You strap the belt onto the female dog’s backside and voila, no access for any randy male dogs in the area.

PABS is apparently for those people who “just do not like to spay or neuter,” but I can’t even pretend to understand why someone would spend the same amount of money, if not more, on a contraption you have to strap onto your dog for weeks at a time, several times per year when she’s in heat, instead of just getting her fixed. The only 100% guaranteed way for your dog to not accidentally breed is to get her fixed.

Admittedly, the one scenario this might be useful in would be for a professional breeder who wants to take their dog out for a walk, though I’d imagine you’d already have other safeguards in place to prevent random dog humping while you’re right there, and it’s important to keep in mind that the mesh does not prevent the dog’s scent from attracting males.

Anyway, here are a few links about the benefits of getting your dog (and cat!) permanently altered:

~ Myths and Facts About Spaying and Neutering
~ Why You Should Spay or Neuter
~ The Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

Post from: Blisstree

PABS: Chastity Belts for Dogs

This video comes from Hungary, and features an actual dog obedience school’s presentation group putting on a performance for the holidays!

These very well-trained (and cute!) dogs decorate a Christmas tree, complete with ornaments, glass balls, tinsel and even the presents before plopping down from exhaustion. That’s about how I feel after a day of decorating, too!

Unless your dogs are this well-trained, it’s probably best not to let them chomp down on the glass balls, though — ouch! Check out some other holiday pet safety tips.

Post from: Blisstree

A Doggy Christmas Surprise

Willow Tree Angel: With Affection I adore the Willow Tree collection and own several, and this sweet angel holding a cat is on my wishlist this year.

This adorable Chester the Cat Teapot (with matching mug and salt and pepper shakers) makes me wish I drank tea!

I love calendars and for reasons I’m not even sure of, I tend to have several throughout the year. This 2010 calendar features “Bad Cats” in humorous situations.

Learn about the traditions and history of the Lucky Cat, a popular symbol of prosperity and good fortune across Asia and the world, in a hardcover book. Then check out the Lucky Cat figurines.

This Amazon seller has dozens of resin ornaments and figurines, perfect for any collector. Of course, I especially like the Chihuahua and rat terrier ornaments!

Show everyone who your best friend is with this adorable Dog Lover coffee mug.

I love these dog paw car stickers! The set of eight stickers costs less than $4 (including shipping!) and attaches cleanly to any smooth, hard surface.

Of course, we can’t forget the dogs when it comes time to look for a 2010 calendar. This one, like the cat calendar above, also features silly dogs in compromising situations!

[images: amazon.com; custom]

Post from: Blisstree

2009 Gift Guide for the Cat and Dog Lover

These doggy bagel treats are vegetarian, though you could easily substitute some beef or chicken broth for the water, and even add some shredded cheese for a little bit of extra flavor.

Veggie Dog Bagels

1 Teaspoon of Vegetable oil
1/2 cup of Wheat Flour
2½ cups of White Flour
1/4 Teaspoon of Baking soda
1/4 Teaspoon of Baking powder
1/2 cup of Chopped spinach
1/2 cup of Chopped carrots
1 Egg
3/4 Cup of Water

~ Preheat to 350 degrees.

~ Combine wet and dry ingredients separately and then mix together.

~ Knead by hand and form into ball shaped pieces (depending on your dog’s size, golf or tennis ball).

~ Flatten and poke a hole in the center and shape into a bagel.

~ Bake for 45-50 minutes.

~ Garnish cooled bagels with poppy seeds or sesame seeds by spraying lightly with water and then sprinkling seeds over top.

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Veggie Dog Bagels

Instead of serving your family turkey for the fourth or fifth night in a row, you can incorporate some of the white meat into treats for your dog. It’s easy, healthy and will use up some of the excess! Make sure you use just the white meat with no skin.

The-Day-After Turkey Omelet
from thepoop.com

1 egg
1-2 tbsp. mashed potatoes
1/2 cup diced cooked turkey meat
1/2 cup cooked vegetables, chopped
1/4 cup desired cheese, grated

~ Heat a medium-sized pan with a small amount of olive oil.

~ Whisk together the egg and potatoes. Spread in pan.

~ Place turkey and veggies on top in even layers. Cover; simmer until egg cooks and the mixture is warm.

~ Sprinkle cheese on top, then cook a few more minutes until cheese is melted and egg is golden brown. Let cool.

