"If your dog is fat you're not getting enough exercise."
Lisa Dougherty rescued Sunny at five months old from the Orange County Animal Shelter (see his picture on the right). He’s almost nine now and a big part of Lisa's life!
But it doesn't end there! Lisa just adopted Scout, an adorable shepherd mix who is about nine years old, from the Orange County Humane Society in 2006 (see his picture on the right).
Lisa's goal is to help these "homeless" dogs find loving homes and to get people to volunteer and donate toys and towels that are much needed. If you are interested in donating items, volunteering, and/or adopting, please contact her at (949)
378-4505.
For a list of Orange County shelters nearest you, please visit HCA Animal Care Services.
Below are additional dog(s) that have been rescued from shelters:
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In Loving Memory
- Robin Rutherford
In Loving Memory
- Stacy Shannon
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The Humane Society of the United States
For memberships, donations, publications visit: www.hsus.org
The OC Dog
Everybody loves a dog lover!
Visit website: www.ocdogs.com
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
— Will Rogers
VPI Pet Insurance
Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) is the nation’s oldest and largest health insurance plan for pets. The company was founded in 1980 to help end "economic euthanasia" of pets and is committed to making the miracles of veterinary medicine affordable for all pet owners. Veterinary Pet Insurance policies provide both protection for a pet and peace of mind for a pet owner. Pet owners don’t want finances to get in the way of giving their pet the care it needs.
VPI plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional vaccination and routine care coverage is also available. With more than one million policies sold, Veterinary Pet Insurance is the nation's largest licensed pet medical insurance provider.
Visit website: www.petinsurance.com
Phone: (800) 540-2016
WIKE Ultra-light Bicycle Trailers and Joggers
Take your dogs with you!
Visit website: www.wicycle.com/
Animal Assistance League of Orange County
Animal Assistance League of Orange County is a no-kill organization that rescues dogs and cats from a variety of hardships. Since we are a no-kill rescue, dogs and cats stay until adopted and we have the benefit of learning a great deal about their personalities, their behaviors, their likes and dislikes. This enables us to assist you in finding a good match.
Visit website: www.aaloc.com/
Phone: (714) 893-4393
A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
— Josh Billings
Did You Know?
Pets are the perfect stress soothers. Research published in the journal of Hypertension shows that pets may even help people deal with stress more effectively than the leading medication. Return the favor by keeping your cat or dog stress-free with products that aim for maximum comfort!
Visit the following websites for more information:
EzyDog: The Original Shock Absorbing Leash - Dog Leashes, Collars and Harnesses
It all started with the Original Shock Absorbing dog leash established in Australia over 9 years ago. And building on this ingenuity, we've put together a line of unique products with safety, comfort, and durability in mind for both you and your pet. We strive to be at the forefront of innovation for the active dog enthusiast.
Please visit www.impactmovie.com/ezydog for a three-minute Introduction to our product.
Visit website: www.ezydog.com/fxstore/ezydog2/index.cfm
Phone: (208) 263-3181
E-mail: info@ezydog.com
We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare.
And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made.
— M. Acklam
Pet First Aid for Dogs & Cats
Saddleback Animal Care Center
24801 Raton Drive
Lake Forest, CA 92630
- Learn Basic First Aid techniques for cats and dogs due to common illness, injury or life-threatening condition.
- Learn to identify and care for signals of breathing emergencies, cardiac arrest, sudden illness and injuries.
- Learn the components of a good “pet-friendly” first aid kit.
Fee: $40 (pre-registration is required)
For information call: (949) 586-2540
Animal Amour - Pet Sitting and Day Walking
"Pets Are My Passion!"
Offering the highest quality in pet care. Pets interview me for free.
Insured - Bonded - Member Pet Sitters Int'l
Visit website: www.AnimalAmour.com
Contact info: Joni Oldfield (949) 631-5771
You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says,
'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'
— Dave Barry
Gentle Dental
Although anesthesia has become safer over the years, there are some animals that, because of their medical condition/s or age, are not good candidates for anesthesia. Teeth-cleaning remains a priority for these animals and I am able to offer this service anesthesia-free. The earlier teeth cleaning can be started on an animal, the more likely we can minimize or prevent the onset of periodontal disease which could lead to cardiac, hepatic and renal problems later in life.
I handle my appointments at various Southern California locations and am able to make house calls if necessary. I'll be happy to show you how to brush your pet's teeth. My rates are reasonable and a maintenance schedule is available. I have a kind, loving approach with all my pet patients.
Contact JoEllen Craglione: (800) 264-3094
Visit website: www.gentledentalforpets.com
If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your
pocket and then give him only two of them.
— Phil Pastoret
The Animal Rescue Site
Millions of animals are rescued by shelters every year. Your daily click provides food for an animal in a shelter or sanctuary.
Visit website: www.theanimalrescuesite.com/
Charlene Boyd, Animal Communicator
Charlene Boyd has been using her extraordinary skill as a communicator to help animals and their owners gain a deeper understanding of each others needs and desires for many years. Working with all types of animals, her successes have landed her on both television and radio as well as in newspapers and magazines. She has handled everything from disobedient pets to jealousy to communication with a loved pet who has passed on.
