10 ways to know you are spoiling your dog!

Hello all,

What a beautiful week it has been here in Northeast Ohio. Warm sunny days followed by cool nights. Great for busy days and sleeping at night!

This month, when I was looking at all of the things that happened in September, I couldn’t believe the number of TV Premier Anniversary’s there were. Some of the more popular shows were:

25th Anniversary of “The Cosby Show”

40th Anniversary of “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?” Isn't he one of the coolest dogs ever?

45th Anniversary of “The Munster’s” and “Flipper”

55th Anniversary of “The Tonight Show”

And can you believe it, it is the 60th Anniversary of “The Lone Ranger”

Those are some great shows; I especially like Scooby and Flipper! Pass that popcorn!

Some other interesting dates in September are:

13th – Grandparents Day
20th – Women’s Friendship Day
26th – Family Health and Fitness Day USA - why not take you dog for a walk?
28th – Family Day – A Day to eat dinner with the children. Shouldn't you do that every day?

Wow, a lot of family activities, I like that too! Instead of a joke this month, I thought that I would have you picture David Letterman and introduce the

Top Ten Signs You Spoil Your Dog:

10. You think begging for table scraps is beneath him, so you let your dog eat at the table with you.
9. You take him to the supermarket and let him pick out his own dog food.
8. Your husband comes home from work, looks at the stew on the stove and asks: "Is this people food or dog food?"
7. You bought matching His & Hers place mats for your dog and yourself.
6. At dinner parties you always have to double-check the butter for visible lick marks, before putting it on the table.
5. Your dog gets to vote on where to spend the next family vacation.
4. You don't care if you or your spouse are comfortable at night, as long as Fido has enough room on the bed.
3. You complain about the rising costs of groceries, but you don't think twice about spending a fortune on doggie treats.
2. Your dog always gets the best spot on the couch and sometimes he even gets to hold the remote.

and now with a drum roll.......

1. He has his own e-mail address.

#4 is true in my house, I usually get the first pick of the bed, since I’m there first! And Gosh, so is #1… is something wrong with that?? He-he

If your dog has you spoiling them, send us pictures of them showing off one of the ten above and we will post them out to the dog park. Also, let us know which of the ten you are guilty of. If we get a number of responses we will let you know in another issue as to which was the most common way we spoil our pets.

Ok, so now it is time to get back to work. Since it is getting towards the holiday season, I would like to help you get your shopping started early so you don't have to worry about it later. I am sure you know somebody with a dog and our American Made candles and ornaments make great gifts for every dog lover in your life. This is our BEST offer that we will be offering before the holidays. Go to DogCandlesAndMore.com and use the coupon code “topten” and receive 25% off your total order or if you were considering multiple items, if you order 3 items, the lowest cost one will be free. To take advantage of our multiple item discount, email us what 3 items you were looking to purchase and we will set up a special discount code just for you.

Just be sure and place your order before September 30, 2009 to take advantage of this savings and if you would like us to hold up shipping until a later date, just let us know and we will be help you out.

May all your wags be happy!

Love, Fido!

P.S. Don't forget to order by September 30th to take advantage of our buy 2 get 1 free offer, or 25% off your entire purchase. Either way you can't lose as these are the best discounts we will offer this year.

P.P.S. Also remember, that if you want us to hold your order for a future shipping date, just let us know.

Lake Humane Society Mutt Strut 2009 - Dog Walk Video

Hello All,

I just wanted to welcome all our new subscribers that signed up at last Saturday’s Mutt Strut, sponsored by Lake Humane Society. Jim and Laura told me about all the nice dogs (and people, too) they met! They lucked out and missed all of the heavy rain, as you can see, our booth is pretty open!

Congratulations goes to Stacey H. that won the booth raffle! She will be receiving a coffee mug of her choice very soon!For all of you that did attend the the Lake Humane Society Mutt Strut, check out our video of the start of the dog walk.



I was amazed at all the dogs and their human leash holders that were walking! Click on the Mutt Strut logo below to see the video on YouTube! If you participated in the walk, see if you can find you and your dog walking.

