Here's To A Great New Year With Our Pets!

Once upon a time, an old man and his dog had died. He was on a road leading to Heaven.
He came to a beautiful large home that had written across the front "This is Heaven."
He approached the gate, only to be stopped by a guard. As he tried to enter the guard stopped him and said,
"No dogs are allowed in here."
So the old man turned and left.
Soon, he came to another large house. The sign said, " HEAVEN."
The old man and Teddy, his dog, walked up to the guard at the the gate.
"I want to come in, but I want my dog, Teddy, to be welcome too."
The guard smiled. "Dogs are always welcome in HEAVEN."
The old man looked confused. "I don't understand. Your place is marked "HEAVEN". So what was the other
home down the road marked "This is Heaven?"
The guard frowned. "That is HELL," he said.

Retold by Janis Calkins

Moral of the above is always look to live in a home where you feel your animal will be welcome and
life will be much more like "HEAVEN " than hell.


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Be Aware of These Holiday Dangers

Eating tinsel, ornaments and garlands, even drinking holiday tree sap water, can lead to serious stomach irritation. During the holidays, prevention is really the key. Place high risk items and holiday foods out of reach. Dogs also like to chew on electrical cords, gift ribbons and strings. Watch for symptoms of restlessness, tremors, seizures, vomiting and diarrhea, then seek immediate veterinary treatment for them.

Don't let innocent holiday traditions jeopardize the health of your pet. Be aware of these Holiday Dangers

• Candles and hot wax


• Candies, chocolate and foil wrappers


• Alcoholic beverages


• Electrical cords


• Ribbons and Strings


• Metal ornament hooks


• Tree tinsel


• Rich, fatty foods


• Stagnant tree water


• Small holiday lights


• Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe and greens


• Artificial snow


• Small toys that can be swallowed

Living with Canine Epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic diseases in dogs, but no one knows for certain what causes it or how common it is.

If your dog has been diagnosed with epilepsy;
1. See your veterinarian regularly
2. Ask your vet about appropriate diet for your dog
3. Keep a record of the dates seizures occur and how long they last
4. Never change or discontinue medications without consulting your vet
5. Discuss family activities that include your dog with your vet. For example, if you engage in
water sports you might be asked to consider using a canine life vest to avoid the drowning of
your dog during a seizure.
6. Consider a Pet Healthcare Plan. Pet health insurance can provide some peace of mind for
many owners. Visit http://www.akcphp.com for more information about the range of AKC
Pet Healthcare Plans.

Don't allow epilepsy to prevent you from enjoying your dog. Have fun and concentrate on the times your furry friend is happy and doing well.


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Don't Let Holiday Festivities Harm Your Dog

The upcoming holidays can pose health dangers for our dogs. Each year, thousands of pets become seriously injured or ill during the holiday season. Pets can become very ill from items such as table butter, meat and candy. These foods can result in gastrointestinal upsets and pancreatitis, a painful and sometimes fatal condition. Symptoms include depression, vomiting, abdominal pain or lack of appetite. During the Thanksgiving holiday prevention is the key.
Place high risk foods out of reach. Don't feed your dog lots of table scraps full of high fat content.
Do not let them chew on the turkey bones.
In the hustle and bustle of the day, remember your pet's regular feeding and exercise schedule and be certain to give them lots of love!!

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A few Quotes To Ponder For Fun!

Dogs are the most amazing creatures;they give UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. For me they are the role model for being alive....Gilda Radner

Dogs are....wonderful. Truly to know them is an experience that transcends--a way to understand the joyfulness of living and devotions...Gary Paulsen

The love between dog and man is idyllic. It knows no conflicts, no hair-raising scenes.....Milan Kundera

Check back for some upcoming information about Keeping Your Pets Safe Over The Thanksgiving Holiday!

Check out Ventura County Homes for Sale at:

http://www.JanisCalkins.com

Poisoning Accidents-Are you Prepared?

Our pets can be curious animals and we need to be sure we protect them from poisons. You may already know this, but just a reminder that Chocolate, Onions, Coffee Grounds and Bread Dough can be fatal to dogs when ingested. Our homes, garages and gardens contain many chemical items, common household plants and landscaping items that can also be toxic to our pets.

Some more common poisons are:
Acetaminophen , Furniture Polish
Boric Acid , Gasoline
Cleaning Fluid , Hair colorings
Deodorants, Ibuprophen
Detergents, Weed Killers
Disinfectants, Insecticides
Drain Cleaners

So, be sure and keep these items away from your pets!

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More Halloween Pictures!

Aren't these just the best? Enjoying Halloween with pets can be fun....just make sure to keep them safe. Hope everyone enjoyed today and will keep checking back with my blog. A few comments to reassure me there are a few of you out there that have now marked this blog as one of your favorites would be nice! Please let me know if you enjoy it and if you have any comments, please feel free to ask me questions or let me know what topics you like best.

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Halloween Doggie Fun!

As Halloween approaches many people love to indulge their animals in the fun!

If you do dress your dog up for the occasion, just be sure that your pets costume is not restrictive in any way that might harm circulation or breathing.

Wow! The creativity that owners have is amazing!