~ Cut into wedges. Store in refrigerator.

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Leftover Turkey Treats for Your Dog

Inspired by the book and movie, Petfinder is working with its network of 13,000 shelters and rescue groups across North America to give families the opportunity to welcome an adoptable pet into their home for the holiday season, ideally from Christmas Eve until New Year’s Day.

Interested foster-parents-to-be can visit Petfinder.com to find the participating shelters near you. Not only will you be providing homeless animals with a loving home during the holidays, but you’ll also be giving shelter volunteers and staff a well-deserved break!

Airing Sunday, November 29 on CBS, A Dog Named Christmas tells the tale of a developmentally challenged young man with a penchant for caring for animals in need, who sets out to convince his family — and their whole rural community — to participate in a local shelter’s inaugural “Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program.”

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Foster a Pet for the Holidays

Talk To Me Treats would make a great stocking stuffer for your pooch, even if they’re the only thing in the stocking!

Talk To Me Treats are mint chew treats for dogs made with real dill, parsley and mint. Not only are they great tasting but are also low-fat and provide fresh breath. The treats are the perfect size for the Treatball and the tin containers make them convenient to have on-hand for training.

The travel-size tins make it easy to provide treats and fresh breath for your pet no matter where you are. Just toss the tin in you purse, pocket, or leave in the glove compartment and treat your pet to fresh breath while you’re out and about — especially nice if you’re visiting family or friends for the holidays!

Post from: Blisstree

Stocking Stuffers for Your Dog

Redbone Coonhound

The three “new” breeds are the Bluetick Coonhound, the Boykin Spaniel and the Redbone Coonhound (pictured above), and will be eligible for full AKC registration and competition in their respective groups at conformation shows held on and after December 30, 2009.

“We are happy that Boykin Spaniel, Bluetick Coonhound and Redbone Coonhound will be joining the ranks of fully-recognized AKC breeds,” said Mari-Beth O’Neill, AVP of Customer Service. “Although these breeds have been classified in two different groups, all three possess energetic natures and are still very actively used by hunters as working dogs today.”

The Bluetick Coonhound gets its name from a coat pattern, which is dark blue in color and covered in a ticking or mottled pattern. Working ability is very important to owners who prize the sturdy and athletic Bluetick for its skill in trailing and treeing raccoons and other small animals.

The Boykin Spaniel is the official State Dog of South Carolina, and is a medium-sized, all-around hunting dog with a cheerful, energetic personality. The breed was developed in South Carolina in the early 1900s by Mr. L. Whitaker Boykin. Originally used to hunt wild turkeys, Boykins now typically work with ducks and other waterfowl.

The Redbone Coonhound has a beautiful red coat and is a versatile worker that possesses the ability to hunt and swim over a variety of terrain while still maintaining its speed and agility. The breed dates back to red foxhounds brought over by Scottish immigrants in the late 1700s and red foxhounds imported from Ireland before the Civil War.

[image: wikipedia]

Post from: Blisstree

AKC to Recognize Three New Dog Breeds

For animal lovers, this can mean a double dose of giving: along with donating some canned goods or a sack of groceries at the grocery store, consider dropping off an unopened bag or cans of cat or dog food, or even a bag of litter to your local Humane Society or pet shelter as well.

Not only do the food and supplies benefit animals at the shelter, but many shelters nationwide also distribute items to people who are in need of them, and whose pets may not be able to eat without the help of the donations.

For more information on what is acceptable to donate, be sure to contact your state’s Humane Society, SPCA, or other local animal shelters. Many are also in great need of things like towels, washcloths, litter pans, etc, and monetary donations are also always welcome.

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Don’t Forget Shelter Pets at Thanksgiving

A returned soldier is greeted at the door by his very happy beagles, who give him not only the standard licks and tail waggles, but some very enthusiastic vocal work as well!

I haven’t been able to find out much more about the video, just that it appears the soldier has returned home after a while away, and his wife or girlfriend made sure she caught their dogs’ reactions on video as she lets them out from behind the baby gate.

Mental Floss has a few more videos of dogs greeting their returning soldiers (all of them equally aww-worthy, though I admit the one at the very end with the soldiers and their kids really did me in!), and I dare you to watch without a tissue nearby!

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Beagles Greet Returned Soldier