| |
|
Sunday, May 11, 2008
9:25:29 AM CDT
HAPPY FURR MOTHERS DAY! ;)
Happy Mothers Day to all the furr Moms, & Moms who've adopted furr babies, those who love & take care of furrs... all over J-Land.
Hope your day is special!!!
Written by sugarsweet056
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Saturday, May 3, 2008
9:07:13 AM CDT
IT'S THE WEEKEND
Hi guys!
Had a beautiful week, but Thurs eve the storms came, complete with a couple tornados!!! Still HIGH winds yesterday & today. GRRR It's the season, for the rest of the month into early June we can expect this frequently. :(
Not a lot going on, trying to get packed for our move to the basement, the girls hate "change", & all the boxes I have sitting everywhere takes up their room. LOL But once we get settled down there, I think they'll like it.
Found out the outside area won't be as large as Son orig told me, DIL decided she wanted the deck area cut in 1/2 (or less) & the yard sz smaller than I had been told. It'll be the same sz as the run in the front! But where the run is now 10'x20' long, the new yd will be 15'x15' square . They orig said 25'x50'.
But it'll be a new adventure for them, & they'll have the patio door to look out, they'll like that! Plus they can spend more time out on the little deck. Up here they only go out 3 times a day, there I'll be able to let them out more often without worrying about bothering the family.
If all goes according to plan, we'll move the last of this month. :)
Hope you all have a nice weekend. We're trying to keep the wind from blowing us away...& hoping for no more tornados for a little while.
Keep them paws up y'all & WOOF WOOF!
Written by sugarsweet056
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Saturday, April 26, 2008
8:11:00 AM CDT
SYMPATHY TO ONE, PRAYERS FOR OTHERS
 Please offer your sympathy & support to Sunny, who's precious Blanche went to the Rainbow Bridge recently. I don't personally know her or her furr, but was referred by reader John. Let's show we care. May Blanche R.I.P.
 Also let's all send up prayers for Andie's Charlie Brown & MieMoe who are both ill.
And please remember Merlin, Missie's furr baby... as he is sick too. Missie is a long time friend/reader of Furr Babies, & we have already left her comments & sent an email.While you're praying, please include ALL the furrs that are in need, & those that are abused & neglected esp need our prayers.
God bless them all.
Written by sugarsweet056
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Friday, April 25, 2008
6:23:25 PM CDT
STORMS HERE, ABOUT DOG PAIN, IT'S THE WKEND!!!!
|
|
|
Hey there furr lovers & furrs of J-Land! A big WOOF from the Girls & a howdy from me.
Thought we'd come over & wish you all a happy wkend, hope you all had a nice week.
It's storming again here... grrr. Angel doesn't care for that at all, she hates the thunder/lightening, whines & looks so sad as she paces around looking for a "safe" place.
Was thinking about dogs & pain today, how they tend to not be able to tell us when something hurts... so thought we'd post the info below for you.
Dogs don't tend to be crybabies. After all, in nature, expressing pain can threaten an animal's survival by signaling vulnerability to predators as well as others competing for resources.
Following are signs that your canine may be in pain, based on information in the February 2008 issue of "Your Dog" newsletter and veterinarians at the American Veterinary Medical Association's 2007 annual meeting. .
* Difficulty or hesitation in getting up from a lying position or lying down.
* Change in chewing behavior. For example, reluctance to chew, chewing on one side of the mouth, hovering over the food or water bowl without eating or drinking, and dropping food could signal aching teeth, gums, jaws, with root causes ranging from an infection to a tumor.
* Unusual/rapid change in weight. Overeating? Reluctance to eat? Arthritis, for example, can make it painful to bend over to reach food.
* Avoiding your hands. Does your dog duck from affectionate petting he previously enjoyed? Pulls away when you attempt to comb her fur or otherwise handle her? Such behavior signals an injury, infection, possible joint deterioration, or other problem needing medical attention. * Decreased range of motion. Is he taking shorter strides on walks? Resisting your attempts to raise her paw for a nail trim? Has he stopped trying to jump on furniture?
