Bandit-Masked Intruders

We had some not-so-welcome company inside our garage last night.

Yikes!

One of the raccoons was missing an eye. He looked really scary. What's even more hair-raising is that raccoons are adaptable feeders, which means they will eat just about anything, from fish, mice, trash, tiny dogs . . . 

Raccoons are troublemakers and dangerous. They can also weigh 25lbs or more. Luckily, they're nocturnal, so during the day, all of us small dogs get to roam around our yard and take in the sun's rays.

They wreak havoc frequently at our home. They eat all our fish from the pond, attack the chickens in the middle of the night, and sometimes they even manage to open our food bins and eat all the dog food!

I do not like raccoons and that's final. Now, I'm sure you'll all believe me when I tell you that M has even raised a baby raccoon, but that was before my time.

These raccoons were lucky M was here. Had I been watching the house on my own, I would have taught them a lesson they'd never forget!

Twinkie

Viva La Dog Spa's Berry Facial Wipes | Product Review

I have stumbled yet upon another dog product worth mentioning; the Berry Facial Wipes by Viva La Dog Spa.

The company's motto is, "Delightful products for the pampered pet and the indulgent parent who dotes on her furry companion." If that turns you off, keep reading. I don't overindulge my dogs, I have too many for plain pampering. The products I use also have to be practical and ideally eco friendly.

Berry Facial Wipes encompass all that I need, plus they are appealing to the eye, since they come in an adorable pink package with a cosmetic seal. The container holds 45 3" durable wipes made of excellent quality. They are saturated in a mild cleanser of water, aloe vera, witch hazel, chamomile, rosemary, raspberry and sage. Your pooch's coat will shine thanks to the pro-vitamin B5 (Panthenol) and allantoin that act like conditioners, both ingredients beneficial to the skin as well. The fragrance is gentle, pleasant, and not overpowering, leaving your dog fresh and clean.

Viva La Dog Spa recommends the use of the Berry Facial Wipes for customers who are afraid to wash their dog's face without getting soap in his eyes, and for those who like to wipe their dog's face after a meal. I also use them for tear stains and, in the case of small dogs, a full body clean up in between baths.

The packaging of all of Viva La Dog Spa's products is visually appealing, and they make excellent gifts. More important than the look, they are eco friendly. The solutions are biodegradable and the bottles they come in, made out of pre-recycling material,  can be recycled anywhere. Furthermore, they are manufactured in a 100% solar powered facility in the United States.

Berry Facial Wipes: 4 out of 4 paws up

They are good for your dog, practical, stylish, convenient, and eco friendly while they don't break down in your hand. For use on our largest sixty-pound dalmatian mix, to the smallest two-pound teacup chihuahua, for use on both our cats and dogs, I am glad to have discovered this great product.

T--

Dog Beds

Living with a tiny teacup chihuahua, a chiweenie, and a dalmatian mix, being involved with pets, rescues, pet blogs and bloggers, and having many dog owner friends, I've been constantly trying to figure out the ideal dog bed. When I get stumped like that, I do, what I call, a human-comparison. What's the ideal human bed? Exactly! It all depends who it is for. It depends on the individual's size, shape, health issues, partner... That explains why I'm having such a tough time with my quest.
Even more so than humans, dogs vary in size and needs. Let's take my senior dog, the dalmatian mix (60lbs) as an example. She needs something for her joints because she's suffering from dog arthritis. Aha, then she needs an orthopedic dog bed! More specifically, she needs an orthopedic dog bed for large dogs. But that's not all. This particular dog also suffers from incontinence. So, for a while now, I've been using a bed mattress waterproof protector under her bed's cover. Lucky for me, for a senior dog suffering from arthritis and incontinence, they now make large orthopedic memory foam beds that are also waterproof, such as these ones:














Cesar Milan has come out with an orthopedic dog bed with a non skid bottom, but that one is not a waterproof dog bed, so it would need an extra liner. Even though it's cheaper than the ones above, I'd rather buy those because a. They don't need any alterations and B. they are really well manufactured. 















On to the small dogs in the family, a teacup chihuahua and a chiweenie, a dachshund/chihuahua mix.

