I think this video is hillarious - I love the dog, I think he should be doing all types of commercials.

If you can’t view the video or its giving you problems - you can go to the video directly by clicking on this link …. Sleep Number YouTube Video

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In constant pursuit of healthier food for my little beasts, I have switched from BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Meat) feeding to Prey Model Raw (PMR) feeding.

PMR is based on the knowledge that physiologically, the digestive tracts of our dogs, even the tiniest Chihuahua, are exactly like the digestive systems of their wild counterparts: wolves! PMR is meant to resemble, as closely as possible (within the confines of modern living) the diet that our carnivorous best friends have been eating for thousands of years. In the wild, packs of wolves will work together to hunt down a fresh meaty meal of bison, deer or other wild mammal. They then dine on the whole carcass. Bones, organs, muscle meat, fat, connective tissue, even skin and hair (or feathers, in the case of poultry) all make up the diet of the wild dog or wolf.

Prey Model Raw feeding is meant to be modeled on that knowledge. Since I am not exactly planning on going hunting and tossing Ella Bean and Louis whole, dead animals, fur/ feathers and all,  the next best thing is to use PMR guidelines to use ratios and proportions of these animal parts combined to make up the diet. For instance, I recently purchased a hormone free, antibiotic free, cage free baby duck from Whole Foods. I brought the duck home, cut it up into appropriate sized portions for Louis and Ella Bean and feed them the duck over the course of about a week - bones, organs, skin and all. I do the same with chicken and I also purchase beef parts (including heart and green tripe and other offal) to give them a rotation of different types of proteins.

Different protein sources ensure that the diet is well balanced and also keeps the dogs psyched to see whats getting served at each meal.

What about the bones? Do they present a choking hazard?

The short answer is, no.  Raw bones do not splinter and the ripping, chomping, tearing and crunching on the bones and meat gives my dog’s jaws and necks a healthy workout and keeps their teeth sparkly and clean.

Has a dog ever choked? Yes. It is vital to supervise your dog while feeding PMR and you may want to read up on performing the canine version of the Heimlich maneuver, just to be cautious. That said, by teaching your dog to take it slow, you ensure his safety (and eliminate a lot of gas! Dogs who gulp food swallow lots of air and in turn - create quite pungent odors!). Dogs used to eating kibble or BARF ground raw meat diets usually scarf down their food and don’t chew. To teach your dog to properly chew before swallowing, you can hold one end of his meaty meal while he gets to work on it for the first couple of feedings, until he gets the hang of it.

In order to limit the mess associated with PMR, I feed my dogs in what I call their ‘feasting cages’ (just basic crates). I always wipe the crates down with antibacterial wipes after meals to keep things clean. Its also a good idea to have grooming wipes on hand and wipe down paws and faces after meals, as things do get messy!

Why take this alternative path?

Besides pure interest in providing my pets with the best possible nutrition, I have become increasingly skeptical of allowing corporations to dictate the contents of my dogs meals. I like being able to select my own meats and meat and offal sources, use animals raised ethically and without the use of hormones or antibiotics and frankly, not support the pet food industry. There are plenty of great companies out there, but I just feel more comfortable whipping up my pup’s meals, like my food, myself!

The pet food industry would have us believe that exact ratios of nutritional elements are vital to our companion’s health. This farce supports the industry, keeping the corporations in business, since we pet-parents are clearly too ‘uneducated’ to make sure the diets of our dogs are nutritionally complete, we must buy their nutritionally complete products.

Well, is every meal you eat completely balanced? No! Of course not. We aim for nutritional completeness over time - eating different fruits, vegetables, grains and other sources over time, ideally resulting in healthy living. I apply this concept to my dog’s diets as well. Through research, I know what a healthy diet should look like and over the course of each week, make sure to provide enough variety to acheive optimum health!

I have worked with a vet to ensure that I am getting my pups everything they need and while this type of feeding may sound complicated and time consuming, I assure you, its really not. The most time consuming part is when I bring home a new hunk of animal and need to carve it up.

