Over 200 years ago, in a book titled A General History of Quadrupeds, Thomas Bewick wrote of Beagles: “They follow by the exquisiteness of their scent, and trace [the hare’s] foot steps through all her various windings with such exactness and perseverance, that they afford most excellent diversion.”

While Bewick was referring to the breed’s prowess as a hunter, the Beagles of today still “afford most excellent diversion” for their many fans. From Peanuts’ Snoopy through Lou, the hound hero of Cats and Dogs, to Buddy the “ugly Beagle” of MTV2’s series Where My Dogs At?, Beagles have captured the public’s affection in a way other breeds can’t match. The United States’ top dog from 1954 to 1959, the Beagle has not given much ground since then, still ranking fifth in overall registrations in 2006. Read More

Hanging up the gloves—memoirs of a former tough dog.

By Marian Buechert | Photographs by Deborah Samuel
Modern Dog Magazine April 2010

It has all the makings of an Oscar-winning storyline. Raised a working-class tough guy from Boston, our leading man-upon being recognized for his intellect, dashing good looks, and utter potential-earns a place on the right side of the proverbial tracks.No, this isn’t a reference to Matt Damon in his finest writing and performing hour. It’s the story of the Boston Terrier.

The well-dressed canine kids we see in the passenger seats of minivans across the continent today are a far cry from Boston Terriers of old. In fact, Boston Terriers were originally bred for pit fighting. Like the local bar brawler in every hometown, the Boston Terrier was once a fearless fighter. However, unlike the hometown goon, this one-time scrapper grew out of his penchant for aggression and into a sophisticated little dude. Read More

1. A wholesome diet

While it’s best to feed your companion a healthy diet from babyhood, it’s never too late to switch, as long as you do it gradually and under the guidance of a vet if your animal has an existing health problem. You can choose from a homeprepared diet made from raw or cooked meat and vegetables, or purchase a highquality packaged food made from natural, whole ingredients. It’s not usually necessary to feed a diet specially formulated for seniors, although you may need to cut quantities, fat and protein levels.

Fresh, pure, filtered or spring water (not tap water) is vital, especially to older animals who are more prone to kidney problems. Make sure the water is changed daily and is accessible 24/7. To increase hydration in animals that may not drink enough, especially cats, consider a pet fountain – running water stays cleaner longer and also encourages them to drink more.

2. Vitamins for vitality

Mature animals need to be supplemented with specific vitamins and other nutrients to maintain good health and deal with age-related problems. Your companion’s requirements may vary, depending on his individual condition, so consult with a holistic vet before starting a supplement regimen. In the meantime, here’s a basic guide:

• Antioxidants – Vitamin C (Ester C) boosts the immune system and maintains bone and blood vessel health; good for animals with degenerative joint disease. Vitamin E helps with allergies, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Co Q-10 raises flagging energy levels and protects the heart from oxidation; can treat allergies, periodontal disease and cancer. Vitamin A helps fight infection and cancer and is good for the skin and liver.

• Essential fatty acids – Omega-3 oils are helpful for arthritis, allergies and immune problems while Omega-6s alleviate dry, itchy skin. Cold water fish sources are recommended.

• Digestive enzymes – enhance digestion and intestinal health by improving nutrient absorption.

• Glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM – very useful for arthritis, hip dysplasia and other joint diseases.

• Glandulars – support aging glands and organs, thereby helping to prevent thyroid problems, Cushings disease, diabetes and other disorders.

3. Keep him moving!

A mature animal may not be as active and energetic as he once was, but he still needs regular exercise to prevent obesity and keep his joints, heart and lungs in good working order. An older dog should still be walked every day, or every other day, depending on the individual, or engaged in some light play. Indoor cats are especially prone to becoming sedentary and overweight as they age, so they should also be encouraged to play a little each day. Just don’t overdo it – stop the activity when the animal shows signs of tiring or wants to rest. And who doesn’t love a massage after exercising? Massage soothes stiff joints and muscles, and alleviates the discomfort associated with arthritis and hip dysplasia. Because massage also improves circulation, it enhances immune function and helps the organs and body systems function better.

