How to Clean Eyes on a Small Dog

Cleaning a dogs eyes can be challenging depending upon the disposition of the dog and how used to having the eyes cleaned your dog is.  We liked the video below because it talked about small dogs and why their eyes are more prone to discharge and getting "crusty" dry material around them.

One thing that my owner has not done is to give me a little treat after she is done with my eye cleanings..something that was suggested in the video.  I get nervous during the eye cleaning...and squirm a lot, so she has to hold me gently by the "scruff" of my neck...like a mother dog holds her puppy...to keep me in place while she cleans my eyes.

It is important to keep your dogs eyes clean, and if there is any hair around the eye long enough to get in the eye to cause irritation, it is wise to carefully cut that hair away....or better yet, have a groomer do that for you if you aren't sure you can do it without harming your dogs eyes.

As for solution to use in the eyes, our vet suggested using a simple saline solution for sensitives eyes that people use for their contacts, so we have been using Bausch & Lomb Sensitive Eyes Plus Saline Solution, a 12 oz. bottle of this lasts for a long time. In fact, the whole family uses it as eye drops for dry eyes, so much less expensive than buying those tiny bottles of eye drops.

Here's the video on how to clean a dogs eyes:

Dog Walkers in New York City

When considering dog ownership in New York City, one of the things you have to ask yourself is "how do I walk my dog in the City"? I am a "rural" dog, so don't really know what city life is like. My owner just opens the door and I'm off to run, sniff about, and "take care of business" on my own, but it's a more complicated thing when you live in a City. Most live in apartments, and some do not want to be running out with their dog whenever the dog wants to go out. Plus we do need our exercise. Perhaps you are unable to walk your dog due to illness, or not wanting to miss part of a game that you are watching on television.

11/7/13 update: Please note that this blog was written as if Aspen, our Yorkie wrote it in first person until August 2013 when we had to say a tearful goodbye to our beloved dog.  We miss her still, but will continue to maintain this blog in her memory.

If you are in New York and dog walking is a challenge for you for any reason, it's nice to know that there's a service like Swifto Dog Walking to come to your rescue. In fact, they promise to be at your door within an hour of your call. This is true no matter where you live in New York City and no matter what time you need a dog walker.

We were happy to see that Swifto is a member of, and insured, by Pet Sitters Associates. It's nice to know that their dog walking service comes with a money back guarantee and all dog walkers are pre-screened. It's good to know that there is such a nice dog walking service for the NYC dweller for those times when you need one.


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

Should We Get Another Yorkie?

Is it okay to get another dog when you have had a dog for as many years as I've lived with my family?  And for some of you, is it a good idea to bring a pet into the home at all?

My owner was looking at the animals that are in our local animal shelter, which she has "liked" on Facebook, and found that they have a little young Yorkie that needs a home.  We are such cute dogs, that we tend to get adopted easily, and she was tempted to consider adopting another dog, so she asked a few questions.

I'm not sure what it would be like to have another dog come into our home after being the "top dog" around here for almost 13 years.  It may be fun, it may not.  It is a nice thing to do for a homeless dog, but people have to take time to think about how they are going to add this new family member to their homes.  Some things to consider:

1. How does the dog you have act around other dogs or when other dogs are brought into the home to visit? Try it if you haven't.


2. Are you going to be home to help the new dog transition into the home, watching to see how the dogs respond to one another and react accordingly?


3. What kind of personality does the dog have that you are bringing into the home, and how well will it match with the dog that you already have?


4. What kind of background did the dog have...in it's previous home were there children or other pets?


5. How was the dog treated in it's former home?  Was it abused?


6. Has it had all of it's shots and what is it's health history?


7. How much time do you have to give to a dog?  They need companionship from you or another pet if you work all day.


8. What size dog would best suit where you are living?


9. Do you have time to train a dog?

All of the above applies to other types of animals as well.

Take your time when you are considering bringing a pet into your home.  Yes, do adopt a dog from a shelter if you can, but be wise in your decision...it would be very sad to have to return it to the shelter if things don't work out.

Consider all of the above when purchasing a dog as well, or the poor thing may end up in a shelter if you are not satisfied.  Pets should be considered part of the family, they should not be dispensable...please, please, please be careful when you are considering bringing a new pet into the home.  At the same time, do consider adopting one from a shelter if your home and lifestyle permit it...there are so many pets that need good LOVING homes.

Tonight I got my Rabies Vaccine

We live in a town that gives free rabies shots for dogs and cats if you happen to be in town when they are giving them.  This year my owners were out of town for the weekend, so I had to go get my shot tonight.  I hate getting shots, and am glad it's over-with now.  My owner had a flu shot a couple of days ago and is talking about how much his arm hurts as a result...well a rabies shot isn't any fun either.

The Center of Disease Control (CDC) has written a publication, "What You Need to Know About the Rabies Vaccination" to help you understand what this shot is all about.

Now we wait and see if my rabies vaccination shot site hurts, but hurt or not, it's something that has to be done or I don't get my annual dog license, and if they come around and we don't have our licenses, there is a fine.  So not getting your rabies shot can lead from one problem to another, and are a must in our Town.

How about your Town or City, are rabies shots required where you live too?

Do You Need Dog Health Questions Answered?

You don't have to look at the categories and pages along the right for very long to realize that we like providing answers to dog health questions.

But we aren't the only blog that likes to help answer your questions about dogs.  We have a friend who keeps another blog called "Ask About Dogs" that you're going to want to take a look at.

The site provides you with dog health and dog care advice of all kinds.