Ace's Update @ 18 weeks!

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Okay, well technically Ace is 18 weeks until Wednesday, but I felt like doing the post now =)
Since we got him at 7 weeks on March 10th 2010, it's really amazing how far he has come!I thought I would never sleep through the night again and there would never be an end to cleaning up paper misses! It is truly amazing to watch a puppy grow and develop. I never realized the changes with our family pets growing up. I feel it must be because he is all ours and he depends on us completely.I noticed a lot lately how many people comment on how well behaved he is! When I think of Ace I think of a mischievous little guy who finds socks in places unknown, stashes pine cones in our house, digs holes, and flattens flowers.We had friends over on Saturday for a get together and everyone couldn't believe he was only 4 months old! I really started thinking about it and realized how lucky we are that those snatched socks and a messy garden are nothing compared to some fur kid stories I have heard!
-Ace now sleeps until 7 or 7 30 (with an occasional 6 30 am wakeup)-He goes to the door and barks when he wants to go potty-He will lay at our feet and chew on a bone when we watch tv (instead of jumping and whining for attention)- He stands still during bath time!-His recall is about 98% haha
There are many other things he does as well that demonstrate good behaviour, and to some it may seem very little, but I know when he does these little things, it makes me so proud! In such a short time he has learned so much! It's bittersweet because he is not acting like a naughty puppy as much as he is acting like a little puppy gentleman, and it means he is growing up <3
The most recent thing Ace has been doing (which he started Saturday night after our guests left), I allowed Ace to stay up later than usual (12:30, he usually goes to his crate around 10:30pm, he loves his routine haha) He must have been very sleepy after all the playtime with everyone because after I finished cleaning the kitchen, I noticed Ace wasn't sitting on the rug in the kitchen anymore. My first thought was Oh no what is he getting into now. So I walked downstairs looking for him and when I got to our bedroom, there he was, sitting on the floor at the foot of our bed whining at me! Of course, I was immediately like "Oh goodness are you hurt?!?!"but nope, he whined one more time, rolled on his back, so I rubbed his tummy.After a few seconds of tummy rubbing, he stood up and walked RIGHT INTO HIS CRATE!!!! All on his own!!!I couldn't believe it! The little booger waited in our room for someone to rub his tummy before bedtime! I hadn't realized at the moment, but before bedtime every night, I always rub his belly to calm him! So once his belly was rubbed, Ace wanted to go to sleep!I was so proud, and no lie, he has gone into his crate on his own each night since!!!
My little Genius <3
haha Sorry about a huge post bragging about Ace, but I am sure you other fur kid parents who went through puppy training and development understand my excitement & enthusiasm about things as little as being able to sleep in a bit longer!!! haha

Celebrating Mommy's Birthday!

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Today was a wonderful birthday (mine) and Canada Day! yay July 1st!The highlight was this morning when for the FIRST time, Ace jumped up into our bed all on his own and snuggled with me for 10 whole minutes! I feel like maybe he was trying to say *Happy Birthday? Thank you for feeding & loving me everyday?*...hey I can dream haha!We spent the beautiful cool morning walking through the park and splashing in the river. Ace is sure becoming a great swimmer. We are very proud :DI can tell once he swims a nice lap he walks out and struts his stuff as if to say "Hey ma, dad! Did you guys see those moves out there?!?!"
After a lengthy park playtime Ace got a deep clean! (He gets SO grimy at the park)He might be the cleanest dog ever. He has actually grown to really enjoy his baths and jumps in the shower if he gets a chance. This is such an improvement from a few months ago when he would whine and cry and struggle to get out.Now if we could only get him to shake off....he usually just stands there and waits to be dried while he is sopping wet! SO CUTE :D
While Ace napped I dragged Daddy out for an adventure (and besides, he said I could pick out a birthday gift) hehe.We shopped a bit and I must say I totally recommend signing up for Sephora's beauty insiders club...they give you free gifts on your birthday WITHOUT a purchase! haha Oh how I love free things.Ace loves free things as well as when I returned home he thought the little gift pack was for him and stole it, ran away with it and tried to eat it...*sigh* Dog & makeup were unharmed in the end!
After a delicious dinner we came back to enjoy a quiet evening with our little guy while he chewed his kneecap bone (YES the SAME kneecap bone from my post a few months ago) I must say, that thing has some serious staying power!
Sadly, we may be saying goodbye to Ace's FAVOURITE orange monkey toy soon. I am looking for a replacement before I toss the original. (He sleeps with it every night, so I don't want him to be sad) It was a VERY strong toy for Ace, but I suppose 24/7 loving for the last few months took it's toll as he now has a hole in his neck and we had to remove the stuffing....
Here is a beautiful picture for your viewing pleasure!This is Ace's lip curl...he does this ALL the time (Happy, sad, angry) He has about 10 different versions of the lip curl... It's hilarious.