4. Long in the tooth?

Periodontal disease affects dogs and cats of all ages. If not dealt with early on, it worsens as the animal ages, causing pain and leading to gingivitis, tooth loss, and infections that can spread to the kidneys, heart or other organs. A healthy, natural diet helps maintain good dental health. The preservatives, sugars and other ingredients found in many commercial foods contribute to tartar buildup, while many kibbles break down into mushy particles that lodge between the teeth. Raw meaty bones (chopped raw chicken necks for cats) can serve as a natural “toothbrush.” Not only do they give his teeth and jaws a good workout, but the natural enzymes and probiotics found in raw bones support healthy bacterial flora. Raw vegetables such as organic carrots are also good. You may need to clean your animal’s teeth occasionally, using a toothpaste and brush especially formulated for pets. With some animals, especially older ones, this may be easier said than done, so you may want to look at products that you can spray or wipe on the animal’s teeth and gums. Many contain anti-bacterial herbs such as myrrh, thyme, fennel seed, or goldenseal.

5. Limit vaccines

By now, most animal guardians are aware of the risks of over-vaccination. Even in young animals, too many vaccines can cause a wide number of side effects, ranging from fever and stiffness to injection site sarcomas, autoimmune problems, allergies, dermatitis, thyroid problems, and even kidney and liver disease. These risks increase as the animal gets older, especially if he is in any way immunocompromised by illness. The irony is that most vaccines protect against illness for three years, perhaps even longer, which makes annual boosters completely unnecessary. Rather than scheduling a full set of vaccinations every year, ask your vet if he/she can do a titer test instead. This simple, inexpensive, blood antibody test will tell you if your animal can get by without being re-vaccinated.

6. Keep his mind sharp

We’ve all heard how important it is to keep our minds active as we grow older. The same holds true for our companion animals. Your dog or cat can suffer memory loss and cognitive problems as he ages, so you need to keep his mind busy. Regular exercise and socialization are important, as are a wide variety of toys and even a raw bone once or twice a week. Some animals, especially cats, get bored with their toys quickly, so introduce new ones now and then to refresh their interest. This is especially important if your animal spends a lot of time indoors. The jury is still out on whether ginkgo biloba is useful for animals. In any case, it is a good circulatory tonic that improves the health of capillaries in the brain and other organs.

7. Off to the vet

Even with the best of care, an older animal is more prone to developing health problems than a younger one. Many of the disorders often found in senior animals, such as cancer, diabetes or kidney disease, may not show visible symptoms until they’ve become relatively advanced. It’s therefore important to get your mature companion checked over by a vet once or even twice a year. Because your dog or cat can’t say when he’s feeling under the weather, learn to pay attention to any subtle changes that might signal ill-health. Unusual behavior or lethargy, lumps anywhere on the body, changes in weight or appetite, increased urination and/or water consumption can all be signs of developing disease that warrant a jaunt to the vet.

8. Avoid chemical pets control

Fleas are a perennial problem in many areas. While prescription medications such as Frontline and Advantage are convenient and effective, think twice before putting them on your mature animal. The same goes for commercial flea powders and collars. Use similar caution with heartworm medication, which may not even be necessary for your animal, depending on where you live (see Animal Wellness, Volume 6, Issue 3). As with any drug, pest control products are powerful chemicals that can have an adverse impact on many older (and younger!) animals. They can suppress his immune system and weaken the ability of his liver, kidneys and lungs to rid the body of toxins. For flea problems, explore the growing number of more natural products on the market – you can find everything from powders and sprays to shampoos and dips for a complete flea control regimen that’s safe and gentle.

9. More than skin deep

Good hygiene is as important for older animals as it is for younger ones – even more so in cases where the animal has allergies or skin problems, which can get more pronounced as he ages. Switching to a healthy diet with the correct supplements will help a lot with shedding, itching and odor, but you should also consider regular bathing and grooming. Be sure to use a natural shampoo and conditioner – commercial products contain harsh detergents that can dry out the hair and skin. An oatmeal and aloe shampoo is an ideal choice for an older animal with a skin problem. Just make sure to protect him from potential chills until he’s completely dry. Daily grooming is also essential, particularly in animals who really hate baths. Grooming not only helps keep your animal’s coat and skin in good condition but, like massage, also enhances his circulation. Many dogs and cats will enjoy being groomed, as long as you use a good quality, properly designed comb or brush that doesn’t scratch his skin or pull his hair.

10. Lavish him with love

Helping your beloved companion through his golden years involves more than physical care. Lots of love and pampering from his best friend (you!) are also crucial to keeping him happy and healthy. Regular interaction with you, whether through play, exercise or just quiet time together, is essential to his wellbeing. Remember also to be patient – your companion will be slowing down, so you’ll need to adjust your pace to match his when exercising and playing. If his hearing and/or eyesight begin deteriorating as well, keep in mind that he won’t be as quick to respond to your commands as when he was younger.

