By Katy Cable-TWR
A 5 minute “healthy” read

Attention Pet Parents: The Cure For Many Minor Health Issues May Be Right In Your Cupboard. If you've gone to your local pet store or vet's office looking for medications to treat common conditions you know the creams, supplements, pills, and medicated washes are pricey. So before you shell out lots of dough, here are a few tried and true home remedies that may do the trick. I recommend all dog owners keep these essentials in their home.

1. 100% Canned Pumpkin: (organic if possible)
Canned pumpkin is wonderful for treating diarrhea, constipation, or an upset tummy. It's a gentle, soothing, soluble fiber that also can be used as a healthy, tasty, treat. I always stock up during the fall when all the markets have it on sale. It's hard to find and much more expensive if you need it during the month of July. You can put a few servings in the fridge and put the rest in an ice cube tray. Once it’s frozen, pop cubes in a freezer bag, thaw and use as needed. Give your dog 1 tsp. for every 10lbs of body weight, 1-2 times a day.

2. Ginger: A car sick dog can sure put a damper on an otherwise fun road trip. Next time, try giving your dog some tiny bits of fresh ginger an hour before your journey. Use 1/8 teaspoon for dogs 10lbs. and under, 1/4 teaspoon for 10-20lb. dogs and 1/2 teaspoon for 20-30lbs. Dog's over 30 lbs. can manage 3/4-1 teaspoon. Ginger is very strong so your dog might find it more palatable if you mix it in some cheese, peanut butter (make sure it doesn't contain Xylitol as a sweetener) or a little ball of canned food. Use this 1-3x's a day if needed.

3. Plain Kefir: Kefir is a fermented food that's loaded with active probiotics. It can be found in the yogurt section of most stores where the yogurt drinks are stored. Opt for the plain variety since others may contain high amounts of sugar. This makes a great meal topper or tasty little "smoothie.” During hot summer months, I pour Kefir in ice cube trays, add blueberries, then I pop it in the freezer and make "Pupsicles". Kefir is great for any dog (or cat) but can provide a big boost to those with sensitive tummies or digestive issues. Kefir also gives the immune system a jump start. Use the following as a guideline for serving amounts:

• Up to 20 lbs – 2 oz
• 20 to 50 lbs – 4 oz
• Over 50 lbs – 6 oz

4. Coconut oil: (I recommend 100 percent organic, cold-pressed) Coconut oil is SO amazing, I’v written an entire blog with all the great benefits and uses for it. I keep huge jars of it in my home. Not only do I add this to my Olive's meals, (I swirl it in my coffee) it works wonders on minor skin problems. Pugs, especially older ones, can get crusty noses, paw pads, nails and skin patches. Massaging coconut oil on the problem area heals and moisturizers it quickly. It smells great and again, if they lick it, -no problem! If your dog has a dry coat or flaky skin, bath them with a gentle shampoo and while they're still wet, massage their coat and belly with oil. Let it absorb for a few minutes then follow with a quick rinse. Use it as a salve on hotspots, blemishes and rashes.

5. Apple cider vinegar: (Organic)
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is great for repelling fleas. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts ACV and water and give your Puggies a good spray before they race out the door. You can also spray furniture and bedding if you notice a flea problem. During peak flea season, you can add 2 cups of ACV to your dog's bath water or pour it over your freshly bathed dogs body (not head) massage in and dry. ACV is also a great solution to dip a cotton round in and clean your pup's ears. It kills yeast and bacteria and best of all it's non toxic.

Although these aren't "farm grown" I highly recommend keeping these two items in your cupboard as well:

*Betadine/Povidone Iodine.
Don't let the big name and color scare you. This very gentle disinfectant is perfect for any skin problem. It kills staph, yeast, and a host of other nasty bacteria. The best part is: IT WON'T STING and it's completely safe if your pet licks it. You may have seen this used to treat wounds at your doctor's office or the vet's. I use this to rinse cuts, hot spots, and scratches. Simply pour some Betadine in a dish and add water until it's the color of iced tea. Dip a clean cloth in solution and wipe or dab over your pet's boo-boo. Pat it dry and give lots of love and praise. If your pet suffers from allergies, or drives you crazy licking their paws all night, I recommend washing their paws in the diluted Bentadine solution after returning home from walks or playing outdoors. You can either dip your sweetie's paws in a bowl or wipe them clean with a cloth dipped in the solution. Tons of allergens are collected in a dog's paws and those go straight into their mouths when they start licking. Rinsing off your dog's paws will go a long way towards keeping allergies at bay.