* Reduced interest in play and walks.
* Sudden onset of housetraining accidents. Stiff joints and pain might be hampering your dog from both getting to the door in time to squatting and/or lifting legs to relieve himself. Urinary infections, fecal problems, or parasites such as worms make it difficult for a dog to delay urination or defecation when the urge hits.
* Sudden change in other behaviors, such as aggressive incidents (seemingly unwarranted growling, snapping, lunging) or more submissive behaviors (tucked tail, turning the head away, hunching down).
And remember, YOU know your furr baby better than anyone, & they trust you to look out for them. So, be vigilent... if any of the signs above occur, or if anything out of the norm is going on... see a Vet as soon as possible.
Have a woofing good wkend! Paws Up Y'all, WOOF WOOF! | 
Written by sugarsweet056
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Monday, April 21, 2008
9:34:14 AM CDT
A FURR DEATH IN J-LAND
 Our dear longtime online friend/reader, Lori's precious Bonez lost his struggle to live this wkend, & has gone on to the Rainbow Bridge. He has been struggling for some time, & finally he decided it was his time. May he find comfort at the Bridge, as he waits for for his family to cross over with him someday.
Lori's journal is private, but please say a pray for her family, as the loss of a dear furr baby is quite tragic. Through tears & sweet memories they'll mourn, it's so sad, & all the family will feel the effect.
Sending up prayers Lori. {{}}
God bless, from the Girls & me.
Written by sugarsweet056
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Thursday, April 17, 2008
11:06:15 PM CDT
HI TO ALL, PRAYERS, & CAT INFO {{}}
Evening J-Landers & furrs!
This week has been beautiful till today which has been stormy & rainy all day. But the girls have enjoyed getting out & playing on the sunny days, Angel esp loves basking in the sun, she could lay for hours on the concrete walk & sun bathe! LOL
Right now, Monkee is in bed asleep, enjoying her "me time", while Sweet Pee is snoring in the chair next to me. Angel, is napping in the hall by the safety gate, so she can "guard" us. :)
Not a lot going on, I need to make another Dr appt for myself & have a few things checked out. But, we're ok...counting the days till we get to move to our new area in the basement. I think we'll like it.
 Offering our condolences to a new reader Marti, her furr baby Penny went to the Rainbow Bridge on the 11th. May she R.I.P. Prayers going up for you Marti, God bless.
We found some more interesting tidbits for you kitty lovers:
A healthy cat's nose is cool.
Cats don't scratch furniture to get attention, they scratch to groom their claws.
When a cat swishes its tail back and forth, she's concentrating on some thing; if her tail starts moving faster, she has become annoyed.
Cats rub to mark ownership. They have glands on their lips as well as at the base of the tail just so they can mark their territory.
A cat cannot see directly under its nose. This is why the cat cannot seem to find tidbits on the floor.
The gene in cats that causes the orange coat color is sexed linked, and is on the X sex chromosome. This gene may display orange or black. Thus, as female cat with two X chromosomes may have orange and black colors in its coat. A male, with only one X chromosome, can have only orange or black, not both.
If a male cat is both orange and black it is ( besides being extremely rare ) sterile. To have both the orange and the black coat colors, the male cat must have all or part of both female X chromosomes. This unusual sex chromosome combination will render the male cat sterile.
Cats have AB blood groups just like people.
A form of AIDS exists in cats.
If you take kitten away from its mother before it is 8 weeks old, she may not have enough time to train it properly to use a litter box.
A healthy kitten has clear, bright eyes and clean ears.
A happy cat carries its tail upright, while a nervous one holds it down low. When a cat fluffs out its tail, it is to appear larger and scare off whatever is frightening it.
If your cat hides and then runs out and pounces on you, she is acting out her instinctive hunting ritual.
Cats act reserved because their ancestors hunted and lived alone. They did not live in packs and therefore depend less on others.
Cats' eyes don't glow in the dark; they only reflect light.