Don’t forget to take advantage of FREE SHIPPING this month at http://www.dogcandlesandmore.com/! Use the coupon code “firework” and receive free shipping on all orders placed by August 31st!

May all your wags be happy!

Love, Fido!

P.S. A special wag goes to all of my friends that are starting school. I’m pretty sad that summer is over, but I look forward to the fall season and all its yummy treats!

Dog days of summer and more...

Hello everyone!

Happy August 1st! It’s officially the “dog days of summer”! I had to do some research to really know what that means. Did you know that the term comes from the Greeks and the ancient Romans? They both believed that Sirius, the Dog Star, caused the hot sultry weather. His star would shine in the sky in later July and August. That’s one “hot dog”!! ha-ha

Has everyone been enjoying their summer? I have, I went to my grandparents house for a week in July. My family went on vacation and I got to spend some quality time with them. I had a great time! I followed grandpa to the pond every morning and he and I fed the fish! What fun that was! I sat with grandma while she read, rested with grandpa while he napped (I guess I napped too!) Protected their house while they were gone and I even got a new bandana!

Some interesting dates in August are:

August 1st – My “human” sister Amanda’s 13th birthday!

August 3rd – National watermelon day. Enjoy a nice cold slice for me.

August 10th – National S’mores day

August 15th – National relaxation day! (This is my kind of day!)

August 26th – National Dog Day - This is a day to honor dogs for all that they do for us. Giving us unconditional love and companionship, but many dogs are watchdogs, help the blind and disabled, search and rescue and sniff out bombs and drugs. It’s a day to acknowledge homelessness and abuse and maybe adopt a rescued dog! It’s a great opportunity to recognize and appreciate the value, love and importance of dogs in our lives and a very special part of our families.

Now for my joke of the month:

Little Harold was practicing the violin in the living room while his father was trying to read in the den. The family dog, a Westie, was lying in the den, and as the screeching sounds of little Harold’s violin reached his ears, he began to howl loudly. The father listened to the dog and the violin as long as he could. Then he jumped up, slammed his paper to the floor and yelled above the noise, “For Pete’s sake. Can’t you play something the dog doesn’t know?!”

Did you guess the breed of the month? Yup, it was an easy one this month… a West Highland White Terrier! Did you know that the Westie is very affectionate and makes a great addition to any family? They are devoted and loving and make a great “travel dog” because of their size. They generally weigh between 13-22 pounds, and have a bright white coat that needs to be brushed daily.

I don’t have any Westies in the dog park, but if you know of any please tell them about me and all the fun that we have! At http://www.dogcandlesandmore.com/ we have three views of Westie!

What great gifts they make! A cool candle or an awesome ornament! Even a coffee mug or magnet too!

Augusts deal is a continuation of July’s offer. Just use the code “firework” and you will receive free shipping on any order placed by August 31st! Held over by popular demand!

Enjoy these last few weeks of summer! The school routine will be back before you know it. Take time to enjoy an evening walk with your special 4 footed friend!

May all your wags be happy!

Love, Fido

PS. Don’t forget to take advantage of FREE SHIPPING this month! Use the coupon code ‘firework” and receive free shipping on all orders placed by August 31st!

Pet Photo Contest Winner for May

Hello All,

A big congratulations goes out do my new friend Lucy Belle. She is our pet photo of the month. Lucy Belle belongs to Olivia of Stow, Ohio. Lucy Belle will be turning 1 on June 24th so in honor of her birthday, I would like any of you that have photos of your pet celebrating their birthday to send them in for our contest. I am going to hold this one open until July 31st, but be sure and send them in soon. The winner at that time will receive a custom photo magnet of their birthday celebration.

This is a picture of Lucy Belle. Check out her competition at www.DogCandlesAndMore.com/petpics along with all of my friends.

Don't forget that our June special is still in effect at www.DogCandlesAndMore.com. Any candle order will receive a box of Birthday Cards featuring adorable dogs like Lucy Belle! They are valued at $7 .95.

May all your wags be happy!


Love, Fido

PS Be sure and watch for my next newsletter coming soon with some special tips regarding your dog.

