 By, Katy Cable A 3 min. Read This is a painful blog to write but an important one. My story begins while waiting for a job interview at a high-kill animal shelter. It was a position I was excited about and thought I stood a good chance of landing. As I paced the lobby, I watched what I thought was prospective dog owners walking potential new family members around the courtyard. What I witnessed next still brings me to tears. A well-dressed couple arrived in a luxury car that cost more than most homes. They emerged outfitted wearing from head to tippy-toe in designer clothing. In a woman’s arms was a senior dog also outfitted in “canine couture!” As they approached the reception window I overheard the woman say, “We’re moving and can’t take the dog. She’s also gotten too old!” The woman working at the shelter “intake” window asked for a fee to relinquish the dog and informed her this was an overcrowded, high-kill shelter. Due to the dog’s age, the chances of her being adopted were slim-to-none. The couple was completely unfazed after hearing their pet’s almost certain fate. They couldn’t get rid of this dog fast enough. They tossed the dog and a wad of cash through the window without a hint of remorse. -Or a pat goodbye. Hearing that heartbroken dog howl and whine as she was abandoned, is a scene I can never erase from my mind. I couldn’t hold back my tears listening to a surround sound stereo of crying dogs in cages. I realized that all the dogs I’d seen in the courtyard that afternoon were not adoption candidates but actually pets being relinquished. I knew right then and there I couldn’t work in this environment. I opted to be an advocate for senior pets. OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW… We live in an “out with the old, in with the new” culture. We value shiny, new things and quickly replace anything the minute an upgrade or latest version hits the market. We’re all too interested in what’s trending with “millennials” yet disregard the experience and wisdom held by those eligible for “Medicare.” And the same holds true for our dogs. Nothing is more heartbreaking than seeing so many people surrendering older dogs. For some, it’s the mounting medical expenses. For others, it’s the care they need. And tragically, sometimes it’s the simple fact people want a younger, new pet. Whatever the case, that loyal companion that has always had your back, loved and adored you, now needs your care and attention more than ever. As a dog ages, their sole purpose becomes being your faithful companion. (Pugs in particular are bred for that very reason!) Providing unconditional love is what they DO! Having nobody to love compromises their fragile immune systems terribly. -As our shelters and rescue groups see all too often. I realize I’m singing to the choir! The fact you’re reading this tells me you would sever your own arm before discarding your aging pet. So, here’s a few ways you can help: ❤️LET’S BE ADVOCATES FOR ADOPTING SENIOR PETS AND PROMOTING THE ADVANTAGES❤️ 1. Shelters and rescues charge far less for senior pets and those with special needs. 2. With some pets considered “senior” at only 5-6 years old, many “older” pets can still live, long, healthy lives. 3. Most older pets are already well trained and know commands. However, you can definitely teach “old dogs new tricks” and, with patience, can train them at any stage of their life. 4. Senior pets are quite capable of transferring affection and you’ll be regarded as their hero. 5. Older pets are quite content with a slower-paced, simple lifestyle. They don’t have the same energy levels or require nearly as much exercise. HELPFUL TIPS If you’re considering adopting an older pet or if you currently have one that’s “getting up there”, here’s a few helpful tips: 1. Pets age as quickly as a Hollywood ingenue, about 7 dog years to every 1 human year. It’s important to have more frequent vet checks. This way you can hopefully catch any problem while it’s less risky and EXPEN$IVE! Your vet can also be helpful in recommending supplements and medications to ease issues and give your pet a good quality of life. 2. Dogs thrive on familiarity and routine. Any change can be a huge stressor. Don’t accelerate your dog’s aging process by adding more stress to their life. For instance, when planning your vacation, it’s perhaps better to leave your dog home with a trusted familiar pet sitter or relative, rather than put them through the upheavals of travel. Do your best to stick to a regular routine. 3. Keep things accessible. Be mindful of stairs, slippery floors, and other hard to navigate surfaces. Keep food, water and potty areas in well lit, easily accessible places. Be thoughtful about how you rearrange the house and move things. This can be difficult and stressful to your dog as their senses decline. 4. Don’t neglect dental care! It all starts in the mouth. Billions of bacteria can flood into the bloodstream and attack every organ in your dog’s body. Don’t forget to brush their teeth regularity as well as get their teeth checked. It’s never too late to start brushing their choppers! 5. Senior/mature dogs have different dietary needs than a growing or more active dog. As dogs age, their sense of smell and taste diminish. Teeth can also be sensitive (or in the case of many pugs, GONE!) Your once happy eater may become bored with current food. Now may be a great time to switch from dry kibble to canned, moist, or soft, raw food. At the very least try switching to a variety with less carbs, or a senior formula of food. READ THOSE INGREDIENTS (See video below for tips or discuss with your vet.) 6. Exercise is still important but modify activity. Those all day hikes and 5 mile runs along the beach may need to be replaced with a slower walk in a wagon or stroller. Or some play in the pool. It’s still crucial to keep your pet moving! Try CBD oil and other natural supplements for muscle pain relief. 7. Know the signs of pain. Dogs are stoic. By nature they don’t want to appear vulnerable to predators. They can endure ungodly amounts of pain without you having the first clue something’s wrong. Here’s a few possible indicators that your dog may be in pain: SIGNS OF PAIN AND DISTRESS *Any changes in their eating, sleeping, activity, or pottying routines. *No enjoyment from treats, play or other pleasures. *Unusual lethargy. *Your dog has begun isolating. *Your normally docile dog has acted aggressively. They may try to bite or growl to avoid being touched if in pain. *Limping or favoring one side or area of their body. *Shivering, drooling or panting when it’s not particularly hot or cold. *Yelping or whimpering when moving or touched. **Listen to your gut! If you feel something isn’t right don’t delay! Get them checked! Nobody EVER said, “Gee, I wish I’d waited longer to get my dog to the vet!” I’ve been privileged to watch a few pups go from young puppies to ripe-old seniors and there’s something extra special about older dogs. Just like an infant, they’re totally reliant on you for their care. And while giving to them, you’ll be the one receiving a precious gift. You’ll truly feel unconditional love in action. Your heart will expand. You will become a much more humble compassionate person. You have the opportunity to become a hero. While you’re just one person in this great big world, to your dog you ARE the entire world and YOU make their life worth living.❤️🐾  By, Katy Cable- TWR A 2 Minute ReadMy A NEW CURE-ALL Several years ago after a fabulous visit to Hawaii, I began swirling a heaping spoonful of organic coconut oil into my morning cappuccino. Wow! Suddenly I had a delicious cup of ALOHA! I also rubbed it into my dry, peeling, sunburned skin for immediate relief. It worked great when in a pinch I needed some hair conditioner. I also found swishing it in my mouth gave me shiny, white teeth and relieved canker sores or swollen gums. When my pug Olive began feverishly licking it off my fingers, I rubbed it on her coat, peeling nose, wrinkle folds and dry paw pads. It made a perfect moisturizer. Imagine my excitement to learn this tasty, healthy fat was now being touted the new MIRACLE CURE-ALL! CRACKING OPEN THE TRUTH I’m a HUGE fan of coconut oil and buy jars of it by the caseload! It’s by far my most viewed viral video blog. When a trusted friend sent me an article by the American Heart Association warning of the dangers of coconut oil, my own heart stopped! As I began looking into their claims, I was hit again with another major crackdown on coconuts. Dr. Karin Michels, adjunct professor at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, gave a lecture that quickly went viral. She urgently warned, “Coconut oil is pure poison and one of the worst foods you can eat!” OMG! My super cure-all was not just a bunch of hype but POISON! I suddenly felt as if I had been hit over the head by a coconut. There it was! First eggs were bad, then it was butter, now coconut oil! I looked into this with a vengeance. After reading dozens of research studies then discussing my findings with trusted professionals, I finally got my head around what was going on. So here are the hard facts in a nutshell. -A “COCO” nutshell that is! THE FACTS…IN A NUTSHELL First of all, Michel’s big issue is that coconut oil is extremely high in saturated fats. 80% to be exact. Pure lard, by comparison is only 39% Saturated fat raises bad, artery clogging LDL cholesterol. And that’s a bad kicker for your ticker! The next issue is that coconut oil (like most fats) is extremely high in calories. At 117 calories per tablespoon, every “TBS” I’m swirling in my lattes should result in more “LBS” than a Weight Watchers dropout! Hardly the WUNDERKIND weight loss tool it’s been praised to be. What Michels failed to mention is that coconut oil is a MCT (medium chain triglyceride) which melts fat like a snow-cone in July. It also contains Laurie acid which make it a powerful antioxidant. Coconut oil also produces ketones which seem to EAT cancer and fuel the brain! Coconut oil is a big staple in anti-cancer ketogenic diets. It’s also being used in some promising new Alzheimer’s research. And the list goes on and on! In addition to the issues, I received loads of comments that Michel’s claims could not be supported by cited research and she has special interest ties with big pharma. Whether that’s true or not, I know the drug companies sure don’tM want us ditching our expensive RX drugs in favor of a $7 jar of coconut oil. PET PARENTS WEIGH IN But, the astounding feedback I received was the HUNDREDS of comments on how beneficial coconut oil has been for so many people AND their pets. It’s used for everything from- swishing it in mouths (oil pulling) to rid canker sores and whiten teeth to lowering cholesterol and weight management. (See tips below) The reason I became a blogger is to take the most pressing issues pet parents have, test things out and share my experience with you. I have nothing to gain. I don’t own coconut trees or stock in coconut oil (but I may look into it!) This is what I personally use and it’s saving me lots of money. I’m healthy, my cholesterol is great and my weight has remained the same for 21 years (give or take a few pounds after those Hawaiian vacays!) Most importantly, as someone who manages a dibilitating autoimmune disease, swapping vegetable oils with coconut oil has helped keep me in remission. And the same holds true for Olive. She’s seven years old and her teeth are white, her gums are healthy. Rashes, hot spots, ear fungus even FLEAS all go away quickly when coconut oil is used! Olive’s fit, trim and athletic. She’s healthy. And she’s also COO-COO for coconuts. Next time you visit the grocery store, grab a jar or two* and start indulging. I think you’ll be amazed at the health benefits both you AND your dog can receive! (*I recommend only buying organic cold pressed coconut oil and not imitations!) 20 Amazing Uses For Coconut Oil🥥 FOR THE SKIN/COAT: 1. Coconut oil makes a wonderful lotion that increases tolerance to harmful sun rays. -A safe, natural sunscreen. 2. Gives your pet a glossy, shiny, healthy coat. 3. Helps heal minor skin abrasions and irritations. 4. Kills topical yeast and fights candida. 5. Reduces itching, redness, irritation. 6.. Soothes eczema & psoriasis. 7. A perfect moisturizer for paws, nose and ears. 8. A great anti-aging facial moisturizer. 9. A simple, natural flea repellent. 10. Natural anti-bacterial skin cream. IMMUNITY/HEALTH BENEFITS: When ingested daily coconut oil: 1. Reduces hair balls & shedding. 2. Can help relieve allergy symptoms. 3. Can help regulate/improve insulin levels. 4. Boosts energy 5. Protects the liver from toxic antibiotic drugs. 6. It’s high lauric acid and MCFA content helps boost metabolism and speeds weight-loss. 7. Improves digestion 8. Can be ingested to speed recovery time from UTI's 9. Speeds healing of fungal infections. AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST: 10. There is some evidence that regular ingestion of coconut oil and the beneficial fats it contains are part of anti-inflammatory diets used to help prevent or reverse: Alzheimers/Autism/Cancer/Depression/Arthritis and other diseases. So Dr. Michels, put that in your cup and swirl it! Now who wants to grab their dog and come join me for a coconut cappuccino! 🌴Pugs and 😘 kisses! -Katy 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By, Katy Cable - A 4 min. read Growing up and now living at the beach in So Cal, surfing is a staple of our lifestyle.Young and old jump on their boards, before, after (and sometimes even DURING 😜) the school or work day. The Wedge in Newport is as crowded as Target! Here at the beach, even our dogs get in the action! And while it’s not uncommon to see a Lab riding on a surfboard, to spot a little Pug surfing, -that’s a phenomenon! Surf Gidget the Pug, does just that! If you’ve been lucky enough to witness this wonder-pug shredding the waves, you’ll likely never forget it! Known as “the pug in pink” with her custom pink surfboard, matching wetsuit, life-vest and hat, Gidget defeats the law of gravity (and her Pug DNA) that dictates she sink like a stone in H2o. She has become a world champion SURF DAWG! I had the thrill of a lifetime accompanying Gidget on a whirlwind trip to Galveston, Texas where she appeared as the celebrity guest at the Ohana Surf Dog Contest and surf clinic benefiting the Galveston Island Humane Society. I could put a bone-in rib-eye steak on the end of a surf board and my pug Olive wouldn’t go near it, so it was hard to believe any Pug would actually ENJOY surfing. But that is exactly the case with Gidget. I was absolutely amazed! Through flight delays, sweltering heat, late nights, early mornings and a full schedule of appearances, Gidget was a perfectly mannered Pug. It wasn’t until she was kept at the water’s edge for photos instead of getting to surf with the other dogs, that she began to wail at the top of her lungs like a pig being slaughtered. Once released, she began jumping on any board she could find in an effort to get out in the waves and surf. And surf she does! Gidget rides waves forward, backwards and sideways effortlessly. She’s relaxed and happy walking the length of her board, turning, shaking her cute curly tail, and cruising in to shore. Once there, she quickly jumps back on the board wanting another go. The beautiful long beaches of Galveston, with fine white sand and gentle waves provide a perfect setting for beginning surfers. -Both human and canine. And who better to demonstrate and give a few pointers than Surf Gidget The Pug herself. Most who came out for a lesson, took to the sport quite easily and were riding waves in less time than it takes for me to find my car key. In just a few years, this 9 year-old pug has become a worldwide surfing star. She has a room full of medals and trophies for wins at top surfing events including first place at this weekend’s Purina Pro-Plan®️Ultimate Surf Dog Challenge, the “Olympics” of surfing, where Gidget competes with the best-of-the-best dogs. Most who double her size and weight. Gidget is originally from Maine. Early on, her family realized they couldn’t care for this darling spit-fire puppy. Alecia Nelson, Gidget’s pug mommy, literally JUMPED at the chance to adopt her! In an effort to bond with Gidget and release all her excess puppy energy, Nelson, an avid athlete herself, immediately started training her in dog agility. It worked! Gidget flourished as an athlete. Nelson, who herself grew up surfing the beautiful beaches of Malibu, put Gidget on a SUP board when she was just 9 months old. Gidget’s agility and balance made her a natural and she loved being out on the water. Nelson returned to her hometown of So Cal, when Gidget turned 2. The first thing she did was take Gidget to the famous Del Mar Dog Beach, put her on a surf board and see what she thought. It was love-at-first-wave! Now the world ADORES Gidget! She’s been featured in dozens of TV shows. A favorite was having Cesar Milan’s son Andre, teach his pug, Sugar how to surf! Gidget has waddled the red carpet at many events and rubbed noses with some of her own surf idols such as: Kelly Slater, Bethany Hamilton and Belinda Carlisle from “The Go-Go’s” She can be seen teaching Doug the Pug how to drive her convertible at the Beverly Hills Dog Show. And while watching Gidget is certainly fun, she is doing so much more than just entertaining fans and leading the life of a PUG-lebrity. Gidget’s using her fame to do an ocean of good for “underdogs” by surfing and appearing at events. A book of her life story was released last spring. She also has a video game app where kids can help Gidget pick up trash and keep the oceans clean. Proceeds from “Gidget-Gear” (her line of holistic, natural pet products and apparel) and her book benefit various dog rescues, environmental and social causes near and dear to her heart. If you’re in Southern California you can probably catch Gidget training and surfing at the beach in her hometown of San Clemente. Look for her custom-wrapped “Surf Gidget” Sprinter van complete with her own electric convertible car, cruising down PCHwy. Or, you can order Gidget’s new book and read all about her life and surfing adventures. Gidget is always just a click away on social media, (@SurfGidgetThePug) where over 100K followers see her surfing, hanging at the beach, or chillin’ with her favorite chew toy. Not many people can say they learned to surf from a champion surfing Pug, and I will never forget my exciting weekend with Gidget. She’s one very special little Pug who put a smile on the face of everyone she met, and melted their hearts. -Especially mine💕🐾 Nelson, who runs a doggy day care and training facility (ItsADogsLifeAcademy.com) offers some excellent tips to pet parents thinking of trying some surfing with their dog: 🐾🤙🏻Surf Gidget’s Surfing Tips:🤙🏻🐾 1. While some breeds are natural “water-dogs”, pugs and brachy (flat-faced) are not. Dogs should begin familiarizing themselves with SUP boards in pools or calm waters before ever trying out waves. 2. Dogs can get sunburns and cancers. -Especially short coated, light dogs. (Gidget is a rare white Pug.) The best protection is to stay out of sun during peak hours and on extremely hot days. Always cover your dog with rash guards, hats, goggles and pet-safe sunscreen. 3. Always use a life vest with a chin support at all times! 4. Use good judgement. Waves and conditions can change faster than a snow cone melts in July. Stay out of the water if surf, rip-currents, jellyfish, etc. are taking down the pros and the lifeguards are working OT! 5. Make sure you have a well-trained, obedient dog who has agility and balance before attempting surfing. Make sure you train with someone knowledgeable. Surfing can be an extremely difficult and dangerous sport. 6. While Gidget loves the water and waves, some dogs, (like my Olive,)-DO NOT! If your dog puts on the brakes the minute a ball goes into the water, chances are surfing will not be a good fit. Start with a kiddie pool and work your way up. 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.  By Katy Cable-TWR