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot like Christmas!

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Ace's First Snow Play! He saw snow for the first time just after Thanksgiving when I took him with me to stay with a friend a few hours North of the City. It was light snow though, and he only got to see it for a few minutes on the ground before it melted. This morning at home however, we woke up to find snow everywhere!!!I think he is in his element....he just can't get enough!Even though I was freeezing, I piled on 10 layers and took Ace and Sammy to the park before Work this morning. He didn't want to get into the car to leave he was having so much fun!On a side note, I noticed lately that Ace's bum hairs have gotten so wild that "yucky stuff" gets stuck in the hair. I have to wash his butt constantly! (which of course he doesn't like)With treats in one hand, and scissors in the other, I went scissor happy on his long hairs on his bum. Let's just say...I will probably never be hired as a dog groomer....I will try and get a photo, it's pretty funny actually. Poor guy, shoulda seen his face when he looked over at the huge pile of hair on the floor. I think he was pretty upset with me. I'm going to do a touch up tomorrow...How often do you usually bathe your fur baby? I usually have to bathe him once a week or once every 2 weeks. He gets SOOO smelly...I don't understand!*I have been trying to measure Ace to see how tall he stands, but he ate my tape measure..., so I'm still trying to get on that*

Your puppy - owner's House a pet guide training

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Getting a new puppy and bring him home is a very exciting experience because this pet can bring fun and joy in the owner's life. However, it is important that your puppy in following rules to train. Techniques in the house training your pets are very similar and can be used to teach them where you go to the potty and what they are allowed to eat.

The expectations

She will act puppies machine such as a small input-output, and it is quite normal. As your puppy grows, he will develop quickly. While this starts time he eating more and more energy to burn. In this phase his ability not developed yet a puppy to control his bowel and bladder, so he ' they do not "contain what do as adult dogs." Therefore successful house training is very important and it can be done by your careful monitoring of the puppy.

TOILET train your puppy

The most important part of the house training your puppy is potty training. The process can be long, or up to six months. Toilet training your puppy, you should it especially during periods he monitor most likely going to do it. These are usually immediately after the meal, or on foot. You determine an area where you want to make your puppy, his business, and let him remain in this area after the wake and food, has done to it. After that you should reward your puppy with many verbal praise and treats. Keep in mind that it will be times when your puppy not at these times must go, or if your pet to other areas, to do it.

For example, you start pet do it in a wrong area. quiet stop move him and him to its designated area. You should not shout or scold your puppy he does something wrong. Before too long your puppy is with your chosen area alone. Make sure that you select a section in your home, because this is also important so that your pet do it in a wrong way. You should area to mark and your puppy in this during the times probably, to do it. At home, you can check purchase cat litter or useful pads. In addition, you can also plain old newspaper, because this is just as effective and much cheaper.

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Evaluating Supplements for Dogs & Cats

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We spend a fortune on supplements for dogs & cats, but not all supplements are beneficial, or even safe.

Evaluating Supplements for Dogs & Cats Is Like Eating In a RestaurantIn a way, trusting a supplement company is like trusting a restaurant. When eating out, we trust the ingredients, the food storage, the cleanliness without having to go back and inspect the kitchen. When clients ask about supplements, I’m going to do my best to ensure they have all the information they need to decide whether or not to give the product to their pet. There are about 50,000 supplements for dogs & cats, so how do we know what’s good to give pets? It’s not easy. It requires research. That’s right, research.