The priorities with smaller breeds are usually temperature. Small dogs, like chihuahuas, don't just need any small dog bed, they love heated dog beds. They also love to burrow. At the moment, my scrawny four-pound girl mainly enjoys sleeping in a supple blanket on top of a heating pad. That's not entirely safe though. The other day, while cleaning, her heating pad exploded in my hands. If it hadn't happened that way, maybe we wouldn't have a home today, or worse. One can find many heated dog beds to chose from. A while back I ordered one to try. A few months later I got the following email:

Greetings from [Seller].

We have recently learned that Radio Systems Corporation, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is voluntarily recalling Power Adapters for heated pet beds. Our records indicate that you have purchased one of the products listed in this recall through our website.

This recall involves the Class 2 Transformers that were sold with PetSafe Heated Wellness Sleepers. The power adapters are identified by the markings "PLUG IN CLASS 2 TRANSFORMER," "MODEL NO: K12-800" and have a spring coil covering the length of the electrical wire that goes from the sleeper. Power adapters without spring coils are not affected by this recall.

These products were sold nationwide from September 2006 through April 2010 for between $70 and $110. When the metal connector is removed from the bed, it can cause arcing between the coil spring and the connector, posing a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled power adapter and contact the firm to receive a free replacement adapter at (800) 732-2677 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or visit the firm's website at www.petsafe.net.

You may also find additional details about the recall in the CPSC bulletin at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10283.html.

If you purchased this item as a gift for someone, please notify the recipient immediately and provide them with the information in the CPSC bulletin concerning these safety issues.

We regret the inconvenience this recall has caused you but trust you will understand that the safety of our customers is our highest priority.

Thanks for shopping at [seller].

Sincerely,

Customer Service
Blah Blah

Great! They regret the inconvenience. I wonder how much they would regret a house fire! In any case, overall, a heating pad is not a good idea. I question my decision every day, especially when there are safer products around. Have a look at a couple of potential choices for heated dog beds:


 












In my experience, none of those beds gets warm enough for my tiny dogs. That's why I'm still using the dangerous heating pads. If your dog does not get as horribly cold as mine, I suggest you take your pick from the ones above and sleep peacefully at night.

I believe that's about it, as far as the indoors is concerned, but there's also the outdoors to consider. Outdoor dog beds have their issues as well. Some are not sturdy, some are dangerous, most don't last long enough to justify their price.

I bought a Petmate Durabed. A few weeks later, due to poor structural choices on the manufacturer's part, the legs started to fall off. Many people had the same problem. Some tossed their Petmate dog bed quietly, others contacted the manufacturer who helped out by shipping parts. In my case, I opted for bungee cords. I must say, while it does not look good with the bungee cord around it, it does it's job. I buy a soft pad and all my dogs sit on it to enjoy the sunshine. Below you can see photos of the Petmate Durabed in various sizes:














Before I realized that the bungee fix would last as long as it has, I did some research and according to my findings, the best outdoor bed is the Coolaroo dog bed.  Check it out:














The Coolaroo dog bed is simple enough to make it mainenance free and easy to clean. They also sell replacement covers. It also comes in Extra Large!















My next outdoor dog bed purchase will definitely be a Coolaroo.

I hope my insight, in combination with your experiences helps with your quest for the ideal bed for your dog. Trial and error are fun but costly, plus as I mentioned, they can sometimes be dangerous.

Best of luck!

Is There A Dog Vet In The House?

Evil, possessed, mean,

life threatening, scary, leaping,
overprotective, 

feral Farrah the nursing cat mom...

got my ear today! 

 (I've booby-trapped her litter box)

That darn cat! She attacked me! How dare she?

No teacup chihuahua should ever be exposed to such violence. To make matters worse, those folks who make the Ace bandages do not make any for small dogs. Oh, and M is not fit for a nurse; she should keep her day job.

I have a scratch on my right ear.

It stings!

*This edition of "My life is a cat-astrophe" was brought to you by Twinkie Van Gogh.*

Dog Treat Review (Yay): Yöghund (Slurp)

Yöghund, because it feels good. Yöghund, makes hair grow on your dog's chest. Yöghund, once you start licking it, you can't stop... You have entered the yöghund zone. How do you get out? You don't until the last little bit of your yöghund is consumed.

 Making every yöghund lick count!

The other day, another humid scorcher in Los Angeles, my pack and I did a lot of panting. We lounged, panted, and lounged some more. We were miserable. Our human is not an a/c fan. I, the hypothermic teacup chihuahua, couldn't even use my heating pad, that's how hot it was. My tongue was sticking out, as I waited for the temperature to drop and dreamt of small dog treats. When a friend of M's came by and suggested we all go for yöghund, we didn't know what we were in for. 

We were in for the best dog treat of our lives!

You can tell we loved our dog treats. During our taste test, yöghund got a raving 10 out of 10, but what is yöghund and how safe is it for dogs? It is an organic treat loaded with nutrients. Yöghund is also low on calories so that even those fighting dog obesity can enjoy without guilt. I believe there are three yöghund flavors in the market: Organic Banana and Peanut Butter, Organic Blueberry and Vanilla Bean, Natural Peanut Butter and Papaya, and  Natural Apple and Cheddar. Yöghund is real yogurt. It is produced by the fermentation of organic, low-fat milk containing live bacterial cultures (probiotics), known to aid the digestive and the immune system while helping with nutrient absorption. The Banana and Peanut Butter yöghund recipe contains potassium rich bananas, also a great source of  inulin, along with rich in antioxidants and flavor peanuts. The Blueberry and Vanilla Bean recipe includes all the antioxidants and vitamins found in the vanilla beans and the blueberries. 

Yöghund is a healthy dog treat alternative for the health and fitness conscious.

Yöghund also comes with the TBD Brands guarantee: If you or your dog are not completely satisfied with your order, we will gladly replace your order or refund your money. You can find this on the yöghund website along with a store locator, so you can run out and get your own yöghund! 

I said, get your own yöghund!

Yöghund is to be enjoyed by small dogs and large ones too. It's the perfect summertime treat because it's healthy and delicious. There's only one negative thing I have to say about yöghund: 

It's finished.

Still here? Go get your own yöghund, you can stop by and thank me later.

Twinkie

Himalayan Dog Chew Review

Always on the lookout for the healthiest and safest dog treats, I recently stumbled upon the Himalayan Dog Chew. The Himalayan Dog Chew comes from an ancient recipe of the people of the Himalayas and Nepal, in the mountains surrounding Mt. Everest at more than 15,000 feet. It is made using traditional methods with yak or cow milk. They are all natural with no chemicals or preservatives.
Guaranteed Analysis: crude protein min 52.6%, crude fat min 0.9%, ash max 6.0%, moisture max 10.2%
Ingredients: yak and cow milk, salt, lime juice
NO preservatives and NO additives (Who does not prefer all natural dog treats?)

After reading this, you're probably wondering: Isn't this like hard cheese? Yes it is! What is wrong with that? The milk used in these dog chews is cooked therefore the protein is not in it's raw form and your pooch should have no upset tummy or dog diarrhea.  The salt and fat content is so low that it is negligible. Because of their make up, these dog chews that have been around for 6 years now, are not known to cause any intestinal blockage, unlike other dog chews, as for example rawhide dog chews.

The Himalayan Dog Chew comes in a variety of sizes. I always go up a size. I always give my small dogs larger chews. They are both more economical and safe that way. However, there are many sizes to pick from.

Product list: Himalayan Dog Chew Small (3-5 pieces), Himalayan Dog Chew Medium (1 piece), Himalayan Dog Chew Large (1 piece), and there's the Himalayan Dog Chew Mixed (3 pieces).




I have nothing but positive feedback about the Himalayan Dog Chew. My dogs, that range in size from extra small (teacup chihuahua) to large (dalmatian german shorthaired pointer mix) love it and all spend hours licking and chewing on this pack favorite. Another plus, is that this product is not offensive to the humans. Unlike, bully sticks or pizzle for instance, that reek, the Himalayan Dog Chew does not have an unpleasant odor. It's rather subtle.

I just placed another order for Himalayan Dog Chew treats. I am convinced that it's one of the top choices if not the best dog chew for my pack.

Twinkie

A WARNING AND AN UPDATE (July 2, 2013) Here is a reader's recent comment: just wanted to add, found your site while doing research.. my 7 month old labradoodle is recovering from intestinal blockage surgery after swallowing a chunk of Everest Chew... we have it in a pill bottle as a reminder... I would NEVER feed these to any dog again.. we were very close to losing him... just a warning...

Thank you for your comment! As with all dog treats, chews, toys, even collars, we, your precious pooches NEED supervision. Any and all treats are potential threats if they are the wrong size, or if you do not remove them as they get smaller. Let's use our judgment and get better educated and we can all live happily ever after. Twink!

The Dreaded Dog Cone

My pack and I were out for a visit with a good and savvy dog friend of ours we often run to for advice. Our friend shocked us by admitting she didn't know there was an alternative to the evil dog cone, so I'm dedicating today's post to all the poor dogs that are forced to wear the lampshade. I would like to offer you a few alternatives.

Beyond the traditional clear KONG E-Collar for Dogs, that comes in sizes small (for cats too), medium, large, and extra large, there is a thing called a Comfy Cone. The comfy cone is not comparable to the old fashioned lamp shade dogs used to have to wear, the kind that would get stuck in doorways. The comfy cone is flexible and lightweight and much easier on your dog.

Another alternative for small dogs and even cats is the Trimline Veterinary Soft Recovery Collar. Again, a soft pliable collar that is gentle on the patient. This collar is also available in a range of sizes from puppies and kittens, for medium and large dogs, for small and medium dogs, and for large dogs.

Another humane and dog friendly cone, also known as a recovery collar, is the ElizaSoft that you can find in XS, Small, Medium/Large, and Large.

There are also inflatable dog cones such as the ProCollar Inflatable Elizabethan Collar you can find online as well as at many pet stores (such as Petco) near you.

These are only a few of the alternatives to the traditional uncomfortable dog cone. There are many more to suit your dog's life style.

Twinkie

The Marrow Bone Feast

I often talk about the ease with which all of us small dogs devour marrow bones. I finally got the opportunity to get photos and video of the most noteworthy marrow bone technique. Unfortunately, just like my extra large dog friends can surf the countertops and I can't, my technique applies to small dogs only.
Get your bibs out!

CHIWEENIE DEMONSTRATES MARROW BONE EATING TECHNIQUE

Passion

Dedication

Determination

Devotion

And now I will demonstrate with a video

1. my expert paw scooping technique

2. the fact that the chiweenie isn't as innocent as you all think (she has food aggression issues)

And as the brindle-bum chews away . . .

Spotted dog is only interested in belly rubs

While I'm working on my strength of character.

Any questions?

Twinkie the stoic teacup chihuahua

Dog Arthritis | How To Care For Your Dog

There are two types of dog arthritis, degenerative and inflammatory. Inflammatory joint disease can be either caused by an infection or can appear due to immune related diseases. It's a systemic illness that is usually accompanied by fever, lack of appetite, and rigid extremities. In situations such as the one I just described, head over to your dog vet for immediate treatment.

Degenerative joint disease, arthritis caused by the wear and tear of the cartilage that protects the joints, is subdivided into primary and secondary disease. In the case of primary joint disease there is no specific cause evident. It is usually a natural result of aging and you'll see plenty of evidence of that in your senior dog. Secondary degenerative joint disease can be pinpointed and it can sometimes be treated through surgical repair. The causes for this type of arthritis are hip dysplasia, trauma, ruptured ligaments, patella luxation, etc.

General signs of dog arthritis:
Difficulty and reluctance to walk, run, jump, sometimes accompanied by whining
Overall slowing down and lagging behind
Difficulty getting up
Flinching or resisting touch from your afflicted dog
Random yelping during movement
Refusal to climb in a car

There are many drugs available for the containment and or treatment of arthritis, that's why your dog should be under veterinary care. The number one drug of choice in such instances, provided it's not long term and your dog does not have other health issues, is Rimadyl. You need a prescription for this one. I always prefer the more natural route, so I use dog supplements. The one that seems to be working so far is K-9 Liquid Health. It was recommended by a friend with a senior dog and it helped our senior dog tremendously. From limping she got to jumping the fence again. And from what we know so far, there's no harm giving your dog glucosamine.

Other measures you can take to help relieve dog arthritis include:
1. The maintenance of the proper body weight. This is the easiest thing you can do for your dog. An overweight dog will put undue stress on her joints and will suffer more. You can switch to a lower calorie kibble, or cut back on the regular portions adding some veggies or canned pumpkin to help your dog feel more full.
2. Along with the regular dog supplements of your choice, consider offering quality senior dog food and dog treats enhanced with glucosamine.
3. Make sure your dog gets just the right amount of exercise. Enough to stay fit and not too much as to strain the already inflamed joints.
4. There is a variety of products available to make every day life easier on an arthritic dog. For small dogs you can find dog steps and for larger you can find a huge variety of dog ramps to help with getting in and out of the car. For our 60lbs dog we've purchased the Solvit Telescoping Pet Ramp, that sells for about $90.00 which we've had for a couple of years now. It's sturdier than the folding type, making it easy for the dog to adjust, and it is really durable. A cheaper alternative would be the Pet Gear Bi-Fold Ramp which can hold dogs up to 250lbs. This one costs close to $60.

If you have a senior dog, chances are that she is afflicted by arthritis to a certain degree. I would recommend taking all of the above measures.

Twinkie

Product Review: Ultrasonic Bark Control

Stop Barking Dogs

All dogs are irritating when they bark, but small dogs are notoriously annoying. Because we were looking for ultrasonic pet trainer to suit all breeds, small and large, we decided to try a hand held, inexpensive, bark control device. We ordered the PetZoom Sonic Pet Trainer that costs $20 plus shipping and handling. You get a bonus nail groomer with your order (which they claim is valued at $19.95). Your other option is to buy PetZoom from Amazon for $16.98 a small saving that does not include the nail groomer, but if you're a Prime member you also don't pay shipping. 

The PetZoom Sonic Pet Trainer claims to be safe, harmless, and effective, a 20 ft. range, and to work on all dogs and cats. 

We tested it on the dogs. The word miracle comes to mind. As with all sonic pet trainers, this one is inaudible by the human ear, so it's really shocking to push a button and have all your dogs instantly stop barking, especially because you don't hear a thing. Our dalmatian-shorthaired pointer mix, stops barking, bows her head slightly, and then resumes what she was doing. The little chiweenie only stops barking showing no other signs of acknowledgment, and the tiny teacup chihuahua instantly stops barking and stares quizzically at the person handling the pet training device. 

This ultrasonic bark control device is a bit bulky, yet still small enough to fit in a pocket. We're trying to come up with a smart contraption to keep it on us at all times (perhaps some super glue and sting so that it can be worn over the neck at all times). 

In brief, ultrasonic bark control devices are intended to halt trying barking by emitting an annoying tone that only your dog can hear. The tone is the deterrent. The effectiveness, based on the reviews we read, debatable for some. 

We checked around and discovered one more ultrasonic bark control device similar to the PetZoom and that is the As Seen on TV BarkOff training aid. The BarkOff costs only $10 plus shipping and handling, half the price of the PetZoom. I should also mention, that you can get BarkOff from Amazon for $9.99 plus shipping. Similarly with the PetZoom, the BarkOff gets both raving reviews and disappointment. We lucked out, all our barking dogs instantly seized, but apparently it does not work on all dogs. For the price, I recommend you give it a shot. It's better than losing your mind or upsetting your neighborhood with your barking dogs when there are dog bark control devices such as these in the market.

We love the fact that this type of sonic pet trainers work on all breeds and were terribly relieved to eliminate the high pitched bark small dogs make, as were our neighbors. We will continue our research and we will test our PetZoom on the cats too. Meanwhile, I suggest you don't wait. You don't have much to lose but you have potentially a lot to gain, as it was in our case. Stop barking dogs. 

Twinkie

Dog Chews | Bully sticks

My family and I are always on the lookout for the perfect dog chews. We live in a mixed cat/dog household and us dogs vary in size from XXSM-L. We also have furiends who belong in the XXL category we're always thinking of. Because the opinions on rawhide dog chews vary so much, we don't feel safe about using those, yet. Therefore, for the time being, our solution has been: bully sticks aka pizzle. Bully sticks are pricey, but they last a really long time with us small dogs. With larger dog breeds they don't last nearly as long, but they're still a good choice. Mommy found that the longest bully sticks for dogs at Petco were the best deal. She'd buy one and then use a handsaw or a Dremel tool to split it in three, but yesterday she checked out Amazon and found an even better deal I want to share with you.

30 Pack - All Natural 6 Inch Best Bully Sticks

list price $81.00 on sale $34.99

Of course, I still love the marrow bones that we get from the butcher's, and leftover bones we get to suck on for a little while, under the strictest supervision, so we don't break off any sharp fragments, or fight.

Much better than bully sticks

but also more dangerous

Why is it that all good things in life are either forbidden or don't last long?

We have already ordered our bully sticks for now, but we'll keep on looking, learning, testing and we'll give you more information regularly. Some of you made some pawesome suggestions on dog chews that I will post about once I've tested them for myself in my diverse household. 

For you cat owners, our cats do occasionally play, roll, and chew with the bully sticks mommy gets for us, but I don't think that they are too interested. Perhaps we'll figure out a way to saturate them with catnip aroma turning them into the idea catnip toy!

Twinkie

The Holidays Can Be Exhausting to Small Dogs and Cats

We went to the horse barn again yesterday. After we played for many hours there, we went to another barn about an hour away to check out Sister D's next horse. It was extremely cold both places. There were dozens of us rescue dogs both places too, which means that tons of energy were expanded. Add to all this exercise all the holiday hustle and bustle, the extra cookies, the visitors, the fact that we're eating turkey that naturally calms you down....We're all oh-so-tired!

Jet started to yawn first.

Bob was next.

Okay, so I was tired too.

And The chiweenie... collapsed of course!

You can probably tell from our faces, we've been enjoying every minute of the holidays. I'm also extremely happy to share the news that our friend Twix is healthy! I also got the Gnarls Bark-ley CD I had asked for along with the "get out of jail free card"! I'm stocked.

Twink!

Our Small Dog Rescue Barn

Ever since I got healthy, Mom started taking me out to the barn. I know I am a small dog, but I can run like the best of them!

                                                                                                                                               THE BARN

Our barn is special, in the sense that all horse riders can bring their dogs. Large, medium sized, tiny...they're all welcome; small dogs and large. I was welcomed too. The people already knew about me, so when I finally made my debut, they knew my name and they all took turns watching me and keeping this small dog warm by sticking me inside their sweaters. The other rescue dogs wanted to befriend me. Yay!

  My Barn Friends

To a visitor, our barn looks as if we're running a small dog rescue

At first, a day at the barn, running around with my new friends, meant a relapse and I'd stay in bed for a day or two. I was too tired to even eat. Mom would get really worried and contemplate not taking me again. "Please, please don't do that," I wanted to scream, but I didn't have to. She thought it over carefully and decided that this small dog should be exposed to whatever healthy dogs are exposed to, only, since I was so sickly and tine, in small increments.

By now, we can go to the barn and spend hours there. When I get tired, I just go up to my mom, turn my tail towards her, and wait. She always picks me up. I take a break to play with my small dog toys and then I'm off again. There's too much to do and see . Horses and small dogs everywhere, and nice animal lovers among them. It's heaven for me...and Frankie, and Daisy (my sisters).

Today, we were naughty. All three of us, disobeyed our mother and started goofing around in a coral. Now, I get it, she doesn't want us small dogs to get kicked by a horse, but we were safe. The coral was empty, what was she yelling to us for? I guess she loves us too much and too much love is a good thing. Twink!

I don't get to go riding often, but today was one of those rare days. I love to ride. I ride English, no stirrups, and sometimes bareback too. I may be a small dog but I'm skilled. I just wish they made a helmet small enough for me. I think that riding without a helmet is silly and irresponsible. I just don't have a choice. I've visited several online small dog boutiques and no helmet.

    Getting Ready to Ride Theodore

I'm so tired now. I need a nap. I'll probably sleep until tomorrow morning.