* Hydrogen Peroxide: There's quite a few uses for good old hydrogen peroxide. I clean my dog's ears with this by dabbing a cotton round in it and gently removing dirt and oil. It can also be mixed with Dawn dish washing soap (or Pure Castile Soap) and baking soda if your dog gets skunked or encounters something that requires a much stronger shampoo. In a bucket, mix 1 quart hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup baking soda and 2 teaspoons dish-washing liquid. (If you have a large breed dog, you may need to double, triple or even quadruple the mixture.) Apply the mixture to your dog's dry coat, massage in until the smell, oil, etc. starts to dissipate. Use a washcloth for cleaning the face and ears being extremely careful to avoid getting this in your dog's eyes. Once the smell has gone away rinse thoroughly. Use a clean wash cloth to gently rinse the face to avoid getting this in your dog's eyes. Make sure to completely rinse the solution off your dog. It may take several rinses with a cloth to thoroughly clean your dog's face. Follow-up with a final gentle shampoo and coconut oil conditioner (see above) when finished.

​Hydrogen Peroxide to induce vomiting: If you find your dog has eaten a no-no, HP can also be used to induce vomiting. DO NOT EVER INDUCE VOMITING without first calling your veterinarian. DO NOT EVER INDUCE VOMITING if your dog has ingested harsh chemicals like bleach or drain cleaner which can severely burn if swallowed and also if it comes back up. DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING if more than 2 hours have passed since your dog has eaten something harmful. Also hold off if your dog is already vomiting, seems extremely sick or isn't able to walk around. Use 3% percent hydrogen peroxide and give 1 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of your dog's weight. This isn't a tasty solution so you may need to get a syringe to get it in their mouth and down the hatchet. Or you can use some ice cream, honey, or Kefir to mix it with. Then get your dog up and walking around for a few minutes and wait for it to work it's magic. If your dog doesn't vomit after 15 minutes, give them a second dose. If after another 15 minutes passes and they still haven't vomited, race them into the emergency vet. I think it's smart to take a small sample of the vomit (if possible) and don't delay in following up with your veterinarian.

Again. it's always better to error on the side of caution and with any health issue. If things don't improve, and certainly if they take a turn for the worse, always consult with your vet.

Here’s hoping these easy, inexpensive remedies save you enough dough to splurge on something fun. For more great tips and ideas, please follow me on social media and check out my website: www.weeklyrunt.com Pugs & Kisses! -Katy 🐾😍

By Katy Cable-A 5 min. Immunity Building Read

While CoVid 19 continues to dominate the news and is wreck havoc on all of our lives, statistics show that MOST people who catch the virus recover without incident.

It’s easy to forget that when everyday the news shows thousands of people crowding testing sites and hospitals. There’s always a few stories of those unfortunate people whose lives were cut short by this deadly pandemic. It’s a scary time. Most of us are entering our second month on house arrest and forced to wear face masks when we step outside.

Whether you’re immune compromised, over age 60, or required to work with the public, here are some excellent ways to build up your body’s immune system to keep you healthy. If you do get sick, you can recover much quicker. And it’s not just CoVid19...These steps should help you stay healthy during flu season or other high-risk times.

Dr. Rupa Marya, a physician working on the front lines of this pandemic in San Francisco shares what she does to stay healthy. With a husband and two young sons at home, she doesn’t want to take any chances. Also included are tips from several other front line doctors. Some suggestions are based on medical evidence, some are holistic, some are just good common sense:

1. SOCIAL DISTANCING: Stay away from sick people. Avoid crowds and busy places. It’s much easier to catch ANY bug in an airport, amusement park, busy hospital or even putting makeup samples all over your hands and face at Sephora. If you’re high risk or it’s a bad flu season stay out of dense, heavily populated areas.

2. COVER UP: When going out to the store or crowded areas, wear a mask or bandana, gloves, eyeglasses, a cap or hat. If you have long hair, wear it in a bin or tuck it under a hat. Cover your body with long sleeves and pants. When you return home, take off your shoes and leave them at the door. Peel off all outer layers of clothes and place them in the laundry. Wash gloves, rinse glasses, spray hats with sanitizer and thoroughly shower and wash your hair.

3. WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN: 20 seconds with soap. Use wipes or sanitizer after touching any community surface, door handles, money, cell phones, and restaurant menus.

​4. Swap out contact lenses and wear glasses during this pandemic.

​5. DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE

6. No get-togethers with anyone outside your household.

​7. Get a MINIMUM of 8 hours of sleep each night. This is so important for your body to repair and fight illness. Consider taking 5mg of melatonin or CBD at bedtime. This can help you get a more restful night of sleep and also help fight inflammation.

​8. EXERCISE for 30 minutes everyday. Take a walk. Do a Zoom workout. Move your body. This will help you sleep better and improve your mood.