A 3 min. Read BACK TO WORK! After months of being quarantined at home, many of us are now ecstatic to be heading back out the door to work. Others are transitioning to a new hybrid work schedule. And hopefully, most of us are anticipating a fun summer getaway after surviving an unprecedented year. A new routine can be extremely stressful, but for a dog it can be downright traumatizing. Especially a new rescue or shelter dog that has grown accustomed to having you around all the time! Even pets you’ve had for years may not take too well to your leaving all the time for work. Just this week I realized how codependent my little pug Olive had gotten. I made a quick trip to the grocery store while my husband was also out at a doctors appointment. I returned 2 hours later to a frantic, howling Pug that had chewed through her bed and every trash can in the house! NOT THE SAME OLD ROUTINE Whether you’re returning to work or school, or there’s a change in your routine, the following tips should be a huge help in getting your pup adjusted. 1. EASE YOUR PET INTO THE NEW SCHEDULE BY STARTING WITH SHORT TRIPS AWAY FROM HOME. Gradually increase the amount of time you’re away. Your pet will learn that you leave but you always return. 2. CREATE A SPECIAL AREA FOR THEM THAT CAN ONLY BE UTILIZED WHEN THEY’RE LEFT HOME ALONE. I put a crate with the door open inside the bedroom I leave my Pug Olive in. Inside the crate, I put special toys and a pillow with my scent. I add some lavender essential oil to the pillow and toys. I leave the door of the crate open. Before I leave, I put on some soothing meditation music and my Olive knows it’s ZEN time. 3. SET ASIDE SPECIAL TREATS & TOYS. My Olive is OBSESSED with a little duck that makes real-life quacking sounds. I also have a little stuffed bear that is filled with lavender essence and pheromone which keep her calm. Before I leave, I open up her “special space” and give her a bully stick or extra-special treat. Pick out some favorite treats that require lots of chewing. Gnawing on a Kong or bone does wonders for relieving stress. Find some interactive toys so your pet won’t get bored. Treat release balls and games are great. 4. GET IN SOME EXERCISE BEFORE YOU LEAVE. If you can get your dog out for an extra long walk, hike or run, you’ll have a worn out, content dog while you’re away. A bored dog is a problem dog. Exercise will also help with their anxiety. You can also throw a Frisbee or play some catch. Anything that gets the heart pumping and provides some fun before you head out the door. 5. GIVE YOUR DOG CBD WHILE THEY’RE ADJUSTING. The first week or two will be much less stressful if you can calm your dog down with some CBD. This will keep them balanced and relaxed. Many brands offer CBD treats that are perfect! If you need ideas, check my website for specials on CBD I personally use. OTHER IDEAS: If you have to be out more than 4-6 hours, I highly recommend having someone come in to give your dog a short walk and a potty break. Holding their bladder for hours on end can be very dangerous not to mention uncomfortable. Plus, dogs are social creatures that need human companionship. They don’t thrive being alone all day. Right now, loads of people are out of school and taking summer vacations. It shouldn’t be too hard to find someone who would welcome a little extra cash to give your dog some love and attention. Another idea is a play-date or doggie daycare a few times a week so your pup can have some social interaction. During the pandemic, many people rescued new pets that may have gotten a RUFF start. If your new schedule adjustment is not going well, ask your vet to recommend a positive reinforcement trainer to help your dog overcome more deep-seated issues. HOME ALONE While many of us still have the luxury of more time at home even after the quarantine, getting your dog used to being alone is extremely important. By addressing separation anxiety issues in a fun, timely manner, most can be corrected and not turn into bad habits. Remember: A GREAT DOG IS MADE NOT BORN! I had the pleasure of being a guest on THE RELAXED DOG podcast which features additional tips and stories. Please check it out by clicking the link below. Here's a show for you https://open.spotify.com/show/5PnwPbmGRp00DkKS5k2sRV Wishing you much health and safety as we slowly get out of our homes and back to a more normal life. -Pugs and Kisses!🐾🐾💕 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By Katy Cable, TWR A 3 minute read Did you know more dogs and cats go missing and/or get injured over the 4th of July holiday than on any other day of the year. With that in mind, I had planned to write about what steps to take should your dog be lost and ironically life imitated my editorial calendar. MY STORY July 5th, 2019, a woman came into a pet store where I was working. She had found a darling little Pug roaming on a busy street. She was relieved when I informed her of my background working with Pugs and relinquished him to me for help. Shivering, skinny, banged up and dirty, I fell in love with the little Pug the second I saw him. I picked his boney little body up and promised him he would be safe. He wasn't wearing a collar and his back was covered with infected wounds. The poor little pug was so infested with fleas that after 30 minutes of continuous washing and five flea baths, the white grooming tub still looked like someone had spilled black pepper all over it. Once he was cleaned and dried I put him in a darling harness and whisked him off to the vet to see if he was micro-chipped, and make sure he didn't need any urgent care. The vet was swamped with critical emergencies and said the pug had no micro-chip and was in no immediate danger. I immediately called one of the rescue groups I work with, Pug Nation Rescue LA and asked for their assistance. This pug had a painful ear infection and he was skin and bones. I assumed he must have parasites as well and didn't want to expose my own Pug Olive to a possibly sick dog. While Pug Nation prepared an isolation room for the little guy, I fed him a healthy dinner of turkey & sweet potatoes which he devoured in a New York minute. I then took him out for a nice walk around the neighborhood. Louie was happy and enjoyed all the love and attention. A few blissful hours later it was time to turn my new friend over Pug Nation. If no owner came forward, they had a foster home waiting and a long list of hopefuls waiting for a darling new pug to adopt. As much as I wanted to put my name at the tippy-top of that list, I had Olive. I will never forget how desperately I wanted a pug and how thrilled I'd been when I got the green light to adopt my pugs. I wanted to "pay it forward" and give somebody the same opportunity. I knew this little pug would be treasured and that's what mattered. At the crack of dawn the next morning, I got a call from the pug’s owner. They had been worried sick. Their young son had not shut a door securely when they left for the 4th of July festivities and the Pug had snuck out. He wasn't wearing his collar or micro-chipped. When they returned home and couldn't find him they went immediately to a shelter and were so relieved to see the posts and know he'd been found alive. They made a donation to Pug Nation and collected their dog. I will admit, as mad as I was with their negligence, I've done the same thing myself on more than one occasion. My hands were full and I raced out the door without checking if it had been securely shut. Thankfully, in my case, I've noticed my Velcro pug Olive right on my heels and she's micro-chipped so I've avoided a lost dog. AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION The best eat advice I can offer is to try and prevent your pet from going missing in the first place. Here's a few important steps you can take: ✅First and foremost. Get your pet micro-chipped. Have it scanned and checked periodically when you visit the vet to confirm the reading. ✅Confirm ID tags have correct contact number and is easy to read. Make sure dogs are wearing ID tags and collars before leaving them home alone. ✅Keep records on in a zip drive and carry updated photos of your dog. Use a close-up, full body and a full body next to another object to gage the size of the dog. ✅Double (and over the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve) TRIPLE check all doors, windows, gates and "escape-routes" are secure before leaving the house. ✅Remind children to be diligent about closing doors, windows and gates. ✅Take your dog to a boarding facility or hire a pet-sitter if your dog exhibits severe separation anxiety. -Or if you cannot be with them during stressful times such as Fourth of July and other occasions with fireworks. If dogs are fearful they can scale walls and accomplish other miraculous feats. Don't take chances. WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS MISSING: If your dog has gone missing, quickly make up a flier showing good, clear, recent pictures of your pet. Don't use the shot wearing the funny costume or glasses. Have one picture with your dog next to another object to get an idea of their actual size. Leave tear-off strips with your contact number at the bottom to post around your neighborhood. I would use bright yellow or neon paper. 🐾Include the Pet's Name 🐾Where/When Last Seen 🐾Any Identifiable Markings or Characteristics ✅Notify Animal Control Services ✅Contact the Police Station ✅Post flier on all your social media platforms. ✅Post fliers at Community Center/Shelters/Rescue Groups in your area ✅POST flier on: 🐾Craig's List (both "Lost" and "Found" sections) *(Be cautious about posting any type of "reward" if found. Lots of scanners looking for a quick buck of someone's misfortune.) 🐾FidoFinder https://www.fidofinder.com/ 🐾PetHarbor http://petharbor.com/ 🐾Pawboost https://www.pawboost.com/ 🐾NextDoor https://nextdoor.com/ 🐾Patch https://patch.com/ 🐾Any local/community papers in your area. Check sites often to look for postings. ✅Post a large sign in your front yard. Put signs in the windows of your cars. ✅Canvas your area posting and handing out fliers. Give fliers to your neighborhood postal worker, Amazon, FedEx, UPS delivery drivers, dog walkers, groomers, vet's, realtors and your neighbors. Post fliers at all major intersections, post offices, police stations, fire department, pet stores, CVS stores, Target, grocery stores and all places people frequent often. ✅Enlist the help of the TV news WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A DOG: ✅Use Caution When Approaching: Fearful, anxious, neglected dogs can be aggressive. You don't know this dog so be extremely careful. The dog may not have been immunized and could have parasites, fleas or other problematic conditions. ✅Call Animal Control or 9-1-1 if it is an aggressive dog or it is in immediate danger. ✅If the dog is mild tempered, and has no ID, take them to the nearest veterinary clinic or animal shelter and have them scanned for a microchip. They will direct you from there. They will take your name and contact info. if you are relinquishing the dog to their care. They may have additional questions if the owner comes forward. Or, you should get the first option to adopt the dog should they not be claimed. All shelters/rescues have slightly different protocol on holding periods, fees, adoptions, surrenders, and other timelines. ✅If the dog has not been turned over to a rescue or shelter, or if you are waiting for their owner to retrieve the dog, keep them in a secure safe place away from other pets and children. ✅Check neighborhood for signs and ask the people listed above to notify you if they hear of anyone looking for a missing dog. Make them aware and provide your contact info. ✅Photograph the dog and post on social media using the sites/steps listed above under: “Lost Dog.” Hopefully these tips will prevent more dogs from going missing get lost pets returned quickly! Have a safe and wonderful summer. Pugs and kisses😘🐾  By Katy Cable-The Weekly Runt
A 4 minute read It’s that time of year again! Now more than ever people are excited to enjoy celebrations, outdoor living, beach day's, BBQ's and of course...What may be the WORST DAY OF THE YEAR for many dogs...The 4th of July! When it comes to the 4th of July, I’m right there with most dogs and like the holiday as much as I like a parking ticket. Huge crowds of drunk, disorderly people invade my little beach community and it becomes a loud, crazy, “RED, WHITE & BOOZE” war zone. With the pandemic canceling activities last year, this holiday is going to be packed! Good news! Here are my SURE-FIRE, “tried & true” “red white & blue” tips for surviving the 4th! Hopefully these suggestions will allow YOU AND YOUR PUP to enjoy a stress-free “Safe & Sane” holiday. Did you know more pets go missing or end up in shelters during the 4th of July holiday than at any other time during the year. It’s crucial to check your dog's ID tag and micro-chipping (your vet can scan and confirm your contact information is up-to-date and it’s working.) If your dog's collar is loose or getting worn or the contact number is hard to read, get a new one! That way, God-forbid your dog goes missing, your chances of being reunited are much more likely. Let's start with your dog. If they have exhibited "off-the-charts" anxiety that would be more than even Cesar Millan could conquer, -PLAN AHEAD! I recommend if you can't stay with your dog, you consider making a reservation to board your dog overnight in a sound-proof facility. I know PetSmart has a great program with fun ice-cream socials and play-times. After a fiull day of fun, the dogs can rest peacefully in sound-proof kennels. The price is reasonable BUT they book quickly for this holiday (many are booked a year in advance!) so call NOW!!! Maybe you’ll get lucky and find availability. If boarding isn't going to work, look into hiring a pet-sitter to stay with your anxious dog. Be safe and either take your dog to their home (preferable somewhere that has minimal firework activity.) Or find someone to dog-sit at your place. Whether you’re staying with your dog, boarding them, or getting a pet-sitter, I recommend a few tips: Begin looking in stores or on-line for items that help with anxiety. The very best defense I have found for firework anxiety is CBD. These treats, oils, and capsules have been a game-changer for fearful dogs. Since not all products are as potent or sourced as rigorously, you must do your research. (Or check my site for companies I use and trust. Plus receive a 10% discount on your order!) CBD works MIRACLES on a variety of issues including firework anxiety and has ZERO side-effects. Next, grab an arsenal of NEW toys and treats. I like to fill a Kong with some canned and dry turkey dog food I mix the two together then pop it in the freezer if it's a hot day. I give the dog this yummy treat right when the fireworks are beginning. The tryptophan in the turkey acts as a natural sleep inducer and will help relax your anxious dog. Often the dog is so focused on their stress-relieving chew toy, they forget about the fireworks. Buffalo ears are another great idea. They dissolve quickly and are suitable for even the tiniest of pups. Also they don't run the risk of being a choking hazard. Be sure to choose brands that use free range, grass-fed meats with no hormones, antibiotics, or steroids. Other great options are rope and chew toys made of hemp, pheromones and other calming herbs. Most pet stores have a great selection of “calming toys” to chose from. When fireworks begin, distract your pet from the “Bombs bursting in air...” noise by engaging them with interactive play. Many people baby and pamper their frightened pet. This only encourages fearful behavior. Instead, snap them out of this state by grabbing a toy and playing chase or tossing a toy and telling them to go fetch. Set up a "calming zone" in a quiet place with your dog's bed, a covered crate, a diffuser containing lavender oil and pheromone (a hormone found to reduce stress and anxiety.) Add a few new toys. Don't let your dog have access to this area until the evening gets going. Toys will be new and exciting and a good distraction from fireworks. Try and drowned out firework noise with the TV or music but if it’s still too loud, maybe move this spot to the bathroom and run a warm bubble-bath. (Never leave a pet unattended around a tub of water!) Compression THUNDER®️ shirts can also be a help for some dogs. Others, like Pugs and flat-faced breeds, may get too overheated. Some dogs get more anxious getting in and out of the restrictive garb. If you purchase a shirt make sure you can return it if it doesn’t work well for your dog. If you must leave your dog, and can't hire anyone to pet-sit, put your pet in their calming area and put on classical music which has shown to reduce stress in dogs. There are several great stress-relieving music sources for canines if you search online. I love doing Houndbath/Soundbaths and have some wonderful recommendations on my website. Try and stay with your pet until they are relaxed and calm. Make sure pets are left in a secure place and can't escape. Before leaving: always double and triple check all windows, doors, and gates. (When in a state of panic dogs can scale walls and achieve other miraculous feats.) If possible use a camera to check on your dog while you’re away. It's not an ideal time to leave them alone and depending on the stress level, I would only do this as a last resort for a very short amount of time. Lastly, start the day with lots of exercise. It will no-doubt be crowded but try and get out early before the heat and craziness kick into high gear. Even an older dog can go for a nice, long, albeit SLOW, walk. Or, for less mobile dogs, a long stroll in a wagon will get them out in the fresh air. This will get their adrenaline going, get their heart rate up, and best of all, tire them out. Hopefully they will sleep like a baby later on. Ironically, my little Olive, who's frightened of her own shadow, has no problem with fireworks. I'M the one who will be under the bed eating CBD treats, wearing my noise-cancelling headphones chilling out. Be safe and have a fun holiday! 🇺🇸Pugs and kisses! -Katy. 🐾  By, Katy Cable, TWR A 3 min. Read Coyote Alert! This photo is actually ripped from a news headline where a wife played a joke on her husband and sent him this image which she created with a photo app. Her husband FREAKED OUT! -And nearly went into cardiac arrest upon seeing this. Although we all had a good laugh over her joke, ironically, not a week later, I had a pet parent tell me a similar story. Unfortunately her incident was not a funny prank and ended tragically. In a suburban So Cal neighborhood where the lawns are perfectly manicured, and the streets are crowded with kids on skateboards and bikes, an unsuspecting little Maltipoo puppy named Pumba, fell prey to a coyote. This is not a rural area. The closest park is miles away. This home is not over-run with bushes and shrubs but features a small vegetable garden, covered patio and a gi-normous swimming pool. Little Pumba was not roaming around lost in the woods but sitting in the kitchen getting ready to enjoy his evening meal. No sooner had the dish been set down when Pumba, in the blink of an eye, was snatched and dragged out the small doggie door by a coyote. As as tragic as this story is, I chalked it up to an extremely rare occurrence. Then lo-and-behold, just that night on my social media feed, I saw three other neighbors had made the grim discovery of dog and cat remains on their lawns. -One lady went so far as to post graphic photos which will haunt me for months! In another post, a gentleman issued a warning after having his small dog snatched off his leash by a coyote while he was out walking. Finally, my best friend Alex, who lives over an hour away, called me in tears after learning her beloved cat, Juliette was killed by a coyote. This prompted me to take action by writing this blog. Hopefully I will save a few pet’s lives. Coyotes are no longer just found in rural, remote, wooded areas. They have now begun populating busy urban cities and beach communities. From late March, through the summer, AKA "COYOTE SEASON" coyotes are out in full force gathering food for their new pups. During this time, they are even more aggressive and resourceful and typically look for smaller, unsuspecting pets to prey on. As quickly as the flowers bloom and the weather gets warmer, so do the reports of coyote sightings. And even worse, heartbreaking stories of pets falling victim to them. Don't be fooled, coyotes who dwell in more populated areas tend to be less fearful of people. Most will not hesitate to approach very closely and attack. In the amount of time it takes you to glance at a new text message, they can sneak up behind you, snatch up a small, unsuspecting pet and race off. Coyotes can scale 16ft solid wood walls, (see pic) and slide through small doggie doors faster than you can say "Dinner Time!" In the dark or from far away, it is easy to mistake a coyote for a malnourished Husky-mix or German Shepard. Warn children THESE ARE NOT STRAY DOGS. They are WILD ANIMALS! I nearly made this mistake myself when I saw a coyote running through a popular neighborhood park. The closest thing to a wild animal in my beach community is a hungry squirrel so naturally I assumed someone's dog had gotten out. As I drove around trying to catch "the lost dog" and got within a few feet, I knew exactly why it wasn't wearing a collar. -IT WAS A COYOTE! It wasn't scared. It didn't run off but stood not 4 feet away waiting for my next move. I'm glad I didn't have the remains of a Subway sandwich in my hand or I may not be here to write this blog. Here's a few important tips to keep you and your pets safe. 🐾BE PREPARED 🐾 Avoid walking your pet from dusk-until-dawn. If you must, use extreme caution and follow the tips below. Pay close attention to both your dog and your surroundings. This isn't the time to chat on your phone or send text messages. Use a short leash and keep dog at your side. Bring a large stick. Invest in a deterrent spray, shreak alarm or loud whistle. Walk in crowded, well-lit areas if possible. Especially during peak coyote times. Stay clear, and keep your dog away from bushes, brush areas and other places that may serve as coyote dens. If coyotes have have been spotted in your area, DO NOT GO OUT during peak feeding hours. Seal off doggie doors. Do not leave food outside. Cut back shrubs, bushes or other areas that could serve as hiding spots for coyotes. 🐾IF A COYOTE APPROACHES🐾 BE AS BIG AND LOUD AS POSSIBLE. Wave your arms and throw rocks while backing up slowly. Keep your pet away from the coyote. Do not let them approach. DO NOT RUN DO NOT TURN YOUR BACK If you do sight a coyote CALL ANIMAL CONTROL. Also post the details (location/time) on social media sites for your area. Advise neighbors with pets/children. If coyotes have hit the beach, they can be anywhere. BE ON THE 👀 LOOKOUT and be SAFE! 💔💔This blog dedicated to Pumba, Juliette and all the other beloved pets who were killed by coyotes. 💔💔  By Katy Cable-TWR a 5 minute read Today, May 20th, is National Rescue Dog Day. I thought it was the perfect time to give tribute to all the rescue dogs and share how my passion for pugs began. One of the big takeaways is how something I completely resisted became one of my biggest blessings. Anyone who knows me today is well aware I'm OBSESSED with PUGS! My adorable, fashionably-attired Pug, Olive is under my arm more than my Tory Burch clutch. 