Category — Dogs and the Environment

This post today is a slight departure for all of us here at Doggi Bling.  Usually we post dog tips, dog toys, treats, crates, houses, dog food, or just about anything else relating to ways you can make your pet happier, healthier, safer or more comfortable.  Today, we’re posting about some news that we found, and the reason is…we couldn’t be happier at the outcome, or more upset about the facts behind it.

A dogfighting ring was just busted and broken in Texas.  For this, we are overjoyed.  According to the article I just read,

“State officials said late Friday that they had begun dismantling one of the largest dogfighting rings in the country that night, arresting eight people and seizing 187 dogs used by a sophisticated network of bettors throughout eastern Texas. Investigators continued to search for suspects Saturday….In all, 55 people were indicted after an undercover investigation that lasted 17 months. Officials said the network’s matches drew crowds of up to 100 people, who placed tens of thousands of dollars in wagers on a single fight.”

The simple fact that this goes on makes me angrier, sadder, and more frustrated than words can adequately describe.  How can anyone, anywhere, partake in such disgusting, despicible and atrocious acts?  As our friends on Dogster mentioned, the laws need to be changed to make punishments for such crimes MUCH, MUCH more strict and harsh.  It is insane that people convicted of these disgusting acts are only facing a maximum sentence of 2 years.  Ridiculous.  Dog and animal cruelty is a huge problem in this country and around the world, we all need to do whatever we can to help put an end to it.

Join the ASPCA, get educated, do research…if we all do a little, maybe we can do a lot.  For starters, could work Houston investigators to put an end to one ring.  Lets stop many more!

Each and every dog breed is born with a coat of fur.  That much we know to be true.  What we don’t often realize is, not all coats are created equal and there are a great deal of dogs out there that just can not handle the cold or rainy conditions that Winter brings all over this country.  While a Husky might be perfectly pleased to sit outside on a freezing cold day, a little Yorkie or Bichon Frise might freeze it’s little paws off.  That said, this Winter you might just have to start investing in some Winter clothes not only for you, but for your furry friends!

Bottom line, regardless of what breed you have, make sure they are warm enough this Winter, and stay dry on the chilly days.  There are plenty of ways to do this, and all are important.  An article I just read mentioned that Winter can be some of the most challenging times for dogs as their bodies struggle to regular their body temperatures by burning more calories than usual.  Here are some things to keep in mind if Winter where you live often gets nasty:

• If it is rainy where you are, you might want to invest in an easy to put on rain jacket for dogs, they make them in a wide variety of colors and sizes, so finding one to fit should be no problem at all.
• If the snow can get deep and accumulate, think about buying some booties that strap onto your dogs paws.  Ice chunks can develop between dog paws that become very painful.
• Sweaters and Dog Jackets can actually do wonders on keeping heat in for a smaller dog.  If you take your dog out on long walks during Winter months, try one.
• If your dog stays out long periods during colder weather, make sure to increase their daily caloric intake to compensate for the amount they will lose keeping themselves warm.  More food.
• Remember to keep their exercise up if they stay indoors during the cold spells.  They still need their fitness!

So, start investing in some dog Winter clothes.  Trust me, they will thank you!!

When it comes to everyday household items in and around your house, there’s a pretty good chance that most of us don’t give any of them a second-thought when it comes to how dangerous they are to our dog friends.  Most of us know the usual suspects, rat poison, bleach and anything else that’d probably be poisonous to Us, but I just found out a great deal of very common, very ordinary household objects that I had no idea were so poisonous to our pups!

This is an article you are for sure going to want to read as it could drastically alter the way you store things, the things that are “reachable” in your home, and things you might want to toss out altogether.  Feel free to check out the full article for more in-depth analysis, but for now, here are 10 household items that can seriously injure your furry friends:

1. Laundry detergents and fabric softener
2. Mouse and ant killers
3. Chocolate, even in small amounts
4. Ice melt and rock salt
5. Oleander, mistletoe, and lily plants
6. Macadamia nuts
7. Tylenol can be fatal for a pet
8. Antifreeze
9. Avocados, raisins, grapes, and onions
10. Mouthwash

There you have it!  Numbers 1, 6 and 9 were the most surprising to me.  Not that I actually feed my pets dryer sheets, but from time to time they have gotten their little mouths on them, and I had no idea how dangerous they could be.  Avocados, raisins, grapes and onions I had no idea, as people can eat them without worry, I assumed dogs could too.  Wow.

