The other day Omidog.com came out with ten reasons dogs should be eligible for Oscars. Needless to say, I couldn’t agree more. Lassie, the collie who starred in several mega-popular movies during the 1940s, never even got a nomination (but that was probably because several collies that looked alike all played the character in the series of movies.) Now that they’re changing things up in Oscarland, like putting animated movies in the “Best Movie” category, I think it’s time they added a “Best Animal Actor” category, don’t you? Maybe these ten reasons will convince the academy that dogs should be eligible:

1. They wouldn’t give overly long acceptance speeches.

2. They wouldn’t waste huge amounts of money on tuxedos or dog dresses.

3. They would deal better with both victory and defeat.

4. We like them, we really like them.

5. They could get to the stage much more quickly.

6. It makes more sense than Michael Vick getting a “Courage Award.”

7. They’ve been snubbed as a species by the academy for far too long.

8. Their ego and bank accounts don’t require constant feeding — just themselves.

9. Oscar chew toys would be cheaper than statuettes

10. The red carpet is probably cleaned every year anyway.

Well, according to one US Senator, the answer is YES!

Pushing for legislation that would require known animal abusers to register with the police, like sex offenders do, California Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) announced a bill that would do just that.   If adopted, the statewide list would create the nation’s first comprehensive criminal registry for animal abusers.

Written with the aid of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, any person convicted of a felony involving animal cruelty would be required to register with the police and provide an array of personal information along with a current photograph. The information, along with the registrant’s specific offense, would be posted online, similar to the limited listings that can currently be found on other sites, like Pet-Abuse.com.

According to The New York Times article, “The registry would list people convicted of crimes including acts of violence (torture, mutilation, intentional killing, etc.), sexual abuse and animal fighting as well as neglect, including hoarding. Such a registry could help protect animals, pet guardians and communities by discouraging repeat offenses by anyone with an established history of abusing animals and alerting the public to the presence of the offender.”  I don’t know about you, but as a pet, this is the kind of stuff I’d like to know.  And, I’m sure my parents would to.  The thought of living near an abuser would have me shaking in my dog shoes!  That’s why Mittens and I hope this one gets passed, first in California and then the world!

Not only will this help protect pets, but it might help protect people, too!  We all recognize that people who do bad things to animals might also do bad things to people, and this list might serve as an early warning system for other crimes.  But, either way, parents will know if there’s someone dangerous in the neighborhood and can take steps to protect us.

Senator Florez…we salute you!

This is such an intriguing issue, we’d love to hear what you think about this proposed legislation.  Bark back with your comments!

Hi! Everyone’s favorite online best friends here to update a recent blog that warned against dangers for pets in and around your home. The list included human medications, insecticides, certain people food, plants, etc.  Just recently, Veterinary Practice News released the top 10 human medications that are poisonous to pets. We want to pass the information along to you. Human meds don’t always have the intended affect on your pets, so please pay attention!

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen top the list of human medications most poisonous to pets.

“The Pet Poison Helpline (1-800-213-6680) offers tips for the prevention of pet poisoning caused by human medications.

Justine A. Lee, DVM, DACVECC, associate director of veterinary services at the helpline, said as far as animal poisonings go, “they are unfortunately very, very common.” The 24-hour helpline is available throughout North America for veterinary professionals and pet owners who need help treating a potentially poisoned pet.

Tens of thousands of phone calls are fielded on human prescription drugs, rat poisons and environmental/home toxins, Lee said. Nearly half the calls involve over-the-counter and prescription medications for humans.”

Below are the top 10 human medications most frequently ingested by pets.

