Admit it! Sometimes you cringe when a dog (or any dog, for that matter) gives you those big, sloppy, wet kisses on your face, don’t you? It’s not that you don’t love us like crazy. You just might find it a little icky from time. My mom and dad call it “getting slimed.”  Well, the next time you get slimed, think about this…

FOX news reports researchers have found that the DNA on my tongue might be the key to new treatments for rare cancers in both humans and dogs.

According to FOX news, “The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI), developed the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium, to understand why people and their pets get sick. The study used saliva, blood and tumor samples of dogs volunteered by private pet owners for testing in hopes that by studying canine cancer, oncologists can determine the cause of human cancers.”

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Why Dogs Matter!

“Rare diseases in humans also show up in dogs. By studying the DNA of canines, we expect to more quickly discover the genomic causes of disease and more quickly find ways to better treat dogs, and people,” said Dr. Mark Neff, director of the new TGen-VARI Program for Canine Health and Performance.

The testing, approved by the American Kennel Club and Morris Animal Foundation, will be animal-safe, and funding will be supported by private donors, along with a $4.3 million dollar federal stimulus grant.

They said cancer is the cause of death for nearly 50 percent of all dogs older than 10-years-old. Pretty scary, but I think I speak for all my canine comrades when I say we’re glad we can help change that for the better. Since my mom and dad found out about this, they let me slime them to my heart’s content!

Unfortunately, in some cases, it’s the pets who lose out–having to be given away or kept at a distance from the family they have grown to love.  It’s a real shame, but it doesn’t have to end up that way.

If some of those pet owners had just taken the time to prepare their cat or dog for the arrival of their new baby.  They need to learn that babies to be loved–more than their favorite chew toys.  And, a great way to do it is with this CD of baby sounds.  If you’ve seen a baby bump on the rise in your home, tell your Mom about this great pet training idea.  Here’s how Baby Sounds For Pets works:

Simply start playing the CD about 1-2 months before the arrival of the baby so you can get used to all the different noises the baby will make.  From cooing to full-blown tantrums, you’ll get a chance to hear them all!.  So when it happens for real, you won’t be startled, scared or caught off guard.  They say it’s a great way to:

• Relieve Pet Anxiety
• Resolve Jealous Behavior
• Encourage Acceptance
• Restore Family Balance

But, don’t take my word for it.  Here’s what Fernandez of New Jersey had to say about the CD:

“I personally used the CD to help my dog Fred and my cat Pasha be ready for baby Antonio. A month out I started playing it everyday. Fred growled every time he heard the baby’s cry. Pasha would look at the speakers to see where the sound was coming from. He was also obsessed with the bassinet so I played it from there too. When Antonio arrived they were used to the sounds and were surprisingly protective instead of stressed out.”

Whether it’s for you or someone you know that’s expecting their first child, this is the perfect gift for baby showers, pet parties, stocking stuffers and much more!

- Max

No, it’s not about me, but it’s still cute, right? As a kitten, I can tell you playing with yarn is a ball, but sometimes cats arent’ smart enough to resist eating the yarn, or the string or the thread with the needle.

Swallowing a lot of wool, string or thread can be very dangerous for us.  It can cause a blockage of our intestinal tract, and if there’s a needle in there too, it can perforate and require surgery. So if you see yarn, string or thread hanging out of your cat’s mouth, check it out immediately.

Here’s How!

If your cat has swallowed thread, string, or yarn, use the following cat care tips from HowStuffWorks.com:

Step 1: Approach the cat carefully. If your cat is nervous or anxious, restrain the cat if necessary.

Step 2: If nothing is visible, proceed to Step 3. If thread, string, or yarn is hanging out of the cat’s mouth or rectum:

Step 2a: Pull on the material lightly. If you feel resistance, stop. Do not continue to pull the material.

Step 2b: Cut off the material as short as possible and proceed to Step 3.

Step 3: Give the cat one tablespoon of white petroleum jelly. Using a small amount each time, rub the jelly on the cat’s mouth and paws. The cat will lick it off. Do not give the cat mineral oil.

Step 4: If vomiting occurs or the cat stops eating, transport to the veterinarian immediately.

Be Ready to Pounce!

And speaking of pet emergencies, an online service called Pet Summary allows you to organize, access, and share your pet’s important information with anyone, anywhere, at any time for a small, one-time fee. Whether preparing a pet sitter, getting ready for a trip, or rushing to the emergency room, PetSummary.com makes it easy to have the right information at your fingertips. If you need to pull up your pet’s authentic vaccine record, it’s available from any online connection. Find them online at http://PetSummary.com.

That’s it for now. I’m going to see if Max wants to dig in the dirt around some potted plants. Always great fun!

Invisible Fence Brand owners Phillip and Kathie Vroman, in conjunction with the their parent company, say their passion is animals, and they are giving back to the communities across the country that have always been good to their business.  Mittens and I applaud them for finding such a wonderful way to give back.

The masks are intended to work with a variety of pets and can be used in smoke-inhalation cases, ice rescues and other times when pets need an air supply. The masks come in sets of three, each one a different size to accommodate most all pets. Human masks have been tried on pets before, and they just don’t work over a dog’s nose and mouth.

Firefighters, especially the ones who have pets of their own, are thrilled to have the equipment, and we’re thrilled for them! Four paws up for the Vromans!