90% of my social media posts are dog-related, and I have more 4-legged friends & followers than 2-legged ones. Diamonds might be a girl's best friend, but PUGS are mine! Gush all you want over Michael B. Jordan and Brad Pitt, my celebrity crush is "Doug-the-Pug!" But it wasn't always this way. It was nearly 20 years ago when my life drastically changed but I remember it like yesterday. I was completely jolted when I heard the dreaded words shoot out of my husband's mouth like daggers, "Let’s get her a dog!” He enthusiastically offered, when I asked what we should buy our daughter Karley for her 7th birthday. I couldn't believe what I was hearing! The betrayal I felt was gut-wrenching! I figured my obsessively immaculate home, my compulsive Type-A personality, the fact I broke out in hives at the mere sight of a dog combined with my love for all things luxurious, and expensive was a dead give-away. I was not a “DOG” person. -Quite the opposite. I felt no connection to canines and wanted their shedding, drooling, stinky paws kept as far away from me as possible. That was the unspoken agreement in our marriage and now my husband was completely betraying me in order to please our little birthday girl! I cried myself to sleep envisioning my home, clothes and life in ruins once my daughter had grown bored of "the dog" and their daily care landed on MY “to-do” list! No more extra money for fabulous vacations, fine jewelry and designer clothes. Life as I knew it was over! I made numerous attempts to change our daughter's mind about the dog, offering every gift imaginable from a birthday party at Disneyland to the latest iPhone. Nothing worked. The only gift she wanted was a dog. I finally broke down and agreed. But only on the condition that the dog was going right back to the shelter if she didn't care for it. I gave it a month tops, before I would again be dogless! The next weekend we attended a dog adoption fair and fell in love with the same darling little Pug that everyone else attending the event wanted. For not wanting a dog, I sure went to bat to get that little guy. Applications were completed, multiple interviews were conducted and finally a lengthy home check was done to ensure we were suitable new owners for a needy, stray dog. Two weeks later we received the exciting news! WE GOT THE DOG! I couldn’t have been happier if I hit the Lotto jackpot! –And little did I know at the time, I had! Karley named her new friend Raisin, which he resembled with his cute, wrinkly face. My face, on the other hand was swollen and covered in hives. I downed Benedryl tablets like M&M's then stocked up on Swiffers and Kleenex at Costco. It took less than a week before every piece of clothing I owned was covered in PUGORA (Pug fur.) In addition to fur, dog beds, bowls, toys, and leashes adorned every room in my once meticulous, tidy home. Raisin was more high maintenance than a Beverly Hills Housewife, requiring specialty vet care, a laundry list of daily medications, and a strict diet of home-cooked meals. In my household it was a rarity to find me cooking more than a can of soup and a frozen pizza. The great thing was, -I didn't care! I was having the time of my life with this little, snorting, shedding, bundle of fun! Raisin quickly transformed me. He was always so filled with joy! Nothing made him happier than being with our family. I began to witness what "unconditional" love looks and feels like. I also began to appreciate what was truly important in life. The world didn't end if I put my cellphone down long enough to enjoy a short daily walk and a few tosses of a tennis ball. Raisin taught me to live in the moment and make the very best of it! I also began to see the goodness in others. Nothing garners more attention from strangers than a darling dog on a leash. A person can cut me off in traffic, steal my parking space, and take the last pink sprinkled donut, but if they have a dog at the end of a leash, (or in a carrier, or pictured on their cellphone), they’re a probably a decent person and we share a common bond. My daughter also got so much more than just a pet with Raisin. He was the catalyst in her emerging career which began shortly after we brought him home. While walking to school one day she was approached about training him to be a therapy dog. Within three months, a then eight year-old Karley had Raisin trained and together, they became the youngest therapy dog team in the nation. Karley began taking Raisin to local elementary schools and working with struggling "at-risk" students. These children were more than most trained, mature teachers could handle let alone a child of roughly the same age. Seeing the students were not interested in reading they only wanted to play with Raisin, Karley decided to write a book about his “Wags-to-Riches” life. "Raisin, -A Doggie's Tale..." is a heartwarming, funny story told from Raisin's POV. It teaches kids about being responsible pet owners and how to overcome obstacles. The book was such a hit with the students, Karley prefaced what is now a huge trend, and published her book on Amazon then used social media to market it. Within a few weeks, she made enough money to donate funds to a local shelter and purchase a new computer. Her book also caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey and Karley received an invitation to the White House where President Obama received an autographed copy. Over the years Raisin made hundreds of therapy visits. Not only did he visit schools, but hospitals, Alzheimer’s homes, and prisons. He participated in parades, community events and appeared in several TV shows. He became one of the first dogs to have a huge social media following. In addition to my own, I witnessed many lives changed because of Raisin. Difficult, problem children began behaving and excelling in school. Sick children riddled with cancer healed. Alzheimer’s patients recalled happy memories of a beloved pet. Prison inmates softened, and people took their last breath on this earth while petting Raisin. He was very, very, special. Raisin turned 13 years old in May 2015. The vertebrae issue discovered at his first visit to the vet had taken its toll and he could no longer use his hind legs. His chronic eye disease had cost him most of his sight and his hearing wasn’t sharp. He relied more and more on me to help him with his basic needs. I didn't mind since at the same time my daughter needed me less and less. I happily kept Raisin by my side as my constant companion so he felt safe and loved. With the help of his wonderful vet and great pain meds, Raisin was still a happy guy who enjoyed going out for daily walks in his Radio Flyer wagon, then flopping on the bed watching "The Real Housewives” with me. I saw his decline and knew the days with him were numbered. A neighbor noticed me putting Raisin into his wagon one day and commented, "When are you going to put that dog down...He can't even walk anymore!" It was the same kind of clueless comment I might have made, had my life not included a dog. Instead I answered that as long as Raisin was comfortable and content, I vowed to be there for him. On August 15th, 2015, something was not right. Raisin was howling in agony and lethargic. His normal pain meds did nothing to bring relief. He wasn’t interested in eating or drinking and hadn’t relieved himself all day. I saw no reason for an apparent HUNGER STRIKE! I looked in his eyes and knew he was done fighting. I always promised myself that if at all possible, Raisin’s last memory on earth would not be the cold, sterile table of the vet’s office, so I found a fantastic home-euthanasia company to come out. That afternoon I made the call. In Raisin's favorite spot of the den, with the PGA on TV, we sent Raisin off to run free at Rainbow Bridge. The hardest thing we’ve ever had to do as a family is say goodbye to our beloved Raisin who drifted off peacefully while being stroked in my arms. Losing Raisin came at the same time our daughter was leaving to attend college clear across country. It was more than I could take. The void in our then quiet, empty, spotless house was palpable! In an effort to heal my pain, I looked desperately for a new dog. I was in such despair I would've taken any dog that crossed my path. -Even a vicious, rabid one. Thankfully I found another darling little Pug who had been thrown out in the streets after having a litter of puppies. She was skinny, sick and scared to death but I was about to change all that. I named her Olive and welcomed her home! Olive helped heal my heart and gave me a new purpose. I'm so thankful to have her. However, not a day goes by when I don't miss my Raisin. If I could bring him back happy and healthy I would in a NY minute! Because that's not possible, I'm an advocate for other shelter dogs and help pet parents with my blog and events. Raisin's book continues to raise money for shelters and he is memorialized in a tree we planted in his honor. His photo is on my favorite commuter mug, so in a sense, he goes with me everywhere. And part of me knows he sent Olive to me and he is happy we have each other. For a gal who once wanted nothing to do with a dog, I now cannot possibly live without one. R.I.P my dear Raisin! Thank you for rescuing me and giving me a new leash on life! 🐾💕 For more information on rescue groups or adopting a dog, check out my site: www.weeklyrunt.com 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By Katy Cable-TWR A 5 minute “healthy” read Attention Pet Parents: The Cure For Many Minor Health Issues May Be Right In Your Cupboard. If you've gone to your local pet store or vet's office looking for medications to treat common conditions you know the creams, supplements, pills, and medicated washes are pricey. So before you shell out lots of dough, here are a few tried and true home remedies that may do the trick. I recommend all dog owners keep these essentials in their home. 1. 100% Canned Pumpkin: (organic if possible) Canned pumpkin is wonderful for treating diarrhea, constipation, or an upset tummy. It's a gentle, soothing, soluble fiber that also can be used as a healthy, tasty, treat. I always stock up during the fall when all the markets have it on sale. It's harder to find and much more expensive if you need it during the month of July. You can put a few servings in the fridge and put the rest in an ice cube tray. Once it’s frozen, pop cubes in a freezer bag, thaw and use as needed. Give your dog 1 tsp. for every 10lbs of body weight, 1-2 times a day. 2. Ginger: A car sick dog can sure put a damper on an otherwise fun road trip. Next time, try giving your dog some tiny bits of fresh ginger an hour before your journey. Use 1/8 teaspoon for dogs 10lbs. and under, 1/4 teaspoon for 10-20lb. dogs and 1/2 teaspoon for 20-30lbs. Dog's over 30 lbs. can manage 3/4-1 teaspoon. Ginger is very strong so your dog might find it more palatable if you mix it in some cheese, peanut butter (make sure it doesn't contain Xylitol as a sweetener) or a little ball of canned food. Use this 1-3x's a day if needed. 3. Plain Kefir: Kefir is a fermented food that's loaded with active probiotics. It can be found in the yogurt section of most stores where the yogurt drinks are stored. Opt for the plain variety since others may contain high amounts of sugar. This makes a great meal topper or tasty little "smoothie.” During hot summer months, I pour Kefir in ice cube trays, add blueberries, then I pop it in the freezer and make "Pupsicles". Kefir is great for any dog (or cat) but can provide a big boost to those with sensitive tummies or digestive issues. Kefir also gives the immune system a jump start. Use the following as a guideline for serving amounts:
4. Coconut oil: (I recommend 100 percent organic, cold-pressed) Coconut oil is SO amazing, I’v written an entire blog with all the great benefits and uses for it. I keep huge jars of it in my home. Not only do I add this to my Olive's meals, (I swirl it in my coffee) it works wonders on minor skin problems. Pugs, especially older ones, can get crusty noses, paw pads, nails and skin patches. Massaging coconut oil on the problem area heals and moisturizers it quickly. It smells great and again, if they lick it, -no problem! If your dog has a dry coat or flaky skin, bath them with a gentle shampoo and while they're still wet, massage their coat and belly with oil. Let it absorb for a few minutes then follow with a quick rinse. Use it as a salve on hotspots, blemishes and rashes. 5. Apple cider vinegar: (Organic) Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is great for repelling fleas. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts ACV and water and give your Puggies a good spray before they race out the door. You can also spray furniture and bedding if you notice a flea problem. During peak flea season, you can add 2 cups of ACV to your dog's bath water or pour it over your freshly bathed dogs body (not head) massage in and dry. ACV is also a great solution to dip a cotton round in and clean your pup's ears. It kills yeast and bacteria and best of all it's non toxic. Although these aren't "farm grown" I highly recommend keeping these two items in your cupboard as well: *Betadine/Povidone Iodine. Don't let the big name and color scare you. This very gentle disinfectant is perfect for any skin problem. It kills staph, yeast, and a host of other nasty bacteria. The best part is: IT WON'T STING and it's completely safe if your pet licks it. You may have seen this used to treat wounds at your doctor's office or the vet's. I use this to rinse cuts, hot spots, and scratches. Simply pour some Betadine in a dish and add water until it's the color of iced tea. Dip a clean cloth in solution and wipe or dab over your pet's boo-boo. Pat it dry and give lots of love and praise. If your pet suffers from allergies, or drives you crazy licking their paws all night, I recommend washing their paws in the diluted Bentadine solution after returning home from walks or playing outdoors. You can either dip your sweetie's paws in a bowl or wipe them clean with a cloth dipped in the solution. Tons of allergens are collected in a dog's paws and those go straight into their mouths when they start licking. Rinsing off your dog's paws will go a long way towards keeping allergies at bay. * Hydrogen Peroxide: There's quite a few uses for good old hydrogen peroxide. I clean my dog's ears with this by dabbing a cotton round in it and gently removing dirt and oil. It can also be mixed with Dawn dish washing soap (or Pure Castile Soap) and baking soda if your dog gets skunked or encounters something that requires a much stronger shampoo. In a bucket, mix 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda and 2 teaspoons dish-washing liquid. (If you have a large breed dog, you may need to double, triple or even quadruple the mixture.) Apply the mixture to your dog's dry coat, massage in until the smell, oil, etc. starts to dissipate. Use a washcloth for cleaning the face and ears being extremely careful to avoid getting this in your dog's eyes. Once the smell has gone away rinse thoroughly. Use a clean wash cloth to gently rinse the face to avoid getting this in your dog's eyes. Make sure to completely rinse the solution off your dog. It may take several rinses with a cloth to thoroughly clean your dog's face. Follow-up with a final gentle shampoo and coconut oil conditioner (see above) when finished. Hydrogen Peroxide to induce vomiting: If you find your dog has eaten a no-no, HP can also be used to induce vomiting. DO NOT EVER INDUCE VOMITING without first calling your veterinarian. DO NOT EVER INDUCE VOMITING if your dog has ingested harsh chemicals like bleach or drain cleaner which can severely burn if swallowed and also if it comes back up. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING if more than 2 hours have passed since your dog has eaten something harmful. Also hold off if your dog is already vomiting, seems extremely sick or isn't able to walk around. Use 3% percent hydrogen peroxide and give 1 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of your dog's weight. This isn't a tasty solution so you may need to get a syringe to get it in their mouth and down the hatchet. Or you can use some ice cream, honey, or Kefir to mix it with. Then get your dog up and walking around for a few minutes and wait for it to work it's magic. If your dog doesn't vomit after 15 minutes, give them a second dose. If after another 15 minutes passes and they still haven't vomited, race them into the emergency vet. I think it's smart to take a small sample of the vomit (if possible) and don't delay in following up with your veterinarian. Again. it's always better to error on the side of caution and with any health issue. If things don't improve, and certainly if they take a turn for the worse, always consult with your vet. Here’s hoping these easy, inexpensive remedies save you enough dough to splurge on something fun. For more great tips and ideas, please follow me on social media and check out my website: www.weeklyrunt.com Pugs & Kisses! -Katy 🐾😍  By Katy Cable-TWR-A 3 Min Read Fleas suck! -Pun intended! Unlike bees that pollinate our planet and keep us alive, or ants who are brilliant little armies of team players, capable of carrying an entire picnic a GA-ZILLION times their own size and body weight on their tiny backs, what purpose do fleas and ticks serve anyway? Here in Southern California fleas can be year-round invaders. With the dog days of summer well on their way, your pup may be wearing more than a cute collar and bandana. This spring, no matter where you live, chances are these blood sucking monsters are just waiting to spread like wildfire on your pet. Before you race out for some flea protection, beware. Seresto, the #1 selling flea collar on Amazon, is potentially lethal! According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documents, as of June 2020 the agency had received 75,000 incident reports about Seresto pet collars since their introduction in 2012, including 1,698 deaths of animals and nearly 1,000 incidents involving harm to humans. And that’s just what has been reported. Typically, pet parents would not know to report pet harm to the EPA, an agency seemingly unrelated to consumer pet products. It is regulated by the EPA due to the use of pesticides in the product. The Seresto collar is the only flea and tick collar that combines a cocktail of two pesticides. While that may make the collars more effective against fleas, they are far more toxic to pets and humans as well. One incident involving a 12-year-old boy who slept in bed with a dog wearing the collar resulted in the boy being hospitalized due to seizures and vomiting. Along with growing evidence that mammals can also be harmed by these pesticides, they are also harming the environment. This insecticide, (imidacloprid) most commonly used as an insecticide on crops in the U.S. is linked to massive die-offs of bees, butterflies and songbirds. While a congressional committee is demanding a voluntary recall, Elanco (manufacturer of Senesto) is backing its product. According to Tony Rumschlag, senior director for technical consultants at Elanco, "Thorough investigation of available data has shown no established link between exposure to the active ingredients in Seresto and pet deaths.” He went on state that no market action is warranted, and that media reports on hundreds of pet deaths are based on “raw data.” Whatever action is or isn’t taken, the risks seem too high for me personally. I don’t want to take any chances. I also want you to have the facts and research. Especially when these products are currently being sold in most pet stores and on Amazon. While I prefer to use natural, non-toxic, remedies, sometimes they don’t provide enough protection. I typically use a strong flea and tick preventative in the spring and late summer. The rest of the year I use the home remedies provided below. When I rescued my current Pug Olive she was on Revolution, a monthly flea and heart-worm preventative I have used successfully in the past. Although Olive doesn't have fleas, she did get suffer a terrible allergic reaction to a flea bite. I raced a sneezing, coughing, incessantly itching Olive to the vet. Upon examination, the vet discovered red bumps all over her and was convinced it was an allergic reaction to a flea bite. I couldn't see how that was possible as she was on flea prevention. The vet explained that even with protection, fleas can jump on and bite a pet before dying. If a pet is allergic, that's all it takes. After Olive's incident, I am extremely diligent about washing her and keeping fleas away. I have discovered some excellent natural alternatives to products containing harsh chemicals. I currently apply organic coconut oil, to Olive's coat. It acts as both a great moisturizer and flea repellent. I also make sure to bathe her following adventures where she may have been exposed to fleas. I also am SO happy I replaced all my carpets with wood and tile flooring and “knock-on-wood”, haven't had another issue. Believe me, it's much easier to keep fleas away in the first place than it is to get those pests to leave once they've invaded. My advice, use something strong and powerful to kill them then hopefully you can lighten up and use some natural, less toxic remedies to keep them at bay. This does bring up a good point: It certainly doesn't have to be a harsh, toxic chemical for your pet to have a horrific reaction. While natural products are preferred, even those can have disastrous outcomes if your pet has the rare allergy. Just like a human who can't touch a strawberry or a peanut. -Be it an unsalted, raw, one or a Reese's cup, pets too can have adverse reactions or even die from wholesome, organic products if they happen to be allergic. Before trying ANY product or food, I urge YOU to first research it. Check out the company, the ingredients, where it's produced. Talk to trusted vets and pet parents and always test it out with a very small amount first. In addition, fleas, ticks, and other parasites may be resistant to some natural, less intense, repellents and your pet won't be protected. Hopefully you can try a few of these tips and find a perfect, less toxic balance. And, as always, a clean healthy pet with a strong immune system will naturally repel more parasites than a sickly one. That starts and finishes with a nutritious, balanced diet 😃. Every flea season I consult with frustrated pet parents looking for flea repellent shampoos. I always advise against strong, harsh, shampoos loaded with chemicals. Any soap and water will kill and remove fleas. For heavy infestations. Here's a recipe for a gentle, non-toxic, flea repelling shampoo you can make at home. I use this on my shelter/rescue dogs who typically arrive in poor shape, and infested with fleas. Again, always sample a small amount first to check for adverse reactions. 🐞ALL-NATURAL FLEA BUSTER SHAMPOO: Slice 1/2 lemon and add to 1 cup boiling water. Stir for 5 minutes then remove from heat, steep and cool. Remove lemon parts, drain juice into large canning jar or bottle. Add 2/3 Cup Dr Bronner's Purecastle Soap Add 1/2 cup organic Apple cider vinegar 1 TBS organic coconut oil 15 drops pure organic lavender oil Mix together and WASH your PUP! In addition, here are some recommendations for healthy flea/tick control: 🐾Remember, there is simply no chemical based pest control pill, dip, solution, shampoo, or collar that is without the potential for side effects. Just because a compound is applied to or worn on your pet’s fur doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. Remember: what goes ON your pet goes IN your pet, by absorption through the skin during grooming.
🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By Katy Cable-The Weekly Runt / A 4 min. Read When I was eight years old. my dad, in an effort to get me to give up Ding-Dongs and Oreos, told me about how “junk food” was made. He insisted that all kinds of bugs often got mixed into these crummy processed snacks. Turns out, those very insects may have been the healthiest thing about my indulgence. If you’d have told me just a year ago, there may come a day when insects are a major staple in our diets, I would’ve thought you were CRAZY! Now, I’m excited to share my experience and hopefully open your minds to joining the swarm of “insect eating” people and pets! While visiting a popular beach town in Central Coast CA, I remember a street vendor selling crickets and grasshoppers dipped in dark chocolate. He also had tequila lollipops with a worm inside. It all seemed repulsive and I couldn’t believe people actually paid money to eat them. For me, this was just like a challenge that would get me booted off the island on a reality TV show. At the Las Vegas Pug Party, I had my eyes opened and my mind changed when I met Laura Colagrande, co-founder of Chippin Snacks. She kindly offered my little Pug Olive one of her apple, cricket, and flaxseed snacks. Olive has never met a treat she didn’t like, and devoured the biscuit faster than you can say “Jiminy!” Colagrande told me her story and I was intrigued. While studying design at U of Penn, she agreed to help her roommate, Haley Russell, a grad student at The Wharton School of Business, with a research project. The two examined using crickets as a viable alternative to meat for pet treats/meals and things have been hopping ever since. 🦗 WHY CRICKETS? 🦗 For starters, crickets pack a whole lotta punch! They’re an excellent source of omegas, vitamins and minerals. Additionally, they’re very low in fat compared to other proteins. Best of all, there’s no threat of e Coli, Staph or other pathogens. HUMANELY SOURCED That cricket chirp is their mating call. They live to reproduce. The process begins with crickets being cared for in numerous small farms which are all housed in warehouses. After the crickets have reproduced the temperature of their environment is slowly lowered until they reach a hibernation state. They are then frozen and ground into a powder. The cricket is never traumatized or feels any pain unlike nearly all other live animals used for food. REDUCING YOUR CARBON PAWPrint🐾🐾🐾🐾 Did you know 80% of water in the USA is used for food production? The natural resources used for the production of meat is staggering. I got “bug-eyes” when I llearned the statistics. 🐂 It takes roughly 2,000 gallons of water to produce 1lb of beef. 🐓 It requires around 560 gallons of water to produce 1lb of poultry. 🦗Now consider, it takes only 1 gallon of water to produce 1lb of edible cricket protein. According to the Seattle Times, Americans eat more meat than ever before, nearly 223lb per person, per year! In 2018 America surpassed the all-time record eating over 100 billion pounds. The World Atlas names Australia and the USA as the world’s largest consumers of meat. With Americans owning 90 million dogs, pets in the USA consume more meat than 90% of the world’s countries.* That’s a lot of meat! And that’s not all... The global demand for meat is leading to environmental destruction. Livestock agriculture requires almost half of the earth’s total land. It’s wasteful AND TOXIC! For example, 55% of water used in the US is for factory farming. Runoff contaminates waterways with nitrogen and phosphates. The greenhouse gasses produced by livestock agriculture make up at least half of all man-made emissions. Methane, an emission, has a global warming potential that is 86 times more than carbon dioxide. The evidence is clear that animal consumption is the leading cause of reduced biodiversity, water pollution, and deforestation which are all causes of global warming. WHAT YOU CAN DO... Start with trying some cricket snacks. If you come to one of my events, I typically have samples. You can also find them at many pet stores, or order right here and use “WEEKLY RUNT” for a 10% discount. If you’re really adventurous you can purchase cricket powder and start experimenting. Try making your own meals and snacks. (Watch for my favs in an upcoming blog & show!😜) A FINE GATEWAY BUG You may find crickets are your “gateway bug” into a whole new way of eating for YOU AND YOUR PET! Mark my words, insect protein is going to explode like ants at a picnic! A complete, viable protein that’s easy to farm, inexpensive and packs a lot of punch for a lot less water! Very soon all of us will be saying, “There’s a bug in my food!” And, “Please pass the crickets!” BUGS, PUGS & KISSES, 😘🐾❤️ -Katy CHIP IN & SAVE WATER *https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/top-meat-consuming-countries-in-the-world.html 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾 FROM COVID 19 TO THE ROARING 20’s...A Post-Pandemic Pug Party Was a Perfect End to a RUFF Year3/23/2021  By Katy Cable-The Weekly Runt All eyes were on us! I felt like royalty as my dapper husband dressed in a Versace suit (that’s been collecting dust in the closet since our wedding) helped me out of the car. Outfitted in a vintage gown, jeweled high-heels, and a black and white faux fur and feather coat, we were quite out of the norm for a mid-afternoon spring day in the country. And it just got better! The second our adorable black pug Olive, jumped out of the car, every bystander’s mouth dropped (and cellphone came out.) Olive was wearing a pearl necklace and show-stopping, pink glitter gigantic bow harness from the Christian Cowan couture collection for Moshiqa. This ensemble was made popular by celebrities like Lady Gaga and Paris Hilton. Our family was dressed to the 9’s,10’s and in this case, “roaring 20’s!” For someone who has spent the better part of a year holed up at home in sweats and Pug PJ’s, I jumped (and barked) at the chance to attend a “live and in-person” Pug event! My husband, feeling somewhat self conscious at all the attention asked, “are you SURE we’re supposed to dress up too and it’s not just the dogs?” Knowing our “pug peeps” and the year we’re stepping out of, I was certain they too would be going all out. The occasion was Chai the Pug’s 5th “Great Gatsby” birthday celebration. When last year’s highly anticipated soirée fell victim to CoVid-19, an appropriately themed “roaring 20’s PAWTY” was on the calendar the minute the city moved into the red zone. We walked into a dream that was well-worth the wait. And the commute! Chai is the “Pug-spiration” behind The Chai Coffee Co. A quaint cafe about two hours (make that four in traffic) from LA in the Historical District of Yucaipa. With emporiums, sweet shoppes and cherry blossom trees lining the charming street, one feels as though they stepped back to a simpler time. A time when everybody knew more about their neighbors than just their on-line profiles. For this occasion, The Chai Coffee Co. had been transformed into a scene straight out of the Great Gatsby. Small jeweled lamps, beads, and Art Deco frames graced each table. Jazz music played. Several themed backdrops for InstaGram pics were set up. But the highlight was a large table featuring a jaw-dropping cake in the likeness of flapper pug, Chai. To my husband’s relief, the place was packed with many of our beloved pug family, and everyone was impeccably outfitted for the occasion. And then there were the pugs! Imagine nearly 35 poshly dressed pups in tuxedos and bowlers, flapper gowns, sequins ball gowns, pearls and feathered headbands. Funny enough, the canines seemed to be enjoying the fancy dress festivities as much as the humans. We quickly got the party in full swing with a game of musical chairs to the tune, “Who Let The Dog’s Out!” Pugs were held in the arms of their humans although several eliminated pugs chose to stay in the game and play follow-the-leader. Guests were treated to Chai’s amazing coffee, beverage and food concoctions while the hosts deliberated on who would win the prize for “Best Dressed!” The favorite game for the pugs was filling small bowls with whip cream and seeing who could devour it the fastest. My little Olive had to sit that one out. When it comes to food, her resource guarding issues can come out faster than you can say “woof!” and she often lives up to the name sake “bitch!” The party was a FUN-draiser for The Pug Queen who rescues pugs. Many of the pugs in attendance were adopted from her. Recently she received an influx of Pugs rescued from the China meat trade and they needed costly medical attention. In addition to donations, a raffle was held with gift cards and must-have pug paraphernalia. Then came the highly anticipated cutting of the cake. The Chai flapper-pug cake was a true work of art. This creation could’ve easily “taken-the-cake” as the winner of TV’s “Cake Wars.” While the guests serenaded the happy birthday song, Chai sat patiently in front of her cake. Her trademark tongue hanging perfectly out the side of her mouth. And so was ours! Everyone gasped when the knife made the first cut. It seemed to beautiful to destroy. One taste and that thought went right out the window. The cake was every bit as delicious as it was impressive. It took the will power of a super hero not to eat myself into a diabetic coma. The party cake, cookies, pup cakes and treats were the creation of Crystal, owner of Divine K-9 Treats. Not only is Crystal a talented baker but she’s also a Purple Heart Air Force Veteran and brain tumor survivor. It melted my heart watching Chai and her friends decimate their cake. If ever there was a moment made for video, this was it! In fact, writing about this soirée is a bit like writing about your favorite song without listening to it. Although my pug community did our best to stay connected over this past year, it didn’t come close to actually being together. I realized how much I’ve missed seeing friends and all the great things we do. Chai’s post-pandemic pug party was a perfect way to celebrate life getting back to normal after a very “ruff” year. Pugs and kisses on your 5th birthday Chai. Thank you for sharing your special day with us.  By Katy Cable-The Weekly Runt One of my guilty pleasures is the super-natural. Psychics, mediums, tarot cards, fortune tellers, even the Ouija Board.... I’ll admit, I’m OBSESSED. Some of my favorite shows are The Long Island Medium, Tyler Henry, the movie BIG! I love ‘em all! When Liz Murdoch, a Los Angeles based pet psychic reached out on LinkedIn, and invited Olive and me to be guests on her popular podcast, "Talking With The Dogs!" we jumped (and barked) at the chance. On occasion, I’d seen shows using dogs to locate missing persons. I’d also seen mediums give people messages from pets that had crossed over. But to get a reading on a current, living pet, that was something totally new! Anyone who spends five minutes on my site, “The Weekly Runt” will learn my background and how I found Olive. In addition, most of my blogs are personal stories pertaining to relevant pet issues. I figured doing a reading on Olive would be as predictable as a 70 degree, sunny day in LA. I walked into this experience a huge skeptic. Beginning in Kindergarten Murdoch remembers having a unique connection with animals. For show-and-tell, a classmate brought in their pet standard poodle. Murdoch instinctively knew what the dog was thinking and their mood. This sparked her interest and she begged her parents for a dog of her own. Two years later, a family move made that dream a reality. Not long after getting her first dog, she was competing against adults and winning blue ribbons in Dog Obedience at fairs. Years later, while recovering from a traumatic car accident, Murdoch paid a visit to the Humane Society and adopted Sam, a black Lab puppy she immediately bonded with. Together, they became a certified therapy dog team and made regular visits to children’s hospitals and rehab centers. It was here she cut her teeth as an intuitive pet whisperer and realized her unique gifts went far behind training and obedience. Murdoch went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Education and continuing studies in Animal Communication from Columbia University. In addition to her popular podcast, she’s a frequent guest lecturer and does readings at events, in homes and online. She’s a go-to for many celebrities who call on her for assistance with their pets. Our podcast was scheduled for the early afternoon at a studio out in Burbank. It was located in an industrial part of town with low-key, unmarked store fronts. Typically these facades hide high-profile film and TV production being created inside. Good luck finding a Starbucks in this part of town. Not many buildings had numbers and I felt I needed a psychic to find where we were going! It was an eerie day right out of a super-natural scene in a movie. Unusually warm for a January afternoon, -even in SoCal. Once we arrived on the desolate block, out of nowhere, huge super-bursts of wind began kicking up sending random furniture and trash cans flying out into the street. It was as if ghosts were causing a stir around our car. Olive suddenly woke from her nap and began frantically barking at whatever loomed outside. This seemed very odd. Once we found the studio, Murdoch greeted us at the door and buzzed us in. She had a kind loving smile and energy making me immediately feel right at home. Olive did as well. After rubbing against her pant legs like a cat, my normally tentative Pug, raced right into the recording studio. She wasted no time making herself at home on a chair directly behind the microphone. This seemed extremely out of character. “Olive is very excited! She wants to tell her story!” Murdoch chimed. That seemed obvious but again, Olive rarely acts that enthusiastic about anything She can’t put in her mouth and devour! After a few quick selfies, we got underway with the podcast. Murdoch began by watching Olive, while scribbling symbols, words and pictures on the notepad in front of her. Just like I’d seen Tyler Henry do. She told me how excited Olive was to share HER story. “She doesn’t want people to feel sorry for her. She’s very proud of her story!” I was calling B-S on the comments and thought, this isn’t anything uncommon. Based in Olive’s behavior, any perceptive person could’ve come to this conclusion. And then something happened. Murdoch began gesturing areas of her own body and asking me very specific questions about Olive that have not been addressed in my blogs. Unless she somehow obtained Olive’s vet records she would never have known these particulars. No “spoiler alert” You’ll have to listen to the podcast if you want to learn Olive’s story from HER prospective. I will tell you, something shifted. Within 5 minutes of starting the podcast I was completely surprised at how overcome with emotion I became. It was a good thing Murdoch was doing all the talking since I had a lump in my throat that felt like a wet gym sock. Tears began streaming down my cheeks while Murdoch conveyed interesting specifics on what Olive wanted to tell me. When I glanced at Olive she would cock her head when Murdoch spoke. I could see in her eyes and body language, this was the real deal and quite incredible! I don’t expect people to understand. Some things just can’t be conveyed in a blog or podcast. You can’t witness Olive’s unusual behavior or feel the strange surge of energy that made me overcome with emotion. If I hadn’t experienced it myself, I would’ve quickly written this whole thing off. Another ”cheesy, bull-sh—ty” LA frivolity right up there with $15 CBD bath bombs and bottled collagen water. Now my logical brain had some questions. The first was, could Murdoch communicate with pets that have crossed over to Rainbow Bridge. The answer was an overwhelming “YES!” She then filled me in on some questions I had about my beloved first pug, Raisin. The next question I had was whether or not she could talk to other animals, -like Dr Doolittle. First off, Murdoch made it known she isn’t a fan of that movie. While she has nothing against the actors or story, she is adamant that pets don’t communicate like that at all. (By that I mean talking in English, or other languages, with funny human voices.) Murdoch can and does do readings on cats, horses, hampsters, bearded dragons and even snakes. So, yes she is a regular Dr Doolittle herself. I asked what type of situations people reach out to her for. She said gets a wide range of requests. Some are from people with a new pet they want to understand. Or a pet with behavior issues they can’t control. People reach out trying to help pets that are injured or sick and not acting normal. Murdoch also frequents animal shelters and does assessments helping people make more compatible adoption choices. And sadly, some people want to know if a pet is ready to cross to Rainbow Bridge. Good news, if you’re curious about your own pet, you don’t need to travel to LA to get a reading with Murdoch. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home. She is readily available for readings via the internet. All you have to do is supply a photo of your pet and book a convenient time. And of course her podcast is available for you anytime. If you ARE in the LA area, Murdoch attends lots of events and does readings. Check my events page or her social media to find out her schedule. I’d like to give a great big thank you to Liz for having us as guests. It changed my view on “animal communicators” and it was a bonding experience I will never forget. I hope you’ll check out the podcast and let me know what your thoughts are. Do you believe? Pugs and kisses! -Katy & Olive  By Katy Cable- TWR Poor King! The black Lab puppy was in agony! He lay on the floor of the pet store, moaning while incessantly licking and gnawing at his swollen, red paws. He shook his head as if to try and relieve the discomfort of his foul-smelling ears. His fur was brittle and crusty with numerous bald patches. Equally distressed was King’s dad, “I don’t know what else to do! The vet said to add grains to his diet but he seems to be getting worse every day!” he explained. My interaction with King isn’t uncommon. In the past five years working with pet parents, I have seen the demand for "grain-free" pet foods make a meteoric rise only to drop like a lead balloon due to a DCM scare. When discussing pet foods with people, the first thing they typically request is either food with grains or without. So, what’s the difference? Is "grain-free" really better? And what about this DCM issue? In July of 2019, an alert was issued by the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) warning grain free diets may be linked to canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM.) DCM is a disease of the dog's heart muscle that results in weakened contractions and poor pumping ability. It can lead to enlarged heart and congestive heart failure. Even death. And then came the backlash! Suddenly every pet parent, usually on the insistence of their vet, wanted a grain-inclusive pet food. I was extremely concerned, and began investigating the report. The report begins by naming the breeds of dogs most commonly affected by DCM as well as the brand and type of foods (kibble, wet, moist, raw, unknown) fed. The first thing that struck me was all the pet food brands listed were relatively popular, high-end, quality brands. I found it strange there wasn’t one mention of a low-rated, inexpensive, pet-food brand listed. The FDA researchers observed that most of the DCM cases were associated with dogs eating DRY, GRAIN-FREE, foods. (That seems logical since far more dog owners feed dry-food and most options available today are marketed as “grain-free.”) The report failed to list any information or statistics of how dogs were reacting when using other brands of pet foods. I highly doubt dogs eating the 2 top foods named (Acana & Zignature) were fairing more poorly than dogs on Beneful, or Kibbles-n-Bits. In fact, the Acana/Zignature feeder is likely more educated on pet food, willing to spend more money on their pet’s food and visits their vet more frequently for routine care. They may also be more prone to own the breeds of dogs more prevalent to get DCM. This report had more holes in it than Swiss cheese The report goes on to say, “It’s important to note that the reports include dogs that have eaten grain-free and grain-containing foods and also include vegetarian or vegan formulations. They also include all forms of diets. Kibble, canned, raw and home-cooked.” “Therefore, we do not think these cases can be explained simply by whether or not they contain grains or by brand or manufacturer.” (This was written and underlined in RED TYPE!) My biggest takeaway of this scare was the following: “To put this issue into proper context, the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that they are 77 million pet dogs in the United