Lucky for me, Karma could care less. However, my previous dog, Dugan, was terrified. I remember the exact day it started, too. It was July 3 and a neighbor was shooting off fireworks for his son’s birthday. Unfortunately they were practically in the backyard so the noises were up close.

This is when Dugan would sit on my head. Yup. Since fireworks work best in the dark, we were already tucked in for the night and he decided the safest place was by my head. Poor baby literally didn’t know what to do.

Ah, but Dugan was really smart – in this case, too smart. He transferred his fear of fireworks to thunder. And then figured out that lightening preceded thunder so he became afraid of that as well, even if there was no clap to follow. The ultimate transference happened when we moved to San Francisco right outside a (electric) bus stop. If you’ve ever been to SanFran you know that the busses “zap” and create mini “lightening.” Now I had a dog afraid of electric busses.

Today I would do what I do best and throw money at the problem. My friends at AgileDogs Rock!! sell a great new product called “Thundershirts” that the dog wears like a type of dog coat. It works by gently applying pressure and creating a “squeezing” effect which is scientifically proven to calm animals and people. (Think Temple Grandin and her squeeze shoots)

Other ways to help

• Keep you dog physically away from the fireworks or thunder as much as possible. A quiet place in the house, a safe corner, a favorite bed in just the perfect spot can all help to reduce anxiety.
• Turn on the lights, turn up some soothing music and create other distractions. Try playing games or doing other activities the dog enjoys.
• Incorporate Bach Flower Remedies which have formulas for specific situations like this.
• Be sure your pet is wearing ID in case he decides to make a run for it.

What about Dugan? Well since he was such a smarty-pants, he eventually figured out that “bus lightening” didn’t mean that thunder would follow. As a matter of fact, that micro-climate rarely has thunderstorms so he came to decouple the lightening from the thunder. Once that happened, he sort of just let the thunder go. Of course, he was 12 at the time!

Yet so often we put our pets’ needs ahead of our own. Truth is, there are ways to save and your pooch will never be the wiser!

Coupons | look for coupons, discount codes and free samples everywhere – online, magazines, stores, facebook, twitter and in the mail. Also, with a little effort you can often find free samples of your favorite products.

Bulk Up | Whenever you can buy in volume or buy packages. Some places offer deals for buying quantity and some service providers (like groomers) offer packages which will offer savings.

Shop Smarter | Look around for deals. Chances are you have gotten into habits about where you shop when in fact, there may be a better deal out there is another store or online.

Join Up | Loyalty programs reward repeat purchases so check to see if the brands you buy or the stores you frequent have such benefits.

Time It Right | Pay attention to when the sales occur. Join mailing lists to find out about sales at your favorite stores or of preferred brands.

Ignore the Calendar | Your dog doesn’t know that it’s not cool to play with a Santa toy in April so look for items post-holiday – they will be on sale.

Share | Often what you’re eating for dinner is a great treat for your pooch. Treats don’t have to be dog cookies, they can be blueberries or apples – anything healthy. Just don’t create a beggar – be sure to feed “people” food away from where you eat and certainly not while you’re eating it.

Tell Your Friends | Get in the habit of telling friends about the deals you find. Pretty soon they will be telling you about deals, too!

Most importantly, remember that it all adds up. Just $15 pays for a night at a great campground! I’m sure your dog wouldn’t mind playing with Santa if he knew he could be in the woods!!

My very favorite reason to build this type of engagement with your pup is just that – engagement! Working together builds that all-important bond while increasing confidence in both of you!

Here are several ways you can amp-up your exercise regime. Hopefully it will give you even more ideas:

Active commands | “Pushups” or “Puppy Pushups” are a great example of combining physical movement with thinking and general control. Have your dog begin in a “sit” then ask for a “down” then have him push up back into a sit. You’re conditioning muscles and mind while creating a great distraction behavior to use next time you’re waiting in the vet’s office.

Aerobics | Maybe not Jane Fonda style, but your pup needs to get his cardio on regularly. Just like you, your dog’s body gets used to the usual lap around the neighborhood and it can cease to be much of a workout over time. Vary the lengths, speed and intensity regularly.

Fun in the rain | Well not in the rain but while the weather is yucky bring a little agility indoors. Jumping through a hula-hoop started close to the ground can be another way to combine physical and mental challenges. Just watch the breakables and do not do this on bare, slippery floors!