Happy May!

Hi Everyone!

Happy May! Pretty soon those grills will be firing up with yummy hot dogs and hamburgers cooking away. Ahhh… those wonderful smells! Baseball season has started, and yes I am a fan of my home team, those Cleveland Indians! Go Tribe!

May Fun Facts:
May 6^th – No diet day **Yippee! Let’s all go for ice cream!!
May 10^th – Mother’s Day
May 24^th – Brother’s Day ** I have a great brother! His name is Andrew!
May 29^th – Hug your Cat Day ** I wonder if they have a hug your dog day?

Now for my joke of the month

An avid duck hunter was in the market for a new bird dog. His search ended when he found a dog that could actually walk on water to retrieve a duck. Shocked by his find, he was sure none of his friends would ever believe him.

He decided to try to break the news to a friend of his, a pessimist by nature, and invited him to hunt with him and his new dog. As they waited by the shore, a flock of ducks flew by. They fired, and a duck fell. The dog responded and jumped into the water. The dog, however, did not sink but instead walked across the water to retrieve the bird, never getting more than his paws wet. The friend saw everything but did not say a single word.

On the drive home the hunter asked his friend, "Did you notice anything unusual about my new dog?"

"I sure did," responded his friend. "He can't swim.”

Did you guess the breed of the month? It’s a little tricky, since there are several bird dogs, the list includes, the pointer, English Setter, Red Setter, German Shorthair Pointer and the Brittany to name a few. I chose the Brittany, to be my breed of the month.

Did you know that the Brittany is widely considered easy to train and is sensitive, and good-tempered? They are also known to get along well with other dogs and can work as a team. They weigh between 30 and 40 lbs and require regular brushing, but their coat is easy to maintain. The Brittany will point and hold his game and will retrieve both on land and in water. He is used primarily in the United States for bird hunting, but is used on both fur and feather in France.

This is one of the Brittany Candles that we recently made.
I don’t know of any Brittany’s that have joined my dog park, but if you know any, please tell them about me and all the fun we have!

May all your wags be happy!



Love, Fido

Are you and your dog feeling stressed out over the economy?

Are you stressed over the current recession? You could be stressing out your dog too! Recent research from the University of Florida states that dogs are more aware of human behavior than previously believed. Dogs can pick up our tone, body language and our sense of fear. So, if you are nervous about the economy remember that your best friend is watching!

To help calm your dog and yourself, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Your dog can pick up on your tone of voice and body language. Try to keep a moderate tone even when talking about stressful situations.

If your schedule has changed, due to lack of employment, try to keep your dogs schedule the same or modify it over time. Any sudden changes should be avoided.

Make sure meal time and walks are at the same time everyday. Just like you take time to adjust when you go on vacation, your dog needs some time to adjust as well.

Veterinary care is still a must for your dog! Things might be a bit tight, but it is important for your dog to stay healthy to avoid preventable issues. Some vets might even help out with a payment plan! Your dog is a member of the family and you wouldn't put off health care for a loved one.

Exercise everyday! Its fun, cheap and easy and it’s a huge stress releaser! The endorphins that you feel when exercising, have the same effect on your dog.

Your dog can be your best friend and he is always there to listen! They can be a great source of stress relief just by being a non judgmental and offer unconditional love. And besides, who can't smile when they get a big wet kiss from their favorite pooch!

Fragrances have also been shown to relieve stress. One of the best is Lavender. DogCandlesAndMore.com offers a great relaxing lavender candle. Here is a picture of a Bernese Mountain Dog in a 24oz candle.

Hello All,

A big congratulations goes out do my new friend Buster. He is our pet photo of the month. Buster belongs to Ed and Cindy of Painesville, Ohio. Ed and Cindy will receive an "I Love My Dog" candle.

If you haven't sent in your pictures, you still have time to enter the April contest. I would love to see some of you dressed up in your easter best or maybe with ears like mine!


This is a picture of Buster. He is a border collie mix and is a rescue from the Cleveland Dog Pound. This is not Buster's first appearance in the news. Check out his full story at www.DogCandlesAndMore.com/petpics.



