Hunting Dogs (Photo credit: RenoTahoe)

Now, I will admit that I don’t hunt. I just couldn’t shoot—and then gut—a wild animal. But, unless you are a vegan, you cannot have moral objections to hunting. The animals hunted are subject to over-population, and consequent starvation, were it not for the hunter and their gun dogs. And the hunted animals shot die instantly in the wild, as opposed to domesticated animals, which must endure hours of confusion and panic as they are slowly herded through the slaughterhouse, echoing with cries of fear.

So if you buy your meat in the grocery store, nicely cut and wrapped up in cellophane, you cannot look down at the hunter; you are simply delegating the task to others, who make use of a much crueler process.

As I say hunters are animal lovers.

• They spend countless hours training their bird dogs, for example, so that the silent commands, through hand signals, are almost telepathic.
• The gun dogs are trained to not only flush the quarry—but to then go out and retrieve the killed bird.
• How do you think the Golden Retriever got its name?
• These hunter’s gun dogs are as intelligent, and as eager to serve, as guide dogs for the blind—and many breeds are chosen for either function.
• And the bonds formed between the hunter and his gun dog are eternal.
• Many a “macho” hunter has shed tears at the passing of his beloved gun dog, which has served him faithfully in the fields for years.

So, if you are a pet lover, remember that the hunter is one, too.

-Dan Carrison, Author – Bill at Rainbow Bridge

This is really a sweet—and at the same time, a practical—book for all pet lovers. Pet Parents: A Journey Through Unconditional Love and Grief
Coleen’s inspiration to establish Pet Angel Memorial Center came from her relationship with a feisty Terrier/Miniature Schnauzer mix who, after 14 years of companionship, finally succumbed to cancer. This was at a time when veterinarians had little to offer, other than “disposing” of the body. But her love for little Mico compelled her to found the first stand-alone pet funeral home in the nation.

This experience will give you an idea of the book. It is full of love and understanding, while at the same time offering sound advice on how to plan ahead for–and how to deal with–that sad day that is sure to come. In between these two goals, she has sprinkled in wonderful stories of inspiring pets and their loving owners.

So, you can look upon this as a guidebook for a time in your life when you may definitely need an understanding hand to guide you along. But it is also more than a guidebook: you feel as if you have gotten to know a fellow pet lover who understands what you are going through. Colleen, her husband, and her family share a love for the animals who enrich our lives; they have created a special place, and an ongoing resource.

This is a book you should have, even if you have just brought your puppy or kitty home. You don’t have to wait until you heart is breaking to appreciate the kind words and the wisdom of the author.

Coleen has taken an additional step forward: in 2009 she founded the Two Hearts Pet Loss Center , which offers counseling and educational services. I urge you to visit her site; it is a wonderful resource.

-Dan Carrison, Author - Bill at Rainbow Bridge

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The Super Bowl?

No, the Puppy Bowl!

The Puppy Bowl is an annual television program on Animal Planet that mimics an American football bowl game similar to the Super Bowl, using puppies. It is absolutely adorable. The puppies have that sleepy expression that makes all puppies so delightful. Being puppies, they are uncoordinated, and so they flop all over each other as they “compete” in the Puppy Bowl. Adding to the humor is the quasi-serious “sports commentary,” which sounds just like sportscasters commenting on a real football game.

Fresh puppies are continuously inserted into the game, so chances are that you will see your favorite breed, as well as the cutest mutts ever. The event lasts for hours, and it is the most wonderful thing you’ll ever see.

The purpose of the first Puppy Bowl, first shown on February 6, 2005, is a little more serious: all the puppies featured in the Puppy Bowl are from shelters; and the show contains information on how viewers can adopt rescued puppies and help their local shelter.

If you have Animal Planet, please tune in—at least during those endless Super Bowl commercials!

Don’t miss Puppy Bowl VIII February 5, 2012 3P.M. on Animal Planet.

Videos of  Puppy Bowl VII  – The biggest event on all fours is back! Puppy Bowl returns for its seventh consecutive year with an all-star, all-adorable cast that’s ready to mix it up on the grand gridiron of Animal Planet Stadium. Puppy Bowl VII brings viewers a loveable lineup that’s itching to play in a winning combination of terrier tackles, touchdowns, puppy penalties, fumbles and Fido first downs.

