Stuff the Stockings with Care
If dogs could write letters to Santa Paws, they would definitely ask for tasty treats and, maybe, a dose of calmness. The upcoming holiday season coupled with this ongoing pandemic may trigger anxiety, stress and fear in some once mellow dogs. “There are some pets who adjust and adapt, but there are others who are desperately trying to find ways to cope,” says Dr. Lisa Radosta, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who operates the Florida Veterinary Behavior Service in West Palm Beach, Florida. “Stress will get worse in...
On the Twelfth Fail of Christmas
My German Shepherds, Fritz and Mina, love the holidays. While they’re very intuitive and sensitive, absorbing and reflecting the extra gaiety and joy of the season, they also have been known to land on Santa’s “naughty list.” Here are some of my dogs’ Christmas capers — and some shared by friends, neighbors and family — that might sound all too familiar. Countdown to a vet visit When my first German Shepherd, Greta, was an 18-month-old monster — er, I mean puppy — she discovered and ate 23...
Go Green this Holiday
As the end-of-the-year holidays approach, you may be inspired to create lots of edible goodies from your kitchen, as your loyal dog watches intently. No need to make your dog green with envy. Why not fortify him by treating him to some healthy green foods? Not all green-colored foods are safe for your canine chum, so that’s why Dogster reached out to two leading veterinarians to identify safe greens and dangerous ones. Stepping up to the (food) plate with answers are Dr. Justine Lee of Twin Cities, Minnesota, the country’s only...
Festive Fido Gift Tags
Annie Butler Shirreffs Annie Butler Shirreffs has worked in the pet industry for 20 years and is currently the senior editor of Catster and Dogster magazines. A cat lover since she was a little girl, she has always had feline friends in her life. She and her husband share their Southern California home with their four cats, Agatha, Alastair, Jack and Mathilda, and an ever-changing clowder of foster kittens, all of whom enjoy being testers for cool, new products. Source:...
Santa & Me Photo Booth
Melissa L. Kauffman Covering the pet world for more than 25 years, Melissa L. Kauffman has been an editor/writer for a wide variety of pet magazines and websites from the small critters to parrots to cats and dogs. Her advisory team of rescued pets — dogs Tampa Bay and Justice and parrots Deacon and Pi-Pi — help keep her on top of the latest and greatest pet health research, training and products, anything to give keep them in the high life they are accustomed to. Follow Tampa and his crew on...
Putting the Fun into Fundraising
The Dachshund is one of the 10 most popular dog breeds, according to the American Kennel Club, but sometimes they are not the best fit for a person’s lifestyle. This is where Dachshund Rescue NW in Spokane, Washington, comes in. Dachshund: A half-a-dog high and a dog-and-a-half long. – H. L. Mencken This group was founded in 1991 when creator Margo Mossburg saw that most of the hunting dogs were being euthanized by local animal control. Says Margo, “Folks do not realize that Dachshunds are the smallest hunting breed, bred to...
Researchers Identify Deafness Gene
Jackie Brown Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet publishing industry. She is contributing writer for National Geographic’s Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness: The Veterinarian’s Approach to At-Home Animal Care (April 2019) and author of the book It’s Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases (Lumina Press, 2006). Jackie is a regular contributor to pet and veterinary industry media and is the former editor of numerous pet...
9 Festivities for Fido That Give Back
“Deck the halls with bones and holly, fa la la la la, la la la la!” No one wants to leave her doggie family member at home while attending holiday events. Now you don’t have to! This list of festive events has something for every dog, from the outdoorsy type to the pampered pup! What’s even better is that these fun activities, like a Christmas light trail, pet expos, cookie walks and holiday glamour photos, also support dogs and their local communities. So, pull out your ugly Christmas sweater, your dog’s...
3 Games to Play to Help with Dogs Who Steal
Is your dog a sock burglar and are you constantly waiting for him to pull his next big heist? Has your dog turned his post-crime caper into a game he plays with you, chasing him around the house trying to get him to let go of a stolen treasure, like the Keystone Cops? It doesn’t have to be that way. There are games you can teach your thieving pup that are also preventable security measures in themselves, so these alternative behaviors become part of our lives together instead of caper after caper. Check out these three games. Always...
Homeless Pet Numbers Rise
Jackie Brown Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet publishing industry. She is contributing writer for National Geographic’s Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness: The Veterinarian’s Approach to At-Home Animal Care (April 2019) and author of the book It’s Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases (Lumina Press, 2006). Jackie is a regular contributor to pet and veterinary industry media and is the former editor of numerous pet...