Once a week, I spend about a half an hour chopping up chicken or duck and then, its just a matter of ensuring I have the next day’s meal defrosted. The most time consuming portion is the actual feasting - in which all the work is done by the dogs anyway. My pups spend anywhere from 10-20 minutes chewing their meaty bones and slurping down organs. Its my quiet time! The dogs are safely confined, engaged in an activity they love and I just kick back and enjoy the quiet and watch my teeny pups behave like their wild cousins. Its totally like my own personal National Geographic!

For people with larger dogs, I imagine its even less time consuming as less portion control needs to take place. I bet a 75 pound dog could pack away a small chicken without much thought!

The benefits are many. Healthy teeth and gums; strong, developed neck and jaw muscles; shiny, thick coats and bright eyes and no suffering from allergies. My dogs also have excellent breath (no plaque!), very little doggy odor and their excrement is compact and has little to no odor. Now, don’t get me wrong, they both can still clear a room with their farts, but all in all, life with this type of feeding is a lot less stinky!

On another note…

So, yes, I am pretty down on the pet food industry and actually, our food industry as a whole. The 2007 pet food recall, the largest product recall in US history changed the way many Americans think about their food sources. The recall brought to light the tightly knit relationship between food safety, health policy, international trade and the relationship between government and corporations (Nestle, pg. 3). This recall ended up showcasing the capability gaps in safety standards, especially where international sources are used to produce and manufacture different resources.

Now, recalls have extended to human food products, children’s toys and many more consumer items. As responsible consumers, we must take ownership of the items we purchase, be they to feed our pets or feed ourselves and know where our products are sourced from.

No longer do we live in a society where our meats are slaughtered locally, our produce eaten seasonally and our grains baked at home. We are so far removed from the foods we eat that we do not connect what we ingest to what the product actually is…and so many processed and packaged foods (pet food included!) is so laden with chemicals, its barely food! No wonder obesity is rising at epidemic rates, both in humans and animals! No wonder cancer rates are rising, mental illness and immune disorders are on the rise…We all are what we eat.

This isn’t an issue of being ‘green,’ being a conscious consumer, or shopping at Whole Foods - it is about limiting the exposure living beings have to the toxins present in our foods, both processed and whole. We need to return to healthier, simpler ways of eating, emerging with our health and the health of our beloved companion animals, intact.

Nestle, Marion. Pet Food Politics, The Chihuahua in the Coal Mine. University of California Press, 2008.

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So, I am doing my part and I came across some really interesting news in the Associated Press.  In spite of the weakening economy, those crazy two legged folk are still spending lots of meat money on their pooches! The luxury dog market is not really being affected by this whole mess (which is all I am hearing any dog bark about at the park). Business is up, even in spite of the lack of spending in other retail sectors.

Perhaps if like, other stuff were as cute as me, more people would be buying it! Of course, nothing is as adorable as I am…Anyway, I think this is fabulous news! As long as the luxury canine market remains flush, companies will continue to churn out lots of buyable items that the Bean needs to maintain my stylish (albeit, now politically conscious) self.

According to the Associated Press, the American Pet Products Association estimates Americans will spend $43.4 billion this year on their pets —  including everything from toys, treats and training — in spite of the dramatic slowdown in discretionary spending for other markets. That’s 26 percent higher than what U.S. consumers spent in 2004!

In honor of how much is being spent on much-deserving pups, here is my list of 10 recession ready, politically correct products for the beast in your life. Spend, spend, spend! This is simply the only way we can help our economy. Its just the American thing to do!

1. ‘My Dog For President’ embroidered pink velour hoodie by Juicy Couture. Who wins the election? Duh! The cutest and best dressed! $45 at juicycouture.com

   

2. Complete Canine Grooming System, by Isle of Dogs. These luxury dog spa products do way more then your average scrub. The line is complete with shampoos, conditioners, supplements and even styling products to maximize the gorgeousness of your unique pup. The product’s ingedients are designed to benefit the coat and skin too, making them functional as well as fun! Lather up and prepare to reach a new level of beauty! $18-$84 at Isle of Dogs.

   

3. Bamboo Lounger. Its made of solid bamboo, which is like, totally sustainable! How eco-chic! The comfy cushion is made of super comfy memory foam and is available in a variety of colors to suit your doggy tastes or your human’s decor. $279 at the Haute Hound.

