 By Katy Cable-The Weekly Runt Last week, my beloved 93 year-old mother passed away. Although she went peacefully surrounded by her loved ones, the grief is overwhelming. We were very close. This huge loss sits at the tippy top of a few years filled with sadness and goodbyes. It’s been a difficult few years for all of us. I think we have all been kicked to the curb by more loss than we can throw a stick at. For New Year’s, I made a TikTok memorial video featuring all the dogs who were near-and-dear to my heart that are no longer with us. I thought for this week’s blog I might just do a repost a blog on losing a pet and include the TikTok. Then I remembered a post I saved by a brilliant, creative, amazing friend of mine, Kristen Andrews, and I changed directions. What happens in Vegas stays in our hearts forever. Andrews is a rainbow haired, anime-animal-loving, pug-mom, and practicing Veterinarian in Kingman, Arizona. She was an OG social media influencer and the mom of the infamous Chubbs the Wampug. Before there was a Doug-the-Pug, Chubbs became a pug icon melting the hearts of thousands with that adorable face, quirky costumes, and crazy pug antics. In 2017, Chubbs sadly passed, leaving hundreds of thousands of fans heartbroken. Kristen and a friend who had also lost a beloved pug around the same time, poured their hearts and souls into organizing The Las Vegas Pug Party. It was an over-the-top, weekend Pug-a-Palooza for over 200 pug-obsessed party goers. -And I was one of them! When I saw it on social media I immediately paid in full, introduced myself to Kristen, and asked how I could help. April 2018, hundreds of impeccably dressed pugs embarked on the Las Vegas strip and had the adventure of a lifetime. Kristen introduced us to her then adorable new pug puppy, Saty (AKA Mrs. Worldwide.) Saty is a darling, feisty, turbo-charged black pug with royal bloodlines and the inheritance of thousands of captive followers. The first Vegas Pug Party, led to 2 more. In 2019 there was a Las Vegas Pug Wedding, officiated by Elvis himself, and in 2020, the ‘80’s themed Pug Prom, just weeks before the Covid quarantine began. The trips Kristen created have been not only some of the best getaways of my life, but they have also introduced me to an entire pug family of loved ones. And Kristen is part of this close-knit group. We keep in touch daily on social media and also have frequent get-togethers. I hope you’ll check out some of my blogs and videos of these fun gatherings. You’ve got a friend I recently cashed in my friend card and called Kristen at home on a weekend. I had just returned from a vacation in Hawaii and while I was at work, my pug Olive managed to get into my souvenir bag. She devoured every Hawaiian delicacy from chocolate mac-nuts to shortbread cookies faster than you can say, “ALOHA!” Olive seemed perfectly fine when I returned home, but I was sure I needed to race her somewhere and have her stomach pumped. Kristen picked up my call and assured me Olive might have diarrhea like a tourist returning from a Mexican vacation, but she’d likely be A-ok! That gave me more peace than she would ever know. Too many goodbyes. That scare reminded me of the very worst thing about owning a dog, -saying goodbye. Recently I’ve had to walk through way too many farewells. It got me thinking about our vets. How do they do this day in and day out? Doing the work they do must be extremely difficult. First there’s the schooling. Imagine putting in all the years of college and straddling the hefty student loans of a medical doctor, and then not having the big salary pay-off at the end. Veterinarians work grueling hours, many weekends, and much of it can be pro-Bono. Our insurance system isn’t set up the same for pets. Many life-saving and necessary treatments are either not covered or still require enormous out-of-pocket costs. And while vets can offer some “friends -and-family” discounts, they aren’t in a position to do much more to offset huge costs. Pet parents are a whole different animal. Wewant answers. We want a guarantee. We want to know that if we pay the equivalent of a rent payment in additional vet bills each month, it will work. We need them to save our dogs. And when that can’t be done we’re devastated. But so are they. Did you know, according to Choices Psychotherapy, veterinarians are in the top 5 for careers with the highest suicide rates? Their job is a whole lot more than petting kittens and puppies all day. Yes, they’re with us for one of the happiest days, when we bring our new addition in for a first exam, but they’re often there on the hardest day too. The day when we have to let them go. And, as Kristen’s piece so eloquently shows, being a vet doesn’t make it much easier to say goodbye. When you know better you do better Every day I hear at least one pet parent say they disagree with their vet or feel intimidated by their vet. If there’s one piece of advice I can give you (and will, free of charge) if you don’t like and trust your vet, or you don’t feel comfortable talking to them, go elsewhere! Keep looking. Keep asking around. You can find a better fit. You can find a vet you like and trust. And when you do, show some gratitude and compassion for the often difficult, heartbreaking job they do. Most of them are pet parents too! They made their life’s work about caring for animals. If you’re up to your “puffy from ugly crying” eyeballs in grief, you’re not alone. Nothing can prepare you for such a huge loss. I feel it too! But so does your vet and so many others. It hurts to love so deeply and then say goodbye! But keep opening your heart. If your dog is still here, go make those memories. Savor each and every precious moment because they go much too fast. If possible, build a community around your dog. It’s not too hard to find other dog-obsessed people. Who knows, that nice gal you meet at the dog park may end up being one of your closest friends. You may not end up at a pug prom in Vegas, but perhaps instead of locking your dog up in a jail-like kennel while you trek through Europe, they may get an equally fun invitation to stay with their new BFF (best furry friend!) You will likely get some great pet tips and recommendations. Maybe even for an amazing new vet! Have fun together! Enjoy the good times and hold each up other when there’s sadness and loss. Remember, for a much-too-short amount of time you have the presence and unconditional love of an angel from heaven. I want to give a huge heartfelt thanks to Dr. Kristen Andrews, Dr. Gail Renehan, Dr. Karen Becker, VCA Airport Irvine Animal Hospital and all the vets out there who are doing God’s work here on earth. I appreciate you more than you will ever know. RIP Dotty, Phillip, Simon, Blaze, Jayla, Jasmine, LuLu, Joey, Blue, Maya, Raisin, Buddy, Chubbs, and so many others. I hope you’re running free at Rainbow Bridge and will be there with kisses and squeals of joy when we arrive and are reunited. How your vet sees euthanasia..... by Kristin Andrews, DVM So, you bring me this puppy - she kisses my face, devours the cookies I offer, and our friendship starts. Several visits later, he starts to learn where all the cookie jars are in the clinic, and that lady in the white coat, well she’s okay.... Fast forward many visits later, now I am in love with your dog and your whole family because, well, you are just really really good people and I have not only watched that pup turn into a really sweet family member, but I got to watch the kids grow every year and be a very small part of your journey. Remember that time she ate your teenage daughter’s thong underwear? 😝😝😝 yeah we all had a good laugh over that once the surgery was done and she was recovered. Your daughter probably never forgave me for bringing that up and showing the whole fam-jam when they came to pick her up from the clinic. So many adventures, so little time..... And here we are, fifteen or so odd years later, having to say goodbye. He’s got heart disease and I can’t fix it anymore. She’s got cancer and there is no cure. He has arthritis and the meds just aren’t working. I want her to live forever for you. I want that so badly it hurts. I feel like I have failed him and you when I have run out of options to keep them, and you, comfortable and happy. So now it’s time, and I am supposed to be professional. Objective. I am the doctor. Calm. Cool. Collected. Always under control. Fuck that. I have known you and her for a third of my life, and most of my professional career. But I keep it together. My superhuman amazing technicians have put the catheter in. My support staff from reception to assistants have done all the paperwork. Trust me they may not show it but their hearts are breaking for you. They have been there. They know. And they know you and care about you too. And I have the needle in the pocket of my white coat. The same pocket that was always full of treats for him. I take a deep yoga breath and come into the room. Gotta stay strong now....... She’s giving me that sweet look she always does, the one that is followed by puppy kisses and a glance at the cookie jar. But she is too weak now. She is ready. You are not. I am not. But this shit has to happen because we love her too much to let her suffer. She would keep going as long as we asked her to. But we can’t ask her to anymore. It’s not fair to her. I wish our human hearts could be so giving all the time. I wish I could be the person my dog thinks I am. I wish I wish I wish I could find a way for them to live forever. But I don’t have those magical powers. I am just a vet. So we kiss him back, not much left of his body that still works, but that old tail wags, just enough that I lose my shit on the inside but I try not to cry. Gotta stay strong. Her body relaxes, she is in your arms and your are sobbing. Another family has lost one of its most cherished members. I put my stethoscope to her heart to make sure it has stopped but she is held so tight to your chest that maybe that is your heart I hear pounding or maybe it’s mine and all the blood rushing through my ears as I try so so so hard not to turn into a blubbering mess. Confirmed, he has passed. You lay him gently on the table and we hug tightly as you go to leave. The door closes behind you and I don’t know if you hear this, but I sob hysterically into your pet’s ear. She is gone, he will be missed, and you have to face what I know will be one of the hardest parts of today. Entering that house and they are not there to greet you. Please know that I know how you feel. As you leave the clinic I just wish with every fiber of my being that you never had to face that. I wish they could live forever. And please know, I am so grateful that I was a small part of your journey. Love always, Your vet. Follow Kristin on social media at @Chubbsthewampug Find out about future events on my website: https://www.weeklyrunt.com/  By Katy Cable-TWR A 3 min. Read What do you think is the number one New Year’s Resolution? If you guessed: Lose weight/get in shape, you’re right! This is great news considering Americans are plagued by a growing epidemic of obesity, diabetes, and a host of other health issues related to lousy diets. And, what’s worse, our pets have followed suit! Therefore this might be a great resolution for them as well. Did you know the number one, single most important thing you can do to add years and quality to your pet's life is: keep them from becoming overweight. What and how much you feed your precious fur-baby is the barometer for all aspects of your dog's health, longevity, and quality of life. The good news is with just a little willpower on your part it can be done quite easily. Keep in mind, YOU’RE in control of the bowl and what goes into your dog's body is 100% your responsibility. I'm not trying to be judgmental or fat shame anyone’s pup, since I too had no idea of the severity of a few extra “dog pounds!” When our family first went looking for a Pug to adopt, I gravitated towards all the gi-normous ones. I found the portly Pugs cuter and more cuddly (maybe because they couldn't move) and that they were the true standard of the breed. I had no idea a huffing, puffing, fur baby with their belly dragging on the ground and no visible waistline was morbidly obese. Thankfully we ended up with a lean, active, healthy Pug and a valuable lesson in pet nutrition. The next eye-opener was how food-obsessed Pugs can be. They will literally eat themselves to DEATH if given the chance. I saw our first Pug Raisin, jump 3 feet onto a table, tear open and devour the contents of a raffle gift basket (including a TIN of Almond Roca) in less time than it took me to slide on a pair of Crocs! Mission projects made of sugar cubes, holiday gingerbread houses, -gone in less than 60 seconds. Nothing excites or motivates a Pug more than food. Most dogs (excluding Labs) are not this obsessed but it's still very difficult to resist the longing gaze of a food-loving dog. I will admit, when my darling Pug Olive tilts her head and pants longingly, I ALWAYS give her a small bite of any human food that isn't harmful. However, I weigh my Pugs and keep them fit, lean, and trim. If the harness gets a bit snug or too loose, I adjust the portions and "small bites" accordingly. And, if they’re battling a health issue or illness, I'm extra diligent about nutrition. Why the big deal? Here’s the “skinny” on this issue: Dogs and cats are much smaller than adult humans. Excess weight on a smaller body has more significant, and immediate consequences than added weight on a bigger body. And when you factor in the short lifespan of the average dog or cat, it gets even shorter if that pet is overweight. Plus, the quality of their life will not be optimal as they develop the inevitable diseases that come with obesity. Believe it or not, dogs that are even A FEW pounds over their ideal weight are prone to FAR more arthritis, hip, vertebrae, and mobility issues. Also cancers, and diabetes. Diabetes can lead to blindness and any issue negatively affecting mobility robs a dog of a big chunk of its quality of life. Tragically, it is often why many pets must be euthanized. If health issues alone weren't bad enough, there's also the expensive vet bills. According to Embrace, a pet insurance carrier, the average annual cost of vet care for a diabetic dog or cat is over $1,500. In the last year alone, insurance claims for pets with diabetes increased over 250 percent. Embrace, confirms orthopedic conditions are occurring in younger pets – and with greater severity, typically because so many animals are overweight. And it's certainly not just one pet insurance company that’s concerned. "Seeing animals suffering from health conditions secondary to their obesity is a common situation," according to Crystal Sheran, DVM for Banfield Pet Hospital. So, if your pet is overweight, hopefully you are now convinced it's a big deal and you’re willing to correct the problem before it’s too late. Here are a few common simple tips to help you get started:
