DIY: Valerian Fish Toy

Here’s an easy cat toy project that uses valerian, so if your cat is one of those that doesn’t react to catnip, this might do the trick.  Valerian, like catnip, is an attractant for cats and they respond to it in much the same way.  It’s available in the healthfood section of your grocery store and online.  The tutorial is from Craft Leftovers where you can find heaps of tutorials,  projects, and general cleverness.  (In this project, valerian is being used to make the toy smell wonderful to cats.  It’s not advocating it’s use as a medical herb.)

Friday Fun: Paige The Border Collie

Paige is awesome!  She’s clearly having a lot of fun and I just love seeing that.  This video reminded me it’s been way to long since I taught Saffron a new trick, so I’m teaching her “Over” and “Under” with clicker training. (To crawl under something and jump over something.)  It is so fun watching her catching on to what I’m asking her to do.  Maybe Paige will inspire you to teach your dog or cat(yea, really!) something new!

Kids & Dogs—Dr. Sophia Yin’s Educational Poster

Sophia Yin rocks!  Check out this excellent article and poster on how children should and should not interact with dogs. The poster shows how a rude behavior with people is also a rude behavior with dogs.  For instance, people don’t like it if someone takes somethingof theirs and, likewise, neither do dogs.  Super easy to understand so even young children will learn.  You can print out copies for free.

1st Time Missouri Anti-Puppy Mill Law Enforced

Missouri has been known as the puppy mill capitol of the US, but they’re working to change that.  The Canine Cruelty Prevention Act was signed into law in April and has been used to seize 73 dogs (Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, American Eskimos, Poodles, Beagles, Papillons & Brussels Griffons) from Linda Brisco of Monett, Missouri.  She can’t legally operate a dog breeding facility for six years.  Go Missouri!