The Purrfect Nanny & Purrfect Pet Health Blog

Probiotics have received a great deal of attention lately, and this focus is absolutely justified. An increasing number of products, from yogurts to pet foods, contain probiotics. Often referred to as “healthy” and/or “friendly” bacteria (or microorganisms) in the media, their proper notation is “direct fed microbials” when used in pet foods. Basically, probiotics are helpful bacteria that reside in the intestinal tract. In fact, every digestive system contains millions of bacteria, both those with a healthful purpose (like probiotics) and some that are not so beneficial. While some kinds of bacteria can be harmful, many (like direct fed microbials) actually help the immune system adapt to internal changes within the body and thus naturally support good health.

Most people do not realize that located within the digestive system is one a very important group of immune cells called the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT), which communicate with the immune cells located throughout the body. In some respects, the GALT is the first line of defense against unhealthy microorganisms in the body. Whereas most of the cells in our body receive nutrition from the blood, this is not true for the GALT – it receives the majority of its nutrients from these helpful bacteria. Read the rest of this entry »

Based in Canton, GA, Military Working Dog Team Support Association, Inc. is a non profit organization that works to support Supporting Current Dog Handler Teams, Veteran Dog Handler events/causes, retired Military Working Dogs and the War Dog Memorial.

From their site:
Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom dogs work in rugged conditions from the craggy, snowy almost unearthly cold of the Afghanistan Mountains in winter to the hot, desolate, dry deserts of Iraq. MWDs are trained to patrol or search out explosives (weapons caches, IEDs) or drugs. Breeds most often found working in the military include German shepherd dogs, Belgian malinois and Labrador retrievers. Each breed has qualities of intelligence, stamina and special inherent genetic traits which predisposes them to be excellent working dogs.

All dogs receive basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and then are paired up with their handler. In a change from policy during the Vietnam Era, dogs return home with their handlers and at the end of their working life are generally available for adoption to their handlers and, if qualified, to the public. More information and photos about MWDs check out Military Working Dog Support Association’s the web site: www.mwdtsa.org. You can also view a wish list of needed items and find out more about the organization itself.

In the summer of one of the most turbulent economic periods in a lifetime, Americans are rediscovering simplicity and frugality.  These days, it’s not uncommon to see a small group playing an impromptu game of Frisbee, or a couple enjoying a nature hike through a local park, or an extended family spending an afternoon in the backyard barbecuing.

The summer months provide ample opportunities for outdoor fun, whether your idea of open-air enjoyment is a power-walk with your dog or watching an afternoon storm roll in from the safety of a back porch with your cat.  These activities help us brush away the winter cobwebs, shedding new light on our daily life.  But sometimes, we make discoveries that are not altogether pleasant.  Too often, the thinner, summer coats of our pets can reveal what winter coats have hidden from plain view – reddened skin irritations, possibly the sign of a seasonal or chronic allergy.

Read the rest of this entry »

Another working dog story! Once again a dog goes far beyond being just a family pet. These creatures are so amazing, such perfect companions to humans. As they parent of a child with a food allergy I can sympathize with the extraordinary measures we must take to keep our children safe. I can only imagine if my child had such a severe allergy- these animals are truly angels in disguise!

From the CBS “The Early Show”-

All dogs have powerful noses, but some canines are saving lives with their heightened sense of smell.

Remy, is trained to sniff for any trace of peanuts to help his 9-year-old severely allergic owner, Billy Gensel, live a normal life.

Billy is one of the nearly two million Americans who have an allergy to peanuts but Billy’s allergy was acute, keeping him from many activities.

“I couldn’t go to the carnivals. I couldn’t go to the hotel rooms. I couldn’t do some restaurants,” he said. “It was really, really harsh.”

But that all changed when Remy, a black Labrador retriever joined the family. Remy is trained to detect even the smallest trace of peanuts in food and the environment.

“Without Remy, I probably wouldn’t be here right now,” Billy said. “…She saves my life every day.”

When Billy came into contact with anything with the tiniest amount of peanuts on it, he would have an allergic reaction, and could have been sent into a potentially fatal anaphylactic shock.

Billy’s mother Karen said, “My job was to follow him around at a distance where I knew I could get to him with an EpiPen, if he touched something and all of a sudden he was touching his throat or couldn’t breathe.”

But now, Remy can smell anything in a room that may have peanuts on it and warns his owner. Bell reported Remy sniffs everything and everyone Billy may touch.

Dogs like Remy, Bell reported can be trained to sniff for peanuts in about six months. Each dog costs about $10,000.

But the price was worth it for the Gensels.

“I feel like Remy and the people who trained her are heroes,” Billy said.

“This dog has changed our life,” Karen said. “This dog is a brand new life. A totally different life. Of normal. It’s a life of normal, and for us that’s a really big deal.”

Two centers are training these dogs to sniff for peanuts the Florida Canine Academy and the Southern Star Ranch.

Bell added dogs have a real health and therapy application now, with the ability to sniff out certain life-threatening illnesses, such as epilepsy and cancer.