🐾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 As we begin a New Year! 🎉most people make a resolution of one kind or another. The most popular 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. 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! 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 pricey 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 information is still legible should they ever get lost. You may need to replace and update that as well. Replace with this: A 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 for all holidays and seasons. I find great collars 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 faster than butter melts on a hot pancake. 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 bout of the flu! 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 trims to the pros. Plus, I’m as welcome as a rash when dogs see me come at them with nail clippers. 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, 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 leashes: “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 only recommend retractable leashes for those who are working with a trainer on specific commands, but never for daily use. There are many reasons to avoid 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. If suddenly a car, aggressive dog, or skateboard appears, quickly retracting the leash can result in SERIOUS injuries. I personally have gotten deep, horrible cuts and burns from retractable leashes. I 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: A 4-6 foot, flat leash. 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. If Covid is a concern, look for outdoor activities with smaller groups of dogs. 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 trying 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 money and time wisely invested in you dog will come back ten-fold. I hope you will join me with some of these easy, healthy, resolutions for your pup that you can do ALL YEAR LONG! II hope 2022 is a happy, healthy, wonderful year for you and your beloved pets! I look forward to getting to know you better and seeing you at a fun event or on social media in the new year! Thanks for reading and being an awesome pet parent! 🎉 -Pugs and Kisses! -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-TWR /A 4 min read Most of my followers are PUG-OBSESSED like I am, but for those joining The Weekly Runt interested in adding a Pug to your family, I want to educate you on some important facts about this special breed that should come with the buyer’s manual. I don’t want anyone to be "unpleasantly" 😳 surprised! I never originally wanted a dog. I actually dreaded getting one! And then I was introduced to PUGS! Now I know why people who love pugs say, "Its not just a dog, it's a PUG!" They are darling. They are hysterical. They tug at your heartstrings and just like that you’re hooked and have to have one. First of all, no two pugs are alike. Don't assume that magical, snuggle bunny pug on your neighbor's lap or that comical pug dressed up on YouTube is what you're going to get. Pugs, like all dogs, vary greatly in their temperament, energy, intelligence, and independence. Personalities range from go-with-the-flow to I'm-in-charge-of-everything. That being said, there are some generalizations that tend to be SPOT ON: PUG PUPPIES: If I'm lucky, every day at work I might have the opportunity to help out new pet parents shopping for their first puppy. Usually, the puppy is cuddled in their arms dozing in and out of sleep. Just like a new sleeping baby, that in the blink of an eye turns into a high-energy toddler on the move, the same holds true for puppies. Warn as I do, these parents are usually astounded when all too quickly that same puppy is a whirling dervish of energy. They snuggle for 30 seconds and then are off again to race around the house, leaving a trail of destruction in his or her path. Pug puppies are no different from any other puppy. Expect nipping, chewing, gnawing, jumping, pulling on your pant legs, shoe destroying, and lots of mayhem. Here's the reality. The only puppy that is a couch potato is a SICK puppy. Most are bundles of non-stop energy. You likely won't have a couch potato pug until at least the age of three, and your pug may NEVER be a couch potato. Pugs from reputable breeders are more likely to have the typical pug temperament eventually, but even they will be little spitfires as puppies. If your puppy is from the internet, a pet store, a newspaper ad, or rescue, then it's up for grabs what kind of temperament you may end up with. You might luck out and get a pug that has the solid and stable temperament that is the signature of the breed, but you might also end up with a pug like my Olive who has deep-seated issues that take diligent, loving, consistent, training to transform. One of the best ways to wear a puppy out (or any busy dog) is to engage them in activities that make them work and think. This is why I cannot say enough about obedience classes! It will be money and time very well spent. Classes are a great way for both of you to bond, socialize and learn. One hour of training can really take the edge off of a busy new pup! A high-maintenance breed: Don't get me wrong. I love my pugs, but they are, without a doubt, a high-maintenance breed. They need and want a lot of attention. Pugs are and were bred for the sole purpose of being companion animals. They need people. If you’re going to be gone for long periods of time and/or be too tired to engage with your pug when you get home from work, then a pug likely isn't the dog for you. And pug puppies are developing and learning. They need stimulation, guidance, time, and attention. Any puppy left crated for six to eight hours will be absolutely manic by the time you get home. You will need you to devote the remainder of the evening to them. And definitely have someone available to care for them during the day. Pugs are often referred to as a "VELCRO DOG" so if you don't want a dog that is going to be wherever you are all the time (including in the bathroom), then rethink getting a pug. Housetraining: Pug puppies will not be house trained in a month or two. It might possibly take six months. Some pick it up quickly, but most take much longer before they are completely consistent and reliable. And most pugs won't ask to go out. Pugs generally will not just go outside and do their business while you relax comfortably on the couch enjoying a cappuccino. If they are outside, you'd better be outside with them. Most will not potty outside without your company and encouragement. (Actually, the only thing they probably will do without your fanfare is EAT!) While some pugs can hold their bladders all day while you're at work, most can't and shouldn't be expected to. So if you're contemplating a pug (or small breed dog) then be sure that you can afford to have someone come in and let the dog out or make an 'approved' spot in your home for them to go. Punishing a pug (or any dog) for an accident is not an effective method of house training. Rubbing the dog's nose in the mess and yelling "No!", "Bad Dog!" and other choice words, will likely create a dog who becomes a sneaky excreter and fearful of your behavior. You must use praise and positive reinforcement to house-train. There are many good books, articles and trainers to help you with house-training issues if needs be. Pugs are very adept at figuring out what you will and will not tolerate, but they also like to test the limits. You don't need to be a dictator, but all dogs want to know what the routine is and like a predictable world. PUG-ALICIOUS PUGS: Pugs have a variety of unique quirks that drive some people bonkers. They can be nosy, inquisitive, and often right under foot. Most are tremendously and dangerously food driven and will consume things that you don't consider edible. -I'm not kidding. They will eat poop, grass, rocks, coins, packaging, and basically anything they can get in their jaws around. They especially love Kleenex and toilet paper. It is your most important job to pug-proof your home in order to avoid tragedy! I never trust a pug around any food source, garbage can or even cabinets that they can reach. In my home, trash cans sit up high on cupboards, gates are installed, cabinets are locked, and chairs are pushed away from table tops. If there’s a possibility they can get where the food is, even a sedentary pug will muster up the energy to "table surf!" -I have many ER vet bills to prove it. And it's not just tables. I've had contents of entire trash cans devoured. Things I never knew lived under the bed and old food left in a jacket pocket or a backpack have been devoured in a NY minute. Pugs can be quite vocal and can be barkers, criers, howlers, moaners and grumblers. You may have watched videos of them singing and saying, "I love you". Mine all cry and sing with joy when I return home after time away. As a breed, they have the widest assortment of noises I've ever heard. And speaking of noises, check out TikTok and watch pugs sleeping. Most snore like buzz saws. Pugs are referred to as “multim in parvo” meaning “A lot of dog in a small space.” Pugs are tough little dogs that pack a lot of punch in their compact bodies. They are confident and have no clue how small they are. Most will not initiate a fight, but many will vigorously defend themselves or others TO THEIR DEATH if a fight starts. Often, they are hopelessly outclassed in the fighting department and can get seriously hurt if owners aren't careful. To say they are a food driven breed is a huge understatement. Be prepared for possible issues with food aggression and resource guarding. Especially if you have other dogs. Pugs are not fans of inclement or extreme weather and will resist venturing outside in the cold, rain, snow, extreme heat or wind. They are prone to over-heating extremely quickly due to their "flat-noses.” Keep your environment in mind before getting a pug. Pug Smarts: While many people perceive pugs as dumb dogs. They aren't. In fact, most are extremely smart. Their outrageous food drive usually makes them fairly easy to train. They make amazing therapy and service dogs. You also won't find better sports about dawning costumes for photos and videos. Although they are loads of fun to dress up and take out, it's often easy to forget they are DOGS. They need to do dog things such as go to parks, meet other dogs, play, and have fun. P.E=Pug Exercise: While pugs aren't known for being athletic, sporting dogs, there are many, like Surf Gidget The Pug that excel at surfing, swimming, and agility. Some can run like Greyhounds and are fit as fiddles. And while most would prefer to flop on your lap all day, running only to their food bowl at meal time, that isn't good for either of you. It’s best if you both get daily fresh air and exercise. Pugs can easily get FAT! No matter how much you feed them they will tilt their head’s and act like they haven't eaten in a week, As cute as they look with their barreled chests, thick necks, round faces, and broad shoulders, it is really easy to let them get dangerously obese! Pugs in particular need the right amount of food for their activity level. You significantly shorten their lifespan and quality of life by letting them get obese. (-See my blog on “Dog Pounds” ) Pug health: This, more than any other issue, is often the undoing of many a pug owner. As with any pure breed dog, a plethora of expensive health issues may crop up. DO YOUR RESEARCH on both the breed and where you are getting your pug from. Rescues generally have a good idea of the health issues facing a given dog. -Don't assume that a rescued pug is going to be a health nightmare. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Rescues rehabilitate sick pugs PRIOR to adoption and disclose any known special needs or issues. They stand by their pugs. As do reputable breeders. You do put yourself at risk for expensive health issues with pugs from pet stores, internet ads and the newspaper. These people are out for the sole purpose of making money. They have no consideration for the care snd welfare of animals. Pugs have issues Be prepared for some degree of health issues associated with brachycephalic (flat faced) breeds. Although not always serious, most pugs suffer from some degree of breathing problems, heat intolerance, dry eye, dental problems, rashes in their wrinkles and skin folds and collapsed tracheas. Although not as common, there is also Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) that is pug specific. It is a deadly, awful disease, but thankfully not very common. Pugs are very sensitive: The have a high rate of allergies with food sensitivities topping the list. Pugs must be fed a high quality diet. Grocery store kibble won't cut it! You can avoid a host of future problems if you feed your pug wholesome, premium food. -And that usually isn’t the food you see on TV commercials. Check any of my food-related blogs for suggestions and watch for my upcoming cookbook with simple, healthy, recipes. Pug nutrition is the number #1 way to promote good health, lower vet bills, and give your pug a longer life. Ahh-chooo! God bless you! Pugs do a horribly scary thing called Reverse Sneezing. I ran my first pug, Raisin to the ER, TWICE in a complete panic! I was convinced he was suffocating and was politely told it was just a reverse sneeze and all pugs do it. It sounds like they’re coughing, honking and gasping for air all at once. They gaze at you as if they can’t breathe. It can be brought on by stress, excitement and/or allergies. Usually, if you remain calm, pinch their nostrils together and gently blow in their face, they will open their mouths and breathe normally. Take note of when it happens to avoid triggers. Pug grooming: New Pug owners, myself included, are always surprised to learn that fawn pugs shed like crazy. It's downright astonishing! The good news is they don't need extensive grooming you can't easily do yourself. In addition to shedding, most have dry eye and they get enormous eye goobers. You will also need to regularly clean their nose folds and ears. And then there’s a pugs nails! Pugs are notoriously fussy about having their nails trimmed. You can see some real dramatic behavior around nail clipping in particular. I've known several pugs to start screaming as if they were being killed at the slaughter before the nail trimming even started. I recommend frequent (every 3-5 weeks) nail-trim appointments, and offering CBD treats 2 hours prior. Pugs are one of the most affectionate, funny and overtly loving breeds you can ever own. But, I don't want anyone blindsided. For me and many others, they're worth every bit of effort, expense, and time they require. I promise you these little clowns will provide hours of entertainment and completely melt your heart. What about you? Do you have a pug? How many of these characteristics do they have? 🐾**If you are interested in getting a pug, I hope you will consider rescuing one in need of a loving home. Message me for rescue groups in your area as well as rescue groups I work with.  By, Katy Cable-TWR A 2 min. read Merry Christmas! The holidays are all about food and I’m thrilled to share some ideas to include your “picky” pet in the occasion. I’m so excited about these tips, I’ve created an entire cookbook which should be out early next year! Funny, there's an age-old rumor that's still going strong amongst dog owners. Maybe you've heard it too. It's the one that says feeding your dog table scraps is a big-bad "No-No!" Well I'm here to squelch that myth and shed some light on the surprising truth. It always astounds me when I'm talking to pet parents about their dog's food and I encourage them to let their pups eat table scraps! First, let me clarify that when I say table scraps I'm referring to human-grade fish, meat, fruits & vegetables. -NOT pizza and beer. People are always surprised until I reveal the science and true facts. Facts which confirm how the brilliant marketing machine driving the commercial pet food business has brainwashed us all. Today, it is estimated over 95% of all pet owners around the globe are feeding their pets dry, commercial pet kibble. What blows my mind is that a large majority of these people honestly believe this dry kibble is all their pet needs to be healthy and thrive throughout their entire lifetime. Furthermore, they believe that supplementing this kibble with “human food” would be extremely harmful. Also, that it’s better for their teeth to eat dry food. Just like eating a granola bar is a great substitute for brushing your teeth! -NOT! My how times have changed. Here's how this ridiculous "fake news" got started in the first place. Back in 1964, pet food manufacturers were having a difficult time selling their newly invented processed pet foods. At the time, pet owners by and large were feeding their pets foods from their own kitchens. In an effort to sell product, the pet food industry pumped loads of money into launching one of the most influential campaigns the pet world had ever seen: the “Ban All Table Scraps from your Pets’ Bowls” campaign! Every consumer was bombarded with newspaper, magazine, radio and TV ads warning of the dangers of eating "table scraps!" Pet owners were urged to introduce this new "balanced diet" of "processed" commercial pet food. Now, over 50 years later, this brilliant campaign is still going strong. So much so that even today, a majority of pet owners are still skeptical of offering their pets anything but big-brand commercial pet foods. It seems like a no-brainer to me. Feeding any living creature a diet of entirely dried, highly-processed kibble for their lifetime is a bad idea. It may be the reason 1 out of every 2 dogs is dying of cancer at far too young an age. Diabetes, obesity, and other obesity-related diseases are also skyrocketing. And it isn't just our pets suffering. A large percentage of Americans are also being plagued with the same illnesses. I believe, to find the reason why, one needs to look no further than our cups, bowls and plates. Food is either healing or it's hurting. For those who are still doubting, read on: A 2005 study conducted on Scottish Terriers at Purdue University confirmed my suspicion with some astounding findings. The results showed that simply adding some fresh vegetables to dry commercial kibble actually prevented and/or slowed down the development of transitional cell carcinoma (aka bladder cancer)! In the study, some dogs ate a diet of strictly dry commercial pet food, while others got an assortment of vegetables added to their food at least 3 times a week. When the study concluded, here's what the researchers found: Dogs that were fed ANY type of green vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, or peppers had reduced the risk of developing bladder cancer by 90% and the dogs that consumed any yellow – orange vegetables like carrots reduced the risk by 70%! (http://ilarjournal.oxfordjournals.org/content/55/1/100.full ) (Raghavan, Knapp, Bonney, 2005) Imagine that! A floret of broccoli could stomp out the risk of cancer by 90%. -Pass Fido the broccoli please. Still skeptical? I tell pet parents reaching for that bag of dry kibble, "At best, you're feeding your dog a balanced diet made up of processed food. It would be the equivalent of you going your entire life eating a nutritious bowl of fortified cereal or protein bars. For optimum health, you still need to mix in a salad, and other real FRESH foods now and then!" In 50 years we've seen our world drastically change. There has been an increasing demand for quick, inexpensive, easy, convenient food. (In other words: PROCESSSED!) We have gotten away from cooking real foods and turned to microwaving packaged foods. On the other hand, our resources and food supplies are dwindling. Livestock is being pumped full of antibiotics and growth hormones. Most grains, fruits and vegetables are contaminated with pesticides and GMOs, and our over fed bodies are literally starving to death. Now more than ever, it is crucial for us to consume organically grown produce to flush out and detox our bodies from all the pollutants and toxins. Here's what you can do: Let your dog DIG IN!