August 2005
Letters 08/05:
Hitting Some Nerves
Subscribers Only I was particularly interested in “Not So Fast” (WDJ June 2005) about chronic renal failure (CRF). Recently, I lost my Sheltie to this disease, but it was complicated by a mass on one of her adrenal glands, which caused the hypertension. She was a victim of a Catch 22; the hypertension aggravated the renal failure and the renal failure aggravated the hypertension. …
Keeping Your Dog Fit and Healthy
Compare the actions and functions of the musculoskeletal system to a finely tuned symphonic orchestra. Each and every instrument (each of the dozens of independent muscles in the dog) contributes to the whole. For one instrument to be heard above the rest, the sounds from other instruments must be softened – and for one set of muscles to flex or contract a joint, that joint’s muscles of extension must relax, and vice versa. The music of the muscles is this month’s stop on the Tour of the Dog.
Teach Your Dog to Walk on Leash
Subscribers Only Walking politely at your side doesn’t seem like it should be so difficult to teach a dog, but it often proves to be the most challenging behavior for dog owners to achieve. Dogs who are letter-perfect with their sits and downs, targeting, and “leave it” exercises in the training center happily drag their owners across the parking lot to and from their cars before and after class.
Shopping for Nutritional Supplements For Your Dog
Subscribers Only Every two weeks I faithfully fill the pill organizers for my Boxer, Tyler. He receives a number of supplements, some for general nutrition and well-being, and some specific to his particular health challenges, including Addison’s disease. I’m not the only one performing this ritual. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, about nine percent of all dogs receive vitamins regularly; perhaps an even greater percentage of WDJ readers give supplements to their canine companions.
Healing Oils For Your Dog
Subscribers Only Whenever you’re blending a massage oil for your dog, diluting an essential oil, making a salve, or simply looking for ways to speed the healing of wounds or abrasions, reach for the right carrier oil. Also called fixed oils or base oils, carrier oils literally carry or deliver essential oils or herbal ingredients where needed. Most are vegetable oils pressed from fruits, seeds, or nuts, and they contain important healing properties of their own.
Your Dog's Pet Peeves
Subscribers Only Eavesdrop on a group of dog owners discussing their dogs, and along with a lot of brags about newly trained behaviors and hard-won trophies and titles, you’re likely to hear a fair number of complaints about the annoying things their canine companions do. Well guess what? If you could eavesdrop on a pack of dogs at the dog park, you might well hear a litany of things that humans do to annoy their dogs!
On Vacation
Subscribers Only Lots of people take vacations in the summer – and I know, because I usually babysit their dogs when they leave! I enjoy having my friends and family members’ dogs come and stay, and of course, while they are here, I press the canine members of the “family” into service. They have to model for the magazine, eat the foods, treats, and chews that we’re reviewing, sleep on “test” beds, wear “test” collars and leashes,…