I will be posting more pictures as we approach Halloween, so check back for some more fun.....

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The Pool Plunge-Great Video

In Colorado at the end of the swimming season I guess they have a doggie Pool Party.
Watch this video and see how much the dogs enjoy swimming in the pool. Hey! Purchase a home with a pool and you can have a doggie pool party once a year for all your dog's friends. Sound like fun?

Enjoy this video: http://one.revver.com/watch/384802/flv


Ventura County Homes for Sale at:
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Canines n' Wine...Enjoying the Moment!

If you live in California, you have probably investigated the wine country at some point in your travels. As fall weather sets in, your thoughts might drift to a weekend vineyard drive in the countryside. There is a wonderful photo book Wine Dogs that is a visual feast and best browsed with a glass of vino in hand. As you visit the wineries you might just be welcomed by a friendly, furry face! To order this book, visit http://www.winedogs.com/.

If that doesn't wet your whistle enough and you can't get enough of all things dogs and wine, http://www.dogsuncorked.com/ sells toys, treats and other goodies inspired by the "wine country lifestyle."

A dog's sense of smell is estimated to be one million times greater than that of a human's

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K9 Grass for Your Yard!

My husband and I have just been researching what to do if you are having trouble maintaining grass in your yard and want a substitute for grass. Well, we discovered K9 Grass! They say this is the ideal grass for kennels, pet resorts, vet clinics, and of course, pet owners.
It has knitted backing with flow-through technology that drains instantly and endures years of chewing and digging. It is installed in the City of San Jose, California in their 14,000 sq. ft. dog park. It is the only artifical grass specifically designed for dogs! Wow! Sounds great......

Check out: http://www.k9grass.com/index.html

When you feel really lousy, PUPPY THERAPY is indicated.--Sara Paretsky

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PUP YOUR RIDE; CONTEST TO ENTER!

They say when a dog sticks his head out a car window, it puts him in a state of constant euphoria. I can understand. --Brad Pitt

There's still time to get in the running for a "Pup'd-Out" 2008 Jeep Liberty, courtesy of Pup-Peroni. Galpin Auto Sports, the design team behind the MTV car-makeover show, Pimp My Ride, will customize a Jeep to the tastes of the contest's grand prize winners. Features include a dog ramp, water and food bowls, dog-bone wheel rims, a small vacuum for clean-ups, and pull-up screens between the front and back seats. "We're designing a Jeep that finally puts the pup in the driver's seat," says Galpin Auto Sports' chief designer, Beau Boeckmann. Yes, but does he have his driver's license?

To enter, visit http://www.pupperoni.com The contest closes October 15, 2007.
(AKC Gazette, Oct. 2007)

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Nontraditional Therapies Move to the Mainstream

I am easily moved to sympathy for dogs, far more so than for humans, because dogs do not understand. There is no way to explain that you will return, that the vet will make it all better, that they cannot come shooting today because that is not what today is about...Geral Hammond

Alternative medicine is on the rise; 36% of American adults use some form of it and increasingly many pet owners are also asking for complementary and alternative veterinary medicine. Acupuncture, chiropractic and supplements have emerged as the most popular therapies, with animal supplements now a billion dollar industry in the U.S. Dog owners must educate themselves and work with their veterinarian when considering CAVM. Check out http://www.nccam.nih.gov/ . Among the newer therapies:

• Low laser therapy used to heal wounds
• Pulsed-signal therapy, which transmits electromagnetic signals to the body. (Believed to reduce pain and repair cartilage)
• Flower essences, said to help healing and behavior problems.

Two alternative therapies have moved into mainstream veterinary medicine: massage and the use of the supplement, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Their effectiveness in treating arthritis has become well documented--and promoted.

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Interesting Information on Degenerative Myelopathy

DM is an adult-onset, progressive disease that begins with muscle weakness in the dog's rear legs and gradually leads to complete paralysis. It is not to be confused with hip dysplasia. It affects primarily German Shepherd Dogs, but is also seen in Boxers, Welsh Corgis, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Irish Setters, and Old English Sheepdogs and is often considered the canine equivalent of human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) or multiple sclerosis.
For those dogs diagnosed with DM, the AKC Canine Health Foundation, in cooperation with Scout's House in Menlo Park, California has made available a free instructional video on caring for affected dogs. The video shows how owners can modify their homes to make it easier to live with a DM Dog, recommends products for more comfortable and functional lives and explains how physical therapy may help slow the disease.
For more information, see the CHF web site at:
www.akcchf.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=194.

Much has been written about the loyalty of dogs, but what I love about them isn't their devotion to me so much as their devotion to being alive. --Steven Bauer

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Who Will Care For Our Pets That Outlive Us?

