When you cross a Maltese with a Pomeranian, you get a Malte Pom. Sometimes these dogs are called Pomenese , these great little dogs grow to five up to nine pounds and are clever, amusing and affectionate.  They need regular and rigorous exercise to minimize barking and boredom. The white coat of the Maltese mixes with the Pomeranian’s apricot, cream, black or brown to create varying shades and patches of color. The long, silky fur on the Malte Pom doesn’t shed but needs regular grooming or a short cut.  Malte Poms live between 12 and 15 years and some say that they are healthier than the breeds that they descended from.  Malte Poms are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club but as with all designer dogs, not by the American Kennel Club.

Remember, lots of exercise, dog toys,treats and love. Your pets count!

The fleas are having a great time on your pet. Your veterinarian recommends a product that you drip onto your pets back once a month. These are known as spot on treatments and they are insecticides that disrupt the nervous system of the fleas.  All of these products kill the adult fleas and some kill the eggs are larvae too.  If you plan on using spot on products for cats and dogs, carefully follow the instructions and monitor your pets for any adverse reaction.

My older cat, Mollie lost some hair right under her collar where the product was applied. The hair never grew back. Remember that these treatments are pesticides. If you have several pets, separate them after each application to prevent them from licking the chemical off of each other.  By taking the proper precautions, spot on treatments can be a very effective way to fight fleas.

When men lose their hair, it’s often due to male pattern baldness. Dogs can also lose their hair in a common skin disease called acquired pattern Alopecia.  It begins by a gradual thinning of the dogs hair coat. The hair is usually lost in a symmetrical pattern.  The hair is lost first on the ears, then the neck, then the chest, abdomen and around the tail. Acquired pattern alopecia affects some breeds more than others.  One breed that it hits really hard are Dachshunds.  Boston Terriers, Chihuahua’s, Whippets and Greyhounds lose hair too. Medically, Alopecia is really not that serious a problem for a dog. It’s more of a problem for the owner because the dog looks a little unsightly. There is a genetic basis for pattern baldness. This is one thing that you and your best friend could have in common. It doesn’t matter if he’s going bald or not. Give him lots of love, toys and treats. Remember, Your pets count!

The Doberman Pinscher is a unique dog. They have a beautiful, athletic body and a strong intelligent mind. They are loyal, watchful, and smart dogs.  People say a lot of things that are not true of a Doberman’s temperament.  Some say that they are stubborn and can be vicious.  The fact is any dog not properly cared for can become dangerous.  All dogs need to be respected. The Doberman as with other dog breeds must be properly trained. You can’t expect to go out and adopt a Doberman like your would go out and buy a leather jacket.  It takes knowledge of the breed, patience and consistent training. This is true will all dog breeds.

We need to understand that viciousness is a behavior and all behavior is a result of instinct and conditioning. If a dog becomes vicious, it feels threatened. We would display that same behavior whether it be verbal or physical if we were put in a threatening situation. A Doberman is bred to have a confident temperament.  They don’t usually feel threatened unless they really have a good reason. They are less likely to over react with viciousness or biting.

The Doberman is bred to be at the side of man assisting him in some of the most intense and dangerous jobs. The Doberman must be strong in all areas.  Don’t believe some of the things that you hear. The Doberman is a wonderful pet and companion. Remember, your pets count!

WILLOW

You may have heard the incredible story of a cat  named Willow who went missing from her Colorado home and turned up on east 20th street in Manhattan five years later! This is true. Willow disappeared when a contractor left the front door ajar during a home renovation project. The family sent out frantic, online messages and put up posters around their home in Bloomfield, Colorado. When she didn’t return, the family thought that she had been eaten by a coyote.

On Sept. 14th, a man brought her in to the Animal Care& Control in New York. He told them that he found her on East 20th Street. Five years after she disappeared and nearly 1,600 miles away from home. Animal Control quickly checked to see if she had a micro chip implanted. She did and the family was called and quickly flew to New York to be united with their long, lost, beloved pet.  How she got to New York is not known but the important thing to know is that without the micro-chip, she would have never been found. A micro-chip contains all of the pet and owner information. It’s a very painless, quick and easy procedure performed in your vet’s office.

