How to Protect your Dogs in Winter by Labavenger

How to protect your dogs in Winter

Winter is a difficult time of the year not just for humans, but for dogs as well.

There are a few things you should remember before taking your pets out of the house for a walk.

a) Beware of antifreeze and other chemicals when you take your pets outside

Don´t let your pooch lick his paws when he is on the snow. Antifreeze and other chemicals will attach to his paws and if he licks his paws he can get severely ill and even die.

Wash your pet´s paws with warm water and a washcloth right after your walk is over.

It is also good if your pet wears boots or you can also put a wax for sledding dogs calledMusher´s secret on your dog´s paws. Please ask a vet you trust before putting this sledding dog´s wax on you dog´s paws. 

Even if your pets wear boots or the wax for sledding dogs you must clean your pets paws entirely with warm water and a washcloth after each walk.

b) Your dog must wear a coat

Some people out there want us to believe that dogs don´t get cold because they have fur. But there is nothing farther from the truth.

The fact is that most breeds, specially short haired dogs, puppies, and ill dogs can feel as cold outside as a human with no coat.

You should get your dog a coat or sweater that has a turtleneck and covers the belly and the tip of the tail.

If you have any doubts on the type of coat your pets should wear this winter please ask a vet you trust. Please remember to always walk your dogs on a leash, have them wear an i.d. tag on their collars and ask your vet to put a microchip implant  on them. 

Picture: www.kooldawgtees.com 

Easy to Make Rope Toy by Labavenger

 

Easy to make rope toy for dogs

Has the recession affected you? Do you have enough money for dog food and taking your dog to the vet, but toys are out of the question?

Then your prayers have been answered. Go to your local hardware store, and buy 2 feet of a natural fiber rope like manila hemp (natural fibers won´t make your dog sick). Try to get a rope that is at least one inch thick.

Tie a knot on both ends of the rope, and that´s it!

A cheap and easy way to make a toy that your dog will love for weeks or even months (depending on rope quality).

Just remember to play with your dog for a few minutes. Make your dog bite on it, so he/she will be interested to chew on it later on.

Fun doesn´t get any cheaper than this.

Please ask a vet you trust if it ´s safe for your dog to be playing with a natural fiber rope, just to be extra safe. 

Please no matter how bad things are never surrender your pets to a High Kill Shelter or a No Kill Shelter. Please instead of surrendering your dogs, cats,etc if you  feel you can´t keep your pets, give them to an animal loving family/person that you know will give them a good home. Please e mail that animal loving family asking for pictures of your dog,visit him often, and ask for updates on  how he is doing. 

Picture: www.onlynaturalpet.com

Why Dogs Should Play Often by Labavenger

 

Why dogs should play often ?

I was searching the web and found a few interesting sites about why it is important for dogs to play. I found out that it helps dogs relief stress, it gives them mental activity and it is a good exercise. 

It does not matter if you make your dog chase a ball in your backyard or pull on a rope toy you are holding. 

When your dog plays he releases much of the stress he has from being lying around on the floor or just because he wants to spend time with you.

If you are a busy person, just 15 minutes of retrieving toys will help a lot. Most dogs will get tired after chasing a ball or any other toy for fifteen minutes. 

So please spend just a few minutes with your dog as often as possible. 

They will thank you inmensely and you will be helping his mental and physical health. 

Please always watch your dog when you are playing, go to a vet you trust and have your pets microchipped . By microchipping your dog it will be easier to find him if he gets lost. 

Please ask your vet to spay/neuter your pet. Please adopt, foster or rescue dogs and other animals don´t  buy, please don´t support puppy mills. Finally, if you think you cannot keep your pets, give them to an animal loving family/person.Don´t abandon your pets at a No Kill Shelter or High Kill Shelter, please remember that all animals deserve a good life and to be happy. 

For more info visit : http://positively.com/

                             http://www.thepetdocs.com/who_nick.html

P.S.: These two sites above were not the source for this article, but you will get a lot of valuable info by visiting them. 