Tag, you’re it! | Want to strengthen those recalls and improve cardio? Work distance recalls and increase the speed at which your dog returns to you. Leave the dog in a sit/down/stay position and go out only as far as you think your dog can be successful. Call your dog (or whatever your recall command is). Only when he starts to come and get closer do you turn and run, increasing distance and speed over time. Reward the dog only when they run to you, not by you! You’ll get faster and more consistent recalls and get those hearts beating (both of you!).

Get into the box | One of the best “shaping” exercises you can do – indoors, too – is interacting with a plain ol’ cardboard box. With the top of the box open, reward your dog for stepping in it – front feet, back feet, all feet. Then flip the box over and have him put his front paw(s) on it, then back feet then (depending on the size of your latest UPS delivery) all feet. The idea is to reward the dog for interacting with objects on his own. Not until they reliably do a behavior do you start to name it. The hardest part is not luring them, but letting them offer up behaviors in an attempt to earn the treat. Now if Karma even sees a box he will start offering me behaviors with it.

I work a bunch of these things into our daily lives. Often I will “announce” one of these ultra-short sessions with the question, “Do you want a chance to earn?” Guess what the answer is?

If your dog is showing the first signs of heat exhaustion, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, the first thing you must do is remove him from the confining area. Nine times out of ten, heat exhaustion occurs while the dog is confined, whether it is in a car, crate, or doghouse.

Take the dog to shade, and soak him with cool water. Do NOT use extremely cold or iced water. This will cause blood vessels to constrict and will stop the heat from escaping.

You can apply ice packs to the areas underneath his front legs, and to the groin area for rapid blood cooling. Give your dog enough water to wet his mouth and throat, but do NOT allow your dog to drink copious amounts!

Take your dog’s temperature, this is done anally to get the most accurate reading.

Prepare your dog for transport to the nearest emergency animal clinic.

Do NOT cover your dog, even with a cold towel. This will prevent the heat from escaping.

Do NOT place him back in his crate, but keep him with you, with windows down and air conditioning on high, to allow evaporation which will aid in the cooling process.

Yes, there is also a danger that dog can become too cold. Monitor the temperatures and stop the cooling process as soon as your dog’s temperature reads normally again.

Continue on the vet’s, your dog is not saved yet!

About half way through my 500 mile drive I watched the various warning indicators illuminate one by one on my dash – battery light, ABS, airbag, on and on. About that same time my air conditioning quit, which was a huge concern since I’m very vigilant about keeping Cannon cool on any summer ride. As I was looking for an exit that indicated any type of civilization my car started lurching bit as it struggled to accelerate up a small hill. I called my hubby so someone knew just where I was and so I could talk through a plan of attack.

Just minutes later I was off the interstate, sitting in a restaurant parking lot and thinking about a tow cause my car was now not starting. My very first concern through all of this was how to keep Cannon safe and comfortable. I got him out of the hot car and into the shade. I pulled out his travel bowl and filled it with water. We hung out in the shade, called Geico for that tow which I made sure would accommodate me and an 80lb dog. We worked through which auto shop was nearby and open on a Sunday afternoon and even what hotels were close which would accommodate dogs, because who knows how long this adventure could last.

A new alternator and four hours later I was grateful for the kindness of strangers (especially the PepBoys that let Cannon and I hang out inside their shop for all that time) and for being prepared for those road side troubles you just can’t foresee. Check out the following list to keep you and your pup just a little safer if you have troubles on the road this summer.

• Keep your cellphone charged. Your car charger won’t help you if your car has no juice.
• Know who call in the case of an emergency and know their number. You may not always be close to home – does your auto insurance company provide roadside assistance?
• Carry a basic emergency kit in your vehicle. Include a flashlight for night time breakdowns.
• Pack enough water for both you and your dog to keep you hydrated for several hours. Include travel bowl for your pup… it’s funny but frustrating to get him to drink out of the bottle : )
• Travel with a leash at all times.
• Add an extra scoop or two in your dog’s travel bag. You never know when you’ll need an extra day of travel.
• Have a power bar or two in your own travel bag to keep yourself going on the road.
• Store a blanket in the car. It’s good for keeping warm on a cold day or creating shade on a hot one.

