By Katy Cable/TWR
A 3 min. Read

💕 February is Doggy Dental Health Care month and believe it or not, neglecting this crucial element of your pup’s overall health can be deadly. Or, lead to a host of other major health issues, Here’s some very important tips and facts for you to “brush-up” on:

I always thought people who brushed their dog's teeth were being a tad obsessive, but when my vet informed me they pulled 13 teeth out of my Pug Raisin's mouth and handed me a bill large enough for me to sink my own teeth into, I realized how important doggie dental care is.

Unless you're a three year old child, you probably wouldn't dream of going day's on end without brushing your teeth. Believe it or not, just like us, your dog shouldn't either.

When plaque is allowed to accumulate on your dog's teeth, within a few days it hardens into tartar. Tartar adheres to the teeth and irritates the gums. Irritated gums result in an inflammatory condition called gingivitis. Dogs with gingivitis have red rather than pink gums, and they often also have stinky breath. If the tartar isn't removed, it builds up under the gums, eventually causing them to pull away from the teeth. This creates small pockets in the gum tissue that trap additional bacteria in the mouth.

Once things progress to this stage, your dog will have developed an irreversible condition called periodontal disease, which not only causes considerable pain, but can also result in abscesses, infections, loose teeth, and bone loss.

But here's what's really shocking: Should your dog develop periodontal disease, the surface of his gums will be weakened, which can allow mouth bacteria to invade the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. If his immune system doesn't kill off the circulating bacteria, it can reach the heart and infect it with a multitude of serious issues.

Some types of bacteria found in the mouths of dogs produce sticky proteins that can adhere to artery walls, causing them to thicken. Mouth bacteria are also known to promote the formation of blood clots that can severely damage the heart

If that's not bad enough, studies have linked periodontal disease in both humans and pets to systemic diseases of the kidneys, liver, and lungs. It can also result in diabetes complications, problems during pregnancy, and even cancer. These serious health problems can either develop or be worsened as inflamed or bleeding gum tissue allows harmful oral bacteria to filter into the bloodstream quicker than a pug can devour a meal.

In addition to systemic diseases, infections in the mouth and gums often create other problems including tooth root abscesses, jaw fractures, nasal infection, and in extreme cases, eye loss and oral cancer. If your dog is lucky they may get by with a simple cavity or chipped tooth.

That probably scared you enough to start looking for a now doggie toothbrush. And that's good news since most of these conditions can be avoided or greatly improved once good oral hygiene has begun and any dental disease has been resolved.

As you can see, your dog's oral hygiene is much more than just an obsessive grooming afterthought. It's an extremely important factor in maintaining your dog's health and longevity. I advise you begin by talking to your vet and getting a thorough evaluation of your dog's teeth, gums and mouth.

In my case, with young Olive, I began daily brushing at home which is sufficient for now. But with Raisin, I needed twice yearly cleanings and a major oral surgery to repair just a few years of neglect.

Pugs, and other "flat-nosed" breeds come genetically disadvantaged in terms of dental health. They seem to have teeth settled in the far reaches of their throats. Not only are they hard to find, they’re even harder to clean. Their cramped, flat muzzles and shape of their mouths makes properly cleaning back molars about as easy as resisting homemade brownies straight out of the oven.

Again, your vet can recommend possibly adding some tartar-removing sprays, (or check out TEEF) and other products which might be useful. Hopefully you can get things under control and a deep cleaning with anesthesia will not be necessary.

Here are a few simple tips for keeping your pet's mouth healthy and introducing the toothbrush:

• Feed your dog a nutritious, species appropriate, diet. This sets the stage for vibrant good health. However, I can't tell you how many pet-parents assume feeding their dog a hard, dry kibble is all that's necessary in order to take care of their pet's teeth. It would be the same as thinking eating crunchy granola bars was all you needed to keep your own teeth clean. Unfortunately, feeding great food of any kind is not enough to prevent dental disease for the life of your pet.
• Perform routine inspections of your dog’s mouth. Your pet should allow you to open his mouth, look inside, and feel around for loose teeth or unusual lumps or bumps on the tongue, under the tongue, along the gum line and on the roof of his mouth. After you do this a few times, you'll become sensitive to any changes that might occur from one inspection to the next. You should also make note of any differences in the smell of your pet's breath that aren't diet-related. ​
• Offer your pet raw bones to gnaw on. This is an excellent way to help remove tartar the old fashioned way -- by grinding it off through repetitive chewing. There are some rules to offering raw bones (not for pets with pancreatitis, diseases of the mouth, weak or fractured teeth, resource guarders, "gulpers," etc.) so ask your vet if raw bones would be a good "toothbrush" for your dog. I recommend offering a raw bone about the same size as your pet's head to prevent tooth fractures.

One of the secrets to successful tooth brushing is to progress slowly and gently, allowing your dog to adapt at their own pace. When you first get your dog, you can begin a cleaning routine by wrapping a small piece of sterile gauze around your finger, and letting them become familiar with having your finger in their mouth. Gently rub the top front teeth and slowly work your way to the back teeth. Then do the same on the lower teeth. Praise your dog often and keep these sessions short. If your dog resists, try doing this while they're relaxing and more mellow which is typically around their bedtime. If they resist, stop and try again another time. Also confirm they don't have another underlying problem causing mouth pain.

The next step is to use a safe, natural dental cleaning product designed for pets and apply a small amount to the gauze before you rub your dog's teeth. I am a fan of Oxyfresh products With minimal time and effort all that brown hunk around the back teeth comes right off and usually professional cleanings can be avoided. If you don't have canine toothpaste, you can use organic coconut oil. Once they get used to this, you can progress to either a finger brush or a soft toothbrush the right size for their mouth. Remember, the more rubbing and brushing your pet will allow, the more quickly you'll see results, and the easier it will be to maintain dental health.

If your furry companion is highly resistant to having their teeth rubbed or brushed, or, in the case of a new rescue/shelter dog that comes with a mouth needing major attention, you can try a new, amazing product called TEEF. Simply add a small pinch of this all-natural, tasteless, odorless powder to your dog’s water each day and BAM! A clean mouth, fresh breath, whiter teeth, and NO MORE harmful bacteria, plaque and tarter. It’s the easiest thing EVER! This product is a game-changer for Pugs or other pets with dental issues.

Also, before attempting dental care, consider ordering TREATABLES, amazing CBD treats and oil. This all-natural cannibis works miracles to chill-out an anxious dog. (Use Code: WEEKLYRUNT to receive 10% off)

☠️ALERT REGARDING DOGGIE DENTAL TREATS
Please be cautious when purchasing doggie dental treats. Many contain harmful if not toxic ingredients.

Before You Buy Dental Care Treats, Read The Ingredient List! I see lots of pet parents gravitating to dry kibble and dental treats to keep their dog’s teeth clean. This is a popular misconception. In addition to not containing healthy, species appropriate ingredients, they are loaded with harmful additives and preservatives. Some of the most popular products such as: Milk Bone Brushing Chews and Purina Beneful Healthy Smile Dental Twists contain the synthetic toxic preservatives BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) which are used to prevent fats and oils in food from turning rancid.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program has identified BHA and BHT as cancer-causing agents that consistently produce certain types of tumors in laboratory animals.
Unfortunately, the FDA still permits use of these chemicals as preservatives in food, deeming them "generally recognized as safe" in low doses.

In addition, smaller treats that are chewed and swallowed in a matter of seconds provide no real dental benefit for your pet.

Remember, even with bones, dental treats and a healthy diet, it’s still necessary to use TEEF or brush your dog’s teeth. It’s one of the best things you can do to keep your sweetie from becoming “All Bark and No Bite!” 😁

🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾

By, Katy Cable-TWR
A 2 min. Read

Is your dog as popular as the middle seat on an airplane? With so many people getting “a new addition” for the holidays, I thought it was important to address this topic. In fact, failing to properly socialize your dog can mean MAJOR headaches for everyone.

​Why is this such a big deal? Believe it or not, dogs that aren't properly socialized usually display serious behavioral problems making them unsuitable family pets. Nearly half the dogs relinquished to shelters have at least one behavioral problem. The most common being aggression and destructiveness. These traits are usually rooted in fear and anxiety.

Hopefully you had the opportunity to begin socializing your dog as a new puppy but it's never too early to begin exposing them to as many new people, animals, environments and other stimuli as possible. The key is to do so without overwhelming them. By engaging all of your dog's senses though exposure to the sights, sounds and smells of daily life as well as constantly introducing them to new ones they will be able to handle a variety of new experiences and challenges without exhibiting behavioral problems. Being able to trust your dog will handle situations with acceptable behavior brings peace of mind to you and your confident canine! Here are a few suggestions to try with your new dog or puppy that has completed some basic puppy training:

• I'm a HUGE fan of obedience classes. They provide an environment where all the dogs (and their owners) are kept under the control and guidance of a skilled trainer. This can be very helpful if your pet seems wary or fearful around other dogs. Organized classes give them the opportunity to be around other pups, but from a safe, trusting, supervised distance. PetSmart (http://www.petsmart.com/) offers a variety of reasonably priced and convenient classes. Or check pet stores in your area.
• If you have friends with dogs, arrange play dates. Begin with one dog at a time. Start the introduction with a short walk in a neutral territory then once they have gotten to know each other try letting them play in a safe, enclosed area. This is another low pressure social situation in which your pup can hone his skills without being overwhelmed by too many dogs, or an overly dominant or possessive dog. If things go well, you can arrange future outings for the four of you to take walks or hikes, toss Frisbees, fetch tennis balls, go swimming, etc.
• If it makes sense for you and your dog, get involved in dog agility competitions. These events provide a great opportunity for your dog to be around other dogs and people while getting lots of exercise, mental stimulation, and building a stronger bond with you. Check out The Zoom Room (http://www.zoomroomonline.com/) for a variety of obedience, therapy-dog, and agility classes. Locations are nationwide.
• If agility isn’t for you, some other high-energy activities, including flying disc, dock jumping/dock diving, flyball, flygility, herding, hunt and field trials, musical freestyle and heel work, to name just a few. Check out: http://dogplay.com/ for lots of organized exercise and socialization possibilities.
• A fabulous socialization activity I have enjoyed is therapy dog work. Depending on your dog's temperament and personality, you can have them pass simple training to be a therapeutic visitation dog. You and your dog can make visits to hospitals, nursing homes, detention units, rehab facilities, schools, senior citizen apartments and other places where people aren't permitted to keep pets or aren't able to care for them. It's extremely rewarding for everyone. Find more information at: http://tdi-dog.org/
• Another possible option for socialization and exercise is to enroll your pet in a doggy daycare program one or two days a week. It's very important the facility you choose has a knowledgeable staff trained in dog communication and interaction, separate play areas for dogs of different sizes, and supervised playgroups. Be certain they are doing extensive temperament tests on all dogs to evaluate their behavior in the daycare environment. Introduction to the pack should be gradual for all new dogs.
• I enjoy doing "meet-ups" with other dog groups. Twice a month we meet at the local dog beach and dog park to see old friends and make new ones. I prefer this to visiting these places on my own since there's safety and security in numbers. For new or more timid dogs, try a visit to the park or dog beach during slower weekday times. It is less crowded and intimidating. Check my home page, meet-up sites or evenbrite.com for activities and meet-ups in your area. Enjoy the YouTube videos from some fun pug meet-ups.
• Last but not least, never underestimate the socialization value of good daily walks. Maybe mix it up and try a new, unfamiliar neighborhood for a change of pace with your dog. You both get fresh air, stress-relieving endorphins and perhaps even a little cardio exercise. I LOVE dog walking and the fun opportunities it brings for us both to meet old and new friends! -Both two and four-legged!🐾

💕Big thank you's to Pupstar Sonoma's Roxy, Bono & Blue appearing in one of my all-time favorite photos which I love so much.