I evaluate the following:

1. What problem does the dog or cat have, and would the supplement help with that problem?
2. What are the supplement’s active ingredients? The inactive ingredients?
3. What amount or percentage of the total is each ingredient?
4. Are all ingredients declared or does the manufacturer buy some ingredients from other companies who are not required to list everything the materials they are supplying contain?
5. From what countries do the ingredients originate?
6. How long has the product been used and how many pets have used it?
7. What is the company’s reputation?
8. Are there clinical trials demonstrating this exact product with its particular combination of ingredients is helpful?
9. Is there an independent third-party laboratory that has tested the supplement?
10. Is the supplement priced appropriately for the benefit?
11. Is the supplement stored by a distributor so that it doesn’t get over-heated?
12. Will this particular dog or cat accept the supplement in its current form?  

Supplement IngredientsSupplements list ingredients, but that is not the end of the story. Government regulations allow hundreds supplement labels to contain ingredients that are not listed. For example, a label can say hydrolyzed yeast extract and not say the extract contains MSG. A label can say “spices” and not say which spices. Many products that oxidize, like fish, are mixed with antioxidants like ethoxiquin but the supplement label  does not need to include ethoxiquin if the supplement company did not add it themselves. . If you think food & supplement labels tell the whole story, think of melamine.

What amount or percentage of the total is each ingredient? Percentages and ratios of ingredients to each other are significant. Think of how much milk or sugar you want in your tea. There is a point where it is just right. For many supplements, there is a range of ratios that will work, and the best supplements get the ratios of ingredients just right.

 Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal formulas are examples of getting ingredients just right. They’ve spent hundreds of hundreds of years perfecting the ratios of herbs in the formulas. Compare a herbal formula that has been used for hundreds of hundreds of years to a supplement that has been on line for 20 years. Choose herbs and supplements with a history.
 Where are the ingredients sourced? Do the ingredients come, like melamine, from China? From the US? From Canada? While I like Chinese herbal formulas, I don’t recommend supplements made in China to my clients unless the supplement is manufactured in the US or Canada. For herbal formulas, I trust Kan Herbs from the US and Natural Path from Canada.

 Is the supplement priced appropriately for the benefit? Some supplements are expensive but dogs and cats really do well taking them: Nordic Natural’s Omega 3 Pet and Missing Link are great examples of products that are worth their weight in gold. Unfortunately, there are also supplements that are expensive but don’t provide significant benefit.

Supplement StorageMany supplements oxidize during storage, including fish oils, flax, & antioxidant vitamins. I expect that supplements warehoused in Florida have more oxidation during storage than do supplements warehoused in northern states. Thus, I don’t recommend supplements from 1800 Pet Meds who warehouses & distributes out of Florida.

 Choose wiselyUse supplements, just chose great products and make sure they’ll work for your dog and cat.

Allergy & Atopy in Dogs & Cats

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 Atopy is Latin for “strange,” but there is nothing strange about atopy.  Atopy, or the genetic tendency to have an immune reaction to something that is inhaled or touched, causes allergy symptoms. Food allergies are not atopy, but some pets will have atopy (allergies to what they inhale & contact) and also be allergic to foods.

 It is estimated 5-15% of dogs are atopic. Cats have atopy and allergies too, but we aren’t as clear how many or which breeds are affected as we’re clear about dogs. 

Dog Breeds Commonly Affected with Atopy and Allergies
·          Akitas
·          Beagles
·          Bichons
·          Boxers
·          Bulldogs
·          Chihuahuas
·          Dalmatians
·          French Bulldogs
·          German Shepherds
·          Herding breeds: Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, etc
·          Maltese
·          Newfoundlands
·          Poodles
·          Puggles
·          Retrievers: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers
·          Rottweilers
·          Schnauzers
·          Setters
·          Shar peis
·          Shiba Inus
·          Shih Tzus
·          Terriers:  Scotties, Westies, Yorkies,  all of them at risk
 
Signs and Symptoms of Atopy & Allergies in Dogs
·          Itchy feet, itchy face, itchy bottom
·          Runny eyes
·          Secondary skin infection: yeast (Malassezia) & bacterial (Staph)
·          Symptoms obvious before middle age, usually obvious between 9 months and 3 years of age.
·          Young, say 3-month-old, puppies that have skin infections
·          Licking, especially feet and groin
·          Red, itchy ears with recurrent ear infections