1. NSAIDs (e.g. Advil, Aleve and Motrin) Common household medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) top the list. The names include ibuprofen (e.g., Advil and some types of Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).
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2. Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) Even though this drug is safe, this is not true for pets—especially cats. One regular strength tablet of acetaminophen may cause damage to a cat’s red blood cells.
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3. Antidepressants (e.g. Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro) While occasionally used in pets, overdoses can lead to serious neurological problems such as sedation, incoordination, tremors and seizures. Pets, especially cats, seem to enjoy the taste of Effexor and often eat the entire pill. One pill can cause serious poisoning.
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4. ADD/ADHD medications (e.g. Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin) Minimal ingestions of these medications by pets can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, elevated body temperatures and heart problems.
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5. Benzodiazepines and sleep aids (e.g. Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunesta) About half of the dogs who ingest sleep aids become agitated instead of sedate. In addition, these drugs may cause severe lethargy, incoordination and slowed breathing in pets.
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6. Birth control (e.g. estrogen, estradiol, progesterone) Large ingestions of estrogen and estradiol can cause bone marrow suppression, particularly in birds. Additionally, female pets that are intact are at an increased risk of side effects from estrogen poisoning.
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7. ACE Inhibitors (e.g. Zestril, Altace) Pets ingesting small amounts of this medication can potentially be monitored at home, unless they have kidney failure or heart disease.
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8. Beta-blockers (e.g. Tenormin, Toprol, Coreg) Small ingestions of these drugs may cause serious poisoning in pets. Overdoses can cause life-threatening decreases in blood pressure and a slow heart rate.
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9. Thyroid hormones (e.g. Armour desiccated thyroid, Synthroid) Large acute overdoses in cats and dogs can cause muscle tremors, nervousness, panting, a rapid heart rate and aggression.
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10. Cholesterol lowering agents (e.g. Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor) Most “statin” ingestions only cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. Serious side effects from these drugs come with long-term use. <HOME>

You know us pets. We love “see food.” If we see food, or anything else small and enticing, we eat it, so whatever drops on your floor is fair game. Thanks for thinking of us when you have something potentially dangerous hanging around the house!

Max here, wishing you all a Happy President’s Day!  I have on my patriotic pet clothes, and I’m giving two paws up to the big guys on the Oval Office.  But, on this day especially, my heart goes out to those “other” defenders of the dome.  What better way to celebrate President’s Day than by taking a look at the beloved pets who’ve “served” at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?

A Place Of Honor

Being the President’s pet is no walk in the park, I’m sure.  Sharing their term in the White House, they’ve done their job by bringing comfort and a playful distraction from an often-times stressful job.  That’s why they’ve got their own museum–a place of honor and pride for us pets!  If you happen to be in the Williamsburg, Virginia area, stop by The Presidential Pet Museum for an up-close-and-personal look at life in the White House from a pet’s perspective.  They’ve got tons of artifacts and memorabilia dating back to George Washington.  Because nearly every President had a pet, the collection boasts over 500 interesting items.  A fascinating tour for pet lovers, it was founded in 1999 by Claire McLean (former Presidential Pet Groomer) as a repository and means of preserving information, artifacts and items related to the Presidential Pets.

An interesting tribute!

Curious about what you’ll see there?  Well, some of the highlights include:

• A strange portrait of President Reagan’s dog Lucky–made from her own hair.
• Photos and exhibits of famous pets, like the Clinton’s famous Buddy and Socks, and the Bush White House Pets, Miss Beazley and Barney.  There’s already a photo gallery for Bo Obama!
• Not just about dogs and cats, you’ll also find out about some unusual Presidential pets, like cows, horses and an alligator!

Want to see more?  Check out this video!

We ask because February 20th is Love Your Pet Day. If you haven’t been loving your pets—and showing that love—every day since they came into your life, we need to talk. We’ve loved you since the moment we laid eyes on you and you put your arms around us. We appreciate everything you do for us–the food, shelter, walks, play time, toys, dog treats and cat treats, hugs, cuddles and kisses, rides in the car (most of us, anyway.) Baths and visits to the vet, not so much, but we know you do it with love and for good reason.
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Stress and wellness specialist, Beverly Beuermann-King confirms what we give you in return:

1) First and foremost, unconditional love.

2) A better state of mind. For true animal lovers, it’s tough to stay in a bad mood when we lick your face or cuddle up next to you.

3) Well-controlled blood pressure. “Pets control blood pressure better than drugs. Hypertensive New York stockbrokers who went out and got a dog or cat were found to have lower blood pressure and heart rates than those who didn’t go out and get a pet. Research has also shown that heart attack victims who have pets live longer.”

4) Less stress. “People experienced less stress when their pets were with them when performing a stressful task than when a supportive friend or even their spouse was present! This may be partially due to the fact that pets don’t judge us; they just love us.”