🐾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.🐾​
​
​SOCIAL MEDIA
​@petsmart
http://www.petsmart.com/
@thezoomroom
http://www.zoomroomonline.com/
@dogplay.com
http://dogplay.com/
@TDI
http://tdi-dog.org/
https://www.meetup.com/
@NYCpugmeetupgroup
@lapugmeetup
@longbeachpugmeetup
@ocpugsaturday
@sandiegopugclub

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 not enough exercise. 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 number one component for all aspects of your dog's health, longevity and quality of life. The good news is with just a little will power 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 flip-flops. 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 tips her head and pants longingly, I ALWAYS give her a small bite of any other 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 their 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 $1,200. 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 “deal with the problem-before it's too late!" Here are a few common sense tips to help you get started:

• Feed a species-appropriate, balanced diet to your pet. Regardless of their weight, your dog still needs the right nutrition, which means food that is high in animal protein and moisture, with low CARBS! Don’t just cut out those grains, but look at the amount of potatoes, corn, rice, etc. Look for moisture rich foods containing animal based proteins as the first 2-3 ingredients. (*check my You Tube videos and blogs to de-code pet food labels and how to select premium foods.)
• Practice portion control, which typically means two, carefully measured, meals. Although leading pet nutrition researchers are finding feeding just one meal in the morning is optimum for health. A high animal protein, low-carb diet with the right amount of calories for weight loss, controlled through the portions you feed, is what will take the weight off your dog. And don’t forget to factor in calories from treats. -I would stay clear of treats altogether unless it’s a small bite or two of a lean protein.
• Regularly exercise your pet. An overweight body gets back in shape by taking in fewer calories and expending more energy. Daily exercise, including at least 20 minutes of consistent aerobic activity, will help your pet burn fat and increase muscle tone. It will also make you both feel better. Be careful to start at a slower pace for out-of-shape, older dogs and gradually increase the duration and intensity. For less mobile dogs start with slow walks and a game of fetch.

I guarantee by practicing these simple nutrition steps you will have a dog that looks AND feels much better! And you’ll spend much less $$$ at the vet’s. Nutrition, love and exercise are the most important ingredients to optimum health and happiness. Best of all you will enjoy more quality time with your best friend. Pugs and Kisses!

​
🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾​

By Katy Cable-TWR
A 4 min read

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 when my first pug Raisin got a horrible yeasty, foul-smelling rash around his neck. After an expensive trip to the vet, followed by a heavy course of antibiotics and expensive RX creams, guess who also got a brand new, clean collar to wear!
It’s important to keep your pet’s collar clean to reduce the risk it will cause an infection or hot spot on their skin. Worn-out collars, those with an unpleasant odor and collars that have either grown too tight or too loose, need to go. Also check to make sure their tag with your contact info is still legible should they ever get lost. You may need to replace and update that as well.
Replace with this: New collar/ID tag
I found a clip for the ID tag and now change out collars all the time. I have an entire collection of cute festive collars I find on sale. Have fun with this! 😜

2. Plastic food and water bowls:
Plastic food and water bowls are inexpensive and convenient. Unfortunately, not only are they impossible to thoroughly sanitize, but as the plastic begins to break down, it can leak toxic chemicals into your dog’s food and water. In addition, I have seen many dogs (including my own) get blemishes on their chins and other skin irritations from bacteria and oils which get easily trapped in the peeling plastic. This was another expensive trip to the vet and medications I could’ve avoided! More sensitive dogs can develop allergies to the materials and dyes in plastic bowls, and get tear stains, rashes and other complications. In addition, aggressive chewers have been known to gnaw their bowls into small pieces and swallow them. Also avoid the cute pottery bowls since these can contain dangerous lead-based paint and other toxic materials. Again, I have learned everything the hard way and I hope to save you from the same mistakes.
Replace with this: stainless steel, porcelain or glass food and water bowls.

3. Broken or chewed up toys:
Many dogs are toy slaughterers. My pug Olive can tear off the head of a toy and devour the stuffing faster than I can open a jar of peanut butter. There have been many times I’ve left a dog alone with a stuffed toy, only to find they have a belly full of chemical-tainted cotton stuffing before I get to the first commercial break during Real Housewives! With any luck, (and a few spoonfuls of canned pumpkin purée) the stuffing will pass in their 💩. However, God forbid, they should swallow a squeaker or get a piece of the toy lodged in their GI tract. Suddenly that $5.00 chew toy can become a life-threatening situation requiring expensive surgery to remove. It’s a good idea to review the contents your dog’s toy basket on a regular basis and get rid of anything that could pose a choking hazard or GI obstruction.
Replace with this: Repaired or new non-toxic toys.
I love the un-stuffed flat, crinkle toys, non-toxic ropes, and Tugga Kongs filled with a premium pet food.

4. Dull nail trimmers:
Most dogs enjoy nail trims the way I enjoy a root canal. But one thing that can make a bad situation worse is a pair of dull clippers. After one too many bad experiences, I now leave nail trim to the pros. Plus, I’m as welcome as a rash when dogs see me come at them with nail clippers. (Talk about feeling unpopular!) With dull clippers, instead of a quick clean snip, the trimmers can crush and split the nail. Or, not cut at all! Not only is this extremely painful for your probably already anxious dog, but it tends to make you — the human at the other end of the clippers — tense up. Your dog, in turn, picks up on your stress, which doubles theirs. In a worst-case scenario, a nail trim botched by dull trimmers can FOREVER make your dog run like a pack of wolves every time they see them come out. Trust me on this one.
Replace with this: Freshly sharpened or new nail trimmers, or a battery-operated rotary tool (e.g., a Dremel). Or visit your vet’s office, PetSmart or a trusted local groomer and let a professional do it. For highly anxious dogs try giving CBD 2 hours before their mani/pedi👌

5. Retractable leash
“Leash” is probably not a good word to describe the thin cord or ribbon used in many retractable devices. The real purpose of using a leash is to keep the animal safe and under your control while out on walks. Retractable leashes often do just the opposite. They give the owner and the dog WAY TOO MUCH LEEWAY and then put you both at risk when you must quickly RETRACT. I never recommend these leashes as a good option for pet parents. I only recommend them for those who are working specifically with a trainer on commands but never for walking.
There are many reasons to avoid or reconsider use of a retractable leash, starting with the fact it's easy for your dog to get too far away from you to be safe. Suddenly a car, aggressive dog, or skateboard appears and if it's not too late already, quickly retracting can result in SERIOUS injuries. I personally have gotten deep, horrible cuts and burns and also know of young children needing extensive surgery from retractable leash injuries! In most cases, these devices are also completely counterproductive to training a dog to walk well on a leash. The very nature of retractables trains dogs to pull on the leash to extend the lead. The dog is out front and in-charge. Needless to say, this pulling behavior will be repeated whenever the dog is on a standard leash.
Replace with this: 4-6-foot flat leash and pull it in closely until your dog has learned to walk at your side without pulling. Practice daily by rewarding dog with small treats as they walk nicely at your side. By reinforcing the way you want them to walk, they will quickly get the hang of it!

In addition to tossing, losing, stopping, quitting. Why not TAKE ON, START, BEGIN, FIND a new thing or two for the new year. Set a few small goals that will be healthy for both you and your dog. Here's a few ideas:

1. If your pup is a bit pudgy, commit to a long walk, better food, smaller/healthier treats, and reduced portions to get them fit and trim.

2. Join a dog meet-up group and make a few new friends.

3. Check local events and do a dog hike, yappy-hour or another dog-friendly social activity with your pooch once a month. The EVENTS page on my site lists lots of fun activities.

4. Sign up for a training class together to refresh skills, strengthen your bond and work on socialization. If your dog has the basics down what about agility, tricks, or train them to be a therapy dog.

5. Grab your camera or phone and start a social media account for your pup. Connect with other pet owners and tap into your creativity in a positive way. Does your dog do something funny, unique, or useful? Do they have a disability? Have they overcome a hardship? Do they have a story behind them? Why not share this with others and connect.

Remember that $$$$ and time wisely invested in you dog will come back TEN-FOLD. I hope you will join me for fun, easy, healthy resolutions for you and your pup that you can do ALL YEAR LONG!

​I hope 2020 is a 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 2 min. read

​There's a 50 year-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 pet's food and I encourage them to let their dogs eat table scraps! First let me clarify that when I say table scraps I'm referring to human-grade fish, meat, fruits & vegetables. -NOT nachos and beer. People are always surprised until I explain the 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.

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, 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 illnesses are also skyrocketing. And it isn't just our pets suffering. A large percentage of Americans are also being plagued with the same diseases. 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 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. 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. 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.
+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.

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 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" etc. 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 "table scraps" to better quality commercial pet food allows us to stretch our dollars, and most importantly, allows our pets to lead longer, healthier lives. Bon 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.
​

🐾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 honestly, most of us don’t remember what we gifts we got from people anyway. This year, instead of all my favorite products and finds, I’m doing something completely different.

When it comes to the hottest gifts this year, the big trend is not presents that need to be wrapped but “experiences!” I love this! Instead of your closet overflowing with thoughtful items you’re just dying to re-gift, now you can have some fun making memories with your recipients AND possibly treat yourself at the same time.

I’m going to start with my BIG IDEA for the pug lover, while this isn’t inexpensive, or something you can consider if you’re flat-broke, but if you CAN swing it, I promise you it will be the gift that keeps on giving and worth every penny you spend and more. That gift is to attend the 2020 Vegas Pug Party.

What could be more fun for a pug-obsessed person than an entire weekend of pugs. The last two year’s have been AMAZING! And I know if you attend, you’ll have the time of your life! So my one extravaganza is THIS! Put it on YOUR wish list, make plans with a friend, or just treat yourself! This is what I’m asking Santa for after having the time of my life last year. Please read my blogs and watch the videos to get a glimpse! (#Pugs Take Vegas)

This year the party takes takes place Thursday, February 20-23rd, 2020 at the Platinum Hotel &Spa. All the fun parties (PJ’s, Party Buses) from last year are offered, as well as the pug convention with vendors, seminars, auctions, games, contests, and a pug adoption fair. That evening will be the 80’s themed “PUG PROM! So, if funds are tight, start saving NOW or talk to friends and look into ways to keep costs down by carpooling, sharing hotel rooms and attending select activities. (Click here for link with details: Vegas Pug Party)

Back to my great gift ideas when you’re broke. 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 take a friend shopping and help them select some nice pieces for an occasion or work. Maybe hit a vintage store and get 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.

🎁Have a cookie swap with some friends and place them on an inexpensive pretty plate.

🎁Fill small sachets or jars with Epsom salts and add a few drops of peppermint oil. Tie them with a holiday ribbon.

🎁Buy a pretty vintage tea cup and add a sachet of tea.

🎁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 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, others 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.

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 to try things out before committing and gets a needy animal out of the stressful shelter for the holidays. Hopefully the pet will end up being a “foster-fail” and become a new family member. Check your local shelters or rescues for info.
​
I hope this year you’ll spend much less money and have much more fun by trying a few of these ideas. -And wIth all the money you save on gifts, I’m hoping all you pug lovers can make it to the 2020 Vegas Pug Party! 😜 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 3 min read

While there’s no place like home for the holidays, many will be traveling 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 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 your home phone or an old number. Petsmart has a machine allowing you to make an inexpensive tag in the store 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:

• PREPARE FOR YOUR JOURNEY: Some dogs enjoy riding in cars and won’t require much extra work on your part to make it an enjoyable experience. But others like my little Olive, get completely sick and out of control. As tempting as it is to have your dog on your lap or hanging their head out the window, I highly recommend keeping them restrained in a crate or at the bare minimum a safety harness. If your dog freaks out or you run into a snag while driving, they can get in harm's way and cause an accident. An unrestrained pet in the car can also be a major distraction. It may be difficult to have them restrained but safety is the number one priority. Make sure you pack a comfy bed they can relax on, a few toys they love and plenty of fresh water. I also love cbd treats which keep anxious pets calm during travel. -They can also soothe upset tummies.
• TAKE YOUR DOG ON A WALK AND POTTY BREAK! While they’re at it, hit the bathroom yourself. There is nothing worse than having to use the world's filthiest gas station bathroom in desperation.
• CLOSE THE CONVERTIBLE & WINDOWS: If you're driving through winter climates, this might not be an issue but out here in sunny So. Cal, it's typically perfect convertible weather. I know it's tempting to let your fur baby feel the breeze on their face and hang out the window, but it's extremely dangerous! You run the risk of hitting the breaks and having your angel fly out the window or get hurt by flying debris.
• GO EASY ON THE FOOD/TREATS & WATER: I love giving Olive small bites of kibble, but I monitor her intake. I don't need her getting sick from consuming too much. Plus, the more your pet eats, the more they will need to use the bathroom and that can be difficult if you're on the road. Again, some small bites of a kibble or a CBD treat* can be a perfect snack.
• PLAN LOTS OF PIT STOPS: Making pit stops every few hours and giving your dog a chance to stretch their legs, have a potty break and get some fresh air will make the trip much more pleasant. If you're running in to use the bathroom or grab a bite, be mindful of leaving your pet alone in the car too long in extreme temperatures. Double check windows are rolled up and the car is locked and secure.

