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!
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/
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!
Check out those chicken jerky treats you feed your dog. Look at the label to see if they are manufactured in China. Be aware that some jerky treats may be linked to a condition that resembles Fanconi syndrome. Fanconi syndrome affects the kidney tubes and can be heritable in some dogs, or acquired. The acquired form can be caused by heavy metal poisoning or certain chemicals.
Signs of the acquired form include vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness and lack of appetite. The FDA investigated in 2008 and did not turn up any contaminant or a definitive cause for the illness. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.
Limit the amount of jerky treats, especially for young puppies. Watch for signs of illness noted above. Stop giving your dog the jerky treats if these signs are evident. Take your dog to the vet for blood tests to check for kidney failure or increase in liver enzymes and get a urine test to determine if there is an increase in glucose levels.
According to Scott Weldy, a veterinarian from Lake Forest, there is no definitive proof that the chicken jerky can cause illness. However he also says that he would not feed them to his dog. It is best to err on the side of caution until more studies are done. Look for all natural products made in the USA. Treat your dog well!
An event in New York City that brings together celebrities, former dancers, and some of the most stunning grooming seen outside of Hollywood; sounds like television show, Dancing with the Stars, has hit the east coast. But what this buzz is all about is the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, live from Madison Square Garden,February 13th and 14th. A once a year opportunity to take home a winning title brings out a fierce competition!
Bright Lights, Dog City: Westminster Dog Show is Here Again
By Jorge Bendersky
“In New York City this Valentine’s Day, glancing up you might spot the Empire State Building glowing purple and gold. A homage to advancement of gay marriage rights? Lovely thought, but not even close. Purple and gold are the Westminster Kennel Club’s signature colors and a sign that the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has arrived. This competition is an opportunity for the best breeders in the world to show off their breeding program, and compete for a title. A dog boasting the heritage of a championship line or even having a celebrity owner, doesn’t mean he’s a sure thing because this show is reserved to dogs already holding American Championship titles, and competition is fierce.
A prancing poodle with perfect bracelets and a nice round pom might look more like something seen on Toddlers and Tiaras, but all that primping is about more than looks. A pretty face but sub-par specimen of dog need not apply, because being picture perfect goes deeper than a nice coat and a hot trot. Grooming is, of course, a key element, but the right diet, physical fitness, training, and relationship with the handler are important factors when it comes time for a dog’s turn in the ring. Who better to understand the pressure of being physically perfect than former dancers from the New York City Ballet, Heather Watts and Damien Woetzel? But understanding the pressure won’t necessarily help when their Golden Retrievers take their twirl in the ring, facing comparison to the standards of perfection for the breed. Tutus aside, crowning a champion is serious business.
That serious business will get a little more interesting in its 136th year, as the WKC is making sure the competition isn’t predictable by introducing six new competing breeds, in a variety of shapes, sizes, and show groups. From fluffy, like the Finnish Lapphund, a reindeer herding dog, or hairless, like the Xoloitzcuintli, the national breed of Mexico, this change shows dedication to preserving the purity of recognized breeds.
A champion dog’s show life might be short, whether sired by a Westminster winner, or with a celebrity sugar daddy, like Bill Cosby, and eventually, each dog will retire to the ease and simplicity of a pet dog’s life. But while the lights are bright at Madison Square Garden on February 13th and 14th dog lovers everywhere have the opportunity to see what this sport’s favorite spectacle is really all about. ”
PS-On Friday, February 10th from 6-11 PM come and say hello to us at the Tails Untold Booth at the Pre-Westminster Fashion Show Friday Feb 10th – http://www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com/
In choosing a dog for showing, it is important to know what the judges are looking for. These official standards for each breed include qualifications for structure, temperament and movement. The AKC’s book called “The Complete Dog Book” gives specifications for what is looked for with each breed.
Anyone can enter and show a dog. The main qualifications are that the dog be purebred and a breed recognized by the AKC. If you decide to purchase a dog for showing, be sure to purchase your dog from a reputable breeder; preferably one that has shown dogs before. Just being a puppy from 2 champion parents does not guarantee a show dog.