When adopting a new pet, make sure you get her micro-chipped. If she gets lost, the first thing an animal shelter or vet will do is check for a micro-chip. This could save her life!

Remember, your pets count!

Suppose that you notice that your dog just isn’t acting like herself, how do you know when to call your veterinarian?  First be assured that your hunch that there is something wrong will be taken very seriously by your veterinarian. You know your dog better than anyone else.  When you call the veterinary clinic, be prepared for questions like is your dog panting?  salivating?  Were has she been and what has she’s been eating?  If you prefer, before you call, look up symptoms in a pet first aid book or on the web. A systematic review of symptoms will help you and your vet know what to do next.  It could be nothing and your dog will be her old self by dinner time or maybe it’s time for a checkup. Even if there is any doubt in your mind, don’t hesitate to ask and always call your vet for any abnormal symptoms or behavior. Never administer any pet medication without the professional advice or your vet. Remember Your pets count!

If notice any changes in your dog’s nose color, there’s probably no need for alarm. A nose that’s normally dark can change color for several reasons.  It may look pink or brown. Sometimes, the season is the reason for the change. The change can occur in the colder months. This is due to pigment loss because of the temperature. Sunburn can also cause a problem. Applying sunscreen can help. Some noses are sensitive to plastic food and water bowls. This can cause contact dermatitis.  Normal color may return if you change the food and water bowls to steel or ceramic. If your dog seems healthy, in every other way, nose color changes are probably not a problem. If there are other symptoms such as a loss of appetite or listlessness, see your veterinarian.

MILLIE

As I’m writing this and trying to get things done after a very long day, my younger cat Millie is by the terrace doors whining and meowing non stop.  I usually water the plants at this time but today it’s raining. Still Millie meows on and on. She likes to drink and clean herself with the water that drips down from the plants. So I will pause now and go and water the plants in the pouring rain so Millie can have her wash and drink………………There, all done I’m back. Now she’s fine. Each and everyday, my older cat, Mollie comes in the bathroom after my shower. (keep in mind that I have to leave the bathroom door open for her because if I don’t I’ll be in trouble!)  She wants me to pet and brush her. She’s  never misses her bathroom visit even though once in a while when I’m running late, I wish she would.

Our cats have crazy habits or instincts. They do things at the same time every day. Each day, when I leave for work, Mollie goes over to her cat food and eats. You have to love our beloved pets! Time to get out that fishing pole cat toy, Millie is waiting to play!

MOLLIE

How can we make sure that our beloved pets are protected in the event of their owners passing or illness? It is hard to think that they would be sent to a shelter and possibly even face extermination.  Their are some things that we could do to prepare. Select a friend or family member to care for the pet. You can even put this information in your last Will and Testament. You can also establish a trust fund for your pets.  As many as 25 percent of families with pets have provided for them through wills or trusts according to  Sara Amundson, executive director of the Humane Society Legislative Fund.  Pet trusts enable owners to leave money earmarked for the care of their animals, and specify how they want pets to be treated. In comparison, wills are used for disbursing assets, but instructions about treatment are not enforceable. A trust is a way to ensure that your pet will be cared for.  But before naming friends or loved ones as trustees for your pet and funds, make sure they’re ready and willing to take on this responsibility.

Expect to spend at least $1,500 to $2,000 to establish a trust, which requires the skills of a professional, according to Kim Bressant-Kibwe, trusts and estates counsel with American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

If you don’t want to spend the cash or time on a trust, try setting up a bank account with someone whom you trust to care for your animal.

Remember, your pets count!

Cats are very flexible and fast. They kind of remind me of a rubber band. They is partly because of their bone structure. They’re built for speed and agility and they have skeletons that are very similar to our own. Cats have thirty vertebrae,their skulls have between 35 and 40 bones. They have  five toes in the front and four in the back. The total amount of bones can vary from cat to cat due to variations in the toes as well as different tail lengths.  On average, cats have 244 bones. The shoulder blade and clavicle are the most interesting. The bones in these areas are not attached to any muscle tissue. The floating shoulder blades allow for extreme flexibility. Their tiny clavicle’s allow cats to pass through spaces as small as their own heads.

Remember give your cat plenty of love, care and throw in some treats every now and then because your pets count!