9. STAY HYDRATED: Drink 8 glasses or HALF your body weight in ounces of fresh clean water. Add some mint, lemon or an orange wedge if you want to dress it up.

10. Open a window and get some ventilation and fresh air in your home.

11. Spend 30+ minutes out in the sunshine. Getting sunshine ON YOUR SKIN is an ideal way to get the Vitamin D you’re body needs to fight illness.

​ NO BRAINERS:
• Don’t Smoke
• Eliminate Alcohol (Depresses the immune system)
• Eliminate Sugar, Gluten, Processed Foods (These wreck havoc on your body.)
• Eliminate stress with meditation, exercise and short breaks throughout the workday.

MIND-BODY CONNECTION:
​*Begin each day writing a few pages in a journal and express/vent your emotions.

*Close your eyes and meditate. Focus on all the things you’re grateful for. Do this for a few minutes several times during the day. Or take a walk and find one thing you’re grateful for with each letter of the alphabet.

*Call your loved ones and tell them you love them.

*Check-in on elders or those in need. Shop for them or give them a hand.

​*If you are challenged by the stress and isolation this pandemic is causing, call your support system. If you are in distress, reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline: 1–800–985–5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1–800–846–8517).

*Dive into art, music, plant a garden, do a house project read a good book, work a puzzle. LAUGH and sing out loud! Or blow up 15 balloons! It expands lung capacity and can calm your body’s overdrive from stress.

*Hug your kids (even big ones) and loved ones.

*Walk your dog, pet your dog, play with your dog. If you don’t have a pet, foster or adopt one.

IF YOU START FEELING SICK:
* Let a fever run it’s course. It is your body fighting the infection. If you must bring it down, use Tylenol as opposed to Ibuprofen. Try and keep your body HOT! Sit in a sauna and sweat to help your body fight the infection.

*MEDIATE. Check out the free app Insight Timer and listen to uplifting HEALING meditations. Visualize your strong body healing and fighting viruses.

* Do A Breathing Treatment 3-4xs daily with a nebulizer and hydrogen Peroxide. Even 3% store strength has shown great results for killing viruses attaching the lungs. Or put it in a tea kettle and breathe the stream.

​*Up your Vitamin C and Zinc intake. Try eating or taking Vitamin C supplements every 4 hours. Good sources of zinc are almonds, cashews, chia seeds, chickpeas, lentils, and oatmeal.

​*Take Ashwaghanda (unless you’re pregnant or have thyroid issues.) This healthy herb is great for healing lung issues.

* Consider adding Elderberry Syrup which may shorten the duration of an illness.

* Eat immunity boosting foods such as garlic, turmeric, ginger, onions, leeks and bone broth.

​*Call your healthcare provider if you have difficulty breathing, blueish lips, chest pain or shortness of breath.

Practicing these tips will greatly reduce the odds of getting and staying sick. Your body is designed to fight illness and heal itself. By taking these actions, you can strengthen your immune system and protect yourself from the most serious viruses.

By, Katy Cable/TWR/A 5min. “HIGH”

Several years ago, I wrote a blog about the astounding results I was seeing in dogs using CBD oil to keep them calm during 4th of July fireworks. And that was just the tip of the iceberg. Arthritic pets, pets with seizures, anxiety, psychosis, depression, end-of-life issues, trauma, even cancer and metabolic diseases were all seeing unbelievable results from CBD oil.

In a very short amount of time CBD and hemp products have gone from underground to the hot new thing! What was once only a handful of established companies selling CBD pet products, it’s now a booming market with everyone from Martha Stewart and Snoop Dog in the CBD business.

If all this “buzz” (-pun intended 😜) about CBD/Hemp products has you confused and apprehensive, let me clarify all the important things you need to know.

When I first heard the words “HEMP”, “CBD” & “CANNABIS”, the thing that came to mind was getting “high” and I got scared. I would never want to turn my little pugs into "pot-heads" and have these CBD's become the new “gateway" drugs for further excessive sleeping, binge snacking followed by opiates and heroin. I was extremely reluctant and apprehensive about using them.

Once I turned to my trusted holistic/integrated vets for some clarification, I realized I was way off base. These vets have been using CBD's successfully for some time and straightened out my misconceptions.

What is CBD anyway? All mammals have an endocannabinoid system which is located in the brain and central nervous system. It’s crucial for establishing and maintaining health. Among its many functions are regulating memory, metabolism, immunity, sleep, mood, appetite and pain sensation. CBD’s (short for cannabinoids) act on any imbalance in these various receptors in the body. They create balance and provide the support needed for relaxing, repairing, or restoring any deficiencies in the body.