Picture: www.ehow.com

Hurricane Sandy's Lost Pets by Labavenger

Hurricane Sandy´s lost pets: Help to find your best friend 

If you lost a dog, cat, hamster or any other pet here are a few recommendations to help you find your furry friend. 

a) Go immediately to your local animal shelter or pound and ask them if they have your pet. Please don´t forget to bring a picture of your dog with you. 

b) Place flyers: Yes, I know it sounds old school but flyers can actually help. Place flyers around your neighbourhood and city. Ask vets, dog trainers, animal shelters, etc permission to post your pet´s flyers so you have a bigger chance of finding your missing friend. 

c) Social media does help! Yes, even if you don´t like technology and computers, visit sites like Hurricane Sandy Lost and Found Pets on Facebook. 

Twitter is a powerful tool as well, so post pictures and info related to your lost pet, and ask people to RT. Don´t forget to use hashtags like #HurricaneSandy so more people can read about your furry friend. 

d) If your pet is microchipped  provide your dog´s microchip info to vets, animal shelters, pounds, and basically anybody with a microchip scanner that can help you get your dog back.

e) Pray: I know it may sound silly if you are not Catholic and you are not a fan of God, but praying to St Francis de Asisi might actually help.

Hope these tips helped 

Helping Animals in Need by Labavenger

See an animal in need? Please help him immediately!  

I have always loved animals and I don´t know why but dogs are my favorite animals. Maybe is because they give us so much love and ask for so little. Give them food, water, regular visits to the vet , and love and they are happy to be living with us humans. 

I´ve always tried to do everything in my power to help save animals, I volunteer at a No Kill Shelter, I tweet petitions, sample letters etc, hoping people will get interested in rescuing animals from abuse. 

Sadly a few weeks  ago I made one of the dumbest mistakes of my life. I was getting home with my brother and his 18 month old daughter, and I was opening the door for them my brother said: ¨Look at the corner down your street¨ 

And there  he was an innocent mutt that just been hit by a car and was having problems with one of his back legs.  This sweet dog was walking on the sidewalk close to a  park. 

I said to my brother : ¨Let me open the door for you and the baby and I will go help him right away¨ So  I did that, I look for that innocent dog around the park and asked a man about the dog. He said : ¨That dog went down the street¨

I looked for him for a long time and I went several blocks away from the direction he was last seen, but I just culd not find him. 

I still remember that dog and I wonder whatever happened to him. Did a kind person pick him up, took him to the vet and adopted him? I hope so, because there are many animal lovers around my house. I called an Animal Rescue and send them a picture of the dog my brother took with his phone. But they could not find him. 

I got sidetracked less than 5 minutes opening a door and I lost him. Please, I beg you don´t make the same mistake I did. If you see a dog or any other animal in need, please rescue him immediately. Do some research and call a real No Kill Animal Rescue / Shelter if you cannot adopt/foster the animal yourself  ( and don´t know  real animal loving persons that are willing to help).

For more info on how you can help homeless animals please visit petfinder.com

the Vampire Diaries

We were lucky to be able to participate in another great opportunity that came up recently through The Artisan Group.  We were able to secure a spot that allowed us to create an item for the hit show the Vampire Diaries on the CW.  The item we created is Salavatore's Necklace named after the characters Stefan and Damon Salvatore, the two vampire brothers on the show.  If our necklace is picked by the stylist, it will appear on an episode.  Keep your paws crossed!!!

Link to the Vampire Diaries website

Device to Help Small Dogs by Labavenger

A pawsome device that keeps small dogs behind fences

 

Have a small breed dog? Then you know what is like to worry because your fence cannot keep him inside your house. Small dogs can easily squeeze through the standard 4 inch  openings of picket style fences and balcony/deck railing. 

But now thanks to the Safe Behind Bars Adjustable Harness by Dog-gamutt those worries are over. Small dogs can play inside your yard and you can relax knowing they cannot escape. 

