April 4, 2008
Anyone who truly loves a pet is well aware of the therapeutic power of a relationship with them. Just released this March, in Puppy Chow is Better than Prozac: The True Story of a Man and the Dog Who Saved His Life, author Bruce Goldstein tells his story of a grave bout with depression and his eventual recuperation through loving and caring for his dog, Ozzy.
Medication can only take you so far. It didn't give ME a reason to get out of bed. Loving and a dog, loving Ozzy did.
Ozzy gave me structure, he provided me with unconditional love. Dogs give people a companion, a best friend, a reason to live.
Quote from the author via Alicia
April 3, 2008
Trying to think of a great name for your new pet? After all, it will define your pet, and you will use it for years. Check out the comprehensive The Big Book of Pet Names: More Than 10,000 Pet Names (Includes Celebrity Pet Names): the Most Complete Guide to Pet Names & Meanings.
If you are wondering how popular your pet's name is, here is a list of the top pet names from Veterinary Pet Insurance. People are noticing how many of the names are human names, a trend perhaps validating the contention that our pets have become really truly "members of our families".
MAX
BUDDY
MOLLY
MAGGIE
JAKE
DAISY
LUCY
ROCKY
BAILEY
SADIE
GINGER
CHLOE
SOPHIE
BUSTER
ZOE
CODY
CHARLIE
BEAR
JACK
PRINCESS
BELLA
ANGEL
TOBY
LADY
SASHA
DUKE
LUCKY
ABBY
SAM
You can view the most popular names by categories--Canine, Feline, Avian, Reptile, Exotic and search by either sex.
March 31, 2008
If you are a fan of Cesar Millan, you will be interested in the release of a new paperback book, Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan: The Ultimate Episode Guide. This episode guide is based on his famous National Geographic TV series Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, featuring 50 stories of the dogs Cesar has met and rehabilitated. This book has an accessible format:
* organization by behavioral problem (i.e., aggression, phobias, obsessions)
* notable quotes, advice, and tips from Cesar
* photos of Cesar, the dogs he has met, and the people whose lives he's changed
* production secrets from behind the scenes of the show
* updates on how the dogs and their owners are getting along today
Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan: The Ultimate Episode Guide
March 27, 2008
Our pets are indeed members of our families. That means we love them in health...and in sickness. We are not so quick anymore to "put them out" when they become seriously ill or disabled. We stand by them.
Sometimes our pets develop a bone cancer in their paw or leg that results in an amputation. Or maybe they are hit by a vehicle. The end result is the same--you made the decision to keep your pet alive as a 3-legged animal.
If you are going that route with a disabled pet that you just cannot let go, here is a book to provide support: Without Regret: A Handbook for Owners of Canine Amputees It will mean a lot down the road to know you gave it your best shot, that you did as much as you could for your faithful buddy.
MSNBC addresses advancements in physical therapy for disabled pets in Custom wheelchairs keep disabled pets moving:
A growing number of pet owners are turning to custom-built wheelchairs to restore mobility to furry friends whose legs, hips or backs don't work. The owners' goals are simple: to reward their pets' unconditional love with whatever it takes for the animals to live normally....
Veterinarian Derek Fox, a University of Missouri professor specializing in orthopedic surgery for dogs, cats and other small animals, said pets that once would have been irreversibly crippled are benefiting from a variety of advancements: improved hip and joint replacements, better physical therapy and wheelchairs.
"Even if a treatment is expensive, these are people who say they'll do anything to keep their pet moving, to keep them happy, to keep their quality of life up," he said.
March 26, 2008
If you enjoy bird-watching and would like to know how to attract nesters to your yard, The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens is for you. Turn your backyard into an avian sanctuary providing a lifetime of fun.
And read this short article Go Native. The writer explains that native plants offer nesting birds the best protection from predators.
[via The Nature in Us]
March 14, 2008
Do you ever wonder if you are feeding your pet the most nutritious food? Whether you should really be throwing them scraps, or if their recent illness was caused by their diet? The pet food recall of 2007 reminded us all that we can't take pet nutrition for granted anymore. Here are a few of the new books out on the all important subject of food and fuel for our pets.
For a comprehensive guide, pick up a copy of Ultimate Pet Food Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Feeding Your Dog or Cat by Liz Palika. This book covers it all--homemade, commercial, and raw food diets. The author discusses introducing new foods; what "human foods" pets shouldn't eat; free-feeding; responsibility for food safety; where ingredients come from; and red flags in ingredients.
If you like to cook for your pets, you can choose from more than fifty veterinarian- and pet-nutritionist-approved recipes, along with diets tailored to special-needs pets, such as puppies/kittens and pregnant, older, overweight and/or more sedentary animals.
Natural Nutrition for Cats: The Path to Purr-fect Health by Kymythy R. Schultze, "exposes the pitfalls of the pet-food industry." You will benefit from the author's extensive knowledge of proper feline nutrition. She updates the information from her previous books, Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats and The Natural Nutrition No-Cook Book, writing with charm and humor. You will love the photos.
