Here are some great responses to @the_barks’ tweet simply saying “my dog is strange”.

AxleWeinberg @the_bark #mydogisstrange My dog sticks her entire nose and mouth in the water dish and blows bubbles.

pawsitivepaw @the_bark #mydogisstrange He hates to get wet, won’t go out in the rain, hates baths, etc., but he loves to play in the sprinklers.

AlecHosterman @the_bark #mydogisstrange My dog has to get her “potty pass” (a toy) if she wants to go outside

ScienceRat @the_bark #mydogisstrange My dog will eat french fries but won’t touch potato chips.

EllaBellaHound @the_bark #mydogisstrange Ella sleeps in a cupboard! Albeit a walk in wardrobe thingie.

DiscoWonderPup  @the_bark #mydogisstrange What if you think your human is strange? ; )

siriusbstudio @the_bark #mydogisstrange Violet is weird because she likes to hang out in the bath tub. Unless it’s bath time.

geoggirl @the_bark #mydogisstrange Ginger likes to snore while staring at you with her eyes wide open…kinda freaky.

gingela5 @the_bark #mydogisstrange One of my dogs demands an apology when you sneeze/sniff. She will stare at you until you say “I’m Sorry…”

eddiemczee @the_bark #mydogisstrange Baron Von BisBark is strange because he likes cat food more than dog food.

Cowbelly @the_bark #mydogisstrange Fergie is strange because she stares at me all. the. time. #weird #alittlecreepy

emileefuss @the_bark #mydogisstrange Buddy is strange b/c he is obsessed with reflections, won’t walk in wet grass, and is afraid of other dogs’ poop.

thisisvandie @the_bark #mydogisstrange George is strange because if you hold him in the air and call his name he won’t stop running.

Tags: Dogs,stories,strange,Twitter
Categories: Heavenly Creatures
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