What it is like to have a Great Dane

If you are thinking of a Great Dane - check this out! They are so funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv1I_cqkjOM

Parasite season is not over

Think parasite season is over just because the warm-weather months are coming to a close? Think again! From roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms to fleas, coccidia, bots, and pinworms, parasites are just as abundant in the late summer and early fall as any other time of year. As summer comes to a close, it’s a good idea to get your pet(s) back to the practice for parasite testing and prevention.

The Parasitic Threat — Parasites can affect your health as well as your pet's! Internal and external parasites like hookworms can be passed not only from pet to pet, but also from your pet to you. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, between 1 and 3 million people are infected by hookworms from their pets each year. Even fleas, one of the most common parasites, can transmit parasitic infections, like tapeworms, to your pet and your family. That is why it is so important to protect your pet and your family against parasitic infection.

Diagnosis and Prevention — Different parasites can affect your pet in different ways--anything from no symptoms or simple irritation to life-threatening conditions. The only way you can ensure your pet’s and your family’s safety is to get your pet tested. We are here to help! Visit us to have your pet tested and get control recommendations, as many parasitic infections require unique diagnosis and preventive measures.

Call us today for an appointment, or visit your Pet Portal to learn more. If you are not yet using your Pet Portal, log on today to discover the benefits of managing your pet's health care online with a private, personalized, secure - and FREE - website of your own.

Get Started Today!
Just visit our practice website at http://www.wvah.net and click on "Pet Portal LOG IN." We look forward to hearing from you.


Sincerely,
The Doctors and Staff of Willamette Valley Animal Hospital

Willamette Valley Animal Hospital
4975 River Road North
Keizer, OR, 97303
(503) 393-7462

Blessing of the Animals

From my friend Betty Folmsbee: Anyone who has pets of ANY kind is invited to St Paul's ORegon City 822 Washing St Oct 3rd after the 10am service (around 11:15) to participate in the Blessing of the Animals. Special guest will be Moses the Camel (recently rescued from a deep ditch). We all decided he definately needs to be blessed!! Please bring your pet to the 10am service and join us for the Blessings in honor of St Francis!

Man builds cat-sized village for homeless cats

Craig Grant didn't like cats. But that changed when his son moved out, leaving his cat, Pepper, behind. And just when Craig was getting used to having one cat, he found out Pepper was pregnant.

Five kittens later, Craig was ready to adopt them out until his son said they must stay with their mother for 8 weeks. "It wasn't long before the kittens were swinging from my curtains," he notes on his website.

Check out the rest of this GREAT article!!!

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/guest_bloggers/69/man-builds-cat-sized-village-for-homeless-cats.html

Don’t forget your pets in emergencies

Surviving an emergency such as a fire, flood, earthquake or terrorist attack depends on what you plan for your family today. Hopefully you have a family plan and a 72 hour emergency kit. Now, how about Fido?

Believe it or not, more people in the United States have pets, than have children. Many people consider their pets to be part of the family and wouldn’t dream of leaving them behind. I confess I fall into that category.

Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you need to make plans in advance for your pets. Assembling an animal emergency supply kit is one of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected. Include your veterinarian in your planning as they may have good ideas and suggestions specific to your pet.

Your pet kit should contain basically the same items as your family kit. They will need enough food and water for three days, medicines and medical records (in a waterproof plastic bag) and a first aid kit. Injured animals may need antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention, and isopropyl alcohol. A pet first aid reference book would be handy too.

Your pet should wear a collar with its rabies tag and identification at all times. Your kit should include a backup leash and ID tag. You might also consider talking with your veterinarian about permanent identification such as micro-chipping.

Include pet litter and litter box if appropriate, puppy pads, paper towels, plastic trash bags and chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs. Nine parts water to one part bleach is a good disinfectant or you can use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water to purify it for drinking.

Don’t forget favorite toys, treats or bedding in you pet kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress, theirs and yours.

If you become separated from your pets, a photo of you together will help document ownership and help others to identify your pet when found.