However eventough this harness is a pawsome  product, I  recommend you also buy a good pet gps  and have your pets microchipped by a vet you trust. The combination of all these devices will keep you completely stress free when playing with your small dog on your yard.Please watch your  pets closely all the time  even if you think they are safe, these pawsome devices cannot prevent pet kidnapping and other tragedies from happenning. 

Hope these tips helped.  

Source: http://www.dog-gamutt.com/

Picture: http://www.dog-gamutt.com/

Healing Hearts Small Animal Rescue by Labavenger

 

Healing Hearts Small Animal Rescue, Inc : A safe place for small animals 

We as humans often tend to forget that there are animals out there that need help. And when we do think of helping animals most of us focus only on dogs and cats. There is nothing wrong with saving dogs and cats, but there are many abused farm, circus, and lab tests animals that very few people seem to care about. Same thing happens with bunnies, hamsters,etc  and that is where Healing Hearts Small Animal Rescue, Inc comes in.

So if you had a spiritual awakening and all of the sudden realize that God or whoever you believe in created dogs, cats and all other animals, then visit this link  to help. Please if you can´t donate you can always contact them at healingheartrescue@yahoo.com and ask them if you can volunteer at their shelter, how to help hurt or abandoned animals, etc.

Please remember that all animals give us so much and in return they only ask for love and respect. So please adopt/foster or rescue abused or abandoned animals. Do some research and  contact a real Animal Rescue so they can help the animal. 

Source: Healing Hearts Small Animal Rescue, Inc 

Pictures: Healing Hearts Small Animal Rescue, Inc 

Nair & Bjorn to Participate in Luxury Gift Lounge in Honor of The 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards

Nair & Bjorn is pleased to announce, in association with The Artisan Group, they will participate in a luxury gift lounge hosted by GBK Productions on September 21-22, 2012 at an exclusive location in Hollywood, California, in honor of The 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards.

The bracelet created especially for the GBK 2012 Primetime Emmys Celebrity Gift is the Silver Midnight Bracelet. It is made of a gunmetal finish parallel curb chain with an antique lead-free silver plated clock toggle, antique silver collage pendant and adorned with a mixture of Swarovski crystal beads and their signature paw print charm.

Online PR News – 04-September-2012 –Our Silver Midnight Necklace will be prominently featured on display at The Artisan Group’s exhibit and all attending celebrities will receive our Silver Midnight Bracelet in their swag bags. This event will also be attended by nearly fifty media outlets.

Nair & Bjorn was started in Southern California over a year ago by combining two passions, the love to create handmade women’s/girl’s accessories and an unconditional love of dogs. The inspiration behind the business is Mowgli, an adorable terrier mix that was a stray they found while walking over 2 years ago, on Valentine’s Day. In addition, Spector & her husband, Ram Nair, recently volunteered to foster a rescue dog that was going to be euthanized named Nick by Barks of Love Animal Rescue because he was saved in the “nick” of time. They fell so in love with Nick that they have just adopted him.

The accessories Nair & Bjorn make by hand include sandals, clips, bobby pins, rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Owner and Creative Designer Kimberly Spector, strives to create unique, stylish and fun items that give back because unfortunately, not every dog is blessed to have a home. With every purchase, 5% of the proceeds are donated to no-kill shelters to help provide rescue dogs with a better life. As their company grows, they would like to donate a larger percentage of the proceeds to no-kill shelters. Their mantra is Shop. Donate. Make A Difference. They hope to make a huge difference and to bring about awareness for all rescue animals eventually, throughout the world. They believe that every dog deserves a home and every home should have a dog…it will forever change your life.

Nair & Bjorn created their Silver Midnight Bracelet especially for the GBK Emmy Awards Celebrity Gift and it will also be available to purchase on their website along with their Silver Midnight Necklace that was created for the EMMY Display. Since becoming a member of The Artisan Group, they have also created items especially for celebrities Sarah Jessica Parker, Tyra Banks, Vanessa Lachey, Alison Sweeney and most recently, is designing a piece especially for the hit show Pretty Little Liars.