One reason our allergic dogs & cats are so itchy is that the oils on the skin and the skin pH are abnormal.
 Helping Dogs & Cats with Atopy & Allergies
We have several ways to help pets with atopy & allergies, including
·          TCM herbal formulas
·          Omega 3 Fatty Acids
·          Antihistamines
·          Shampoos
·          Immune-modifying Medications
·          Homeopathy

Using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help Pets with Atopy & Allergies
TCM herbal formulas are ideal for dogs & cats with allergies. For example, the following help especially when itching is a strong component of your pet’s symptoms:
·          Bao Hu Jiang Jun Tang (Protect the General) for dry, itchy skin in a shy or anxious pet that also has liver disease, and possible liver enzyme elevation (ALP, ALT, AST). These pets may have tongues that are pale, or purple, or red; pulses that are thin, or wiry or choppy.
·          Bu Gan Tang (Nourish the Liver Decoction) for itchy, seborrhic skin in a pet that may also have any of the following: muscle spasm, Scotty cramp, wobblers, dry eye (KCS), liver inflammation and elevated liver enzymes, lymphoma, petit mal seizures, and behaviour problems (noise sensitivity, timidity, separation anxiety, thunder phobia, or fear aggression).
·          Dang Gui Shao Yao San (Angelica Nourish the Blood Decoction) for pets with powdery dander &  itchy skin. They may also have bladder crystals, elevated triglycerides (hyperlipidemia), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), constipation, and be over weight. These pets may also be irritable, depressed or timid. Their tongues are often pale and lavender colored.
·          Jia Wei Si Wu Tant (Augmented Four Materials) for pets with dry, itchy skin, or hives who may also have weak hind legs, anemia, constipation, blurred vision and a tendency to dizziness (vertigo). Their tongues are often pale and coated; pulses, thin & slippery.
·          Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Quell Fire) is for the pet with severe itching and possibly bacterial or yeast (Malassezia) skin infection or mange (Demodex). These pets may also have tendency to ear infections, bladder infections (cystitis), incontinence, anal sac inflammation, Cushing’s disease, and obesity. They may have ravenous appetites and tend to eat things they shouldn’t. The tongues of dogs that benefit from Quell Fire often have red sides and a yellow coat; their pulses may be rapid, forceful, and wiry.
·          Qing Ying Tang (Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction) is for pets with intensely itchy skin and possibly bacterial or yeast (Malassezia) skin infection or mange (Demodex). These pets may also have tendency to autoimmune disease (IMHA), masticatory myositis, pneumonia, meningitis. They may develop vaccine reactions and be very ill after routine vaccination.
·          San Ren Tang (Three Seeds Decoction)is especially helpful for itchy cats. San Ren Tang is for pets with itchy skin that is usually oily. They may have a streak of slightly oily hair right down the center of the back, often with dander. Itchy cats that benefit from San Ren Tang may also have feline hyperesthesia syndrome or feline asthma. They may have anal sac inflammation, constipation and malodorous flatulence. Some have chronic vomiting. The ears are often greasy and there may be eye discharge. They may urinate outside the litter box due to agitation. Tongues are wet, pale or red; pulse, soft.
·          Si Miao San (Four Marvels) is a marvellous formula for the itchy dog or cat that is also hot. It helps dogs with itchy, infected feet (pododermatitis), itchy bottom (anal sacculitis), itchy ears (otitis externa due to yeast). These dogs may also have immune problems (IMHA), arthritis, back pain or stiffness, degenerative myelopathy, proprioceptive disorder or numbness. Some may have epilepsy or vestibular syndrome, pancreatitis, prostatic hypertrophy or vaginitis, Cushing’s disease, cystitis, bladder cancer (TCC or transitional cell carcinoma), or blood cancer (lymphoma). Tongues are pale or red; pulse, soft.
·          Si Wu Xiao Feng Yin (Four Materials Eliminate the Wind or Dry Derma Relief) is for itchy dogs with hot skin. They may have mange (Demodex) hot stops (pyodermatitis), rashes, seborrhea or bacteria infection (pyoderma). Some may have ear infections (otitis), dry eye (KCS), and behavorial problems including anxiety, noise sensitivity, timidity, separation anxiety and territoriality.
 