   

4. Pink Stainless Steel Bowls. Yumm…eating, one of the Bean’s favorite pastimes. I am a serious canine consumer of MEAT! To keep things sanitary, I prefer stainless steel (Bacteria can accumulate more easily in porous materials. Not hot.) To keep things chic, I prefer PINK! $5 - $20 at Calling All Dogs.

   

5. Fall Carrier by Ella Dish. Left behind? I don’t think so!! Accompany your human wherever they may go in this cute, simple, totally unisex carrier, designed specifically for fall by chic New York doggie designer, Ella Dish. The simple design is great and totally goes with the modest mood in fashion, set by today’s dismal economy. I also like this one because my name is Ella, too! $160 at Ella Dish.

   

6.  Astor Collar and Lead by Blueblood. Bling-bling is so over. Its all about modest chic now. Blueblood Luxury Goods for Dogs understands understated glamour. This faux snakeskin collar and lead is totally faux-fabulous! Collar $32 and Lead $40 at Blueblood Luxury Goods for Dogs.

   

7. Muttsy’s Credit Card Squeaky Toy by Haute Diggity Dog. Economy got you feeling blue? Thrash around some plastic and show those creditors who is really alpha-dog! $12 at Haute DiggityDog.

   

8. Mellow Mut Chicken Treats by Dogswell. Is your human more stressed then a cat in a tub of water? Its probably getting to you, too. Mellow Mut treats are formulated with Chamomile and Lavender to calm those nerves. Even better, these meaty treats are made from naturally raised, cage-free chickens, so no one has to suffer for your feasting pleasures. $8.99 - $19.99 at Dogswell.

   

9. PoopBags 100% Biodegradable Poop Bags. So, everybody poops. And I think poo is pretty biodegradable, but are the bags Mom or Dad is picking up after you with earth-friendly, too?Take care of your business and the earth with these waste management baggies! $63.99 for 600 (a whole years worth of pooping!) at poopbag.com.

   

10. Not a Vegetarian Enamel Dog Charm. OK, so I may be all political now - and I know there is a whole hoopla about the treatment of animals raised to be my dinner, so my family buys free range and hormone/antibiotic free for the pooches and we get down on as much meaty feasting as we can! (My human, I suspect, may be a vegetarian. Blech!) Let your pro-meat, carnivorous point of view be seen and heard! $12 at Haute Dog Boutique.

    

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Why discuss this on a dog website?

Well, my baby boy, Louis Reginald, a year and a half  old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has been suffering from digestion problems since we got him. (See The Poop Chronicles.) While his digestion has greatly improved since switching to a raw diet, it is still unpredictable at best. Now, we are trying new treatments to ease his belly woes, and Si Miao San has been prescribed as his remedy.

Our little pack has gone through a lot of changes lately; relocating to a new city with a very different climate,  changes in pack members and a new schedule; amidst other stresses. Louis had been consistently vomiting and creating loose stools - on my new rug. After attempting my usual home remedies to no avail, it was time to hit the vet.

Now residents of Washington D.C., we have plenty of resources for holistic pet care. After a great deal of research and plenty of recommendations, we decided to give the Veterinary Holistic Care Center of Bethesda, Maryland a try.

Our vet is a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, Chinese Herbology, Energy healing AND she is an ordained Buddhist Monk. Both Ella Bean and Louis attended the appointment, as they do not like to be separated from one another. Dr. Pema’s ability to connect to animals immediately drew my two dogs in and there was plenty of tail wagging and kisses to go around. She spent time with Louis and Ella Bean on the floor, watching them interact, playfully stroking them and engaging them.

Unlike a traditional vet’s office, there are no cold tiles or stainless steel examination tables. The office is carpeted, and the exam table is covered in warm towels. The office is in a residential home converted to a veterinary facility, reinforcing a pet’s ability to relax, rather then tense up. The staff is warm and friendly and approaches each animal with respect and consideration.

After a thorough examination, a ton of blood-work (my boy was a champ while they drew blood from his paw!) and lots of discussion about Louis’ life and temperament at home, Dr. Pema prescribed a twice daily dose of Si Miao San.