+ Use fresh foods as a "topper" to add to your pet's meals. Dogs are carnivores so let them indulge in some of your chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, fish, etc. (Set aside a few bites for your dog before you douse your dinner in A1 or BBQ sauce. 😜) -And save those organs too! Cut them up in small bits and freeze them to add to future meals. While you're at it, flash steam some fresh veggies then cut them in small pieces and purée them in a blender with a little water or bone broth. Spoon a bit of this highly concentrated, easy to digest mixture over meals. Add fresh blueberries, apple, and other seasonal fruits to meals or use as healthy treats loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. I would bet even the pickiest of dogs will enjoy some fresh, “human” foods. Meal time will be met with a new excitement and you should notice a healthier, more vibrant pet. +WITH ANY CHANGE IN DIET, ALWAYS INTRODUCE ONE NEW FOOD AT A TIME. NEVER ADD MORE THAN 10% NEW FOOD TO EXISTING DIET. GO SLOWLY TO AVOID GIVING YOUR DOG AN UPSET TUMMY. HOLD OFF ON THE SALT, SUGAR, SAUCES, AND SEASONINGS. STAY AWAY FROM FOODS THAT ARE DANGEROUS FOR DOGS. -See below A few words of caution. Dogs have been known to stop eating their kibble and "hold-out" until the delicious human food is offered. Or, they can start jumping in your lap each time you sit down for a meal. To avoid having these problems, add small amounts of food to their own bowl at meal times or offer fresh nibbles as treats. Never feed your dog off your plate at the table or you're asking for trouble. If this concept has you stressing. Perhaps you have barely enough time and money to prepare a decent meal for yourself let alone your dog. -Good news! You only need to pop in to any pet store to find prepackaged “toppers” and “mix-in” options. How about adding a heaping spoonful of canned premium food? Or add a spoonful or two of a topper! Why not give your pet the gift of a healthy holiday feast! In the long run, you’ll save thousands in vet bills and have a happier healthier pet who’s around many more years. It's time to put an end to this crazy mindset about food and look at the writing on the wall (-or the numbers on the scale!) It's up to us to be educated, informed, pet advocates and DEMAND the pet food industry be better! We have already made tremendous progress.Just take one look at all the slick new packages of dog food lining store shelves and you will notice our impact is evident. Huge brands with numerous food varieties including: "grain-free" , "single-protein", "farm-raised", "grass-fed" "fresh vegetables", "limited-ingredient" "all-natural" "GMO-Free" options. This demonstrates our demands for higher-quality food are being heard. As exciting as this is, we are still outnumbered by skeptics watching those misleading TV ads who DIDN'T GET THE MEMO. And old rumors die a long, slow death. So, let's lead by example and get each and every pet owner on board. Adding some "human food" to better quality commercial pet food allows us to stretch our dollars, and most importantly, allows our pets to lead longer, healthier, lives. Bone Appetite! ☠️6 Human Foods That Are Toxic and Potentially Fatal for Your Pets☠️ ☠️Chocolate and Chocolate based products. ☠️Plants containing allium, including onions, garlic, leeks and chives. ☠️Macadamia nuts. ☠️Vitis vinifera fruits, including grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants. ☠️Foods and product containing the sweetener xylitol. ☠️Ethanol in alcoholic beverages. For several healthy, delicious recipes you can enjoy with your dog, visit my website and be sure to grab a copy of my new book. 🐾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 Happy Holidays! I hope all of you are delighting in the merriment of the season and not stressing out over schedules, finances, obligations and expectations. I'll be honest with you, when it comes to Christmas, 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. I would do much better if the holidays came every FOUR years like the Olympics or Presidential elections. So, if you’re re anything like me, here are a few suggestions that I’m trying out this year. I’m hoping to have a much less chaotic, “happier” holidays! 🎁It's all about the gifts🎁 It astounds me, all these catalogs and websites showcasing “perfect” gift ideas that START at $500! 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 minimal budget is difficult. And not only that, it’s very stressful. So here are some ideas that have gone over well for me and will hopefully a big hit for those on your gift-giving list. Best of all, the gifts range from very inexpensive to fun “experiences” that you can treat yourself to as well. If you have even less money than time, don't feel bad. Some of the most cherished gifts are those that come from the heart and don’t cost much money. Here are a few of my favorite ideas: 🎁Are you great with a camera or love social media? How about offering to set up an Instagram for a friend’s new pet. Last year I made holiday videos for my friends. I used clips and photos of fun things we did all year long. On Christmas morning I sent them in a text message. 🎁Have a flair for fashion? Why not give your “styling” services for a friend that would appreciate your help. Offer to select some nice pieces for an occasion or work. Depending on your budget, you can possibly buy them a nice accessory or one piece from their new wardrobe. Even better, hit a vintage store and select a special piece not found in stores. 🎁How about giving a friend a facial, massage, or show them how to make that amazing dish of your grandmother’s that they rave about. You can either take your friend and book appointments, or you can get nice products and do the facial or massage yourself. 🎁Have a cookie swap with some friends and place them on an inexpensive pretty plate. Hit thrift or vintage stores for great finds. 🎁Fill small sachets or jars with Epsom salts and add a few drops of peppermint oil. Tie them with a holiday ribbon. Epsom salt is like a magic elixir for pain relief and relaxation. It also helps flush toxins from the system. 🎁Buy a pretty vintage tea cup and add a sachet of tea. Perhaps a classic book or book of poems. 🎁Fill a small holiday stocking and with a coupon offering to do some dog walking or pet sitting for a friend. My favorite holiday tradition is my “White Elephant Christmas” Postpartum Party. In between Christmas and New Year’s, I invite a few close friends over. Everyone brings a favorite dish and a “re-gift” We have a “re-gift” exchange and play some fun games like PUG-OPOLY or Jenga. Some years we decorate gingerbread houses, other times we make vision boards by cutting inspirational photos from magazines and making collages. It’s such fun to spend quality time with friends and it doesn’t cost much money. Plus we usually trade an unwanted gift for something we like better. Other ideas are movie nights, a sporting tail-gate party or meet for pedicures or massages where everyone can treat themselves to some post-holiday pampering. As a pet owner, nothing could be better than receiving some much-needed help from another trusted pet owner. Offer to help with pet sitting or dog walking if their schedule is crazy Another wonderful idea is treat yourself to a shelter pet. Many rescues and shelters offer “Home Fur The Holidays” programs where families can foster a shelter pet for the holidays. This allows prospective adopters an opportunity to try things out before committing and it 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. I hope this year you’ll spend much less money and have much more fun by trying a few of these ideas. -HAPPY HOWLIDAYS! 🐾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 Wanna know the WORST possible holiday gift you can give someone...-A NEW DOG they didn’t ask for! This time of year I see lots of happy pet parents stocking up for the “new addition!” And usually nothing makes me happier. But at the same time, many of these dogs are surrendered to shelters come February 1st. About the same time the novelty wears off and the responsibility becomes apparent. So as much as you may love dogs, here’s a checklist to review before you take the big leap and become a pet parent. 1. What are your plans for the next 5-15 years? If you’re lucky, a pet may be around for 15 years. Prior to getting one, evaluate your plans and goals. Like anything else, a new family member requires additional time and attention. You may want to hold off if you’ve just started a new job or are adjusting to the demands of a new baby. Also think about what the next 15 years holds. Will you be retiring, will you be in a position to care for a then aging pet. 2. Can you afford to care for a pet? New pet parents are often blind-sighted by the expense of a new dog. They assume adding a large bag of dog kibble to the grocery list and the costs of a few quick vet check-ups will be about all it sets them back. While my blog tips will certainly help with costs, you must anticipate the additional expenses of a high-quality food, pet training, initial pet supplies, regular vet care, dental care, grooming and pet daycare/boarding. If a pet gets injured or suffers from a medical condition you could be looking at thousands of dollars for treatment. It’s best to be realistic about your financial situation prior to bringing home a new pet. 3. Are all the adults in your home ok with getting a pet? Take it from someone who initially never wanted a dog. I was filled with anger and resentment that my feelings weren’t being considered. Thankfully I was actively involved in the decision making process and we had clearly defined agreements on pet care duties. I advise getting everyone’s input on the pet selected and who will be responsible for various pet care details. 4. Do you have the time and energy for a pet? Many new pet owners are surprised at how much time a new pet requires. -Especially a new puppy. If you’re rarely home, travel extensively or find it hard to carve out time for a quick workout, a new pet may put you over the edge. New pets need time to bond with you and get a stable routine. That routine may include training/obedience classes, daily walks, exercise-play, socialization, grooming, feeding and of course, belly rubs. If you leave the house before the sun rises and return completely wiped-out late in the evenings, you’ll need to seriously consider if you want to set that alarm even earlier for a morning run with your new dog. Will you be ok with hiring a dog sitter while you’re away all day? Will you have the energy to throw on sneakers and get out for another walk after putting in a grueling 15-hour-day? A bored, neglected dog will typically develop behavior problems and create unnecessary stress. Think seriously about whether you have the time to provide a new pet a good quality of life. 5. Lastly, are you prepared for a disruption in your home? One reason I initially dreaded getting a dog was the mess! I suffered from bad allergies and liked keeping my home obsessively neat. The thought of dog hair covering all my furniture and my designer shoes serving as the chew toy of choice for a new pet was my idea of a living hell. Be realistic about how important your fine clothing, furniture and household tidiness is. If you’ve considered the above-mentioned points and it’s still a “GO,” let’s consider a few more important details: What type of dog will be the best fit for your lifestyle? This is a biggie? Read up on different breeds and get an idea of energy levels and temperament. Do you want a cute designer dog you can pack in a purse and take with you everywhere? Are you the outdoorsy type that enjoys hiking, camping and water activities? A retriever might be the perfect breed. If you’re an avid runner or swimmer, some breeds are perfectly suited for those activities while others, like Pugs, overheat easily and typically sink like stones in water. Many people are misinformed and choose a breed that conflicts with their lifestyle and energy levels. I urge you to research breeds wisely first. Are you prepared to deal with emotional or behavioral issues? I’m hoping and praying you will opt for getting your new pet from a rescue or shelter, but do want to remind you that most of these innocent animals were completely let down by humans. They weren’t properly cared for, trained or socialized. Often it takes time for the new pet to form a bond and trust again. Poor little Olive was a breeder dog who was tossed out in the streets after having a litter of puppies. Just a puppy herself, she had lived in a crate her entire life. She had no interaction with humans or other dogs. Coming into a new home was terrifying and overwhelming. She ran and hid at the slightest noise or anyone approaching her. I was so heartbroken for her but remained loving and patient. Six years (and much CBD) later she is thriving, but it took lots of time. Remember most dogs are relinquished for house breaking problems, barking and other issues due to fear and anxiety. Are you committed to rehab a new pet if needed. Do you have an existing pet to consider? Usually after an adjustment period, a new pet can be happily added to the family but there are times when two pets simply DO NOT GET ALONG and leaving them alone together is an outright dangerous situation. I recommend planning a meeting at a neutral setting that’s not too busy and stimulating. Try a nice walk with both on leashes and slowly see how a short interaction goes with the ability to pull them away if one gets aggressive. If it’s not a match made in heaven try consulting with a good trainer before ruling things out. Often shelters and rescues have ideas and recommendations to help you welcome a new pet into the pack. Typically it just takes some time for the pets to adjust and have a balanced relationship. I realize I’ve just painted a terribly grim and unpleasant picture of dog ownership. I left out all the best parts which is the unbelievable amount of joy they can bring to your life. The true unconditional love they shower you with, and all the happiness they bring typically FAR OUTWEIGH all the hassles and extra expense. However, I would rather prepare you for the worst case scenario and not have you blindsided by a rude awakening. These tips will hopefully make it a smooth, wonderful experience. I hope many of your holidays include a special new addition. Please pass my website and blog on to any new dog owner friends that may find it helpful. Until next week: Pugs & 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-The Weekly Runt A 3 Min. Read It’s the most wonderful time of the year! -Or is it? For some it’s magical but this is also the season when suicides and domestic violence skyrocket and everyone seems spread WAY too thin. This time of year, far too many people feel depressed and sad instead of loving and thankful. And this happens during the best of times. Now that we’re trying to recover from a pandemic, in some ways, it’s much worse. If you’re feeling down in the dumps, these tips should help brighten your spirits and allow you to enjoy the holidays. As a “recovering” co-dependent, I used to feel obligated to do everything and then guilty that I didn’t do enough. I dreaded the holidays because I had enormous expectations for myself. It was up to “ME” (not Santa Claus) to make everyone’s holiday magical. I always ended up angry, exhausted and sick. Now I actually enjoy the holidays because I’ve learned how to do things entirely differently. Here’s a few tips that have turned things around for me. 1. SELF CARE is the name of the game. Most people (especially parents) don’t do anything for themselves until everyone else is OK. They put themselves last on the list. I’m giving you permission to put yourself FIRST! Nobody’s going to give you what you need or set your boundaries. In order to feel happy and joyful you simply must “put your oxygen mask on first!” Shut down and rest if you’re stressed out or getting sick. Eat well. Get some fresh air and connect with those special people in your life that lift you up. Spoil your dog with an extra walk and watch how great you feel. Make a list of 5 things you’re going to do EACH day for self care! Do fun little things that recharge and rejuvenate you. I enjoy taking my Pug Olive on a walk through the beautifully decorated canals near my home. It always puts me in good spirits and a place of gratitude. No canals or picturesque walking spots where you live? …How about taking a holiday drive through a festively decorated neighborhood. Grab your dog, jump in the car, fire up the heated seats, treat yourself to a latte (and a PUPpuccino for your pet) blast “All I want for Christmas is you,” belt out your best Mariah Carey impersonation, and feel that holiday magic! 2. BE STILL AND BREATHE! If you’re like me you’re addicted to going, going, going! Sitting still and doing nothing is extremely uncomfortable. AND, all the more reason I need to do it. Sit your overworked bootie down for a few minutes and breathe. Go online and do a 5–10 minute guided meditation, or just sit quiet and do your best to think calm, happy, beautiful, thoughts. When your “to-do” list or negative thoughts crop in, immediately shut them off by thinking of something peaceful. I can hear it now, “That might be fine for you but it’s so hectic right now I don’t have a minute to breathe!”