Don't forget that our April special is still in effect at http://www.dogcandlesandmore.com/. Use coupon code "Bunny" you will receive Free Shipping . Better hurry, I can only offer this discount until April 30, 2009.




May all your wags be happy!

Love, Fido
PS Be sure and watch for my May newsletter around the 1st.

Is your dog packing on the pounds? How to test and what to do about it!

Is your dog overweight?

Statistics show that over 40% of dogs in the United States are overweight; however, the percentage of owners who think their dog is overweight is significantly lower than 40%.

Quick Tests

Here are two quick tests to determine whether your dog is carrying more weight than he or she should: When you run your hands along your dog's ribcage, can you feel his or her ribs? You should be able to clearly feel the ribs and be able to count the number as you move your hands along your dog's body. Secondly, run your hands along your dog's side, does he or she have a 'waist' - does the body tuck in before the hips? If there's a straight line from his hips to his shoulders, your dog is probably overweight.

What does your vet say?

Your veterinarian is the best place to check to see if your pet would benefit from weight loss. Your discussion with them will also help you to understand how to help a overweight dog lose weight. Be sure that your dog is also examined for any other medical conditions that could be causing weight gain.

If your vet feels that your dog is overweight, they will probably ask you a few questions regarding frequency of exercise, amount and type of food eaten and other foods given as treats. Be as honest as you can. Often times, there are others in the house that may be sneaking snacks. And don't forget that all of those treats each time the dog goes out add up and often aren't counted as "food".

Misconceptions regarding obesity.

1. Healthy dogs do not need to eat every day. Do not encourage your pet to eat if it isn’t interested. If you provide a good quality food and plenty of water, your pet will eat when it wants to.

2. Another common myth is that spaying or neutering causes obesity. The sugrical procedure may slightly slow the pet’s metabolism, as will normal aging. Remember, surgery doesn’t cause the weight gain, eating too much does and you control that.

3. Table scraps are ok in moderation. Besides possible allergies to "human" food, table scraps can be hard to monitor as to the quality or quantity.

How to help shed those pounds

If you have determined that your dog's weight problem is due to over feeding and not enough exercise, draw up a plan for feeding and exercising and stick to it consistently until he's lost the weight he needs to.

Like humans, it's better if the weight comes off slowly and adopting a healthier lifestyle is likely to be more successful than putting your dog on a crash diet and/or giving him some of the new weight loss medications that are now available.

And lets face it, most people could use a better diet and more exercise anyway. Why not make it a goal for both of you!

Your veterinarian will be able to help with you with how much food to feed your dog. Some vets do not recommend "Reduced Calorie" or "Light Diets"! These dog foods have low fat levels to reduce the calories but by necessity have increased the carbohydrate percentages. This increased carbohydrate stimulates additional Insulin secretion which tells the body to store unused calories as fat!

Get everyone involved.

Another important tip is to get everyone’s cooperation in restricting the pet’s intake. There is usually someone in the household who feels sorry for the dieting pet and usually gives in with that “I’m hungry” or “boy, does that look good” look. If they want to really help, it would be best to take the dog on a extra walk, or throw that ball around in the back yard.

Helping your dog lose weight is hard work - but it's worth it. Your dog’s energy level will be back to normal and it’s really better not to carry on those extra pounds.

May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Hi again,

It's March! Can spring be close by?

With the warmer temperatures, comes the mud! I just hate waiting by the door to get my paws cleaned! But I guess it's the price to pay to enjoy being outside! Pretty soon flowers will start to emerge and birds will be singing with all their hearts! What a great time of year!

Some important March Dates

March 1st - Ohio became the 17th state in 1803

March 6th - Italian artist Michelangelo, born 1475

March 15th - Julius Caesar assassinated 44 B.C. (Ides of March)

March 17th - St. Patrick's Day! (Aren't we all Irish today?)

March 20th - Spring Begins (Yippee!!)

March 21st - Johann Sebastian Bach, German composer, born 1685.

March 29th - Cy Young, American baseball player, born 1867.