To learn more about Nair & Bjorn and their products, or their participation in this exclusive event, visit http://www.nairandbjorn.com, call (951) 288-8355 or email info@nairandbjorn.com.

Kimberly A. Spector, Nair & Bjorn’s sole proprietor, is a resident of Eastvale, CA

For press inquiries regarding The Artisan Group, please visit http://theartisangroup.org or email press@theartisangroup.org.

About Nair & Bjorn

Owner and Creative Designer Kimberly Spector started the business over a year ago with their website going live this past October. Spector has loved animals, especially dogs for as long as she can remember. Nair & Bjorn strives to make wonderful accessories with the utmost creativity keeping in mind one of their main goals, giving back. People who love dogs and are looking for unique, stylish and "pawsome" womens/girls accessories, please visit the http://www.nairandbjorn.com website. Shop. Donate. Make A Difference.

Items Designed Especially for Actress Alison Sweeney

We are so excited that through The Artisan Group we were able to design an item especially for Days of Our Lives actress Alison Sweeney.  http://www.alisonsweeney.com/ We just finished it and shipped it out today.  We designed a "Tutti Frutti" Necklace and matching Ring with multi-colored Swarovski crystals.  We hope she likes it! 

Pilots N Paws by Labavenger

 

Pilots N Paws: A Pawstastic Dog rescue

Have you ever wanted to adopt/foster or rescue a dog that is located in a state far away from you? Are you a rescue trying to send a dog to a pet loving familiy? Well, Pilots N Paws has the answer. Forget about car transport, Pilots N Paws takes dogs by plane to their new homes free of charge.

If you work/volunteer at a rescue please take a look at these guidelines  

For detailed info on how to request transport for a dog visit this section on the Pilots N Paws site.

Want to contact them before requesting transport? Then please go to the about tab of their page.

Picture: Pilots N Paws 

Source: Pilots N Paws 

Dog TV by Labavenger

Dog TV: Seriously? Is this a substitute for the human - dog bond? 

http://youtu.be/5-dc14lNzwY

 

A channel for dogs that shows 3 to 6 minute expert approved programs? Grassy fields, beautiful sceneries, humans petting dogs, and bouncing balls are just a few of the images your beloved pet will be exposed to. But is this right for your dog? Is it a replacement for the human-dog interaction and loving bond ? The answer is never, but don´t take my word for it. 

Here is what a true expert has to say about this dog channel: ¨“I think a lot of this is to make us feel better as opposed to making the pet happier,” said Dr. Ann E. Hohenhaus, a staff veterinarian for the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan. “Your pet needs adequate exercise and an interesting environment.You cannot just put on the TV and hope your dog is going to get better.”

Still, if the dog is paying attention to the screen, odds are it likes what it sees. “If the dog wasn’t enjoying it, he would find something else to do, like nibble on the end of a sofa,” Dr. Hohenhaus said. In that way, dog-oriented shows “could be a component” in a program designed to alleviate separation anxiety.

Well I think this is cristal clear, a dog channel is NOT and will  NEVER be a replacement for the human - dog play time and loving moments. Please do some research and ask a vet you trust before deciding wether your pet should be watching this or not !

Source: http://dogtv.com

        well.blogs.nytimes.com 

Video: youtube

Justice For Lennox! by Labavenger

Lennox the dog was killed: I´m SO angry at Belfast CC!!

http://youtu.be/3GBOVLKYBj8

 

 

If you are like me and love animals, your blood is probably boiling right now! An innocent dog named Lennox was taken away from his family and the little girl that was his best friend. He was kept inside a prison cell for two years just because of the way he looked. If we the people do nothing to stop this, your dog might be next! 