​There are many varieties of cannabis plants with hemp and marijuana being two popular ones. These plants contain, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is a "psychoactive" cannabinoid that produces the "high.” Dogs naturally have an abundance of receptors in their brains and are therefore extremely sensitive to THC. So much so that should your pet get into your stash of edibles it could make them gravely ill.

That put the fear of God into me about ever giving my pet CBD’s until I was informed these CBD’s were NON-PSYCHOACTIVE, meaning they contain NO THC. They are 100% non-toxic and safe. So, you get all the relaxation without the intoxication. And now they’ve become a mainstream health-boosting miracle worker.

HOW CBD’s CAN HELP YOU & YOUR DOG! -THE ABC’s

A’s-
ANXIETY: CBD Has Been Extensively Studied For Its Amazing Effect On Stress, Anxiety And Noise Phobias. I couldn’t believe how great it worked on dogs who would typically go off the charts ballistic on the 4th. With CBD they were calm and content. It also worked miracles on Olive. Although she has no issues with the 4th of July, car and airline travel were another story. These caused such extreme stress and anxiety she would vomit, drool and shake even after trying nearly every anti-anxiety drug and natural supplement. Now after taking CBD, she relaxes and actually enjoys travel.

I have also witnessed amazing results with frantic barking dogs in shelters or suffering separation anxiety.
It’s the perfect remedy for anxious dogs visiting the vet, having nail trims or dental procedures! And it’s not just for your pets. CBD’s can be a tremendous help for those suffering from panic disorders, PTSD, and anxiety. Best of all there are NO SIDE EFFECTS.

APPETITE: I know many cancer patients taking medical marijuana to increase appetite and now CBD’s are found to also work wonderfully. Not only with cancer but for many illnesses and aging. So if you’re having trouble getting your pet to eat, try some CBD to help stimulate their appetite.

ANTIOXIDANT: With natural antibiotic properties, CBD is shown to be a more powerful antioxidant than vitamins C, D and E. CBD protects the brain from cell death caused by free radicals and toxins. It’s a great anti-aging supplement.

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES: CBD has been shown to decrease the production and release of inflammatory cytokines that can cause allergies and a wide range of autoimmune conditions.

B’s-
BRAIN HEALTH:
CBD Can Help With Neurodegenerative Diseases:For dogs suffering from spine and nerve issues, CBD shows a lot of promise. CBD’s fight free radicals that cause aging and help repair dying brain cells.

CBD Can Treat Seizures And Epilepsy: I know so many pugs (and other breeds of dogs) suffering from seizures. Most dogs are put on strong drugs such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide. While they may help control the seizures, they can be extremely harmful to your dog’s liver and other organs. And the drugs don’t work in all cases. CBD has been working well in about 15 dogs I personally know. Dogs went from such frequent seizures they were considering euthanizing until the CBD’s cut the frequency from hourly to monthly! I am SO excited about this and hope more people will look into this option for their pets suffering from seizures.

C’s-
CHRONIC INFLAMMATION/PAIN RELIEVER: CBD inhibits the production of inflammatory macrophages and decreases chronic inflammation. I've seen over 20 dogs unable to walk without assistance or limping after an injury or over-exertion, bounce back quickly after using CBD's. They work so well for pain that scientists are considering them a new class of drug for the treatment of chronic pain. Studies show CBD to be very effective for:

• Decreasing nerve-related pain
• Decreasing inflammation pain and premature aging
• Decreasing pain from acute pancreatitis & intestinal inflammation (associated with irritable bowel disease, Colitis and Crone’s.)

CANCER: With it’s anti-tumor effect, CBD has even been shown to stop cancer cells from growing and increased tumor cell death. This is HUGE! Cancer is the #1 threat facing our pets with 2 out of 3 dogs getting cancer in their lifetime. How exciting to have this promising new option which is affordable and doesn’t have the horrible side-effects of most conventional treatments.

• CBD helps the immune system’s killer cells to cause cancer cell death.
• CBD kills cancer cells by blocking their ability to produce energy.
• CBD can help increase the efficacy of conventional cancer treatment.

CBD’s Are Legal, Safe & Non-Toxic: Because CBD oil for pets is derived from hemp oil and contains no THC, all 50 states have now approved the use of hemp-based CBD for human and animal products. With so many studies showing the health benefits of CBD, the most encouraging result is that CBD is completely safe, even when taken in high doses and over extended periods of time. CBD is non-toxic and animals don’t appear to build up a tolerance.