Charlene may be contacted through her website or by telephone.
Visit website: www.talk-to-animals.com
Business Phone: (877) 907-1741
Contact Charlene Boyd: (949) 858-6717
Good Dog University®, LLC
Good Dog University® are CPDT and Dog Behavior Specialists offering personalized in-home dog & puppy training / behavior solutions along with puppy socialization classes at their facility in Newport Beach, CA.
The foundation of Good Dog University’s puppy and dog training / behavior modification programs are grounded in rewarding favorable behavior (positive reinforcement) rather than always punishing unwanted actions.
Good Dog University® is committed to being a strong support system to ensure that your dog or puppy becomes a well-mannered family companion. They have made their programs fun to do and are easily incorporated into a busy lifestyle.
Advanced Training Credentials
- Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT)
Through the Certification Council of Pet Dog Trainers
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluators
- SFSPCA w/ Dr. Ian Dunbar
Advanced Canine Behavior
Aggressive Canine Behavior
- Agility Dog Sports
Memberships
- APDT (American Pet Dog Trainers Assoc.)
- ABS (Animal Behavior Society)
- IAABC (The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants)
- CCBS (The Cambridge Center for Behavior Studies)
Community Positions
- AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluators
- Board of Directors SPCA
- Chair, Walk for the Animals
Visit website: www.gooddoguniversity.com
Contact info: (949) 631-2720
425 Old Newport Blvd, Suite D
Newport Beach, CA 92663
Email: gooddogu@earthlink.net
SKYBARk
It started with a simple question: Why can't I bring my dog to the bar? And has developed into the hottest, new nighttime event. Starting as a small vision and developing into luxurious reality. The newest underground place to be seen is SkyBark.
Although Los Angeles is the birthplace of SkyBark, it is not the only location for it. SkyBark is spreading nationwide. In September 2006, look for SkyBark Las Vegas and in August 2006 SkyBark will start up its East Coast division with a bang in Boston, Massachusetts.
Visit website: www.skybark.com
E-mail: admin@skybark.com
Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends
Serving abandoned, ill and injured animals in Orange County, CA, for over 15 years.
Visit website: www.ruffrescue.org
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Lillian Metteer, PT, MTC - Canine Therapeutics
Physical therapy and sports medicine for canines in Costa Mesa.
Contact info: (714) 848-3487
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Protect and Nourish Your Dogs and Cats
With the Finest USDA Approved Meats and the Newest Essential Soluble
Plant Cell Supplements that Helps your Animals lead
a Healthier, Happier and Fuller Life
Since 2001, we have been helping educate pet owners about the risks from commercially processed pet food. Your dogs and cats are carnivores. The ideal natural diet is 100% USDA approved raw meat (beef, chicken, turkey, lamb and fish) with organically grown raw vegetables; completely free of processed cereals or byproduct fillers.
Our (ESP) Essential Soluble Plant Cell Supplements are in a liquid form so it is easy to administer and an inexpensive way to provide all the nutrients necessary to support your animal’s immune system and general health. It is essential that your pet have a well-balanced vitamin and mineral supplement added to each meal. Because ESP Supplements are plant cell based, they are in perfect harmony with the body as they are recognized as food.
The formulas available are: Vitamin-Mineral, Skin-Hair-Joint, Body-Cleansing,
Eye, Heart and Immune-Building.
For additional information about the food and supplements please contact us:
NATURE’S BEST ANIMAL NUTRITION
The Best Animal Nutrition for Dogs and Cats
Contact info: 949.631-3260
E-mail: info@avx.net
(A subsidiary of The Best of Everything)
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Heartworm Medication Part 1: Truths, Omissions, and Profits
Read more at www.dogs4dogs.com.
Heartworms are Spread by Mosquitoes.
Heartworm Meds are Spread by Fear.
It’s getting warmer outside — time for sellers of heartworm medications to start scaring you to death.Television and print ads, which used to push meds only during warm summer months, now urge you to keep your dog on medication year round. The question is: why the change?
Drs. David Knight and James Lok of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, addressing recommendations for year round meds, warned: “The practice of some veterinarians to continuously prescribe monthly chemoprophylaxis exaggerates the actual risk of heartworm transmission in most parts of the country and unnecessarily increases the cost of protection to their clients.”
So, is the change to year round meds all about money? Or is there more to this story?
Heartworm “prevention” is a major health decision for pet parents and multi-billion dollar Big Business for drug companies, veterinarians, testing laboratories and on-line sellers of medication. When health intersects money, there’s a lot of room for conflict of interest. Only by understanding the business aspects and the truth about heartworm transmission can you make an informed decision about if, how and when to protect your dog with commercial products.
While everyone agrees that heartworm infestations can be life-threatening, infestation is far from inevitable nor is it the immutable death sentence advertisers would have you believe. (Otherwise, all dogs and cats not on meds would die of infestation. But they don’t.)
Every holistic vet I’ve consulted had concerns about the long-term safety of heartworm medications. Well-known vet, author and columnist Martin Goldstein wrote in his wonderful book The Nature of Animal Healing that he sees heartworms as less epidemic than the “disease-causing toxicity” of heartworm medicine.