TRAVELING BY PLANE: If your destination involves airplane travel, make sure you confirm your carrier's rules regarding pets. Some breeds are not allowed by some airlines, in addition, many have weight restrictions and other fees/conditions. Double check the website and make sure you have any required vaccination and health papers they require.

• BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS ON SLOW DAYS/TIMES: It isn't always possible to control when you travel, but try to avoid the peak days. During the holidays, every flight is crazy busy. Expect delays and packed flights. Regardless of when you travel, allow lots of extra time and come prepared with water, treats and amenities for your pet should their be a glitch in your plans.
• GET A GOOD PET CARRIER: I highly recommend investing in a durable, comfy, carrier for your dog. I am OBSESSED with A PET WITH PAWS carriers (see video below) These carriers are fantastic. They are designed to resemble luxury handbags and offer stability, versatility and ease. The carriers come with a removable, collapsible pet-trek wheeling system which allows you to glide your pet effortlessly and keeps the carrier from tipping backwards while moving. It can be folded and the carrier will fit perfectly under the seat of an airplane. I suggest using the carrier prior to travel so your pet is familiar with it beforehand.

ONCE YOU ARRIVE: Holidays can be stressful under the best of situations, be mindful when bringing your pet into the mix. First and foremost be very clear about the arrangements beforehand so there aren't any unpleasant surprises. Confirm the living situation is not only pet-friendly but pet SAFE! Remember not everyone may be comfortable with your dog. Pets will be more curious and possibly anxious in a new, unfamiliar place and may act accordingly. If there are other pets in the home, that can pose an issue as well. Make sure you have a safe, secure place to leave you pet. I like to bring a collapsible metal crate which provides a safe familiar place for Olive. I fill it with her favorite toys and comfort items and also douse it in calming essential oils. I can cover the crate with a blanket and provide privacy and quiet or leave it open so she has a safe spot to retreat to. While visiting a new place with your pet, be extra cautious. Check gates, windows and doors to make sure your pet cannot escape. Also double check that all medications, dangerous objects and food are not in harm's way. I would keep close supervision on your pet while in an unfamiliar living situation.

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 -Thrive Global
On November 14th, I am celebrating my “little black Olive the Pug’s” 4-year “GOTCHA DAY!” 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 repost a blog I wrote for Thrive Global telling my story. Thanks for reading

Four 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.
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 couldn’t eat. I cried so much I was dehydrated. So 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 name tag 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. Thankfully all my early attempts fell flat or I may have snatched up any three legged, frothing-at-the-mouth, rabid beast needing a home.
I was losing hope of ever finding a dog when I received a call from a shelter. They had found a young Pug 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.
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-ooup.” 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 is being made into a new TV series. Everyday I have the opportunity to help others save money and live happier, healthier lives with their pets.
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-TWR
A 3 minute read

​It's time for a change! Sunday, if you live in the US, you got an extra hour to sleep in -or be lazy in bed. Saturday at 2AM is when we (in the US*) FALL BACK! I love the extra time in the morning and think it’s a fair trade to have it dark at 4:50PM. For me it’s much more difficult trying to get my “dog tired” butt in gear to “spring forward!” It got me 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 until AFTER the time change, 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 Personally use and trust. 10% discount codes provided on your order.

​🐾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.🐾

TRICK or TREAT??? It's that time of year again. And now, even pet retailers are getting into the act by offering costumes and Halloween dog treats in every shape and size. But it's not just because it's almost Halloween.

Take your dog for a walk around my neighborhood on any given day and they will be offered a plethora of Pup-peroni, Milk Bones, and Beggin'Strips before you even reach the corner. Many local shops also have water bowls and treat dishes filled with doggie delectables right at the entrance door. Of course any pet shop is certain to have goodies at all the check-out stations. Basically everyday is a "trick-or-treat" opportunity for canines.

We all love rewarding our dogs and giving them goodies. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the joy dogs get devouring treats. Let's face it, isn't my charming personality that's winning over the hearts of most dogs I meet, it's THE TREATS! But it's very important to apply the same principles of healthy ingredients when selecting them. ☠️There are also some very popular treats you should avoid at all costs.☠️

My first Pug, Raisin knew exactly where to walk in our neighborhood to get the goods and would drag me on his preferred route. As Raisin aged, and I began to notice a direct correlation between the treats and the tummy issues. I learned many expensive lessons so hopefully I can save you some similar pitfalls. Here are a few startling facts as well as some nutritious alternates to keep your pet happy healthy and "well-treated!"

When it comes to pet treats use extreme caution!☠️ It's not just your pooches waistline that can suffer. I was given the Halloween scare of a lifetime when I began researching this blog and learning about all the toxic chemicals being used in many popular pet treats. I was completely unaware of the high number of recalls and tragedies that have resulted from so many popular pet treats. Most alarming is that these products continue to be sold today in most popular pet stores*.

SIZE MATTERS: Treats should be tiny, bite-sized morsels of food you use to reward your pet for training and reinforcement of positive behavior. But remember, even tiny amounts of treats can add up over time. Dog's can quickly start packing on pounds or stop eating their more nutritious meals. And much worse is the fact some of the most popular treats contain preservatives, flavor enhancers, artificial colors and even toxic ingredients*. These can make a pet, especially one with a compromised immune system, deathly ill.

For starters, many popular pet treats are not dainty morsels, but biscuits as big as SmartCars. Not only are they too large for most dogs, they contain harmful ingredients like those highlighted in red. Here's a list of a few "No-No" ingredients found in many popular varieties of treats currently sold in most grocery and pet stores. I personally would stay away from any treat containing these ingredients but most certainly those in BOLD:

• Corn syrup (sugar and GMOs) cellulose, fructose, molasses, are all sugars.
• Soy flour (GMO's)
• Wheat flour (allergen)
• Corn starch (hard to digest- bad carb)
• Propylene glycol (Toxic preservative deemed safe in small amounts by the FDA. Used in anti-freeze.)
• BHA /BPA(Leading cancer-causing preservative.)
• Yellow dye (Linked to cancer/behavioral issues/banned in Europe.)
• Red dye (Linked to hyper activity/immune system cancers.)
• Any Rendered meats or by-products

Don't get your pet in the habit of eating treats loaded with lousy ingredients. Everyday I meet pet parents who can't get their sick pets off unhealthy junk. The become ill and stop eating anything nutritious. Just like it would be difficult to switch a typical child (or adult for that matter) over from Coco Puffs to unsweetened puffed rice cereal, it can be equally difficult to switch your dog over to a healthy, high quality treat. All those sugars, flavor and color enhancers are equally as addictive to pets as they are to humans.

BUYER BEWARE! Some of the worst, deadliest treats can also be the most deceiving. Such as the case with RAW HIDE. You can't go into a big-box pet store or even a pet section in a large retailer without seeing numerous raw-hide products. Bones in every shape, size and color are front and center. Like me, most pet parents ASSUME if it's sold at Target or Petco it must be safe! That couldn't be further from the truth. Rawhide is extremely dangerous and in my opinion should be pulled from the shelves of every pet store. Just watch the short video below by Rodney Habib to see the truth about how this product is made and all the hazards associated with it.

The same holds true for many of those packaged chicken/meat/fish JERKY treats. These are some of the most popular treats around. But what many people don't know is that the misleading bag that reads: "All Natural / Made-in-the-USA" may contain toxic additives from China. These products have killed or made thousands of dogs deathly ill. Rumor has it the problem was identified and sourcing was changed but with no real 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! Dr. Karen Becker, the world's most popular integrated vet, offers an AMAZING line of nutritious, delicious treats and supplements: Dr. Becker Bites. When I attended SuperZoo, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Becker, her niece Blair and her lovely mother, Jeannine who run Dr. Becker Bites ( http://drbeckersbites.com/) I couldn't have met kinder, more wonderful people. I stuffed my convention tote with as many samples as I could get away with before I looked too conspicuous. Olive literally DANCES and shakes with excitement every time she sees those goodies come out.

Just Food For Dogs also makes a variety of fabulous, human-grade, healthy treats. They have stores in Southern California or you can purchase on-line: https://www.justfoodfordogs.com/

If you want some healthy options you can grab at PetSmart, I am thrilled to announce Nulo (http://nulo.com/) has just introduced a new line of popular treats. They offer bite-sized training bites and a variety of jerky. All treats are made with the same thoughtful consideration that goes into their food: Low carb, high human-grade animal/fish/poultry protein/ no corn, wheat, soy, or molasses and amazing patented BC30 probiotics. Grab some next time you're in PetSmart or your independent pet retailer.

Many independent pet retailers offer smaller lines of organic, human-grade pet treats that are wonderful options but they are often harder to find in popular big box stores or supermarkets.

Now when I'm out and about and kind strangers want to offer my dogs a treat, I explain they have tummy issues and give them my own goodies to offer. I always carry a small sample bag of a high-end kibble in my pocket. If I'm in a pinch, Cheerios are a far better alternative to toxic treats. Small, gluten free, low sugar morsels. Right now they have pumpkin flavored ones. Now you have some inexpensive, simple options that won’t make any dogs sick. Plus having some nutritious treats with you can be a great way to meet new friends.

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.

Lastly, for those of you in the mood, here are some treat options you can make yourself. These treats are easy, healthy, and will work for even a very sensitive dog. They are also far less expensive than what's available in stores! So toss out those toxic Milk Bones, raw hide and chicken jerky treats and give a few of these options a try! 🎃

🎃Crunchy Pumpkin Biscuits🎃.
Makes 75 small biscuits/50 medium
preheat oven to 350 degrees
1/2 cup organic canned pumpkin
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 1/2 cups organic brown rice flour (coconut flour can also be used)
1 tsp ground parsley (optional)
2 tablespoons dried milk
2 eggs (grind up the egg shells finely in a coffee grinder for extra nutrients)
*unsalted organic creamy peanut butter/coconut oil/dried cranberries for decor if desired

Combine eggs and pumpkin until smooth. Add salt, parsley, milk and slowly add in flour. Roll mixture out using additional flour if needed for sticking. When dough is 1/4 - 1/2" thickness, use small or medium cookie cutters to make biscuits. Place on cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Drizzle or dip warm biscuits in organic, unsalted creamy peanut butter or coconut oil that has been melted in a microwave for 30 sec. Add dried cranberries for decor. Place on wax paper until cooled and dipping sauce has hardened.
​
🎃🎃Pumpkin Pupsicles🎃🎃
1 can Organic Pumpkin
1 cup organic, plain Greek yogurt or plain Kefir
1/2 cup organic, creamy, unsalted, unsweetened peanut butter
unsweetened organic coconut flakes/dried cranberries if desired.

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into ice cube tray. You can add coconut flakes and/or dried cranberries, if you wish. Another option is top with crumbled kibble. Freeze for 3 hours and add to meals or as a cool treat.


For more information on toxic treats watch this short, entertaining videos by Planet Paws blogger Rodney Habib:

https://youtu.be/Oc265q0ZRss

https://www.facebook.com/PlanetPaws.ca/videos/1041383642603184/

*(In researching this blog, the pet food manufacturers make the argument that these chemicals are used in very trace amounts and not enough to be worried about. Well after millions of recalls and pet deaths I'm not taking any chances or trusting their word.)