Choosing A High Quality CBD Oil
I’m sure you’re excited to race out and purchase some of this magic CBD oil but I urge you to do your research first! With any product that has this kind of interest, you must be very mindful. Not all CBD oils are the same and with minimal regulation you must be extremely careful. Here are a few things to look for:

• Check the sourcing: Only use companies that farm without the use of pesticides, fungicides or solvents.
• Get the analysis: Ask for a lab analysis of the amount of CBD in the product. Many CBD oils contain only small amounts poor quality CBD. The manufacturer should provide a certificate of analysis. You’ll also want to make sure there is little or no THC in the product.
• Don’t shop based only on the price: This isn’t where you want to be pinching pennies. Don’t bargain hunt with CBD. It’s plain and simple, the higher the quality and purity, the more expensive it usually is. Make sure the quality is human grade and has good ratios of CBD.
• For serious/chronic conditions use CBD in a dropper: You can buy CBD in treats but I recommend you use a dropper bottle first. This way, you can adjust your dog’s dose drop by drop to make sure he gets the most benefit. Then you can supplement with treats or use treats sparingly and adjust your pet’s dosage.

While there are several excellent CBD companies that I trust and use exclusively. Currently my favorite is PAWS EFFECT which is the pet product CBD line. They also have amazing human CBD beauty products and a CBD muscle soreness cream which I LOVE! All products use only the highest quality, human-grade ingredients. All products are grown, sourced in Hawaii and made in the USA. Their treats are grain & gluten free. Products are also vegan, non-GMO and certified organic. They use medical-grade hemp which is put through three rounds of extensive testing for purity and potency by an outside 3rd party medical lab at every stage of production. I love supporting this wonderful family-owned businesses. I encourage you to visit The Pet Shoppe on my website and learn more.

​I now enjoy CBD myself when flying (no anxiety
and no hangover!🤪) and I give them CBD to Olive all the time as a healthy snack. I also give them to friends who are trying to use more natural pain relief methods for everything from chronic pain management to mensural cramps. I hope if you try it out you’ll keep me posted on your own results. Pugs and kisses! 😘🐾💕

​🐾Katy Cable is an 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

FINALLY...I have some great news to report! While CoVid 19 is wrecking havoc on our lives, it’s had a remarkably positive influence on shelter cats and dogs! With the nation ordered to “shelter-in-place”, many made the smart decision to foster, and or adopt a pet in need of a loving home. At the same time, lots of interested people have been surprised to find CoVid19 has “cleared the shelters” and It’s easier to find a package of toilet paper than a pet to adopt.

Riverside Country Animal Shelter cleared their shelter last Wednesday showing every single kennel and cage opened as all the pets had been adopted. And it’s not just here in Southern California. Thanks to CoVid19, from New York to Nevada animal shelters are as empty as restaurants and bars.

In a TV news address, Los Angeles Mayer, Gil Garcetti stated that in March— as officials scrambled to create more space while the pandemic worsened — 2,232 animals were moved out of shelters and into foster homes, homes of their own or reunited with their owners. This allowed two of LA’s 6 busiest shelters to be closed. Shelter personnel relocated to the other locations.

During the last month of quarantine, I’ve have had the pleasure of doing “virtual” house-checks for Pug Nation LA and some of the other rescues I volunteer with. In the midst of this terrible pandemic, I need to look no further than our pets to see a bright, positive side. Social media is filled with hysterical stories of families engaging with their pets. Families that typically haven’t had time to walk their dogs, are now enjoying the one allowable opportunity to leave the house for some fresh air.

For so many of us, our pets provide a huge sense of comfort and support. They’re helping us get through a very difficult time. They remind us what’s important. They’re happy just spending time with us and they stay in the moment. Something we all need to do right now.

Another huge dividend of having a pet is all the health benefits they provide. It seems every dog is a “therapy dog” right now. Whether it’s a dog who prompts us to get outside for daily exercise, or a cat who provides cozy company for a shut-in, animal companions have a tremendous positive effect on human health and happiness.

In 2016, the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) sponsored an online survey of 2,000 pet owners to learn more about the health benefits of having a pet. These were their findings:

1. 55% of pet owners reported physical health improvements from pet ownership in themselves or friends or family members.
2. Up to 75% of pet owners reported mental health improvements from pet ownership in themselves, friends or family members.
3. 88% of pet owners conclude that pets reduce stress, depression, and anxiety, increase a sense of wellbeing, and help with conditions like PTSD.
4. 68% of pet owners are aware that pets support healthy aging, help with conditions like autism and Alzheimer’s disease, and drastically improve heart health.
5. Up to 47% of pet owners find that owning pets supports child cognitive development, reading skills and classroom learning. They also help prevent childhood allergies.

Research on the human-animal bond shows interactions with your canine companion have a measurably positive effect on your biochemistry, thanks to the hormone oxytocin. Also known by a number of nicknames, including the “love hormone” and “hug hormone.” Oxytocin is what makes skin-to-skin contact feel good; it’s what makes a great meal so satisfying. This amazing hormone can also act as a natural painkiller and can lower stress levels and blood pressure. It’s a well-known fact that human-to-human contact, for example, bonding with children or partners, triggers the release of oxytocin.