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Sometimes a harrowing experience can give birth to a great idea like a seat belt for your dog that protects and does not choke because it is a harness.

Carl Goldberg was driving down a winding mountain road—and a car driving up the mountain was traveling on the wrong side of the road! When he slammed on his brakes to avoid a collision, his dog, a 100 pound chocolate lab, was ejected from the seat and thrown into the windshield. The windshield shattered, but fortunately my dog was not injured.

He went to his local pet store to see what was available, but found only inferior products that were too flimsy and did not fit properly.

With an inspiration to make vehicles a safer place for dogs and the people riding with them, he consulted a veterinary orthopedic surgeon and design engineer, and produced a canine vehicle restraint harness seat belt that does not choke. Later, the design received two U.S. Patents with multiple claims noted.After this frightening incident and a trip to the veterinarian, he realized the threat an un-seat-belted dog presents in a moving vehicle. Even a travel crate wouldn’t have helped much. So he decided to do something about it.

You can find out all about this dog-safety seat belt system at Ruff Rider

Don’t forget to buckle up your beloved dog’s seat belt with a canine vehicle restraint harness.

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Review of Bill At Rainbow Bridge By J. Frank (IL United States)(Kindle Edition)

After suddenly and unexpectedly losing my dear golden retriever within 24 hours of an illness that struck him, I was lost in a pit of dark despair and physically painful grief. I did not want to eat, work, or deal with anything. In desperation I searched for some books on pet loss and downloaded a few to my Kindle, one of which was Bill at Rainbow Bridge.

When I opened it and began reading the first chapter, I closed it again with dismay. “I’m not looking for a child’s book; What is this?” I thought to myself. I went on to some of the other books, but they felt so clinical, so dry. Not only that, but in the grief-stricken haze of my mind, I felt I just could not absorb what they were saying. There were words, and they just did not seem to sink in.

After finishing one book and trying another, and still feeling no ease in my pain, I opened up Bill at Rainbow Bridge again. I began reading, and this time I seemed to absorb the words. I could see the images in my mind, I could relate to David, Bill’s human guardian, and what he was going through. His feelings of confusion, his inability to move on, his desperate need to find relief. The storybook quality was exactly what I needed to sink into my distraught mind and heart. Its beautiful simplicity and honesty finally reached me where the more “clinical” and explanatory style books simply did not connect.

I feel now this is the first book one should reach for when they are in those raw depths of grief, where you feel like a lost child and all the “logical explanations” for what you are going through do nothing to comfort you. Bill at Rainbow Bridge gives peace, gives you finally a sigh of relief and puts a salve on your hurt.

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“The owners of departed pets want to know:

· That their pets are happy
· That their own grief is normal
· That they will be reunited with their pets one day,
· and that it’s OK to love again.

Bill at Rainbow Bridge fulfils these wishes.”

So reads the promotion on the back of this remarkable little book – and it is right; Bill at Rainbow Bridge does all this, and more.

This unusual bereavement resource is written in the form of a story, taking us through the arrival of Bill, a much-loved British Bulldog, at Rainbow Bridge, and the journey through grief of David, the man he left behind. Enhanced by beautiful illustrations by Peg DuVal, Dan Carrison’s book touches upon difficult topics, such as David’s feelings of shame and embarrassment at being unable to control his emotions and his wife’s concern for him, alongside her thinking David’s suffering is misplaced “and very nearly an affront to her own grief at the loss of her mother”. These and other issues are raised and worked through in a gentle, positive manner.

The chapters describing how Bill and his animal friends spend their days at Rainbow Bridge – and what happens when a human is suddenly spotted at the Bridge – are interspersed with the steps David takes, supported by his wife, Susan, to try and come to terms with his terrible grief. He books an appointment with a pet bereavement counsellor who understands to the core his pain as he himself has endured the loss of a beloved cat. He joins a support group of people who shares reminiscences of their departed friends and find this therapeutic. David also decides, although this at first seems strange to him, to
write a letter to Bill. Eventually he is able to contemplate helping others through their grief and even investing love in another dog, while acknowledging that he is not “replacing” Bill and that the relationship with the new dog is entirely different.

