Dogs - They tell you what they need

Ralphie Dog went fishing with my husband and son today - in a small boat. He was having a good time watching and snoozing until he decided that it was time for a potty break.

The he started doing the "talk and grumble thing" until they got the message and took him to shore. A quick trip ashore, back to the boat, and he settled down to nap until it was time to go home.

At home he shows up at my desk about 11 p.m. - and pushes on my arm until I give up and take him outside. If I'm in the middle of a sentence and don't want to lose my thought I have to hold his head with one arm and type one-handed.

This sure is better than living with a dog who sneaks off to do his business in a corner!

Three-legged Dogs

Have you ever met a three-legged dog?

Before I knew such a dog, I thought they had a handicap. In fact, we put one poor rescue dog through weeks of antibiotics and pain killers because we thought the best thing for her was to try to save her shattered leg.

When the vet finally said that he couldn't find a way to stop the infection so the leg could heal, we made the decision to have that leg amputated. And from then on, she was a happy, healthy dog.

Because she was a rescue, she was in a foster home. And that home happened to be with a dear friend of mine. And since she was a special dog, my friend couldn't let her go, so I get to see Tiki quite often. She can run and play just as fast and as far as the others, and has no problem at all with jumping on or off the deck.

Since then I've helped raise the money for other amputations, and every one of those dogs gets along just as if having 3 legs was the most normal thing in the world.

So, if you meet a three-legged dog, don't feel sorry for them. Feel glad that they had a human who loved them enough to give them the right medical care.

The Danger of Coyotes

Do you have coyotes wandering the forests near your home? We do, and sometimes they come a bit closer than I like. After all, I have a cat who loves to go outside, and I don't want him to wind up as "lunch."

Coyotes are dangerous for dogs too. Smaller dogs are most at risk, but even a large dog can get in trouble facing a whole pack of coyotes.

Generally, one coyote will come in close and try to lure a dog away from the house - where the whole pack is waiting to attack. Sometimes the only way to chase them away is a gunshot or other loud noise. (I keep a package of firecrackers in the cupboard by my back door, just for this purpose.)

This week one lone coyote decided to come exploring without the pack - and he was sorry. Ralph isn't huge, but he weighs about 80 pounds and most coyotes are barely half that size.

Ralph was laying on the edge of the hill, behaving like the King - and master of all he surveyed - when that coyote got brave and trotted right up almost into Ralph's yard. We might not have noticed, but Suzie saw something going on and went to the window, so we followed her gaze.

And there was Ralph - thoroughly beating up a coyote! My husband opened the door and hollered and Ralph let go of him, but when he tried to run off, Ralph was right back on him. The second time he let go and came back to the house, while the coyote made an escape.

I doubt if he'll come back to our yard real soon - at least not by himself!

I have to admit, I like hearing them howl and yip at night - but only if they sound like they're not too near. When they get loud, I start checking to make sure both cats are in the house and safe.

Found! A Better Solution to Flea and Tick Control

A few days ago I had found some sources for natural flea and tick control - and now I've found one I'm even more excited about.

Why? Because its from the same folks who make the ArthroIonx that gave our dog Ralph back his mobility. I'm sure I've told you - he was so crippled that he couldn't even climb up into his favorite chair. Running and playing seemed to be a thing of the past. He had arthritis plus a torn ligament, and the vet said operating on the ligament would put too much strain on the other leg, so we should just feed him pain-killers to keep him comfortable.

Well, Rimadyl and the other one they tried both made him sick, so that was out of the question. Then I found ArthroIonx and he began to heal. Now he runs and plays just like a young dog, in spite of his 9 years.

So, you can understand why I trust the people who make these products.

The new shampoo is all natural - no pesticides to make your dog sick - or to rub off on yours or your children's skin and make you all sick! In fact, this formula was originally intended for use on children - it's that safe.

You can read why it works so well when you click on the link below.

Defendex Pet Shampoo - Buy 3 Get 2 Free(Plus Free Shipping to the US)

Here's to a healthy summer - with no itchy dogs!

How Service Dogs Started Visitng Nursing Homes

Did you ever think about how dogs got started being welcome visitors in hospitals and nursing homes?

I read the story a long time ago, and think it's worth sharing.