If you can open your home to a pet either as a foster or certainly to adopt, check with your local shelters or rescue groups. Find out how they’re accommodating adoptions during this time. Caring for a needy pet is sure to help your well-being as much, if not more, than theirs.

If you’ve adopted or are fostering a new pet during this pandemic, I’d love to hear your story and see pics/videos if your new friend. I’ll even send you a gift. I hope you’re all staying healthy and looking after yourselves during this scary time.

Thanks for reading! Pugs and kisses! 😘🐾❤️
Katy & Olive

🐾Those who would like to adopt a pet can go to Laanimalservices.com/adopt, or call 888-452-7381 and have an animal ID# ready. For PUG Adoption’s, msg me for rescues in your area.

By Katy Cable,TWR

While the whole world is in the throes of a pandemic, now more than ever, anything you can do to keep your pet from an expensive and possibly dangerous trip out to the vet, should be a priority. One of the most common problems I “hear about” is ear infections. If you know what to look for and what to do, you can prevent a lot of bigger, more expensive problems.

My first pug Raisin was plagued with ear infections throughout most his life. Ironically they began coming on about a year after I switched him from homemade organic dog food to a crappy, expensive "prescription" food used to treat his urinary issues. As time went on, and I kept filling him with processed corn, wheat, grains, gluten and poultry by-product meals, the infections got much worse.

After a few years of misery and living on pricey antibiotics, Raisin underwent an extensive surgery where a small hole was drilled under his jaw and a tiny tube was inserted deep in the canal of his inner ear allowing it to drain and heal. It was a traumatic, painful ordeal for the poor little guy but it was successful. However, not too long after, he began having problems in his other ear and eventually the infections returned with a vengeance.

At age 13 he got another painful infection, deep in his inner ear. Antibiotics were no longer effective and he was not in any condition to undergo another exhaustive surgery. We made the heartbreaking yet humane decision to let him go. I wish I had known then what I knew now because I truly feel I could've avoided most if not all these chronic ear issues.

If your dog is experiencing persistent ear problems or is a breed predisposed to them, -read on. These simple tips should save you a lot of expense, hassle and heartache because preventing ear infections is actually quite easy.

Ear problems in dogs are the result of inflammation and/or infection. Any untreated inflammation can lead to infection. If your dog's ears are warm to the touch, red, swollen and/or itchy, but there's little to no discharge, chances are the problem is inflammation. However, if one or more of those symptoms is present along with a brown, green or bloody discharge, that can be anywhere from thin and runny to a thick sludge, chances are it's an infection.

The most common reason for ear inflammation in dogs is allergies. An allergic response to food or something in the environment can cause inflammation anywhere throughout your pet's body, including the ears. A dog with allergy-related ear inflammation will shake their head a lot and also scratch incessantly at their ears. It is also common for them to butt their head along your legs or furniture in an attempt to relieve their discomfort. If you notice your dog doing any of these things be sure to check their ears for any signs of irritation, redness and/or swelling.

Another cause of ear inflammation is moisture. This is commonly known as "swimmer's ear." Although it is very common during the warmer months when dogs are playing in the water more, if you live here in So Cal, where we enjoy outdoor beach weather year-round, or you live in a rainy or humid area, your dog can be at higher risk. Wetness and moisture in the ear canals coupled with a warm body temperature can create an infection quicker than President Trump can send out a heated tweet. It's extremely crucial to thoroughly dry your dog's ears each time they come out of the water or are groomed. -Particularly if you have a high risk breed!

The third major reason for ear problems is wax buildup. The presence of some earwax is healthy and normal, and, just like humans, different dogs have varying amounts. Some dogs, like my sweet Raisin, needed his ears cleaned 2x's daily and little Olive has rarely needed a cleaning. 😀 Certain breeds, such as English & French Bulldogs, Pugs, Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Poodles, Labradors and Retrievers, in general produce more earwax. If you have one of these breeds, you should get your dog accustomed to having their ears cleaned regularly from the time they’re a puppy.

Ear infections typically involve the outer canal, which is actually very deep. The medical term used for these infections is "otitis externa." An infection that frequently recurs or never really clears, is termed, "chronic otitis." There are a number of things that can cause these infections including:

• Moisture in the ear which creates a warm breeding ground for infection.
• Heavy ear wax production. Excess glands in the ears that produce wax and sebum and clog up.
• Narrowing of the ear canal.
• Heavy, hanging ears such as a Cocker Spaniels & Bassett’s.
• Foreign material in the ear, such as from a plant like a foxtail.