The book is written from the heart and certainly engages the emotions as well as the mind, but it is not sentimental or sugary. The sixty four thousand dollar question of survival after death is assumed, from a scientific point of view. As a member of the bereavement support group says:

“I’m an engineer. I deal in facts and figures, and I appreciate Einstein’s theory of the conservation of energy. Basically he showed us that energy cannot be destroyed. The energy that made up our loved ones … doesn’t simply vanish when they die, because energy cannot be destroyed. …. That’s why I don’t think the idea of Rainbow Bridge is far fetched at all…”

The book has been selling well in the USA and has now becomes available, in an affordable digital e-book version, on Amazon.co.uk.

The book was featured in the January 2012 issue of Dogs Monthly magazine .

One of the editors of Dogs Monthly, noted British author and pet specialist Caroline Davis, was so impressed that she is now the distributor of the paperback edition of the book for the UK. She can be reached at caroline.davis544@btinternet.com.

As a companion animal bereavement counsellor, I unreservedly recommend this wonderful book, which I am certain will bring comfort and solace to people going through the pain of losing a beloved animal friend, giving them the reassurance they so badly need that their grief is normal and that there are people out there who truly understand.
Debby

Debby Wakeham AMACC MSBP
Departed Friend Companion Animal Bereavement Services
Blog: http://departedfriend.wordpress.com

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The Oregon Veterinary Medical Association suggests we not forget out pets when making those New Year’s resolutions.

Here are just a few of their worthy suggestions. You can visit The Oregon Veterinary Medical Associations for the entire list.

• Keep pets up to date on important vaccinations and parasite prevention. It is much less expensive to prevent a disease than it is to treat it.
• Resolve to keep good communications with your veterinarian and veterinary staff. Keeping your veterinarian up to date on pet health and behavior changes could catch problems earlier, at more treatable stages.
• Like their humans, many pets in the US and Canada are overweight or obese. The New Year is a great time to make a commitment to losing those extra pounds.
• There is an old adage that “a tired dog is a good dog.” Including a small amount of time in our daily routine for our pets can help prevent destructive behavior issues.
• Many pets could benefit from enrolling in a basic training and socialization class, especially if you have a new puppy. Consider this New Year as a great time to make sure your pet is a “good pet citizen.”

Image via Wikipedia

Happy New Year to you and your pet!

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Here’s an excerpt:

Santa Dog

Psych Experts: There’s Nothing Crazy About Giving Christmas Presents to Pets - By Brad Tuttle.

Cat Toys  Dog Toys Gerbil and Rat Toys Bird Toys

Wanna hang a stocking for your cat? Or wrap a new rhinestone collar and place it under the tree so your dog can open it on Christmas morning? Knock yourself out, say psychologists.

In survey after survey, the vast majority of pet owners say they treat their dogs and cats like family. And how could you leave any beloved member of the family out of the holiday festivities? According to a PetFinder.com poll, 63% of dog owners and 58% of people with cats give their pets Christmas presents. Four in 10 dog owners, meanwhile, and 37% of cat owners hang stockings for their pets, and overall, Americans reportedly spend some $5 billion annually on holiday gifts for pets—a significant portion of the $50 billion spent each year on pets in the U.S.

Each year, owners can choose among more and more pet products and pet gifts. New trends highlighted by the American Pet Product Association this year include special offerings from retailers that normally focus on humans, such as Omaha Steaks (now selling steak pet treats) and Paul Mitchell (offering a full range of pet shampoos and pet hygiene products).

Thank you, Mr. Tuttle, for doing the research. I had no idea $5 billion dollars are spent on our pets every holiday season. And that’s just in America!

I will point out that slightly more dog owners (5%) give their dogs Christmas presents than do cat owners. Is it because that, for a cat, every day is Christmas? 

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Many people have a preference for a certain breed of dog or cat. Others prefer “mutts,” which certainly live longer than most breeds, having the advantage of gene diversity. Frankly, I love them all. But, if I had to choose, my favorite breed is the English Bulldog.