In relation to body size, a cat's eyes are bigger than most mammals.
Hoping you all have a purrfect weekend! Keep them paws up y'all, WOOF WOOF!
Written by sugarsweet056
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
9:40:40 PM CDT
ALLERGIES IN PETS
Since I'm so sick, don't feel like much of a post...but the girls barked me into making a quick one re allergies in pets.
Since my Sons dog Apache, has severe food allergies, I thought I'd give in & do it. :)
Life's an itch!
Is an itch just an itch, or is it an allergy?
"Max", the schnauzer next door begins to wheeze, scratch and chew at himself at the first sign of Spring. "Kitty", the sweet tabby across the street gets an upset tummy whenever she eats a particular food. And "Boxer", your very own lovable mutt, scratches himself raw anytime he's bitten by even one flea. He even keeps you up at night with the constant scratching and collar jingling!
There are countless diseases that can cause pets to scratch including mange, fungal infections, ringworm, some bacteria, and even shampoo residue left on the pet's skin after bathing. But the poor, uncomfortable pets mentioned above suffer from an affliction called allergies.
An allergy is the body's reaction to a substance it can't tolerate well. When the body comes in contact with an allergen (allergy-causing substance), either through physical contact, through something eaten, or by inhaling the substance, it produces antibodies and is called an allergic reaction. Common contact allergens include house dust, pollen, feathers, flea saliva, wandering Jew plants, ragweed, staph bacteria, and grass.
In pets, the allergic reaction can cause various symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problem; respiratory problems; a runny nose and runny eyes; or itchy skin. Allergic pets will often lick their paws, scratch or rub their faces, or have watery eyes. Repeatedly red, or infected ears can also be a result of an allergic reaction. The constant scratching can produce bacterial skin infections and hair loss.
Flea allergy is the most common allergic reaction. Signs include intense itching, red skin, andthe appearance of small, hard, red bumps called papules. The most common sites are the base of the tail (a common area for fleas), along the spine, and on the pet's inner thighs and abdomen.
Inhalant allergy (called atopy) is the second most common allergic skin disease, mostly in dogs. At first, the condition is seasonal, but may become almost constant as the dog ages.
Sensitivity to foods, rawhide chews, medications, and other ingested items, can occur. Food allergies are often diagnosed by blood testing, and by feeding an affected pet a hypoallergenic diet for several months. To complicate the allergy picture, a pet may have multiple allergy problems. So a pet with food allergies, for example, may also have atopy or flea allergy.
Diagnostic tests often done to accurately determine the cause of allergies. Intradermal skin testing for contact dermatitis and atopy, and blood testing for most allergies, are two methods used for diagnosis. Treatment may consist of trials of various antihistamines, as well as nutraceuticals (nutritional medications that assist the body's natural defenses), steroids, or hyposensitization therapy, which is a series of injections to reduce the sensitivity to allergens. Antibiotics are often indicated when the constant scratching has caused a bacterial infection. While there are no cures, pets can lead much happier, stress free lives when the allergens are identified, avoided and the symptoms eased through different treatments. Early detection can help prevent more serious problems from developing.
Have a good week, keep them paws up y'all, WOOF WOOF!
Written by sugarsweet056
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
10:47:03 AM CDT
APRIL IS HERE...
APRIL IS "HELP STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY MONTH".
Show your support & post a tag on your journal, or on your side bar this month.
And donate if you can, money or time, to your local Shelter or the SPCA.
SUGAR SHACK KEEPSAKES entry #277.
Written by sugarsweet056
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Sunday, March 30, 2008
6:36:47 PM CDT
A NEW WEEK STARTS
 We want to start this post by expressing our sympathy to Michelle re the recent loss of her sweet furr baby Bella. Have you in my prayers dear one, may God bless.
 Angel & Sweet Pee were both sick most of last week, a stomach virus I think. But they seem better now.
 Thought we'd make an entry about barking dogs!