Most important! Did you know that March 23rd is considered National Puppy Day? So, if you know of anyone that has recently gotten a puppy, make sure you celebrate! Plus don't forget to send me a photo of that new puppy, I'd love to add him to my site!

In honor of the month of March, if you go to my website at http://www.dogcandlesandmore.com/ and use coupon code "Ides" you will receive 15% off your total order. Better hurry, I can only offer this discount until March 31, 2009.

Now for my joke of the month!

What do you call an Irish Setter with a lucky streak?

A four-leaf rover!

The Irish Setter is a great family dog. They will get along well with children, other dogs and any household pet. They are an active breed and require long daily walks and really enjoy running off lead in wide open spaces. However, they are a breed with a tendency to 'play deaf' so careful training is a must. Geez, mom never says I'm deaf... she just says "I'm not listening!" Maybe, just maybe, I'm part Irish Setter too, they are not the breed that will attack an intruder, unless you count on the intruder being licked to death!

May all your wags be happy!

Love, Fido

PS Don't forget about the special offer, it is good until March 31st, 2009! Use the word "Ides" in the coupon code box and receive 15% off of your total order!

PPS Be sure and watch for the winner of our pet photo contest around the 15th.

Pet Photo winner for January Entries

Hi everyone,

Congratulations goes out to Wendy of Fairport Harbor, Ohio for her picture of Pug. Pug has been chosen as the pet photo winner for the month of January. Pug lives down a dirt road named Murray Hollow in Shushan New York. She is a mixed breed who adopted Wendy's grandparents more than 10 years ago.

After Wendy's grandfather passed away, Pug made it her job to protect Granny. She even seems to know when Granny isn't feeling well and sleeps at the foot of her bed. Most of the time she prefers to sleep outside Granny's window or in the garage on an old blanket. Granny is 91 now and the two are pretty close. She even brings Granny her food bowl when it's time for dinner! Wendy will receive an "I love my dog" candle.


If you would like to check out Pug's competition for the January entries, you can see them all at dogcandlesandmore.com/petpics

May all your wags be happy!


Love, Fido

Happy Valentines Day!

Hi All,


It's Fido again. Happy Heart Month! I just love this month since love is in the air! But who couldn't love me? I'm always the first one to greet anyone who comes though our door at home or at work. Someday I will have to tell you about Trucker Jim that visits us regularly. Talk about true love!

I really wanted to talk this month about how I got my name. My family is full of history buffs. In fact, they spent some of their vacation last year in Gettysburg National Military Park. Unknown to them, the museum and visitors center had been rebuilt in a new location and had just opened a couple of months earlier. There was a movie and a huge museum dedicated to those 3 days in history. Mom is a huge Abraham Lincoln fan and was reading some information on his family. Low and behold, she finds out he had a dog! I bet you can guess where this is going. Yep, the dogs name was Fido.

When President Lincoln moved to the White House, he didn't bring Fido along (poor guy). President Lincoln was worried that the trip by train and the loud noises from the cannons would scare Fido. So with great heartache, the Lincolns gave Fido to a local family with the orders that he must be kept as an indoor dog, have run of the house, and be given special treats! The Lincolns even gave Fido's favorite horsehair sofa to the family who took over raising him.

So in honor of our 16th President, if you go to my website at
dogcandlesandmore.com and use the coupon code "Lincoln" you will receive 16% off of your product order. Better hurry, I can only offer this discount until February 28th, 2009.

Now for my joke of the month!

Did you hear about the new crossed breeds? They crossed a Collie and a Lhasa Apso. The new breed is a Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport!

Seriously, the Lhasa Apso is a little dog, weighing only 12-18 pounds and would you believe it, they were once considered guard dogs! They were used inside of dwellings in Tibet, while Mastiffs served as guardians for the outside! Wow! What a mighty little dog!

