Monthly Archives: February 2012

Pre-Westminster Fashion Show

Here is a wonderful post by Bocker, who along with Lisa Alexander, shined on the runway at the Pre-Westminster Fashion Show.

“The Pre-Westminster Fashion Show was a huge success and from all reports nearly $20,000 was raised for ACC.  Everyone had a great time and kudos to Ada Nieves for getting everyone and everything coordinated and getting everyone on stage at the right time.  The fashions were incredible.  So glad our friend Roberto Negrin was honored..well deserved!  When he can afford the extra material, maybe he design something classy for me!   Thank you to Ada for making me a vision in red and thanks to my Aunt Lisa for adding lots of class to the runway as we represented a terrific product, TailsUntold!  Hope to get my very own Bocker Tails Untold book real soon!  Congratulations to all who were honored.   Lots of photos and videos were taken to document the evening and it was even given coverage on the telecast of The Westminster Dog Show on USA.

Here is the URL to the video segment.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm2wfBgUSjI&feature=youtu.be 

Thanks to Chloe’s Gift Photography for this great photo of me.”

 

 

Is kitty making you sneeze?

In the United States, 10% of the population has pet allergies. The most common pet to cause an allergic reaction is the cat. Contrary to popular belief, it is not due to the cat’s hair or fur. There are proteins in a cat’s saliva, urine and dander (dried skin flakes) that trigger allergic reactions. We all know what meticulous self-groomers cats are. At any time, all three of the proteins can be on a cat’s tongue.

People who have allergies have overly sensitive immune systems. Their bodies think that harmless things like cat dander or pollen are invaders in their bodies. They attack these invaders as they might attack a bacteria or virus. The result is that symptoms, which are side-effects of this attack, begin to appear. These symptoms include such things as; coughing, sneezing, wheezing, rash, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and runny nose, especially if a cat has licked or bitten the person. In addition, if your cat is an outside cat, it can bring in other allergens such as mold, pollen and other environmental triggers. These symptoms can occur within minutes or hours of exposure.

There is no way to prevent an allergic reaction. Some research has shown that exposure to pets at an early age may reduce the risk of developing pet allergies later on in life. You can reduce the amount of allergens on your cat through frequent bathing. Brushing your cat regularly will reduce the amount of loose fur (and attached saliva) in the air. Also, it may help to feed your cat a diet that is high in Omega 3 fatty acids. These acids help to keep the cat’s fur healthy and minimize dander.

Are there any cats that do not cause allergies? Some people feel that the “hairless” Sphinx will eliminate the possibility of allergies. However, since the allergy can be triggered by cat urine, saliva and dander, we know this may not be true. As cute as they are, if kitty is making you sneeze, think about getting a different pet.

Dogs Have Angels Too – a book review

This heartwarming and thought provoking novel about a woman’s crusade to rescue as many dogs as she can while barely subsisting herself, is a must read! I actually read it two times, the first time in one afternoon. The main character, Miss Pink inspires us to give of ourselves to those people and four legged pals who need our help and love.  She is like a dog whisperer who can calm the most abused canine into accepting her trust at the New York City  animal rescue center.  There are some twists and turns as she befriends a not-so-popular woman and a broken-hearted young woman.  The final chapters give us hope and made me wish for a sequel so I could read about Miss Pink’s plans coming to fruition. Sarah Cavallaro is a writer who pulls us in and does not let go with her insights into the human and canine psyches. I do hope she writes another book starring Miss Pink and her pals.

New puppies and older dogs need to meet gradually

Bringing home a new puppy to be a companion to your older dog is often a challenge. Your older dog has established territory from your home to the yard and even routes used for walking. They need a lot of attention and reassurance from you that this new comer is not going to usurp their time with you.

To introduce the new puppy, pick a neutral area.  You might try someone else’s yard or have a friend meet you walking down the street with the new puppy. The two dogs should always be on leashes and under control. You can also have a friend hold the puppy in their arms and let the older dog sniff it. Another technique for that first introduction is to put the puppy in it’s crate and allow the older dog to sniff it through the gate. If the older dog growls, you should give it a strong verbal correction. You are the “pack leader” and need to show the dog that you won’t tolerate aggression toward the new “pack” member.

Once you feel the dogs are ready to try being together, having given them lots of praise for accepting kinds of behaviors, you can take them to a mutual play area. Remember to remove all toys from the play area to prevent altercations over the toys. Limit the first play times to a 5 minute session and gradually build up from there. It can take a month or more of supervised playtime to get the puppy and older dog to coexist. If there are any signs of aggression, take a break and try again later. Young puppies may not recognize signs of an older dog’s aggressive moves or postures. So watch for signs that your older dog is tiring or attempting to avoid the new puppy.