By Katy Cable-TWR-A 3 Min Read
​
Fleas suck! -Pun intended! Unlike bees that pollinate our planet and keep us alive, or ants who are brilliant little armies of team players, capable of carrying an entire picnic a GA-ZILLION times their own size and body weight on their tiny backs, what purpose do fleas and ticks serve anyway?

Here in Southern California fleas can be year-round invaders. Although the dog days of summer days are over, your pup may still be wearing more than a cute collar and bandana. Right now, no matter where you live, chances are these blood sucking monsters are just waiting to spread like wildfire on your pet.

When I rescued my current Pug Olive she was on Revolution, a monthly flea and heart-worm preventative I have used successfully in the past. Although Olive doesn't have fleas, she did get suffer a terrible allergic reaction to a flea bite. I raced a sneezing, coughing, incessantly itching Olive to the vet. Upon examination, the vet discovered red bumps all over her and was convinced it was an allergic reaction to a flea bite. I couldn't see how that was possible as she was on flea prevention. The vet explained that even with protection, fleas can jump on and bite a pet before dying. If a pet is allergic, that's all it takes.

After Olive's incident, I am extremely diligent about washing her and keeping fleas away. I have discovered some excellent natural alternatives to products containing harsh chemicals. I currently apply organic coconut oil, to Olive's coat. It acts as both a great moisturizer and flea repellent. I also make sure to bathe her following adventures where she may have been exposed to fleas. I am SO happy I made the smart decision to replace all my carpets with wood and tile flooring and “knock-on-wood”, haven't had any flea problems.

Believe me, it's much easier to keep fleas away in the first place than it is to get those pests to leave once they've invaded. My advice, use something strong and powerful to kill them then hopefully you can lighten up and use some natural, less toxic remedies to keep them at bay.

This does bring up a good point: It certainly doesn't have to be a harsh, toxic chemical for your pet to have a horrific reaction. Just like a human who can't touch a strawberry or a peanut. -Be it an unsalted raw one or a Reese's cup, pets too can have adverse reactions or even die from wholesome, organic products if they happen to be allergic. Before trying ANY product or food, I urge YOU to first research it. Check out the company, the ingredients, and where it's produced. Talk to trusted vets and pet parents and always test it out with a very small amount first.

So while natural products are usually preferred, even those can have disastrous outcomes if your pet has the rare allergy. Also fleas, ticks and other parasites may be resistant to some natural, less intense repellents and your pet won't be protected. Hopefully you can try a few of these tips and find a perfect, less toxic balance. And, as always, a clean healthy pet with a strong immune system will naturally repel more parasites than a sickly one. That starts and finishes with a nutritious, balanced diet 😃.

Every flea season I consult with frustrated pet parents looking for flea repellent shampoos. I always advise against strong, harsh, shampoos loaded with chemicals. Any soap and water will kill and remove fleas. For heavy infestations. Here's a recipe for a gentle, non-toxic, flea repelling shampoo you can make at home. I use this on my shelter/rescue dogs who typically come in poor shape infested with fleas. Again, always sample a small amount first to check for adverse reactions.

🐞ALL-NATURAL FLEA BUSTER SHAMPOO:
​Slice 1/2 lemon and add to 1 Cup boiling water.
Stir for 5 minutes then remove from heat, steep and cool.
Remove lemon parts, drain juice into large canning jar or bottle.
​Add 2/3 Cup Dr Bronner's Purecastle Soap
Add 1/2 cup Apple cider vinegar
1 TBS organic coconut oil
15 drops pure organic lavender oil
Mix together and WASH your PUP!

In addition, here are some recommendations for healthy flea/tick control:

🐾Remember, there is simply no chemical based pest control pill, dip, solution, shampoo, or collar that is without the potential for side effects. Just because a compound is applied to or worn on your pet’s fur doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. Remember: what goes on your pet goes in your pet, by absorption through the skin or ingestion during grooming.

• If You Must Use a Chemical Pest Preventive, Here Are Some Tips for Reducing the Risk to Your Pet

1. Be very careful to follow dosing directions on the label, and if your pet is at the low end of a dosage weight range, step down to the next lowest dosage. Be extremely cautious with small dogs, especially if you own one of the breeds reported to be at high risk for adverse reactions. And do not under any circumstances apply dog product to your cat. Or vice-versa.
2. Monitor your pet for adverse reactions after you apply a chemical product – especially when using one for the first time.
3. Your pet’s liver will be on over-drive due to the flood of chemicals that make it into the bloodstream, it can be very beneficial to give your dog or cat a supplement of Chloe Ella or milk thistle to help detoxify their liver. These will help regenerate liver cells. You need to consult with a holistic/integrated vet for proper dosage.
4. Don’t depend exclusively on chemical treatments. Rotate natural preventives containing lavender, peppermint, geranium, lemongrass, cedar oil/or citronella. These are very effective as parasite deterrents. Many pet stores carry natural products with these blends. An every other month rotation works well for many pet owners. In many parts of the country owners find they can successfully control ticks with 2 doses a year: one in the spring and one in the late summer.
5. Apply liberal amounts of coconut oil to belly and rear-end. This is a natural flea repellent. -And moisturizer.
6. A great NATURAL, SAFE flea deterrent is to boil rosemary and lemon slices for 5 min. In a saucepan filled with water. Remove from heat and let sit overnight covered. Drain water into a spray bottle and fill 1/2 way. Add organic apple cider vinegar to the other half of bottle. Spray on pet AVOIDING FACE before heading outside.

​Hopefully, with some easy tips, going toward, blood-sucking monsters will not be a bother and your pet can manage on safer, natural remedies! Pugs and kisses!🐾💕

🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾

By Katy Cable-TWR
a 5 minute read

This week I'm deviating from my normal health tips in order to share how my passion for pugs began, and show you how something I completely resisted became one of my biggest blessings.

Anyone who knows me today is well aware I'm OBSESSED with PUGS! My adorable, fashionably-attired Pug, Olive is under my arm more than my Tory Burch clutch. 90% of my social media posts are dog-related, and I have more 4-legged friends & followers than 2-legged ones. Diamonds might be a girl's best friend, but PUGS are mine! Gush all you want over Channing Tatum, my celebrity crush is "Doug-the-Pug!" But it wasn't always this way.

It was thirteen years ago when my life drastically changed. I was completely jolted when I heard the dreaded words shoot out of my husband's mouth like daggers, "Let’s get her a dog!” He enthusiastically offered, when I asked what we should buy our daughter Karley for her 7th birthday.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing! The betrayal I felt was gut-wrenching! I figured my obsessively immaculate home, my compulsive Type-A personality, the fact I broke out in hives at the mere sight of a dog combined with my love for all things luxurious, and expensive was a dead give-away. I was not a “DOG” person. -Quite the opposite.

I felt no connection to canines and wanted their shedding, drooling, stinky paws kept as far away from me as possible. That was the unspoken agreement in our marriage and now my husband was completely betraying me in order to please our little birthday girl!

I cried myself to sleep envisioning my home, clothes and life in ruins once my daughter had grown bored of "the dog" and their daily care landed on MY “to-do” list! No more extra money for fabulous vacations, fine jewelry and designer clothes. Life as I knew it was over!

I made numerous attempts to change our daughter's mind about the dog, offering every gift imaginable from a birthday party at Disneyland to the latest iPhone. Nothing worked. The only gift she wanted was a dog. I finally broke down and agreed. But only on the condition that the dog was going right back to the shelter if she didn't care for it. I gave it a month tops, before I would again be dogless!

​The next weekend we attended a dog adoption fair and fell in love with the same darling little Pug that everyone else attending the event wanted. For not wanting a dog, I sure went to bat to get that little guy. Applications were completed, multiple interviews were conducted and finally a lengthy home check was done to ensure we were suitable new owners for a needy, stray dog. Two weeks later we received the exciting news! WE GOT THE DOG! I couldn’t have been happier if I hit the Lotto jackpot! –And little did I know at the time, I had!

Karley named her new friend Raisin, which he resembled with his cute, wrinkly face. My face, on the other hand was swollen and covered in hives. I downed Benedryl tablets like M&M's then stocked up on Swiffers and Kleenex at Costco. It took less than a week before every piece of clothing I owned was covered in PUGORA (Pug fur). In addition to fur, dog beds, bowls, toys, and leashes adorned every room in my once meticulous, tidy home.

Raisin was more high maintenance than K-Dash, requiring specialty vet care, a laundry list of daily medications, and a strict diet of home-cooked meals. In my household it was a rarity to find me cooking more than a can of soup and a frozen pizza. The great thing was, -I didn't care! I was having the time of my life with this little, snorting, shedding, bundle of fun!

Raisin quickly transformed me. He was always so filled with joy! Nothing made him happier than being with our family. I began to witness what "unconditional" love looks and feels like. I also began to appreciate what was truly important in life. The world didn't end if I put my cellphone down long enough to enjoy a short daily walk and a few tosses of a tennis ball. Raisin taught me to live in the moment and make the very best of it! I also began to see the goodness in others. Nothing garners more attention from strangers than a darling dog on a leash. A person can cut me off in traffic, steal my parking space, and take the last pink sprinkled donut, but if they have a dog at the end of a leash, (or in a carrier, or pictured on their cellphone), they’re a probably a decent person and we share a common bond.

My daughter also got so much more than just a pet with Raisin. He was the catalyst in her emerging career which began shortly after we brought him home. While walking to school one day she was approached about training him to be a therapy dog. Within three months, a then eight year-old Karley had Raisin trained and together, they became the youngest therapy dog team in the nation.

Karley began taking Raisin to local elementary schools and working with struggling "at-risk" students. These children were more than most trained, mature teachers could handle let alone a child of roughly the same age. Seeing the students were not interested in reading they only wanted to play with Raisin, Karley decided to write a book about his “Wags-to-Riches” life.

"Raisin, -A Doggie's Tale..." is a heartwarming, funny story told from Raisin's POV. It taught students about being responsible pet owners and how to overcome obstacles. The book was such a hit with the kids, Karley prefaced what is now a huge trend, and published her book on Amazon then used social media to market it. Within a few weeks, she made enough money to donate funds to a local shelter and purchase a new computer. Her book also caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey and Karley received an invitation to the White House where the President received an autographed copy.

Over the years Raisin made hundreds of therapy visits. Not only did he visit schools, but hospitals, Alzheimer’s homes, and prisons. He participated in parades, community events and appeared in several TV shows. He became one of the first dogs to have a huge social media following.

In addition to my own, I witnessed many lives changed because of Raisin. Difficult, problem children began behaving and excelling in school. Sick children riddled with cancer healed. Alzheimer’s patients recalled happy memories of a beloved pet. Prison inmates softened, and people took their last breath on this earth while petting Raisin. He was very, very, special.

Raisin turned 13 years old in May 2015. The vertebrae issue discovered at his first visit to the vet had taken its toll and he could no longer use his hind legs. His chronic eye disease had cost him most of his sight and his hearing wasn’t sharp. He relied more and more on me to help him with his basic needs. I didn't mind since at the same time my daughter needed me less and less. I happily kept Raisin by my side as my constant companion so he felt safe and loved.

With the help of his wonderful vet and great pain meds, Raisin was still a happy guy who enjoyed going out for daily walks in his Radio Flyer wagon, then flopping on the bed watching "The Bachelor" with me. I saw his decline and knew the days with him were numbered.

A neighbor noticed me putting Raisin into his wagon one day and commented, "When are you going to put that dog down...He can't even walk anymore!" It was the same kind of clueless comment I might have made, had my life not included a dog. Instead I answered that as long as Raisin was comfortable and content, I vowed to be there for him.