The beauty of using TCM herbal formula for allergic dogs or cats is that we can treat the skin along with other significant problems by choosing the correct formula.
More about allergies in the next few days.
 

Ace's Update @ 18 weeks!

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Okay, well technically Ace is 18 weeks until Wednesday, but I felt like doing the post now =)
Since we got him at 7 weeks on March 10th 2010, it's really amazing how far he has come!I thought I would never sleep through the night again and there would never be an end to cleaning up paper misses! It is truly amazing to watch a puppy grow and develop. I never realized the changes with our family pets growing up. I feel it must be because he is all ours and he depends on us completely.I noticed a lot lately how many people comment on how well behaved he is! When I think of Ace I think of a mischievous little guy who finds socks in places unknown, stashes pine cones in our house, digs holes, and flattens flowers.We had friends over on Saturday for a get together and everyone couldn't believe he was only 4 months old! I really started thinking about it and realized how lucky we are that those snatched socks and a messy garden are nothing compared to some fur kid stories I have heard!
-Ace now sleeps until 7 or 7 30 (with an occasional 6 30 am wakeup)-He goes to the door and barks when he wants to go potty-He will lay at our feet and chew on a bone when we watch tv (instead of jumping and whining for attention)- He stands still during bath time!-His recall is about 98% haha
There are many other things he does as well that demonstrate good behaviour, and to some it may seem very little, but I know when he does these little things, it makes me so proud! In such a short time he has learned so much! It's bittersweet because he is not acting like a naughty puppy as much as he is acting like a little puppy gentleman, and it means he is growing up <3
The most recent thing Ace has been doing (which he started Saturday night after our guests left), I allowed Ace to stay up later than usual (12:30, he usually goes to his crate around 10:30pm, he loves his routine haha) He must have been very sleepy after all the playtime with everyone because after I finished cleaning the kitchen, I noticed Ace wasn't sitting on the rug in the kitchen anymore. My first thought was Oh no what is he getting into now. So I walked downstairs looking for him and when I got to our bedroom, there he was, sitting on the floor at the foot of our bed whining at me! Of course, I was immediately like "Oh goodness are you hurt?!?!"but nope, he whined one more time, rolled on his back, so I rubbed his tummy.After a few seconds of tummy rubbing, he stood up and walked RIGHT INTO HIS CRATE!!!! All on his own!!!I couldn't believe it! The little booger waited in our room for someone to rub his tummy before bedtime! I hadn't realized at the moment, but before bedtime every night, I always rub his belly to calm him! So once his belly was rubbed, Ace wanted to go to sleep!I was so proud, and no lie, he has gone into his crate on his own each night since!!!
My little Genius <3
haha Sorry about a huge post bragging about Ace, but I am sure you other fur kid parents who went through puppy training and development understand my excitement & enthusiasm about things as little as being able to sleep in a bit longer!!! haha

Celebrating Mommy's Birthday!

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Today was a wonderful birthday (mine) and Canada Day! yay July 1st!The highlight was this morning when for the FIRST time, Ace jumped up into our bed all on his own and snuggled with me for 10 whole minutes! I feel like maybe he was trying to say *Happy Birthday? Thank you for feeding & loving me everyday?*...hey I can dream haha!We spent the beautiful cool morning walking through the park and splashing in the river. Ace is sure becoming a great swimmer. We are very proud :DI can tell once he swims a nice lap he walks out and struts his stuff as if to say "Hey ma, dad! Did you guys see those moves out there?!?!"
After a lengthy park playtime Ace got a deep clean! (He gets SO grimy at the park)He might be the cleanest dog ever. He has actually grown to really enjoy his baths and jumps in the shower if he gets a chance. This is such an improvement from a few months ago when he would whine and cry and struggle to get out.Now if we could only get him to shake off....he usually just stands there and waits to be dried while he is sopping wet! SO CUTE :D
While Ace napped I dragged Daddy out for an adventure (and besides, he said I could pick out a birthday gift) hehe.We shopped a bit and I must say I totally recommend signing up for Sephora's beauty insiders club...they give you free gifts on your birthday WITHOUT a purchase! haha Oh how I love free things.Ace loves free things as well as when I returned home he thought the little gift pack was for him and stole it, ran away with it and tried to eat it...*sigh* Dog & makeup were unharmed in the end!
After a delicious dinner we came back to enjoy a quiet evening with our little guy while he chewed his kneecap bone (YES the SAME kneecap bone from my post a few months ago) I must say, that thing has some serious staying power!
Sadly, we may be saying goodbye to Ace's FAVOURITE orange monkey toy soon. I am looking for a replacement before I toss the original. (He sleeps with it every night, so I don't want him to be sad) It was a VERY strong toy for Ace, but I suppose 24/7 loving for the last few months took it's toll as he now has a hole in his neck and we had to remove the stuffing....
Here is a beautiful picture for your viewing pleasure!This is Ace's lip curl...he does this ALL the time (Happy, sad, angry) He has about 10 different versions of the lip curl... It's hilarious.