5) Companionship. “Pets can be there for you in ways that people can’t. They can offer love and companionship, and can also enjoy comfortable silences, keep secrets and are excellent snugglers. They could be the best antidote to loneliness. In fact, research
shows that nursing home residents reported less loneliness when visited by dogs than when they spent time with other people. They connect to our nuturing side and help to pull us outside of ourselves and our thoughts. Pets learn to sense emotions from humans based on their affection levels and their actions. If the human is withdrawn, the pet senses that something is wrong or different and attempts to change the human’s behavior maybe by nudging them or curling up to their body for heat when they are unsuccessful at producing a response.”

6) Encouragement to exercise. Well, we can’t walk ourselves, can we? We both benefit from a nice, brisk walk. We get our bodies moving and spend some quality together time!

So, come on, dog lovers, cat lovers, hamster lovers, gerbil lovers, fish lovers and all pet lovers—celebrate Love Your Pet Day 24/7/365 (and 366 in leap years!) On February 20, just give us an extra hug, some special treats, a longer walk (except the fish lovers,) and we’ll do the same on Love Your Person Day!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFor the Animals,

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaMax & Mittens

Who would have thought that our pet prediction would come true?
Let the record show that the pet names predicted the winner on Friday.  Two paws up to the New Orleans Saints, who were able to pull out the victory on yesterday.

Congratulations on your first Super Bowl victory–ever!

With the big game’s kick-off this Sunday, everyone’s talking about the Super Bowl and making predictions.  While most people look to Las Vegas for the answers, we here in the pet world consult a different authority–Veterinary Pet Insurance Company.

They’re the nation’s oldest and largest provider of medical insurance for pets.  Catching a little Super Bowl Fever themselves, they recently analyzed their database of more than 475,000 insured pets to find which Super Bowl XLIV competitor has the most pets named in honor of the team or its players.

While it might not tell you who’s going to win, it definitely lets you know who has the most enthusiastic fans–which might just make a difference on game day.  And, just like this years match up on the field, this contest is pretty close!  With only three points separating the two, it’s a real nail-biter.  Here’s how the two teams stack up:

Super Bowl Of Pet Names

When it comes to this contest, the Saints come out on top.  We’ll see if that holds true on Sunday.  But to make sure your pet always looks like a winner, be sure to pick up some game day dog clothes like these football jerseys for dogs or a sports-themed dog or cat collar just for fun.

From your furry fans!

Max and Mittens

Let the debate begin! Apparently, there are fundamental differences in cat lovers and dog lovers. University of Texas at Austin professor Sam Gosling is a leading expert on human personality. He and his graduate student, Carson Sandy, recently concluded a study on the personalities of “cat people” and “dog people. About.com reported that “the study involved “4,565 volunteers [who] were asked whether they were dog people, cat people, neither or both. These participants were then given the “Big 5″ personality test (a standard personality test used by psychologists.) Preliminary conclusions of the study, which has not yet been officially published, are that “dog people are more extroverted, more agreeable and more conscientious than self-described cat people. And that cat people are more neurotic but also more open than their canine-loving counterparts.”

Let’s Dig Deeper!

We wonder what they mean by “more open.” Would any of our wonderful cat lovers care to speculate? We have lots of “cat people” in our circle of friends and, if they’re neurotic, they hide it pretty well. We’ve also known a dog lover or two who might need to spend some time in the “Chock Full ‘o Nuts” hotel, and they’re still terrific people. We’re waiting for a study to determine whether cats are more neurotic than dogs. Is your pet neurotic? Do tell!

The Ultimate Dog Bed!

Also on the radar screen this week is our new favorite bed and breakfast! The world’s biggest beagles host overnight guests at the Dog Bark Park Inn. Dog Bark Park is home to Toby and Sweet Willy. Toby is a 12-foot tall beagle statue, and guests enter the body of the beagle from a private 2nd story deck. Some of the dog’s decorative furnishings are carvings by Dog Bark Park chainsaw artists Dennis & Frances. Inside and up another level to the head of the dog is a loft room with additional sleeping space plus a cozy alcove in the muzzle. Hmmm. It must be hard to find dog collars that big. Oddly, their Web site doesn’t say whether dogs are welcome. We’re going to assume that they are, which is as it should be. Watch this video to find out more!

Just like a lot of you, my mouth can sometimes get me in trouble.  Licking myself (and sometimes everything else in sight) can set me up for problems–especially if I’ve trampled through something I shouldn’t have.  Now, I’m not talking about the occasional fur ball, but that toxic stuff that can be found right around the house–gadzooks!