States. As of April 30, 2019, the FDA has received reports about 560 dogs diagnosed with DCM suspected to be linked to diet. Tens of millions of dogs have been eating dog food without developing DCM.” (This was also written and underlined in RED TYPE) So, there it is! The whole study was nothing more than BOGUS HYPE! Designed to put the fear of God into pet parents, sell certain dog foods and sell news. I wouldn’t be surprised if a big brand pet-food company, feeling the pinch of some of these competitors taking market share, was behind the whole scare. Now you might be completely confused as to which option of pet food to choose. My advice remains the same as when I began blogging and discussing "grain-free" diets way back in 2015. -Before they were even A THING! When selecting a food for your pet, whether it’s wet, dry, “grain-free” or “grain-inclusive”, the FIRST THING I advise is, READ THE LABELS! Grain-Free" doesn’t mean “Carb-Free!” Funny enough, many pet foods marketed as "grain-free" contain even higher amounts of carbs, or “sugars.” They may contain more corn, soy, rice and vegetable proteins than foods that contain grain. Therefore, a “grain-free” pet food can often be a LESS HEALTHY option. Dogs and cats thrive on animal, fish and game protein. They do however, need a variety of trace minerals and vitamins found in veggies. Meat is expensive, and labor intensive, so, pet foods often keep prices low by adding corn, rice and potatoes as MAIN INGREDIENTS. Although “grain-free”, ingredients such as: white potatoes, white rice, soybeans, and corn, quickly turn to glucose in the system and cause surges in blood sugar. That’s why many dogs eat and eat and eat without feeling satisfied. It’s no different than the CRASH that happens after consuming a bag of potato chips or a candy bar. Dogs typically pack on the pounds and all the health issues that go with it. Our pets are literally getting obese and starving to death at the same time. The most important thing to consider when selecting ANY pet food, is choosing one that lists premium meat proteins as the first two or three ingredients. Read some pet food labels and you’ll notice several popular brands that substitute nearly all the animal protein with high-carb, starchy, plant-based protein. They charge a premium for nothing more than a “grain-free” bag of corn, brewers rice, wheat gluten and some poor-quality meat “by-product” meal. But the beautiful dog on the package and commercials reel consumers in every time. If the first two or three ingredients are meats, THEN, look for low-glycemic carbs (grain-free or grain-inclusive) to round out the nutritional platform. Peas, oats, quinoa, lentils and sweet potatoes, don’t convert to sugar as quickly, but they're still NOT A SUBSTITUTE for animal protein. I think you may be surprised at what you find. Many popular, expensive foods are quite high in sugars and others can be terrific options. Last week while making a visit to one of my regular pet stores, I had a real thrill. I was nearly knocked over when, out of nowhere, a beautiful, energetic, black Lab puppy came racing over to me. While he was whimpering and smothering me with doggie kisses, when his owner appeared. Then I made the connection. The dog was KING! He had made an amazing transformation and was thriving on his new food. Next to winning the SuperLotto, nothing could’ve made me happier! One thing is certain, regardless of whether you prefer your pet’s food with grains or without, there are many excellent choices and many horrible ones. What you put in your dog’s bowl is either keeping them healthy or making them sick. I can help you make the best choices. My website offers lots of valuable information to help you. You’ll find over 100 blogs and videos on a variety of popular topics. Plus I’m happy to answer and questions or provide some recommendations. Bone Appetit! -Katy 🐾🐾❤️ 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾 *For those of you who wish to read the report in it’s entirety, here’s the link: DOG FOOD ADVISORY REPORT  By Katy Cable-TWR / A 4 min. read CoVid19 pretty much took a dump on 2020, but just a couple weeks shy of the lockdown, “Pug-aholics” from around the globe gathered in Las Vegas for our annual pilgrimage. Little did we know, our world was about to come unglued. Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but in my case, PUGS are! Feeling horribly depressed as my recent birthday hit me like a slap in the face, my amazing husband gave me the gift of a lifetime. He kindly agreed to accompany me to the annual Las Vegas Pug Party. A weekend adventure equivalent to Coachella for Pug lovers! Pugs from the around the globe including social media “PUG-lebrities”: Minnie & Max Pugs, (@minniemaxpugs) Surf Gidget the Pug, (@surf_gidget_the_pug), Milo & Otis the Pugs,(@otisthepugwalsh) and the new baby sister to the late Chubbs the Wampug, (@chubbsthewampug) Ms Worldwide, converged on Las Vegas for a “Pug-a-Palooza” of our own. Typically having a child or pet with you in “Sin-City” will make you as welcome as a rash, but we a found a perfect base camp at an all-suite hotel right off the Vegas strip and took over the town. The weekend kicks off with nearly 100 pugs and their peeps boarding a fleet of party buses and heading to the infamous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign for a group picture. It’s “Pugs-Gone-Wild” and this year was no exception. The darling pugs, dressed to the nines, doing their version of “lap & pole” dances, had us crying in hysterics!. Several became viral TikToks which will live in infamy. Following our heroic efforts to gather over 100 people and their pugs for a group photo, it was off to enjoy dinner. It takes a lot to stand out in Vegas, but the controlled chaos caravan of pugs did just that. Hundreds of pugs parading down the strip in strollers and canine contour was definitely the talk of the town on that night! The pugs gave the superheros and showgirls a run for their money and were by-far the most sought-after photo-opp! And what could have been “dog-gone” madness, with crazed dogs running amuck and lifting legs with abandon, was instead a group of purrrrectly behaved Pugs. Unlike toddlers throwing temper-tantrums, there were no screaming-crying melt-downs with our fur babies. The Pugs were quite happy flopping around as food tidbits from our meals fell to the ground like a spring rain. And did I mention how dog-gone cute they looked in their fabulous attire! The following morning we rose at the crack of dawn to brave the sweltering heat for a hike at picturesque Red Rock Canyon. Pugs aren’t known for their hiking agility. These stocky, bowling-ball shaped dogs are more likely to tumble down a hill than climb up one. With temps soaring in the high 90’s, most pugs preferred sleeping like rocks in their comfy, luxurious, all-terrain wheeled strollers. Friday night’s “Pugs, Pizza, & Pajamas” party was a sell-out with over 165 pugs invading every square inch of the hotel lobby. Tripping over pups romping in their festive pug-jamas was the cutest thing I’ve ever laid eyes on! Pugs had the option of indulging in bites of whatever their human would share, or could stick to their “summer-body diets” and enjoy grain-free, low-carb, lamb, beef & turkey “aPAW-tizers” sponsored by Nulo pet foods. Guests were treated to sWAG bags filled with amazing pet products including organic pet shampoo, designer poopy bags, CBD treats and promo items from some of the famous Pugs. The evening concluded with a champagne toast to Chubbs and other pets who have left us for Rainbow Bridge. Early Saturday morning, my Pug, Olive and I headed to the “Pugs in the Park” meetup while hubby took in a much needed-round of golf. Hundreds of pug-obsessed locals joined the “Pugs Take Vegas” weekenders at a beautiful dog park for “mutt-mingling” and photo-opps with their favorite “pug-lebrities!” My pug Olive and I had the pleasure of hitching a ride to the meetup on Surf Gidget the Pug’s pimped-out tour bus. Her Sprinter included plush carpet, a mini-fridge, toilet, designer beds and even her own pug-sized convertible parked inside. Her ride was nicer than many apartments. Later that afternoon, back at the hotel, a raffle was held with must-have pug “para-FURnalia!” Everything from signed artwork, to books, pillows, posters and pottery, created competitive bidding wars. Proceeds from the weekend event and raffle raised nearly $20,000 for several pug rescues. The weekend’s headlining event was Saturday night’s Pug Wedding officiated by Elvis himself. It was everything you’d expect from a Vegas wedding and a lot more. Fancy wedding cakes for canines and humans adorned the beautifully decorated hall. Guests and pugs were lavishly outfitted for matrimony. Pugs were marrying other pugs. People were marrying pugs, and everyone was getting in the act celebrating love and friendship. Elvis serenaded us through the entire experience with favorite hits like “Hound Dog” and “Love Me Tender!” Come Sunday morning everyone was “dog-tired” as we dragged ourselves to the weekend’s farewell brunch. The venue was packed with pugs dressed in their finest “Sunday Brunch Attire.” While a few pranced around the room posing for Instagram pictures, most were tucked into their luxury strollers sleeping soundly. That is until the candied bacon and eggs hit the table. With tears in our eyes (partly from pet allergies and no sleep) we said our goodbyes and promised to keep in touch via social media. My depression over having another birthday and turning another year older, had melted faster than a snow-cone in July. I learned getting old sure beats dying young. Age is just a number! As for wrinkles, well they’re an adorable pug trademark. From now on, my birthdays would be celebrated by attending the Vegas Pug Weekend and they would be highly anticipated events. Two weeks later the world went into lockdown. Things got very scary and unpredictable. Life as we knew it got turned upside down. This year’s 2020 Las Vegas Pug Party was another casualty of CoVid 19. As sad as that was, I’m so very grateful to have all my treasured memories and many new friends to help get me through a difficult time. Plus, the next Vegas Pug Party will certainly be one for the record books. To enjoy more videos and photos of this event and find out about more fun activities, Including The Vegas Pug Party 2021, follow me on social media and sign up to receive my weekly blog.  By Katy Cable/TWR A 3 min. Read 💕 February is Doggy Dental Health Care month and believe it or not, neglecting this crucial element of your pup’s overall health can be deadly. Or, lead to a host of other major health issues, here are some very important tips and facts for you to “brush-up” on: I used to think people who brushed their dog's teeth were being a tad obsessive. Then my vet informed me they pulled 13 teeth out of my Pug Raisin's mouth and handed me a bill large enough for me to sink my own teeth into. Right then and there I realized how important doggie dental care is. Unless you're a three-year-old child, you probably wouldn't dream of going day's on end without brushing your teeth. Believe it or not, your dog shouldn't either. When plaque is allowed to accumulate on your dog's teeth, within a few days it hardens into tartar. Tartar adheres to the teeth and irritates the gums. Irritated gums result in an inflammatory condition called gingivitis. Dogs with gingivitis have red rather than pink gums, and stinky breath. If the tartar isn't removed, it builds up under the gums, eventually causing them to pull away from the teeth. This creates small pockets in the gum tissue that trap additional bacteria in the mouth. Once things progress to this stage, your dog will have developed an irreversible condition called periodontal disease, which not only causes considerable pain, but can also result in abscesses, infections, loose teeth, and bone loss. But here's what's really shocking: Should your dog develop periodontal disease, the surface of his gums will be weakened, which can allow mouth bacteria to invade the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. If their immune system doesn't kill off the circulating bacteria, it can reach the heart and infect it with a multitude of serious issues. Some types of bacteria found in the mouths of dogs produce sticky proteins that can adhere to artery walls, causing them to thicken. Mouth bacteria are also known to promote the formation of blood clots that can severely damage the heart. If that's not bad enough, studies have linked periodontal disease in both humans and pets to systemic diseases of the kidneys, liver, and lungs. It can also result in diabetes complications, problems during pregnancy, and even cancer. These serious health problems can either develop or be worsened as inflamed or bleeding gum tissue allows harmful oral bacteria to filter into the bloodstream quicker than a pug can devour a meal. In addition to systemic diseases, infections in the mouth often create other problems including tooth root abscesses, jaw fractures, nasal infections, and in extreme cases, eye loss and oral cancer. If your dog is lucky they may get by with a simple cavity or chipped tooth. That probably scared you enough to start looking for a new doggie toothbrush. And that's good news since most of these conditions can be avoided or greatly improved once good oral hygiene has begun and any dental disease has been resolved. As you can see, your dog's oral hygiene is much more than just an obsessive grooming afterthought. It's an extremely important factor in maintaining your dog's health and longevity. I suggest you begin by talking to your vet and getting a thorough evaluation of your dog's teeth, gums and mouth. In my case, I began daily brushing the second I brought home my new Pug Olive. Now she’s 6 years old and still hasn’t needed professional dental cleanings. Her teeth look great. But with my first Pug Raisin, I learned the hard way. He needed twice-yearly cleanings and major oral surgery to repair just a few years of neglect. Pugs and other "flat-nosed" breeds come genetically disadvantaged in terms of dental health. They seem to have teeth settled in the far reaches of their throats. Not only are they hard to find, but they’re also even harder to clean. Their cramped, flat muzzles and the shape of their mouths make properly cleaning back molars about as easy as resisting homemade brownies straight out of the oven. Again, your vet can recommend possibly adding some tartar-removing sprays, (or check out TEEF) and other products which might be useful. Hopefully, you can get things under control and deep cleaning with anesthesia will not be necessary. Here are a few simple tips for keeping your pet's mouth healthy and introducing the toothbrush:
The next step is to use a safe, natural dental cleaning product designed for pets and apply a small amount to the gauze before you rub your dog's teeth. I am a fan of Oxyfresh products. With minimal time and effort, all that brown gunk around the back teeth comes right off and usually professional cleanings can be avoided. If you don't have canine toothpaste, you can use organic coconut oil. Once they get used to this, you can progress to either a finger brush or a soft toothbrush the right size for their mouth. Remember, the more rubbing and brushing your pet will allow, the more quickly you'll see results, and the easier it will be to maintain dental health. If your furry companion is highly resistant to having their teeth rubbed or brushed, or, in the case of a new rescue/shelter dog that comes with a mouth needing major attention, you can try a new, amazing product called TEEF. Simply add a small pinch of this all-natural, tasteless, odorless powder to your dog’s water each day and BAM! A clean mouth, fresh breath, whiter teeth, and NO MORE harmful bacteria, plaque and tarter. It’s the easiest thing EVER! This product is a game-changer for Pugs or other pets with dental issues. Also, before attempting dental care, consider using CBD treats and oil. This all-natural cannabis works miracles to chill-out an anxious dog. ( Use Code: TWR10 to receive 10% off Paws Effect CBD from my store) ☠️ALERT REGARDING DOGGIE DENTAL TREATS Please be cautious when purchasing doggie dental treats. Many contain harmful if not toxic ingredients. Before You Buy Dental Care Treats, Read The Ingredient List! I see lots of pet parents gravitating to dry kibble and dental treats to keep their dog’s teeth clean. This is a popular misconception. In addition to not containing healthy, species-appropriate ingredients, they are loaded with harmful additives and preservatives. Some of the most popular products such as Milk Bone Brushing Chews and Purina Beneful Healthy Smile Dental Twists contain the synthetic toxic preservatives BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) which are used to prevent fats and oils in food from turning rancid. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program has identified BHA and BHT as cancer-causing agents that consistently produce certain types of tumors in laboratory animals. Unfortunately, the FDA still permits the use of these chemicals as preservatives in food, deeming them "generally recognized as safe" in low doses. In addition, smaller treats that are chewed and swallowed in a matter of seconds provide no real dental benefit for your pet. Remember, even with bones, dental treats, and a healthy diet, it’s still necessary to use TEEF or brush your dog’s teeth. It’s one of the best things you can do to keep your sweetie from becoming “All Bark and No Bite!” 😁 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By Katy Cable-The Weekly Runt A 4 min. Read Wanna know the difference between mild and severe allergies in dogs? For starters, it's several hundred bucks in vet bills 😜. While the weather, changing seasons and other environmental factors may be partially to blame for your pup’s issues, the main trigger and cause is usually always THEIR FOOD. Identifying the specific food allergen however, can be a daunting, expensive headache. First let's look at what a food allergy is: When a dog is allergic to a food ingredient in their diet, their immune system jumps into overdrive thinking that substance is attaching their body. The body goes to war in the same way it would if exposed to a real danger such as a deadly bacteria. Everyday I see frustrated pet parents trying to help their dogs who are suffering from food allergies. The first thing they frequently tell me is their vet says they're allergic to chicken. When I ask what brand of pet food has been giving them problems, often it’s a dry processed kibble loaded with corn, wheat, grains and gluten. The protein is typically a poor quality rendered poultry, and/or beef that is often pumped with growth hormones, antibiotics and other harmful chemicals. Many times it’s a combination of several different proteins (ie: fish, chicken, beef, duck.) When I switch them to a grain-free, low-glycemic carb, pet food that contains a single, novel protein that’s clean (free-range, grass-fed without antibiotics or hormones), the problems quickly clear up, even if it contains the suspected protein source. Not all pet-foods are created equally! Unfortunately, a high percentage of pet foods use massive amounts of starchy carbs “fillers” and the meat is the leftover, rendered pieces and parts of factory farmed meats. The same try,6. parts not deemed suitable for human consumption. Also there is ample deception in ingredient labeling in pet foods so it can be impossible to find the exact culprit. If your dog has a food allergy, they will typically have symptoms like itchy skin, rashes, and yeasty ear infections. And then there’s horrible gas and runny, smelly stools. There may be vomiting and diarrhea. However, it can often take some time for the immune system and GI tract to be significantly compromised enough for your dog to show digestive disturbances. While most of us use the term "food allergy" to describe the problem, true food allergies, also called “Adverse Food Reactions” are actually quite rare. According to Dr. Jean Dodds, a world-renowned veterinarian and creator of the NutriScan food intolerance test, in all likelihood, it is not an allergy but a food intolerance. A simple description is in the body's immune responses. A true food allergy produces a much harsher, more immediate reaction and a specific type of antibodies. A food intolerance or sensitivity produces a more delayed response of a different type of antibodies. Most conventional veterinarians who suspect a pet is dealing with a food intolerance typically recommend a highly processed “prescription” diet. Holistic vet's often take a different approach which I recommend. If you have a dog or cat over the age of one year who is dealing with a possible food sensitivity, ask your vet about the NutriScan food intolerance test which identifies 24 of the most common foods dogs eat, including: Beef Chicken