Your Pets & The Holidays

The holidays are well underway. Just as families who have young children, we need to keep an extra good eye on our pets during the hustle and bustle that the season brings. Remember how easy it will be for them to get a hold of those Christmas decorations or all the food that will be spread out for those festive parties!

Check out the following link to a short, helpful article we found, which includes tips from the AKC:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/12/2542661/tips-for-keeping-your-dog-safe.html

Wish wish you and your pets a safe and enjoyable holiday season and Happy New Year!

Honey Can Help Dogs?

This is a very interesting article (from The Whole Dog Journal) that a friend of ours came across a few years ago. He found it helped his dogs during their "allergy season." We aren't claiming that it works for everyone, BUT it's worth the read so you can decide for yourself if it's worth a try.

We are "neutral" when it comes to how individuals seek care for their pets, but feel it is important to share "holistic" approaches that others have found helpful. It may also help those who are searching for answers to questions that have remained unanswered through various methods they've tried. As always, we find it important to consult with your vet and/or other family members on what is best for your four legged friend. Click on the link below to read the article!

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/10_9/features/Bee-Honey-Products-Help-Canines_15967-1.html

Summer Heat & Your Pets

Please take a moment to view this very informative video about hazardous warnings and safety precautions you should take this summer with your pets. We think this is a great video for the whole family to watch together. This makes a good learning tool for older children who are taking on more pet responsibilities as well.

Gourmet Dog Treats!

Congratulations on getting to our Blog page! You are a lover of animals and like to pamper your pets. After all, they are a member of the family.

We are happy to announce that we added a Bakery section to our online store and are proud to offer delicious dog treats that are healthier than the cheap boxed ones you get in stores (popular or generic brands you see on T.V.). Our treats are made fresh and include appetizing flavors (real ingredients) such as blueberry, peanut butter and more!

Please visit our website at http://www.paw-tay.com/to check out our online store featuring these new gourmet treats and more.

Health Benefits Of Pets

Recently, while reading up on info from the American Pet Products Association, we came across some interesting facts about the Health Benefits Of Pets and thought we'd share.

Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)

Pets Help to Reduce Stress Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)

Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)

Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)

Pets Help to Fight Depression Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security.(Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship)

The Store Is Now LIVE!

Thank you so much to everyone who's visited our social media sites and website. We are happy to announce that The Store is now LIVE!

Please visit our website at www.PAW-tay.com.

Racing For A Cure

While we usually post content pertaining to our four legged friends, this one's a little different, BUT it is a call to action to help wonderful caregivers of pets who might need support themselves.

Case in point, we have some dear friends (a husband and wife) who have three beloved cats. One, named Freckle is especially close to them because he helps keep their spirits up as his "dad" is currently battling a blood cancer.

If you are reading this, we are asking you to support two of our staff members who are with Team in Training for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Please read details at the link below and consider making a donation. It's tax deductible and you will be helping in the fight against blood cancers. Thank you.

http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/nikesf11/lstromhzlc

Pet-Related Books

Has anyone read any of these books that we've found on Amazon as popular sellers? What do you think? Do you have your own recommendations?

