Do Dogs Know What You're Feeling?

Either dogs can sense what you are feeling or they are able to read body language.  I know when my owner is feeling blue, and sometimes I want to comfort her by sitting close to her.  I don't think there is anything mystical about it, it's just the way the person looks or acts that makes us aware of their emotions.  I know my owner doesn't like thunder storms, neither do I, but as soon as there is thunder, I sit up against her...she knows I'm not afraid because I would be trembling if I was.  Whenever there is a clap of thunder, I bark at it, not because it is thundering, but at it, because I want it to go away so my owner is more peaceful.

It goes the other way too, when I am afraid, I tremble.  When dogs are not feeling well...we tend to want to go somewhere and be alone.  We have feelings and tend to show them more than some animals...at least I think we do.  So pay attention to us and do your best to read us...we need your help and comfort sometimes, too.

You can click this article about Dogs and Human Emotions if you like, the writer feels a bit different than I do about the whole thing, but I am "just" a dog, after all.

What about you?  Does your dog sense your fears and other emotions?

I Eat Rachael Rays Nutrish Dog Food - Do You?

I have a very sensitive doggie digestive system, and my owner used to have to make a special trip to a feed store to find food that didn't upset my tummy. Then she discovered Rachael Ray's Nutrish brand of dog food at our local supermarket, read the ingredients on the package, liked what she saw, and I've been eating it for about a year now.

11/7/13 update: Please note that this post was originally written as if Aspen were writing in first person.  In August of 2013 we said goodbye to our sweet Aspen, but her blog lives on.  She ate this food right up until the end and lived a good happy long life.

SO, when the opportunity to try a free sample (you can try it too...click the link and see if it is still available at this update) of a different variety of Nutrish called Rachael Ray Nutrish just 6 dry dog food , we jumped on the opportunity. My owner knew I liked to open presents, and that's just what I tried to do when she gave it to me all wrapped in a new dog dish and tied with a ribbon that has dog footprints on it, it was cute but when transferring this blog, lost the picture:-(

Let me tell you about the good things in Rachael Ray Nutrish just 6 dry dog food . There are 6 natural ingredients, plus vitamins and minerals that dogs like me need. There are snacks in the "just 6" line too, but we tried the dog food. The key ingredient in the package we received was lamb, there is also rice, natural chicken flavor, beet pulp, and other nutritious ingredients and vitamins. You can get other varieties as well. There isn't any corn, wheat or soy...things that more and more dog owners want to avoid. It is a completely balanced diet so you don't have to worry about your dog missing any of the nutrients he or she needs.

I should tell you that I am an older dog, and like many older dogs my size, have lost some of my teeth. So my owner adds some water to my dry food. Good dry food that isn't overly full of cereals does not swell up as much as foods with less meat...we liked how this food responded when we added water. Younger dogs and dogs with a full set of teeth won't have to worry about adding water.

When you buy Rachael Ray's Nutrish dog foods, a percentage goes to Racheal's Rescue. We're hoping you'll visit the site and maybe try a free sample. They offer coupons, too!

This post contains personal and sponsored information written by me on behalf of Nutrish. 
All opinions are 100% mine.

Flea Repellent You can Make Yourself

My owner has used Frontline on me to get rid of fleas for years. She just gave me my first "dose" of it for the spring season a couple of weeks ago. I get a terrible rash all over my body with just a couple flea bites, so it's important to keep me treated.

While we were looking at information about flea repellents, we found that there is actually a natural herbal repellent you can use on dogs, cats and other furry animals as long as their skin is not sensitive to it.

What you do is combine 1 part eucalyptus powder; 1 part pennyroyal, sage or rosemary powder; 1 part fennel powder; 1 part yellow dock powder. Put all in something that has a shaker top...we keep a few emptied spice bottles that have shaker tops around to use for things like this.