On August 15th, 2015, something was not right. Raisin was howling in agony and lethargic. His normal pain meds did nothing to bring relief. He wasn’t interested in eating or drinking and hadn’t relieved himself all day. I saw no reason for an apparent HUNGER STRIKE! I looked in his eyes and knew he was done fighting. I always promised myself that if at all possible, Raisin’s last memory on earth would not be the cold, sterile table of the vet’s office, so I found a fantastic home-euthanasia company to come out. That afternoon I made the call. In Raisin's favorite spot of the den, with the PGA on TV, we sent Raisin off to run free at Rainbow Bridge. The hardest thing we’ve ever had to do as a family is say goodbye to our beloved Raisin who drifted off peacefully while being stroked in my arms.

Losing Raisin came at the same time our daughter was leaving to attend college clear across country. It was more than I could take. The void in our then quiet, empty, spotless house was palpable! In an effort to heal my pain, I looked desperately for a new dog. I was in such despair I would've taken any dog that crossed my path. -Even a vicious, rabid one. Thankfully I found another darling little Pug who had been thrown out in the streets after having a litter of puppies. She was skinny, sick and scared to death but I was about to change all that. I named her Olive and welcomed her home!

Olive helped heal my heart and gave me a new purpose. I'm so thankful to have her. However, not a day goes by when I don't miss my Raisin. If I could bring him back happy and healthy I would in a NY minute! Because that's not possible, I'm an advocate for other shelter dogs and help pet parents with my blog and events. Raisin's book continues to raise money for shelters and he is memorialized in a tree we planted in his honor. His photo is on my favorite commuter mug, so in a sense, he does go with me everywhere. And part of me knows he sent Olive to me and he is happy we have each other.

For a gal who once wanted nothing to do with a dog, I now cannot possibly live without one. R.I.P my dear Raisin! Thank you for rescuing me and giving me a new leash on life! 🐾💕

For more information on rescue groups or adopting a dog, check out my site: www.weeklyrunt.com


​🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾

By Katy Cable-TWR
a 5 minute read

Calling all teachers! Pay close attention because I'm going to give you my best kept secret for success in your classrooms this school year: A PET!

I had my eyes opened 12 years ago when 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.

Just bringing a dog into the classroom brought more positive changes than you can shake a stick at! Just look:

1. Decreased Behavioural 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.

I hope more teachers go out on a limb and utilize this new and innovative approach to learning. I would love to hear your feedback. ❤️🐾

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 - The Weekly Runt
​A 3 min. Read

There’s a new spiritual sanctuary in the heart of Los Angeles that’s got everyone howling! -Literally! This Cypress Park retreat has all the bells and whistles, bowls and crystals one would extract from a holistic center.

It features an enormous meditation room that feels as though you’re in the middle of a lush rainforest. A quiet, candle-lit massage and reiki studio with soft comfy pillows, a trickling fountain, crystals and a Buddha statue. Just outside is a large tranquil yard with shade trees, fountains, comfy seating and a lattice covered patio. The space also offers a retail shop featuring a variety of unique treasures.
​
The unusual thing about this new haven is, it caters to people AND THEIR DOGS. Available services range from outdoor training hikes, doggie daycare and grooming, to reiki and crystal energy healing.

DEN (an acronym for Dogs, Exercise, Nutrition) has been a dream come true for owners Lindsay Velez and Victorious Solomon. After years of offering dog walking services, many requests came in from clients for nutrition, grooming, even reiki for their pets. Velez began creating her dream: A beautiful, serene center that included these new-age services not found anywhere else. The ideal space would mimic their home shared with three children, four dogs, and several canine guests.

It wasn’t easy finding the perfect space in the middle of a highly congested urban city. But, WOW! Mission accomplished! Once inside the wooden gates you’re transported to a mystical paradise. It’s easy to completely forget you’re in the heart of LA. Once the retreat opened, they hoped it would resonate with dog owners. After all, this new age one-stop-shop for pets was anything but typical.


Since it’s grand opening nearly a year ago, DEN has been wildly popular and gaining new devotees by the minute. Proof that people are loving this place to find Zen with their favorite spirit animals. Named “Best In LA” by Los Angeles Magazine, word is spreading not just among the influencers, healers, yogis and hipsters but anyone curious to have a new and different experience with their dog.

Hoping to relieve horrible PTSD and anxiety in my little “scaredy-cat” dog Olive, I dragged her and my reluctant husband to try a Zen Sunday Morning Sound bath, led by Kristin Korot. Since 2012, Korot has been around the globe bringing people together with wolves, goats, horses, dogs, plus farm and exotic animals through sound healings. She has so many amazing stories and testimonials of her healings. Clients who credit her from curing them from terminal cancer and other illnesses. It seemed too good to be true and I had to see for myself if there was any truth to all this mystic “woo-woo” stuff!

A spirited group of nearly 30 dogs in a variety of shapes, sizes and breeds took their places on pillows, towels and mats. No sooner did I start stretching out when my little black Olive got into a gnarly “cat-fight” with a small, white, fluffy dog over a particular pillow. Although the other dog’s mom apologized and took full responsibility, my nerves went through the bamboo roof. I wanted to bolt out the door with my tail between my legs. I dreaded the next hour.

My heart was beating out of my chest with nerves over what everyone in the room must be thinking. I knew Olive and the white dog were the test rats for this group. I was positive any minute we would both be asked to grab our black and white four-legged fighting beasts and leave until we could get some better manners. I thought we had exceeded the limit of what the Sound Bath master could accomplish in a one-hour session.

Korot began the session by walking around the room offering lavender oil and telling us how helpful this practice has been for those in need of healing. Animals are extremely in-tune to our anxiety and stress. This next hour promised to calm our minds and bodies.
-As well as our dog’s. It would help us form a stronger bond and connection with our pets. Especially rescue or shelter pets with anxiety, and PTSD. Plus dogs get the extra benefit of picking up even more octaves and tones from the sound bowls than humans can hear. I was cautiously optimistic.

While Korot went around the room, more dogs began to scuffle. Korot remained calm as she took a seat in the center of the room and began tapping the bowls. She explained the various healing tones and vibrations. I tried to unwind and relax but several dogs had far too much energy to lie quiet on a mat and breathe. Instead, they were barking while darting around the room, jumping over the motionless bodies on the floor. I had to stay “on-guard” should Olive go into defense mode.

I wrapped Olive’s leash tightly around my arm and tried to calmly pet her while she popped up to watch the activity. My husband was zero help. He’d been out like a light in a meditative trance before the first Tibetan bowl had even been tapped.

Soon Olive’s scuffle had been far outmatched by other spirited canines. Within five minutes she was completely relaxed and fighting to keep her eyes open. She had gotten comfortable laying on my belly, (something she never does, unless I have a slice of cheese pizza in my hand) All the barking and occasional dogs coming over to sniff and scope out our space, didn’t disturb her in the least. That was a true miracle.

After a few minutes, Korot changed the tones and even the most high-strung, energetic dogs became still and focused. The energy in the room was so calm and peaceful you could hear the soothing water flowing in the outdoor fountain and soft breathing of those who had drifted off.

An hour seemed to go by in a New York minute and all too quickly the session ended. It was truly remarkable. Just taking our space and sitting amongst each other soaking up the healing sounds completely transformed everyone in the room. -And especially the more spirited dogs.

Following the one-hour sound bath we were invited to enjoy snacking on a healthy spread of fresh fruits, vegan donuts, juice, coffee and tea. It was a nice opportunity to meet everyone and discuss our experience. While many attendees had come because they were sound bath devotees, nobody had ever tried this WITH their dog.

Everyone agreed it was transformative. We all were believers now and we were all HOOKED! Even my husband, who wanted to attend this event like I want to have a root canal, remarked at how great he felt and what an amazing experience it was. He wouldn’t hesitate to come back again. Next time, no bribes would be needed!

We eagerly followed our rejuvenated pups to the large outdoor oasis for socializing and play. On this Sunday, it was being decorated to the nines for a special VIP party. I figured looking at the lavish swag bags and decor it must be a big celebrity. And I was right...Sushi, the social media sensation (@sushisaid) was celebrating a birthday fit for a king! -Or a white poodle with aqua blue ears and nearly 1 million social media followers.

If you’re looking for a cool, new unique way to calm your dog, recharge your own batteries and strengthen your bond, or just want to try something completely new and different, check out DEN. They have calendar of fun things going on everyday of the week! From organic spa treatments, training hikes, daycare, holistic healing seminars and soundbaths, you’ll find it here. And don’t forget lavish PAWties! They have that too!

I promise you, even the most anxious dog with the worst social skills will find a loving, welcoming place where stress melts like a CBD snow cone in July. You’ ll maybe find me stretched out in the corner with my husband and Olive as we recover from the many stresses of life!

​DEN Urban Dog Retreat, 3252 Arroyo Seco Ave., Cypress Park.LA, CA 90065 (833)DEN-PACK https://denurbandog.com/


​🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾

by Katy Cable, TWR
A 3 min. Read

What you put in your dog's dish is the single most important thing you can do for their health and well-being It's a major deal. You're either promoting health and healing or destroying it every time you feed your pet. This is so important and such a hot topic I've decided to break things down into small "kibble-sized" pieces.

I became a pet blogger because I saw a HUGE need for quick, simple, easy, tips that would often save pet parents "a house payment in vet bills!" These blogs are based solely on MY experiences, research, observations and testimonials I have received. I want to help you be a better pet parent by knowing the real deal and not making the same costly mistakes I did.

Now, just like the song "Do-Re-Me" from the The Sound of Music says, "Let's start at the very beginning..." When it comes to pet food it starts and ends with knowing how to READ A PET FOOD LABEL. Don't be misled by commercials, displays, fancy marketing, famous celebrities and all the hype around a particular pet food. Many companies are putting far more dollars into the outside of the bag than what's going in. My recommendation is pretend all pet foods you are considering are in "brown paper packages tied up with strings...." (Another SOM reference)Then just read the ingredients on the labels and who manufactures the food.

While the ingredient list alone won't tell you about the food's true sourcing, neither will the slick bag. You need to do your homework and research these companies. Find out who owns them; How many lawsuits and recalls have they had; Where are their ingredients sourced; and what kind of reviews do they have. A lot of trickery goes into pet food marketing and people are often horrified to learn what's really hidden in their pet's food. For an in-depth look at this information visit: http://truthaboutpetfood.com/

If you want to truly understand how the pet food industry works I encourage you to watch the incredible documentary film: PET FOOLED (http://www.petfooled.com/) and read my other pet food blogs. In a nutshell, you will learn pet food has become a great opportunity for big companies to make billions on their waste that cannot be used or sold in their human products. In an effort to control costs and sell garbage, they've created brilliant marketing campaigns convincing everyone from vets to pet parents that a bag of dry kibble is ideal, sufficient life-long nutrition for their pets.

But it gets so, so, SO much worse. A compete lack of adequate regulation and safety practices allows many substitutions with ingredients. -Often resulting in deadly consequences. As long as the ratios and ingredients are listed properly, it's basically: ANYTHING GOES! When their negligence is met with lethal consequences, they typically get away with paying out a few bucks and some bad PR.

Such was the case with the huge pet food scandal in 2007, This disaster, which killed thousands and thousands of pets, saw companies scrambling to do damage control. Not long after, new marketing was in place and it was business as usual.

More recently, Hills Science Diet had serious problems with 44 of their regular and prescription formulas containing toxic vitamin D levels. Bad enough it happened ONCE, but these serious incidents have happened repeatedly since February 2018.

Fortunately, small companies wanting to do things better, have sprung up and started taking a bite out of these giant's market share. This has resulted in forcing these big corporate pet food companies to offer healthier options such as: "grain-free" , "No GMO's" "organic" and containing higher quality ingredients.

But are they? In many cases they've just created new packaging, marketing campaigns and switched up some ingredients. Or, these pet food giants gobble up some of these smaller competitors and keep the packaging the same so you never know.

One example of this is the brand Castor & Pollux which promotes organic, farm-raised fresh ingredients: Typically, pet parents purchasing this food are horrified to learn that as of 2015, this once top-of-the-line pet-food is now owned and operated by Purina. It's no accident you will not see that information on the bag.