…Well, make 10 and watch what happens. I now enjoy doing a 15 minute meditation first thing in the morning with my little Pug Olive. It’s so calming and helps set the tone for our day. I also have enjoyed sitting in a bubble bath with candles and meditating in the warm, soothing, water. Listening to the water fill the tub is also very relaxing. This practice has also calmed Olive’s anxiety and strengthened our bond. Check out the FREE meditation app: Insight Timer which I use. Find some soothing meditations to try. And don’t forget to include your pets. Your stress is contagious. It weakens their immune system and accelerates aging. While your serenity keeps pets calm and balanced. ☯️Sometimes it’s just impossible to stop my busy mind. When this happens, I do active meditation by swimming some laps and focusing on the cold, blue water and my breathing. Another helpful thing is taking a gratitude walk and thinking about all the things I’m thankful for using every letter of the alphabet. Try this when you can’t fall asleep or you’re obsessing about something! (-Bonus points for getting 5 things for each letter!) Usually I’m out like a light before I get to the letter “X” but if not, that takes some serious thinking! 3. JUST SAY “NO!” While Covid killed many of last year’s holiday festivities, this year everyone is more than making up for it! Even my 93 year old mother has a slew of parties and other invitations pouring in. Do yourself a favor and say “NO!” Last year, the pandemic may have given you a hall pass for attending your niece’s painstaking production of The Nutcracker or holiday choral show, this year you’re just going to have to put on your big-kid pants and decline lower priority events. And even things opening back up, Zoom is still wildly popular snd adds another layer of options. I personally would rather have a root canal (with laughing gas) than spend one more second of my free time on ZOOM! If you feel the same way, -JUST SAY NO! Everyone’s busy and either they’ll understand or they’ll get over it. Doing things you have zero interest in will only build up stress and resentments. Now, in the true spirit of the holidays, there are some things that you should do. For instance, if your relative just had a new baby or you can’t see the elderly grandparents in person this year, some extra video chats or Zoom calls are important. But, there will certainly be many, MANY, other invitations you can pass on that aren’t a big deal. 4.“YES PLEASE!” That’s right! Now that you’ve cleared your calendar, go crazy with things that sound warm, fuzzy and FUN! Things that make your holidays MERRY! Start planning, inviting, organizing and doing a few of those! Love those holiday cookies, -host or attend a cookie swap. Is a favorite tradition hitting holiday sales at the mall or outlets until your feet bleed with blisters? …Jump online or slip on some kicks and get those deals! Why not visit small retailers and pick up some unique treasures while avoiding the holiday crowds. Again, be honest about what is truly fun and not an obligation. Lift your mood being creative and trying a few new things as well as modifying some of your holiday favorites. 🎁One of my favorite things to do is have my friends over a day or two AFTER Christmas. Everyone comes in sweats or PJ’s with a “RE-GIFT.” Each friend brings left-over holiday goodies and we drink lattes (or champagne) while catching up on everyone’s celebrations. Sometimes we make vision boards by cutting inspiring photos and headlines out of magazines representing our goals and dreams for the new year. 5. SURROUND YOURSELF WITH DOGS! (Or cats, puppies, kittens, etc!) Seriously! Petting a dog actually makes the neurotransmitters in your brain go crazy. Oxytocin (a stress reducing hormone) is released and cortisone (a nasty stress hormone) is reduced. Walking a dog does the same thing PLUS you get some exercise. It forces you outside in the fresh air getting your heart pumping and your blood flowing. Dogs are filled with love. Any attention drives them bonkers. Hug a few dogs, talk to them, pet them, love on them and watch how you feel. Why not see if a rescue or shelter will let you foster one for the holidays. ’Tis is the season do something kind! Buy someone a coffee! Tip ridiculously! Donate to needy kids. Be someone’s secret Santa. Low on funds…hold the door for someone. Let the other driver take that prime parking spot. Offer to take someone’s “selfie” or just smile and give a genuine compliment. Doing kind things for others doesn’t have to cost a cent! It will make you feel wonderful! And you’ll be doing a kind deed during the holidays! 🐾BONUS: One of my favorite traditions is participating in Justin Rudd’s Operation Santa Paws. Right after Thanksgiving, collection bins are put out all around the community. The weekend before Christmas all the items collected are taken to a variety of shelters and given to all the animals. It’s such fun to see the joy on the faces of all the needy pets. It’s a magical day! Wishing you a peaceful, healthy, STRESS-FREE and happy holiday season.  By, Katy Cable/The Weekly Runt 4 minute read Happy Thanksgiving! After last year’s pandemic, no doubt many of you are making up for it this year! Everyone seems busy, busy, busy, knee deep in preparations for the big feast. If this is a difficult holiday for you for whatever reasons, why not make it the year to do something completely different and start a new tradition. Step outside the norm and be creative! If you’re playing it safe by staying home and not gathering, embrace a peaceful, low-key, holiday! Or, how about celebrating “Pupsgiving?” Invite your closest friends (and their dogs) to come over and try out some fun new recipes, But let's discuss our dogs for a second. As you may have noticed, many varieties of dog foods are turkey based. Turkey is a very gentle protein that doesn’t cause the same sensitivities as say, chicken or beef. Great news if you want to indulge your pets with some of your turkey feast! Actually, human "living foods" and "table scraps" can 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 a dog. Cooked turkey bones could choke a dog. Or, they can break/splinter while eating them. Broken bones can tear or get struck in any part of your dog’s gastrointestinal track 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 in charge of clearing all the appetizers, food and drinks guests may have left laying around while watching football, 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 kid 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 as a topper. It may be possible for the dogs to eat alongside the family. If not, return them to an empty bedroom until the meal is finished. 🦃I also stock up on toys for my dogs to play with. Before the meal I 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. Do your own “turkey trot” by getting out and giving your dog a good, energetic walk, trot, jog, or run in the morning. If you have an older dog, maybe a long walk in the stroller for fresh air. This way, they will be 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 CBD! I swear by this stuff. CBD can have a drastic effect calming anxious dogs. I recommenced Bailey’s CBD which is organic, hand farmed, tested, audited and verified for purity and potency. It’s also human grade so you can indulge as well! It will do a lot to help calm and sooth everyone’s holiday stress. Especially if you are the designated driver! To receive a 20% discount on your first order use code: The Weekly Runt. 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 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. 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. Also: caffeine, alcohol, onions, grapes, raisins, popcorn, garlic, salt/sugar, macadamia nuts, avocado skin & pits. 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.🐾 Enjoy this short video with safety tips! Please subscribe to my YouTube channel for an entire library of tips and fun pet videos.  By Katy Cable-TWR a 3 min read While there’s no place like home for the holidays, after last year’s quarantine many are excited to travel over the river and through the woods to get to grandmother's house. And many wouldn’t think of not including their pets in the season's celebrations. By following a few of these easy tips, I hope your holiday travels will be wonderful and hassle-free. 1. GET THE "OK" FOR TRAVEL FROM YOUR VET: Nothing sours holiday fun like a sick or out of control dog. Especially when you’re away from home. Prior to making any travel plans, confirm your pet is healthy and in good enough shape to make the journey by having them examined by your vet. A quick check-up can save you a lot of headaches. Let your vet know how you will be traveling, and where your destination is. This is also an excellent time to have the vet check your pet's microchip info. In addition to making sure your pet has all the necessary vaccinations and is cleared for travel, they may also have some excellent suggestions and remedies should your pet wind up with a parasite, carsickness, or minor medical issue. 2. KEEP THINGS CONSISTENT AND PACK ESSENTIALS: This is NOT the time to change your dog's food or a cat's litter. Familiar food, water, bedding and toys will help make your pet feel less anxious. Being in a new unfamiliar surrounding and giving your dog new food and treats can bring on major GI problems which is the last thing you need. Pack extra food/treats/medications so you’re covered should you run into a problem. It's also a great idea to pack your pet's favorite bed, toys and comforts. 3. BEFORE YOU LEAVE: Check that your pet's tag and microchip information are up-to-date with your CURRENT number. Should your pet go missing, you don't want someone calling an old number. Many pet stores have a machine that allows you to make an inexpensive tag if you need to update one in a hurry. Take a few minutes to research local emergency veterinary hospitals, or, at the very least, make sure your phone is loaded with an app that will find one for you. We all hope not to need that information, but the time to make sure it's handy is before a problem occurs, not after. TRAVELING BY CAR: Whether your holiday destination is only a short drive away, or involves a major road trip, these tips will come in handy:
With some simple preparation and these easy tips, you will hopefully enjoy a stress-free, SAFE and MERRY adventure! Happy Holidays! 🐾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 It's time for a change! This Sunday, if you live in the US, (excluding Arizona & Hawaii*) you get an extra hour to sleep in. At 2 AM, on November 7th, we FALL BACK! I typically love this time of year and getting the extra hour in the morning! Then I got to thinking… “What about our dogs?” “Can your dog tell time?” Many people claim that their pets know, to the minute, when it's mealtime, walk time, or time for their owners to arrive home. Is it true? Can dogs tell time? As research shows, the answer is an overwhelming YES! It seems clear that dogs are aware that time is passing, but many pet owners are amazed by how well pets are able to learn household routines. Dogs are highly adaptable and able to tell time well enough to stick to a schedule. They can also quickly adjust to a new one. Dogs, in particular, have evolved to be very skilled at picking up social clues and reading human behavior. You may not realize that your body language sends subtle cues about your mood and intentions, but your dog certainly does. Maybe you always grab the leash or your commuter mug before you venture out on your afternoon walk. Perhaps you stand up and walk toward the kitchen just a little more purposefully than usual when it's feeding time. If your dog is paying attention, they may be able to convince you that they're anticipating your every move in advance. Most dogs are also quite good at figuring out associations between events, so your dog probably knows that when you pick up his leash, it's time for a walk, and that when they hear a can opener or the pitter-patter of kibble, it's mealtime. And those are the “no-brainer” cues. They also seem to know when you're preparing to travel long before the luggage appears. The stacks of clothes, the way things are being organized and you're general demeanor is a dead giveaway to your dog. Internal Clocks: Like most living things, dogs derive most of their time sense from their circadian rhythms. Earth takes approximately 24 hours to rotate once around its axis and experience a full cycle of night and day, so most life on the planet has evolved to wake, eat, survive, and sleep on that 24-hour schedule. Scientists have observed this in humans, dogs, cats, and interestingly enough, insects, fungi and even some microbes. An animal's circadian rhythm is governed by it’s genes, but these cycles are also very dependent on light and dark. Your dog's circadian rhythm probably plays a big role in when your dog thinks it's time to play, sleep, or eat. This was very clearly demonstrated by my dogs always waking at the exact same time of the morning even though the time had changed. It also explains why as the daylight hours get shorter they will adjust to the new time and sleep a bit later. This internal clock along with aligning to the circadian rhythms is what gives all of us, including our dog's, the sense of time. If your dog is having some trouble with the time change, I advise these 3 easy tips: ⏰ 1. Begin slowly adjusting feeding and walk times by 10-15 minutes the week PRIOR to the time change. They should be adjusted within the week. Since, in this case you didn't get the memo with much notice, you can still slowly adjust time their schedule in 10-15 minute increments until your dog has transitioned. Then, in the SPRING start a week prior. 2. What I personally do is keep my feedings & walks not at a specific time but within a 1-2 hour time window. I get up and walk Olive between 7 & 8 AM, then feed her when we return home. I have the same 1-2 hour window for walks. This makes it an easy adjustment not just for time change, but also when we travel or have unexpected delays that throw off our schedule. 3. Another easy tip is to tire your dog out with more exercise to help them sleep and adjust to transitions. I have also found using CBD/Hemp products**can drastically help a pet having difficulty adjusting to the new time or a schedule change. Your dog should adjust easily to the shorter daylight hours and new time change. You, on the other hand might want to hold off on taking your dog for a run after work (since it’s going to be pitch dark) and enjoy morning yoga or meditation while you adjust to the return of longer sunny days!. Happy FALL! Pugs and 😘 kisses! -Katy🍁🍂🦃 *Arizona & Hawaii are the only 2 US states which don’t participate in Daylight Savings Time and therefore stay on the same time schedule. **Visit my store on my website for excellent CBD products that I use and trust. 10% discount codes provided on your order. Thank you for reading! For access to all my blogs and the entire Medium library, sign up for your membership here: https://katycable-68439.medium.com/membership 🐾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. KEEP YOUR DOG FROM GETTING SPOOKED THIS HALLOWEEN…6 Tricks And a Few Treats Pet Owners Must Know10/5/2021  By, Katy Cable-The Weekly Runt BOO👻! It’s Halloween time and nobody could be more excited! What’s more fun 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 Halloween 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. 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 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 possibly with aggression and biting. Keep your dog happy and calm with natural CBD tests by Treatibles. These natural treats contain none of the 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 jumping up on tables, knocking over glass decorations, eating harmful foods and causing total mayhem! Make sure all decorations are secured and not in reach of pets. -That goes for electrical cords too! Check that pets 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 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 dog treat, or a few healthy nibbles is PERFECT! (click here for my blog on toxic dog treats) 6. Thonk 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. 4. If you are planning on hosting a Halloween bash, consider keeping your dog safe at a boarding facility. 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. Many 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. Halloween may be a perfect night to, 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. So go EAT, DRINK, and be SCARY! 👻Have a wonderful 🎃Halloween! *Bailey’s CBD is a trusted brand I personally use. With the popularity of CBD and the potential for danger, this company is a leader in the holistic uses for CBD. Their products are sold by the top pet retailers in the nation. All products are organic and farmed by hand. Products are thoroughly audited by an outside medical company for potency and purity. Use code: WEEKLYRUNT at checkout for a 10% discount on your order.  By Katy Cable-TWR A 4 min. Read TRICK or TREAT??? Take your dog for a walk around my neighborhood on any given day and they’ll 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 next to the masks and hand sanitizer at the entrance door. Of course, any pet shop is certain to have goodies at all the check-out stations. Basically, every day 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 of a dog 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, I began to notice a direct correlation between the treats and the tummy issues. I learned many expensive lessons the hard way 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, but they also 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 dog 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 RAWHIDE. 