dogwalker, etc.

Environmentally Friendly Poop Bags

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:04:42 +0000

Finally!!! There’s an environmentally friendly poop bag! Read the article below from the January 2012 issue of The Whole Dog Journal, by Nancy Kerns.

Dog poop presents the environmentalist with a real problem. We would hazard a guess that most of us do the worst possible thing: use a plastic bag to pick up poo, and then throw it in a garbage can, bound for a landfill somewhere.

Here is an environmentally responsible alternative: bags made of polyvinyl alcohol, which you use to pick up poop and dispose in a toilet. Flush Puppies feel and perform like plastic, but when immersed in water (as they would be if flushed down a toilet), they completely degrade into water and carbon dioxide in about four days. They are safe and approved in waste water treatment systems and septic tanks. Flush Puppies contain no petroleum products (like plastics), so if you are closer to a trash can than a toilet, you can feel better about disposing them instead of a plastic bag, which takes much longer to biodegrade.

We really like these large, sturdy bags – and so did all the dog-owning friends we gave them to as stocking stuffers! The only complaint we heard was that it was difficult to tie a knot in the bags. The maker actually advises against knotting the bags if you intend to flush them; the knot takes much longer to break down in water. We found that the bags contained poo odor sufficiently to finish our walks if we just twisted the neck of the bag and held it by the twisted section. We purchased from Amazon.com; retailers are listed on the Flush Puppies website.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=ATVPDKIKX0DER&me=A36D5SITBS8VU2

Monday: True Stories of Hero Pets

admin — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:27:46 +0000

This week’s hero pet is Zurich, the Service Dog!

: Zurich

Zurich, a Canine Companions for Independence certified service dog, was partnered with Patricia Kennedy in 2004. Patti has some challenges, but together they find ways to make things work. Zurich has learned to retrieve everything, even the neighbor’s TV remote control! Patti and Zurich’s experience together has extended and enriched both of their lives. Patti has been surviving now six years beyond the best medical opinions. She knows their time together may be limited, but she also knows that no one is here forever — it is how you live it that counts. Patti can no longer walk or speak, but she believes Zurich is the hero who magically makes tomorrow come again.

Check out this remarkable video of Zurich and Patricia’s story: Hero Dog Zurich – American Humane Society

all information found from www.herodogawards.org

Thinking about adopting a dog?

admin — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:13:50 +0000

Thinking about adding a new member to your family? For some, it’s a great idea, and for others, getting a dog at the current stage of their life would not be beneficial for both the dog and the owner. Here’s a list of PROS and CONS of adopting a dog:

PROS:

companionship
unconditional love
happiness
gets you walking
loyal
stress-reliever
never talks back
cute and cuddly
great memories

————————

CONS:

expensive
vet bills
grooming
damages
food/toy costs
accidents in the house
need time to train
big responsibility
live short lives

If you think you are ready to adopt a dog, visit the HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY and adopt a dog that is desperate for a new and loving home!

17 Health Benefits of Owning a Cat

admin — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:43:59 +0000

Did you ever think that owning a cat can actually improve ones health? Did you ever think that owning a cat can reduce the risk of many diseases? Did you ever think that owning a cat can reduce daily symptoms such as stress and anxiety? Well, the answer is that cats CAN do all this. According to FutureMedica.com, health professionals and researches are finding that owning a cat can actually benefit your health. You can enjoy a number of benefits from cat ownership, and here are 17 health benefits with owning a cute kitty:

1. lower risk of cardiovascular disease

2. reduce risk of heart attack

3. improve your immune function

4. decrease chance of developing allergies

5. help prevent asthma in children

6. reduce blood pressure

7. lower triglycerides

8. lower cholesterol

9. reduced risk of stroke

10. reduce stress

11. reduce anxiety

12. improve your mood

13. help with depression

14. help with autism

15. reduced loneliness

16. fewer health care visits

17. longer life

If you have any questions, on how owning a cat can help with all these benefits, check out the entire article here.

Friday: Video of the Week :)

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:19:57 +0000

Aloha Everyone! Happy Friday!

We’re just ending the third week of 2012 and hopefully everyone’s new year has been going by well. We have this great video to show all our readers of the COOLEST bulldog, Tillman. Check it out!

Tillman the Bulldog skimboards, snowboards, and skateboards

Tillman

have a great weekend!

Tuesday: Pet Health & Safety

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:44:06 +0000

Home Health Exam

Five things you should do before you call your veterinarian regarding your sick dog.

When your dogs seems sick, and “not like himself,” should you wait till morning, or go to the emergency vet clinic? Here is a list of 5 things you can do before you call your vet, which will help the vet decided whether you need to bring the dog in or not.

1. TAKE THE DOG’S TEMPERATURE: if you are not sure how to do this, you can ask your vet. There are ear thermometers which are less accurate, and rectal thermometers for different size dogs.

2. NOTE THE DOG’S TEMPERATURE: always write down the temperature and the time. This definitely is helpful for you to monitor the temperature, but it is very helpful for the veterinarian as well.

3. CHECK THE COLOR AND WETNESS OF THE DOG’S GUMS: if your dog is not feeling well, the color of the gums may change. A health dog (depending on breed) can have pink, or bluish gums, and they should be glossy and wet. Unhealthy gums:

pale or white – dog may be in or nearing shock
brick-red: dog may have fever or heat stroke
yellowish: dog may be jaundiced
sticky or dry: dog may be dehydrated

4. CHECK HIS CAPILLARY REFILL TIME: doing this is very easy. All you have to do is see how long it takes for the blood to rush back into a spot that you press on his gums. The color should return back to normal within a second.

5. MAKE SURE YOUR ARE ABLE TO DESCRIBE ANY DEVIATIONS IN YOUR DOG’S DIET, ELIMINATION PATTERN, AND DEMEANOR: this means you should be able to tell your vet the brand of food and snacks that your dog is usually fed and the times of the dogs meals.

hopefully these 5 steps will help you in case your dog is not feeling too well

information found in January 2012 issue of The Whole Dog Journal
article written by Nancy Kerns

Monday: True Stories of Hero Pets

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:57:41 +0000

This week’s hero pet is Harley, the Hearing Dog!

HARLEY

“Harley became my hearing dog when I was 52 and had been severely hearing-impaired all my life. I had limped through school and my adult life, hearing very little of what was said around me. When Harley arrived, his sound work showed me how much I had missed all my life. He taught me that I’d never spent time just thinking — reflecting, contemplating — because I’d always been working so hard listening for sounds. Oh, the thinking I can do now! Finally, Harley has given me self-confidence and a feeling of equality with others that I’d not experienced before. All of these gifts are priceless to me, but to imagine they came from a dog is almost unfathomable!”

Check out this amazing video of Harley: Hero Dog Harley – American Humane Association

all information found from www.herodogawards.org

Friday: Video of the Week! :)

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 19:40:09 +0000

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I hope everyone had a good week! I saw this video a few days ago and knew I had to share it with all of you! This video takes place at the Wellington Zoo in New Zealand. Check it out: Girl VS Lion – Face Off

: Sofia vs Lion

2 inch glass is not enough for me to feel safe that close to that giant beast…just saying.

End Puppy Mills! part 2

admin — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:42:45 +0000

A few months ago, we posted a blog entry all about the harms of Puppy Mills due to the Hawaiian Humane Society vs Bradley International case. Well, as I’m sure many have seen these last few days on the news or on the internet..it’s not over. There is a Big Island puppy farm which is linked to the Waimanalo Puppy Mill. Check out this video for the details.

For more information regarding the case, or how we can end puppy mills, click here for the entire article from the Humane Society.

What is a puppy mill?

A puppy mill is a large-scale breeding operation that sell their pets in stores, on the internet, and puppy swap meets. Profit is often more important than animal welfare. Sellers often charge enormous amounts of money, but the highest price is the cost of suffering endured by parents of these animals. These dogs are victims of overbreeding and very poor living conditions. The animals often become the victims of consumer demand.

What can we do?

post any concerns you have on social media: twitter, facebook, craigslist, etc
report cruelty even if you just suspect a puppy mill: 356-2250
spay and neuter
contact the Hawaiian Humane Society for questions or concerns you may have

Also, if you’re interested, check out the Hawaiian Humane Society for many frequently asked questions regarding puppy mills, and videos regarding the Waimanalo puppy mill.

Monday: True Stories of Hero Pets

admin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:54:31 +0000

This week’s hero pet is Stacey Mae, the Therapy Dog!

STACEY MAE

Stacey Mae is a 4-year-old greater Swiss mountain dog who delivers teddy bears and stuffed animals for kids in the hospital and adults in a nursing home. So far, she has received and distributed almost 2,000 teddy bears and stuffed animals from all around the world. She visits the nursing home 2-3 times a week with her family, as well as passing out baked goods. She has helped brighten the lives of those who are often forgotten about. It’s hard to say goodbye, but knowing you were there to brighten their lives makes it a bit easier. Stacey is going to continue her community service work for as long as she can. She loves helping those who are in need.

Check out this amazing video of Stacey Mae: Hero Dog Stacey Mae – American Humane Association

all information found from www.herodogawards.org