New York State is considering adopting a bill that would make de-clawing of cats illegal. There have been many times that I’ve written about my feelings about de-clawing and I know that many people may disagree with me. I am against the de-clawing of cats and kittens. The procedure not only includes the removal of the claw itself but also includes removal of part of the digit. I believe that this is cruel and painful to our furry friends. Cats have claws for a reason. If you’re that worried about your furniture, don’t adopt at cat of kitten. Both of my cats have never been declawed and I will admit, because of my negligence, they have damaged some of my furniture.

There are easy things that you could do to prevent them from clawing. I bought new furniture for my home in Delaware. To keep my cats away, I bought a spray from the pet store that keeps cats away and prevents them from clawing. It works perfect! They have never clawed any of my furniture down there. So there are alternatives to de-clawing. Why not try these rather than put your cat through this painful, unnecessary procedure?

Remember, your pets count!

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A dogs prostate can become enlarged just as humans can. When a dogs prostate becomes enlarged,it becomes pre-exposed to cysts and infections. How can you tell if your dog has a problem with his prostate? Check to see if he strains to urinate and also check to see if there’s blood in his urine. In severe cases, a dog may become ill or even collapse. Prostatic disease is most common in non-neutered dogs. Mary McClouglin, a small animal surgeon at Ohio State University recommends that all male dogs get checked for prostate problems. Your vet will determine whether or not the prostate is enlarged, in the right place and the right shape. If abnormalities are detected, pet medication, neutering or surgery may be recommended by your vet to protect your pet. Look for these signs. If you find anything abnormal, have your dog checked out right away. You won’t be sorry!

Remember, your pets count!

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You’ve finally decided to take some action to get your dog to lose weight. Overweight dogs are prone to many diseases like osteoarthritis, heart disease and diabetes. It is proven that dogs that are fit, live longer. The first thing that you should do to get your dog to lose weight is to take him to the vet to determine if there are underlying conditions that may be causing his weight problem. Your vet will help you calculate how many calories that your dog is already consuming. He will determine a lower calorie option that is both nutritious and lower in fat.  There are many over the counter weight management and healthy weight diets but these are not legally regulated. They may not even lower the calories to help your dog lose weight. One last thing to note is that table food and treats contain many calories and fat. It is recommended that your dog consume no more than 10% of his total calorie intake on snacks and table food.

Remember, your pets count!

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It seems that animals such as bears, coyotes and even deer are appearing in residential neighborhoods lately. It could be because of all of the development, especially here in north Jersey. Development is changing these animal’s habitat and they are becoming displaced. Last week, I was driving down River Road in Edgewater and saw a deer just strolling along. I had to do a double take! Last week, wild coyotes were seen in residential neighborhoods in Englewood Cliffs. Bears have been  breaking into porches in West Milford and Wayne, NJ.

I’ve heard a very disturbing story about a coyote causing the death of a precious dog. This did not occur in this part of the country but it certainly could have. I urge all pet owners to be vigilant. I would never leave my pet outside alone, even if the property is fenced in. Never let your pet run loose in any area where you don’t have easy access to him. Large hawks have been known to swoop down and carry off small dogs and cats.

Development will not stop, especially here in north Jersey. Developers won’t stop until every available open or wooded area has some kind of structure on it!  North Jersey is becoming more and more like a concrete jungle. everyday. So it’s up to you as a pet owner to change your behavior and pay close attention to your pet when he’s outdoors. They deserve to be protected….even in this concrete jungle!!

Remember, your pets count!

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I read an article hat really interests me. It was about a Labrador Retriever that was trained  to help an autistic boy deal with his disabilities.  According to the article source, the boy has difficulty transitioning from home to school and has outbursts which are common in autistic children. His mother says that the dog’s calming presence helps. The dog is kept on his  leash and causes no problem at school. The school objects to this and says that they already provide him with adequate service for his autism. Although they may provide adequate service, does this prevent the boy from his outbursts? If the dog helps calm the boy and causes no harm, this author believes that he should be allowed to stay in school.  A county judge allowed the dog to accompany the boy to school  temporarily until the case is settled. What do you think? Dogs are smart creatures that have the ability to help the handicapped. Why not let them in schools to help with autism?  Of course many things must be considered before allowing a dog in a classroom. A very small group setting with adequate staff would work best.