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot like Christmas!

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Ace's First Snow Play! He saw snow for the first time just after Thanksgiving when I took him with me to stay with a friend a few hours North of the City. It was light snow though, and he only got to see it for a few minutes on the ground before it melted. This morning at home however, we woke up to find snow everywhere!!!I think he is in his element....he just can't get enough!Even though I was freeezing, I piled on 10 layers and took Ace and Sammy to the park before Work this morning. He didn't want to get into the car to leave he was having so much fun!On a side note, I noticed lately that Ace's bum hairs have gotten so wild that "yucky stuff" gets stuck in the hair. I have to wash his butt constantly! (which of course he doesn't like)With treats in one hand, and scissors in the other, I went scissor happy on his long hairs on his bum. Let's just say...I will probably never be hired as a dog groomer....I will try and get a photo, it's pretty funny actually. Poor guy, shoulda seen his face when he looked over at the huge pile of hair on the floor. I think he was pretty upset with me. I'm going to do a touch up tomorrow...How often do you usually bathe your fur baby? I usually have to bathe him once a week or once every 2 weeks. He gets SOOO smelly...I don't understand!*I have been trying to measure Ace to see how tall he stands, but he ate my tape measure..., so I'm still trying to get on that*

Allergies in Dogs & Cats, Abnormal Skin, Dust Mites & Grain Mites Complicate Matters

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We’re discussing allergies and atopy in dogs & cats. We’ve covered TCM herbal formulas that help allergic pets, and later we’ll cover additional ways to help with Omega 3 fatty acids, shampoos, conventional meds. Now, though, let’s look at how complex this issue is by discussing

·       allergies that occur as materials travel right through our pet’s skin
·       allergies that occur because dust or grain mites are ingested along with foods.

Abnormal Skin in Dogs & Cats with Allergies
Dogs and cats with allergies often have several problems contributing to their symptoms. We used to think the redness and itching, runny eyes, and itchy ears were due to white blood cell (WBC) release of IgE. IgE binds mast cells circulating in the blood and tissues and sensitizes them to  foreign antigens. Upon meeting the antigen again, the mast cell releases histamine, leukotriene and this causes inflammation, itching and redness.
Well, it’s not that simple. There are allergic humans (and we think pets are similar) with T-helper cells that cause skin barrier malfunction. This allows antigens to penetrate right through the skin (percutaneous absorption). With this potential for exposure, pets can be allergic instantly to antigens in the environment.

The following are suspected of worsening pets’ allergies:
·          Environmental exposures
·          Infections (especially Staph)
·          Vaccinations
Well, at least one of these is entirely preventable.
 Dust Mites, Grain Mites, and Allergies
As though it isn’t enough to have antigens able to penetrate through the skin, there is also a problem when pets are exposed to foods and dust mites at the same time. North Carolina College of Vet Medicine has a study that showed dogs may become spontaneously allergic when dust mites are eaten along with foods. Unfortunately dust mites are ubiquitous. They live everywhere and thrive in moist environments such as carpets, pet beds, mattresses, basements. And the food storage mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Lepidoglyphus destructor) found in kibble, dry food, cereal grains and cheese affect pets allergic to the dust mite. The house dust mite is Dermatophagoides farina and D pteronyssinus.
To protect your pet from grain mites, don’t feed kibble. This may be why so many allergic pets thrive on raw diets. Avoid any packaged foods or cereal grains and cheese.
To protect your pet from house dust mites, avoid carpets, fabrics and upholstery. Use microporous mattress covers. Air fabrics outside for 12 hours in either hot sun or cold, dry air. Wash bedding in hot soapy water or cold water with tea tree oil. Vacuum like it’s your new religion.  Don’t rely on air ionizers or chemical dust miticides as they’re ineffective. Use Benzyl benzoate (Acarosan spray), but use it at 4 x the manufacturer’s amount and leave it on the carpet for 12 hours to help decrease the number of dust mites.

