Wordless Wednesday & Sabbatical Cancelled

This is the photo I was originally going to share with you on Wordless Wednesday:

It's me, Twinkie, the teacup chihuahua, enjoying my sabbatical.

Meeep!

Change of plans. 

Before taking my leave of absence, I'd made a prior commitment to post a product review for an eco friendly company I discovered, and since they went through the trouble to mail me some of their products and since they also volunteered to give out not just one but THREE free giveaways, I have no choice but keep my word. 

True indeed, ladies and tramps, I am nuts enough to start yet another pet photo contest. All I ask of you is this:

Show Us Your Ears

or 

Show Us Your Hineys

?

This will be a combined pet photo contest once again. There will be no links posted on my blog since many of our contestants don't even have a blog. So, what do you say?

Oh, you want to hear about the giveaway! But you know me, I'm a tease and I love a good mystery. Stay tuned. A review and an announcement are coming your way soon. All I can say is that this particular eco friendly product works for mixed "cat dog" households, as for the rest of the pets, fear not, the contest will not only be limited to cats and dogs.

I look forward to your input as I try to figure out a way to make this contest easy and fun for you and me alike.

Twinkie

Pet Photo Contest Results

The Show Us Your Tongue Awards

And now, the moment we've all been waiting for . . .

the announcement of the Show Us Your Tongue Awards!!!

Boomer, the chihuahua, will start off the ceremony with our International Pet Photo Contest Anthem. Hit it, Boomer!

The 1st Yöghund Pet Photo Contest Awards go to:

(drumroll)

 Teutul

 Zeus

Sugar

Gizzy

Sophie

I'm also going to include two runners up: Stuart (spelled correctly this time, please excuse my already fired spell checker), and Wrinkles.

If the top 5 winners do not email me at twinkietinydog (@) aol.com with a full name and postal address, or for any reason they do not want to collect their award, I will be contacting the two runners up in the order posted.

Because I've been unable to contact our winners on time for this ceremony, allow me to accept the award on their behalf.

"Pets and pawrents! Thank you! I feel so humbled to receive my award and coupons. Oh, thank you again! In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined (although I frantically prayed) that this could ever happen to my tongue. And to the other nominees, I want each of you to know how totally wonderful your crushing defeat will make my tummy feel.

You know, when they first told me I could enter the Show Us Your Tongue pet photo contest, I just had to take a minute and laugh about how many worthy and freakish tongues I would be competing against. 

There are so many four and two legged (even three-legged) friends to thank. First off though, I'd like to thank you, the judges, their pawrents and furry friends. I would also like to thank Twinkie's colleagues, editors, family, and friends for writing her off, allowing this exquisite event to come together on such short notice. And finally, thank you to all the secretaries I have fired thus far. I couldn't have done it without you!

Thank you and good day!"

 

Today's ceremony has come to an end. We'll see you all at the after party.

This presentation was brought to you by Yöghund. If that ain't a dog treat!

Our Sabbatical

A private conversation between Twinkie, the teacup chihuahua, and her brindle chiweenie sister, Frankie, as overheard by the couch.

 Twinkie: Hmm, I'm not sure about this sabbatical business, chiweenie.

I thought it meant more dog hikes. Move over.

Chiweenie: You move over.

 Twinkie: How could you, Frankie! That was rancid!

Frankie: Must be those palm dates from our back yard. They were delicious.

Twinkie: We're going to need to fumigate the house.

Frankie: Whatever...

 Twinkie: Do you think our furiends will remember us when we return? Our silly new blog person turned off comments, can you believe that?! If it wasn't for M, they'd still be off.

Frankie: Yeah, that sucks.

 Twinkie: I think I need a pawdicure.

Frankie: I need a nap.

 Twinkie: I didn't sign up for this staycation. M better hurry up with all her business stuff.

Frankie: Aye.

Twinkie: At least we have the pet photo contest results and the winners' announcement to look forward to tomorrow.

Frankie: zzzz

The End

Chiweenie Retriever

Frankie, my chiweenie sister, wants to be a golden retriever when she grows up. I told her that it's impossible because she's brindle, therefore not golden, and rather small for a retriever, but she never listens to me. With all these new designer dogs popping up all around us, who knows, maybe this small dog will get her wish.

Chiweenie pictures:

In anticipation . . .

"You're NOT a retriever!"

And finally. . .

Perhaps I was wrong. She may never be golden, but she's an excellent retriever.

Twinkie

We LIVESTRONG Today and Every Day

Today is LIVESTRONG Day all around the globe. I, Twinkie, the teacup chihuahua, along with my pack and family are joining our community in support of the fight against cancer. Humans and pets alike have fallen victims to the big C. Most, including my family, have had direct and not so direct encounters. In memory of our lost friends, including the furry ones, and in support of those currently fighting the battle, we're going YELLOW today.

Dress Yellow, think Yellow, post in Yellow! Shout it out and spread the word, 'cause today is LIVESTRONG DAY as it should be every day.

In memory of our friends and our furiends who didn't live to see this day, I urge the rest of us to FIGHT ON!

It is a war, furiends. It's the war closest to home. Support our troops and think positive. Be aware and be thankful. Be proactive!

Twinkie

Proud to participate in LIVESTRONG Day

Dog Supplements For Our Senior Dog

Another emergency visit to the dog vet with our eleven-year-old sick dog. During the weekend, our senior dog, a dalmatian mix that weighs 64lbs, started to limp visibly and at times had difficulty getting up. After a thorough examination, I left the vet's with a $270 bill and an order to go get more dog supplements. Let me break it down.

