Talented dogs and cats are often used in TV shows and movies. Think of the Saint Bernard who played Beethoven or Eddie, the Jack Russell from the TV show Frazier. Human actors have a union to help to protect their interest but what about canine and feline actors.  The group charged with monitoring the use of animals in show business is the American Humanes of Film and Television. This organization sends trained representatives to movie sets to make sure that the animal actors are being handled according to strict guidelines. If the guidelines are met, the final TV program or film will include a special end credit stating the no animals were harmed. Look for it next time you watch your favorite program. Make sure you reward you talented dog with lots of love and treats, you never know, he may be the star of a new TV series.

The Golden Retriever is a big, beautiful dog with many appealing qualities. They were bred to be a hunting dog but make great family pets as well. It is a loving, intelligent, obedient breed with a trusting and gentle nature. Generally, Golden’s love people so don’t expect one to make a good guard dog. Their sweet personalities make Gold Retrievers popular pets. They’re not for everyone. For one thing, the shed a lot! If you’re a neat freak, don’t get a golden. The breed is also large and exuberant. One wag of that big tail can easily clear a coffee table.  They also have a tendency to get heavy if they don’t get enough exercise. Make sure you take them outside and toss some of their favorite dog toys around to keep them in shape.  Golden Retrievers  require a lot of room and a fairly clutter free environment.

It’s the fourth of July weekend and most municipalities will have a fireworks display. It’s a great time of year with lots of picnics and parties. All of this adds up to lots of fun but it could represent potential dangers for your dog.

The most common dog owner complaint during the 4th of July is their dog’s reaction to the fireworks.  The combination of loud noises and bright lights could scare your dog even if he’s never been afraid of these things before. Some dogs will show signs of fear that can include pacing, panting, trembling, salivating, trying to escape and/or barking.  Many dogs can injure themselves by trying to escape all of the noise. They could also get hit by a car if they try to run away from the fireworks display.

Here’s some tips on keeping your dog calm during the fireworks.

• Don’t take your dog to the fireworks. Stay at home with him if the noise makes him nervous and make sure that he is in a comfortable place.
• Don’t try too hard to calm your dog during a fearful event such as fireworks. This could make the problem worse and reinforce his fearful response.
• Some dogs are very sensitive to peoples moods. Remain happy and upbeat and divert his attention by tossing him some of his dog toys.
• If you must leave your dog home alone, think of what makes him most comfortable. Is it lying in his dog bed in a quiet room? Maybe he feels safer in his crate. Whatever it is, provide a comfortable or “safe” place for your dog during the fireworks.

For thousands of years, massage was used to promote human healing. Using it to promote animal health is a more recent development. For several decades, hardworking equine show jumpers, race horses and racing dogs have received vigorous rub downs as a way to increase flexibility and increase performance. Now massage is used for companion pets. Among its many benefits, massages seems to mitigate the affects of anxiety and stress, help animals recover faster from trauma or surgery and reduce the chronic aches and pains of elderly canines. To help insure that massage therapy is effective, be sure to hire a trained professional who understands canine anatomy. Remember to pamper your dog with lots of exercise dog toys and treats as well.