1. Art of Racing in the Rain. By Garth Stein. Enzo, a lab/terrier mix is taken from a farm near Seattle to ride shotgun alongside a racecar driver.
2. One Good Dog. By Susan Wilson. An adorable pit bull mix named Chance teaches a man about survival and what really matters.
3. How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond. By Cesar Milan. Raising the perfect dog starts with the right foundation.
4. The Art of Raising a Puppy. By the Monks of New Skete. New York monks teach how to understand a dog’s instincts, needs and behaviors.
5. 101 Dog Tricks: Step by Step Activities to Engage, Challenge, and Bond with Your Dog. By Kyra Sundance and Chalcy. Full color photos and instructions.
6. Be the Pack Leader: Use Cesar’s Way to Transform Your Dog . . . and Your Life. By Cesar Milan.
7. Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals. By Temple Grandin and Catherine Johnson.
8. Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover’s Story of Joy and Anguish. By Mark R. Levin.
9. Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. By Richard H. Pitcairn and Susan Hubble Pitcairn.
10. The New Yorkers: A Novel. By Cathleen Schine.
11. The Other End of the Leash. By Patricia McConnell.
12. How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners. By the Monks of New Skete.
13. Snuggle Puppy (Boynton on Board). By Sandra Boynton.
14. How to Be the Leader of the Pack…And Have Your Dog Love You for It. By Patricia B. McConnell.
15. Dog Heaven. By Cynthia Rylant.
16. Doggies (Boynton Board Books). By Sandra Boynton.
17. On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals. By Turid Rugaas.
18. Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know. By Alexandra Horowitz.
19. Because of Winn-Dixie (Newbery Honor Book 2001). By Kate DeCamillo.
20. It’s Me or the Dog. By Victoria Stilwell.

Happy To Be An Affiliate!

PAW-tay is excited to be an affliliate of Pet Airways. We believe that Pet Airways provides a more enjoyable and safe travel experience for your pet. Read more by following the link below:
Pet Airways. The pet-only airline where pets fly in the main cabin, not cargo! Fares as low as $99!

Hooray For This Dog!

While Japan is recovering from the terrible tragedies there, a little story emerges of a happy reunion between a lost four-legged friend and a family member...see the article/video by visiting the link below. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42412791/ns/world_news-asiapacific/

Our Hearts Go Out To The People & Pets Of Japan.

Please take a moment to watch/read this inpirational story of "man's best friend" amongst the terrible aftermath in Japan via the link below.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/dog-in-japan-stays-by-the-side-of-its-ailing-friend-in-the-rubble

Check Out This Link!

Runner's World had a little article a few months ago stating "Five Reasons To Run With Your Furry Friend." Any of these reasons that they have listed are good, but we also added a few. Take a look at our additions below and then go to the link when you're done to see their article.

6. For the single folks out there, need we say more? Dogs are a good way to "break the ice," especially if the other person you're interested in has one too! You might meet that special someone along your run or perhaps at the local coffee shop afterwards.

7. Not all dogs can run far distances, so if you are considering taking up running as a hobby, your dog can ease into it with you.

8. OK, not everyone runs. Take your four-legged friend to the beach and toss a ball into the water or play some Frisbee on land. The fresh air and small movements will get your blood flowing while your dog reaps the benefit of quality time and exercise.

9. Dog breeds like labs for instance, love to feel useful. Get a dog pack for your dog and let him/her carry a few simple items like a water bottle, snacks, etc. on your run. It'll benefit the both of you!

10. While dogs can be trained to run on a treadmill, we highly doubt you'd be able to take him/her to the gym with you, so switch up your runs and get outdoors. Remember, your dog won't judge how fast or slow you're going, he/she just wants your companionship.

To see RW's top five, CLICK HERE.

Good To Know & Very Important For Wisconsin Readers

"Dog chews sold in Wisconsin recalled due to health risk." Read about it at the link below:
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/117653368.html

The Store Update

PAW-tay's store is making progress. In the meantime, please add www.paw-tay.com in your "favorites."

We are working on an extension page for our store. Why are we launching a separate site that takes you to our online store? It's simple. We want your purchases to be made safely and securely!

Thanks much!

Thanks!

We can't thank our friends enough for their patience as we work out the logistics of our online store at www.paw-tay.com. In the meantime, please log on to our website and sign up for "Boomer's Bytes" our free e-newsletter. This will be one of the first ways we will notify people when our store goes live (amongst other exciting news). Thanks for visiting our Blog!

Vote For Boomer!

Boomer is participating in Bissell's MVP Contest! Please vote daily for him. The link is below and if you have suggestions on which charity to support if he wins, let us know! Thank you.

http://bissell.promo.eprize.com/mvpcontest/gallery?id=1648