Whimsical clip of the week

Big Tuna...lets see how I can put this? She does not possess the most intimidating growl to would be intruders. Okay, I should be fair and say that I have no idea what she is trying to communicate with this growl...its always accompanied by a shake of the head and the pursed lips...always the pursed lips. So it may be a play thing. Anyhow, when you hear it, the first instinct is to pinch her ample cheeks rather than run. Too damn cute.

What do Barkology products and Evil laughter have to do with each other?

Feel free to blame my husband for this one. He insisted that I post this for the "whimsical" value...I still have no idea what he is referring to. This was a commercial for our Barkology products that he put together but ultimately never distributed. But he insisted that the laugh should be heard by the masses and that I should indulge him just this once. Again.

Canine Acupuncture

Here's a subject which we haven't talked about yet but you should definitely be aware of. Acupuncture has been around seemingly forever and in the past couple of years the use of acupuncture on our four legged companions has become increasingly popular. Acupuncuture is used for treating a variety of ailements as well as a preventative treatement. 

Noseprints recently paid a visit to Dr. Gary Zinderman of the Animal Health and Healing Center. You can watch video of Tucker the wonder daschund undergoing treatment for his chronic back pain. Some dogs are prone to back issues and one look at a Daschund and you understand why they have back issues. They have no legs and are basically a tube with a head and a tail. Okay, maybe not that bad but the elongated body and hence spine just scream "back problems just around the corner". What is also very interesting is that acupuncture is used on larger mammals (excluding my cousin Vinnie) as well. In fact, check out the video below on the comparison of needles used on a dog and those used on a horse. The equine acupuncture segment will be posted in a few weeks. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact myself or Dr. Gary Zinderman and we'll get you some answers. 

Keep Wagging everybody!

spaying and neutering dogs and cats

I have to share one of our newest shirts with you because not only is it a beautiful shirt, it also carries a serious message. Stylish and serious...who would have thunk?

The spay and neuter shirt from Barkology not only is a beautiful design with a wonderful charcoal drawing on the front...but it also has the one message that needs to be everyones mantra: spay and neuter. Spay and neuter. Spay and neuter.

Why? Let me whack you upside the head with the following:

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that more than 40 million American households own at least one dog and that more than 38 million own at least one cat. However, millions more unwanted animals are homeless. By having your pet spayed or neutered, you can make sure not to add to the number of unwanted pets and protecting your pet's health at the same time.

Now, for those unfamiliar with the concept of spaying and neutering, let this serve as your primer.

Female dogs and cats are usually spayed around the age of 6 months, preferably before their first heat. Spaying is a surgical procedure in which the uterus and both ovaries are removed. In addition to ensuring that your pet will not have puppies or kittens, spaying provides a number of additional health benefits. Spaying removes the risk of uterine cancer and dramatically reduces the risk of mammary cancer (common in older intact female dogs and cats), especially if it is done before the first heat. Also, spayed animals cannot develop uterine infections or complications due to pregnancy.

Neutering of male pets is also usually done around the age of six months and involves surgically removing the testicles. This surgery does not change your pet's behavior in any negative ways, but it does cut down on the male's desire to roam away from home to find a female. Neutering also dramatically reduces the risk of prostate diseases (including cancer), which are common in older, intact male dogs. I can't tell you how many males (0f the human variety) object to their dogs being "fixed"...they're not thinking about the dogs. They're only thinking about whatever hangup it is that makes men do such things. So guys, remember: it's not about you, it's about your dogs health. And preventing more dogs that needs homes and won't get them.

Both surgeries are performed under general anesthesia, but most pets recover quickly in just a day or two. Your veterinarian will provide instructions for caring for your pet at home after the surgery. For example, you'll need to restrict your pet's activity for a week or two to allow healing to occur. Most pets can return to their usual routine around the time that their sutures are removed.

You can check out Barkology on Nose Prints' website!

Keep Wagging everybody!