Another interesting thing about the Lhasa Apso is that it is quite common for the puppies to change colors while they are growing. I wonder if any of them ever turn green! Green is a color right? Did you also know that if the Lhasa Apso's humans let it think that it is the pack leader of the house, it may start some bad behaviors and become suspicious of strangers and may no longer tolerate children. The Lhasa Apso also requires a bit of grooming and needs daily exercise. If you want to see the Lhasa Apso candles, magnets, ornaments and mugs that we have, click on the word LHASA APSO

We don't have any Lhasa Apsos in our pet pics, so if you know any, please tell them about me and the good things happening on my site! And if you haven't added a photo of your dog to my dog park, please do so today! I always love to make new friends!

May all your wags be happy!


Love,
Fido

PS Don't forget about the special offer, it is good until February 28th, 2009! Use the word "Lincoln" in the coupon code box and receive 16% off of your total order!

PPS We are extending our offer to donate $1 to the Lake County Ohio Animal Shelter for anyone that signs up for our newsletter!. Please forward this to everoyone you know that would be interested and ask them to click sign up today.

PPPS Be sure and watch for March's newsletter and see one of our Irish Breeds! I feel lucky already!

7 tips for for successful dog washing!

Hello Everyone,

I can’t believe that I’m going to talk about one of my least favorite things… bathing! But it is an important part of your dog’s health and well being! And I guess it is not that bad, especially when it’s done, I get to bury my head into a nice fluffy towel and shake for all I’m worth! Of course, there is always the big treat for being good!

1. There really is no rule on how often to bathe your dog. It depends on the weather conditions in your area. Some people bathe their dogs weekly or monthly or somewhere in between! Just remember that frequent baths may dry out your dog’s skin and coat.

2. Brush your dog. This is a step that most people miss! It is even important for short haired dogs. It is best to get rid of all the dead, shedding fur from the coat and undercoat. If your dog has mats it is wise to brush them out, since dirt and shampoo will remain in the mat and make the mat tighter and even harder to work out.

3. Get all your supplies ready before you begin. A couple of towels and dog shampoo. Just about any gentle, tearless shampoo will work unless your dog has specific skin conditions or fleas.

4. Where to bathe your dog depends on his or her size. If you have a small dog, some people bathe them in the kitchen sink. If you have a larger dog you may need help bathing the dog in a tub or walk in shower. Some people have even added special shower units just for washing their dogs. These are usually about three feet tall and have a detachable shower nozzle. If the weather conditions are right, consider bathing your dog outside. Whatever size, you might get a bath, too!

5. It is best to wet the dog well from the neck to the tail, save the head for later. Begin to shampoo the legs, tail and rear end. Next, shampoo the body, belly, chest and front legs. Carefully wet the head and then wash the head being careful not to get soap in the dog’s eyes. Next is rinse time. First rinse the shampoo from the dogs head and then work your way down his back, legs then to his belly. Rinse well and repeat rinsing as a precaution, any residue of shampoo can cause itching, flaking and or skin problems.

6. Next, you need to remove the water from your dog. If you are in an enclosed shower, or outside you can encourage your dog to shake as much as possible to start with. Then wrap the dog in a towel to absorb excess water. Dry each part of the dog starting with the head, body, legs and tail. Drying with a good absorbent towel can save a lot of time in front of a hair dryer, especially if your dog has long hair. Make sure the dryer is set at a cool temperature and not too close to the dog’s skin to prevent burns.

7. Be sure and reward your dog with praise and maybe a special treat for being so good during bath time! Praise goes a long way in making your next bath time a success.


Well until next time, keep it clean!

Happy New Year!

Hi Everyone,

It's me Fido, and I want to wish you a Happy New Year! How were your holidays? Did you get everything you asked for? I did. I got a new ball and it squeaks too! I just love squeaky toys! Mom told me to settle down a few times this past week, I chase the ball from one end of our home to the other, it sure is a site, but I sure do have fun! I bet you can imagine me with my big floppy ears flying and then I put on the breaks (sometimes I slide into the kitchen cabinet!) But the best gift of all was that I got to spend time with my friends and family. It sure was good to see everyone and to show everyone my new ball! I sure hope you got to visit with your loved ones, too!