If you are as furious as me, then please give a piece of your mind to those sub humans at Belfast City Council on twitter @belfastcc

Please contact as well Peter Robinson, First Minister of Northern Ireland. Please ask him for justice @DUPleader 

Visit the hashtags #Lennox  #riplennox  #endBSL  and please follow and support 

@lennox_law

Finally please sign this petition below! Don´t forget to share it far and wide so signatures pile up and this never happens again! 

Justice For Lennox! Sign! Remove Alexandra Lightfoot From Her Post as Dog Warden With Belfast City Council Petition 

 http://www.care2.com/news/member/357545291/3408617 Pls RT #wlf

Dogs Must Wear Safety Belts in New Jersey by Labavenger

Dogs must wear safety belts in NJ 

 

Do you have 1000 Dollars to spare? Do you want to spend up to six months in a prison?

Well if you don´t care about your dog or cat´s safety that is the kind of fine you will get in NJ each time your pet is not wearing a seat belt attached to a dog car safety harness 

 You can also say bye bye to dogs traveling in the back of pick ups or sticking their heads out the window. 

Animal lovers everywhere rejoice! NJ has done what other states never dared: fine irresponsible pet owners. 

The logic behind this law in the Garden State is simple: people who drive with a pet on their lap get distracted more easily and that can end up in an awful car accident. So NJ is trying to save both human and animal lives ! 

Two paws up for the Garden State, I hope this law becomes common all over the U.S. and why not the entire planet. 

Source: www.examiner.com

Picture: PetAutoSafety.com

Helping Animals When You Don't Have Cash by Labavenger

How to help animals when you don´t have cash




I´ve heard it many times from all types of people: ¨I wish I can help, but I´m out of work¨, ¨I have too many expenses¨, the list of excuses goes on and on. 

If you really want to help animals, money is not a problem. You only need to dedicate time and effort.

Here is a small list of whay you can do to help save animal lives: 

a) Please install the free Pet Pardons app on your facebook page. Hit advocate daily to save as many animals as possible. You can also go to petpardons.com and look for other free ways to help animals. 

b)  Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, and tweet some more. 

Believe it or not, crossposting lost/found, abused and urgent death row animals on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and other sites does help and saves lives !

c) Install the free Save a Dog  app on your facebook page. It is a fun and easy way to help rescue animals on a daily basis. 

d) Visit care2.org and click to help save pets, seals, big cats, wolves and others. It´s FREE and sponsors turn your clicks into donations that help animals. You can also sign animal welfare petitions. 

e) Go daily to freekibble.com  answer a simple trivia question and  they will donate free food to shelter animals, even if your answer was wrong ! 

f) Make sure you visit The Animal Rescue Site  click once daily on the purple botton, they will donate food to rescued animals.You can also sign petitions, send e cards, etc. All of these actions help save animals lives, and cost zero to you ! 

Finally, I recommend you follow on Twitter: 

@exposeDOGkiller, @happydawgblawg,  @DogRetrievers,  @Defenders,  @captiveanimals, @AbusedNYCHorse, @SaveLennox, @P4Animals, 

@FreeTonyTiger, @UrgentPart2, @SaveLucy, @StopSlaughtrACC

 and every single real animal lover you find on Twitter. Animal lives depend on you !! 

Please remember to adopt/foster or rescue animals. DON´T buy animals from pet stores, websites or elsewhere, there are already too many animals waiting at shelters.  Animals at High Kill shelters are on DEATH ROW, and need you to act extra fast! 

If you know somebody that wants to surrender a pet or a farm animal and has no intention of changing his mind,  ask that person to give his/her animals  only to an animal loving friend or family member. Animals that are surrendered to High Kill shelters or pounds are at high risk or getting killed at any time! Farm animals that don´t get rescued end up either abused or dead! 

If you can´t adopt/foster or rescue, please crosspost as many urgent animals as you can. Don´t forget to tweet about abused, abandoned, lost/found pets and about saving farm animals and wildlife.  If you see a stray, lost/abandoned or abused animal DON´T look the other way, call a true animal lover or a real No Kill animal rescue and give food and water to the animal in the meantime. 

Picture: Wim Mulder