If your dog has an ear infection, it's very important to identify whether it's a bacterial or a fungal infection, (or both), in order to treat the problem.

Bacterial Infections of the ear are the most common. They can either be pathogenic, which is a bacterial picked up from a source OUTSIDE the body, such as contaminated ocean water, or non-pathogenic which is a bacteria that are normally inhabitants of your dog's body, such as staph. Any bacteria can become overgrown and quickly cause an infection.

Fungal Ear Infections in dogs are most commonly caused by yeast. This is the type of ear infections that constantly plagued Raisin. Some yeast is always present on the bodies of animals, but when the immune system isn't in prime condition, (or they are eating a diet high in starchy carbs, as was also the case with Raisin), the fungus can grow out of control and cause an infection. Most dogs prone to yeast infections need to have their ears cleaned and dried frequently. I would also recommend a grain-free-low carb diet, fresh or moist diet. I could always detect a yeast infection since Raisin's ears would either smell very sweet or horribly rancid. In any case, there was a distinct odor.

How To Prevent Ear Infections in Your Dog:

Unfortunately pugs are much more prone to ear infections than many other breeds. If you’re a pug parent (or have another susceptible breed) YOU MUST BE DILIGENT and check their ears daily. Any dirt, wax, or whatnot, left in the ear canal can bring on a raging infection quicker than norovirus spreads on a cruise ship.

If your dog's ears aren't squeaky clean, CLEAN THEM. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a TON of cure! There are many ear solutions available in pet stores and your vet May recommend an anti-fungal rinse but this is an all-natural, inexpensive one you can easily make at home for far less money and can be used regularly:

• Mix equal parts distilled or alkaline water with organic apple cider vinegar (Great for frequent yeast infections)
• Add one drop tea tree oil ( NEVER for cats!) 1 TBS organic coconut oil.
• You can also dab a cotton ball, cotton round or sterile gauze with Witch Hazel, cooled green tea, or hydrogen peroxide, add a dash of coconut oil and begin cleaning.

***NEVER use rubbing alcohol or wipes containing alcohol to clean your dog's ears. It is much too abrasive and can cause extremely painful burning especially if there's inflammation.

​Apply a generous amount of solution on a cotton ball, round, or sterile gauze. (Never use a Q-tip inside the ear canal as it can damage or rupture the eardrum) Gently wipe the ears clean. You may need to repeat and use several cotton balls to adequately clean the ears. Once the cotton is clear of any dirt and wax, you are finished. This should do the trick for most dogs, but if you have a dog with heavy wax buildup, like my Raisin, I would do the following ear cleansing routine and I would ask your vet for a stronger medicated rinse until it’s under control.

• Put your dog on your lap or for large dogs, lay their head in your lap with one ear facing up so solution can roll down their ear canal.
• Squirt a small amount of solution directly into the dog's ear filing up the canal.
• Gently massage the jawline under the ear as solution dissipates.
• Repeat on other side. At this point your dog should begin shaking their head like crazy, spraying you with ear cleaning solution🤣!
• Now, grab that cotton and clean all the loosened wax and debris out of your dog's ears as directed above.
• Follow with lots of praise and a treat. 😜 (A HEALTHY TREAT-not a big Milk Bone made of junk!)

You may need to do this once a day if ears buildup wax quickly.

***If you suspect your pug might possibly have an ear infection, Make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately! -DON’T WAIT! *** Should your sweetie be suffering from an infection they may require antibiotics and/or special medicated cleaning solutions. Letting an infection go untreated can lead to rupture of the eardrum and further complications.

If your dog is being treated for an ear infection its even more important to keep their ears clean. Adding topical medication to dirty, waxy ears filled with gunk will just be adding fuel to the fire. Extra moisture and warmth will allow the bacteria to grow like wildfire. Also the medication will not easily reach and penetrate the infected tissue.

If your vet diagnoses your dog with a bacterial ear infection, make sure they determine the EXACT STRAIN and course of treatment. This will be extremely helpful if your dog has re-current infections and/or develops a resistance to certain antibiotics. And, just like with humans, it is extremely important to finish any medication your veterinarian prescribes. Don't try and save a few bucks by stopping the course of treatment early and stashing the extra medication, your dog's infection clears. This can lead to regrowth of resistant organisms and eventually make them completely ineffective. Currently there are many strains of bacteria causing ear infections which are resistant to many (if not all) conventional medications.

I also recommend adding some probiotics to replace the healthy bacteria being destroyed by antibiotics. A few tablespoons of plain Kefir is ideal and can be found where milk and yogurt drinks are sold. Also, Nulo pet foods offer low-carb, high-protein jerky treats with patented probiotics resistant to antibiotics. Olive loves the soft salmon jerky.