Also, we highly recommend checking out that blog post by Browns Automotive Group, it could save you and your pup a lot of stress during vacation season.

Ah, but thankfully a water workout disguised as fun is a near-perfect solution. This past weekend Karma and I went back to Riverbend Park in the morning before too many people got the same idea.

We picked up the green trail just left of the waterfront at the information building. In less than five minutes we came upon a perfect “beach” that would let him play safely in the water and be off leash (shhhhhh!).

As luck would have it another woman, Sarah, and her Standard Poodle, Lilly, had the same idea. Now Lilly was a MUCH better swimmer than the Karmalicious but the competition was good for them both.

Sticks ended up being the preferred fetch “toy” and was a catalyst for increasing cardio and getting the dogs to really go for it. I had started off with his preferred water toy from Ruff Wear but a moment of distraction allowed it to float on down the river out of reach. I imagined it going over Great Falls later in the day, captured in the background of a family photo – Ha!

But I digress. We stayed for just over an hour and Karma let me know he was done by coming out of the water more often and laying in shallow water. He was a tired and content boy the rest of the day and I believe he got a decent workout out of it.

Of course, as a disclaimer, I should tell you that the data on lead content in tennis balls and dog toys is seriously debated. I mean, no one agrees on how much lead is safe for dogs and, not surprisingly, this area is not regulated for pets. Plus, what might be OK for a St. Bernard could be bad for a Chihuahua. Ugh!

But here is one thing on which most will agree. Toys made in China contain more lead (and other chemicals) than those made in other countries, especially the US where lead is a no-no. As for tennis balls, unfortunately those sold at pet store chains were singled out to be the worst (tennis ball) offenders.

Here are a few datapoints (thanks to the magazine, Animal Wellness):

• In 2007, Texas lab ExperTox tested toys from Wal-Mart and found lead, chromium, arsenic, cadmium and mercury.
• According to the article and Dr. Sharon Gwaltney, Vice President of the ASPCA’s Animal Poision Control Center, lead is trouble. It can cause abnormal behavior, vomiting, diarrhea, hiding in dark places, convulsions, anemia, weight loss and, if untreated, death.

Seriously?

The article goes on to present the “other side” of the argument saying that there is still no “proof” that certain levels of lead cause harm, and, of course, not every dog is affected.

So now what?

I hate to say it, but avoid made in China products whenever possible. If you have questions, check the product’s website. Painted items are going to be the worst offenders. Toys made in the US and Europe are manufactured under the toughest standards so try to find those.

Unfortunately, you’ll be hard pressed to find a can of tennis balls made in the US, but try. And PLEASE let us know if you find any!

This fabulous poster was sponsored by the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and was reprinted from the Merck Veterinary Manual, 8th ed., 1998. The poster is available for purchase and the information is also available online.

The following is simply a list of the plants, but the poster also provides information on habit/distribution, affected animals, important characteristics, toxic principles and effects and treatment.

