Pets Dying from Flea and Tick Products

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is putting restrictions on certain flea and tick products because of illnesses and deaths that have resulted from using them.  Among the things that happened to pets were seizures, serious skin reactions, deaths and more.  Here is a bullet-point list of some key facts we heard in a news report today:

• 44,000 adverse reactions attributed to collars and topical preparations


• 600 of these reactions lead to death


• Affects cats more than dogs, small dogs more than big


• EPA wants clearer labeling


• Want owners to read instructions carefully, many reactions are due to owner's carelessness, for example putting dosages meant for large dogs on small dogs, or not putting where you should on the pets body.


• When using a topical application, check the area after you apply, skin reaction can appear like a chemical burn which can become infected.


• Why aren't they taking the products off the market? Because it's even riskier if pets get fleas or ticks to both pets and humans

Click here for the EPA news release for more information.

Mousing, My Favorite Past-time

I thought I'd just write a fun post about something I like to do for a change...and that would be spending time in the kitchen... LOTS of time... looking in the kitchen cabinet, watching for mice.  Mice have come and literally stolen food out of my food dish right in front of me then run under the oven so I can't get them, so I've started taking matters into my own paws, and insist that my owners leave the door open all night long.

In fact, they were feeling sorry for me because I'd lay on the very cold floor (they keep it cold around here) and so now they even park my bed in front of the cabinet before they go to bed.  I'd like to think it's because they are being nice, but have a feeling it's because they know I'll have a barking fit if they don't, works every time>:-)<

Unfortunately, since I've started doing this, we haven't had any mice, guess that means I'm doing a good job, but to tell the truth, it's no fun if there isn't a mouse every now and then.  Okay, here I go, back to my post at the cabinet again!

Search and Rescue Dogs Headed for Haiti

We are not happy to hear about all that the people and animals of Haiti are going through right now, but are happy to hear about how many people and animals are going to Haiti to do their part to help. We found this video about Search and Rescue dogs from New York who will be going to Haiti to help.



We also found the American Rescue Dog Association. They don't say much about Haiti there yet, but it is the central organization in the US for dogs that do a great work to help people.

My owner also did two sites, one is Natural Disaster Relief, What Can I Do? and the other was put together so many can help, RocketMoms Help for Haiti.

Valentine Gifts for Yorkies and People

My owner and I had a lot of fun putting together a page on Squidoo with nice gift ideas for people who love yorkies, and yorkies too!

We didn't realize that there were so many cute things for both yorkies and the owners of Yorkies, and invite you to stop by and visit our page, Yorkie Valentine Gifts | Gifts for People | Gifts for Yorkies.

A Chubby Dog's New Year's Resolution

The number one new year's resolution that most humans make is to lose weight.  Last year at this time my owners were doing a special diet program, and both lost weight, and when they stopped the program, the weight started coming back on, which seems to be the way it goes. 

Dogs like me gain more weight than we should, too.  How do you know if your dog is overweight?  Here's a couple of general guidelines:

• When you pass your hands gently down our sides where the ribs are, you should be able to feel them, but shouldn't necessarily, depending upon the breed, be able to see them...that means we are starving.  We should have a thin healthy layer of fat over our ribs.


• Our belly area, which is the tail-end 1/2 or so of our body, beyond/below the ribcage, should not bulge out on the sides, our bodies should narrow out in that area. 

My owner and I are making a resolution before New Years, and that is to get outside and walk more...she used to take me out when the weather was warmer, but we tend to get lazy when it gets colder.  I can't walk as far as she does, so first we go out for my short walk, then she goes for her longer walk.   Walking is really the best exercise we can get, especially if you live in an area where your dog doesn't have free run of a yard or large piece of property.

For some dogs, you may not be able to leave food down all day...some dogs you can and they will only take from it when they are hungry, others will eat all that they are given.  If your dog is the later, then give the dog a couple of meals a day...most packages of dog food have instructions on how much to give by weight.

Of course, always leave water for your dog available 24 hours a day.