It’s a proven fact that positive emotions have a beneficial effect on physical health, so just spending time each day petting, touching and stroking your companion can greatly enhance his wellbeing.

It may be hard to imagine that cats lounging around the house feel stressed, but medical studies prove that they do and that it can lead to aggressive play.

“We put cats in abnormal situations when we keep them inside and confine them with multiple cats,” said Valarie Tynes, DVM, diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB). “Yet cat lovers know it’s hard to get just one.”

To keep cats happy, veterinary behavior specialists suggest that owners play for at least five minutes each day with cats individually or in a group. To determine whether you should separate cats for play, watch to see if they sleep side by side and groom each other, Tynes said. That behavior indicates good interaction and gives a green light to group play, she said.

“Playtime provides mental stimulation and exercise,” Tynes said. “If you don’t engage your cats you have all these potential problems with aggression as well as obesity. The goal is to get these animals up and off the sofa. They need [owner] involvement.”

Step one is to teach cats what is appropriate play.

Cats that attack moving feet or jump on owners without warning may not have learned the basics, Tynes explained. “Kittens learn if they hurt other kittens or cats [then] play ends,” she said. “Unfortunately people don’t understand how to set these rules.”

To establish positive playtime use toys — not hands or feet — to start games that involve chasing and pouncing. Kitty fishing lines, balls, and furry mice held a few feet away from the body are good tools to use.

Overall, play aggression normally occurs when cats misinterpret owner actions as games, say behavior experts. For example: One cat regularly jumped on two young boys as they raced down a hallway after bath time.

“The kids were screaming and chasing each other and the cat thought it was funny to land on the kids’ butts,” said Sharon Crowell-Davis, DVM, PhD, ACVB diplomate. “He thought there was a really good game going on.”

She suggested that the owners shut the door to the cat’s room during bath time so he couldn’t see the boys run down the hallway. The “attacks” stopped.

Owners can also try distracting a cat during instances of play aggression. By throwing something a toy across a cat’s line of vision, he/she will chase it instead of going after your feet.

In addition to establishing positive playtime, owners need to recognize and respect a cat’s limits. Some cats are finicky about what types of toys they like and are specific about the type of attention they want.

“Most cats do not like to be held upside down or scratched on the belly,” Crowell-Davis said. Since they groom each other on the head and neck those are safe areas but signs — like twitching tails and low growling noises — indicate that they have had enough.

Resources:
The Indoor Cat Initiative provides examples of popular toys as well as solutions for scratching and other tips.
Cat Behavior Tip Sheets & Aggression Information from the Humane Society of the United States

The Basics
Proper ID collars that list multiple phone numbers are a must. “Pack a current photograph of your pet and copies of vaccination records,” says Kim Saunders, vice president of petfinder.com, a nationwide animal-adoption database. “If your dog gets lost, they’re absolutely critical.”

Air Travel
According to L.A.–based “dog whisperer” Cesar Millan www.cesarmillaninc.com, you can help prevent canine anxiety by taking a walk after you land: “This allows your dog to relax and take in the new surroundings under your guidance.”

Road Trips
“It’s cute when dogs hang their heads out of car windows, but it’s not safe,” says animal expert Alysa Binder, cofounder of Pet Airways www.petairways.com. “Keep them in backseat carriers to avoid potential injury.”

On-the-Go Eats
Saunders recommends bringing plenty of your pet’s regular food and snacks, as anything new can cause stomach upset. “Also, ice cubes may be easier to ingest than water,” she says, especially if your dog is prone to motion sickness.

Restaurants
Only service animals are permitted inside public dining rooms within the U.S. “Try for outdoor seating,” says celebrity vet Dr. Jeff Werber, “and keep pets on a leash—you don’t want to ruin the privilege for others.” Find Fido-appropriate restaurants throughout North America at www.petfriendlytravel.com.

Hotel Stays
“When you get to the hotel with your dog,” Millan says, “be the pack leader—enter first! Right away, you’re letting him know this is your space, and that he should follow the same rules he would at home.”

Friends of Kensington-Normal Heights Library is a non-profit, volunteer organization, created to support the Kensington-Normal Heights Branch of the San Diego Public Library. The Friends generate income through membership fees, donations, fund-raising efforts and from selling used books. Income generated by the Friends supplements books and equipment costs and supports activities to benefit the Library.