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Some dogs don’t have much interest in high end activities such as running, racing or playing frisby. They prefer a laid back life style and require only a 20 minute walk twice a day. There are some breeds that fall into this category. Among them are the Bulldog, Shih Tzu, St Bernard and Pekingese. Dogs that are couch potato’s range in size from very large to petite. Despite the fact that they love to stay in their dog beds and rest, they are not pushovers! They can be uncooperative, stubborn and quick to take an assertive role in the absence of a human. They do like their long naps but they also need guidance, discipline and regular exercise.

Remember, your pets count!

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My cats instantly raise their tail and butt high in the air whenever I pet or scratch their back. It seems that they are enjoying the feeling and attention. When this occurs, cats are experiencing what is known as “elevator butt.” You push the right buttons by scratching in the right place and they can’t help but raise their butt and tail up high! They have been doing this since birth.

Kittens raise their back ends and raise their tails for their mother to inspect and clean them. This early stimulation was both functional and pleasurable. Now that your kitten has grown, it’s their way of telling you that you’ve picked the right spot and your are worthy of scratching that sensitive area that feels so good!!

Remember, your pets count!

Great music, choose any one of our six great radio stations1

Edgewater Radio – the greatest hits of the 50’s 60’s 70’s and 80!

Constant Country KRS – Today’s hottest country, new releases and the classics!

Movin Easy Net Radio – Soft Rock from the 60’s 70’s 80’s and 90’s.

Dance Fever 54 – Dance and disco classics!

Starlite 365 –  Pop Vocals and standards – the greatest music ever made!

Thunder Rock 101-  All alternative all the time1

The weather in the northeast and much of the country is supposed to turn frigid  by the middle of this week. This raises the question, how long should you keep your dog out in the extreme cold?  As a general rule, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your dog. Do your homework and get information about your dogs breed and how he tolerates cold weather. For instance, huge Bullmastiffs shouldn’t be out in very hot or very cold weather.  Alaskan Huskies are another breed that shouldn’t be left out in the cold too long . As a general statement, dogs that have a double coat (they have an undercoat for the winter) may be left out in the extreme cold no longer than 30 minutes.  Dogs with a single coat must wear a coat or a sweater. Small dogs like the Chihuahua, should be bundled up and taken out in very short periods of time in the extreme cold weather. I’m talking about five minutes if possible.

King Charles Spaniels have very long coats, but this dog is cut out for the cold weather and can stay in most days in the winter. Do your research and check with your vet. Never leave your dog out unattended in extreme cold weather.

Remember, your pets count!

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Ultra sound is one of the most useful tools in veterinary medicine. It provides a three dimensional image of an animals entire abdomen. With this low stress, non invasive procedure a veterinarian gets a clear picture of every organ. Thomas Baker of the UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital and a Veterinarian specializing in Ultra Sound technology says that the signs of an illness available in digital images can help a veterinarian pinpoint the problem early on. He says that the ultra sound enhances the clinical thought of the veterinarian. Using the information provided with ultrasound, your veterinarian can customize treatment to meet your pets specific needs.  Diagnosis can be made early increasing your pets life and reducing the cost of pet medication that may not be treating the specific problem.

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It’s not unusual for a dog to break a tooth chewing on a hard bone or toy. Jerry Ann Holsman, a certified veterinary technician at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine says that the important thing to remember is that a fractured tooth is likely very painful so it needs to be taken care of right away. The sooner that you can get your dog to a veterinarian, the sooner his tooth can be saved with a root canal or another procedure. If the tooth is beyond repair, your veterinarian will likely remove it. Don’t worry if there is a whole in his “smile” because dogs can get along fine without a few teeth. I’m sure that your dog prefers comfort and well being over vanity. Watch out for those rawhide bones, they can do damage and break your dogs teeth!

Remember, your pets count!

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