Timi Talks

Posted By Timi on July 29, 2010

In an earlier post I wrote about the frustration, and provided tips, for when a healthy dog won’t drink. Just as nerve wracking is the distress a parent feels when their canine child won’t eat; and with just cause. Just as obese dogs are at risk of diabetes, dogs that go too long without proper nutrition are also at risk; but it need not be too stressful. There are several tips and tricks that I’ve found effective when dealing with a variety of breeds that simply refuse to eat…or eat infrequently. (more…)

Category: Health, Nutrition | No Comments »
Tags: cuisine, dog wont eat

Posted By Timi on July 20, 2010

Having a lot of rescue dogs in SoCal means I’m always looking for ways to help beat the heat for our four-legged friends. Since our beloveds can’t take off their coats…and already have a resting body temperature above 100 degrees, heatstroke is always a danger and even if the health hazard isn’t that extreme, no one likes to watch their babies labor for breath. As always, I used the “cooling” bandana on myself before testing it on the kids. After submerging the bandana in water for about 30 minutes, I have to admit that it did feel cool on my skin. I wore it for about an 2 hours. While I did find it effective ON ME, I also found it cumbersome and heavy around my neck. After trying the bandanas (in various sizes) on the dogs, I am not convinced it offered them the same relief. While the product did cool the top of the dogs’ coats, when I parted the hair, I didn’t feel any cooling sensation on the scalp/skin. So was the “cooling effect” superficial? Since I’m not in the dog’s skin I can’t say for certain but, the bandanas didn’t seem to be effective for those breeds. I also worried that they too were annoyed or found the added (wet) weight and bulk uncomfortable while resting or playing. If you do decide to try the bandanas, and they don’t work for your canine child, you can always wear it yourself!

Category: Product Reviews | No Comments »
Tags: beat summer heat, cool it bandana, paw chic

Posted By Timi on July 13, 2010

Summer awakens many little pleasures of nature…and some that can be somewhat bothersome. Bee stings are a common ailment of our canine friends because they can be very curious of the buzzy little buggers. Some dogs actually like to make a game of it - trying to catch them in their mouths as they flutter about. Others insist on sniffing around the same bush that already has the interest of a bee or two. While others simply step on one as s/he innocently walks along the lawn. However it happens, dogs get stung and it can either be a minor incident or a life threatening situation giving you little precious time to save your beloved’s life. Here are some tips as to how to assess and handle the situation… (more…)

Category: First Aid, Summer Warnings & Tips | No Comments »
Tags: canine first aid, dog bee sting

Posted By Timi on July 7, 2010

Something that works and looks good!
I must admit, when I first heard of the PawsOff Protective Bed Cover I wasn’t sure that I would be sold on the product but did see where it might be highly beneficial for some pet owners, so I thought I’d give it a trial run. FIVE PAW rating folks! The cover is intended to pull over the entire bed, pillows and all, and easily fit snuggly on my deep, pillow-top Queen mattress. The elastic bands worked nicely keeping the cover in place even when my neighbor’s Pit Bull jumped up and started pawing at it. Sunny has a habit of tearing the bed covers off her mom’s bed while Camila is at work, so you can imagine that once my friend saw her beloved Sunny was unable to “unmake” the PawsOff cover - she took mine! After all, nothing makes a bedroom look more unsightly than an unmade bed. Plus with the PawsOff cover, you’ll be able to relax and crawl under clean sheets at the end of a long day because PawsOff protects your linen from hair, dander, odor and dirty paws. (more…)

Category: Product Reviews | No Comments »
Tags: bed, cover, destructive dog, dog hair, fur, live well, off, paws, pet, protect

Posted By Timi on July 1, 2010

Fireworks may be a joy for us, but they can be terrifying for many pets. I would like to remind pet parents that the flashing lights, and more importantly, the loud sounds of fireworks can frighten (if not terrify) our four legged friends sending them in to a frenzy, and causing themselves harm. If you do choose to have your beloved(s) outside during the displays, please remain by their side to provide assurance and comfort and to ensure that they don’t cause themselves injury. A frightened pet is NOT funny and not something to laugh off. It is important to remember that there can be consequences to the dog’s health as well as his safety and the safety of those around him/her. (more…)

Category: Holiday Tips & Warnings, Safety, Summer Warnings & Tips | No Comments »
Tags: 4th of July, fireworks warning, holiday dog, Safety