English Bulldogs are a mass of contradictions. They look fierce; but they are gentle, and absolutely love children. They look strong, but do not live as long as we’d like—usually only about 8 years. They look like bullies, but can be bossed around by a Chihuahua. They look perpetually sad, but are full of fun. They look robust and healthy, but are plagued by skin problems, dry eye, yeast infections in the ear, and breathing problems.

They are maintenance intensive, and they do not live long enough. Why, then, is the English Bulldog so popular?

I think it begins with the face. The English Bulldog has a recessed nose. He was bred that way for the ancient, cruel sport of bear baiting, in which a dog was put into a pit with a bear. With his recessed nose, a bulldog could bite the bear and continue to breathe while hanging on with his teeth All other dogs would have to “let go” in order to take a breath, because their longer snouts were pressed against the body of the bear.

So, when you look at a Bulldog, you don’t see a domesticated wolf, as you do with most dogs; you see a face that looks semi-human. It is no accident that Winston Churchill was so often compared to a Bulldog; not only did he exhibit the traits common to the breed—such as determination, loyalty, steadfastness—he looked like an English Bulldog. Which is to say that English Bulldogs look more like people than other dogs.

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An English Bulldog can tell you more with a glance, than other dogs can with a whole repertoire of tricks. You can read an English Bulldog’s face much more easily than you can read the face of a domesticated wolf (which is what all dogs are). English Bulldogs are more like people than dogs. You feel closer to them. They give deeper meaning to “Man’s best friend.”

Bill At Rainbow Bridge – Book Written for the Owners of Departed Pets

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Asking the question, “Does your pet eat as healthfully as you?” presupposes that you follow good nutritional guidelines in your own diet. If not, chances are the scientifically blended dog food your pup eats is much more nutritious for him or her, than your favorite fast foods are for you.

But assuming we humans do our best to eat well, let’s consider the original question: do we think as carefully about our pet’s diet as our own?

One of the reasons why we may not is that our pets seem to be “natural” bundles of energy. Our dog or cat may be so exuberant that we take their boundless energy for granted, as if they are genetically robust regardless of what they eat. So, when we’re at the grocery store, we may grab a bag of pet food off the shelf without analyzing the ingredients. We may look for brand names that elicit some level of trust, but, beyond that, our buying decisions may be based on the warm and fuzzy pictures on the container.

Pet experts point out, however, that even brand name “premium” pet foods do not supply the nutrients necessary for the optimal health of our best friend. And, let’s face it, despite their inexhaustible energy, our pets do not live as long as we’d like under the best of conditions—maybe 15-20 years if we’re lucky.

It seems reasonable that we can extend that lifespan of our best buddy through proper diet. But, which foods are the best?

Below are listed the dog food brands that have garnered a Five Paw rating on the Dog Food Scoop website. 

I’ll try some of them out (on my dog, that is) and report on his favorites.

•Acana Dog Food
•Addiction Dog Food
•Artemis Dog Food
•Back to Basics Dog Food
•BLUE Dog Food
•BLUE Organics
•BLUE Wilderness
•Dog Whisperer – Cesar Milan Dog Food
•Eagle Pack Dog Food
•Evangers Dog Food
•Fromm Dog Food
•GO Natural Dog Food
•Holistic Blend
•Honest Kitchen Dog Food
•Horizon Legacy Dog Food
•Mulligan Stew
•Nature’s Variety Instinct Dog Food
•Merrick Dog Food
•Dick Van Patten – Natural Balance Dog Food
•Nature’s Logic
•NOW
•ORGANIX (Castor and Pollux)
•Orijen Dog Food
•Party Animal (Canned Only)
•Nature’s Variety Prairie
•Solid Gold Dog Food
•Taste of the Wild Dog Food
•Timberwolf Dog Food
•Wellness Dog Food
•Weruva Dog Food (Canned Dog Food Only)
•Wysong Dog Food
•ZiwiPeak Dog Food

-Dan Carrison, Author – Bill At Rainbow Bridge - a perfect gift for every pet owner.

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