The dog of your boyhood teaches you a great deal about friendship, and love, and death: Old Skip was my brother. -Willie Morris

When the so-called 'Queen of Mean' Leona Helmsley recently passed away, she bequeathed to the care of her beloved Maltese "Trouble" some $12 million. This case may be extreme, but many of us will be faced with this dilemma some day. Who will care for the pets that outlive us? Pet Trusts are an increasingly popular strategy and it doesn't take millions of dollars. An estate planning attorney can help pet owners set up a statutory pet trust for as little as $100, in addition to the cost of a will. California started allowing these in 1991. Most pet trusts name a caretaker and a trustee to handle the money. Within the trust the owner can specify what food to feed, outline vet visits and even where to bury the pet. After the pet dies, the owner can specify what to do with leftover funds (such as designate a charity). Leaving the care of a pet up to a family member or friend that may not be willing or able to live up to the task is a risk that most pet owner don't want to take.T

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Experimental Treatment for Blindness in Dogs

Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine has been experimenting with a treatment which may reverse sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS). Dogs with a sudden loss of sight, which is thought to be caused by auto-immune disease, were given intravenous immunoglobulin. This drug is used against immune-mediated retinopathy in humans. However, animals with severe cardiac or kidney disease could not be given this medication. Nor would it work on advanced retinal degeneration. Researchers at Iowa State say that SARDS affects up to 4,000 dogs a year! (DVM Newsmagazine, July 2007)

So, if you have a dog that is going blind suddenly at a young age, you might want to contact Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine for advice or help.

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Dogs with Disabilities

I stopped by to visit with a client the other day and was touched by a story about "Tillie". She is a boxer that was rescued. She had been beaten and had damaged eardrums and was deaf when the owners took her into their home to love. The owners had another dog of the same breed that they acquired to be Tillie's ears so that she could follow this dogs actions and become more comfortable with her new surroundings. This was an excellent idea. Mentoring and companionship are both important for a dog too!
This also made me think about people making a move to a new home with a disabled pet. A pet with loss of hearing, loss of sight, old age, etc. must be given special attention to make sure they remain feeling secure when moved. Make sure to keep their old dog bed, toys, blankets, favorite treats, favorite foods etc. Consistency from the old surroundings to the new is really important. Take it slow and make sure that your pet gets as much attention as possible during and after the move. You might consider having a microchip implanted if you think there is any chance your pet might panic in the new location and try to escape or run away.....and you might even think of acquiring another dog to help them acclimate to the new surroundings. It sure helped Tillie out!

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The Vet

Check out a site on the Internet called NetVet and the Electronic Zoo. Created by Ken Boschert, D.V.M. of Washington University in St. Louis, this site, at http://netvet.wustl.edu/. offers more than 20,000 links to other animal related sites.

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Pet Therapy

Have you thought about how much owning a dog can help your children? Recent studies indicate that interaction with dogs could be a very valuable tool in treating autistic children. Experiments show that children with autism show a surprising interest in relating to and playing with dogs.
Dogs can play a major role in helping the elderly also. The love between dog and man is idyllic. It knows no conflicts. Dogs create an experience that transcends--a way to understand the joyfulness of living.

So, if you have a really sweet good natured dog, find out about therapy dogs and how you can help in your community. Check out the community of Ventura while you are at it!

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Looking For a New Breed Of Dog And A New Home?

Have you decided it is time to try new things and new places? How about a new home and a new dog in your life?
Come to Ventura County, California.....you will love it! It is near the beach and sunny almost every single day with an average tempurature of about 70-75 degrees.
Have you heard of a Swedish Vallhund? They are sooo cute! They are an original Swedish Spitz gaining in popularity here in the United States. Originating over 1,000 years ago, the first American litter was bred in the U.S. in 1986. Standing 11.5-13.5 inches tall, with a height to length ratio of 2:3 (longer legs and shorter bodies than the Corgi breed) these are "big dogs in small packages". They love agility, obedience, rally, tracking, search and rescue, flyball, and herding and are wonderful family pets. They are very intelligent and need mental exercise as well as physical exercise.
So, if you are looking for a new dog and a new place to live, let me help you!

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Feeding and Walking Your Dog

Yes, It's Libby....She is on the

Eukanuba Dog Food Bag...She's a

Hollywood Star!

She loved the Photo Shoot!

Eukanuba makes dog food designed for specific breeds. This one is designed to nourish a German Shepherd's healthy digestion and overall health. It is also good for a number of herding breeds.

Can you meet the LOVE OF YOUR LIFE

by walking your dog? Studies have shown that people who go for a walk with their dog have three times the number of social encounters as those who go for a walk on their own. So, take a walk with your dog and enjoy the people you meet.......and your dog will love getting out of the backyard to see new sights and sounds!

Ventura Dog Blog

Ventura County Homes for Sale

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Moving with a Dog!

Moving with a Dog or Dogs can be a traumatic experience. After all, moving in and of itself is a big project. One of the best things to think about before making the move is where you are going to put the dog when you arrive at your new home. Is there a fenced yard? Is the fence secure enough that your dog will not panic and climb over or dig under? Have you done a perimeter check of the fence before releasing the dog to the new location. You might want to consider setting up a smaller enclosure within the larger yard for the first few weeks and spending those first few hours/days in the yard with the dog to get them used to the new setting. Take familiar toys, blankets, bedding with you. Monitor your dogs barking the first few weeks until he/she feels comfortable. Chances are they might be a bit noisier than usual. After all, your attention will be diverted elsewhere. So, make sure they are kept secure and happy!

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