When people go missing, dogs can help. Canine search and rescue trainers capitalize on a dogs natural excitement and a keen sense of smell.  Using treats and toys, they train dogs to recognize  then find certain scents so that they can eventually track down lost people or lost pets.  Training is no easy task. It usually takes about one year of intensive training.  Some dogs like Blood Hounds are natural trackers. Working breeds like Labs, Border Collies  and German Shepherds also make great rescue dogs. The desire to work and please, intelligence and the ability to stay focused are very important qualities.  Poor pets sometimes make great trackers. Dogs that are hyperactive, chew or dig can also make very good rescue dogs. When they are trained, all of this energy is re-directed.  After all of that training he will sleep well in his dog bed!

A Cock a poo is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. Sometimes this breed is refer to as a “spoodle.”  A Cock a poo may be a great choice for people looking for a fun loving and non shedding dog.  One thing that makes cock a poos popular is their short, curly, teddy bear type hair and hypoallergenic coat. They are also friendly to all ages of your family. Cock a poos have a clown like personality.  They are very smart and outgoing and they’ll keep you company.  Cock a poos need a good amount of exercise. If your considering having one in an apartment, make sure he has lots of dog toys maybe even a dog exercise pen and  that he gets plenty of exercise. Take him out for frequent and long walks.

Today, my younger cat, Millie was at the door of our mobile home in Delaware scratching to go out on the screened in porch. Since she’s an indoor cat and the temperature was about 16 degrees, I was reluctant to send her out. She insisted and I let her out for a few minutes. She began jumping and running back and forth as if she wanted to catch something. She did. Apparently, a small bird got into our screened in porch and was flying back and forth. Millie was determined to get that bird until I spoiled her plans by opening the door and letting the bird fly out into freedom!

So, can birds and cats live together in the same house?  The answer is “yes” if you take the proper precautions.  If your cat shows an interest in hunting your bird (which no doubt, he or she will at some point) spritz the cat with water. Most of the time, this will be enough to curb your cats predatory behavior after awhile. Birds are able to catch certain diseases from cats and direct contact to your cats fur through biting can increase the likelihood that your bird will catch something.  Always try to avoid physical contact between your bird and cat.  With consistent training the two should get along and not harm each other. Give your kitty lots of exercise by playing with her cat toys. This way she will not want to play with your bird!

Lots of snow, lots of road de icer and and road salt. These chemicals should not be confused with common table salt.  These products are made of strong chemicals that cause severe pain and burn your dogs feet. They also burn your dogs mouth and tongue as your dog licks his feet. If you want to sand your property, then buy the harmless sand that is put in a kids sandbox. It does the trick and will not harm your dog or the neighbors dog. Kitty litter and wood ash also provide safe footing. Get a large rug or doormat to wipe your feet clean and not drag those harmful chemicals around your home.  When you get inside, wash your dogs feet and for long haired dogs, brush his underside. If your dog comes in wet, he probably picked up some road salt along the way. Wash him with warm, soapy water, properly rinse and towel dry him. Consider buying him a dog sweater and dog boots to protect his feet.

Is your cat  “cat napping” its life away? Don’t be concerned. Domestic cats are similar or wild cats in many ways including their sleep and activity patterns which are called crepuscular. This means that they are active at dawn and dusk which is when their prey is out and about. The rest of the hours in the day are spent conserving their energy for the big expenditure they must make in order to hunt.  Our domesticated cats obviously don’t need to worry about such things but their genes enable them to keep a schedule full of down time. An average of 16 hours a day or two thirds of their lives are spent resting or sleeping. My older cat Mollie doesn’t even get up when it’s her snack time anymore. I spoil her and bring the snacks to her!  If you notice any big changes like listlessness or not eating, contact your veterinarian. Otherwise just get a comfortable cat bed and your cat will love you!

If you were to design a cat that was perfect for cold climates, you probably couldn’t come up with a better cat that mother nature has already designed. The Norwegian Forest cat.  This is a very old breed that used to roam the seas with the vikings.  It has a beautiful long double coat that changes to fit the seasons.  The outer layer is waterproof, ready for harsh snow and rain.  The cats tail is long and bushy and its ears have long tufts for extra protection.  It’s interesting, but the Norwegian Forest cat does not require a lot of grooming. It also makes a wonderful house pet that is good with children and other pets. So if you’re considering a cat, buy those cat treats and cat toys for your Norwegian Forest cat!

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. It’s a time when all pet owners are encouraged to properly brush the teeth of their little furry friends. The American Veterinary Medical Association encourages owners to start brushing their pets teeth on a regular basis. 80% of dogs and 70% of cats start to show signs of gum disease by age three.

Gum disease is an infection because plaque builds on teeth and around the gums. This can also cause bad breath, bleeding, oral pain, lose of appetite, infection of the roots and eventually infection of the internal organs such as the kidneys, heart and liver. We encourage pet owners to brush their pets teeth regularly, use the proper brushes and paste and take your pet for a regular dental checkup. This can be part of his regular checkup.  Rawhide chews do not protect your dog from gun disease but there are some toys and treats that can help. For more information, visit.

www.avma.org,  www.vohc.org  or  www.petdental.com

The following information was derived from an article that appeared in today’s Bergen Record.

Did you know that New Jersey has the second strongest animal protection laws in the country? There are wide ranging regulations that protect animals from harm in homes, on farms, at racetracks and also in the wild. This information was reported by the Humane Society on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010. In an analysis of laws in all 50 states, the animal welfare advocates ranked California number 1 for the legal protection of animals. New Jersey ranked second and Colorado and Massachusetts tied for third. Idaho and South Dakota earned the lowest scores because of their failure to make animal cruelty a felony or to outlaw cockfighting.  California is one of the few states that outlaws the use of animals in product testing when an alternative exists. It also gives students the right to choose an alternative to animal dissection such a use of simulated dissection on the computer instead.

New Jersey was cited for strong laws on animal fighting, fur labeling and alternatives to animal testing. Our pets should be kept safe and should also be given effective pet medication and treatment when needed.

If you’ve always been content owning a dog but for some reason right now you would also like to own a feline friend, consider the rag doll cat. They’re sometimes called the “dog” of the cat world. Rag dolls are bred to be relaxed and affectionate.  They’re interested in your daily activities and won’t hide away in a corner like some cats do. They can follow you around the house, greet you at the door and even play fetch with one of their cat toys!  The rag doll is a larger breed with luxurious fur and striking blue eyes. Rag dolls are pointed with their bodies colored lighter than their ears, face and tail.  Their name comes from a tendency to go limp when picked up. They’re a great choice for a family pet and guaranteed not to bark.