If you shop for pet food at the grocery store or a big box pet store, or if you turn on a TV you will see all the well-known brands. Understand that most are owned by Mars: Royal Canine/Nutro/Greenies/Eukanuba. Nestle: Purina brands. Smuckers (Natural Balance) and General Mills (Blue Buffalo.)

I also stay away from celebrity brands. I love Rachel Ray and Paula Dean but I highly doubt they are formulating and cooking pet foods. They likely don’t even use.their own pet products. Rather, they are paid handsomely to lend their names to promote a line of food typically owned and operated by one of these huge conglomerates. Again, check out the ingredients and the manufacturer/parent company first.

I pay close attention to small brands in big stores. I also visit independent pet retailers and check out what brands they carry. Here's why: If a pet food has a major deadly recall, (and just this year there were many.) A big box company or grocer may feel a sting, but a local retailer could very well go out of business. Smaller independent retailers simply cannot afford to risk their livelihoods and reputations. ‘

As you pull those bags, or cans off the shelf, (bring those readers so you can see the fine print) keep in mind, ingredients are listed by weight PRIOR to cooking. So when you see a label saying, "Chicken is the #1 ingredient!" If you plop that chicken on a scale then cook off all the water and fat, it loses between 50-75% of it's weight. Therefore, while it's great to feature chicken as the #1 ingredient, more important are the #2 and #3 ingredients.

Another tip is: look for more specifics: DEBONED, chicken, verses MEAT or POULTRY (-WAYYYYY to vague!) Worse yet is beef/chicken FLAVOR. While our pets are scavenging omnivores that eat a variety of things that would turn our stomachs, "by-products" "remnants" or "rendered meats" are also things I run away from. I also stay clear of any fish ingredients unless I completely trust the company's sourcing. Fish in particular can have high levels of mercury and may be rancid or contaminated. It's far too dangerous.

More and more people are fooled by the "grain-free" hype. Corn, Brewer's rice, white rice and potatoes are often even higher in carbohydrates and can be just as irritating to a dog. The ratios of carbohydrates to animal/poultry/fish proteins and the quality of the ingredients is of utmost important. -Also disregard that “grain-free” causes DCM in dogs. Lack of key nutrients may play a role but GRAIN is not necessary in a cat or dog’s diet! -PERIOD!

I look for humanely, sustainably sourced foods with 2-3 animal/fish/poultry proteins before I see carbs. I also choose low-glycemic carbs such as sweet potatoes, peas, and lentils over white rice and potatoes.

To finish off, I want to list ingredients to avoid at all costs. If you see these "no-no's" on your pet food label it will clue you in to the quality and care going into the food in general.

AVOID PET FOODS THAT:
❌List potato, soy, corn, rice or any other grain as the first or second ingredient.

❌Use two different types of listings for the same grain or starch. (i.e: corn, corn-gluten meal/potato, potato-starch)

❌Use any by-products, renderings, or unidentified fish, poultry or animal products. (ie: animal meal, meats, meat meal, fish meal, poultry by-products, poultry remnants, poultry by-product meal, animal fat, poultry fat.)

❌Contains known carcinogens: BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin, dyes or flavors.

❌Sugars such as fructose, sucrose, dextrose, cellulose, tapioca, corn syrup, molasses.

I think many of you will be quite surprised to see that some well-known and pricey foods are comprised of nothing more than inexpensive fillers and poor quality meat protein. Hopefully, you will also find some great new foods that offer much more bang (and health) for your buck. If you have any questions, or want suggestions, feel free to message me.

Whatever you choose, you can stretch your dollar and GREATLY increase your pets health by incorporating your own fresh fruits, veggies, and meats to your pet's food.⚠️

Happy Shopping and "BONE" Appetite! 😜🐾

⚠️ALWAYS add new foods ONE-AT-A-TIME and very slowly (10% or less per day) making sure pets can tolerate.

☠️ Never feed dogs: ☠️
onions/garlic/chocolate/alcohol/fruits with pits/raisins/grapes/currants/macadamia nuts/foods with salt-sugar-sauces/sugarless candies-gum-peanut butter or foods containing Xylitol/

Social media:
#susan thixton
@TAPF
@nulo
@petfooled
#kohl Harrington

🐶Watch my PET FOOD SERIES anytime on YouTube. Segments run approx 10 min. Also Message me your ??’s 😜

​🐾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 marked the 4 year anniversary since we sent our darling Pug Raisin to run free at Rainbow Bridge. In that time I have learned a lot. I hope this blog helps you prepare and deal with that horrible yet inevitable day.

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 it wouldn't hurt and I had 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.

The next week 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 with me 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.

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. Annie 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 game 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 Rainbiw 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.

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.

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.

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. Some tools that helped me cope were:
1. Planting a tree in Raisin's honor.
2. Buying a Pug charm that holds some of Raisin's ashes. I wear it next to my heart.
3. Putting my favorite photo of Raisin on a coffee mugs and taking him with me wherever I go.
4. Framing favorite photos of Raisin.
5. I received a beautiful Memorial candle from Pet House Candles which I burn on the anniversary of his passing and his birthday. (Click Name to Visit Site)
6. I learned about pet loss grief/bereavement support groups
7. Although it took a few months before I could even look st 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!

You may be surprised that even after all that, I still find myself breaking into tears over FB posts, sad songs on the radio or seeing a pug that reminds me of Raisin. 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 what would've been Raisin’s 14th 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-TWR
A 3 min. Read

It's the most wonderful time of the year: BACK TO SCHOOL!. The kids are no longer busy with vacations, camps, summer-school, internships or simply spending countless hours sitting around the house on their phones sucking up all your data! I figured back to school time is 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.

I learned this first hand when our family was asked to participate in a new TV show for Animal Planet called "Who Gets The Dog". The concept was three different families share a shelter dog chosen as a good match for their lifestyle. 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.

​We were looking for a small Pug or similar dog that was good with small children and didn't need a lot of space. I also have bad allergies and couldn't have some breeds. No sooner did we get the news from Pugs and Pals Rescue that we could adopt Raisin (our first Pug), we also received a call from the show. I declined their offer to appear but they twisted my arm insisting the dog they had was perfect and we would probably want to have this one as well. I again politely refused. The last straw was when they pleaded with me to please do them a favor as they needed just one more family to complete this episode. Poor Raisin went right back to his foster family for an overnight and the TV crew came out.

The minute the cameras were 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 interesting television, they had pulled a total bait-and-switch. Sully went on to ransack furniture, tear up pillows and destroy pricey decor and it just got worse from there. My then 7 year-old daughter Karley loved the dog and it was too dangerous for us to let her walk him or go near him. I wanted this "DOG-GONE " and our darling Raisin back.

To begin what stands as the thee most exhausting stressful day of shooting in my entire life. We took Sully to our local dog beach to play some games. We no sooner got out of the car when the poor dog went completely crazy tearing down the beach chasing a bird. He nearly got flattened by a UPS truck and was so out of control it took 5 huge crew members 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 caught 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.

Fortunately 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.

First of all: 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.

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.

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 positive attention.

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 enlisting the help of a professional trainer who practices positive reinforcement to show you how to communicate more effectively and offer helpful tips.

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.

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 three year's with me she still has fear issues with crates, cars and water but she's come such a long way. She is just now learning more complex commands and often does them extremely SLOWLY. I typically wait and repeat commands while she tentatively moves. But I always give her lots of praise and love!

Do your best to make training fun for both you and your dog. Be a life-long learner and continue in classes, refresher courses, agility, therapy, nose-tracking work or other activities. Get suggestions from your vet, PetSmart 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 pooch is.

By addressing behavior issues immediately,many 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 a great life-long learner. Here’s wishing all you students 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-The Weekly Runt / A 4 min. Read

I remember when I was young my dad, in an effort to get me to give up the Ding-Dongs and Oreos, told me about how “junk food” was made and that all kinds of bugs often got mixed in to these crummy processed snacks. Turns out, those very insects may have been the healthiest thing about my indulgence.

If you’d have told me just a year ago, there may come a day when insects become a major staple in our diets, I would’ve thought you were CRAZY! Now, I’m excited to share my experience and hopefully open your minds to joining the swarm of “insect eating”!

While visiting a popular beach town in Central Coast CA, I remember a street vendor selling crickets and grasshoppers dipped in dark chocolate. He also had tequila lollipops with a worm inside. It all seemed repulsive and I couldn’t believe people actually paid money to eat them. For me, this was just like a challenge that would get me booted off the island on a reality TV show.

At this year’s Vegas Pug Party, I had my eyes opened and my mind changed when I met Laura Colagrande, co-founder of Chippin Snacks. She kindly offered my little Pug Olive one of her apple, cricket, and flaxseed snacks. Olive, in all honesty, has never met a treat she didn’t like, devoured the little biscuit in under 10 seconds and begged for more.

Colagrande told me her story and I was intrigued. While studying design at U of Penn, she agreed to help her roommate, Haley Russell, a grad student at The Wharton School of Business, with a research project. The two examined using crickets as a viable alternative to meat for pet treats/meals and things have been hopping ever since.

🦗 WHY CRICKETS? 🦗

For starters, crickets pack a whole lotta punch! They’re an excellent source of omegas, vitamins and minerals. Additionally, they’re very low in fat compared to other proteins. Best of all, there’s no threat of e Coli, Staph or other pathogens..

HUMANELY SOURCED
That cricket chirp is their mating call. They live to reproduce. The process begins with crickets being cared for in numerous small farms which are all housed in warehouses. After the crickets have reproduced the temperature of their environment is slowly lowered until they reach a hibernation state. They are then frozen and ground into a powder. The cricket is never traumatized or feels any pain unlike nearly all other live animals used for food.

REDUCING YOUR CARBON PAWPrint🐾🐾🐾🐾
Did you know 80 % of water in the USA is used for food production? The natural resources used for the production of meat is staggering. I got “bug-eyes” when I llearned the statistics.

🐂 It takes roughly 2,000 gallons of water to produce 1lb of beef.
🐓 It requires around 560 gallons of water to produce 1lb of poultry.
🦗Now consider, it takes only 1 gallon of water to produce 1lb of edible cricket protein.

According to the Seattle Times, Americans eat more meat than ever before, nearly 223lb per person, per year! In 2018 America surpassed the all-time record eating over 100 billion pounds. The World Atlas names Australia and the USA as the world’s largest consumers of meat. With Americans owning 90 million dogs, pets in the USA consume more meat than 90% of the world’s countries.* That’s a lot of meat!

And that’s not all...
The global demand for meat is leading to environmental destruction. Livestock agriculture requires almost half of the earth’s total land. It’s wasteful AND TOXIC! For example, 55% of water used in the US is for factory farming. Runoff contaminates waterways with nitrogen and phosphates. The greenhouse gasses produced by livestock agriculture make up at least half of all man-made emissions. Methane, an emission, has a global warming potential that is 86 times more than carbon dioxide. The evidence is clear that animal consumption is the leading cause of reduced biodiversity, water pollution, and deforestation which are all causes of global warming.

WHAT YOU CAN DO...
Start with trying some cricket snacks. If you come to one of my events, I typically have samples. You can also find them at many pet stores, or order right here and use “WEEKLY RUNT” for a 10% discount. If you’re really adventurous you can purchase cricket powder and start experimenting. Try making your own meals and snacks. (Watch for my favs in an upcoming blog & show!😜)


​A FINE GATEWAY BUG
You may find crickets are your “gateway bug” into a whole new way of eating for YOU AND YOUR PET! Mark my words, insect protein is going to explode like ants at a picnic! A complete, viable protein that’s easy to farm, inexpensive and packs a lot of punch for a lot less water! Very soon all of us will be saying, “There’s a bug in my food!” And, “Please pass the crickets!”

BUGS, PUGS & KISSES, 😘🐾❤️
-Katy

CHIP IN & SAVE WATER

*https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/top-meat-consuming-countries-in-the-world.html

​
🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾

By Katy Cable-TWR
A 2 min. Read

To Bee Or Not To Bee! For years I've been hearing how our planet and our very survival is at great risk due to billions and billions of bees dying off at an alarming rate. As scary a thought as that is, I can’t understand it since I personally have seen no shortage of bees. As a matter of fact, quite the contrary. They seem to be buzzing around everywhere I look.

