This chick has some legs on her! Happy dogs!
DIY: Sweet Potato Dog Chews
Sweet potato chews are super easy to make and way cheaper than buying them. And they’re good for your pups—lots of fiber!
You don’t need a food dehydrator for these, just your oven. (Definitely cut the slices thick—Mary & Tim, of the nifty blog, 17 Apart, actually made a 2nd thicker batch that’s closer to what you can buy in stores.) Check out their great tutorial on sweet potato chews.
Store your chews in an airtight container or your freezer. Oooo, these would make a nice gift for other dogs you know. Sweet!
Shameful Day For Belfast City Council
Lennox, 2 yrs on concrete with sawdust & feces courtesy the Belfast City Council
After 2 years of trying to kill him, the Belfast City Council has finally destroyed Lennox the dog. Lennox was removed from his home in 2010 despite having no history of aggression and despite being a companion to the family’s disabled daughter for 5 yrs. He was removed because he fit the physical measurements in the Breed Specific Legislation despite DNA evidence that he wasn’t a pit bull. Physical measurements.
Lennox spent 2 yrs. confined in deplorable conditions while his health suffered & went untreated. His family was not allowed to see him during those 2 years. Further, his family was denied the right to say goodbye to Lennox before he was killed. They weren’t even allowed to see his body. They were apparently told they’d receive “some” ashes in the mail.
Despite many people working to rescue Lennox, including Victoria Stilwell, the Belfast City Council seemed hellbent on destroying this dog. The hired a police dog handler to testify about the dog’s behavior, not an animal behaviorist. In fact, one of the dog wardens who testified that Lennox was dangerous and frightened her may have committed perjury. She was later seen apparently petting and getting licks from Lennox in still shots from a video that was leaked. Another thing noticeable in the still shots, was that Lennox was no longer at a healthy weight. Victoria Stilwell spoke to further video evidence of Lennox’s appalling state of health (start listening at 42:20) including a terrible skin condition and neck pain. (This was from October 2011, so who knows what was the state of Lennox’s health and perhaps this is why they weren’t allowed to see his body.) Finally, I think the clearest evidence that the Belfast City Council was fanatical in they’re drive to destroy Lennox, is that they refused to allow any U.S. animal sanctuaries take Lennox. Beyond shameful.
You can hear Victoria Stilwell and the gutless idiot, Pat McCarthy, the head of Belfast City Council’s (BCC) Environmental Health Committee discuss the case and the killing of Lennox.
Go love on your dogs and hope to hell their breed never ends up on Breed Specific Legislation or that they ever look like a breed that’s banned or that they ever fit some ridiculous measurement of a breed that’s banned.
Friday Fun: Anakin The 2-Legged Kitten
This little guy is such a cutie and so lucky to have found a good home. Anakin first appeared with other feral cats coming to eat at a place of business. After a few attempts, he was caught and brought home. His vet said Anakin was born without a pelvis or back legs, but his internal organs are normal. The vet was surprised Anakin’s feline mom had taken care of him, so he’s lucky twice over.
Anakin angles himself over his front legs and holds his torso off the ground to move. And he can really move! Apparently, he uses his tail sometimes for support. Pretty amazing!
He has his own Facebook page.
Anakin playing and meeting Trixie, a resident cat.
Anakin playing.
Keep Your Pets Calm For The 4th Of July
In addition to these suggestions for keeping your pets safe around fireworks, there are a number of things you can try that can help lower your pet’s level of anxiety this 4th of July and during other stressful times. Check out these products & techniques for keeping your pets calm—some of them might be new to you.
1. Try calming supplements like:
- RelaxSaver
- Happy Traveler
- Tranquil Tabs
- Tranquility Blend Drops
- we have used Drs. Foster & Smith Ultra-Calm Bites
- Rescue Remedy
2. pheromone products like D.A.P., Feliway, Pet-Ease, etc. and can come in sprays, diffusers, & collars
3. get an Anxiety Wrap or Thunder Shirt, both of which use pressure to calm your pup—Saffron has a Thunder Shirt and it really makes a difference in all kinds of stressful situations. We’ve also used a child’s t-shirt that fits our dog Saffron tightly.
4. cd from Through A Dog’s Ear—specially arranged music developed by psychoacoustic expert Joshua Leeds and veterinary neurologist Susan Wagner, which I know sounds awfully “woo-woo”, but you can find out more about psychoacoustic studies and the field of psychoacoustics. You can listen to samples. (via FullVetted)
5. try:
6. see your veterinarian for anti-anxiety medication specifically for your pet