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Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Tag Archives: Dog People
DogDaz Zoo: From Positive to Negative
The wind was howling at about 50 miles per hour. We went to the park anyway. The wind is ‘nature’s rake’ when it comes to leaves – blowing them everywhere. The street in front of the house is clear now thanks to the wind (but you should see the lawn). Sofie couldn’t stop barking with all the whistling through the trees. That isn’t static in the video, it is the wind. Doesn’t it sound like the ocean? Do your animals get agitated when the wind picks up? That my friends is the negative force of POSITIVE IONS.
The force of the wind causes positive ions, which can make people feel jittery. And if people feel it, I assume the animals do too. A positive ion is a carbon dioxide molecule that has been stripped of an electron (Note: science can be fun!). There are many studies that have found that positively charged ions have a negative effect on people. It is believe that positive ions contribute to everything from asthma to anxiety and depression.
Sadly, our modern day environments (tightly sealed homes, office buildings, malls) created tons of positive ions. Fluorescent lights, electrical equipment, computers, printers, televisions, clothes dryers, and even synthetic fibers in our clothes, carpets, and furniture, all contribute to this problem. Hair dryers and electric heaters are huge emitters of positive ions! How many times have you gotten shocked when petting your animal? STATIC = positive ions.
The opposite of positive ions, as you would expect, are NEGATIVE IONS. You find negative (what I call ‘feel good”) ions in nature. Large areas of water, for example, make people feel good. I think it is because of negative ions that people flock to the ocean and places like Niagara Falls. Negative ions are attracted to airborne particles, like dust, mold, viruses even, and they make them heavy so they fall to the ground.
Now before you go out and buy one of those expensive negative ion generators**, fill your home and life with things that generate negative ions. We have a lot of fountains with running water (also known as cat watering stations) through out the house. I run humidifiers. Water water everywhere.
I think that the reason shopping malls tend to have large fountains in the center is based on my negative ion water theory (I need to ask an architect about this). The stores are giant generators of positive ions because of the lighting, synthetics, traffic, etc. I know because a million years ago, I managed a clothing store in a mall. Every winter the plastic hangers would break constantly because things were dry, full of static, and brittle. A center fountain in a mall or office building might do a little bit to make people feel better. Crazy maybe, but I believe it.
** I never used (or could afford) a Negative Ion Generating Machines, but I think it would have to be the size of a room in my house to counteract the positive ions generated by everything else. I chose the water route. Maybe you have had a ‘positive’ experience with those machines, if so, let me know.
How does the wind effect your fur babies? Did you get blown away this week?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo: 8 Constipation Remedies for Dogs
One of my coworker’s dog just had surgery for his other ACL (he is doing fine), but she told me that the dog is crated and on meds and is having trouble going potty. Of course the first thing that comes to my mind is PUMPKIN. This made me realize that maybe I should share with all my readers the remedies that I have used over the years. Since Louise has colitis, she goes back and forth with the consistency of her bowel movements. I find that pumpkin actually can work both ways, help them go, or go less. Here is my list of remedies for constipation. Add any ones you can think of into the comments.
1. Pumpkin: I feed the dogs pumpkin regularly. A tablespoon in their food is all they need. Make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix (which contains a whole bunch other stuff especially sugar). When I make dog food, pumpkin is a main ingredient,
2. FiberSupplements: For regularity (we do this for the cats), add fiber, like Metamucil, to their water. There are many over the counter fiber supplements that could work. Check with your vet to see what she recommends and also for how much per pound of the animal.
3. Bran: You can try any kind of bran: rice, oat, wheat. This is one one of the most common remedies for animals and humans when it comes to constipation. I used to give my dogs wheat bran but I soaked it in chicken broth first, so that it was more easily digested and flavorful. Again, ask your vet how much bran per pound of dog.
4. Browm Rice: Did you know that brown rice is much more beneficial than white rice when it comes to fiber? You can sprinkle some on top of your dogs food with each meal.
5. Vegetables and Fruits: When not giving the dogs pumpkin with there meal, I give them either green beans, carrots, or peas. I buy the NO SALT cans (sodium is really bad for dogs) and wash the veggies well. This is just another source of fiber to keep it all pushing along. Louise doesn’t like fruit at all but Sofie loves cantaloupe. I know people whose dogs love apples. (Just make sure to remove the core and the seeds, because the seeds contain bits of cyanide which can be toxic.). Also try unsweetened apple sauce; Mojo and Zelda’s Mom freezes the little apple sauce cups and gives them as an alternative to Frostypaws.
6. Mineral oil: Mineral oil can get things moving but don’t give it directly. Make sure you put it in food. I give 1 tsp for 10 pounds of dog weight, but check with your vet.