Try a bit on your pet to make sure they are not sensitive to it. If all seems okay, sprinkle just enough so that the smell is evident on the fur, brushing hair against the grain as you sprinkle it on.

Do not get it in your pet's eyes...concentrate on areas like the back and "chest" area of the belly where they won't lick too much. You don't want to overdo it, and again, make sure it won't irritate your pet's skin.

You can also sprinkle this on carpets to repel fleas in the house, or around the perimeters of the room or outside of the house to keep them away. How often you do this is a matter of trial and error...you shouldn't have to use it every day on your pet unless they are particularly infested. I'd definitely put some on before going for hikes in the woods or grassy fields.

We have just discovered this, and are thinking of giving it a try. Have any of you ever tried natural herbal flea repellents for your pets? If so, tell us about it in a comment.

Strangest Items Surgically Removed from Dogs

Maybe you think that spaying or neutering your dog are the most common reasons for surgery...and maybe they are.  But dogs need surgery for some of the strangest things as well.

Some dogs eat just about anything, and sometimes the things they eat cannot be passed through the digestive system, and cause intestinal blockages, and need removal.

I am a small dog, and admit that I do eat some very strange things...I like licking the bottom of my owners shoes, or eating small things while out on the deck...a good reason to make sure all our dogs immunizations are up to date and making sure we're getting our heartworm pills.

Anyway, strange things removed from a dogs intestines are usually in larger dogs who have bigger mouths than mine, and can include:

• Socks - This is a big one, and if you are missing a sock and have a dog that likes playing with your socks, and your dog is vomiting, you may need to consider this possibility....you should keep dirty socks in the laundry and out of reach.


• Stones - yes, we are known to eat rocks and even sticks when we're outside, for some odd reason.  Keep an eye on us, if you can, when we're outdoors, and if you keep us penned outside, make sure there isn't anything around that we could eat when your not looking.  (And make sure we have shade and water in the summer and a warm place to go in the winter!)


• Undies - Sounds disgusting, doesn't it?  Some dogs are kind of disgusting to humans because we find smelly socks and smelly underwear is appealing. Sorry if you have a sensitive stomach, this is just something you should know if you own a dog.  Don't leave those things lying around on the floor...they belong where you put your dirty laundry.


• Dog Toys - including balls that we like to play with

There are many other things surgically removed from dogs, you can do your homework searching online....we just write this to make you aware that even though we're cute, we don't think like you, and dogs can eat strangest and sometimes the most disgusting things!

Since a dog vomiting is sometimes a symptom of blockage, we thought we'd include this video about reasons why dogs vomit.

About Chow Chow Puppies and Dogs

One of my neighbors has a Chow-Chow, a beautiful fluffy dog that you want to run to and pet because it looks so soft and love-able. However, when my owner attempted to do so, she was warned by the owner that her Chow-Chow was very protective and would attack if we were to get near, so, we have had to enjoy the only Chow-Chow we know from a distance.

This doesn't mean that all Chow-Chows have bad temperaments, in fact, if we search for information on the temperament of a Chow-Chow, we find results that span from saying they are wonderful with children, to being aggressive, especially when protecting their home and family. I will leave it to the reader to do further research on that, and choose their pet wisely.

We tend to think, and hope that it is true, that a pet will be only as good as the owner that raised it...if you are kind and gentle yet disciplined in raising your dog from a puppy, then your dog will grow up to be the same. If you do not raise your dog from a puppy, but acquire it from a shelter, then you should go to a shelter where they take time to learn the personality of the dog before placing it in a home, or bring it into your home only if there is no risk of harming home or members of the family. These are things that seem obvious, but sometimes one is taken in by the cuteness (just look at the puppy below...so cute!) of the beautiful Chow Chow dog or puppy, and they don't think about how the dogs personality and habits might affect the home.


If you would like further, more detailed information about this breed, be sure to take a look at wiki Chow-Chow information.  To view the Chow Chow breed standards set by the American Kennel Club, visit this link.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons