Ain't Nothing Wrong With A Three Legged Dog

I may have four legs, but only three of those function. An occasional dog vet will ask M to amputate my leg, but she resists. She says that there is no reason to cut off my leg if it's not causing any problems. I so agree with her. Imagine this scrawny three legged teacup chihuahua having to adjust, again!

I would like to keep my fourth leg for balance, thank you very much!

Enough about me. This past weekend I was at a horse show and to my astonishment and pleasure, I saw two three legged dogs. Yup, yup, we rule!

The beige girl on the right is Angel

She's wearing the pink dog harness

Angel is a three legged dog. She's a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and she belongs to a dog vet. Let me tell you how she got her name and why her mommy is a vet. Perhaps you've guessed it already. The proud parents of Angel, refused to pick her up and pay the bill when she had to have her leg amputated. Their bad. Angel is . . . an angel and a doll. She's adorable, very active, and incredibly well adjusted and content in her new home. 

This pink dog is Angel's sister

She's sporting a pink do to match Angel's pink harness and pink leash

I bet Angel can outrun her!

I tried to catch up to this three legged dog, but I wasn't fast enough.

Maybe I'll catch him at the next horse show, but I though he looked rather cool.

Let me show now something four legged dogs can't do.

Ready?

No comment

Being a three legged dog has another advantage. In my case, I'm the only one of my pack that gets daily massages. M says I need my spine adjusted and massaged constantly because of my bad posture. I love my massages and I love being a technically three legged dog! Cheers to all 3 legged dogs out there!!!

Twinkie

Dog Chews | Bully Sticks (part 2)

This is a supplemental post to "Bully Sticks | Dog Chews". In my follow up research, I found out something that must be mentioned: Unfortunately, dog chews and bully sticks can both be affected by salmonella, as stated by the FDA. I'm not saying there won't be any chewing on the most favorite dog chews, I'm just saying that it is good to be aware and a bit on the cautious side. All responsible dog owners have to be aware that there is no treat, chew, or toy that is 100% safe. 

Bully Sticks, also known as pizzle, beef pizzles, pizzle sticks, beef sticks, and steer six, are made of bull penises. That is the only ingredient in them. The bull's (approximately 23" long) penis is, um, removed, cleaned, and hung to drain and dry, hopefully getting rid of the stinky smells during that process. Next, the bully sticks are stretched, braided, and/or twisted and eventually dried. Sometimes they are smoked to add flavor and make them more interesting for your dogs. The end result is a thirty to forty inch long dog chew that is hard to chew and that can be cut to any size you desire. In order to save money, we usually buy the largest size we can find and then use a Dremel tool or a hand saw to chop it down and divide between the three dogs. The cats have really no interest in this particular dog treat. I wish I could say the same for our chicken strips. but we have to fight over those.  

To recap:

Dog treats and more specifically dog chews are not to be given freely. Rawhide is one of the most potentially dangerous treats. While the ingredient is the skin of the cow, the dangers can be deadly. Your dog may choke, have his throat and esophagus scraped, and may get a physical obstruction in his intestinal track that can be surgically removed, if caught on time. If your dog loves rawhide and you don't want to deprive him, you're probably better off finding some compressed rawhide which is created under extreme pressure out of layers of beef hide. This type also lasts 2-5 times longer than regular rawhide treats. Cow Hooves, one of our favorites, are not problem-free either. They can break your dog's teeth, and small sharp bits can tear the bowel's wall, something that in most cases causes infection and death. Pig Ears, another favorite of ours, can also cause blockages and may contain salmonella. Some people prefer Nylabone chews thinking they are safer. That's not the case either. They may not splinter of break but there is a danger that your dog will not be able to properly digest the small particles that sometimes are not passed through the digestive system. Just a few short weeks ago we purchased Udders because it was the latest fad and people thought them safer than other dog chews. A few minutes later, we were painfully aware that those too can cause a chocking hazard.  

The only general rule we can all follow is to always remove a dog chew when it gets small enough to become a chocking hazard in and of itself. 

Be careful and stay current and well informed. We sure are worth it.

Twinkie

Pregnant Cat Emergency Foster

Just when M said she wasn't able to adopt another pet, along comes a pregnant cat in need of a home, prenatal and post natal care, and a bunch of kittens who will also need a home. M says this one is just a foster but she's said that before. We don't know anything yet. We've been educating ourselves over the past few days, and I'll have tons of cat pregnancy information and tips real soon. The kitty however, couldn't wait to make her blog debut. I hereby present you with Farrah, the feral ghetto kitty from South Central L.A. For the skeptics, do not fret. This is going to be Farrah's one and only litter! Snip snip...