All financial support from the Friends encourages literacy, lifelong learning, and the love of reading for residents of San Diego and in particular, the mid-city neighborhoods of Kensington, Normal Heights and Talmadge. The Friends operate as a 501(c)(3) organization, under the asupices of the Friends of the San Diego Library. All donations to the Friends are tax deductible.

Contributions are used for the purchase of additional books to supplement those provided through San Diego Central Library; to upgrade library equipment and to purchase supplemental materials for the Library’s use; to support reading, art and music programs for children and adults; and towards the funding of the Library’s proposed expansion.

Buy your calendars at any of the following Adams Ave Locations:

Rex Downing Associates   
Kensington-Normal Heights Library
Kensington Pet Supply
Kensington Video
Kensington Veterinary Hospital
Rare Hare Studio

$15 Cash or  Check  (tax included) ~ please make checks out to Downing Tails of Kensington

No one is in a better position than you are to decide which food you should feed your dog. That may not be what you wanted to hear. You may have been hoping that someone would reveal to you the name of the world’s healthiest food, so you could just buy that and have it done with.

Should you set up blind taste tests for your dog? Ask your vet what to feed your dog? Go with what your dog-walker suggests? Choose whichever product WDJ says to feed? The answer to every one of these questions is NO!

But dogs, just like people, are individuals. What works for this dog won’t work for that one. A Pointer who goes jogging with his marathon-running owner every day needs a lot more calories than the Golden Retriever who watches TV all day. The diet that contains enough fat to keep that sled dog warm through an Alaskan winter would kill that Miniature Poodle who suffers from pancreatitis. The commercial kibble that stopped my Border Collie’s itching and scratching in its tracks may cause your Bedlington Terrier to develop copper storage disease.

Every food on the market contains different ingredients, and each one has the potential to cause symptoms of allergy or intolerance in some dogs. Every food contains a different ratio of macronutrients – protein, fat, and carbohydrates – and you have to learn by trial and error which ratio works best for your dog. Each product contains varying amounts of vitamins and minerals, and though most fall within the ranges considered acceptable by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), some may be in excess of, or deficient to your dog’s needs.

So how do you choose?

The starting place
Well, you have to start somewhere, and you undoubtedly have. Your dog is eating something already. We hope it’s a food that meets WDJ’s selection criteria, which is outlined annually in the February issue. We highlight a number of foods on our “approved” list, but consider any food that meets our selection criteria to be as good as the ones on our list. Our goal is to help you identify the foods with the best-quality ingredients – whole meats, vegetables, fruits, and grains, and high-quality sources of dietary fat – to get you into the right “ballpark” in terms of quality. Then you have to start individualized feeding trials on your dog.

Start by assessing your dog’s health. Take a sheet of paper and make a list with two columns: one for health problems, and one for health assets. Any conditions for which she receives veterinary care or medications go in the “problems” column. Other conditions that should be listed here include bad breath; teeth that are prone to tartar buildup; chronically goopy eyes; infection-prone or stinky ears; a smelly, greasy, flaky, or thinning coat; itchy paws; excessive gas; recurrent diarrhea, constipation, or incontinence; repeated infestations of worms or fleas; low or excessive energy; and a sudden onset of antisocial or aggressive behavior.

In the health assets column, list all the health characteristics that your dog has in her favor, such as fresh breath, clean teeth, bright eyes, clean ears, a lack of itching, a glossy coat, problem-free elimination, a normal appetite and energy level, and a good attitude.

If there are a lot more assets on your list than problems, and the problems are very minor, you may have already found a diet that works well for your dog. But if your list reveals a lot more problems than assets, your dog is a good candidate for a change of diet – in addition to an examination and some guidance from a good holistic veterinarian!

Now take a look at the food you are currently feeding your dog. Note the food’s ingredients, as well as its protein and fat levels, and its caloric content. Write all of this down, so you can make logical adjustments if need be. Read the rest of the article by clicking here!

With almost three decades of experience in the pet industry, Free Range Dog Chews Inc. provides customers with dog treats and chews that are as close to nature as possible. The company merely dehydrates them to a shelf-stable level. Free Range Dog Chews proudly offers Odor-Free Bully Sticks, Buckarooz antlers, and one or two-ingredient treats from Beef, Chicken, Duck, Fish, Goat, Lamb, Pork, and Rabbit.

www.freerangedogchews.com

For up to date information about where the SPCA’s Mobile Team will be next, check out their webpage at http://www.sdhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=adp_MobileCalendar