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. Do a quick search on rawhide and you will be astounded at how it’s 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. Some of these products have killed or made thousands of dogs deathly ill. Although they claim the problems were identified and sourcing was changed, with little 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. Now when I'm out and about and kind strangers want to offer my dog a treat, I explain she has tummy issues and hand them my own goodies to offer. I always carry a small sample bag of high-end kibble in my pocket. Having some nutritious treats with you can be a great way to meet new friends. Of course, always ask their owner first. Lastly, for those of you in the mood, here are some dog 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, rawhide, and processed jerky treats and give a few of these healthy treats 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 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, and parsley, 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 easy, healthy treats for YOU and your dog, watch for my upcoming cookbook: Katy Cable’s PAWSitively Perfect Parties. The book is filled with swaps, tips, recipes and ideas. It is all you need for fun dog-inclusive entertaining. + *The information in this article is strictly for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical or veterinary advice. Please consult your physician/veterinarian for any health problems and before making any medical, dietary, or lifestyle changes. *(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-The Weekly Runt A 4 min. Lifesaving Read “It’s Cancer!” Hearing those dreaded two words can feel like a kick in the gut and would make most of us to go into a fear-induced coma. During October, it’s hard NOT to think about cancer. The month has gone from pumpkins, ghosts and Halloween decor to PINK! In honor of breast cancer awareness, we’re dressing, running, walking, playing sports and purchasing everything with pink ribbons. And, while all this support and enthusiasm towards the fight is great, the bad news is, this horrific epidemic has also taken our pets hostage at alarming rates. It’s bad enough when the “C-word” strikes a human, but when your dog receives that dreaded diagnosis, there’s a whole new set of challenges? You may be thinking, “Can I afford treatment?” “What will their quality of life be?” “What level of care will be required?” And of course…”How long do they have?” Many people view a dog or cat as a measly pet, but for other “crazy, obsessed, pet parents” like myself, this is a beloved family member who holds the key to your heart in the palm of their precious paw. And while we want to do the best for our four-legged babies, when it comes to cancer, the options for support, community and treatments can be far more limited and difficult to find. If you’re in the throws of this fight with your pup, here are a few lifesaving things to do NOW: 1. First of all, YOU must prepare! -Emotionally! This isn’t the time to enter a complete state of hysteria and despair. You must stay strong, positive, hopeful and be your dog’s advocate. It will only make matters worse and add stress to their immune system if you’re falling apart. Get your support team in order. Reach out for help! This is not the time to cower and hide but lean in. Cancer can be beat! Healing can happen! -Even with the most aggressive forms. The resources and tips here could very well save your pets life. 2. Make your environment as clean as possible. Remove toxins, pollutants, smoke, and other chemical hazards. Don’t add more stress to an already compromised immune system. Toss pesticides, toxic fertilizers, cleaning products, shampoos and and go as natural and organic as possible. 3. Start exercising your pet! This isn’t the time to let your “sick” dog flop around in their doggie bed sleeping all day. GET THEM MOVING! The electric voltage in a healthy cell is critical for recovery. You get that by upping your pet’s metabolism through movement and exercise. Even slower, older dogs can benefit from fresh air and exercise. Not only will this strengthen their body and keep muscles from atrophying, it will help fight depression. Start slowly but get regular exercise. If your pet is older, badly out of shape or in chronic pain, CDB can dramatically help with pain relief and appetite without any ill side effects. 4. Consult with your vet about feeding your pet a Ketogenic diet. This simple diet has become one of the leading tools in the fight against cancer and other metabolic diseases. Cancer lives on glucose (sugars) This diet basically starves cancer cells by drastically limiting carbs and putting the body into a state of ketosis. Several years ago, I wrote an eye-opening, exciting (and popular) blog: “Is The Cure For Cancer In Your Dog’s Bowl” It showed how a simple, inexpensive “Ketogenic” diet was reversing deadly aggressive cancers in dogs. It featured the Ketopet Sanctuary where over 150 dogs with terminal, aggressive cancers were pulled from shelters and treated. These dogs made miraculous recoveries and most were then adopted to loving homes. Visit my site for a copy of the FREE diet used at the Ketopet Sanctuary, or you can also purchase their pre-formulated foods for about the same cost as doing all the work. 5. Discuss medical procedures and treatments with your vet. Many cancers can be surgically removed and treated with chemotherapy. These procedures can be lifesaving and often necessary. When combined with the other natural options, the success rate can be even higher and chances of re-occurrence much, much less. 🐾Ask about using hyperbaric oxygen therapy which naturally increases pure oxygen to all the body’s cells. Cancer tumors can’t thrive in environments with high oxygen levels. Pure oxygen also promotes healing and rejuvenates all cells in the body. 🐾Another innovative solution without any harsh side effects is biomodulation therapy. Electro stimulation delivers pulsed electromagnet currents into the body which greatly increases the body’s healing process. It also provides quick pain relief. Pets gravitate to this relaxing sensation and it’s extremely cost effective. If you live in So Cal, I can give you some integrated health centers that provide reasonably priced treatments and services for pets. I am always saddened to hear of your pet’s health problems and cancer is particularly scary. It is my wish that one day soon cancer is completely eradicated. Until then, I hope this blog has given you some exciting new options to investigate. Please keep me posted! -Pugs and kisses!💕 KATY CABLE DISCLAIMER-The information shared is for educational purposes only. It has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration or any other veterinary medical personnel. Always consult your veterinarian before acting on any content in this blog.  By Katy Cable. TWR A 3 min. Read I just LOVE a "feel-good" story! Something truly uplifting that renews your spirit. I hope this melts your heart as much as it did mine. Get out your tissues... Meet Lady Bug, a 6 1/2 year old Dachshund who resides in Redondo Beach, California. Lady Bug realized an impossible dream nobody ever saw coming when she was selected to compete with 90 other Dachshunds in the Annual Weinerschnitzel National Weiner races. HAPPY NEW YEAR… What's the big deal? Well, life wasn't always a fun day at the races for Lady Bug. On New Year's Eve 2014, Lady Bug, just a tiny, 6 month old puppy was abandoned at the front door of the Riverside Animal Shelter. This little pup was unable to walk properly, dragging her useless hind legs. It was determined she was severely handicapped and was scheduled to be euthanized. Fortunately, Dachshund Rescue of Los Angeles came to her aid. They placed Lady Bug in a loving foster home where she got the love and care she so desperately needed. Lady Bug was taken to CARE (California Animal Rehabilitation Center where Deanna O'Neil, DVM saw potential. Dr. O'Neil worked tirelessly to help Lady Bug try to regain some use of her hind legs. Using underwater treadmills, weight resistance and a plethora of other exercises, slowly Lady Bug began to gain strength. First it was a few small steps, (think Bambi on the ice) and eventually Lady Bug had full use of her hind legs. Not only could she walk again but she was barreling up and down ramps, stairs and even chasing tennis balls. All the hard work and dedication paid off. Not only could Lady Bug walk, run, chase balls, play and lead a carefree normal dog's life, she fulfilled a dream that once seemed FAR-FETCHED indeed. Lady Bug was selected out of nearly a thousand entries, to run alongside the "fastest Weiners in the west" and compete for the championship title of SoCal's Top Dog. Prior to her racing debut, Lady Bug was already a winner! For, not only could she walk again, but she was also adopted. And not by just anyone. Dr. O'Neil, the vet who believed in her all along, made Lady Bug part of her family. THE MOST ANTICIPATED EVENT ON FOUR STUBBY LEGS… Every July the Wienerschnitzel Wiener National festivities take place in front of a packed house at the Los Alamitos Race Track. 90 Dachshunds compete in 10 trial heats (50 yards) throughout the evening with winners advancing to the championship race. The winning Dachshund not only takes home the coveted title but $1,000 in cash and a custom Weinerschnitzel dog house. From the bugler’s call to the post to an official starting gate, the Wienerschnitzel Weiner Nationals features heart-pounding excitement from beginning to end. Throughout this fun family night, dog lovers have plenty of time to meet and greet the evening's stars. The mighty wiener dogs, outfitted in their colorful, numbered racing silks, are on-hand between races in the grandstand area. And they are more than happy to pose for selfies. The Weiner Nationals is an annual fundraiser benefitting the Seal Beach Animal Care Center, a non-profit group dedicated to finding homes for stray animals in the Orange County area. Since 1996, the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals has helped raised over $240,000 for the Center. YOU CAN BET ON THIS It’s been a long time since I was this moved at a race, of any kind! I had tears streaming down my cheeks (more like ugly-cry raccoon eyes!) when Lady Bug came out to the track for a simple practice run. You see, it didn’t matter whether Lady Bug took home the championship title, or finished dead last in her qualifying heat. You can bet on this, watching that little Doxie race across the course full of joy and excitement proved she was already the winning “Top-Dog!” At least she was my book. There are a few important takeaways that can be learned from this story. First, never underestimate the resilience of a dog! With some love and attention, they can bounce back from incredible hardships and ills. I hope more people take a chance and adopt an older pet or one with a disability. If you can open your heart to one of these special needs dogs, I'm sure you'll be loved and rewarded in ways you never could have imagined. Dog or no dog, we should all try to take on life with the determination, resilience and "can-do" attitude of Lady Bug. Forget the excuses, the critics, the self-doubt and GO FOR IT! If it seems impossible, just remember little Lady Bug! It doesn’t matter whether or not she holds the title of the "Fastest-Weiner-in-the-West.” One thing's certain, she's come a long, LONG way and she's "The little Doxie with lots of moxie!" Pugs and Kisses! 😘🐾 🌭 About Der Wienerschnitzel: Founded by John Galardi in 1961 with a single hot dog stand in Wilmington, Calif., Der Wienerschnitzel (www.wienerschnitzel.com) is a bona fide pioneer of the quick-service food industry. The world’s largest hot dog chain serves more than 120 million hot dogs annually and is famous for its delicious proprietary chili recipe. Based in Irvine, Calif., Wienerschnitzel operates or franchises 350 stores in 10 states and Guam. It is part of Galardi Group, which is also the parent company of The Hamburger Stand and Tastee Freez LLC  By Katy Cable -Thrive Global On November 14th, I am celebrating my “little black Olive the Pug’s” 6 year “GOTCHA-VERSARY!” That stands for the day her adoption was official and she became part of my family. In honor of this special event, I wanted to tell my story. Thanks for reading Five years ago I became an “empty-nester” wondering what I would do for the Second Act of my life. I’d spent the last 18 years consumed as a stay-at-home “MOM-ager” to my daughter who had been acting professionally since infancy. I had just put her on a plane to attend college clear across the country and the time had come to get off the runway and let her take flight. I sat in my quiet, clean, empty house battling severe depression while firing out job resumes through a waterfall of tears! I felt unqualified, irrelevant and OLD! While I was raising my daughter and managing her career, the entire world had changed and left me behind. Employers were now half my age and wanted to know how many Twitter followers I had. (Last count: 2) I didn’t have any of the new skills needed for the jobs I wanted and frankly I was just too overwhelmed and upset to learn. WAKING UP IS HARD TO DO To say I missed my daughter was like referring to a category 5 hurricane as a heavy rainstorm! I felt sick, hopeless and wanted my life to end. And that’s what true depression is. I wasn’t being a drama queen, I literally did not want to live. I couldn’t sleep, yet I couldn’t get out of bed. I cried so much I was dehydrated. How many times I had screamed at my daughter over leaving dirty dishes out, borrowing my favorite clothes, and staying out too late, now I would’ve given anything to have those petty irritations back. In an effort to keep busy and get out of the house, I checked my ego at the sliding glass doors of PetSmart and took a part-time job consulting pet parents. My job no longer required high-heels, fancy meals and negotiating deals, but sneakers, a polo shirt and lanyard. Now the managers I was taking meetings with weren’t Hollywood’s top brass, but retail managers around the same age as my daughter. Ironically the company I represented was a new pet food company called “NULO” and at that moment I did indeed feel I had hit a “NEW-LOW” and my best days were behind me. I doubted I would last through the first pay period without being hauled off in a straight jacket. Then something snapped! Much to my surprise, I realized I was having the time of my life. Working with pet parents fulfilled me in a very special way no other career ever had. All my experience working with shelter pets over the years, made me a natural at my new “temporary job” and I found a new calling. My new career made it impossible for me to live without a dog of my own and I began obsessively searching every shelter. I was losing hope of ever finding a dog when I received a call from a shelter I work with. They had found a young Pug puppy on the side of a desert road who’d just had a litter of pups. She was likely a breeder dog who had never been out of a crate. She needed quite a bit of attention and care and they asked if I would be interested. WHO RESCUED WHO? I raced to the shelter feeling like an expectant mom. And then I saw her! The second I laid eyes on this frightened, adorable little Pug I fell head-over-heels in love. I named her “Little Black Olive” and reassured her that life was about to drastically change. Little did I know, so was mine. With this new dog my depression lifted like a helium balloon. Olive made me happier than I’d been since my daughter and my old life had “flown-the-coup.” I was having the time of my life getting to know and rehabilitate this darling, new (and previously abused) pug. She was so adorable I jumped on social media to share her pics and stories. I began making videos and blogging about products and fun things for pet parents to do. Suddenly I was becoming, “Aunt Katy, the Pug Lady” the “GO-TO” for pet questions. No sooner did I find my perfect new companion pug, I got offered the dream job I’d applied for a few months prior. With Olive at my side and the ability to be my own boss, I passed on the 60+ hours work week and non-stop corporate demands. -And not for one second have I regretted my decision. Although I rescued Olive from her “RUFF” beginnings, she rescued me from myself. Taking that high-profile corporate position would’ve killed me. Instead, my dog gave me a new “leash-on-life!” She inspired my pet health & lifestyle blog, THE WEEKLY RUNT. In just a few years, it’s now published nationwide, and being made into a TV show. Everyday I have the opportunity to help others save money and live happier, healthier lives “dog inclusive” lifestyles. In my case, the hand of God was actually the paw of a dog. It came to my rescue when I desperately needed it and gave me a purpose and reason for living. So it’s no accident GOD SPELLED BACKWARDS IS DOG!  By Katy Cable- 3 min read It seems I haven’t yet packed away my summer whites or lost my tan when “Pumpkin Spice” starts hitting the scene. It seems a bit early but not when you learn what a nutritional powerhouse pumpkin is. -And not just for you, but your fur babies as well. So, if your dog gets into something "naughty" and winds up with an upset tummy+ this may be the perfect cure-all! -Read on! These amazing tidbits about Pumpkin are guaranteed to make you feel all lit up and warm inside. 🎃 I learned about the Great Pumpkin many years ago. I vividly remember coming home from a quick trip to the market. The second I walked in the door I found my Pug Raisin on top of my dining room table, devouring the contents of a gift basket like a ravenous grizzly bear. A dozen gourmet marshmallows were long gone, and he was halfway through a tin of Almond Roca, (gold foil wrappers and all.) I raced him to the vet and after a thorough examination he was luckily given the OK to return home. The vet advised me to add a few spoonfuls of pumpkin to his diet. Well, genius that I am, I raced into the nearest market and grabbed pumpkin pie filling! But it still worked like magic! Since that incident, canned pumpkin is now my secret weapon for tummy troubles. I recommend every pet parent stock-up while it's readily available and keep a can or two in their cupboard year-round just to be safe. Your Halloween pumpkins may get an interested sniff from dogs but raw Jack-o-lantern pumpkin is not suitable for human or dog. However, canned and cooked fresh pumpkin, along with pumpkin seeds, is the new "SUPER FOOD" ! It can be a healthy addition to their a regular diet as well as a perfect ingredient to use in treats. Just look at all the health benefits it can also provide for you AND your dog.