His most prominent symptoms: aversion to cold, Louis refuses to lie on surfaces without carpet or even leave the house when it is chilly, his history of digestive disorders and his pulsing energy through his veins indicated the use of this herb. Dr. Pema pointed out the orangey/burnt color to Louis’ tongue, comparing it to Ella Bean’s (healthy) pink tongue. She explained that this indicated a stagnant heat within him.

While the doctor suspects a thyroid disorder might account for some symptoms, we must wait for his blood-work to come back from the lab to decide how to proceed with treatment. In the meantime, a Chinese Herb  can assist in regulating and alleviating some of his symptoms.

Dr. Pema also asked to see my tongue - she pointed out that it was that same burnt orange tone! She asked about my digestion, sleep cycles and more (a little uncomfortable…). She pointed out that Louis is mirroring my own symptoms of stress! She explained that this is incredibly common, especially between pups and people as bonded as Louis and I.  This doesn’t negate the possibility of Louis having a thyroid disorder, it only serves to point out that both quadrupeds and bipeds are susceptible to stress disorders and we often take on the stress of those we live with and are close too.

Why isn’t Ella Bean manifesting these types of symptoms? Well, she is a different dog, a little more reserved in her personality and frankly, she is more wrapped up in her own world then constantly connecting with Louis and I. That’s not to say we aren’t close, in fact, lately we have started snuggling throughout the night, but as with people, all dogs are unique individuals and she handles stress via different mannerisms.

Now five days into treatment, Louis tongue has become pinker…hmmm….and his stools have become regular and my little vomit king hasn’t puked once! Powerful stuff!

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) includes a range of traditional medical practices originating in China. It is considered a Complementary or Alternative Medical system in much of the western world while remaining as a form of primary care throughout most of Asia.

TCM practices include treatments such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy, Tui na and Shiatsumassage; often Qigong and Taiji are also strongly affiliated with TCM.

TCM theory is extremely complex and originated thousands of years ago through meticulous observation of nature, the cosmos, and the human body. Major theories include those of Yin-yang, the Five Phases, the human body Channel system, Zang Fu organ theory, six confirmations, four layers, etc. (Source Wikipedia)

Seek professional advice before embarking on any alternative health programs and make sure to work with a TCM practitioner experienced in animal care. You can find a list of professionals at the American Holistic Veterinary Association’s website (ahvma.org).

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On August 31, the fourth annual PETCO Unleashed National Chihuahua Race finals took place and Tiger, a Chihuahua from Bakersfield, California took first place over 14 other tiny regional champions.

Tiger, a four year old Chihuahua, reclaimed his champion title as he also took first place in the 2006 National Chihuahua Race. Tiger is now the proud winner of the prestigious Unleased Race trophy, a one-year supply of Royal Canin Chihuahua dog food and a $300 PETCO gift card.

The 15 finalists hailed from Orlando, Chicago, Phoenix, Dallas, Boston, Seattle, Houston, Denver, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Sacramento, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco and Anaheim, California. Over 2,900 Chihuahuas competed to race in last weeks finals.

The PETCO Unleashed National Chihuahua Race took place in San Diego at PETCO Park, in between innings at a Padres baseball game. Petco’s annual event creates awareness for the Chihuahua Rescue & Transport, creating plenty of adoption opportunities and hoping to help these tiny pooches find forever homes.

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One of my biggest fears since acquiring my beloved Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the prevelance of heart disease within the breed, with most Cavaliers suffering from Mitral Valve Disease by age 4. Statistics have shown that heart disease affects 25% of all dogs over age 7. In the UK, where the new drug Vetmedin has been going through trials, nearly two million dogs are affected by heart disease.

The QUEST study on Vetmedin has been published in the September/October 2008 Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. This has been the largest study of its kind in veterinary cardiology, tracking 260 dogs in 11 countries, on three continents, for a period of three years.

Compared with conventional heart disease treatments, Vetmedin has been proven to extend the lifespan of afflicted dogs by double the time currently possible, changing the way veterinary cardiologists will treat canine heart disease.

Vetmedin is indicated for the most common form of heart failure that most regularly afflicts small breeds such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Poodles, Chihuahuas and Dachshunds. Pet owners should feel encouraged by this development, as veterinarians are learning more about canine cardiology and how to treat it.