So, now that we’re starting a new year, let’s make good dog and cat health our number one resolution by saying goodbye to common pet poisons…because it’s not the big stuff that seems to get most pets in trouble, but the things that kind of fly under the radar.  To help make sure that you and your parents keep an eye out, here’s a list of the Top 10 Pet Poisons for 2010, according the ASPCA:

Human Medications

It goes without saying that swiping them off counter tops and nightstands is a no-no.  But, that’s not the only way we get them.  We sometimes gobble them up off the floor when they fall and can’t be found by our parents.  It’s amazing how our keen eyes can see them!  And, just like that–you have another pet in danger.  That’s why year after year, human medications have topped the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, with over 45,000 calls related to prescription and over-the-counter drugs.  Please, for pet’s sake, tell your parents to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets and pick them up off the floor when they fall.

Insecticides

Surprisingly, one of the most common incidents last year involved the misuse of flea and tick products.  Yep…the thing that’s supposed to help us can actually hurt us!  The problem arises when the wrong product is used to treat the wrong species.   So, parents, if you’re not sure what’s bugging us, talk to your veterinarian before applying any flea and tick formulas.

People Food

Although this stuff tastes good to people (and it might even taste good to some of us pets), it’s really not good for us at all.  Foods like grapes, raisins, avocado and products containing xylitol, like gum, can cause serious problems.  Accounting for more than 17,453 cases last year,  it’s obvious that people food is not pet food.  And what’s the biggest offender?  Chocolate!  It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures in pets.  Yikes!

Plants

Ah, plants…they’re everywhere.  While they are good to look at, they’re not good to eat.  Fascinating little foliage, like azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, kalanchoe and schefflera, is often found in homes and can be harmful to us. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, causing life-threatening kidney failure.  Best advice:  Be sure the plants are off the floor and out of reach.

Veterinary Medications

I know you’re saying, how did this make the list?!  But, the truth is that even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed.  Common culprits are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.  As a pet, you really don’t have much say in the application of the medication, so remind your Mom and Dad to read the instructions and call the vet if there are any questions.  Your health depends on it.

Well, that’s the top 5.  Rodenticides, household cleaners, heavy metals (like lead found in paint chips and linoleum), garden products and chemical hazards round out the list.  To get the full info and how to prevent toxic exposures, visit the ASPCA website at http://www.aspca.org/news/national/01-15-10.html.

Just doing my part to keep pets safe!

-Mittens

Max and I got word last week that, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll, 74% of people like dogs a lot, and only 41 % of people like cats a lot, much to the dismay of cat lovers—and a lot of teed-off cats, as you can see…
AAAAAAAAAAAA

Today, we’re going to have one of our friends here at Max & Mittens explain why she believes dogs are more popular than cats. I can’t wait to hear this. Her name is Susan…

I think I know why dogs have the upper hand in the battle for the hearts of pet lovers. But first, I want to say something about cats. I’ve never really had a cat companion. My husband and I have German shepherds, and we foster German shepherds for our local GSD rescue group.  We’ve talked about getting a cat (my husband had one as a child,) and we think our own dogs would eventually get used to having a cat around, but our fear is that the cat would be traumatized by every new foster we bring into the house.

I also have many cat-loving friends, and it’s given me an opportunity to get  very close to some fabulous cats. Over the holidays,  I visited a friend in California who was keeping her daughter’s rescued cat temporarily.  Stubby (so named because of an unfortunate accident to her right-rear leg when she was a barn cat,) became incredibly attached to me—and I to her. Stubby sat in my lap while I read and slept next to me in bed every night. I realized then that I’ve missed having a cat in my life, and someday, if we ever give up our fostering, I’d love to add a cat to our family. But here’s why I believe dogs prevail over cats in popularity:

AAAAAAAADogs are the only domesticated animals who love and protect their owners.

I know there have been stories from time to time about people or families being saved from fire because the cat woke them up in time, or horses who went to get help when their rider had fallen and was injured, or a fish that saved Pittsburgh. But dogs instinctively protect their human families like no other animal and, unlike cats, their love is enthusiastic and unconditional. Clearly, it’s hard to beat that combination.

For me, it doesn’t matter which pet is more popular. What matters is that we always strive to be responsible pet owners who honor the love and trust our pets—furry and otherwise—place in us, and that we never forget the affection and joy these friends bring to our lives. Rescue. Adopt. Love. Max and Mittens—you BOTH rule!