The pregnant cat has just arrived at her new home

She's tiny and probably real young too

She decided to explore the famous yellow bathroom first

Not sure why, but all our cats love this bathroom

Max, the Maine Coon cat, was the welcome committee

After this initial encounter, they both forgot about each other

The tailless twins though, can't stand the poor kitty

I, the teacup chihuahua, had to say "hello" too

I just prefer a safe distance

She soon found the clean laundry pile

Please don't have the kitten birth there

Affectionate pregnant cat

Flashing her pregnant tummy

Her first catnip experience

She sniffed but showed no other interest in it

Farrah's arrival was a shocker. We have no idea when the kittens are due since we don't know how long Farrah has been pregnant. We're going to do right by her and love and nurture her for now. We are both excited and a tad nervous. Welcome to our family,
Farrah.

Twinkie

Dear Twinkie | A Dog Advice Column

A dog advice column

mayziegal asked...

Twinkie - as always, you give the bestest advice!

My question is: Do you thinks it's morally wrong to destuff stuffies? If so, is there a treatment facility that I can checks myself into?

Thank you, thank you for helping to spread the word abouts my contest that starts tomorrow! I'm so excited! I hopes we raise lotsa green papers!

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

TVT: Immoral? Destuffing is a necessity. Do you not need oxygen to be able to breathe? Does the earth not turn? Have you stopped enjoying dog treats? Of course not. Well, guess what, the destuffication of stuffies is vital to all of us. Get rid of your inhibitions and hang ups and enjoy the most natural thing in the world. And congratulations on your 201 (and still increasing) guesses! And for those who don't know what I'm talking about, do stop by Mayzie's blog, you will not regret it.

Mayzie demonstrating a tickling and a destuffing technique!

Frankie Furter asked...

Twinkie... all this talk of (SHUDDER) SQUIRRELS...
I will have trouble sleeping now. As you will see in a few days... I am SURE that Squirrels are out to GET ME!!! They are everywhere I look. BAH and DOUBLE BAH!!!!
SOOOO NOW HERE IS MY QUESTION FOR THE WEEK...
I have to go away for a few days. I left pre-posts, butt I can't let my comments just appear, beclaws I have gotten three more Alien Comments this week!!!
Sooooo Is there anything else I can do to keep my furends from furgetting me while I am in Pencil Vane E Ah ???? I really worry about this. One can Never afford to lose a furend, you know.

TVT: Dearest Frankie, you worry too much. You worry about everything from comments to squirrels. I understand because you're such a caring and sensitive dude, but you must relax a bit. Chill. All the aliens want is to enjoy your blog too. Welcome the invasion for now and when you get back, exterminate them. That simple. Go have fun and don't think for a minute that your friends will forget you. You're quite memorable. 

Case in point

hero asked...

You're the wise one, Twinkie... and you have a funny bone in you too :)... I love your advice.

Q: How do I convince my hoomans that I don't need to bathe once a week, only when necessary, say if I fall into cat poop sewage.

Licks, hero

TVT: I know, I know, Hero. I'm painfully aware of your bathing issue. I must say I empathize. I suggest you give my dog training tips a shot. Convince your bipeds that baths must all be accompanied by your favorite edibles. After they've mastered this skill, start rolling in cat poop regularly. In the least, you'll be getting more baths and more treats this way. Have fun rolling! 

I'd first remove my tie though

Life With Dogs asked...

Brilliant Q&A session as always. Now that I think about it, I do have one question: what is this burning sensation Nigel is always complaining about after he visits those unscrupulous Poodles at the dog park? ;)

TVT: That's an easy one. Nigel is painfully aware of poor Sola's botched spay job . . . that you've got hanging over his head. Nigel's condition is obviously psychosomatic because you've put the fear of Dog in him. 

Relax, Nigel

Frankie asked…

Hey, Twink. You announced the other day that I was fully potty trained. Guess again. Mommy found my secret bathrooms yesterday. Does this mean I'm not fully potty trained yet?

TVT: You bratwurst! Is that why we can't breathe in our home lately? I'm going to share my small dog potty training tips with mommy. You obviously need to be restricted at this point. It would also help if you'd start eating like a dog instead of an Orik vacuum cleaner. Tsk tsp… Canine Good Citizen my-ami! Excuse my language.

Guilty chiweenie

Mango asked…

Dear Miss Twinkie,
I had a date with Miss Tula this week, but halfway through the date this smokin hot burned yeast mountain dog showed up and I sang her my Mango love song. Tula was quite chuffed and used HBO words with me. What did I do wrong?