Millet Soy Pork Rabbit Venison (deer) Barley Rice Sweet potato Salmon Quinoa Chicken eggs Wheat Potato Oatmeal Lamb Lentils (includes peas) Corn Turkey Peanuts/peanut butter Cow's milk Duck White-colored ocean fish (includes menhaden, pollack, herring and sardines) NutriScan is a simple salivary test, and is currently the most accurate food sensitivity test on the market. A simple swab not only takes away all the guesswork but also makes tedious and time consuming elimination diets unnecessary. It's important to note that NutriScan doesn't test for food allergies, but rather food sensitivities and intolerances occurring over the last six months to two years. When dogs eat the same food day after day, year after year they can develop a sensitivity to the protein source. Especially if the food is inexpensive, highly processed, and includes meat pumped full of antibiotics and hormones. This alone can cause the immune system to go into overdrive. Dogs can also grow sensitive to a host of other allergenic ingredients in the food such as the typical culprits: corn, grains, gluten, soy and other carbohydrates. The NutriScan test can quickly identify the specific ingredient(s) in your dog's food which are causing problems. This makes it much easier to revamp your dog's diet and successfully resolve problems. If your dog is experiencing adverse reactions to some aspect of their diet, it is imperative to give their body a break from the food they've been eating. This will give the immune system an opportunity to calm down and hopefully you will see improvement in symptoms. And don’t forget to stop all the treats too! Many times, it’s too many poor quality treats that is causing problems. After determining your pet has a food intolerance, the next step is to slowly introduce a new diet containing ingredients their body isn't familiar with. For example, if your pooch has been eating chicken and rice-kibble since you brought them home, I would suggest trying a salmon and sweet potato or lamb and lentils based food. Most vets suggest switching both the main source of protein as well as the primary carb to achieve the most effective results. I have seen dramatic results by just having pet parents eliminate TREATS, plus grains, corn, gluten and filler ingredients that are common triggers. They continue to thrive when they stay on low-glycemic carb diets that contain clean animal proteins. I have had tremendous success with Nulo pet food which uses free-range, grass fed meats with no hormones or antibiotics, low glycemic carbs and adds powerhouse probiotics. It takes all the guesswork out of it and makes it simple. There are many great foods options available, or you can make your pet’s food yourself. If you need assistance, visit my website where I have lots of blogs to help you select a nutritional, safe pet food. If you are transitioning your pet to a diet, I recommend working with a holistic or integrated veterinarian. To find a list of them in your area visit: http://www.ahvma.org/find-a-holistic-veterinarian/ However, whatever you decide, the following tips from Dr. Karen Becker should be extremely helpful: 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 A dog with food sensitivities should remain on a novel diet for a minimum of two months and preferably three, to allow the body time to clear out the allergenic substances and begin the detoxification process. During this period it's important to use good pre and probiotics to build up their inflammatory response in the GI tract. Because each case of food intolerance and dysbiosis is unique, I recommend working with a holistic or integrative veterinarian. Once a patient has completed two to three months on a novel diet, other foods are slowly reintroduced one at a time, and the dog's response is closely monitored. Some dogs show dramatic improvement on the new diet, and in those cases, I often don't rush the reintroduction of food that could be problematic. When the dog is stable and doing well, I encourage dog parents to find at least one and preferably two other protein sources their pet tolerates well so that every three to six months, they can rotate proteins and hopefully avoid further allergic reactions. In addition, the cleaner the proteins, the less chance your dog will become sensitive to them over time. Clean animal proteins are non-toxic. For example, animals raised on a natural diet (grass-fed, not factory farmed) as well as hormone-free animals, are better food sources for sensitive pets. During and after a novel diet, I recommend natural supplements to aid detoxification, relieve allergic symptoms and support your pet's immune system. Your holistic veterinarian can help you select the supplements most appropriate for your pet's individual needs. 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 Click here for my Farmecuticals blog featuring great, inexpensive things to enhance your pets health that can be found right in your own cupboards at home. Click the link below to watch a short video on the best foods for sensitive pets. 👍🏼💕  By Katy Cable-TWR A 4 min read HAPPY NEW YEAR! -ALMOST! Is it just me or did 2020 seem like we lived it in dog years! Now that we’re finally down to the last few days of this extremely challenging year, most people start thinking about making a resolution of one kind or another. The top being: to get in shape, workout and lose weight. Those are great goals but how about adding something simple for your dog? This is a perfect time to do some: SPRING CLEANING! -In the dead of winter. With the end of the year, get rid of the old and bring in some NEW! Taking the best care of your furry family member means paying attention to things you might not even realize need to be cleaned, repaired, or just TOSSED! Here are some great tips on dog-supplies you should PITCH for the sake of your dog’s health and well-being (and ultimately yours!) 5 Things Dog Parents Need to Toss Right Now 1. The old, stinky and ill-fitting collar: Your dog’s collar is like your underwear. They wear it all the time and it’s very close to their skin. And while most people wouldn’t think of wearing the same underwear day after day without ever washing them or getting a new pair, many dog collars never get replaced or even cleaned. I learned this, like EVERYTHING ELSE I blog about, THE HARD WAY when my first pug Raisin got a horrible yeasty, foul-smelling rash around his neck. After an expensive trip to the vet, followed by a heavy course of antibiotics and expensive RX creams, guess who also got a brand new, clean collar to wear! It’s important to keep your pet’s collar clean to reduce the risk it will cause an infection or hot spot on their skin. Worn-out collars, those with an unpleasant odor and collars that have either grown too tight or too loose, need to go. Also check to make sure their tag with your contact info is still legible should they ever get lost. You may need to replace and update that as well. Replace with this: New collar/ID tag I found a clip for the ID tag and now change out collars all the time. I have an entire collection of cute festive collars I find on sale. Have fun with this! 😜 2. Plastic food and water bowls: Plastic food and water bowls are inexpensive and convenient. Unfortunately, not only are they impossible to thoroughly sanitize, but as the plastic begins to break down, it can leak toxic chemicals into your dog’s food and water. In addition, I have seen many dogs (including my own) get blemishes on their chins and other skin irritations from bacteria and oils which get easily trapped in the peeling plastic. This was another expensive trip to the vet and medications I could’ve avoided! More sensitive dogs can develop allergies to the materials and dyes in plastic bowls, and get tear stains, rashes and other complications. In addition, aggressive chewers have been known to gnaw their bowls into small pieces and swallow them. Also avoid the cute pottery bowls since these can contain dangerous lead-based paint and other toxic materials. Again, I have learned everything the hard way and I hope to save you from the same mistakes. Replace with this: stainless steel, porcelain or glass food and water bowls. 3. Broken or chewed up toys: Many dogs are toy slaughterers. My pug Olive can tear off the head of a toy and devour the stuffing faster than I can open a jar of peanut butter. There have been many times I’ve left a dog alone with a stuffed toy, only to find they have a belly full of chemical-tainted cotton stuffing before I get to the first commercial break during Real Housewives! With any luck, (and a few spoonfuls of canned pumpkin purée) the stuffing will pass in their 💩. However, God forbid, they should swallow a squeaker or get a piece of the toy lodged in their GI tract. Suddenly that $5.00 chew toy can become a life-threatening situation requiring expensive surgery to remove. It’s a good idea to review the contents your dog’s toy basket on a regular basis and get rid of anything that could pose a choking hazard or GI obstruction. Replace with this: Repaired or new non-toxic toys. I love the un-stuffed flat, crinkle toys, non-toxic ropes, and Tugga Kongs filled with a premium pet food. 4. Dull nail trimmers: Most dogs enjoy nail trims the way I enjoy a root canal. But one thing that can make a bad situation worse is a pair of dull clippers. After one too many bad experiences, I now leave nail trim to the pros. Plus, I’m as welcome as a rash when dogs see me come at them with nail clippers. (Talk about feeling unpopular!) With dull clippers, instead of a quick clean snip, the trimmers can crush and split the nail. Or, not cut at all! Not only is this extremely painful for your probably already anxious dog, but it tends to make you — the human at the other end of the clippers — tense up. Your dog, in turn, picks up on your stress, which doubles theirs. In a worst-case scenario, a nail trim botched by dull trimmers can FOREVER make your dog run like a pack of wolves every time they see them come out. Trust me on this one. Replace with this: Freshly sharpened or new nail trimmers, or a battery-operated rotary tool (e.g., a Dremel). Or visit your vet’s office, PetSmart or a trusted local groomer and let a professional do it. For highly anxious dogs try giving CBD 2 hours before their mani/pedi👌 5. Retractable leash “Leash” is probably not a good word to describe the thin cord or ribbon used in many retractable devices. The real purpose of using a leash is to keep the animal safe and under your control while out on walks. Retractable leashes often do just the opposite. They give the owner and the dog WAY TOO MUCH LEEWAY and then put you both at risk when you must quickly RETRACT. I never recommend these leashes as a good option for pet parents. I only recommend them for those who are working specifically with a trainer on commands but never for walking. There are many reasons to avoid or reconsider use of a retractable leash, starting with the fact it's easy for your dog to get too far away from you to be safe. Suddenly a car, aggressive dog, or skateboard appears and if it's not too late already, quickly retracting can result in SERIOUS injuries. I personally have gotten deep, horrible cuts and burns and also know of young children needing extensive surgery from retractable leash injuries! In most cases, these devices are also completely counterproductive to training a dog to walk well on a leash. The very nature of retractables trains dogs to pull on the leash to extend the lead. The dog is out front and in-charge. Needless to say, this pulling behavior will be repeated whenever the dog is on a standard leash. Replace with this: 4-6-foot flat leash and pull it in closely until your dog has learned to walk at your side without pulling. Practice daily by rewarding dog with small treats as they walk nicely at your side. By reinforcing the way you want them to walk, they will quickly get the hang of it! In addition to tossing, losing, stopping, quitting. Why not TAKE ON, START, BEGIN, FIND a new thing or two for the new year. Set a few small goals that will be healthy for both you and your dog. Here's a few ideas: 1. If your pup is a bit pudgy, commit to a long walk, better food, smaller/healthier treats, and reduced portions to get them fit and trim. 2. Join a dog meet-up group and make a few new friends. 3. Check local events and do a dog hike, yappy-hour or another dog-friendly social activity with your pooch once a month. The EVENTS page on my site lists lots of fun activities. 4. Sign up for a training class together to refresh skills, strengthen your bond and work on socialization. If your dog has the basics down what about agility, tricks, or train them to be a therapy dog. 5. Grab your camera or phone and start a social media account for your pup. Connect with other pet owners and tap into your creativity in a positive way. Does your dog do something funny, unique, or useful? Do they have a disability? Have they overcome a hardship? Do they have a story behind them? Why not share this with others and connect. Remember that $$$$ and time wisely invested in you dog will come back TEN-FOLD. I hope you will join me for fun, easy, healthy resolutions for you and your pup that you can do ALL YEAR LONG! I hope 2021 is a wonderful year for you and your beloved pets! I look forward to getting to know you better and seeing you on social media or maybe even at an event in the new year! Thanks for reading and being an awesome pet parent! 🎉 Pugs and kisses and HAPPY NEW YEAR WISHES! Katy & Olive 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By Katy Cable-The Weekly Runt A 4 min. Read Happy Holidays! I think we all deserve to be at the top of Santa’s “GOOD LIST” for surviving this crazy year! I'll be honest with you, when it comes to the holidays, I tend to be a bit of a "Grinch"! I over-commit and never remember to take traffic, crowds, budgets, or my own energy levels into consideration. I’m usually left sick, tired, broke and frustrated before most people have their Christmas lights up. Every year I promise I'm going to "scale-back" and do things differently but it never happens. This year, the universe did for me what I couldn’t do for myself and I’m enjoying the season so much more! Whatever your situation, here are a few suggestions and gift ideas for a less chaotic, “happier” holidays! It's all about the gifts. It astounds me when these catalogs and websites showcase “perfect” gift ideas that START at $300! If I had funds like that, I sure wouldn’t need a gift guide for assistance. But coming up with a personal, unique wonderful gift on a limited budget is difficult. More so when we’re socially distancing and most activities are closed! So, I spoke to pet experts and top pet retailers to find the newest, coolest, most unique finds PRICED UNDER $50. So here it is: The Weekly Runt's 5th Annual 🐾"Paw-liday" Gift Ideas 🎁 When it comes to Pugs (or Labs and several other breeds for that matter) nothing is a bigger hit than: F O O D! So why not treat your pet to delicious, healthy meals all year long with a splurge on a better premium food. This is the gift that will pay you back in huge dividends, with better health for your pet and less expensive vet bills. Check some of my pet nutrition blogs for recommendations. Then, how about remembering the four-legged friends in your life by taking a can or small package of Salmon or Turkey over so they can enjoy a healthy"Christmas dinner in a can". -Or it can be stuffed in a Kong for a holiday treat! Treats are also very high on the list and there is one MUST-HAVE: CBD treats by PAWS EFFECT Not just a nutritious, healthy, treat, these biscuits which come in a variety of flavors, as well as pure, medical-grade CBD oil. All ingredients are sourced in Hawaii. CBD is a MIRACLE WORKER on anxiety, pain management, mobility issues and even immunity. They are 100% safe for both pets and humans to enjoy. A large bag of treats is priced under $50 (Visit my site to order and use WEEKLYRUNT discount code for 10% off your purchase.) A large bag of treats will make a perfect gift or stocking stuffer pet parents will no-doubt thank you for. NULO has an amazing line of healthy jerky, training treats and raw toppers. While most treats contain wheat, molasses, sugars, and other additives, Nulo uses it’s clean, human-grade meat, poultry and fish proteins, one fruit pairing and a touch of organic honey for sweetness. These treats also contain their signature, patented, viable probiotic BC30 which activates in the gut and boosts health and immunity. So finally, a treat you can feel good about offering. A bag of treats is between $5-10 dollars so it’s a great deal. Especially for sensitive, sick or elderly pets. Training Classes make a perfect gift that keeps on giving. They can provide a fun way to bond with your pet while teaching them new skills. This can be especially important with rescue/shelter dogs trying to overcome past trauma and learn to trust again. Training classes are typically very reasonably priced and there are a number of different options to choose from. Some dogs enjoy agility and active training skills while others thrive learning basic skills or commands needed to work as therapy dogs. Check the ZOOM ROOM for a variety of agility classes and PETSMART for basic skills, tricks and therapy dog training. Both use positive reinforcement and fun to build confidence in your dog. They also teach YOU how to properly work with your pet for desired results. I have had a lot of bad mishaps when it comes to dog toys. Too many times I’ve watched teeny-tiny-teacup-sized-pups deceive me by ripping up stuffed toys faster than I can put down the lid on a toilet seat. Kongs, bones, and bully-sticks have also quickly been devoured turning into choking hazards. Now, my favorite toys are by Multipet! They have a duck that quacks, a pig that pinks and chew tits with calming aromatherapy. These have toys have been a favorite of my little Olive and with most items under $10, they make perfect gifts. Now that I've checked the dog off the list, my holiday gift guide wouldn't be complete without clueing you in on some great finds for YOU or your DOG-LOVING friends. A PET WITH PAWS offers the most amazing, designer handbag inspired, poop bag & pet carriers I have EVER SEEN! I went crazy when I saw these and I get complimented on mine everywhere I go. They are the PURRR-fect gift for any fashionista pet owner. Offered in a variety of sizes, styles and price points, these tres-chic items are also multi-functional. They can hold not just poop bags but keys, credit cards and of course, tennis balls. Pet carriers come with a patented “Pet Trek” roller attachment. The carrier can slide over the roller allowing for easy convenient travel with a pet. The real surprise is all the accessories are made from recycled plastic bottles. This environmentally conscious company creates cruelty-free products and plants a tree for every purchase. DOG IS GOOD offers perfect finds for NOT the DOG but the DOG LOVER. Created by my amazing friend, Gila Kurtz and her husband of more than 20 years, retired USN officer Jon. Gila is an award-winning author, motivational speaker and dog trainer turned entrepreneur. This creative, hard-working, husband/wife team started their company with a catchy "Dog is Good" T-shirt back in 2008. It has now evolved into a global lifestyle brand featuring unique decor, and gifts. Some of my all-time favorites are the pop-art T's, totes and prints. However, their "Dog is my Zen" yoga hoodie nearly gets ripped off my back every time I wear it. It was awarded "Best in Show" at the Global Pet Expo. So whether you're into yoga or just want to dress like you are, I know you (or one of your friends) will LOVE-LOVE-LOVE❤️ this piece. Check out their website catalog and go crazy with some one-of-kind gifts any dog-lover will treasure. While you're at it you will be supporting a wonderful small business and giving back to some worthy dog causes. The holidays can be a very difficult time for those who have lost a pet. ONE FUR ALL PET HOUSE CANDLES, offers a beautiful line of candles in a variety of fragrances and designs. My favorite is their “Rainbow Bridge Memorial Candle”. These candles are exquisite and the long-lasting fragrance is ideal for getting rid of pet odors. In addition they offer paw-shaped “no-flame” wax melts which are nice for college dorms or places where candles aren’t allowed. I have several of these candles and I just love them. With seasonal designs and fragrances, they make a perfect small hostess gift for a pet-parent year round! SHUTTERFLY, VISTA PRINT or WALGREENS offer a variety of creative ways to honor a special pet. You can make a coffee mug or other keepsake items with a favorite photo of a beloved pet. I have made several mugs with my first Pug Raisin’s picture on them and I always feel happier taking him along on my commute. Watch for sales where you can save up to 50% off list price. Ask the recipient for a favorite