Not much barking goes on here...Angel is our resident barker. She's a watch dog, a typical German Shepard with that deep ferocious bark. She doesn't bark needlessly, but at every thing strange or that she doesn't recognize...she sounds the alarm. Sweets only barks at the vacuum cleaner, & then it's a soft 'woof' type sound. LOL Monkee has a loud shrill little bark, that she uses when she's getting to go outside, or come back in. She also has an internal alarm, gets in my face & starts her barking about 15 min before meal time!!! LOL Excessive Barking Barking that is a behavior problem may result from one of several different issues. The key is to first identify the cause of the barking and then to change your dog’s triggers.
Loneliness Barking
When loneliness is the cause of incessant barking, giving your dog more attention may solve the problem. In a family situation, encourage family members to take turns playing with your dog and taking him for walks. When he is left alone, provide toys for him to amuse himself.
Sometimes more attention won't solve the problem. If your dog has developed a habit of barking, place some pennies in a can and tape it shut. When he barks, shake the can near him and say "quiet" in a firm voice. The purpose of shaking the can is to startle him. If the barking resumes, shake the can again and say "quiet." Keep the can away from him so he does not consider it a toy. As your dog catches on, your verbal command "quiet"should stop the barking.
If the can does not work, use a squirt bottle to squirt your dog's legs and back accompanied by a firm "quiet" command.
Please remember — any action to deter your dog from barking must be made while he is barking. After-the-fact corrective action only confuses him. Use a strong, firm voice. Avoid yelling, which can be stressful to a dog.
Separation Anxiety Barking
Dogs housed inside who are left alone may suffer from separation anxiety. Some may show their fear and resentment by barking. The ideal way to prevent this problem is to train a puppy to be left alone. Similar training can be applied to an older dog, but more time and patience may be required. Put the puppy in a room by himself. Say "quiet" and leave the room. If the puppy barks, return, say "quiet" and leave again. If the puppy is quiet for a brief period, return and praise him. Extend your time away from the puppy and, upon returning, praise him for being quiet. With an older dog, leaving the house or apartment may be necessary because the dog may pick up your scent and is sensitive to familiar noises.
Territorial Barking
Some dogs bark to protect their territory and a "bark/reward" cycle may be established. A dog who barks at a letter carrier when the mail is delivered is "rewarded" when the letter carrier leaves. This bark/reward may lead him to bark at other service people, neighbors and passersby. If possible, introduce your dog to people who come to the home regularly. Short conversations with delivery or service people, with your dog present, may solve the problem.
Another solution is a firm "no" or "quiet" when your dog begins barking. If he responds by being quiet, praise him briefly. Remember, you have to be present when he is barking to give the "quiet" command.
Other Barking Behaviors
Often a dog will bark in an invitation to play. This is accompanied by body language — tail-wagging, crouching with the head lowered and hindquarters raised. Barking usually stops when play begins or the invitation goes unanswered.
A dog may bark to threaten intruders. This is usually a more menacing bark and may be accompanied by growling. Depending upon the situation, you may need to move the dog to a more secure location or quietly reassure him.
A dog will also bark to warn other dogs or people of danger. The barking generally continuesuntil the source of danger is removed or the dog is taken to safety.
Sometimes pain or illness triggers barking. If a well-behaved dog in his usual environment begins barking or creating other forms of vocalization, a trip to the veterinarian may be in order.
A final thought
As with all aspects of behavior training, consistency is the key to success. Enlisting the cooperation of each family member is important in controlling your dog's barking, as well as in all other aspects of training. Verbal commands and expectations for your dog's behavior must be consistent if you are to be effective.
Have a great week! Keep them paws up y'all & WOOF WOOF!
Angel Kitty tag was done by Cab. TY.
Written by sugarsweet056
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
Friday, March 21, 2008
11:11:53 AM CDT
HAPPY EASTER WKEND J-LAND
May you have a wonderful Easter.
And may God bless you & yours!
Written by sugarsweet056
Permalink
| Blog about this entry
| Add to del.icio.us | digg this
This entry has comments: Add your own
|
