Archive for April, 2009

Image taken from National Geographic

Imagine having the White House as your playground. Now imagine how much fun that could be for a dog!

Bo, the Obamas’ newest puppy, is sure to be a hit on Pennsylvania Avenue, especially if he plans on doing half of the things he does in the children’s book, Bo: America’s Commander in Leash. This fun and mischievous tale of six-month old Bo takes child readers on a journey through the White House as Bo does everything he can to make Washington fun. From stealing the President’s letter opener to dying the White House fountain green for St. Patrick’s Day, this clever story captures the playful nature of puppies.

According to USA Today, this lovable portrayal of the First Family and their pup was written by Naren Aryal and illustrated by Danny Moore. Set to go on sale April 23, the book promises to be a hit amongst children around the nation.

In spirit of the book release, K9HealthSolutions.com wants to know: what’s your favorite puppy story?

All of us here at K9HealthSolutions.com love to read other dog blogs and find out about fun dog-related events and news. It’s great to be able to read what other dog bloggers are chatting about, and those adorable photos of dogs just make us say “aww!”. We came across HoustonDogBlog.com, your source for “anything and everything dog”. The blog, written by Ryan Rice, is very entertaining and gives you the inside info on exciting dog-related events and happenings.

Check out great posts like “Don’t Forget Yappy Hour Tonight”, a happy hour for dogs and their loyal owners, complete with “Poodle-Coladas” and “Terrier-Tinis”. The “Puppy Prom” is too cute, and I wish there was one in our area!

HoustonDogBlog.com also includes info on products and services that Ryan and his pooches have personal experience with – from “Isabella Visits SNAP’s Wellness Clinic” to “Wonderdog NYC! Cool Products for Spring!”.

Enjoy the HoustonDogBlog.com, and be sure to tell them we sent you!

Scientists at Harvard University’s new Canine Cognition Lab are using an innovative approach to understanding the human mind… by taking a look at dogs!

To find out what makes humans so distinct, scientists have always looked at other species for insight. The Harvard team is now turning to dogs because on certain tasks dogs easily outperform animals that much more closely related to humans, even chimpanzees.

Scientists are also drawn to dogs because of their unique history growing up in the same environment as people, and they hope to learn whether domestication has led to dogs that think and act more like their masters – or whether we just think they have human traits.

“Here’s this species we live with. Everyone has their views about how smart they are. No doubt we are overinterpreting – and in some cases underinterpreting,” said Marc Hauser, a Harvard professor and head of the new lab in an interview with The Boston Globe. “To what extent is an animal that’s really been bred to be with humans capable of some of the same psychological mechanisms?”

Researchers at Harvard and more established dog labs say their work could have many practical results, including new therapies for misbehaving dogs and more stimulating ways to play with your pet. And don’t worry about the canines – they’re earning tasty treats as part of the research.

So what do you think? Is your dog a lot like you? What human traits do you see in your dog?

As you’ve probably guessed by now, we have quite the affection for our canine friends. Caring for dogs is our livelihood and our business, and we know how special the bond between dog and owner can be.

Life With Dogs is a fun dog blog that chronicles, well, living with three very lively dogs! The blog is filled with cute photos of these entertaining dogs and commentary from their bright and personable owners.

We love their “Summer Splash” post, which besides picturing a very adorable photo of their dog Truffles, shows how much dogs love being outside in the summer sun. All of us at K9HealthSolutions can’t wait til the warm weather is here!

The vet, for different reasons, isn’t always a friend to dog and owner, and their post “Fully Vetted” outlines the necessity of taking your dog to the vet, but the price tag that goes with it is quite the shock. The post goes on to say that vets do have a difficult job and the price is justified in many cases, as we only want to help our pets, but it can hurt the wallet a bit.

Come visit our new friends at Life With Dogs!

If you’re planning on traveling with your dog for the Easter holiday, be sure that you’ve completed all of the necessary steps on our canine travel checklist!

1. Bring along appropriate servings of your dog’s dry food in zip up bags for easy transport. Also, be sure to pack food and water bowls in case your pup needs to eat and drink along the way.

2. Give your dog a rawhide to chew while traveling to relieve boredom.

3. Pack water in bottles from home, as it’s much easier for your dog to drink.

4. If you dog has any necessary medical supplies or is taking any medication, be sure to bring them with you. Also bring your veterinarian’s phone number and any emergency contact information should an incident arise.

5. Check before traveling on specific requirements especially if traveling internationally. Some places require that you have up-to-date health papers on hand.

6. Basic grooming supplies will prove helpful if your dog will be playing outside. Toss some dog shampoo, brushes, baby wipes, and paper towels into your bag to prevent doggie messes.

7. Make sure your dog has proper ID tags.

8. Bring along some toys for your dog to enjoy!

If you live in New York City and are looking for some fun activities for you and your pup or just a good read, take a peak at Snifnycdogs. Snifnycdogs is brought to you by two awesome dog owners. They are always on the hunt for fun dog activities to do and see. They share cool dog stuff in their blog and post a detailed NYC Dog Events Calender, which is broken down by the hour! They also offer a New York City Dog Map, showing all the dog hot spots in the city. So take a peak at this fun find and if you have a doggie hot spot in the New York City area let them know!

Easter is right around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll put together those lovely little easter baskets for your friends and family. This year, as you start to buy your basket fillings, remember that your dog needs to be kept safe from the dangers of Easter candy. Even just a little bit of chocolate can be toxic to your dog, or at the very least, cause vomiting and diarrhea. Be sure that your baskets are not kept in spots where your dog can easily reach it, or even make up a special basket for your dog filled with pet treats so he can join in on the Easter fun.

In addition to taking precautionary measures for preventing your dog from ingesting harmful candies, be sure to check out this great post on Dog Candy Safety on the official BlairCandy.com blog (and of course check out the tasty Bulk Candy for humans only at BlairCandy.com!). There’s a lot of really helpful info (straight from the vet!) on how to keep your pet healthy and happy this Easter.

Springtime can be a lot of fun for your dog, especially if he enjoys the great outdoors, but amidst the mud and the muck of springtime, your dog needs to keep clean in order to maintain healthy skin and coat. To get your pup sparkling after a play date in the muddy backyard, be sure to let K9HealthSolutions.com outfit you with the dog grooming supplies you’ll need to make your dog look like a dog (not a mud monster) again.

DogOSuds shampoos with gentle ingredients that nourish your dog’s skin and coat are just one example of grooming supplies you’ll find at K9HealthSolutions.com. Get your dog’s coat back in shape by using slicker brushes, Safari Combs and other professional grooming essentials.

Don’t forget to give your dog’s nails a springtime trim by using one of the nail trimming kits available through K9HealthSolutions.com. Built to last and perfect for saving yourself a trip to the vet’s office, these professional nail trimmers deliver a clean, safe cut to your dog’s nails. Finally – a better way to groom without leaving home!