It seems there was a lady in her 90's who had always lived alone - except for her dogs. When she fell and broke a hip, her family and her doctors decided that she could no longer live by herself and she would have to live out her life in a long-term care facility. Her dogs were given away, her house and belongings sold, and there she was.

The lady stayed in her room and had few visitors, since family lived far away and by the time you're 90+ you don't have a lot of friends still living. She seemed to shrink and she refused to take part in any of the activities offered at the home.

Then one day a nurse, trying to get her to converse, asked about the calendar her friend had brought. She said something like "This calendar has beautiful dogs. Do you like dogs?"

The lady replied that she loved dogs and told the nurse how much she missed her own.

And that's how it started. The nurse thought it over, then went to the supervisor and asked for permission to bring her own dog in to visit the lady. The supervisor said she could try it.

From that day forward, the lady started to come back to life. The dog came once a week to visit and the lady lived for that day, but also started talking to other people and taking part in activities. And every time the nurse brought her dog, more of the residents came out to see her. They started buying treats to share and "dog day" became the most anticipated event of the week.

And from that small beginning - the practice grew. Thank goodness.

I don't know how many of my readers live with service dogs and take them out to bring comfort to others - but I want you to know I consider you to be heroes. I know the job pays nothing but satisfaction, and not many people can and will take the time to reach out in that manner. You have my admiration, and my gratitude.

Natural Mosquito Repellant - Grow it Yourself!

I already told you about buying and using catnip spray as an insect repellant.

Did you know that catnip is one of the easiest herbs to grow, and that when planted near your patio, it can reduce the incidents of mosquitoes becoming uninvited guests at your barbecue?

It's true. And when you dry some of it, your cats will adore you.

Part of the mint family, catnip smells good when you clip it or even brush against it. The only thing to watch is keeping it under control. The plant grows tall and spreads.

Try planting catnip around the perimiter of your dog kennel as well as your patio - your dogs will appreciate the relief from both the biting and the buzzing.

If you're talented, you can also make your own spray from homegrown catnip - so get over to the nearest garden center and pick up a plant or two. It might not be called catnip - it could have some name like Cat Mint. Just search through the mint varieties and you'll find it.

Another great mosquito repellent is probably there in your kitchen cupboard - plain old vanilla. I use the imitation variety and it works fine. I like it because I like the smell and don't mind smearing it on my face and neck when I go outside in the evening. Commercial products give me an instant headache - but vanilla doesn't.

I've read that young ladies hoping to attract a beau used to dab vanilla behind their ears - proving once again that the way to catch a man is to promise him food.

Flea, tick, & gnat Season is Here again

We've all been anxiously awaiting warm weather - and ignoring the fact that with it we get biting bugs.

I've already used Swat on the horse, and am ordering flea, tick, and gnat control for the dogs. I always choose natural products, because one of my dogs is allergic to products like Revolution.

A couple of summers ago we had a flea problem that came from the deer being heavily infested - since my dogs run around in the same tall grass as those deer, they got fleas. Poor little Pepper was the only one to complain - he started scratching, and scratching. So... off to the vet, who discovered the fleas and used Revolution on all 3 of them. Suzie and Ralph were fine - but Pepper kept right on scratching for over 30 days, until the stuff worked its way out of his system.

So, for my guys its lots of bathing with a citrus based shampoo and repellents such as catnip spray and baking vanilla.

I'll never forget the first time I bought a commercially prepared catnip spray - and used it on myself one evening. Later I came to my desk to get back to work and thought it was strange that my cat was being unusually attentive - and then he bit my ankle!

Right now Fetch Dog is running some attractive specials, such as their Hot Spot Shampoo. Regularly $12, on sale for $4.00

Hot Spot Shampoo is a natural, medicated remedy containing Tea Tree oil to provide fast relief from itching caused by flea allergy dermatitis and pollen allergies, while it soothes, heals and conditions. Relieves “hot spots,” and raw, red, inflamed skin.

Also, because they want your business, they're offering an incentive for becoming a new customer:
$10 off $50+ Orders Use Coupon Code: CPA1008

But they're not the only ones...You can also save money on natural flea and tick repellent at the "Only Natural Pet Store" - with this coupon good through May 30: