Super Dog

As a dog lover, you already know how amazing canines can be. Did you know that there are “special powers” some dogs have that defy explanation but have been helpful to humans for centuries?

For example, dogs (and cats) have been known to sense when a woman is pregnant. Experts are not sure whether it’s the hormone changes, emotional changes, or changes in routine, but animals seem to be able to detect pregnancy before a traditional pregnancy test! The animal behavior seems to fall into either a pattern of extreme affection and protectiveness, or uncharacteristic aloofness and territory marking.  (Source:  Pregnancy-Info.net)

Also, seizure-alert dogs are dogs that are able to notify someone with epilepsy or a seizure disorder that a seizure is imminent. Again, the exact reason dogs are able to sense the seizure before it happens is somewhat of mystery- whether it’s behavioral changes or something that they can smell. Dogs will bark, whine, lick, or paw their epileptic-prone owners before an event. Unlike seeing-eye dogs, the behavior cannot be trained, and is not breed-specific.  (Source:  National Geographic)

Dogs can also detect several types of cancer. With training, they can detect cancer in the breath of lung, breast, colon, bladder, ovarian and skin cancer patients. Researchers  in Japan are working with an 8-year-old black lab named Marine to research the use of special dogs to provide non-invasive ways of detecting cancer. Marine is accurate 93% of the time in distinguishing between cancerous and benign colorectal polyps. (Sources:  National Geographic and Global Animal)

The most important sense that dogs have is probably their sense of humor. Whether or not dogs can actually understand humor in the intellectual sense, some breeds are more apparently playful than others. Setters, spaniels, retrievers, and poodles tend to be more playful. Scientists liken playful canine behavior to the socialization of a young child, in that behavior that gains positive attention tends to be repeated. However, it’s hard to believe that your dog doesn’t know what he’s doing when he jumps out at you and startles you, or when she presents your underwear to your houseguests. (Source:  Modern Dog)

Your dog may be more than just a common house pet. For all you know, he may be able to prevent disease, protect the unborn, and keep you in stitches. He may just be… Super Dog!!!

Halloween tips from Maizie the dog

Even if you or your kids like dressing crazy, going to parties, or begging for candy, Halloween is not so much fun. We dogs don’t like strangers to begin with, and there are some really strange characters wandering the streets during trick or treat. Here are some ideas to keep us pets safe on Halloween.

• Keep us inside. There are a bunch of crazies out there who like to pull mean pranks on Halloween. We’d rather be with you.

• Keep us in another room. I want to greet everyone who comes to the door and protect you from all those strange characters. Let me stay somewhere more quiet and peaceful.

• Keep the treats out of reach. I’ll eat anything that smells good, and I don’t have hands to unwrap it. I know that chocolate is bad for me, but I can’t help but be curious. Remove the temptation!

• Keep candles and jack-o-lanterns out of the way. I can’t control my tail, and half the time I’m too excited to watch where I’m going. I don’t want to get hurt or start a fire.

• Don't dress me up! I know you think we look cute, but costumes are sometimes dangerous, uncomfortable and our friends make fun of us.

• Take me for a walk or a run before dark. It's so much nicer to have had some exercise before the festivities begin so if I have to be in another room by myself, at least I can take a much needed nap.

Enjoy the holiday, and stay safe!

Feed abused animals with one click

Even if you get bombarded with requests for donations to animal charities, you can't pass this up.

The Animal Rescue Site gets free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals IF it meets its quota of daily clicks.  By clicking on this site, and sharing it with friends, you make sure these animals get the food they need.  The corporate sponsors donate food in exchange for advertising. 

The Animal Rescue Site is owned and operated by Tim Kunin and Greg Hesterberg, co-owners of CharityUSA.com.  As enthusiastic supporters of The Hunger Site, they realized the power of providing busy Internet users with a fast, free and easy way to make a difference and launched The Animal Rescue Site in July 2002.



"Funding for food and care is distributed to animals in need at the Fund for Animals' renowned animal sanctuaries, pet shelters supported by the Petfinder Foundation , North Shore Animal League , amazing International Fund for Animal Welfare programs that save animals in dire situations worldwide, and other worthy animal care facilities and programs supported by the GreaterGood.org foundation."
Source:  http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

You can't afford to pass up this opportunity!  Click today!



AGAIN, PLEASE TELL 10 FRIENDS!

Is your dog a public nuisance?

These are the local laws where I live.  Does your dog need some training to avoid being a public nuisance?

A dog shall be deemed a public nuisance for any of the following reasons (but not limited to):

1) If such a dog is found to be at large;

2) If such dog shall persistently and prolongedly bark or howl;

3) If found without wearing a license and a vaccine tag as required by Section B of this bylaw;

4) If found in a schoolyard, public or private recreation area, store, or shopping area except that a “seeing eye” dog (or other certified assistance dog) under the care and control of its owner shall be deemed to be exempt from this provision;

5) For having bitten or attacked any person;

6) For having killed or maimed or otherwise damaged any wild or domestic animal;

7) For chasing a domesticated animal, pedestrian, or vehicle on a way to which the public has a right to access within the Town;

8) For damaging or destroying property that does not belong to its owner or keeper;

9) Except that a police dog acting in the line of duty shall not be considered a public nuisance;

10) Except that a dog being used as a so-called “hunting dog,” which is being supervised as such by a person demonstrating the ability to control such dog so that it will not be a threat to public safety, shall not be considered a public nuisance;
 
Source:  Town of Norfolk Animal Regulations

Leashrly Life local dog parks

If you're in the Leashrly Life area (Norfolk, Massachusetts) you may want to check out these great places to have some fun with your dog.  Thanks to http://www.ecoanimal.com/dogfun/massachusetts.html for this great information.

• Foxboro Dog Park is located off Mill St in Foxboro behind the baseball field. You must show your license to get in and your dog must be registered in the town you live in. There is a pond area with a beach for the dogs to swim.  You'll need to bring your own fresh water.

• Gilbert Hills State Forest is located in Foxboro and Wrentham. There is swimming for dogs in several water holes and brooks.  Trails run throughout the park.  Dogs can be off leash but motorized bikes share the park as well.  They do have a hunting season as well. Heading south on Route 1 from Walpole, enter Foxboro, take left onto High Rock Road.

• Beaver Pond is located at Beaver Recreation Area on Beaver St. in Franklin. It has a small pond with a beach and several walking trails.

How are a Dog Trainer and Dog Walker alike?

Both can help you with behavior problems.


According to Andrew Daigle of the Dog Training Advice and Tips website, “Lack of exercise is the root cause of many behavioral problems among dogs.”

In other words, just like us, dogs need exercise for physical and mental well-being. Not only that, but regular exercise expends the energy that might be used to chew shoes or create holes in furniture.

Daigle recommends 60-90 minutes a day of walking for your dog, divided up into morning and evening sessions. If you’re like me, you don’t have that kind of time every day, or your schedule varies too much to build in a regular routine.

Although it is ideal to set your dog up with a professional obedience trainer at about 16 weeks old, any dog can benefit from a regular walking routine. That’s where your local dog walker comes in.

Dog walkers can vary from the teenager next door to a seasoned professional. Either way, you’ll get what you pay for. Can’t afford it? Can you afford to replace that $100 pair of designer shoes? Can you afford to spend every morning and every evening tied to the other end of a leash? Your time (and your dog) is worth enough to hire someone to help you keep your “best friend” in the best shape possible.

Not to say you shouldn’t spend time with your dog from time to time... but a little help once in a while can go a long way to make your relationship with your dog a pleasure rather than a burden. Let Leashrly Life help you take better care of your dog, with dog obedience and dog walking available.

Spending time with your dog II

Here are some more ideas on quick things you can do with your dog to make her feel special:

Teach a trick. The internet is full of fun and easy tricks you can teach your dog. Some can take a matter of minutes to learn. Your dog will appreciate the time you spent with him, and you’ll look cool in front of your friends when you show off your new trick.

Work on obedience. Just a few minutes a day reinforcing commands your dog knows is time well spent. Have your dog hold a “sit” for you or put him in a “down” while you are watching TV. Not only does it place you as pack leader, it keeps your dog’s mind stimulated.

Give a treat. Your local butcher has lots of uncooked bones with small bits of leftover meat and lots of flavor. There are lots of healthy, tasty treats you can give your dog. My dog loves her frozen ice cubes made from chicken stock. Be sure you are careful about giving high-fat, high-calorie treats to dogs that are overweight.

For more tips on working and playing with your dog, visit http://www.leashrlylife.com/.