It's pretty slow in the factory this time of year. So, I talked it over with mom and dad and they have agreed to my super discount for the month of January. Go to my website, and use the words "FIDO RULES" as a coupon code at checkout, and you will receive a 20% discount on your order! Better hurry, this offer is only good until January 31, 2009. Remember that next month is Valentine's Day! Candles make great gifts, especially a candle with a picture of your best friend!

Now for my joke of the month!

Man to dog trainer: "Every time a bell rings, my dog goes into the corner."
Dog trainer: "That's OK, he is a __________"

Did you guess the breed for January? It is the boxer! Did you know that the boxer was one of the first breeds selected in Germany for police training? Gosh, another working dog just like me! The boxer is also known for standing up on its hind legs and batting at its opponent, appearing to box with its front paws. Now that joke makes sense to me (he-he)! One of the breed's most notable characteristics is its desire for human affection, especially from children. They are patient and spirited, but also protective, making them a popular choice for families. The Boxer requires little grooming, but needs daily exercise. If you would like to see the boxers that we have on our site, click here BOXER

I know we have one boxer that has joined my dog park, but, if you know of any others, please tell them about me and the good things happening on my site! And if you haven't added a photo of your dog to my dog park, please do so today! I always love to make new friends!

May all your wags be happy!

Love, Fido

PS Don't forget about the special offer, it is good until January 31, 2009! Use the words "FIDO RULES" in the coupon code box and receive 20% off your total order!

PPS If you know anyone that would be interested in our newsletter, please forward this to them and ask them to click on the "Sign Up Paw" below. For each new subscription we get in January, we will donate $1 to the Lake County Ohio Animal Shelter!

PPPS Be sure and watch for February's newsletter to find out how I got my name. It is from a famous family!!!!

10 winter safety tips for dogs!

This month I thought that I would give you some information on taking care of your dogs during the winter months.

1. Don’t forget that your dog has become just as accustomed to being in a warm house as you have. They most likely have not developed the thick coat of hair required for a long stay outside so be sure and bundle them up appropriately for the amount of time that you and your pooch are going to be outside.


2. If you are going outside for an extended time, don’t forget the water. Even though you and your dog may not feel thirsty, it is just as important to continue to drink adequate amounts of water even when the temperature drops.


3. If you and your dog are outside and are close to any bodies of water, be sure to keep the leash on. Dogs do not necessarily pay attention to what they are walking on, especially when they are running after a toy or ball. If something should happen while they are on the leash, at least you have a way to pull them back to safety.


4. If you use a fireplace, space heater, or even have a candle burning, be sure and watch your dog. They like to get close to the heat source and can get burned, or knock other items into the heat source or knock the heater over and cause a fire.


5. When you come back into the house, be sure and wipe off their paws and legs thoroughly to remove any salt or chemical ice melts that they may have stepped into. This will help your dogs paws as well as prevent the ingestion of the salt or chemicals which can cause stomach problems.


6. If you have an older or arthritic dog, the cold can cause their joints to be stiff and tender. This can cause them to need extra care when climbing stairs or jumping on furniture. Also make sure that a thick, warm bed is available for them.


7. Watch out for harmful items that aren’t normally in your home. Some plants, especially mistletoe, can be toxic and many other items can cause harm to your dog. Things like glass ornaments can cause cuts and scrapes, and gifts of perfume, aftershaves, or even alcohols and chocolates (especially dark) can be toxic as well. Another item to watch out for in the winter months is antifreeze. Even a small amount can be toxic to dogs and dogs seem to be attracted to the smell and taste of this dangerous item. Another item to watch out for are extension cords which can cause trips and falls, as well as be dangerous chew toys for some dogs, especially puppies.


8. If you live in an area that mosquitoes are still a problem in the winter months, be sure and continue your heartworm pills.


9. If you are entertaining for the holidays, be sure and prepare for the additional excitement that your dog will face. Make sure that there is a “safe” place that your dog can retreat to or be placed into for a time out from all of the exciting new guests.


10. If you are traveling for the holidays, be sure and call ahead to confirm that your dog is welcome. If your dog does not handle traveling well or does not handle the excitement of a large group of people, the best option might be to find a reputable place to board your dog, or a dependable pet sitter.

If you have any other tips, I would be glad to hear them.