Who's Your Daddy?

via

Have a mix breed dog? Ever wonder exactly what's the genetic makeup of your dog? I have two mix breeds (mutts) and look at them all the time and wonder. They have some really cool DNA Breed Tests out on the market today. Some brands have more breeds included in their DNA tests than other so research them carefully.

I found a great test that a friend of mine used on her dog and it came back with great accuracy. It made me even more curious about mine. I am going to use the Wisdom Panel DNA Test. It has the most breeds available out of all the DNA kits out there right now - over 185 to be exact. The kit has super simple instructions, arrived quickly and is very easy to use (per my friend).

Once you send the test off, you will receive an email in just a few days to let you know they have received the samples. In less than three weeks, you will receive another email to let you know that they have completed the processing and your pooch(es) breed report will available online via PDF. Super easy!

Wisdom Panel is running a special right now on their breed tests which you can purchase online for only $69.99. Plus, if you use the coupon code INSIGHTS10 (all caps or it won't work) then you'll get another $10 off so the test is only $59.99. What a great deal!

Wisdom Panel has other Canine DNA Tests available too. To check them out click here. If you don't want to wait to get your DNA test Petsmart sells the tests as well. They cost a little more money and only have a 170 breed database but you can get it quick.

Curious now as to what type of mixed breed you may have? Click here to play a fun, quick online game to guess what your dog's breed(s) might be.

Finding out what type of dog you have won't only satisfy your curiosity. It will also help you in determining what kinds of genetic disorders (if any) to watch out for. It will also help you tailor training, exercise and nutritional programs to your dog's specific needs.    

I am going to test our little Sadie and Macy Gray soon. I'll post the results once I've run the tests and got the results back. Can't wait! :-)

Keep Your Pets Safe This Fourth of July (Independence Day)

Happy 4th of July Everyone! Today we will all be celebrating our independence by way of cookouts, gatherings and fireworks -- an American tradition indeed! However, not all will be celebrating today. Many pets (especially dogs) are extremely frightened of fireworks. They will do just about anything to escape the deafening sounds that they will hear tonight.  

Did you know that more animals are lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year due to the loud noises from fireworks? If you have animals that stay outside, please bring them in tonight. Put them in a bathroom or crate with a radio or television near by to help drown out the loud noises. Also, place an article of your clothing that you have been wearing (still has your scent on it) in with your pet. This will also help relax them.

Here are a few quick tips to keep your pets safe tonight.....

1. Do NOT take your pet with you to see the fireworks. Be kind -- leave them at home where they will feel safer.

2. Keep your pet inside tonight in a safe secure place in your home. Please don't keep your pet in the garage. The acoustics of the garage will magnify the sounds of the fireworks and frighten your pet.

3. Make sure your pets have their collars and tags on tonight. Also, if your pet is microchipped then please make sure that the information in their online profile is correct and up-to-date with a recent picture of them.

4. Do NOT leave your pet outside in the yard or chained up. Pets can severely injury or kill themselves by trying to get away from the loud noises. There is also the fear that they will dig under or jump the fence to escape.

5. Bring your pets inside and put them in a cool, quiet bedroom or crate. For added comfort you may turn on a fan and a television (or radio) to a channel that has a calm program on (like HGTV, Disney, Discovery Channel, etc) or a music channel like Jazz. The voices from the television will help calm your pet down and make them think someone is there with them. I have heard of big dogs eating through walls, tearing through closed pet doors and jumping through windows to escape the loud noises.

If you are home with your pet then keep them close to you to make them feel safe.

6. Leave a blanket or piece of clothing (t-shirt, robe, etc) that has your scent on it with your pet. Your scent will help soothe your pet.

7. If you find a lost pet, please take it to your local animal shelter immediately. Most likely, a frantic owner is looking for their beloved pet and they will be able to be reunited quicker. You may also want post flyers in your neighborhood letting everyone know that you took the "found" pet to your local shelter.

Have fun, be safe and don't forget to protect your pets from loud firework sounds tonight! :-)

Sunday Smiles

Happy Sunday Everyone! This video is hilarious! The kitty gets caught barking like a dog. The funniest part is that once kitty realizes its been caught it starts meowing again like "Oops, didn't know anyone was listening." Too funny. Enjoy! :-)

Wordless Wednesday

Sunday Smiles

Happy Sunday Everyone! This is precious! :-)

Dogs Can't Always Swim.......

Summer is near, which means fun in the water for you but not necessarily for your pet. Did you know that more than 170,000 dogs, cats and other small animals drown every year? Most people don't realize that while the majority of animals can swim, they can't necessarily get out by themselves!

Many pet owners try to protect their pet by training them to swim to the pool steps to get out of the water. This works fine in a daylight, non-threatening environment, but at night or if panicked, a dog will panic and forget it's "landmark." Animals can't see the steps for the very simple reason that they are under the water.

Pet drownings are preventable! To help prevent such senseless accidents, install a ramp in your pool, to your boat or floating dock. A lightweight, durable and easily installed ramp, such as a Skamper Ramp, will ensure your pooch or kitty can easily exit the water. To learn more about Skamper Ramp's and how they can save animals lives then click here.

Stop Animal Drowning! Install a ramp today. Skamper Ramp's cost from $65 - $99. It could be the best money you ever spend. :-)

Sunday Smiles - Talking Dog

This is hilarious! Enjoy! :-)

What To Do If Your Pet Was Stolen!

via

We all worry about this from time to time and we should. Over 2 million pets are stolen each year. You hear the horror stories about people stealing pets all the time. I can only imagine how sad and scary a situation it must be. What's even worse than that is that stolen pets are sometimes used as bait dogs in dog fights, experiments in laboratories, food for certain cultures or just plain tortured. It's horrifying and it's a crime. Here are a few tips on keeping your pet safe....

1. Make sure you have your pet microchipped even if they stay in the house all the time (like cats). You never know when someone might accidentally let them out. 

2. Don't leave your pet outside in your yard unattended while you are at home and especially when you are not at home. Stay out there with them as they enjoy the yard. You can get some fresh air too.

3. Don't leave your pet in a vehicle unattended.

4. Don't let people you don't know or don't know well watch your pet or walk your dog.

5. Make sure you keep up-to-date photos and written descriptions of your pet just in case of an emergency.

6. Beware of strangers in your neighborhood. Report an unusual or suspicious behavior to the Police and/or Animal Control immediately. Make sure you write down the license plate numbers of suspicious vehicles that you see. However, word of caution -- don't be too obvious that you are doing it.

7. Don't talk to strangers about the value, bloodlines, training or special abilities of your pet.

8. If a stranger approaches you about buying or breeding your pet, tell him the pet has been spayed or neutered (even if it hasn't). Write down the person's name, address (if you can get it) and license plate number. Make sure you keep a close eye on your pet afterwards!

9. Spay or Neuter your pets. This will make them less inclined to wander and eliminates any resale value for breeding purposes.

If you suspect that your pet has been stolen then click here for instructions on what to do. Remember, time is of the essence so don't delay. Act quickly!

Leaving Pets In HOT Vehicles = DEATH!

Via My Dog Is Cool!

I was so upset the other day. I parked next to someone that left their two Boston Terriers in their vehicle on a warm day so they could go into Petsmart. Yes, I said Petsmart! You know, the store that not only allows pets but welcomes them. They left their dogs in their vehicle for over 20 minutes with only a small crack in two windows. This is NOT adequate ventilation for air to flow through your vehicle. I went inside and had the license plate called over the intercom. When the vehicle owners didn't respond I called the police. The dogs were overheating so bad that they were about to pass out. The people finally showed up and said the typical line, "We were only in the store for 5 minutes." Ugh! That pisses me off so bad. I have seen dogs die in vehicles before and until now (a new law has been passed in South Carolina and other states) you couldn't do anything about it or the police would put you in jail for opening up someone else's vehicle to save their animal. Needless to say, I gave them a good stern talk about the dangers and gave their dog's some water. I don't like having to talk to people about this but if it saves just one animal then it is worth it.

I continue to see this happen over and over again and  I just DON'T get it! Intelligent people, ignorant people and just plain stupid people do this. The problem is that they just don't think....think about anyone else but themselves. Can you tell that this really upsets me?! Sometimes, I think that there might be good intentions there. People want to bring their animal along because they love car rides. They think that they will only be in a store "for just a second" and then they wind up leaving their pet in a car for longer than anticipated.  

Here's a tip - If your pet's love car rides then make a special trip and take them for one. Drive slow and crack the windows so they can feel the air on their faces. The car ride doesn't have to take long - just a trip up the road and back. Your pet's will be so happy and you won't have to worry about leaving them in a hot car and killing them.

When the temperature outside is over 55 - 60 degrees....don't leave your pet in a vehicle! The vehicle (even on a cool cloudy day) can heat up very fast. Just think about it this way. Think about a very large glass cake cover. You then place this large glass cake cover on asphalt in the hot sun and then place yourself in it. Within minutes (sometimes seconds) the area within the large glass cover starts to rapidly heat up and the air in the glass cover gets hot and dry. It gets harder for you to breathe the longer you are in there. Next comes heat exhaustion and then you feel like you are going to pass out. Then comes heat stroke and after that comes death! Yes, DEATH!

Obviously, I am very sensitive and passionate about this subject. So many people say they love their animals but they don't act like it. I did a blog post last summer about this very important subject. Click here to read it. It just may save your pet's life!

via

Monday Musing

via

Happy Monday! This is too cute not to share. Believe in Yourself! :-)