If there’s anything your dog loves the most (after you of course), it’s going outdoors. If you’re a bit of an adventurous, you should consider taking your dog along with you on camping or fishing trips. There are tons of great products that you can buy to make your dog’s stay a bit smoother and more fun.

This is the Excursion Dog Pack, which is a great way to pack your dog’s food, water and favorite toys.

Then while taking a ride out, you can let your dog sway with the motion in this Auto Back Seat Hammock (I can’t wait to try this out).

Of course you gotta get a portable dog crate, so that they can have somewhere to sleep while out in the wild (keeps bugs, rain and wild animals away from your pooch).

And this backpack dog carrier was just too cute to leave out.

It is important for every pet owner to take care of their pups, especially when it comes to harmful insects like ticks, mosquitoes and fleas. Using insect repellents is ideal for keeping these pests at bay, but some of them are a bit too harsh. Just think, these pesticides contain dangerous chemicals and we’re placing them on our pet’s fur. It is known that these bug repellents seep into the blood of our pets and can spread through their bodies. And even worse, there are side effects - plainly stated on the labels of these repellents - that include:

• Fur loss
• Infections
• Organ failure
• Death

There is an alternative with organic bug repellents. These are made with natural herbs and substances that are completely safe for your dog - not pests, which is the way it’s supposed to be. Some even have vitamins and minerals that can help your dog’s immune system and give them a nice shiny coat.

Why am I not surprised that it’s the Germans we have to thank for this poo fashion? With these designer excrement collection bags, they’ve focused on dog feces and made it fun! Plus they’re environmentally friendly - you gotta love that.

One thing that grosses me out about the traditional plastic bag method for picking up dog shit is that, even though you don’t actually touch it, you still have to feel the warm squishyness of it through the bag. Looks like one nice benefit with these poo bags is you never have to hold last night’s dinner in your hand.

The bags come sixteen in a pack, sporting eight different pictures and humorous prints such as “Shit happens” and “Don’t blame me”. The design is modern and something I’ve never seen before. If you’re looking for a gift for a friend or if you’d like to spark a conversation with your new crush at the park, these Poo Poo Bags might just be for you. The cost is 12.90 Euros for a pack plus shipping. That’s just twenty bucks for a whole new poo experience!

So it’s Earth Day today, and just as we focus on how to save energy in own homes, apartments, vehicles, and offices, so too should we think about where to conserve and help the earth with all of the goods and services we provide for our pooches. Here are my top five suggestions:

1.) Eco Friendly Poop Scooping

You would be surprised at the types of bagging options you have for Sparky’s doo doo. A contraption called Pix-It-Up boasts biodegradable bags. If you don’t want to take care of the dirty work on your own, DooCare is an up and coming eco friendly pooper scooper company. They are currently based in Arizona, but are seeking to build 200 franchises in the next five years…check out their video from a news clip.

2.) Recycling

Dog biscuit boxes, canned food tins, and all of the mail catalogs you signed your buddies up for can all go into recycling.

3.) Turn Off The Lights

I talked to Stanley, and he said he wasn’t afraid of the dark. Just because your pooch is at home doesn’t mean you have to keep lights on all over the house.

4.) Turn Down The Heat

Our furry buddies have nice natural coats and love to burrow into a fleece or wool blanket, perhaps a warm and cozy dog bed, so you don’t have to leave the heat turned up just for the pups to stay warm.

5.) Use Reusable Bowls & Cups

Whether for food or drink, try and use cups and bowls that are reusable. When in Santa Monica a few weekends back, I saw a couple running with their dogs using a folding fabric and rubber bag to pour their water into…it closed right back up to fit in a small backpack, ready to use a mile or so down the way, and it was easily washable.

Happy Earth Day!