Before you race out the door with your pooch to grab a few cans (and a Starbuck's Pumpkin Carmel Spiced Latte) consider this... The typical 13oz can of pumpkin contains around 29 tablespoons, and lasts about a week in the refrigerator. Unless you're catering for a small shelter or pack of canines, this is far too much pumpkin for your average dog or two to consume in a week. In an effort not to have this bounty end up in your garbage can, I suggest freezing extra in ice cube trays. Simply freeze, and pop out the cubes into a freezer bag. Thaw one out when you need it, mix with a spoon to blend any separation of water, and refrigerate the leftover pumpkin cubes to serve at your pet’s next meal. If you don’t want to retrieve pumpkin cubes from the freezer every other day, count out a week’s worth of servings into small freezer containers. Put them into the freezer and take out one container at a time to thaw and serve to your pet throughout the week. 🎃Just a note to those of you who may be considering buying a small jar of baby food. While the jar size may make it tempting, unfortunately pumpkin by itself is not a commercial baby food flavor; it’s usually mixed with sweet potatoes. So it’s not a good idea to feed this form of pumpkin to your pet. While pumpkin is readily available this time of year, good luck finding a can of it when you might need it in, say, April. Out of season you can still find it at many PetSmart stores. I like their brand of Authority, 100% pure canned pumpkin which runs between $2-3 for a 13oz a can or .90 cents for a small 4oz cat sized can. After my recent blog on how crummy most store-bought treats are, (MIS-treating your dog??) I now enjoy making my own creative delicacies using this super-food. These treats are far less expensive than most store bought ones and also healthier. An added benefit is baking the biscuits also makes your house smell wonderful! Now your sweet doggie can also enjoy a bit of the season while you are savoring your own slice of pumpkin pie. 🎃Crunchy Gluten-Free Pumpkin Biscuits🎃. Makes 75 small biscuits/50 medium /Prep & Cook Time: 1:15 min. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 1/2 cup organic canned pumpkin 1/4 tsp sea salt 2 1/2 cups organic brown rice flour/or coconut flour 1 tsp ground parsley (optional) 2 eggs *unsalted organic creamy peanut butter/coconut oil/dried cranberries for decor if desired Combine eggs and pumpkin until smooth. Add salt, parsley, 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 20 minutes. Turn biscuits over and bake for another 20 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 Mudd Pie🎃🎃 1 can organic canned pumpkin 1 cup organic, plain Greek yogurt/Goat’s milk Yogurt 1/2 cup organic, creamy, unsalted unsweetened peanut butter unsweetened organic coconut flakes/dried cranberries if desired. 1 cup Dry Dog Food (I like Nulo Turkey) ground up Spray a glass 9x13 baking dish with Olive Oil/or line with parchment paper Spread crumbled dry dog food on the bottom of pan or paper. Blend all peanut butter and yogurt until smooth. Pour On top of crumbled kibble. Freeze for 3-4 hours. You can top the pie with add coconut flakes, dried cranberries, if you wish. Thaw for 10-15 minutes before cutting into small pieces. So whether you're enjoying the cooler fall temperatures or an Indian summer, I've got you and your fur baby covered with some Great Pumpkin options. And, best of all, neither one of you needs to feel guilty about indulging in a few tempting pumpkin delights. Enjoy!🎃🎃🎃 +This blog is not intended to take the place of veterinary advice/care! Always consult your vet before making dietary changes or trying new foods. 🐾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 more great ideas, tips and events follow me on social media and subscribe to The Weekly Runt by clicking the button below.  By, Katy Cable-TWR a 3 min read Not a week goes by without helping handfuls of frustrated pet owners. Lately, most are trying to choose foods for pets with digestive issues. So many options, marketing buzz words and different recommendations, can make anyone a little “sick to their stomach!” Last week a nice lady blurted out, “I keep hearing about probiotics...What the heck are they and why does my dog need them!” I was as happy as if I’d known the answer to the final Jeopardy question. I’ve battled “tummy” issues all my life. Recently I put my own debilitating autoimmune condition (Hashimoto’s) into remission through diet, and probiotics. There can be many PROS to probiotics, but if you don’t know the facts, they can often be just a big, fat marketing CON! So let me break everything down into easy-to-digest pieces for you. What Are Probiotics: In both humans and canines, a majority of our bodies immune cells reside in the gut. Therefore keeping our tummies in balance is crucial to maintaining overall health. Probiotics are tiny microorganisms that work primarily in the gut. Think of them as “good bacteria!” Microorganisms are called good bacteria because they provide tons of health benefits both inside and out. There are good and bad microorganisms in every gut which need to be kept in balance for our bodies to work at their best capacity. When a dog's microbiome becomes unbalanced, the result can be more than just digestive issues. An out-of-whack microbiome can cause yeast infections, rashes, arthritis and other chronic inflammation diseases so prevalent today. Plus, as a dog ages, their gut becomes less efficient at absorbing nutrients. Probiotics become even more crucial for maintaining good overall health. Many factors from antibiotics to aging can influence the health of your dog's GI tract and microbiome. Another biggie is your pet’s diet! Believe me, food is either making you sick or making you healthy. And same goes for our four-legged friends. More than anything else, what you feed your pet has a tremendous impact on how well their guts are able to absorb vital nutrients throughout their lives. The “PROS” of Probiotics: 1. IMMUNITY/FIGHTING DISEASE: Believe it or not, around 70% of your canine’s immune cells are in their gut. Probiotics not only supply good microorganisms back into their system, they also prevent harmful bacteria from growing. Keeping the growth of bad bacteria down will help keep their immune response in prime condition. 2. WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Simply put, probiotics help aid digestion. Easier digestion will increase metabolism. With a good metabolism, fat will be burned and used as fuel thus keeping your dog fit, trim and full of energy. 3. SHINY COAT: Probiotics do a number on your dog’sm outward appearance too. With the good and bad bacteria balance being kept in check, you’ll see a huge decrease in itching, skin irritations, hot spots, yeast infections, and ear infections. You’ll also notice your pet’s amazing soft, silky coat. 4. ALLERGY RELIEF: When an imbalance of good and bad bacteria occurs, it’s harder for your dog to fight off an allergic reaction. Probiotics can bring back balance which will, in turn, help their system fight allergies. 5. FRESH BREATH: They don’t call it “Dog Breath” for nothing! There is a certain bacteria in your dog’s gut that produces sulfur. This bacteria is attracted to areas that have dirty plaque and tartar buildup. -Your dog’s MOUTH. Probiotics can help prevent smelly bacteria from growing. This and regular brushing should do the trick getting rid of awful dog breath. And The “CONS“: Now that you’re ready to run out and grab probiotics, realize NOT ALL PROBIOTICS are PROS! There’s a lot of “con-artist” probiotics that get killed off before they reach your dog’s gut. The best way to get a healthy dose of probiotics is in your food as opposed to supplements. Good sources of probiotics are: kombucha, kefir, plain Greek yogurt*, kimchi, and fermented vegetables like sauerkraut. I don’t know many dogs that will devour a brimming bowl of sauerkraut, so it’s a good thing there are better options. The recent marketing hype in pet food is “PROBIOTICS!” It seems everyone is touting it on their bags. But most of these probiotics are sprayed on the kibble. They’re not remotely strong enough to survive the ultra heat processing and shelf life of most pet foods, not to mention the rigors of digestion. Nulo pet foods is one of the exceptions. Since it’s inception, they have used ®️GaneadenBC30, a patented powerhouse probiotic. It’s highly viable and delivers a guaranteed amount of active, healthy bacteria spores to the gut. In addition, the food is low-carb and packed with MEAT so you won’t be undoing all the good with a bunch of fillers and junk. Another great option for pets is goat’s milk kefir. You can find it where yogurt is sold. Think of it as “healthy” Haagen Dazs for your pet. Start with 1-2 Tbs for a 15-30 pound pet. Build up to roughly 1/4 cup. I freeze kefir with pumpkin purée, bone broth or berries and make pupsicles. You can also drizzle it over kibble or mix with wet food for a creamy mousse. Most cats and dogs love it! -While you're at it, make yourself a little smoothie, since you need a healthy gut too! Just a warning, this can be overpowering for a small pet, always begin with a small amount. For a delish treat, I love Bazzy’s Kefir. A frozen probiotic treat for your pup. (However, I enjoy them too.) For human’s, an alternative to ice cream is Coconut Cult’s probiotic gelato. A non-dairy, heavenly dessert that’s filled with billions of healthy probiotics. If you want a simple vitamin, Digestive Advantage by Schiff, makes yummy gummy bears packed with @GaneadenBC30! The powerhouse probiotic used in Nulo. I believe in the next decade a huge shift will take place. Gut health will be a vital key in managing many chronic conditions. Not just for humans, but for our pets too! Why not try incorporating probiotic-rich foods into everyone’s diet! A healthy gut means a healthy body and mind! Pugs and kisses! 🐾❤️😍 *Many pets and humans can be lactose intolerant and should avoid dairy. Instead try goat’s milk or a non-dairy alternative. For more information on dairy products cluck here: Can Dogs Eat Yogurt-Dogs Naturally, September 9, 2021 The information in this article is from personal experience and backed by several research studies including: https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/foods-with-probiotics-for-dogs This video shows you how to make a delicious, healthy Mudd Pie for cats or dogs:  By, Katy Cable -TWR A 4 min. Read In the words of the brilliant James Taylor, “I’ve seen 🔥 fire and I’ve seen rain...” If you’re living in California you’ve probably walked outside to find your car covered in ash. We need to wear n95 masks in order to breathe in the midst all the serious fire storms terrorizing our state. Other parts of the country have been hit by violent tornadoes. Plus hurricane season is also just getting underway with Ida threatening to be the worst storm New Orlean’s has seen since the 1800’s. Whether you’re in the fire zone or the direct path of a hurricane, or you’re merely watching it on TV, this is a great reminder: NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE! If you’re a pet parent, it means preparing for them too! Total devastation can happen in minutes. You may have little to no time or any advance warning before you must evacuate. Waiting until the last minute to have an emergency plan and supplies in place is not only foolish but may be deadly. So, BEFORE a 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 Your Pets Here are 5 important tips to keep pets safe in natural disasters and emergencies: 1. HAVE ALL YOUR PETS MICRO-CHIPPED and make sure they’re wearing ID collars when home alone. You will greatly increase your chances of being reunited with pets who get lost by having them micro-chipped; 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 get an additional tag with 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 high quality dry or freeze dried pet food. Store in water-tight containers. 🐾Water purification tablets 🐾First aid kit 🐾Any medication you pet takes plus first-aid meds: (antacid/small can of pumpkin/Benadryl/baby aspirin) 🐾CBD oil 🐾A crate labeled with photo of pet and emergency contact number 🐾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. *Entrust a neighbor with a key who can get your pets in the event of an emergency and you are away. Be sure the person is comfortable with your pets and your pets are familiar with them. Show them where your pets are likely to be (especially if they hide when they're nervous) and where your disaster supplies are kept. I like to keep a backpack in a small travel crate and have it readily available in the garage. *If you have a pet-sitter, they may be able to help. Discuss the possibility well in advance. Also make a plan with a specific meeting spot to retrieve your pets should there be an emergency. *Make arrangements with friends or relatives. Ask people 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 storm hitting or fire breaking out: 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, (or full charge) 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. Not even for a few minutes and not even with the windows cracked. ) 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. I hope if an emergency or disaster strikes, these tips will protect both you and your beloved pets! Here’s to weathering storms safely! -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-TWR
