Page’s Healthy Paws

 

Peace, Love, and Healthy Woofs.

All photos and music courtesy of Creative Commons.

Retractable Leashes Put People and their Pets at Risk

Retractable leashes may seem harmless, but they are the culprits of many injuries each year.

As seen lining the aisles of pet stores and in the hands of many pet owners, retractable leashes house 20-30 feet of nylon cord inside colorful plastic handles. Convenient for many people and their pups, retractable leashes have been the go-to leads for some 15 years.

Marketed for their ability to give canines additional space and roaming freedom, retractable leashes have been putting traditional “one-length” leashes and leads to shame.

But all that glitters is not gold for these popular leashes. Beneath those handy handles lay numerous safety hazards for you and your four-legged friend.

Top Ten Vets in Chicago

Our pets are like family. Most pet owners would agree. We love them. We get angry with them. We confide in them.

And when our pets get sick, we want them to have the best care available. Just as human patients respond to positive doctor-patient relationships and a  cheerful bedside manner, finding a great dog doc is of utmost importance to the care, health, and well-being of our pups.

So if you’re located in the Chicagoland area, take a look at these top-rated pet docs as researched and ranked by Chicago Magazine.

Keep Your Dog Warm This Winter

Don't let your dog shiver in the snow this winter. Bundle up, pup!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, and walking your dog is no longer delightful.  As the temperatures keep plummeting lower and lower, those trips outside with your pooch are becoming a dreaded endeavor.

Chilly as you may be, try to remember that mountains of snow and frigid temperatures are not exactly a pleasant stroll through winter wonderland for your dog either.

Backstreet Boys and their Dog Counterparts

 

Enjoy.

Peace, Love, and Woofs.

Boo: Ordinary Dog. Facebook Phenomenon.

So cute that it's hard to believe Boo is even real!

Facebook is abuzz with news of one adorable dog: Boo. With that badass haircut and personality to boot, it’s no surprise that Boo has an extremely large fan following that grows daily. Click here to test your knowledge of Boo. Oh, and make sure to follow Boo on Facebook if you don’t already.

Here’s a little preview of Boo’s adorableness.

Peace, Love, Boo, and Woofs.

2010 Midterm Election Goes to the Dogs

Patriotic pups voice their power at the polling place this Tuesday.

As citizens across the nation walked in to the voting polls this past Tuesday, there was a slew of hot button, controversial issues racing their minds as they cast their ballots. Thoughts of the economy, unemployment, the legalization of marijuana, tea parties and more danced through voters heads on the November 2 midterm elections.

But for many Missouri voters, another issue was added to the ballot: puppies. Yes, that’s right, puppies.

Passed with a slim 51 percent of the vote, Missouri’s Proposition B will now establish state minimum living standards for dogs used in the wholesale farming of pet store puppies, a.k.a. puppy mills, according to a Huffington Post article.

Dos and Don’ts of Doggie Dining

With the holiday season right around the corner, many households will soon see an increase in home-cooked meals and abundant amount of leftovers. As the amount of table scraps rise, so does the temptation to throw your dog a bone, so to speak. It is the season of giving after all. But before you slice your pup a large piece of pumpkin pie, check out these dos and don’ts of doggie dining.

Remember to use common sense and caution before giving your canine companion any human snacks. Asking a vet is always a great idea, too.

Peace, Love, and Holiday Woofs.

Photo Credits: Dog at Table (Creative Commons), Turkey (Creative Commons), Sweet potato (Creative Commons), Salmon  (Larry Crowe, Associated Press), Carrots  (Larry Crowe, Associated Press), Green beans (Luis Tamayo, Creative Commons), Chocolate (André Karwath, Creative Commons), Onion (Darwin Bell, Creative Commons), Macadamia Nuts (Jessica Merz, Creative Commons), Avocado (Larry Crowe, Associated Press), Grapes (Eric Risberg, Associated Press).

Study: Dogs Help Relieve Stress in Children with Autism

 

Cuddling Canines: Study shows that dogs may have positive psychological benefits in children with autism.

Man’s best friend may now be child’s best friend, according to a Université de Montreal study which shows that service dogs can reduce stress and anxiety in special needs children.

The study, published in the September issue of Psychoneuroendocrinology, showed that specially trained service dogs may help lower the levels of stress hormone cortisol in children with Autism Syndrome Disorders (ASDs).

While previous studies have shown that these pups can often have positive affects in helping ASD children cope with social situations, this new study exhibits promise in providing physiological benefits as well.

“Our findings showed that the dogs had a clear impact on the children’s stress hormone levels. I have not seen such a dramatic effect before,” said Sonia Lupien, senior researcher and professor at the Université de Montréal, in a recent statement.

Five Ways to Dress Your Dog Like Lady Gaga

Doggies Go Gaga Ooh La La

Now that the calendar pages have turned to October, one important question is beginning to float into the minds of dog owners: “What should my dog be for Halloween?”

Cheerleaders, devils, ballerinas, firefighters–those are all so last year. Doggie fashion has evolved far beyond those basic, uninspired getups. This year’s canine couture is all about provocation and innovation.

This year is all about Lady Gaga.

The Doggie Gaga Project

San Francisco-based photographer Jesse Freidin launched the “Doggie Gaga Project” this past spring. Drawing influences from his love of photography, canine companionship, and Gaga’s new role as Creative Director of Polaroid, Freidin developed this series of instant Polaroid photos featuring canine models in some of Gaga’s most iconic looks.

“Each costume was made completely by hand, and tailored to our dogs’ specifications. My team and I gathered supplies from local craft and fabric stores, and had a lot of fun reinterpreting Lady Gaga’s signature styles,” said Freidin.

So if you’re gaga for Gaga, take Freidin’s advice and head to the local craft store with these five simple, fabulous costume ideas in mind.