I'm deathly allergic to bees and just the sight of one puts me in a sheer panic! I'm often that crazy lady running around ballistically screaming and making a huge scene at the first sign of anything buzzing around me. And usually it’s just someone’s cellphone. Between my frantic behavior and my Chanel No. 5 cologne, I’m a total
“bee magnet” and they come after me like starving linebackers hitting the all-you-can-eat buffet! I've been stung on many occasions and because I'm allergic, my reaction gets worse with each subsequent attack! It’s so bad that I've been warned a sting on my face or neck could be deadly and I now carry an Epipen®️ to be safe. But what about our dogs?

Brachy (flat-nosed) dogs have a difficult time breathing as it is and a sting or any type of swelling to the face can be life-threatening. Now that the temperatures have warmed up, the flowers are in full bloom and we're spending more time outside, here are some important safety tips to both prevent and treat a bee-sting.

As the saying goes, "An ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure!" The first defense against bee stings is to try and avoid them in the first place. Don't leave your dog outside alone if your yard has plants that attract bees. Better yet, replace plants with varieties that don’t attract them. Roses are great options and mint is also a favorite.

Walk earlier in the AM or later in the PM when temps are cooler and bees aren't out in droves. If possible avoid going near certain flowers, herbs, shrubs and grasses that attract bees. Also stay clear of brushy bushes and trails.

Double check where your dog is going potty and lead them to safe places. Ditto for curious sniffing. Pet stores now carry lightweight clothing, caps, sunglasses and booties that might be a good option for outdoor hiking or even walks in bee prone areas. If you’re out hiking or in a place where you’re not able to race to a vet, I recommend carrying a bee emergency kit with you. I also advise keeping your dog covered up in lightweight clothing and booties.

🐝🐝TAKING THE STING OUT OF BEE STINGS🐝🐝

1. If an isolated bee pops out of nowhere and stings your dog, check and see if the stinger and venom sac are still attached. If so:
SLIDE A CREDIT CARD ALONG THE SITE TO GENTLY REMOVE THE STINGER WITHOUT pushing more venom into your dog's bloodstream.

2. IF YOUR DOG IS STUNG ON THE FACE AND/OR YOU SEE THE SIGHT IS SWELLING UP, ADMINISTER BENEDRYL & PREDNISONE IMMEDIATELY!

3. FOR PAIN RELIEF: MAKE A PASTE IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND BY MIXING BAKING SODA WITH A SPLASH OF WATER. DAB IT ON SITE. You can re-apply this paste every 2-3 hours as necessary. CBD can also be applied topically and orally!

4. APPLY ICE AND GET TO A VET IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID FURTHER COMPLICATIONS.

BEE STING KIT:
🐝Prednisone Pill (5mg pill for 10-25lb dogs)
🐝Benedryl Pill (1/2 25mg pill for 15-25lb dogs)
🐝small pill pockets for administering pills
🐝Baking Soda (put a few tbs in a plastic bag
🐝small doggie bandana
🐝small ice pack
🐝small bottle of water
🐝credit card or hotel key-for removing stinger
🐝1 small baby aspirin (for pain)
🐝CBD Oil

​Nothing can spoil a good time in the great outdoors like a nasty bee sting, so these tips will allow you to "BEE" 🐝 SAFE! Pugs & Kisses! -Katy

By Katy Cable-A 3 min. Read

😎Here in So. Cal it seems we get more clouds, drizzle and chill in June than we do in February. Still, now that the summer is in high gear and our calendars are filling with fun outdoor activities, I felt it was important to share tips on how to help your dog keep their cool during hot weather.

I live a short walk from one of the most popular beaches for DOGS in Southern California. Every weekend there are loads of events and meet-ups going on. Unfortunately there are also many incidents that could have been easily prevented. It’s so important for everyone to be aware of safety tips and signs of overheating.

Pugs and other brachycephalic breeds (dogs with flat faces and short noses, such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs, Pekinese, and Shih-tzus), older pets, dogs that are ill or have a chronic health condition, and dogs not used to warm weather are extremely susceptible to overheating so be mindful of the following signs:
Heavy panting or rapid breathing
Elevated body temperature
Excessive thirst
Bright or dark red tongue and gums
Excessive drooling
Glazed eyes
Increased pulse and heartbeat
Vomiting
bloody diarrhea

If you dog is exhibiting any of the above symptoms you need to to start cooling them down immediately and keep close watch on their behavior.

Take your pet to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice any of the following SIGNS OF LIFE-THREATENING OVERHEATING:
Staggering, stumbling
Weakness and collapse
Seizures
Unconsciousness

Now that you’re aware of the warning signs here’s how to keep your pup from getting overheated in the first place.

⛱ BEACH SAFETY 101 ⛱
Before you head out for the beach, I recommend bringing an umbrella, tent or Easy-Up so you have a shady spot for your dog to retreat from the sun. You’ll also want to bring 2 large towels or blankets. It's good idea to have one for your dog to lay on as well as one you can soak and use to cool your dog off if they get overheated.

If the sand sand is burning your tootsies, you can bet it will burn your doggie's paws. Make sure you put them in booties or socks if they are too large a dog to carry across the hot sand.

​Fresh drinking water and a bowl are MUSTS! Always have fresh water to keep your doggie hydrated and also so they are not tempted to drink seawater or from pools of standing water which may be filthy. Also communal water bowls can provide a lot more than hydration in the form of parasites and nasty doggy germs. Have your own bowl of water handy.

Many people don't realize dogs are susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer. The most sensitive dogs are:
shaved
short-coated
light colored
and if course hairless dogs.

For those breeds, I recommend staying OUT of the sun on extremely hot days and during peak hours (10AM-2PM). The best protection is to dress your dog in a T-shirt, sun-shirt with UV protection or a cooling vest which shields from harmful rays and keeps dogs from overheating.

I also advise getting a sunscreen for your dog. Please note, make sure the sunscreen is a formula safe for dogs. Human sunscreens can contain ingredients (such as zinc) which are toxic if ingested. Be sure to cover your dog's nose, ears, belly, and inside hind legs.

Along with sun safety, you'll need to be equally prepared to keep your sweetie safe in the water. Surf Gidget the Pug, makes it look easy but Pugs, and several other breeds are not strong swimmers (actually they're genetically designed to sink like stones!) I would recommend a life vest if you're out at the beach, in a boat or on open water. Even with a life vest you must supervise your dog in the water. An unexpected wave, rip current, rapids or even stepping on a dead bee, sharp coral or jellyfish can be major hazards.

It goes without saying if your dog may be sick, is lethargic, has the runs, or is in heat, do not visit the beach, dog park or any other public dog area.

Hold off on visiting a dog beach or park until your dog is trusted to obey commands. If you are dog sitting, have a new shelter or rescue dog, this may pose too much risk until you are more familiar with your pet. Many people love letting their dogs run around off-leash (I'm one of them) but if your dog isn't consistent with following your commands I recommend for everyone's safety, you keep them on a leash until they’re better trained. It can extremely dangerous if your dog is racing down the beach and not aware of a potential dangerous situation.

And finally, just a few “Golden Rules” for the dog beach. Remember beaches depend on all of us to keep them safe and clean. Bring waste disposal bags, -and maybe a few extras for those who may not be as conscientious. Be the bigger person who picks up and takes care of keeping the beach safe and clean. So many people don’t.
It goes without saying if your dog may be sick, is lethargic, has the runs, or is in heat, do not visit the beach, dog park or any other public dog area.

Be attentive to your dog. This is not the time or place to relax with a good book or your nose in your IG feed. Be on the lookout. A fun run down the beach chasing a ball can quickly turn to an aggressive dog fight. If you notice play getting a bit rough and you’re concerned, call your dog and distract them with some one-one-one play.

If everyone adheres to some basic safety precautions we can cut down on a lot of injuries. Let's keep dog friendly beaches a fun place to make memories. Pugs & kisses 😘 See you at the beach.⛱ -Katy Cable & Olive

If you’re in the SoCal area I hope you’ll join some of the fun beach meet-ups and events. Click here for more info: https://www.weeklyrunt.com/events.html

By, Katy Cable -TWR
A 4 min. Read

It’s been a real “shake and bake” holiday! As if 4th of July fireworks sounding more like “bombs bursting in air” weren’t scary enough, here in SoCal we also had two of the largest earthquakes to hit in over 20 years. I figured this was a perfect time to remind everyone: NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE!

If you’re a pet parent, that also means preparing for them too! Unlike most other natural disasters, earthquakes are sneaky and, as we just saw, don’t come with any warning. Total devastation can happen in a split second.

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 you AND your pets!

⚠️BEFORE THE BIG ONE HITS⚠️
Here are some important tips to keep pets safe in natural disasters and emergencies:

1. HAVE ALL YOUR PETS MICRO-CHIPPED and make sure they’re wearing ID collars when home alone. You'll 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 include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area in the event you have to evacuate.

2. PREPARE AN EMERGENCY KIT FOR YOUR PETS: Include essentials such as:
🐾2 weeks of clean drinking water & non-perishable high quality dry pet food. Store in water-tight containers.
🐾Water purification tablets
🐾First aid kit
🐾Any medication your pet takes plus first-aid meds: (antacid/sm can pumpkin/Benadryl/baby aspirin) CBD oil (For Stress Relief)
🐾Crate labeled with photo of pet and ER contact #
🐾comfort toys/in crate
🐾booties or baby socks
🐾T-Shirt/warm coat/sweater/blanket/pillow
🐾reflective harness/leash
🐾Life preserver
​🐾Puppy pads/poop bags

3. KEEP EMERGENCY KIT SUPPLIES IN YOUR CAR AS WELL AS YOUR HOME. If you live in LA, there’s a good chance you may be in your car or out and about.

4. 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.

5. Anchor televisions, bookcases and armoires securely to walls. Be mindful of heavy or delicate objects that may fall onto a pet or small child during shaking. Organize accordingly.

6. Entrust a neighbor with a key who can get your pets in the event of an emergency and you’re 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.

⚠️If you have a pet-sitter: Make a plan well in advance. Also discuss a specific meeting spot to retrieve your pets should there be an emergency evacuation.

7. LOCATE A SAFE AREA IN YOUR HOME. If your family and pets must wait out a storm or an earthquake hits, identify a safe area where you can all congregate. Look for strong tables to duck under so you’ll be protected from falling objects and debris.

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.

Prior to the earth shaking, 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:

• Bringfido.com
• dogfriendly.com
• petswelcome.com
• tripswithpets.com

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.

⚠️AFTER A DISASTER⚠️
Your home may be a very different place and it may be hard for your pets to adjust. The entire landscape of your neighborhood may have completely changed. Do these things to keep you and your pets safe:
​
⚠️Keep pets indoors. Put dogs on leashes and cats in carriers to protect them. Make sure they’re wearing fluorescent ID collars should they go missing at night. DON’T ALLOW PETS TO ROAM LOOSE. They could easily get lost or be injured by broken glass live wires and other hazards

⚠️Close off and eliminate any nooks and crannies where frightened pets may try to hide and/or escape. Tape up doggie doors, fireplaces, and windows. Familiar sights and smells may be gone and pets may be extremely fearful and/or disoriented. The last thing you need is to be looking for a lost pet.

⚠️Shut off gas. Stay clear of live wires.

⚠️Move/secure or clean up any dangerous items such as sharp tools, toxic products or glass objects.

⚠️Keep emergency supplies (see just above) in air-tight containers. Store in pet carriers and keep handy in the garage or under a bed for easy access. Also have supplies in your car.

⚠️Check your property for wildlife that may have been displaced and is seeking refuge. They could pose a threat to you and/or your pets.

⚠️Be patient with your pet. Prepare for some behavior problems after the event. Try and get them back into their normal routine as quickly as possible. Consult with your veterinarian if problems persist or you notice any major trauma health issues.