According to Vetmedin’s website, the only reported side effect is occasional vomiting. Here is hoping this breakthrough drug will help many dogs live longer and more fulfilling lives!

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Attention was called to the situation by a blog that chronciled the near death injuries suffered by a Lab mix named Chai, that led to the amputation of the dog’s tongue.

According to his owner Daniel R. of New York City, “While chewing on the toy, a vacuum was created and it effectively sucked his tongue into the hole in the ball. From speaking with my vet, this likely occurred because there is not a second hole in the ball preventing the vacuum effect from happening.”

After three days of emergency veterinary care, Chai’s swollen tongue was unable to be saved from the injuries and needed to be amputated. Post operation, Chai was on a feeding tube for a number of days and was in horrible pain. Chai needed to relearn how to eat, drink and learn to live life without his tongue.

Chai needs to be hand fed, though he has relearned to drink again on his own. You can follow Chai’s story in depth here. Chai’s owner attempted to contact Four Paws regarding the incident to save other dogs from suffering like Chai.

Initially, there was no response from the company. While posting on his blog and fighting Four Paws, Chai’s owner became aware of a similar incident regarding the same toy that resulted in the death of another dog. He continued to fight for the products to be recalled and is now aware of 13 dogs that suffered injury and worse as a result of this poorly designed toy.

Chai’s owner wants to be clear, “I want them to change the design. This is a design flaw…it’s not a manufacturing defect. What I really want is to make this doesn’t happen to another dog again.”

Note that Four Paws is not formally recalling this product, merely stopping shipment on currently manufactured toys, altering the design for future production. Four Paws is changing the packaging of its Pimple Balls with Bells to make it easier to inspect them for potential defects and they plan to individually inspect each one of the toys in inventory in order to identify any defects.

If you have purchased any products from the Four Paws line, please click here to ensure that the toy was not on the list defective toys.

Remember to always supervise your dog while he is playing with his toys! No toys are completely safe and dogs must be under careful observation to ensure their safety.

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Authorities convinced the kennel’s owner to relinquish all of the dogs and sign a document that bars her from ever owning and operating another breeding facility. Hopefully, further legal action will be taken against the operator of the facility.

“Right now, we are concentrating on removing the newborns, the pregnant mothers, and any dogs who need immediate medical attention,” said Rich Crook, rapid response manager for Best Friends Animal Society. “The dogs, most of them dachshunds, Chihuahuas, poodles and other small breed dogs, were confined sometimes four or five to a cage measuring just two feet by three feet,” Crook said. “Many cages had feces in them. All had poor ventilation. The sheer number of animals was overwhelming, and the odor of urine in 90-plus degree heat was stifling.”

By Saturday evening at least 200 dogs had been removed from the site and transported to an emergency kennel set up by the Humane Society of Parkersburg. This organization is accepting monetary donations to help cover the costs of this emergency rescue effort. In addition, they are in need of clean towels and rolled newspapers.

Whispering Oaks Kennels has been operating for nearly two decades, keeping these empathetic and soulful creatures in squalor and depriving them of socialization and proper care. The kennel bred Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Poodles and Jack Russel Terriers and other small breeds.

Puppy mills are commercial mass breeding operations that keep their dogs in unbearably inhumane conditions and supply pet stores and internet sites with irresponsibly bred puppies for sale to the public. It is estimated that puppy mills produce four million dogs per year, contributing to the massive pet overpopulation problem. The estimated number of euthanized homeless cats and dogs totals around 6 million.

Although many of us consider dogs dear family members, these commercial breeding facilities view our companions as profit making business, turning dogs into baby making machines that never leave their putrid cages or know the loving touch that a human can give.

By continuing to flush out such awful facilities, we give these pooches a chance to start fresh and begin a new life, without sadness, neglect and cruelty. All of the aforementioned organizations, Humane Society of Parkersburg, Best Friends Animal Society and the Humane Society of the United States are working together to get these animals ready for adoption as soon as possible.

Please take a moment to visit these sites and contribute assistance to these precious animals in any way you can. Their new chapter is in our hands.