picture and create a personalized piece on your computer or download the app and make them a treasure on your smartphone. FOR A GOOD CAUSE: While there is no shortage of terrific holiday (and otherwise) books featuring Pugs, I would like to feature some local favorites which will support worthy causes. My daughter Karley wrote a book about our pug Raisin when she was just 12 years old. "Raisin, -A Doggie's Tale," received national attention from President Obama and Oprah Winfrey. This heartwarming, inspiring tale of overcoming obstacles and responsible pet ownership is told through the eyes of Raisin, a rescue pug. Great for all ages. A must-have for a pug lover! Speaking of fun books, my fellow pug lover and friend, LAURREN DARR has many terrific cat & dog themed books under her LEFT PAW PRESS website. but her PUGDALA/CATDALA/DOGDALA coloring books will certainly be a hit. Particularly after this challenging year. Books feature 50 Pugs (cats/dogs) in beautiful mandala designs with meditation worthy sentiments on every page. Visit her site to learn more and check out her entire library of titles. SURF GIDGET THE PUG is my hero! This little 16lb white Pug is originally a rescue who hails from Maine. She has now found her perfect home on the West Coast where she’s become the infamous “surfing Pug” who’s taking the world by storm. Surf Gidget is a true inspiration as to what is possible with love and dedication. Read her life story in her new book, then you can own a little piece of “surf-pug” culture and shop Gidget’s entire line of hip, cool collectibles for yourself or a pug-loving friend. All purchases support rescues and pugs in dire need. Speaking of your wallet, don't feel bad if you can't afford holiday gifts for your fur baby. The best gift of all is of course your love and devotion all year long. Heck, with that, it's Christmas everyday. If the pandemic has clobbered your finances, go on a long walk, look at the beautiful holiday lights, celebrate each other by watching a holiday movie together and giving belly rubs. If you're plagued with guilt you can celebrate a few days later and buy a few things on clearance. Your dog will never know the difference. Many of you strapped for cash can give the gift of your time. Instead of purchasing a gift, why not make up coupons for your dog-walking or dog-sitting services. Another idea is to donate some time volunteering at a local rescue or shelter. Many of them are featuring a “Home Fur The Holidays” program where families can foster a shelter pet for the holidays. This allows prospective adopters to try things out before committing and gets a needy animal out of the stressful shelter for the holidays. Hopefully the pet will end up being a “foster-fail” and become a new family member. Check your local shelters or rescues for info. and CoVid protocols. And lastly, to get in the holiday spirit, I went a little crazy and hit the 50% off sale at KOHLS. They had a huge selection of light-up Pug stocking caps, ugly Christmas sweaters, socks, ties and PJ's. And it wasn't all "Bah Hum Pug!" They had crazy-cat Christmas wear too. I love wearing my goofy Pug Christmas sweater. It's getting me in the holiday spirit and bringing a chuckle to everyone I meet. Go check out the dwindling selection FAST! I want to thank those of you who offered such terrific gift suggestions. It was a huge help. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.! 🎄🐾🎁. SOCIAL MEDIA: #Petsmart #Nulo #Treatibles #APetWithPaws #PupstarSonoma #OneFurAll #PussyAndPooch #surfgidgetthepug #ADoggiesTale #GraceFarm #DogIsGood #Walgreens #Shutterfly #vistaprint #TheZoomRoom #kohls  By, Katy Cable/A 4 minute read Happy Thanksgiving! No doubt many of you are busy, busy, busy, knee deep in preparations for the big event which, for many years was the case with me. Thankfully, this year we’re all gathering at Mimi’s Cafe and I will not have to worry about the fact my home is covered in a thin layer of dog fur and picking up all the clutter. The only thing I need to pick up is the VERY reasonable CHECK! But let's discuss our dogs for a second. I assumed since so many dog foods are turkey based and turkey is a very gentle protein that doesn't cause the allergies of say, beef or chicken, it was perfectly healthy for dogs. Also, with most of us wanting to indulge our pets with human "living foods" and not just processed food, "table scraps" can actually be a great thing. They key is HOW MUCH and WHAT KIND. So, here are some tips for enjoying a DOG-FRIENDLY Thanksgiving. TIPS FOR A DOG SAFE THANKSGIVING: 🦃 Keep the Dogs outside, in a bedroom or in a safe place. If you have a dog run, kennel, or crate, your best bet is to keep the dog safely inside it until all of the food has been put away and the scraps and bones disposed of. It's impossible to keep an eye on the dogs with guests coming and going and food everywhere. 🦃DON’T LEAVE UNCOOKED TURKEY UNATTENDED ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER – THE SMELL IS TOO TEMPTING FOR YOUR DOG. COOKED OR SMALL TURKEY BONES COULD CHOKE YOUR DOG OR BREAK/SPLINTER WHILE THEy'RE EATING THEM. BROKEN BONES CAN TEAR, OR GET STUCK IN, ANY PART OF YOUR DOG’S GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT AS THEY WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH THE SYSTEM; 🦃 ONCE YOU’VE COOKED YOUR TURKEY, AND BEFORE YOU SIT DOWN TO EAT, CLEAR AWAY ALL THE WRAPPINGS SUCH AS TIN FOIL, CELLOPHANE WRAP, PLASTIC BAGS, STRING AND MEAT SKEWERS – THEY ARE ALL POTENTIAL HAZARDS FOR YOUR DOG; I also recommend having someone clear all the appetizers and food and drinks guests may have left laying around while watching football or chatting, prior to the meal. Clear trash immediately and IF YOU PUT THE WRAPPINGS IN THE BIN, MAKE SURE THE LID IS ON FIRMLY; WE HAVE USED BRICKS ON THE BIN LID IN THE PAST TO KEEP OUT PERSISTENT SCAVENGERS! 🦃 I PREPARE A TURKEY dinner for the dogs with Nulo canned turkey, dried organic cranberries, puréed canned pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and ground pumpkin seeds. If possible, I add some gizzards and fresh turkey meat to their food. It may be possible for the dogs to eat alongside the family, then return to an empty bedroom until the meal is finished. 🦃I also stock up on toys for my dogs to play with and present a Kong stuffed with kibble or white turkey meat to keep them entertained. If your dog is happily playing, they're not getting into mischief in the kitchen. 🦃A TIRED DOG IS A GOOD DOG. I try and get out and give my dog A GOOD ENERGETIC WALK IN THE MORNING, SOMETHING THAT’S MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY STIMULATING. If you have an older dog, maybe a long walk in the stroller for fresh air. This way, they will BE MORE INCLINED TO SLEEP OR AT LEAST LIE QUIETLY WHILST YOU ARE PREPARING AND EATING YOUR TURKEY FEAST! 🦃If Thanksgiving gets too hectic, grab all the dogs and go for a nice walk. It might be a great escape and help you and the dogs gets one fresh air and manage the stress of the day. 🦃For anxious, stressed-out dogs, try TREATIBLES (https://www.treatibles.com/collections/shop). I swear by these little turkey flavor treats containing CBD oil. These have a drastic effect and calms anxious dogs. Good news! They're human grade so you can indulge as well! These will do a lot to help calm and sooth holiday stress. -Especially if you don't drink alcohol or are the designated driver! JUST TO BE SAFE: 🦃Most Veterinary offices will be closed on Thanksgiving. Know the phone number and the closest 24hr. Emergency Animal Hospital. 🦃Dogs and cats can get anxious with the commotion and unfamiliar crowds, make sure they are wearing a proper ID should they get out. 🦃Remind guests not to indulge your dog and be cautious. Those who don't own pets may not understand their ability to get into food and the complete lack of willpower many pets have when it comes to food. As a reminder, dogs and alcohol don’t mix either. 🦃While turkey meat and organs can be a wonderful healthy meal or treat, RICH, FATTY FOODS SUCH AS TURKEY SKIN AND DARK TURKEY MEAT ARE DIFFICULT TO DIGEST AND CAN CAUSE VOMITING AND DIARRHEA IN YOUR DOG, AND IN EXTREME CASES, BLOAT OR PANCREATITIS.* SYMPTOMS OF PANCREATITIS INCLUDE LOSS OF APPETITE, LETHARGY, VOMITING, ABDOMINAL PAIN, DIARRHEA AND FEVER. IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR DOG HAS HELPED HIMSELF TO A TURKEY DINNER AND IS SHOWING ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS, I SUGGEST YOU TAKE HIM TO YOUR VET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! No-No's for dogs: Artificial sweetner: Xylitol (100x's more deadly than chocolate) found in sugarless gum, breath mints, candy, peanut butters, sugar-free foods. chocolate -The darker the more toxic. caffeine, alcohol, onions, grapes, raisins, popcorn, garlic, salt/sugar, macadamia nuts, avocado skin & pit. I want to wish each and every one of you, and your beloved pets, a wonderful, happy, SAFE Thanksgiving! Gooble-Gooble🦃❤️🐾 *(PANCREATITIS IS AN INFLAMMATION OF THE PANCREAS WHICH CAN BE LETHAL FOR YOUR DOG.) THE PANCREAS PRODUCES DIGESTIVE ENZYMES, AND WHEN INFLAMED THE NATURAL PRODUCTION AND RELEASE OF THESE ENZYMES IS DISRUPTED. WHEN THE DIGESTIVE ENZYMES ARE PRODUCED AND THERE’S NO FOOD TO DIGEST, THE ENZYMES WILL START DIGESTING BODY TISSUE INSTEAD. THIS CAUSES FURTHER INFLAMMATION OF THE PANCREAS – THE SEVERITY OF THE PANCREATITIS, AND YOUR DOG’S PROGNOSIS, WILL DEPEND ON HOW HE REACTS TO THIS INFLAMMATION. 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By, Katy Cable-TWR/A 3 min. Read BOO👻! It's Halloween time and nobody could be more excited! Although CoVid 19 has put a damper on trick-or-treating and most events, I’ve always loved this holiday. What could be better than dressing up as whoever or whatever you want while also going door-to-door scoring free candy. I will never outgrow that! I love that all the cobwebs and dust around my house just enhance the scary decor! I was so eager to begin the season I dragged out all our scary decorations before we were even in the month of October. But in all my excitement I completely lost sight of little Olive. My husband Rick, who loves this holiday as much as I do, came out in a scary mask looking like a 200 year-old crusty sea monster, and Olive started frantically barking and darted behind the couch for cover. We felt terrible giving her such a fright. Even when Olive watched Rick slowly put the mask on in front of her she still barked and ran away the minute it covered his face. And it only got worse. My little Pug Olive isn’t alone when it comes to “getting spooked” by Halloween! Think about it, a dog witnesses a barrage of boisterous costumed strangers pounding on the door. Their normally safe environment is now dark or billowing with fog, candles, and flashing lights. Their highly sensitive ears pick up sounds of dogs barking, cats hissing, chains clanking, footsteps, plus deafening screams and moans. If you’re not careful, pets can literally be “scared to death!” Many pet owners, myself included, get so caught up in the fun they can easily forget how frightening things can be for a fluffy and Fido! Halloween is one if the busiest holidays for pet emergencies so here are a few “TRICKS AND TREATS” to keep your pet safe! 1. Keep Your Pet Calm: A frightened pet can react by barking incessantly, losing bladder control, racing out the door or escaping, and often with aggression and biting. Keep your dog happy and calm with CBD treats or oil. CBD doesn’t contain harmful THC and will do wonders for calming a frantic pet. 2. Keep your pets safe inside. Not everyone has good intentions and there are always several awful stories about killed, tormented, injured, or stolen pets on Halloween. Don't allow your dog to be the helpless victim of an evil prankster. 3. Keep your pets away from the front door. The constant knocking or ringing of the doorbell and excited chanting "trick-or-treaters" can send dogs into protective mode. Don't risk your doggie bolting out the door and running away or getting hit by a vehicle. Also, you don't want your terrified dog biting a costumed visitor. 4. Be careful with decorations. I've seen wagging dog tails knock over candles and nearly burn down a house. I've witnessed many excited pets jump up on tables, knocking over candles, eating harmful foods and causing total mayhem! Make sure all decorations are secured and not in reach of pets. Check that they cannot get trapped or entangled in large spider web decorations. Also, they may think decor is a chew-toy and eat something hazardous if it's within their reach. 5. It should go without saying not to give your dog candy. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be lethal if ingested. Lollipop sticks can be a chocking hazard or cause damage to internal organs if swallowed. Ditto for caramel apples and the wooden sticks. Foil wrappers can be as sharp as razors if swallowed. The very worst are the sugar-free gum and treats which contain toxic Xylitol. Dogs love the smell and bright colors of sugary candy and it just takes a few minutes of distractions to realize your dog has consumed an entire bowl of Halloween goodies. Even dog treats can cause major GI problems if too many are consumed. Remember, ONE, SMALL dog treat, or a few healthy nibbles is PERFECT! 6. Use good judgement and think twice before you take your dog in the car or out with the kids trick-or-treating. All the crowds and excitement might turn your normally chill dog into a terrified, aggressive or protective bully. It may be way too distracting to manage both costumed kids AND a dog that gets freaked! 👻If you do venture out with your pet for Halloween festivities here are a few tips: 1. Give costumes a trial run to let your dog get used to them. Make sure their costume is not too binding or restrictive and that your pet can walk normally. Be very careful of masks. Dogs need to be able to see and breathe with ease. Nothing should go over their nose. Be extremely careful about dogs overheating, especially Pugs, Bulldogs and other flat-nosed (brachy) breeds. Make sure dogs can freely drink water in their costume. Some dogs (like my Olive) simply don't do well with costumes. Perhaps a lighted collar, decorative harness or bandana would be a better option. 2. Make sure your dog is micro-chipped and wearing a collar or harness with your contact number on the tag. If you will be out after dark, add reflective strips to your pet's costume and grab a small light to attach to their collar so they remain visible. 3. BE AWARE! While you are admiring those amazing costumes, your dog could well be devouring chocolate bars someone tossed on the sidewalk. If you are planning on hosting a Halloween bash, consider keeping your dog safe at a boarding facility like Petsmart’s Pet’s hotel. With guests coming in and out, even if your dog is secluded in a quiet bedroom, it just takes one person to open a door and BOOM! Your dog escapes. Loud guests in strange costumes can scare and overwhelm even a normally easy-going dog. Some guests aren't familiar with pets and don't know alcohol, sweets and many human-foods can be deadly. A well-intentioned guest wanting to indulge your dog may bring them undue harm. Even if they aren't offered, a cup left on a table or half-eaten plates of food and desserts laying around can be far too tempting and could make your dog very sick. It's very difficult to keep your eyes on pets while hosting a party. Don't take the risk. PetsHotel and other boarding facilities have special packages and fun activities planned. This way you won't end up with a real Halloween horror of a sick or injured dog on your hands. This year in particular, Halloween may be a perfect night to bake some healthy treats, stay in, cuddle up and enjoy watching a Halloween movie with your furry best-friend. If you can't stay in with your dog, give them some yummy CBD calming treats, put them in a quiet room with some soothing music, low lights and douse the room in some lavender oil. I recommend, if possible, take your dog out during the day for a good run, a long brisk walk and plenty of exercise. This should wear them out and burn off excess energy. Make sure they potty before all the festivities begin at dark. If you're looking for more great tips and fun activities you can do WITH your dog, check out: http://weeklyrunt.weebly.com/ So go EAT, DRINK, and be SCARY! 👻 Have a wonderful 🎃Halloween! Pugs and Kisses! Katy & Olive  By Katy Cable-TWR A 4 min. Read TRICK or TREAT??? It's that time of year again. And now, even pet retailers are getting into the act by offering costumes and Halloween dog treats in every shape and size. But it's not just because it's almost Halloween. Take your dog for a walk around my neighborhood on any given day and they will be offered a plethora of Pup-peroni, Milk Bones, and Beggin'Strips before you even reach the corner. Many local shops also have water bowls and treat dishes filled with doggie delectables right at the entrance door. Of course any pet shop is certain to have goodies at all the check-out stations. Basically everyday is a "trick-or-treat" opportunity for canines. We all love rewarding our dogs and giving them goodies. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the joy dogs get devouring treats. Let's face it, isn't my charming personality that's winning over the hearts of most dogs I meet, it's THE TREATS! But it's very important to apply the same principles of healthy ingredients when selecting them. ☠️There are also some very popular treats you should avoid at all costs.☠️ My first Pug, Raisin knew exactly where to walk in our neighborhood to get the goods and would drag me on his preferred route. As Raisin aged, and I began to notice a direct correlation between the treats and the tummy issues. I learned many expensive lessons so hopefully I can save you some similar pitfalls. Here are a few startling facts as well as some nutritious alternates to keep your pet happy healthy and "well-treated!" SIZE MATTERS: Treats should be tiny, bite-sized morsels of food you use to reward your pet for training and reinforcement of positive behavior. But remember, even tiny amounts of treats can add up over time. Dog's can quickly start packing on pounds or stop eating their more nutritious meals. And much worse is the fact some of the most popular treats contain preservatives, flavor enhancers, artificial colors and even toxic ingredients. These can make a pet, especially one with a compromised immune system, deathly ill. For starters, many popular pet treats are not dainty morsels, but biscuits as big as SmartCars. Not only are they too large for most dogs, they contain harmful ingredients like those highlighted below. Here's a list of a few "No-No" ingredients found in many popular varieties of treats currently sold in most grocery and pet stores. I personally would stay away from any treat containing these ingredients but most certainly those in BOLD:
