Thursday, August 12th, 2010 by Susie
My Beagle Oliver knows all my problems and all my my deepest secrets. He is my shoulder to cry on and always helps me with my stress issues. I was not surprised to learn that a survey by Mindlab International found that 55 percent of people were more relaxed after spending time with their pets–44 percent were also less worried about specific problems such as job security and finance. Dr David Lewis, a psychologist at Mindlab said that “Interacting with a dog is a profound and effective stress reducer. It increases feelings of contentment and relaxation.”
One quarter of respondents described their dog as their best friend while one in six women said they confided their deepest thoughts only in their pets-sounds familiar!
It has also been found that it is easier to lose weight when you have a pet to go walking with. People who walk dogs are more consistent about regular exercise and show more improvement in fitness than people who walk with a human companion. I laugh that I have to try to keep up with my beagle on our walks, which definitely keeps me active. Isn’t having a pet the best?
Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 by Susie
Our pets enjoy the warm summer months as much as we do, but they are also vulnerable to some of the dangers the summer poses. Dehydration, disease, and pesky insects can spell disaster for your family pet. Keeping your buddy hydrated is extremely important and is also a local and state law. People do not realize that leaving their pets in [...]
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 by Susie
Do you have a pet that always puts a smile on your face and makes your day a little brighter? Why not share that animal-induced joy with someone in need? Animals who participate in therapy can act as a “security blanket” for abused children, increase socialization and decrease depression in nursing homes and hospitals, and help people with [...]
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 by Susie
Pants for Dogs offers unique problem solvers—cummerbunds and panties and now thongs—for owners dealing with hard-to-train, unaltered or incontinent dogs. They help owners control dog urination and prevent household accidents. They are perfect for travelers who want to let their dogs run worry-free in hotel rooms or in someone else’s home. What makes Pants for [...]
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 by Susie
The non profit group Puppies Behind Bars is not what it sounds like. The program actually teams puppies up with prison inmates — who live with and train the puppies to become bomb-sniffing dogs, or service dogs for wounded vets. It all began at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in 1997 with just a few dogs. Now, Puppies Behind [...]
Sunday, April 18th, 2010 by Susie
Want to adopt a rescue puppy, but don’t know where to begin? Find a Rescue Puppy.com is a puppy alert service that searches the internet for you – and will send you email, when they find your favorite breed of puppy or dog. Their system constantly monitors the best known adoption, rescue and pet finding sites. When a [...]
Monday, April 12th, 2010 by Susie
The new primetime PBS documentary, Through a Dog’s Eyes, follows the life-changing journey of recipients as they go through the heartwarming and sometimes difficult process of receiving and being matched with a service dog. Jennifer Arnold, founder of one of the nation’s largest service dog organizations, Canine Assistants, shows her unique teaching methods and lets [...]
Sunday, April 4th, 2010 by Susie
Bunnies sure do look extra cute and cuddly and many children are probably asking for a new bunny this time of year. You may want to think twice before adopting one. Many people are surprised and disappointed to find that once they bring home a bunny for their child on Easter, the rabbit rarely conforms to the notion [...]
Friday, April 2nd, 2010 by Susie
Teaching your dog to go to his bed can be a very useful behavior. Not only can it be used at night, but also when you need your dog to settle and relax. Family mealtimes, visiting guests, and housecleaning are other opportunities to use this exercise. To begin, place your dog’s bed or mat in [...]
Thursday, March 11th, 2010 by Sasha
Most dogs are bundles of energy, but some take energy to a whole new level. If your dog is hyperactive, you may be at the end of your rope over how to handle him. But not to worry — the dog whisperer has the answers. Today, Dogstar blog reported on world-famous dog obedience superstar Cesar [...]