7. Exercise: There is nothing like getting the blood flowing through exercise to help move things along. Take Fido for an extra long walk if you can.
8. Laxatives, Milk of Magnesia, or other medications: Some vets may advise a mild laxative or other medications. If it gets to this point, listen to the doctor.
There are many reasons why our furbaby’s get ‘concentrated.’ Hopefully some of these ideas can help loosen things up.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Wordless Wednesday: Puppyface
Louise looks like a puppy here. Picture by Amanda on her walk. Colorizing by Mom.
Hope you are having a great Wednesday.
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Wordless Wednesday: Marigolds
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Guest: Post Halloween Lessons for Keeping Dogs Safe
BOO! Don’t Be Scared – When all Hallow’s Eve is upon us, protecting our pets is just as important as keeping our kids safe on this night full of pranks, tricks and treats. Similar to holidays like the Fourth of July, or any other event full of loud noises, bright lights and unusual, out–of-the-ordinary colors, Halloween can be frightening for some pets.
A constant stream of strangers showing up at our doorstep, knocking, banging and ringing the doorbell, combined with the unfamiliar sights and sounds coming from outside our front door, can be alarming for some animals. On the other hand, my dog is overjoyed to see people constantly coming to the door since my slightly spoiled canine believes these trick-or-treaters have arrived for no other reason that to play and be petted, not receive candy.
Out and About – Many families dress up as a group for Halloween and this includes putting their canine in costume and taking them out for all of the festivities. When you’re considering an outdoor outfit for your pet, look for those with reflective tape, like skeleton costumes with glow-in-the-dark bones. Even if your pet’s couture isn’t illuminating, consider including bright colors, battery-powered lights or reflective items to make them easier to be spotted in the dark.
Think about different dogs and cats filmed for TV shows, commercials and movies. You may not have noticed, but they’re almost always lighter-colored animals. That’s because they’re more easily visible and don’t blend in with darker backgrounds. Consider yourself the director and costume designer on your Halloween set and make sure your animal doesn’t fade away from being spotted, especially outdoors during evening hours.
Deceptive Decorations – While trolling around on Halloween, it’s not uncommon to see some pretty realistic, convincing decorations that can resemble anything from rotting corpses to headless horsemen. But for anyone who has seen a crime or mystery drama on TV, sometimes these props look remarkably realistic, and in some rare cases, they are exactly as they appear despite the hype and holiday.
For example, if your dog were to come across a dead moles on Halloween, we might just laugh it off as a decorative part of a pet cemetery. But deceased animals carry a number of different dangerous diseases and significant health problems that could be easily transferred to your pet through their decaying carcasses. Keep an eye on your canine when they pay too much attention to a Halloween display.
Scary Candyland – Another part of this sweet holiday comes with the mounds of candy that can be found practically everywhere, even discarded in the streets. Pay particular attention to wrappers that could contain remains of chocolate and other dangerous threats to our pets. We all know that cocoa can be deadly for dogs and cats, but there’s another ingredient that can be even more dangerous, XYLITOL!
Xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in some candies, gum, baked goods and even toothpaste, can cause consequences for our critters in smaller doses when compared to chocolate. Just like cocoa, it will take a fair amount of the particular ingredient to prove deadly, but Xylitol and chocolate can still cause significant health problems if accidentally ingested.
Don’t be overly frightened this Halloween that your pet will have problems when you can be there to help protect them from harm. With a little bit of planning and preparation, some supervision and awareness will ensure we all have a great time during all Hallow’s Eve.
Hope You Had A Happy Halloween Everyone!
Guest post by: Amanda Kingsley exclusively for DogDaz.com
Wordless Wednesday: Finally Fall
Mom isn’t very good at being wordless, though the pictures could stand on their own.
But, we love the fall. Leaves in the water. Crisp clean air. The shadows change.
What do you love about fall?
Hope you are having a great Wednesday.
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo: Louise is 7!
I can not believe that my baby girl is 7 years young today. She went from a scared little pup, afraid of her shadow, with a collar embedded in her neck and covered with manage, to a healthy, strong, companion. Happy birthday Lulu Belle, you are a gem.
From top right, Louise the day she rescued us (April 2010), Lu with Squash E Bear (June 2010), first fall (Oct 2010), first snow (Jan 2011), with baby Sofie (April 2011), Summer 2012, Winter 2013.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Wordless Wednesday: You’ve Been Replaced
Peanut got up to go to the potty.
The spot was so warm and smelled so yummy.
I just could not resist. – Sofie Bear
This is a Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop. Thanks to BlogPaws for the hop. Head over there and see what they are blogging about.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Repost from 10.26.12: Dogs Telling Secrets
Shhhhh….don’t tell but….
Photo taken by K8
DogDaz Zoo 