BUYER BEWARE! Some of the worst, deadliest treats can also be the most deceiving. Such is the case with RAW HIDE. You can't go into a big-box pet store or even a pet section in a large retailer without seeing numerous raw-hide products. Bones in every shape, size and color are front and center. Like me, most pet parents ASSUME if it's sold at Target or Petco it must be safe! That couldn't be further from the truth. Rawhide is extremely dangerous and in my opinion should be pulled from the shelves of every pet store. Just watch the short video below by Rodney Habib to see the truth about how this product is made and all the hazards associated with it. The same holds true for many of those packaged chicken/meat/fish JERKY treats. These are some of the most popular treats around. But what many people don't know is that the misleading bag that reads: "All Natural / Made-in-the-USA" may contain toxic additives from China. These products have killed or made thousands of dogs deathly ill. Although they claim the problems were identified and sourcing was changed, with no regulation on pet treats, it's impossible to know the truth. I personally stay away from all treats except the ones I make or treats from trusted sources. If you've just realized you're feeding your dog toxic treats or they are not up to par, don't panic or feel guilty. There are lots of healthy options your dog will love! When I'm at home with Olive I use blueberries, apple slices, carrots and broccoli as tiny treats. But again, Olive is a Pug who will devour anything she can wrap her jaws around. A dog with a pickier pallet may not go for those options. I recommend if you're cooking and have any meat trimmings or organs, you cut them up in small bites and freeze them to use as healthy treats or toppers. If you want some healthy options you can grab at PetSmart, Nulo (http://nulo.com/) has a line of popular, nutritious treats. They offer several varieties of bite-sized training bites, jerky, and raw toppers. All are made with the same thoughtful consideration that goes into their food: Low carb, high animal protein. No corn, wheat, soy, tapioca or molasses and amazing patented BC30 probiotics. Grab some next time you're in PetSmart or your independent pet retailer. Now when I'm out and about and kind strangers want to offer my dogs a treat, I explain they have tummy issues and give them my own goodies to offer. I always carry a small sample bag of a high-end kibble in my pocket. If I'm in a pinch, Cheerios are a far better alternative to toxic treats. Small, gluten free, low sugar morsels. Right now they have pumpkin flavored ones. Having some nutritious treats with you can be a great way to meet new friends. Lastly, for those of you in the mood, here are some treat options you can make yourself. These treats are easy, healthy, and will work for even a very sensitive dog. They are also far less expensive than what's available in stores! So toss out those toxic Milk Bones, raw hide and chicken jerky treats and give a few of these options a try! 🎃 🎃Crunchy Pumpkin Biscuits🎃. Makes 75 small biscuits/50 medium preheat oven to 350 degrees 1/2 cup organic canned pumpkin 1/4 tsp sea salt 2 1/2 cups organic brown rice flour (coconut flour can also be used) 1 tsp ground parsley (optional) 2 tablespoons dried milk 2 eggs (grind up the egg shells finely in a coffee grinder for extra nutrients) *unsalted organic creamy peanut butter/coconut oil/dried cranberries for decor if desired Combine eggs and pumpkin until smooth. Add salt, parsley, milk and slowly add in flour. Roll mixture out using additional flour if needed for sticking. When dough is 1/4 - 1/2" thickness, use small or medium cookie cutters to make biscuits. Place on cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Drizzle or dip warm biscuits in organic, unsalted creamy peanut butter or coconut oil that has been melted in a microwave for 30 sec. Add dried cranberries for decor. Place on wax paper until cooled and dipping sauce has hardened. 🎃🎃Pumpkin Pupsicles🎃🎃 1 can Organic Pumpkin 1 cup organic, plain Greek yogurt or plain Kefir 1/2 cup organic, creamy, unsalted, unsweetened peanut butter unsweetened organic coconut flakes/dried cranberries if desired. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into ice cube tray. You can add coconut flakes and/or dried cranberries, if you wish. Another option is top with crumbled kibble and make a mudd pie. Freeze for 3 hours and add to meals or as a cool treat. For more information on toxic treats watch this short, entertaining videos by Planet Paws blogger Rodney Habib: https://youtu.be/Oc265q0ZRss https://www.facebook.com/PlanetPaws.ca/videos/1041383642603184/ *(In researching this blog, the pet food manufacturers make the argument that these chemicals are used in very trace amounts and not enough to be worried about. Well after millions of recalls and pet deaths I'm not taking any chances or trusting their word.)  By Katy Cable-TWR-A 3 Min Read Fleas suck! -Pun intended! Unlike bees that pollinate our planet and keep us alive, or ants who are brilliant little armies of team players, capable of carrying an entire picnic a GA-ZILLION times their own size and body weight on their tiny backs, what purpose do fleas and ticks serve anyway? Here in Southern California fleas can be year-round invaders. Although the dog days of summer are over, your pup may still be wearing more than a cute collar and bandana. Right now, no matter where you live, chances are these blood sucking monsters are just waiting to spread like wildfire on your pet. When I rescued my current Pug Olive she was on Revolution, a monthly flea and heart-worm preventative I have used successfully in the past. Although Olive doesn't have fleas, she did suffer a terrible allergic reaction to a flea bite. I raced a sneezing, coughing, incessantly itching Olive to the vet. Upon examination, the vet discovered red bumps all over her and was convinced it was an allergic reaction to a flea bite. I couldn't see how that was possible as she was on flea prevention. The vet explained that even with protection, fleas can jump on and bite a pet before dying. If a pet is allergic, that's all it takes. After Olive's incident, I am extremely diligent about washing her and keeping fleas away. I have discovered some excellent natural alternatives to products containing harsh chemicals. I currently apply organic coconut oil to Olive's coat. It acts as both a great moisturizer and flea repellent. I also make sure to bathe her following adventures where she may have been exposed to fleas. I am SO happy I made the smart decision to replace all my carpets with wood and tile flooring and “knock-on-wood”, haven't had any flea problems. Believe me, it's much easier to keep fleas away in the first place than it is to get those pests to leave once they've invaded. My advice, use something strong and powerful to kill them then hopefully you can lighten up and use some natural, less toxic remedies to keep them at bay. This does bring up a good point: It certainly doesn't have to be a harsh, toxic chemical for your pet to have a horrific reaction. Just like a human who can't touch a strawberry or a peanut. -Be it an unsalted raw one or a Reese's cup, pets too can have adverse reactions or even die from wholesome, organic products if they happen to be allergic. Before trying ANY product or food, I urge you to first research it. Check out the company, the ingredients, and where it's produced. Talk to trusted vets and pet parents and always test it out with a very small amount first. So while natural products are usually preferred, even those can have disastrous outcomes if your pet has the rare allergy. Also fleas, ticks and other parasites may be resistant to some natural, less intense repellents and your pet won't be protected. Hopefully you can try a few of these tips and find a perfect, less toxic balance. And, as always, a clean healthy pet with a strong immune system will naturally repel more parasites than a sickly one. That starts and finishes with a nutritious, balanced diet 😃. Every flea season I consult with frustrated pet parents looking for flea repellent shampoos. I always advise against strong, harsh, shampoos loaded with chemicals. Any soap and water will kill and remove fleas. For heavy infestations. Here's a recipe for a gentle, non-toxic, flea repelling shampoo you can make at home. I use this on my shelter/rescue dogs who typically come in poor shape infested with fleas. Again, always sample a small amount first to check for adverse reactions. 🐞ALL-NATURAL FLEA BUSTER SHAMPOO: Slice 1/2 lemon and add to 1 Cup boiling water. Stir for 5 minutes then remove from heat, steep and cool. Remove lemon parts, drain juice into large canning jar or bottle. Add 2/3 Cup Dr Bronner's Purecastle Soap Add 1/2 cup Apple cider vinegar 1 TBS organic coconut oil 15 drops pure organic lavender oil Mix together and WASH your PUP! In addition, here are some recommendations for healthy flea/tick control: 🐾Remember, there is simply no chemical based pest control pill, dip, solution, shampoo, or collar that is without the potential for side effects. Just because a compound is applied to or worn on your pet’s fur doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. Remember: what goes ON your pet goes IN your pet, by absorption through the skin.
Hopefully, with some easy tips, going forward, blood-sucking monsters will not be a bother and your pet can manage on safer, natural remedies! Pugs and kisses!🐾💕 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By, Katy Cable -TWR A 4 min. Read With deadly brush fires devastating the Southwest, this is a perfect time to remind EVERYONE, regardless of where you live to HAVE A DISASTER PLAN! Waiting until the last minute to have an emergency plan and supplies in place is not only foolish but may be deadly. So, in the midst of this crisis, while it's fresh on everyone's minds, I hope each and every one of you will take a few minutes and: MAKE A DISASTER PLAN FOR YOU AND YOUR PETS! Here are some important tips to keep pets safe in natural disasters and emergencies: 1. HAVE ALL YOUR PETS MICRO-CHIPPED and make sure they are wearing ID collars when home alone. You'll increase your chances of being reunited with pets who get lost by having them micro-chipped; make sure the micro-chip registration is in your name. I advise having your vet scan it to check its working next time you're in for a visit. But remember, the Good Samaritan who finds your pet likely won't be able to scan for a chip, but they will be able to read a basic tag! Put your cellphone number on your pet's tag. It may also be a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area in the event you have to evacuate. 2. *PREPARE AN EMERGENCY KIT: Include essentials such as: 🐾2 weeks of clean drinking water & non-perishable food. Store in water-tight containers. 🐾First aid kit (I use this one: https://www.rcpets.com/Pet-Safety-Products/Pet-First-Aid-Kit/Product.aspx 🐾Any medication your pet takes plus first-aid meds: (antacid/sm can pumpkin/Benadryl/baby aspirin) 🐾Crate labeled with photo of pet and ER contact # 🐾Comfort toys/in crate 🐾Booties or baby socks 🐾T-Shirt/warm coat/sweater/blanket/pillow 🐾Reflective harness/leash 🐾Life preserver 🐾Puppy pads/poop bags 3. BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES: Make sure there's a sign on your door for emergency personnel that you own pets and where they typically hide in the house if scared. If you have a pet-sitter, or neighbor entrust then with a key and discuss the possibility of looking out for your pets in the event of an emergency. Make a plan with a specific meeting spot to retrieve your pets should there be an emergency. Ask friends/relatives outside your immediate area if they would be able to shelter you and your pets—or just your pets—if necessary. If you have more than one pet, you may need to arrange to house them at separate locations. Prior to a disaster, check with hotels and motels outside your immediate area to find out if they accept pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size and species. Inquire if a "no pet" policy would be waived due to an emergency. Keep a list of animal-friendly places handy, and call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home. For help identifying pet-friendly lodgings, check out these websites:
Contact your veterinarian's office. Ask for referrals or services in outside areas. Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in disaster emergencies (make sure to include their 24-hour telephone numbers). Check with your local animal shelter. Some shelters may be able to provide foster care or shelter for pets in an emergency. But keep in mind that shelters have limited resources and are likely to be stretched during a local emergency. I highly recommend playing it SAFE! If there is a threat- Evacuate early. Don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order. Some people who have waited had to be evacuated by emergency officials and their pets were often left behind. The smell of smoke, rapidly rising water, or the sound of high winds or thunder may make your pet more fearful and difficult to locate or load into a crate or carrier. Evacuating before conditions become severe will keep everyone safer and make the process much less stressful. IF YOU MUST EVACUATE, TAKE YOUR PET: This goes without saying. If it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets. You have no way of knowing how long you'll be kept out of the area, and you may not be able—or allowed—to go back and retrieve your pets. Pets left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost or killed. If you cannot get your pet, do not leave them chained, tied up or locked in a crate. At least give them the opportunity to escape. 4. IF YOU STAY HOME, PLAY IT SAFE: If your family and pets must wait out a storm or other disaster at home, identify a safe area of where you can all congregate.
More likely than a category 5 hurricane or F5 tornado, are everyday emergencies such as sweltering heat-waves, severe winter storms, and brush fires. There may be times that you can't get home to take care of your pets. A sudden brush fire or icy roads may trap you away from home overnight, or an accident may send you to the hospital. But you can make sure your pets get the care they need by making arrangements NOW :
HEAT WAVES: Just an hour or two in the sweltering heat can be life-threatening. If you stay at home during a summer power outage, check your local emergency center for pet-friendly cooling centers in your area. Keep a cooler filled with ice and water handy if sweltering temperatures are in the forecast. If you cannot leave, during a power/AC outage, set-up a cool zone in a bathroom where pets can sit in a tub filled with a few inches of cool water. If you have a full tank of gas, you can drive around in an air-conditioned car. (Do not for any reason leave a pet in a car unattended with temperatures over 70 degrees.) WINTER STORMS: Don't be fooled by your pets' fur coats; it isn't safe to leave them in an unheated house. Paws need protection from freezing ice and snow so have jackets, booties and blankets on hand should you lose power in your home. REMEMBER plans aren't only essential for the safety of pets. If you're responsible for other animals, make sure you have disaster plans for them as well. That would include feral or outdoor cats, horses and/or other farm animals. I hope if an emergency or disaster strikes, these tips will protect both you and your beloved pets! Let's keep our friends in the midst of these devastating fires in our thoughts and prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻💕 *RC Pets has wonderful safety/outdoor/ products that I use. I encourage you to check out their website and entire product line: https://www.rcpets.com/ to donate to relief efforts visit: http://www.redcross.org/ https://secure.humanesociety.org/ 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾 HOW TO SHAVE YEARS OFF YOUR DOG’S LIFE...Not Doing This Will Drastically Cut Your Pet’s Lifespan8/23/2020  By Katy Cable-The Weekly Runt A 4 min. Read No that's not a typo! You read the headline correctly. Now that I have your attention, I'm going to switch it up and give it a PAWsitive spin. In this blog I will be covering something every dog owner can do to add years to their pet’s life. I'm sure you'll agree, it’s inexpensive and very simple to incorporate. Even better, not only will doing these things give your pet a longer life, it will be a happier, healthier one as well. Another added bonus, you should also save a considerable amount of money in Veterinary bill$! The number one, single most important thing you can do to add years to your pet's life is keep them from becoming overweight. The best way to do that...Unleash Your Dog's Inner-Athlete. Prior to CoVid, I was so excited to watch the summer Olympic Games. I'm always awestruck and inspired by the fitness, endurance and strength of the athletes. The Olympics were also a huge motivator for me to become a "TRY-athlete" with Olive. I'm hoping I can encourage you to do the same with this game plan and some fun ideas. Another great thing, not only will your dog be happier and healthier, you are going to benefit as well. You know your pet's energy levels and abilities at better than anyone. While some of you with extremely active dogs are already hitting the running and biking trails, a majority of us are super busy and know we could and SHOULD do more. If you're like me, sometimes the best I can muster up is a few quick walks down the street or throwing a ball a couple times. Unfortunately, that's not enough. Although it's a good start and anything is better than nothing, in order to stay lean, fit, well-conditioned, emotionally balanced, and fully mobile as they age, your dog needs some physical activity every day. Not only that, if they don't get opportunities to run, play and get regular aerobic exercise, even if they're not overweight, they can end up with arthritis and other debilitating conditions that affect the bones, joints, muscles and internal organs. In addition, many canine behavior problems are the direct result of a lack of physical activity. For optimum health and longevity, your dog should be getting a minimum of 20 minutes of sustained heart-thumping exercise three times a week. Although canines are designed for movement and activity, what most people don't realize is that like their owners, dogs need some enticing to get moving. Even the largest, most exciting, backyard or the best ball isn't enough to motivate your pet to get the required exercise for staying in good physical condition.The only way to make sure your dog gets adequate exercise is to provide them with the companionship and incentive. So, that's the goal we are striving for and taking a brisk hour-long power walk everyday will be a great start. Now, if your dog is out of shape, injured or ill you will want to modify activity. Also, be aware of environmental conditions that might make exercise unsafe such as poor air or water quality, and extreme temperatures. If you aren't able to move at this pace, consider involving your dog in other types of cardiovascular exercise like a gentle swim or some Tug-A-War (I don't recommend this if your dog has neck, back, or aggression issues.) Another fun thing would be to hide different treats in boxes around your home and yard and involve them in scent-tracking games. Once you're up to speed on walks, gradually increase the length of time of the walk and get your dog's heart rate up (and yours) by mastering some sand, gentle hills, inclines or hiking trails suitable for dogs. If you're not in an area to find those options, why not bring along a Frisbee or ball to throw and play "Go Fetch" during your time out. For active breeds, high-energy or young dogs that are a challenge for you to keep up with, try getting a special bicycle leash and letting your dog run beside you while you ride. Again you can gradually add duration, hills and speed. And while I myself have a young, healthy, active Pug (who thinks she's a greyhound when she's racing down the beach,) be careful with certain dogs and bicycles. I see many people out on skateboards or riding bicycles with Pugs and Bulldogs. And while it's always nice to see them out exercising and enjoying their pets, these breeds in particular have difficulty regulating their body temperature and breathing. And while the exercise is great, they MUST be able to stop and/or go at their own pace if they feel tired, out of breath or getting overheated. These brachycephalic breeds (flat-smooshy faces) are typically not suited to be ideal running partners. -Unless the runner is like me and can't race to the end of my block without tripping or stopping to use my inhaler. Swimning is another great exercise but not for every dog. Many dogs such as Dachshunds, Bulldogs, and Pugs are not designed to float or swim well. They can also be prone to horrible inner ear infections if they get their head's wet. I recommend ear plugs and a dog floatation vest attached to a long rope just to play it safe. Also many dogs are fearful of the water so it's best to introduce them in a manner that doesn't traumatize them. That being said, swimming can be a wonderful, fun, cardiovascular activity that doesn't put stress on the joints so don't rule it out. Plastic kiddie pools filled with some balls and water can be a fun way to get your dog acclimated to water. My Olive is terrified of the water. It's unfortunate living just a few blocks from Rosie's Dog Beach. I still take her several times a week and keep exposing her to the gentle ocean but I go at her pace and never force her. Hopefully one day she will go charging into the ocean to retrieve those balls that get thrown. For today, she lets the water-loving dogs have them and abruptly stops at the shoreline. With my Olive's traumatic past and fear issues, agility training was a great exercise option. This fun activity not only helped build her confidence but it also strengthened our bond. She became much more trusting, and she's in terrific, agile shape. She might even become a champion. As you get out and begin your fun fitness plan don't forget to have plenty of fresh drinking water. I recommend a stainless water bottle with a rollerball spout for hygienic, spill-proof drinking. Or a portable dish for water. Nulo pet foods just introduced HYDRATE. Just add a squirt to water and provide your dog not only yummy flavors like roasted lamb, beef, chicken or pork but also give them amino acids, vitamins, and electrolytes. Grab them at Petsmart or your pet retailer. Regardless of your dog’s athleticism (or lack thereof) always watch for signs of overexertion such as: limping, excessive panting, stopping in their tracks, or extreme fatigue. Hopefully you and your fur baby will be "off and running" this fall having fun, and getting into great shape. -Pugs and kisses! 🐾💕 |
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