If you are contemplating a new puppy, or have just brought one into your home, Puppy Preschool, Revised Edition: Raising Your Puppy Right---Right from the Start! by John Ross and Barbara McKinney is a must-read. It is filled with great advice for the first-time dog owner, as well as a refresher course for repeat owner. The premise of the books is that you should always train from the canine point of view.
In the first chapter, which is critical to puppy-rearing success, they outline their underlying training philosophy and consider who should own a dog. In succeeding chapters, they cover choosing the right puppy (including finding and evaluating puppies, the ten best breeds, and ten problem breeds), puppy development, bonding and socializing, housebreaking, basic commands, and puppy manners.
If you are a dog-lover reading Super Cool Pets, you most likely have experience bringing up a puppy. Due to a dog's optimal 10-15 or so year lifespan, a lot of time can go by between puppies. As we found, it's never a bad idea to update yourself on state-of-the-art training techniques, pet food and equipment. And we will keep you current here on Super Cool Pets.
March 13, 2008
Your dog is shaking, panting and pacing frenetically around the house. Maybe cowering in the closet or hiding under the bed. Some dogs even scratch and destroy their surroundings.The problem--anxiety, whether to noise, thunder, strangers, in-breeding or the boogeyman. What to do, to make your pet, and yourself, feel better.
Two intriguing new releases this March 8, a book with two sample CD tracks, Through a Dog's Ear: Using Sound to Improve the Health & Behavior of Your Canine Companion
and a companion music CD Through a Dog's Ear: Music to Calm Your Canine Companion, Volume 1, music designed to calm animals and humans.
The book applies the latest science on how dogs hear and react to sound. It includes research information, stories, and a two-track sample CD--one to calm your dog and one for general enjoyment entitled "Music for the canine household".
The CD carries 9 full tracks of solo piano music. The individual pieces have been selected and/or rearranged (lowering tempo and pitch, for example) to gradually reduce the heart rate and respiratory rate.This music has been clinically researched, studying its effect on dogs of different temperaments and in various anxiety-producing situations. The studies show that this "psycho-acoustically designed" music reduced anxiety at twice the rate of traditional classical music.
[via Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, Veterinary Medicine]
In our own household, one of our Golden Retrievers is now not only terrified of thunder, but even upset by a rain shower, obviously due to association. This suffering cannot go on, not to mention, rainy nights=sleepless nights. Music therapy is fine for the day, but at night we prefer quiet.
We have been using Rescue Remedy, but our dog's anxiety level has heightened so it really has not been as effective recently. On the recommendation of our vet, we wrapped a Melatonin 3 Mg pill up in a slice of deli ham and fed it to our dog. This has calmed her down and she lay quietly in the closet during the last storm, not panting. The anxiety is still present, but seems to be reduced. Check with your vet as to dosage, especially if you have a smaller dog.
If you have read this far, you too must be interested in the subject of pet anxiety. If you have any remedies of your own, please leave a comment or email them to news@supercoolpets.com
February 22, 2008
If you want to do more than just provide the basics for your favorite doggy, here is a manual for you. Pamper Your Pooch by Sarah-Whitehead examines breed-specific ways to give your pet the best life you can.
You'll learn how to create a comfortable environment for your pooch, easy recipes for yummy meals, and grooming techniques to keep your pet looking great. And you can't forgo those exercise routines and relaxation techniques! You will pick up loads of general health tips. Since the Pampered Pooch must have the right accessories--the author provides style tips on how to pick collars, leashes and clothes for the most fashionable look.
Pamper-Your-Pooch
February 18, 2008
On the road again...and with your pooch in tow. If your dog gets a little jumpy in the car, Doggone Songs Travel Tunes CD will chill you both out. Play it during thunderstorms, fireworks, parties, training sessions--anytime your dog gets a little hyper and nervous.
The secret is in the Schoenberger effect, a musical methodology shown to relax animals. Dog enrichment and therapy with Doggone Songs Travel Tunes CD.
February 13, 2008
Not a happy topic, but unfortunately one most of us have dealt with in our lives. It is hard enough to deal with our own or another's grief, but explaining a death of a pet to a child may be stretching our capabilities.
A book that deals sensitively with this subject is When a Pet Dies by Fred Rogers, aka Mr Rogers, yes of Mr Rogers' Neighborhood. Whether you thought he was an angel or a hopeless dweeb, he did know how to deal with feelings. This books can help children understand their feelings and realize the pain of loss will lessen over time.
A moving, and apparently true (according to Snopes) tale on the subject via News for cats and dogs from Itchmo
The kindness of a stranger is simply an amazing and touching moment.
Here is an email that Debbie, an Itchmo reader, sent us about the story of a child's letter to God about her dog, Abbey, who had passed away and what happened after she sent the letter:
Our 14-year-old-dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could, so she dictated these words:
For the rest of the post: News for cats and dogs from Itchmo.]
Puppy Chow Is Better than Prozac: The True Story of a Man and the Dog Who Saved His Life 
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