Slobbers,
Mango

TVT: Yikes, we all know that the Mango can be weak at times, but singing to another lady was rather rude--even for you. Besides, you left out the parts where you had your back turned on her. I highly recommend you turn to Frankie Flirter for advice on dating. This is just an advice column, not a rehab center. Next time you two meet, if she agrees to that, I would focus my attentions on Tula (and only Tula). I would book the entire room just of the two of you. This way you will make her feel special and you won't be tempted. Keep us posted.  

Things to avoid in the future

Now go take on the day!

Twinkie

Dog Training tips -- With Bonus Whipped Cream

Who stole the dog treats from the cookie jar? Who me? Then who? Well, in a few words, we all did. Thanks to my successful dog training tips, Frankie, the chiweenie, Linguini, the geriatric german shorthaired pointer and dalmatian mix, and I, the tiny three legged teacup chihuahua got to enjoy and devour our favorite human dog treats.

Dog training tip #1

Stoic anticipation

Look pitifully but in a reserved manner at the bipeds' treats

Do not get too close for the humans' comfort

Dog Training Tip #2

While practicing your anticipation technique, try your best to look as pathetic as possible

Dog Training Tip #3

Always wait for your turn

I said, "Wait your turn!"

Now, do you believe me?

Dog training tip #4

Savor every last dollop otherwise next time your bipeds will think you didn't like it much

Every lick counts

Dog Training Tip # 5

Do not gloat!

Follow my tips and you too will be in heaven

Twinkie

Sunday's Action Shots

And . . . action!

Chiweenie

Teacup Chihuahua

Freeze frame

Chihuawars

What dog tumors?

Twinkie

The Cat Litter Scoop

The cat litter reviews are in and I'm here to share with you the results of my extensive research and trial and error experience. 

CAT LITTER BOXES

There are plenty of cat litter boxes to chose from today in the market. You can go the traditional cost effective route of a simple box with or without a cover. You can also pick an inexpensive, non mechanical, self cleaning litter box like the Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Green and Beige. We tried it and found it to be too messy and inconvenient. 

If you are willing and able to spend more money, you can opt for an automatic self-cleaning litter box such as the LitterMaid LM900 Mega Self-Cleaning Litter Box, or the ScoopFree® Self-Cleaning Litter Box, the Litter Robot LRII Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Beige, and even the CatGenie 120 Self-Washing Self-Flushing Cat Box. All those are pricey though, and sometimes, when not introduced properly to your cat, can create more issues than solutions. The best automated cat litter box reviews go to the Litter Robot. 

Because I live in a mixed, dog and cat, household, and because I have had mechanical malfunction issues when I attempted to test the automated self-cleaning litter boxes, my personal favorite is the Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box. It costs only $28 and it's the most dog proof cat litter box we've used. It's simple, inexpensive, effective, and your dogs don't get to use its contents as dog food! You can pick any type of cat litter to use with the Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box.

CAT LITTER SCOOP

A new product to hit the market is the Absolutely New Scoop 'N Bag Pivoting Head Blue Litter Scoop for Cats. This cat litter scoop sells for $16 and boasts that it can scoop up waste from hard to reach angles using an adjustable five position head. It even holds a roll (included in the order) of biodegradable waste bags. An older favorite, is the $9 Booda Scoop'N Hide Litter Scoop which has the added convenience of self storage and a built-in rake for easy cleaning. It's also available in many colors to suit your style. My personal favorite is the basic, but sturdy and convenient while inexpensive, Litter-Lifter Kitty Scoop. It does it's job and it does it well. 

CAT LITTER

So many options available once more, but I urge everyone to opt for an eco friendly brand. Flushable cat litter not only can occasionally cause plumbing problems, in some states, as in California, it should NOT be flushed. Apparently, in California, flushable cat litter has caused damage to sea otters. Check with your state before purchasing flushable cat litter. Overall, cat lovers and experts are not fond of crystal cat litter either. Chrystal cat litter is made out of silica gel and is super absorbent and convenient, if your cat does not mind the texture. Because of its super absorbency, this type of litter comes in more manageable size bags that are easier to carry. Crystal cat litter has been labeled dangerous by the less savvy. They are not. They only contain silica sand, water, and oxygen. They are supposedly safe enough to eat. Currently, because we live in a multicast household, we are using Scoop Away Multiple-Pet Cat Litter - 28 lbs. because it's easy to use, easy to clean, all the cats got used to it without any adjustment period, and because we can also find it at our local Costco, a great source for discountd pet products.

This concludes todays overview of cat toilet paraphernalia. Stay tuned for future individual and more specialized product reviews and tips.

Twinkie