a 5 minute read Calling all teachers! Here's an idea that’s sure to keep students motivated and engaged this school year...A PET! Learning under the new CoVid guidelines can be challenging. It’s hard for most adults to stay engaged and attentive, much less energetic kids. Having a pet in the classroom will certainly keep things interesting and fun. It may also help improve test scores! Including a pet can be an A+ addition to your on-line curriculum as well. It will take some additional creativity on your part but there’s no reason why you can’t give it a try and see how your students respond. Here’s a few ideas: TUTOR THE PET: Have students practice teaching lessons back to the pet or schedule time they can “tutor” the pet. If they learn it well enough to teach it you’ve done your job. This can be done online or in the classroom. Start a reading program with a dog. Award prizes for completing benchmarks and finishing books. -Don’t have a pet...how about fostering a senior dog for the school year and see how the students engage. Maybe a student (or YOU!) will end up adopting it! Everyone can help choose the pet’s name and be involved in the care and upkeep. MY EXPERIENCE: I had my eyes opened to the power of pets in the classroom years ago. Therapy dogs were just being introduced for reading programs in select elementary schools. My then eight year-old daughter, Karley had been approached about training our pug Raisin for such a program. Three months later they became the youngest therapy dog team in the nation. Each week Karley took Raisin to local elementary schools and worked with struggling "at-risk" students. While she (and Raisin) were beyond excited, I was as scared senseless. These were not the well-mannered children seated Indian-style in a circle calmly petting a dog, but boisterous, out-of-control kids, screaming profanities, throwing tantrums and chairs. These children were more than most behavioral specialists and seasoned teachers could manage, let alone a new therapy dog team as green as Kermit-the-frog. What I witnessed over that school year was nothing short of miraculous. Just having a dog in the classroom for these students to sit with, talk to, read to, and pet, completely turned them around. Behavior dramatically improved because they were motivated not to miss their "reading with Raisin" session. By the end of the school year, every child was reading at or above grade level and best of all, confidence and enjoyment in school was off the charts. These children once labeled "problem kids" destined to fall through the cracks, were instead pronounced "success stories". And it was all the result of a free therapy dog program. Bringing a dog into the classroom can bring more positive changes than you can shake a stick at! Just look: 1. Decreased Behavioral Problems: In some of the schools we visited, behavior problems were an extremely serious issue. Typically, 3 out of 10 young students suffered from a behavior disorder bad enough to interfere with learning and development. Students had far fewer disciplinary actions after dogs were introduced. Their behavior greatly improved towards both their teachers and fellow students. Additionally, parents reported that children seemed more interested in school as a result of having the therapy dog visits. 2. Reduction in Truancy Problems Many elementary schools we regularly visited had severe truancy problems. Typically the students with the poorest attendance records were also participating in our program. A handful of students previously missing 40 days of school or more, had nearly perfect attendance once the therapy dog program was introduced. Seeing the dogs was a key motivator to come to school each day. 3. Improved Reading Skills Watching children practice their skills by reading to a dog was fascinating. Normally shy, embarrassed students, came alive choosing stories and doing their best to read to the dogs. The dogs never judged or made fun of them. Quite the opposite! They loved the attention. On top of spending time with a favorite therapy dog, students were also offered incentives. After reading 10 books, students earned a book of their choice “pawtographed” with a stamped paw print of their favorite therapy dog. Karley was so inspired by the children's curiosity about her Pug Raisin, she wrote and published a heartwarming and inspiring story "Raisin, -A Doggie's Tale..." which taught children to be responsible pet owners and was the fictional story of Raisin's own "RUFF" beginnings. This book motivated the kids to meet their literacy goals and is currently available at the link below. 4. Social Development Having dogs in the classroom was especially helpful in teaching students social skills. There was a notable decrease in discipline issues and tension in the classroom with the addition of the dogs. Students learned that their behavior and actions make a difference. Students showed an increase in sensitivity and awareness for the feelings and needs of others—both animals and humans. Interestingly, young boys who, in our culture, often don't get the chance to practice nurturing skills the way girls do, became much more compassionate. 5. Teaching Responsibility Having a dog or pet in the classroom may be a student's first opportunity to care for another living thing. With dogs or even smaller classroom pets, teachers can distribute chores among the class. Involving students in the daily care of classroom animals helps teach responsibility. Simple tasks such as filling the hamster's water bottle or measuring the cup of kibble to feed the rabbit each day, are wonderful learning opportunities. Often a child follows through in their own grooming as they see the importance of brushing their teeth and washing. 6. A Decline or End in Bullying Bullying is a serious problem in so many classrooms, with children anxious about school for fear of taunting and abuse. Dogs can make a huge difference in the fight against bullies. Dogs visiting schools teach kids about compassion and fairness. Kids identify with animals, and show empathy for dogs. It was found that violent behavior in participating students declined by 55%, and general aggression went down 62%. 7. Help With Autism Children with autism typically have trouble with concentration and interactions with others. Having a dog in the classroom helps with both socialization and focus. Autistic children were able to sit calmly and work for longer periods with the presence of a dog. The children were also far less anxious and rigid. When the children did get upset it was less likely to become a tantrum. 8. Allergy Alerts Just as dogs can be used to detect drugs, bombs, and blood sugar levels, they can also be used to detect life threatening allergies such as to peanuts. Although schools often enact policies designed to help students avoid the problematic allergens, mistakes can happen. For students with severe allergies, these dogs can be life-savers and also provide peace-of-mind to parents and schools. Should any of you teachers wish to bring a pet or therapy dog reading program into your classroom you can expect more than just happier students. Shari Young Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., research psychologist at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, points out, “The child who cares for a pet knows that what he does matters, and so he’ll want to do more of it. The more successfully he feeds, walks, or emotionally bonds with the pet, the more confident he’ll feel.” In fact, studies conducted by the Waltham Centre have shown that children with pets have higher levels of self-esteem than those without pets. This year, why not have a fun “pet project” and include a dog in the mix. It may be the key to an unforgettable school experience. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have a wonderful start to the school year. ❤️🐾 -Katy Cable To purchase "Raisin, A Doggie's Tale" click here (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1453699929/ref=cm_sw_su_dp_nodl) For more information about Therapy Dogs visit: Therapy Dogs International: http://tdi-dog.org/ For More information about the No More Bullies Program Visit: http://www.handinpaw.org/pawsitive-living-and-no-more-bullies.php 🐾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 3 minute Read
How many times have you been irritated by an annoying dog that comes running over and won’t stop sniffing you? Even if you love dogs, you’ll have to agree it’s a complete invasion of personal space. Well, that sniffing may soon be the first checkpoint to being able to jump on an airplane, attend school, or go to an event without any worry of catching the coronavirus. Imagine not having to shove a 12” swab up our noses until it tickles the back of our eye sockets. Instead, one would just need to allow a quick sniff by a working “COVID detecting Canine.” In some parts of the world, it’s already happening. THE NOSE KNOWS Depending on the breed, a dog’s sense of smell is around 10,000 - 100,000 times better than ours. That means the Chanel #5 I spray on every day must be overkill for my little Pug Olive. Dogs possess up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses compared to about six million in ours and the part of their brains that analyses and processes scents is (proportionally) 40 times greater than a humans. This gives dogs the ability to detect even infinitesimal amounts of a particular odorant. This would explain why dogs are widely used at airports for their keen ability to sniff out drugs and explosives. They also sniff out diseases, such as cancer and diabetes in humans. And now we are learning they are also experts at detecting COVID-19. Researchers at France’s National Veterinary School in Maisons Alfort (near Paris) have revealed that dogs are experts at sniffing out COVID-19, with accuracy nearly as good as PCR tests.1 For the study, sweat samples were collected from 335 people, who were then tested for COVID 19 via a PCR test. -109 people tested positive. Nine dogs that had been trained to sniff out COVID, then sniffed the samples. The dogs were able to identify positive samples with an impressive 97% accuracy. In addition, in 91% of the cases, the dogs were able to identify negative samples.2 In an earlier proof of concept study, six detection dogs had a success rate per dog that ranged from 76% to 100%. “These results provide some evidence that detection dogs may be able to discriminate between sweat samples from symptomatic COVID-19 individuals and those from asymptomatic COVID-19 negative individuals,” the researchers concluded.3 MORE EXCITING RESEARCH German researchers have also been working to train COVID-sniffing dogs. In a pilot study conducted by Volk and colleagues, published in July 2020, eight detection dogs were trained for one week to detect SARS-CoV-2 in the saliva or tracheobronchial secretions of people with COVID-19.4 The study revealed the dogs determined the difference between positive and negative samples with 82.63% sensitivity and 96.35% specificity. Overall, the average detection rate of the dogs was 94%.5. “No one is saying they can replace a PCR machine, but they could be very promising,” stated, veterinary neurologist Holger Volk, at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover in Germany. 6 A similar exciting research trial is underway at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Here, participants swab their skin using a tissue, then drop it into a jar that’s passed over to a dog to sniff. The results are then compared to the results of a PCR test.7 Lead researcher Anna Hielm-Björkman told Fortune:8 “It finds all the positives that the PCR finds and then [around] 5% more positives than the PCR. The dog is so much more sensitive. It finds more positives where people have had the disease and still have the virus in their body, even though they’re not contagious anymore. Also what it’s able to [do] is it can find the positive ones up to one week before they get their clinical symptoms.” CAN THIS PUT DOGS IN HARM’S WAY? Ever since this pandemic started, there have been many fears about how COVID affects dogs. Can they catch it from us? Or worse, can they infect us? If dogs are sniffing out this deadly virus, many will worry were putting them at risk. Luckily, the World Health Organization found that COVID-19 doesn’t pose a threat to pets. This work would not put the dogs in danger. Furthermore, it’s not the actual virus that the dogs are sniffing but the unique volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that humans let off in response to SARS-CoV-2. DOGS OUTPERFORM PCR TESTS “The dogs can do it,” says Cynthia Otto, leader of the Penn Vet Working Dog Centre at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. 6 tto’s team is collecting sweat samples from 1,000 T-shirts worn by people with and without COVID-19 to help understand which VOCs the dogs are detecting. Dogs now must be taught what the cut-off point is for very small amounts of the virus, which may exist in someone who is no longer contagious. “The reason we haven’t changed the cutoff point yet is there is really no research yet on how long people are contagious. We will let the dogs tell us [that very small amounts of the virus have been detected] until there is enough science to back up a cutoff point. Then we’ll teach them again: ‘If it’s lower than this, you don't need to tell us,” Hielm-Björkman told Fortune.9 She’s confident in dogs’ ability, however, adding, “Dogs are superior to PCR tests.”10 It’s very likely that soon they may become regular additions to screening procedures at an airport near you. HOW THIS MAY AFFECT THE PANDEMIC? Specially trained police dogs are already being used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in passengers at Dubai International Airport. Samples are collected from passengers, which are then screened by the dogs, with results coming out in less than a minute.7 With each trained dog able to sniff up for 250 people per hour, the coronavirus risk could be decreased dramatically. If the virus is spotted on someone, those people can receive further testing for confirmation. Asymptomatic people could begin early treatments that may be lifesaving. This would make the testing process of much faster, more efficient, and less expensive. And it’s not just COVID-19, the keen canine sense of smell also has the potential to detect other diseases in humans that have characteristic odors, including: Urinary tract infections Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders Diabetes Psychological disorders Endocrine disorders (e.g., Cushing's syndrome) Thyroid disorders Cirrhosis Candida esophagitis Sinusitis Alcohol abuse It's possible that one day soon, while visiting your doctor's office you'll be asked to undergo a full “body sniff” by a four-legged, fur-covered physician's assistant! Wouldn’t that be great! These exciting new studies show that beloved dogs could actually hold the key to SAFELY resuming “life as we USED to know it!” They quite possibly could put an end to this horrible pandemic much sooner. In the meantime, I hope you’re staying healthy and safe! Resources: 1, 2, Bloomberg, May 19,2021 3, PLOS One December 10, 2020 4, 5, National Library of Medicine BMCInfect Dis. July, 2020 6 Nature, November 23, 2020 7, 8, 9, 10 Fortune, September 23, 2020 11, The National News,  By Katy Cable-TWR A 3 min. Read A GREAT DOG IS MADE NOT BORN It's the most wonderful time of the year: BACK TO SCHOOL! It seems like life has been taking place in dog years and it’s been FOREVER since the kids were out of the house and back in the classroom. I figured this was a perfect week to address one of the biggest mistakes pet owners make: NOT TRAINING THEIR DOGS TO BE GOOD CANINE CITIZENS. Several of my close friends are dog trainers and puppy-raisers for Canine Companions. I also have friends who train and handle animals for TV and movie shoots. One important thing I've learned is: a great dog is made not born. Sadly, animal shelters are full of dogs who didn’t get a proper start in life or the right family to meet their needs. As a result they developed behavior problems. An unpredictable or out-of-control family dog is not only exhausting and difficult to be around, but worse, they can pose a huge danger to property, your family members, other animals or themselves. AS SEEN ON TV I learned this first hand when our family was asked to participate in a new TV show for called "Who Gets The Dog.” The concept was three different families compete for a shelter dog chosen as a good match for them. The dog spends an entire day and night with each family while the show documents the visits. Lastly, a team of dog experts chooses who the best-suited family is to adopt the dog. The winning family is awarded the dog and a year's supply of dog food. My family had been looking for a Pug or small dog that was good with children and didn't need a lot of space. I also had allergies and couldn't have some breeds. No sooner did we get the news from the Pug rescue that we could adopt Raisin (our first Pug), we also received a call from the TV show. I declined their offer to be a contestant, but they pleaded with me to please do them a favor as they needed just one more family to complete the episode. They assured me it was a perfect dog and we would definitely want to keep this dog too! Poor Raisin went right back to his foster family for an overnight and the TV crew came out. The minute the cameras started rolling, in bulldozed an enormous, shedding, ball of energy named SULLY. After knocking me flat on the ground, Sully proceeded to run upstairs and unleash a good liter of urine on our new white carpet. I took one look at this huge furry dog and realized in an effort to make entertaining television, the producers had pulled a bait-and-switch. Sully went on to ransack furniture, tear up pillows and destroy pricey decor and it just got worse. My then 7 year-old daughter Karley loved the dog and it was too dangerous for us to let her walk or go near him. I wanted this "DOG-GONE " and our new Pug Raisin back. We were scheduled to take Sully to our local dog beach to play some games. No sooner did we get out of the van when the poor dog went completely crazy tearing down the beach chasing a bird. He darted out into a busy street and nearly got flattened by a UPS truck. He was so out of control it took 5 huge men on the crew to contain him.