​I hope if the earth starts moving under your feet or or disaster strikes, these tips will protect both you and your beloved pets! Now go enjoy the rest of your happy summer! -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 - The Weekly Runt
A 3 min.read

l interrupt my regularly scheduled weekly blog to bring you this special update on the latest "GRAIN-FREE" PET FOOD SCARE.

This weekend I attended an anniversary event at a popular pet store. As I left my house, I was bombarded with a flood of texts, calls and concerns about the latest news story:
“FDA investigates possible link between popular pet foods and heart disease...”

When I arrived at the event nearly every pet parent I met was feeding one of the brands mentioned and most were extremely concerned about the safety of their pet's food.

SO, before I address this, I invite you to COME, SIT, and READ...First off, I AM NOT WORRIED ONE BIT ABOUT THIS NEWS STORY! In my blogs about "grain-free" diets, (most diets actually) the FIRST THING I advise pet parents to do is "read the labels" Often, "grain-free" foods are higher in sugar/carbs and contain more corn, soy, rice and vegetable proteins than foods that contain grain. Therefore, a "grain-free" pet food can often be a LESS HEALTHY option. It's simply a marketing/packaging spin!

I believe "grain-free" is still the way to go. Dogs and cats don't need GRAINS! They thrive on animal, fish and game protein. They do however, need a variety of trace minerals and vitamins found in veggies. Meat is expensive, and labor intensive, so, pet foods often keep prices low by adding corn, rice and potatoes as MAIN INGREDIENTS. Better options are low-glycemic carbs which don't convert to sugar as quickly such as peas, lentils and sweet potatoes, but they're still NOT A SUBSTITUTE for animal protein.

I attended this event on behalf of NULO pet foods, for which I am a proud brand ambassador. Nulo was not listed in the findings and one of the reasons must be because NULO uses the highest amount of protein from animal sources, not carbs! The first 3-4 ingredients are meat proteins followed by "low-gylcemic" carbs to round out the nutritional platform.

The founder of the company, Michael Landa, is an All-American medal swimmer who knows a thing or two about nutrition and performance. He also created NULO to provide a wonderful food for his own Lab, Max. Labrador and Golden Retrievers are listed as the top breeds affected by this particular heart condition: DCM. Nulo has long been aware of the common health issues affecting our pets and formulated a food to hopefully combat these problems.

If you're feeding a brand listed in the reports, I still wouldn't worry. Here's why:

Whenever there's a study (or scare) or I'm researching something, the first thing I do is figure out, "WHO'S PAYING TO CONDUCT THIS RESEARCH STUDY" 9-out-of-10 times it can be traced back to someone with special interests with big pharma or a major corporation. Face it, lots of alternative sites, products and research have been shot down and attacked for posting holistic options for cancer, diabetes, and an array of other health issues simply because there's NO MONEY TO BE MADE and these healthy options are putting a dent in the profits of drugs, vets, and giant commercial pet food brands. The people at the very tippy-top of the food chain aren't concerned with your pet's health but PROFITS! -Plain and simple. For more information on how the pet food industry works check out my blog: PET FOOLED

First off, this research is weak at best. Let's start with the report:
"FDA INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL LINK BETWEEN DIET AND HEART DISEASE IN DOGS. The FDA is looking into a potential correlation between grain-free diets and a type of heart disease in dogs known as dilated cardiomyopathy...or DCM."

DCM is a disease of the dog's heart muscle that results in weakened contractions and poor pumping ability. It can lead to enlarged heart and congestive heart failure. Even death.

The article goes on to list the breeds most commonly affected as well as the type of foods (kibble, wet, moist, raw, unknown) and the brands fed.

The first thing that struck me was all the brands listed were relatively popular, high-end, quality brands. I find it strange there wasn't one mention of some of the worst, cheapest, grocery store brands listed. Brands which list: corn, soy, rice, and potatoes as the FIRST TWO INGREDIENTS.

Another point: The FDA researchers observed that most of these DCM cases were associated with dogs eating DRY, GRAIN-FREE, foods. Doesn't that make sense when typically, far more dog owners feed dry food and most options available today are marketed as "grain-free."

The report lists the top brands named in this DCM study but it doesn't include any information or statistics of what other pet foods were used. I highly doubt dogs eating the 2 top foods named (Acana & Zignature) were fairing more poorly than dogs on IAMS, or Kibbles-n-Bits. In fact, the Acana feeder is probably more educated on pet food, willing to spend more money on their pet's food and visits their vet more frequently for routine care. They may also be more prone to own the breeds of dogs more prevalent to get DCM. SOOOOOOOOO MANY QUESTIONS, SO LITTLE INFO.

My biggest takeaway of this scare was this portion:
"It's important to note that the reports include dogs that have eaten grain-free and grain-containing foods and also include vegetarian or vegan formulations. They also include all forms of diets. Kibble, canned, raw and home-cooked."
"Therefore, we do not think these cases can be explained simply by whether or not they contain grains or by brand or manufacturer." (THAT'S IN BOLD RED TYPE!)

So, there it is! The whole study and story is BOGUS HYPE! It's designed to put the fear of God into pet parents and sell news. I wouldn't be surprised if a big brand pet food company, feeling the pinch of some of these competitors taking market share, is behind the whole scare. They may be planning to bring a new prescription DCM formula pet food to market!

The article goes on to state:
"To put this issue into proper context, the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that they are 77 million pet dogs in the United States.
As of April 30, 2019, the FDA has received reports about 560 dogs diagnosed with DCM suspected to be linked to diet. (THIS TOO OUTLINED IN RED BOLD TYPE) Tens of millions of dogs have been eating dog food without developing DCM."

There's more to the article: DOG FOOD ADVISORY REPORT (That's the link for those of you who wish to research or read this more carefully.) My conclusion is the same as it's been since I started blogging and discussing "grain-free" diets way back in 2015 -before they were even A THING!

For nearly 18 years I've been working with sick, sensitive, shelter and rescue dogs (and PUGS!😜) I have witnessed healing and health due to simple holistic options and better diets that I had to SEE FOR MYSELF TO BELIEVE!

I now make it my business to do the research and investigation on matters concerning our pets health. I want to share my findings with you. I introduced miracles happening in dogs with deadly cancers due to ketogenic diets. I showed how CBD can reduce or eliminate seizures and anxiety and many other breakthroughs long before most people even knew what they were.

I'm honored to be a brand ambassador for many companies and products BECAUSE I CHOOSE to represent them and I personally use (AND LOVE!) their products. I have turned down many lucrative endorsements simply because I can't honesty stand behind what I wouldn't use myself or recommend to my loved ones.

Thank you for reading and being such a loving pet parent. Together we can make a difference and be part of a new movement advocating for our pets!

I hope you'll visit my site and sign up to receive my FREE weekly blog. Pass it on to your pet parent friends! You’ll find nearly 100 blogs on a variety of popular topics.

I welcome your comments or dialog and if I can be of any help, I hope you'll reach out! -Pugs and kisses!🐾❤️😘 -Katy


​🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾

By Katy Cable-Thrive Global
A 4 minute read

It’s that time of year again! Time for celebrations, outdoor living, beach day's, BBQ's and of course...What May be the WORST DAY OF THE YEAR for many dogs...The 4th of July!

When it comes to the 4th of July, I’m right there with most dogs and like the holiday as much as I like a parking ticket. Huge crowds of drunk, disorderly people invade my little beach community and it becomes a loud, crazy, “RED, WHITE & BOOZE” war zone.

Good news! Here are my SURE-FIRE, “tried & true” “red white & blue” tips for surviving the 4th! Hopefully these suggestions will allow your pup to enjoy a stress-free “Safe & Sane” holiday.

Did you know more pets go missing or end up in shelters during the 4th of July holiday than at any other time during the year. This is a crucial time to check your dog's ID tag and micro-chipping (your vet can scan and confirm your contact info. is up-to-date and it's working.) If your dog's collar is loose or getting worn or the contact info is hard to read, -get a new one! That way, God-forbid your dog goes missing your chances of being reunited are much more likely.

Let's start with your dog. If they have exhibited "off-the-charts" anxiety that would be more than even Cesar Millan could conquer, -PLAN AHEAD! I recommend if you can't stay with your dog, you consider making a reservation to board your dog overnight in a sound-proof facility. I know PetSmart has a great program with fun ice-cream socials and play-times. After a full day of fun, the dogs can rest peacefully in sound-proof kennels. The price is reasonable BUT they book quickly for this holiday (many are booked a year in advance!) so call NOW!!!

If boarding isn't going to work, look into hiring a pet-sitter to stay with your anxious dog. Preferably somewhere that has minimal firework activity.

Whether you’re staying with your dog, boarding them, or getting a pet-sitter, I recommend a few tips: Begin looking in stores or on-line for items that help with anxiety. The very best defense I have found for firework anxiety is CBD products by Treatibles®️ These treats, oils, and capsules have been a game-changer for fearful dogs. Since not all products are as potent or sourced as rigorously, I recommend and use Treatibles®️ You can purchase them at most independent pet stores or online. (Use code: WEEKLY RUNT at checkout for a 10% discount) It works MIRACLES on a variety of issues including firework anxiety and has ZERO side-effects.

Next, grab an arsenal of NEW toys/treats. I like to buy all-natural (free-range/grass-fed with no hormones, antibiotics or steroids) buffalo ears or, if I can supervise, bully-sticks. I give these out when the firework festivities are beginning. Often the dog is so focused on their stress-relieving chew, they forget about the fireworks. Buffalo ears dissolve and are suitable for even the tiniest of pups. Also they don't run the risk of being a choking hazard.

Another good idea is fill a Kong with some canned and dry turkey dog food (I use Nulo which is grain-free, human-grade quality and contains a powerhouse probiotic, GanedenBC30.) I mix the two together then pop it in the freezer if it's a hot day. The tryptophan in the turkey acts as a natural sleep inducer and will help relax your anxious dog.

Other great options are rope and chew toys made of hemp and/or calming herbs. Most pet stores have a great selection of “calming toys” to chose from.

When fireworks begin, distract your pet from the noise by engaging them with interactive play. Many people baby and pamper their frightened pet. This only encourages fearful behavior. Instead, snap them out of this state by grabbing a toy and playing chase or tossing a toy and telling them to go fetch. Try to keep their attention on interactive play.

Set up a "calming zone" in a quiet place with your dog's bed, a covered crate, a diffuser containing lavender oil and pheromone (a hormone found to reduce stress and anxiety.) Compression THUNDER®️ shirts can also be a help for some dogs but others get more anxious getting in and out of the restrictive garb. Add a few new toys. Don't let your dog have access to this area until the evening gets going. Toys will be new and exciting and a good distraction from fireworks. Try and drowned out firework noise with the TV or music but if it’s still too loud, maybe move this spot to the bathroom and run a warm bubble-bath.

If you must leave your dog, and can't hire anyone to pet-sit, put your pet in their calming area and put on classical music which has shown to reduce stress in dogs. There are several great stress-relieving music sources for canines if you search online. Try and stay with your pet until they are relaxed and calm.

Make sure pets are left in a secure place and can't escape. Before leaving: always double and triple check all windows, doors, and gates. (When in a state of panic dogs can scale 16ft walls and achieve other miraculous feats.) If possible use a camera to check on your dog while you are away. It's not an ideal time to leave them alone and depending on the stress level, I would only do this as a last resort for a very short amount of time.

Lastly, start the day with lots of exercise. It will no-doubt be crowded but try and get out early before the heat and craziness kick into high gear. If weather is a deterrent, sign up for a course at a local indoor facility like Zoom Room and have some fun together. Even an older dog can go for a nice, long, albeit SLOW, walk. Or, for less mobile dogs, a long stroll in a wagon will get them out in the fresh air. This will get their adrenaline going, get their heart rate up, and best of all, tire them out. Hopefully they will sleep like a baby later on.

Ironically, my little Olive, who's frightened of her own shadow, has no problem with fireworks. I'M the one who will be under the bed eating CBD treats, wearing my noise-cancelling headphones chilling out. Have a fun holiday! 🇺🇸Pugs and kisses! -Katy. 🐾