Develop a pet care buddy system. Know who will evacuate the pet and where the pet will stay. Some shelters are now accepting pets with their owners or you can find pet friendly hotels outside your immediate area. There are boarding kennels and some veterinary hospitals will take pets during an emergency. Contact these places ahead of time.

Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so. Designate specific locations, one in your immediate neighborhood and another farther away, where you will meet in an emergency. You will need a crate or other pet carrier if it is practical for you to take your animals with you. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down.

As in all planning, be prepared to adapt this information to your personal circumstances and make every effort t to follow instructions from authorities on the scene. With these simple preparations, you can be ready for the unexpected. Take time now to get yourself and your pet ready.

WHAT PURPLE PAGES 4 PETS IS ABOUT

1) A directory to guide Marion and Polk county residences to pet services in their area.

2) Distributed by: Humane Society, Marion County Dog Shelter, Salem Friends of Felines, realtors, senior centers, retirement homes, and others.

3) 10,000 copies targeted to your market and advertising cost is minimal.

4) Your listing by location; north, south, Keizer, west, or rural area.


WHAT PURPLE PAGES 4 PETS NEEDS FROM YOU
1) A commitment to give our pets the local best.
2) A phone call, (503) 949-2744, or email to purplepages4pets@gmail.com.
3) Your ad design or ours – no cost for designing – or you can just use your business card (attach electronic version to your email).

Call or e-mail soon - first print is
October 2010!

Great Dog Treats

These healthy dog treats are a DIY-licious idea from Whole Foods. Although the depicted green comes from a pinch of parsley, dried mint can swap in for even fresher breath yet.

If you're curious to learn the six ingredients and check out the recipe to bake for your dog, then just read more.


Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Whole Foods Market
Bake up these healthy, peanutty treats for your good boys and girls.



Ingredients

1 banana, peeled
1 cup oat flour
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup dried parsley
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 egg, beaten

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 300°F.
2.Put banana in a large boil and use a spoon or potato masher to mash it thoroughly.
3.Add oat flour, oats, parsley, peanut butter and egg and stir well to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes.
4.Roll mixture into 24 balls, using about 1 tablespoon dough for each; transfer to a large parchment paper-lined sheet tray as done.
5.Use the back of a spoon or the heel of your hand to press each ball into a (1 1/2- to 2-inch) coin.
6.Bake until firm and deep golden brown on the bottom, 40 to 45 minutes. Set aside to let cool completely.
Storage note: It's best to store these in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Or, freeze them to give to your pal later; just be sure to thaw the treats befor handing them out

How do you change leads still in the canter?

This is a question that needs to assume a lot about what the horse already knows and how relaxed the horse is when you ride. The assumptions will be that the horse naturally changes lead when you change directions, say for instance you are doing figure eights and the horse naturally changes when your turn changes into the opposite direction. Also his neck should be supple and he willing flexes his neck when you direct rein him. If he puts up resistence to you when you turn then he is not mentally ready to listen to you when you give him the cues for changing leads. He should also be willing to start on what ever lead you ask him to lope off on from a trot and a stand still and will maintain the gate until you ask otherwise.

Now with our assumptions in place have him cantering down a straight line. If he is on the right lead and we want to go to the left lead then put slight tension in the left rein so that his nose tips to the left. Apply pressure to his left rib cage so that you are almost asking him to two track. After a few strides release the left rein tension and left leg at the same time while you put your right calf and heel against his body and back a couple of inches from straight down. You then may want to put your left leg ahead and out about an inch too. Hold this position until he changes leads. Then go back to a neutral state. Don't force the lead by applying more pressure. Just let him find it.

If you run out of room going in the straight line then at the point where you have to turn ask him to turn to the left so that he will pick up on the left lead anyway. Practice this only 2 or 3 times per session. If he does the lead change on the first attempt don't bother doing the lesson again till the next session. This way he won't associate lead changes as being a form of punishment. Also allowing him to work on this in a big pasture will be best so there is time for him to figure out the pressure against him releases when he does the lead change and not just because he turned.