Our senior dog developed her first of multiple dog tumors and started limping noticeably almost a year ago. I, the mom and owner, got all depressed and preparing obsessively for her trip to the rainbow bridge. I was so wrong. I lack experience in older dogs, that was all. The vet biopsied the tumor, declared it benign and asked me to put her on dog supplements, primarily dog glucosamine. I started her on those immediately and the change happened equally fast. I got my dog back. I was warned that there would be more tumors and not to worry so much. That came true. As for the supplements, I started her out on K-9 Liquid Health with glucosamine and MSM and when she "leveled" out I tried the Petco Joint Support III tablets. The switch gave her another boost. I plan to keep alternating her supplements about once a year.

Last weekend, while the vet's office was closed, my senior dog got worse than last time. She seemed unable to hold herself up. I waited patiently for my own vet because I don't trust the emergency clinic as much. I also gave her rimadyl that I had asked the vet to provide me with for emergencies.

Monday morning, we were at the vet's. Within a few minutes of our visit, the vet had a diagnosis ready. This wasn't a relapse. It wasn't even associated to the newly emerged tumors. The vet pulled a one inch piece of stick out of the front paw of my not really sick dog! But I had already checked my dog out meticulously! I hadn't missed it. It had simply pushed itself out, rejected by the dog's body, on that morning. The vet prescribed antibiotics for the affected area that was slightly pussy and swollen and proceeded to do a general exam. It is really important for older dogs to be seen by their vet regularly.

The vet was satisfied with my senior dog food choice. I have her on Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food, Fish and Sweet Potato Recipe because of the main ingredients that even a human would consume. She was also happy to hear about the dog supplements, but she said I was missing one important dog supplement: omega-3 fatty acids. For my dog of 64lbs, the vet was very specific; the recommended dosage for a dog of that size is 500mg. My vet stressed the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for older dogs. A series of studies published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) has shed light on the benefits derived by this supplement for dogs with osteoarthritis. I suppose everyone knows that an eleven year old is definitely afflicted by dog arthritis. While dog arthritis does not mean sick dog, it does mean special care.

The special care of an older dog suffering from arthritis is simple: keep the weight down (overweight dogs suffer more), consistent and regular exercise, dog glucosamine, and now omega-3 has been added to the list, along with a good quality dog food, not necessarily a specific senior dog food.

Once again, a couple of short days after the emergency dog vet visit, I see my spotted senior dog happily running around. Tomorrow I will start her again on her usual exercise regiment.

M--

Dog Allergies

There has been a general increase in allergies to humans and pets alike. At a seminar I recently attended, Liz Koskenmaki, DVM addressed the issue giving me plenty of information to pass on. Dr. Koskenmaki started out by saying that 50% of all her patients come due to allergies.

While she didn't discuss the cause of this phenomenon, she mentioned the three main dog allergy  causes and their manifestation. She also mentioned dog allergy treatment solutions for each cause.

The three main dog allergy causes are:

1. dog fleas
2. dog food allergies
3. environmental allergies

The patients may have ear issues, skin (yeast or bacterial infections), irritability, weight loss, and itching. For starters, the dog vet has to rule out three major things: ringworm, mites, and bacterial or yeast infections.

1. Allergies Caused by Dog Fleas

No dog is born with flea allergies. Flea allergy develops after exposure for a long period of time. That's why, according to vets, all canines should receive preventive dog flea control. Dog fleas are not easy to see, but that does not mean that your dog is free of them unless he's on medication. Dr. Koskenmaki suggested the use of Fronline Plus, Advantage, Advantix (caution: this one is toxic to cats!) as a way to prevent exposure to fleas, therefore overall avoidance of related dog skin allergies. When I questioned the current warnings against spot-on medications, she replied that the bad rep is due to formulations that come from other countries that are usually really cheap (she used Hartz as an example) that can indeed have devastating effects on our dogs. She also reassured me that overall, the "quality stuff" is still considered quite safe. She mentioned Fronline and Revolution as good choices, and that the only side effect she has personally seen from Frontline was minimal hair loss at the application site.

2. Dog Food Allergies

Dog food allergies are quite common. Many dogs are allergic to corn, byproducts, soy, added dyes . . . There are plenty of hypoallergenic dog food options to try first. If that does not solve your dog's food allergy issue, you should consider the possibility of protein allergies. It takes a dog about 3-5 years from birth to develop allergies to protein. In such cases, one can switch to lamb, venison, duck, rabbit, or fish dog food.  Another option to "test" protein allergies is to switch to hydrolyzed protein. Switching to a hydrolyzed protein diet is a way to diagnose food allergies, but it is not a diet your dog should be on long term. Remember, this diagnostic technique takes a while since it takes about 6 weeks for your dog's system to clear up. There are also blood tests available to diagnose dog food allergies, but they are not 100% correct.

3. Environmental Allergies

Environment related dog allergies are the worst. There is intradermal testing (skin testing) that shows exactly what your dog is allergic too. Based on those results, your vet can provide you with a special cocktail shot fit for your dog, but the process takes as long as 8 months.

Dog Allergy Treatment Suggestions

1. 30% of dogs will respond to antihistamines, which are found to be relatively safe to use even long term. 

2. Atopica: is an immunosuppresant drug with not too many side effects. It takes 2-4 weeks to work but it is not licensed for cats yet (although some vets do use it on cats).

3. Dog steroids: The results are instant BUT there are many side effects. They are tough on the liver and leave your dog prone to infections. 

4. Fish Oil for dogs: A great supplement that boosts the immune system, helps with dog allergies, strengthens the heart, brain, skin and nerves. 

Dog allergies are common and complicated to treat. This article should help guide you to think in the right direction or in the least in your communication with your personal vet.