-And it just went downhill from there. By the end of the day, I looked like a basset hound from allergies and sobbing. I told the producers we were not interested in keeping the dog. He was not a good fit and it was terribly dangerous. I was so upset at both their negligence and the trauma it put on this poor animal and our well-intentioned family. The final blow was watching the show on TV only to discover they had further manipulated us by editing our segment only showing Sully sleeping or calmly laying down. They filmed our reactions when he had been bouncing off the walls or trying to catch him before he ran out in the road and was flattened by a delivery truck. We came across as manic and Sully looked like a perfect pet anyone would be crazy not to want. The show was quickly cancelled. However, with the wonderful trend of people seeking relinquished shelter/rescue pets as well as those opening their hearts to senior, special needs or problematic dogs, it's crucial to understand how to rehabilitate and train animals who got off to a “ruff" start. That perfect dog you fell in love with at the shelter, may act completely different once you bring them into your home. WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE EXPECTING Regardless of whether your new dog is from a shelter, rescue, or a previous owner, expect some behavioral issues and address them from the get-go. The most common being housebreaking problems but other stress-related behaviors include excessive barking, chewing & destroying inappropriate items, escape attempts, jumping up on people and hiding. Even a fully trained dog, will need to learn your routine, and familiarize themselves with your home snd neighborhood. The most important thing to remember when trying to eliminate undesired canine behaviors is that dogs learn desired behavior through positive reinforcement. Simply put, you must reward good behavior and ignore the bad. What DOESN'T work is any kind of physical punishment or yelling. This will simply add to your dog's anxiety and stress plus it can make your new family member fearful of you. START IMMEDIATELY Training should begin the second your new dog comes home with you. Right from the first meeting you should begin addressing your dog by their name and using basic training commands like: "Come", "Sit", "Stay", "Down" and "Off!" If you're lucky you might be surprised to learn your dog can already follow a few. And when they do, give lots of love, praise and perhaps training treats. BEST IN CLASS On the other hand, you might find that you need to do a lot more work. If your dog isn't getting the hang of basic commands, take it very slow, and work on just one command a day or for a couple of days (or weeks) before overwhelming them with others. Your dog doesn't speak English and repeating commands over and over and LOUDER and LOUDER won’t make your pooch listen any better or learn any faster. In fact, it will just set-back progress. I know first-hand how frustrating it can be so if you find yourself having issues, I recommend having your dogs checked out by your veterinarian. A dog with a ruptured ear drum from a nasty infection, may not be able to hear your commands. The accidents in the house may be the result of a bladder infection. Or, even with a clean bull of health, your vet is a great resource for trainers and classes. Getting the help of a professional trainer who practices positive reinforcement to show you how to communicate more effectively and offer helpful tips. This is also a great option for more difficult behaviors such as incessant barking. Although I'm a huge fan of group training classes, when it comes to a new shelter or rescue dog, I often recommend having a trainer work with you in your home or one-on-one first to get the basics down. You will have much more success in a group class if you have waited until a trusting bond with your new dog has been formed. This might take more time, patience and work. Remember your dog probably had a life of complete chaos and fear prior to meeting you. It’s also a good idea to assume your dog wasn’t properly socialized by their previous owners. They might be distracted by other dogs making training nearly impossible. A SECOND CHANCE When I rescued Olive she was a frightened little breeder pup who had never lived outside a crate. She had never seen stairs, been on a walk, or had any loving experiences with humans. She was scared to death being put in a harness, driven in a car and led into a brand new home. In an effort not to completely overwhelm her, I enlisted the guidance of top-notched trainers who advised me to gently and slowly begin exposing Olive to all the sights, sounds, smells, and other living creatures in her new environment. When she got scared, I backed off and went at her timid pace. After nearly six years with me she still has fear issues with crates, cars and large crowds but she's come such a long way. She is amazing with skills snd commands, but when she gets in fearful situations, I am extremely gentle and go at a slow pace. I always give her lots of praise and love. I also try and make training fun! LIFE-LONG LEARNERS Do your best to make training fun for both you and your dog. Your enthusiasm and energy is contagious so be mindful of your own mood. Training doesn’t stop once your dog stops having accidents in the house snd can “sit” on command. I encourage you and your fog to be life-long learners and continue in classes, refresher courses, agility, therapy, nose-tracking work or other activities. Get suggestions from your vet, or local pet store for fun classes, trainers or clubs to participate in. At the end of the day, you are learning and getting just as much out of it as your dog is. By addressing behavior issues immediately, most can be corrected and not turn into bad habits which follow your dog into their new life with you. Once you begin and a trusting bond has been formed, your dog is sure to be “Best In Class” and anxious to keep learning . Here’s wishing all you students and dog owners a successful school year! 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 minute Read This is by far the saddest and most difficult blog I've written as it deals with the hardest thing about being a pet-owner: Saying goodbye! August 16th will mark the 6 year anniversary since we sent our darling Pug Raisin to run free at Rainbow Bridge. This has also been a particularly difficult year as I’ve lost several dogs that weren’t mine, but I couldn’t have loved them any more if they were. Working in pet rescue has taught me a lot about managing grief. I hope these tips can help you get through a heartbreaking time. THE END IS NEAR It was early August, two years ago when I took my 13 year-old Pug to the Vet. He was yelping and shaking his head in a strange way and I assumed he must be suffering from yet another ear infection. If only that were the case. Instead of confirming my suspicion, my long-time, trusted Vet took a look in Raisin's ears and found no sign of infection. She thoroughly examined my sweet little guy and found nothing. I then showed her video clips on my cellphone of his yelping and head twitching. She suspected a tumor and said with Raisin's age and medical history, doing MRI's and costly exploratory procedures would be inhumane. She then handed me the dreaded brochure which read, "When It's Time To Say Goodbye" containing home euthanasia information. I broke down hysterically crying, as did the entire staff. As I was stumbling out the door, the Vet handed me a strong course of antibiotics and suggested giving them a try. At this point I had nothing to lose and no other options. I stuffed one in a pill pocket and fed it to Raisin on the spot. By the time we arrived home, he was bouncing around eating and acting like his old self. His symptoms had disappeared. My prayers had been answered. I quickly called Vet with the terrific news: Raisin was back! For the past year I had watched Raisin's health swiftly decline. Degenerative hemivertebrae issues which are common in Pugs, had taken their toll on Raisin and he had completely lost use of his hind legs. The chronic ear infections had damaged his hearing. His dry-eye had left him nearly blind. He suffered skin allergies, and had only a few teeth left in his mouth. Yet, even in his poor physical condition he was not in pain and happy as could be melted on a lap like butter. After all, Pugs were bred simply for the purpose of sitting on the laps of royalty. We got Raisin wheels (which he never really enjoyed) and since he never did charge down the beach like I had hoped, I opted for using a Radio Flyer wagon or stroller for outings. I upped his daily dosage of Rimady and he had done fine. As tiring as his care was, as long as he was happy, comfortable and enjoying life, I was glad to do whatever my little fur-baby needed. Each day as I carried Raisin up and down the steps and helped him walk, at least one onlooker would chime in, "Why don't you put that old dog to sleep!" They just didn't understand. However, I was in a personal panic over how Raisin was going to survive when we made the upcoming trip across the country to take our daughter off to college. Raisin was too old and immobile to join us, yet leaving him with his rescue family in a strange environment, without the family he loved and relied on, would probably cause him more fear and stress than he could tolerate. Horrible thoughts went through my mind about our daughter never seeing her dog again. Or worse yet, getting the call he had slipped away while we were gone without having a chance to say goodbye or be with him in his final days. It would've haunted me forever to think Raisin had felt abandoned by his family in his last days. I prayed for solutions. HIS DAYS WERE NUMBERED As draining and difficult as it is to care for an aging pet, I treasured every waking minute with Raisin. I wheeled him down to the bay in his wagon for short dips in the cool sea water. I paraded him in his doggie stroller down the neighborhood to visit all his friends. I fed him his favorite treats and gave him lots of warm baths, gentle massages and cuddles. I carried him in a baby sling and took him everywhere I went, knowing my days with him were numbered. Just as I had feared, Raisin's remission was short lived. A week later he was up all night trembling in pain and shaking his head. He didn't relieve himself in the morning and had no interest in food. His eyes looked tired and I knew he was done fighting. I gathered the family around and we made the heartbreaking decision to make the dreaded call. HOME PET EUTHANASIA The first few times I dialed, I had to hang-up because I was sobbing too hard to speak. Thankfully Dr. Annie Forslund at Southern California Pet Euthanasia, picked up the phone. She knew exactly how to handle a distraught pet mom and put me at ease. As luck would have it she was free that afternoon and, not wanting to prolong Raisin's pain, I made arrangements for her to come out as quickly as possible. The delightful Dr. Forslund arrived in her polo shirt with an embroidered logo of a dog with wings. She was beautiful, kind, gentle and angelic. I introduced her to my husband Rick and daughter Karley, who was stroking Raisin on her lap. I told her about all the work Raisin had done as an award-winning therapy dog, then showed her the book Karley wrote when she was just 12 years old, "Raisin, -A Doggie's Tale" which received nationwide attention. She could see how special he was and also recognized how much pain Raisin was in. Dr. Forslund explained that she would start by inserting an IV catheter. Once Raisin was calm and we had said our goodbyes, she would come back in and do the procedure which would take less than a minute. She let us know she would wait in the next room until we alerted her we were ready. At that point I made a half-serious comment, "What if I'm never ready?" She politely replied, "Then I will ask you if you would prefer me to come back another time!" I so appreciated her compassion. Raisin was so lethargic and out of it, Dr. Forslund had no problem inserting the catheter. We then moved out to Raisin's favorite spot on the couch and with the PGA golf showing on TV, we each stroked Raisin and told him how much we loved him. We were all sobbing uncontrollably telling him how much we were going to miss him. I then called Dr. Forslund back in and while Raisin was dozing comfortably on my lap, and we continued to pet him, she covered his legs with a towel so we wouldn't have to witness the procedure, and told us if we were ready she would start administering the lethal injection. Watching my little Raisin take his last breath and slip away to Rainbow Bridge was gut-wrenching. When Raisin had gone, Dr Forslund excused herself in order to give us some time alone. On our cue she returned and covered Raisin's lifeless body in a pretty blanket and I carried him out to her car. Living at the crowded beach, the last thing I needed was a child running up wanting to pet a now lifeless Raisin. Fortunately I made it to Dr. Forslund's van without incident. I placed Raisin in a beautifully decorated doggie basket she had waiting in the back. She hugged me goodbye and offered her deepest condolences. Before she left with Raisin, she informed me his ashes and paw print would be delivered in two weeks. BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE For the next few days I laid in bed sobbing continuously, wanting desperately to be put-to-sleep myself. My daughter was leaving for college, and now my sweet Raisin had left me for the Bridge. I didn't want to live for those first few days. Thankfully, I had to go out and run some last-minute errands with Karley before she left and getting out of the house was just what we needed. When we were returning home that afternoon, we noticed an enormous yellow Monarch butterfly following our car. At first we thought it must be a toy or decoration since it was bigger than any butterfly we'd ever seen. It literally followed us the entire ride home and then was a constant visitor in our front yard. I told Karley it must be Raisin's spirit telling us he's free. When Rick returned home from work that night I pointed out the huge butterfly and he commented, "I noticed that exact butterfly following you the other day when you were carrying Raisin's body out to Annie's van. I didn't think anything of it at the time except what a huge butterfly it was." As painful as this experience was, I could clearly see the gift I had received. I was so grateful we all had the chance to say goodbye and to grieve Raisin. We were able to be with him right up to his last breath and he left this earth, not on a cold table in the Vet's office, or a boarding facility but in his home surrounded by his entire loving family. We got to be there for him when he needed it the most. Not everyone is as fortunate. DON’T WAIT…KNOW YOUR OPTIONS EARLY One of the hardest things about being a pet-owner is saying goodbye. Many people don't know the option of home euthanasia is available and even more people struggle with how to read signs of pain and distress in their animals. Wherever you live, and regardless of your pet's age and health condition, I urge you to educate yourself on how pets express pain and also get some tentative plans made for when that dreaded time comes. Don't wait until you are under the extreme stress of a situation to seek out your options. Talk to your vet, and/or pet parent friends BEFORE you need it. Raisin shuddered with fear every time he entered the Vet's office so I made my wishes known from the get-go. I was not going to put Raisin through arduous medical procedures and expensive tests only to prolong his life a few months. I would keep him comfortable until he was no longer expressing the will to live. If possible, when the time came, I wanted a Raisin to leave us in the privacy and comfort of his home. I'm so very thankful it worked out as beautifully as it did. WILL MY HEARTBREAK EVER SUBSIDE? That being said, I still experienced extreme sadness, grief and depression that was beyond my wildest dreams. I knew the end was near and it still flattened me like a Mack truck. Know that it takes time to heal. You will stop crying eventually. You will feel better. WAYS TO HONOR YOUR PET AND MANAGE GRIEF: 1. Be gentle with yourself. Take the time you need to grieve. Don’t move the dog bed, or all their favorite toys just yet, if that brings you comfort. 2. Try and get out and do things each day. It may be temping to isolate and spend days in bed crying but seeing friends and doing things will help you feel better. 3. Plant something in your pet’s honor. Or make a small garden. 4. Get a tattoo of your dog. 5. Buy a nice piece of jewelry and have your pet’s name engraved. I bought a Pug charm that holds some of Raisin's ashes. I wear it next to my heart. 6. Check Shutterfly and put a my favorite photo of your pet on a coffee mug, blanket, pillow or other keepsake. I made a coffee mug with Raisin’s picture and I take him with me wherever I go. 4. Frame favorite photos. 5. Light a memorial candle. I received a beautiful Memorial candle from Pet House Candles which I burn on the anniversary of Raisin’s passing and his birthday. 6. Attend a pet loss grief/bereavement support group. 7. Although it took a few months before I could even look at Raisin's book, having his legacy in print, with funds supporting child literacy and pug rescue has helped so much. Raisin lives on forever in his book: Raisin, -A Doggie’s Tale... 🐾The number one best thing I did to heal was adopt Olive. I know some people need time (For months my husband refused to get another dog) but for me having another Pug (who's completely different right down to the color and gender) that I can love makes everything much, much better! No dog can ever replace another and Lord knows there is NOTHING I wouldn’t do to bring back Raisin happy and healthy. Since that's not an option, I will love and help other dogs in need. For me the best anti-depressant available is a dog! AND JUST WHEN YOU THINK YOU’RE OVER IT… You may be surprised that even after all that, I still find myself breaking into tears over social media posts alerting me of pets I love that have gone to Rainbow Bridge. Sad songs on the radio or seeing a pug that reminds me of Raisin can also open the flood gates, even years later. So I UGLY cry, wipe my raccoon eyes and thank God I was blessed to have such a wonderful dog for 13 years. On every anniversary of Raisin's passing, I get an email from Dr. Forslund to "light a candle in Raisin's honor" on their memorial site, which I do. In honor of Raisin’s birthday, I spread his ashes at all his favorite haunts and planted a Birch tree in our front yard. The tree has grown so much and seems to constantly attract huge Monarch butterflies.🌈 For more information, please visit: Home Pet Euthanasia of Southern California https://www.onefurallpets.com/ to order a copy of Raisin's book click here: https://www.createspace.com/3469234 🐾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 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.🐾 |
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