Your first walks together should be away from home and take a new route. Older dogs may consider the old route their personal territory which can trigger aggression.  Mutual walks on leashes are a good way to give positive reinforcement to the dogs that being together can be fun. It takes time but the two of them will be much more likely to accept each other when you follow these tips.

 

 

 

I heard it through the grapevine!

Be wary of what you give your dog for a treat! According to Dr. Patty Khuly of PET MD, grapes and raisins are poisonous to dogs.  Although the toxic element has yet to be identified, dogs who eat grapes or raisins may die of acute kidney failure if they ingest too many.

It does not always happen. However, that does not mean grapes are okay for some dogs. It is not worth risking your dog’s health to watching him chase one across the floor and gulp it down!

There are many other food items that are known to be toxic to both dogs and cats.  Onions and garlic contain sulfoxides and disulfides which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs.  Even baby foods, which one might consider as innocuous, may contain onion powder.

We all know that chocolate is toxic to dogs, especially the darker chocolates. If your dog should ingest these, call your vet immediately. He may prescribe a quick remedy of peroxide and water to induce vomiting. Dogs are very attracted to the scent of chocolate, so be careful where you put that Valentine’s box of candy!

We love our pets and don’t want to see them come to any harm! You heard it through the Tales Untold grapevine!

Heart to Heart by Jorge Bendersky

Here is a blog that Jorge  Bendersky,Dog Groomer,  wrote about the wonderful and healthy benefits of dog ownership!  I thought I would share it with you.   Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!

“This year, as Valentine’s Day nears, I have been thinking a lot about relationships, well, the relationship between a dog and his person that is.  (What can I say, I’m not a romantic and my life has literally gone to the dogs!)  My own Pomeranian, Tito, for example, is not just my dog, he lets me watch trashy tv, and wakes up to get coffee with me in the morning.  Tito listens when I just feel like talking – we all know texting can be exhausting! – and he is always happy to see me after a long day of work.

It’s not just me though.  In my line of work, grooming the dogs of New York’s elite, I see that whether you live uptown or downtown, everybody gets stressed.  But when a little pup comes in the room, even a fashion diva or a big shot lawyer can’t help but smile.  What if you don’t have a career in high fashion and carry your dog around in Gucci? Well, my experience says the positive effects of a dog are universal.

This is not just my opinion.  Many studies, by doctors and psychologists, prove that owning a dog can actually help make you a happier and healthier person.  Petting your dog calms you down and reduces your anxiety, which helps lower blood pressure and reduces heart related diseases.  Having a dog to come home to, play with, and take walks with can help fight off depression or loneliness and will lead to a more active lifestyle.  Being out with your dog could even help you get a date!

When it comes down to it, having Tito around might actually be making me a better person.  Don’t tell Tito though, we don’t need his ego getting any bigger!”  By Jorge Bendersky  Visit his website at http://www.planetjorge.com/

 

Do cats really have 9 lives?

Cats always seem to land on their feet after a fall which leads one to believe that a cat has more than 1 life. Cats are intrepid explorers and fearless risk takers. The myth, however, is actually based on their natural suppleness and swiftness to escape a life threatening fall.

How does this happen? In 1894, the French physiologist, Etienne-Jules Marey held a cat upside down by it’s legs and dropped it. He filmed the action with a camera that took 60 images per second. As the cat fell, an automatic twisting reaction began. The cat maneuvered it’s head, back, legs and tail to lessen the impact.

A word of caution though! Cats aren’t all that tough; they don’t always land the right way up. A badly timed fall can result in bruised ot fractured limbs. The distance is crucial. Too high and the cat may splat just like a human. Too low and the cat may not have time to correct itself.

So, do not try the French physiologist’s experiment at home! Just be reassured to know that your curious cat has a built-in righting reflex that helps him escape those unexpected falls!

New York Animal Care & Control

Tails Untold will be participating in the Pre-Westminster Fashion Show on February 10th/  http://www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com/.   A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the NYC Animal Care & Control Organization. http://www.nycacc.org.  “Animal Care & Control of NYC (AC&C) is the largest pet organization in the northeast rescuing nearly 40,000 animals each year. As a not-for-profit organization since 1995, AC&C has been responsible for NYC’s municipal shelter system, rescuing, caring for, and finding loving homes for homeless and abandoned animals in NYC. To service all NYC communities, AC&C facilities operate in all five boroughs.”

Please come and visit our table and see our Personalized Pet Books and learn how you can create your own.   Bring your pet for a natural treat or a drink of water.  Look forward to seeing you there!