 

Ace's Update @ 18 weeks!

To contact us Click HERE
Okay, well technically Ace is 18 weeks until Wednesday, but I felt like doing the post now =)
Since we got him at 7 weeks on March 10th 2010, it's really amazing how far he has come!I thought I would never sleep through the night again and there would never be an end to cleaning up paper misses! It is truly amazing to watch a puppy grow and develop. I never realized the changes with our family pets growing up. I feel it must be because he is all ours and he depends on us completely.I noticed a lot lately how many people comment on how well behaved he is! When I think of Ace I think of a mischievous little guy who finds socks in places unknown, stashes pine cones in our house, digs holes, and flattens flowers.We had friends over on Saturday for a get together and everyone couldn't believe he was only 4 months old! I really started thinking about it and realized how lucky we are that those snatched socks and a messy garden are nothing compared to some fur kid stories I have heard!
-Ace now sleeps until 7 or 7 30 (with an occasional 6 30 am wakeup)-He goes to the door and barks when he wants to go potty-He will lay at our feet and chew on a bone when we watch tv (instead of jumping and whining for attention)- He stands still during bath time!-His recall is about 98% haha
There are many other things he does as well that demonstrate good behaviour, and to some it may seem very little, but I know when he does these little things, it makes me so proud! In such a short time he has learned so much! It's bittersweet because he is not acting like a naughty puppy as much as he is acting like a little puppy gentleman, and it means he is growing up <3
The most recent thing Ace has been doing (which he started Saturday night after our guests left), I allowed Ace to stay up later than usual (12:30, he usually goes to his crate around 10:30pm, he loves his routine haha) He must have been very sleepy after all the playtime with everyone because after I finished cleaning the kitchen, I noticed Ace wasn't sitting on the rug in the kitchen anymore. My first thought was Oh no what is he getting into now. So I walked downstairs looking for him and when I got to our bedroom, there he was, sitting on the floor at the foot of our bed whining at me! Of course, I was immediately like "Oh goodness are you hurt?!?!"but nope, he whined one more time, rolled on his back, so I rubbed his tummy.After a few seconds of tummy rubbing, he stood up and walked RIGHT INTO HIS CRATE!!!! All on his own!!!I couldn't believe it! The little booger waited in our room for someone to rub his tummy before bedtime! I hadn't realized at the moment, but before bedtime every night, I always rub his belly to calm him! So once his belly was rubbed, Ace wanted to go to sleep!I was so proud, and no lie, he has gone into his crate on his own each night since!!!
My little Genius <3
haha Sorry about a huge post bragging about Ace, but I am sure you other fur kid parents who went through puppy training and development understand my excitement & enthusiasm about things as little as being able to sleep in a bit longer!!! haha

Celebrating Mommy's Birthday!