Dr. Jeff Levy, vet and homeopath, concluded “that it was not the heartworms that caused disease, but the other factors that damaged the dogs’ health to the point that they could no longer compensate for an otherwise tolerable parasite load.” Those factors include, “… being vaccinated yearly, eating commercial dog food, and getting suppressive drug treatment for other symptoms….”
Heartworm meds do not, by the way, prevent heartworms. They are poisons that kill heartworm larvae (called microfilariae) contracted during the previous 30-45 days (and maybe longer due to what is call the Reach Back Effect).
The heartworm industry authority, The American Heartworm Society (and their cat heartworm site) offers a wealth of information. Their website is a public service but also a marketing tool aimed at buyers and resellers of heartworm meds. Sponsors of this website are a Who’s Who of drug companies. Fort Dodge Animal Health (Wyeth), Merial and Pfizer are “Platinum Sponsors.” Bayer merits Silver. Novartis, Schering-Plough, Virbac and Eli Lilly get Bronze. Most of these companies have sales reps that regularly call on vets and show them how to sell you heartworm meds. With any purchase of any drug, we recommend you ask for information regarding possible adverse effects, the necessity for taking this drug and available alternatives.
How Heartworms Infect Dogs: It’s Not Easy!
Well, now that we’ve looked behind the scenes of the heartworm industry, let’s take a look at how the heartworms themselves (called Dirofilaria immitis) do business. Seven steps must be completed to give your dog a dangerous heartworm infestation:
Step 1: To infect your dog, you need mosquitoes (so you need warm temperatures and standing water). More specifically, you need a hungry female mosquito of an appropriate species. Female mosquitoes act as airborne incubators for premature baby heartworms (called microfilariae). Without the proper mosquito, dogs can’t get heartworms. Period.
That means dogs can’t “catch” heartworms from other dogs or mammals or from dog park lawns. Puppies can’t “catch” heartworms from their mothers and moms can’t pass heartworm immunity to pups.
Step 2: Our hungry mosquito needs access to a dog already infected with sexually mature male and female heartworms that have produced babies.
Step 3: The heartworm babies must be at the L1 stage of development when the mosquito bites the dog and withdraws blood.
Step 4: Ten to fourteen days later — if the temperature is right –the microfilariae mature inside the mosquito to the infective L3 stage then migrate to the mosquito’s mouth. (Yum!)
Step 5: Madame mosquito transmits the L3’s to your dog’s skin with a bite. Then, if all conditions are right, the L3’s develop in the skin for three to four months (to the L5 stage) before making their way into your dog’s blood. But your dog still isn’t doomed.
Step 6: Only if the dog’s immune system doesn’t rid the dog of these worms do the heartworms develop to adulthood.
Step 7: It takes approximately six months for the surviving larvae to achieve maturity. At this point, the adult heartworms may produce babies if there are both males and females, but the kiddies will die unless a mosquito carrying L3’s intervenes. Otherwise, the adults will live several years then die.
In summation, a particular species of mosquito must bite a dog infected with circulating L1 heartworm babies, must carry the babies to stage L3 and then must bite your dog . The adult worms and babies will eventually die off in the dog unless your dog is bitten again! Oh, and one more thing.
Heartworms Development Requires Sustained Day & Night Weather Above 57°F
In Step 4 above I wrote that heartworm larvae develop “if the temperature is right.”
The University of Pennsylvania vet school (in a study funded by Merial) found: “Development in the mosquito is temperature dependent, requiring approximately two weeks of temperature at or above 27C (80F). Below a threshold temperature of 14C (57F), development cannot occur, and the cycle will be halted. As a result, transmission is limited to warm months, and duration of the transmission season varies geographically.”
Knight and Lok agree: “In regions where average daily temperatures remain at or below about 62°F (17° C) from late fall to early spring, insufficient heat accumulates to allow maturation of infective larvae in the intermediate host [the mosquito], precluding transmission of the parasite.”
The Washington State University vet school reports that laboratory studies show that maturation of the worms requires “the equivalent of a steady 24-hour daily temperature in excess of 64°F (18°C) for approximately one month.” In other words, it has to be warm day AND night or development is retarded even if the average temperature is sufficiently warm. They add, that at 80° F, “10 to 14 days are required for development of microfilariae to the infective stage.”
Jerold Theis, DVM, PhD, says, “If the mean monthly temperature is only a few degrees above 14 degrees centigrade [57 degrees F] it can take so many days for infective larvae to develop that the likelihood of the female mosquito living that long is remote.”
I have never found this temperature-dependent information on a website promoting “preventatives,” but only in scholarly works not easily accessed by the public. Neither is it on the Heartworm Society canine heartworm page or in the Merck/Merial Veterinary Manual site or Merial’s heartworm video — even though Merial funded the UPenn study.
The Society does report, “Factors affecting the level of risk of heartworm infection include the climate (temperature, humidity), the species of mosquitoes in the area, presence of mosquito breeding areas and presence of animal reservoirs (such as infected dogs or coyotes).” But that’s it. No mention of temperature.
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www.dogs4dogs.com
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