Some of the areas that judges look at are teeth, muscles. bones, and coat texture. A judge looks for general balance and gait, or how a dog moves. Attitude and posture are a good percentage of what a dog will be judged on. You would not see a show dog having its ears down and no expression. Your dog needs to have an “up and ready” attitude or willingness to perform. Just like its owner!
Happy New Year all you Pet Lovers!
We all know about The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, but did you know about the Upcoming Pre-Westminster Fashion Show? This will be Tails Untold ‘s first time participating as a Gold Paw Sponsor. Come and visit us and see samples of our Tails Untold Personalized Pet Books! It is going to be a paws-atively exciting event! Some of the proceeds from the event will be going to The Animal Care and Control of NYC http://www.nycacc.org/. So get ready to PAW-TY. This year’s theme is Venetian Masquerade. For more information please visit http://www.pre-westminsterfashionshow.com/ We hope to see you there! Your friends at Tails Untold. www.tailsuntold.com
When the temperature dips below freezing, there are several important facts to consider with your dogs and cats.
An outdoor or stray cat might seek warmth under a car’s hood. It is best to bang on the hood or beep the horn before starting your car. Both cats and dogs who are allowed to roam may become disoriented in a snow storm or blizzard. It is best to keep them inside under these conditions.
Just as in summer weather, do not leave cats or dogs in the car when it is really cold outside. Cars will trap the cold air making for fatal conditions for your pet. Leave them home rather than parked in a car while you do your errands.
If you walk your dog in the snow or sleet, wipe off their feet, legs and stomach when you return. Salt on the sidewalks and roads can cut into their pads and cause bleeding. Also, if your dog is allowed to lick the salt, it can be very dangerous. We all know about dogs and cats and antifreeze. If you use antifreeze in your car, be sure to completely wipe up any spills. Additionally, it is best to use products containing propylene glycol versus ethylene glycol.
A puppy’s fur is not as thick as an adult dog’s fur. Also, their feet are not as calloused. Older dogs may also be less tolerant of the cold due to weakened immune systems and arthritis. Only take puppies and older dogs out to go to the bathroom in freezing weather.
Let your dog grow his winter coat. When grooming, just trim the hair. Do not shave close to the skin. If you have a short haired dog, it is a good idea to invest in a sweater.
When walking your dog, be sure to avoid large patches of ice. Dogs can break a leg or rip a tendon or ligament if they go sprawling. These types of injuries take a long time to heal. So avoid the ice!
Cats or dogs left outside for extended periods of time can get hypothermia. This is a condition where the body temperature dips below normal. Signs of hypothermia include shivering and lethargy. Consult your vet if you think your pet is suffering from hypothermia. Frostbite can also occur in your dogs or cats. Do not rub the frozen tissue because this can cause additional tissue damage. Seek help from your veterinarian.
When it is cold outside, baby, keep ’em inside!!
In a perfect world, cats would not shed their fur and leave little furbunnies all over the house. The hairless cat such as the Sphinx does not have fur to shed. However, the great appeal of cats is that they are soft and furry. The Russian Blue and the Burmese cats shed a minimal amount. All black cats and the black tabby cat do not shed as much as other cats. If the furbunnies bother you, don’t get a white cat. My veterinarian friend says they shed a great deal more than other cats. White cats have dense undercoats which contribute to the excess shedding. The bottom line is, brush your cat every day, if he’ll let you. They are not fond of having someone else tend to their fur. I suggest you wear those heavy duty canvas gloves!
We have all heard that cats see better in the dark than dogs. It is true because of the elliptical pupil a cat has. Dogs and humans have round ones which are less efficient in the dark. The cat’s eye shape allows for a much larger pupil size, thus allowing more light to enter the eye. However, no cat can see in pitch black darkness. They do see better than dogs in minimal light. So let the cat lead the way versus the round eyed humans and dogs. Otherwise it is the blind leading the blind! Just kidding!
| Name: | Weezie |
| Nickname(s): | The Boss |
| Gender: | female |
| Characteristics: | One eye, white face, very large pointy ears |
| Personality: | stealthy, determined, quiet, funny |