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Today was a wonderful birthday (mine) and Canada Day! yay July 1st!The highlight was this morning when for the FIRST time, Ace jumped up into our bed all on his own and snuggled with me for 10 whole minutes! I feel like maybe he was trying to say *Happy Birthday? Thank you for feeding & loving me everyday?*...hey I can dream haha!We spent the beautiful cool morning walking through the park and splashing in the river. Ace is sure becoming a great swimmer. We are very proud :DI can tell once he swims a nice lap he walks out and struts his stuff as if to say "Hey ma, dad! Did you guys see those moves out there?!?!"
After a lengthy park playtime Ace got a deep clean! (He gets SO grimy at the park)He might be the cleanest dog ever. He has actually grown to really enjoy his baths and jumps in the shower if he gets a chance. This is such an improvement from a few months ago when he would whine and cry and struggle to get out.Now if we could only get him to shake off....he usually just stands there and waits to be dried while he is sopping wet! SO CUTE :D
While Ace napped I dragged Daddy out for an adventure (and besides, he said I could pick out a birthday gift) hehe.We shopped a bit and I must say I totally recommend signing up for Sephora's beauty insiders club...they give you free gifts on your birthday WITHOUT a purchase! haha Oh how I love free things.Ace loves free things as well as when I returned home he thought the little gift pack was for him and stole it, ran away with it and tried to eat it...*sigh* Dog & makeup were unharmed in the end!
After a delicious dinner we came back to enjoy a quiet evening with our little guy while he chewed his kneecap bone (YES the SAME kneecap bone from my post a few months ago) I must say, that thing has some serious staying power!
Sadly, we may be saying goodbye to Ace's FAVOURITE orange monkey toy soon. I am looking for a replacement before I toss the original. (He sleeps with it every night, so I don't want him to be sad) It was a VERY strong toy for Ace, but I suppose 24/7 loving for the last few months took it's toll as he now has a hole in his neck and we had to remove the stuffing....
Here is a beautiful picture for your viewing pleasure!This is Ace's lip curl...he does this ALL the time (Happy, sad, angry) He has about 10 different versions of the lip curl... It's hilarious.

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot like Christmas!

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Ace's First Snow Play! He saw snow for the first time just after Thanksgiving when I took him with me to stay with a friend a few hours North of the City. It was light snow though, and he only got to see it for a few minutes on the ground before it melted. This morning at home however, we woke up to find snow everywhere!!!I think he is in his element....he just can't get enough!Even though I was freeezing, I piled on 10 layers and took Ace and Sammy to the park before Work this morning. He didn't want to get into the car to leave he was having so much fun!On a side note, I noticed lately that Ace's bum hairs have gotten so wild that "yucky stuff" gets stuck in the hair. I have to wash his butt constantly! (which of course he doesn't like)With treats in one hand, and scissors in the other, I went scissor happy on his long hairs on his bum. Let's just say...I will probably never be hired as a dog groomer....I will try and get a photo, it's pretty funny actually. Poor guy, shoulda seen his face when he looked over at the huge pile of hair on the floor. I think he was pretty upset with me. I'm going to do a touch up tomorrow...How often do you usually bathe your fur baby? I usually have to bathe him once a week or once every 2 weeks. He gets SOOO smelly...I don't understand!*I have been trying to measure Ace to see how tall he stands, but he ate my tape measure..., so I'm still trying to get on that*

Your puppy - owner's House a pet guide training

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Getting a new puppy and bring him home is a very exciting experience because this pet can bring fun and joy in the owner's life. However, it is important that your puppy in following rules to train. Techniques in the house training your pets are very similar and can be used to teach them where you go to the potty and what they are allowed to eat.

The expectations

She will act puppies machine such as a small input-output, and it is quite normal. As your puppy grows, he will develop quickly. While this starts time he eating more and more energy to burn. In this phase his ability not developed yet a puppy to control his bowel and bladder, so he ' they do not "contain what do as adult dogs." Therefore successful house training is very important and it can be done by your careful monitoring of the puppy.

TOILET train your puppy

The most important part of the house training your puppy is potty training. The process can be long, or up to six months. Toilet training your puppy, you should it especially during periods he monitor most likely going to do it. These are usually immediately after the meal, or on foot. You determine an area where you want to make your puppy, his business, and let him remain in this area after the wake and food, has done to it. After that you should reward your puppy with many verbal praise and treats. Keep in mind that it will be times when your puppy not at these times must go, or if your pet to other areas, to do it.

For example, you start pet do it in a wrong area. quiet stop move him and him to its designated area. You should not shout or scold your puppy he does something wrong. Before too long your puppy is with your chosen area alone. Make sure that you select a section in your home, because this is also important so that your pet do it in a wrong way. You should area to mark and your puppy in this during the times probably, to do it. At home, you can check purchase cat litter or useful pads. In addition, you can also plain old newspaper, because this is just as effective and much cheaper.

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