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Now, I am all for spoiling our precious pets, especially when while doing so, we can offer Fido and Fluffy something to improve their overall health.

Satisfying Fluffy’s natural urge to chew can get expensive and confusing. We avoid rawhide because of how dangerous it is. The very popular Greenies are also unhealthy sources of chewing pleasure, indigestible and the cause of a lots of trips to the vet!

Bully Sticks, which dogs love, are great, all natural, digestible and low in fat. They help satisfy chewing urges and keep those toothies clean. But dogs chew through them quickly and at about $9.00 a pop, pet owners need to take on a second job just to keep Fido in dried bull penises! (Yes, thats what Bully Sticks actually are, so while its gross, just remember how much your dog loves them!)

I have two absolutely awesome solutions. The first are Antlerz, which I have written about in the past (click here). The Antlerz are an awesome, extremely long lasting and healthy choice.

But what about other options? I just discovered Canine Cavier Fish Stix. Awesome. These chewy treats are completely natural, with no preservatives, chemicals and made of fish cartilage and skin. They are durable (though not quite as durable as Antlerz) and each one holds up to my dogs chompers for at least a week.

The Canine Caviar is a great way for your dog to get necessary jaw and neck exercise, keep his teeth clean and they are a high quality source of chondroitin. Chondroitin helps maintain the integrity of your dog’s bones and it acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. Chondroitin also works to prevent destructive enzymes from breaking down joint tissue and in addition it helps to prevent clotting in the arteries!

So what are you waiting for? Every dog deserves some champagne and caviar dreams!

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Ella Bean, Rescue Angel, reporting!

I am hanging out with my new pal Oliver, a Toy Poodle who just joined my aunt Kara’s family. My cousins, Scarlett and Cayenne, also Toy Poodles went with the humans to the Howard County Animal Rescue. Oliver was there, waiting for his forever home. He had been used as a stud for a kennel of some kind, which means he was a daddy to lots of puppies, but he never had any humans to love him.

Oliver, like his namesake in Charles Dicken’s novel, Oliver Twist, has been treated with cruelty and lived a loveless life for the past five years. Like Oliver Twist, our Oliver has remained innocent and kind. He is skittish around people and didn’t know how to use stairs when we got him home. Household noises scare him and he won’t take food from human hands (which I, for one, cannot understand!).

Together with Louis and Oliver’s sisters, Cayenne and Scarlett, we are teaching Oliver how to be a dog. He has learned quickly to sleep on the human’s bed and he is already going up and down stairs.

We are working on potty training, which I know is really hard. It took my Beanie self a really long time and sometimes I still slip. Whoops! We are also teaching Oliver how to accept love and belly rubs. He just doesn’t know about this stuff!

Millions of homeless dogs face euthanasia each year. Though plenty of organizations take in these pooches and do their best to rehabilitate them and find new homes, there simply aren’t enough humans adopting their pets. Adopting a pup really is saving a life. Each of us is an individual with an awesome personality, just waiting to blossom.

Although I know and trust my awesome humans and they have become my family, before them I met some pretty awful humans who hated dogs. From my Beanie perspective, humans are living in a culture of instant gratification. They throw away whomever and whatever doesn’t quite fit in or is an inconvenience. They surrender their canine companions to shelters without much concern as to their future. Like Oliver, I was adopted. You can read my story here.

Louis, my big brother is from a responsible breeder. I know that Louis came to my mommy without any emotional baggage and Oliver and I came with loads…but that doesn’t even guarantee success. Humans surrender their purebred pups as well, even after paying lots of money for them.

Yes, we tend to go potty where you don’t want us too, we vomit and make trouble…but no one will love you like a dog will.

Oliver is already enriching the lives of his family and new friends. I am right by his side, helping him along, telling him that I was also totally scared and didn’t know to trust humans when I first met my family. I was scared of everything and now I am a rambunctious little superstar, with my own column on this awesome website!

Louis, my big brother is also super helpful. Since Oliver and Louis are both guys, Oliver seems to be following his lead, walking with him and doing some playful sniffing and tail wagging.

With all of our love, Louis and I, together with Cayenne, Scarlett and the humans will teach Oliver everything he needs to be spoiled silly, just like us!

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