MILITARY WORKING DOGS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION

By ABC-7 Reporter Daniel Marin

EL PASO, Texas - Living near Fort Bliss, El Pasoans have seen the happy celebrations when soldiers come home from war. But what about our heroes with four legs?

Take Benny, for instance. Benny looks like any other German shepherd, but he’s not. He’s a retired Air Force veteran.

Benny’s owner Debbie Kandoll says a lot of people don’t know retired military dogs can be yours, adopted just like any other pound puppy.

“It’s a well-kept secret,” said Kandoll. “My other German shepherds were magnificent, but there’s just a difference you can’t quantify in words.”

These dogs have seen a lot; most spending time overseas with soldiers either sniffing for drugs or car bombs.

In the past, when a dog reached a certain age they were simply euthanized. But now, they’re given what are called ‘adoption suitability tests.’

“It’s to test their level of aggression and whether they’d fit in well in civilian life,” said Kandoll.

The dogs that pass the test, like Benny, are then put up for adoption.

Kandoll says she knows Benny would give whatever he could for her, and that’s why she’s doing whatever she can to help other dogs just like him. She runs a website that walks people through the process of adopting these ‘hero’ dogs.

“I’m Benny’s 13th partner but he calls me ‘lucky number 13,’” laughed Kandoll. “he’ll be with me until he goes to the rainbow bridge.”

To adopt a military working dog, visit the links below:

Lackland Air Force Base Dog Adoptions

Http://www.lackland.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-080317-045.pdf

Debbie Kandoll’s Military Working Dog Adoptions

http://www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com/

Three male dogs, a Rotweiler, a Labrador and a Chihuahua, are chatting on a corner,  when a very good looking female Poodle comes sashaying down the street.  The 3 males dogs immediately start arguing about who is going to ask her out.  She overhears the argument and comes over and asks “Why should I go out with any of you, you don’t seem very interesting!  I’ll tell you what, the first one of you that can use the words liver and cheese in an interesting sentence, I will agree to go on a date with.”

The Rotweiler immediately speaks up and says: “I hate liver and cheese.” The Poodle just yawns and says, “How boring, just like I knew you would be.” 

The Labrador speaks up and says “How about this sentence, I love liver and cheese!”  The Poodle says “That’s even worse than the Rotweilers poor attempt!”

The Poodle starts to turn away when the Chihuahua speaks up and says “What about me, don’t you want to hear my sentence?”  The Poodle says “Okay, let me hear it.”  So the Chihuahua turns her around, takes her paw and starts leading her away.  He turns his head and says, over his shoulder, “Liver alone boys, cheese mine!”

The splendor of summer is right around the bend.  We are approaching the season when children, freed from studies, populate the neighborhood, friends and families hold cook-outs, and we find ourselves preoccupied with the health our pet’s coats.

There’s a reason for our annual fixation.  Dogs usually begin to lose their winter coats in early spring, when it is gradually replaced by a shorter, lighter coat suited to the summer months.  The amount of shedding varies widely from breed to breed.  For example, the pet parents of German Shepherds will groan about the amount of shedding all year long, while those of us with poodles rarely have to get out the broom or vacuum, even with the arrival of summer.

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My friend from Germany e-mailed me some sad news today. One of her puppies was involved in a car accident with his new owner and died. Luckily at least all people involved did not get hurt. When I take my dogs with me in the car I always buckle them in the backseat of my sports car or I have them in the crate in the back of our SUV. Please make sure your pets are as save as any possible while driving. There is a wonderful crate available I would highly recommend while traveling. Or go and buy a seat harness. Please never let your dog ride on the back of your pick up truck. While people probably think it’s cool - it’s awfully irresponsible. Not only can the dog get severely hurt when involved in an accident, the dog might also be catapulted off your pick up truck and might endanger the life of other drivers on the road. Please put safety first!

The new must see dog movie has just hit the movie theaters. After Marley and me, the second Dog movie this year - wow! My daughter and I are going to see that one, I just can not resist and she loves dogs as much as I do. The story line is about two siblings ending up in a foster home with a strict “no dogs” policy. They have to find a home for their beloved dog and soon stumble across an abandoned hotel. The perfect place to transform in a hotel not only for their dogs but also for all stays on the street. Read more at the official website “Hotel For Dogs”.
Let us know if you are going or how much you liked it!

Children, dogs and books! Sounds like a dream come true!

The Cobb County Central Library at 266 Roswell Road in Marietta, GA, will be host to a local chapter of READing Paws this year. Every Tuesday at 3:30 READing Paws dogs will be available to help children enhance their reading skills. The mission of Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.®) is to enhance children’s love of reading through the use of therapy animals and thus lay the foundation for a lifetime of learning and a higher quality life. This is such an innovative and thoughtful way to help children overcome reading obstacles and encourage more reading. Dogs don’t care if you stumble on words, if you need help or read slowly. Children are able work through problems and overcome insecurity. They leave with a sense of accomplishment that inspires confidence. If you are interested or know someone who would be please call the Marietta library at (770) 528-2320 to find out more and register!