• Agave Americana: aka Century Plant, American aloe
• Aglaonema modestrum: aka Chinese evergreen, Painted drop tongue
• Agrostemma githago: aka Corn cockle
• Allium cepa, A canadense: aka Onion (cultivated & wild)
• Aloe barbadensis: aka Barbados aloe, Curacao aloe
• Apocynum: aka Dogbanes
• Asclepias: aka Milkweeds
• Brunfelsia pauciflora var floribunda: aka Yesterday-today-and-tomorrow, Lady of the night
• Caladium: aka Fancy leaf caladium, Angel wings
• Cannabis sativa: aka Mary Jane, Marijuana, Grass, Pot (you know the slang!)
• Capsicum annuum: aka Cherry pepper, Chili pepper, Ornamental pepper, Capsicum
• Cestrum diurnum, C nocturnum: aka Day-blooming Jessamine & Night-blooming Jessamine, respectively
• Chlorophytum: aka Spider plant, St. Bernards’s lily, Airplane plant
• Cicuta: aka Water hemlock
• Colchium autumnale lilaceae: aka Autumn crocus, Crocus, Fall crocus, Meadow saffron, Wonder bulb
• Conium maculatum: aka Poison hemlock
• Convallaria majalis: aka Lily-of-the-valley, Conval lily, Mayflower
• Crotalaria: aka Rattlebox
• Cyclamen: aka Snowbread, Shooting Star
• Datura stamonium: aka Jimson weed, Thorn apple
• Daubentonia punicea: aka Rattlebox, Purple sesbane
• Dieffenbachia: aka Dumbcane
• Digitalis purpurea: aka Foxglove
• Dracaena: aka Dragon tree
• Euphorbia pulcherrima: aka Poinsettia, Christmas flower, Christmas star
• Gelsemium sepervirens: aka Yellow jessamine, Evening trumpet flower, Carolina jessamine
• Hyacinthus: aka Hyacinths
• Ilex aquifolium: aka English holly, European holly
• Kalanchoe: aka Air plant, Cathedral bells
• Kalmia: aka Laurel, Ivybush, Lambkill
• Lilium longi florm: aka Easter lily, Trumpet lily
• Nerium oleander: aka Oleander
• Persea Americana: aka Avocado pear, Alligator pear
• Philodendron
• Phoradendron flavescens: aka Mistletoe
• Ricinus commusis: aka Castor bean
• Rhododendron: aka Azalea
• Sansevieria: aka Snake plant, Mother-in-law’s tongue
• Schefflera: aka Umbrella Tree
• Sesbania: vesicara: aka Bladderpod, Rattlebox, Sesbane, Coffeebean
• Solanum pseudocapsicum: aka Jerusalem cherry
• Solanum: aka Nightshades, Jerusalem cherry, Potato, Horse nettle, Buffalo Bur
• Sorghum vulgare: aka Sudan grass, Kafir, Durra, Milo, Broomcorn, Schrock
• Taxus: aka Yew
• Xanthium: aka Cocklebur
• Zamia pumila: aka Coontie, Florida arrowroot, Seminole bread, Cycad

The author of this is unknown, but it was passed onto me and we think it’s worth sharing on a bigger level. For all of you who have ever competed with your dog on any level, we are confident you can relate!

What Is A Title Really?

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher Title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores.

A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor the dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard. And though the dog himself doesn’t know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good-natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few; that in a world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received permanently.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Time: Overnight camping, short trails

Length: Lots of options

Gear: The usual camping gear

Difficulty: 1 paws

Scenery: 4 paws

Pack: Camping is more fun with a friend!

This past weekend, our OBH pack explored Lake Anna which is one of Virginia’s fabulous state parks. The name is probably a dead give-away, but the campsite is located at one end of Lake Anna which is a large and busy lake, especially in the summer.

We arrived Friday evening and set up in time for some delicious guacamole and chips – yum – and even had time to take the dogs for a short walk as the sun was disappearing. The park has 11 trails covering 15 miles so obviously they are short but can be combined for longer treks. From the park information we learned there are a few more difficult options but we found them to be easy and straightforward.

The campsites are on pea-sized river rock that does create a nice, clean area for setting up and sleeping. HOWEVER, you might want to bring dog boots for your pup! The stones seem to irritate their feet – not at the pad, but up in their feet. One minute they were fine but suddenly Saturday night both Karma and Cannon were walking as if on eggshells. OUCH!

Our weather was 100-degree-hot! And zero breeze! For this we were grateful for the many water opportunities! On Saturday we grabbed our camp chairs and took the Railroad Ford Trail to its tip where we found a little section of water where the dogs could be off-leash (technically a no-no and by the way the hosts at the campground are pretty serious about this!) and play in the water. The boys were in heaven! We hung out for a couple hours – long enough for Karma to learn to really swim and for Cannon to get in deep enough to take a few strokes.

The campground itself had some really nice amenities – bathrooms, showers, place for washing dishes – but sadly by Saturday night the toilets stopped working. Good thing we were in the woods – ha! We also were fortunate enough to have a site meant for campers with full electricity and running water – great for doing dishes. That night we had an amazing dinner of Arctic Char, grilled veggies and marshmallows (of course!) and slept under a full moon.

On Sunday morning, the dogs still were walking on eggshells, the bathrooms hadn’t been magically fixed overnight and it was 90 degrees by 9a. We decided it was too hot to do anything, especially since we had no way to get the dogs to the lake without using their feet! So we packed it up and went home early, having had a wonderful weekend.