If your dogs ear issues are driving you nuts, I HEAR YOU! These tips should be a game changer. If you’d like recommendations on products I like please watch my YouTube videos or reach out to me. Pugs and kisses!🐾💕

By Katy Cable-A 3-minute read

​If dealing with the Corona Virus isn’t bad enough, for the past two weeks nearly every dog owner I know is complaining about their dog's relentless scratching and itching. I too, hear the incessant licking and tap-tap-tap-tap-tap of the dog tag as Olive attacks her own itch in the middle of the night. That starts me itching my own dry skin and you get the picture. Did you know your dog can suffer from seasonal allergies just as you do? Good news, these are a few tips that should get the problem under control and most of you are probably doing a lot of washing and cleaning ANYWAY!

Over half of all pet owners aren't aware their fuzzy family members can be feeling miserable thanks to allergens. Now lets take a look at what type of allergy it might be and how you can offer some relief for your sweetie.

There are two main types of allergies: food allergies and environmental allergies. Food allergies frequently cause diarrhea, vomiting, bloat and sometimes irrational behavior due to your pet feeling uncomfortable and having no way to get relief. Later, itching and irritation can follow. If your pet gets itchy during winter, spring, summer or fall, and there isn't a bout of vomiting or diarrhea first, it's most likely a reaction to a seasonal allergens. If symptoms continue year-round, it's more likely a sensitivity to something in their diet.
​
There are a several exceptions to this rule. For example, living in So. Cal where we don't get snow, a hard freeze, or, with the exception of this year, RAIN!😜environmental allergens can build up and cause year-round issues. And, without extremes in our temperatures, seasonal allergies can persist or worsen year-round.

Most humans who experience seasonal allergies, suffer from dry, red, itchy, puffy eyes. Sneezing, and a dry persistent cough. Dog allergies more commonly take the form of skin irritation or inflammation – a condition called allergic dermatitis.

If your dog has seasonal allergies, their coat will become very itchy. You'll notice them scratching excessively, and they will most likely bite or chew their paws or other areas of their body. If your pup is rubbing up against you (especially if you don't have food in your hands) or if you notice them rubbing against furniture or rolling their faces into plush rugs or carpeting for relief, most likely they’re desperately trying to relieve uncomfortable itchiness as best they can.

If this continues long enough without relief, their skin will become red, inflamed, warm and tender to the touch. Other signs of allergic dermatitis include patches of hair loss, open sores on the skin, and scabbing. If left untreated, hot spots can develop. A hot spot is raw, red, inflamed, infected skin that occurs when your dog's natural bacteria overwhelms an area of their skin. Typically the skin will be very red, and often there’s weeping, bleeding, and hair loss.

Pugs, English Bulldogs, Basset Hounds and Irish Setters with allergies can also suffer from ear problems as a result. Their ear canals may be hot, red, itchy and inflamed as part of a generalized allergic response, or they may grow infected with yeast or bacteria. If your pug's ears are giving them problems you will notice them scratching at their ears, and shaking their heads frequently. Often you will notice anything from a hint of a sweet smell to a horrible foul odor in their ears. Upon cleaning their ears you may find a brown discharge that can be thin and runny or a thick clumpy sludge.

While respiratory symptoms aren't common in pets with allergies, they do occur. A running nose, watery eyes, coughing, sneezing and that scary "back-breathing" in flat nosed, brachy dogs, can also attack four-legged seasonal allergy sufferers.

Another tell-tale sign of an allergy is redness. Allergic pets often have puffy red eyes, red gums, a red, possibly bumpy blemished chin, red paws and even a red anus.

Seasonal allergies can worsen or turn into year round problems. Allergic reactions are produced by your pet's immune system, and the way his immune system functions is a result of both nature (his genetics) and the environment. The more your pet is exposed to the allergens they're sensitive to, the more intense and long-lasting the allergic response becomes. In order to build up your pet's immune system and tolerance try to first identify the culprit and eliminate exposure

Helping a Pet Suffering From Environmental Allergies. As someone who has been plagued by allergies all my life, my physicians recommend a few simple things which you can also do for your pet. We all need to enjoy the great outdoors but limit exposure during peak readings for pollens, ragweed, etc. During a rough season, it's important to shower both at night and in the morning to remove allergens. I recommend you do the same for your dog if they are symptomatic. Also use an air purifier and close windows during windy days and the peak pollen hours from 2-8 AM.

• Frequent baths give complete, immediate relief to an itchy pet and wash away the allergens on the coat and skin. Make sure to use a grain free (oatmeal free) shampoo. I like Oxyfresh Shampoo followed by massaging a dash of coconut oil over their wet coat. Zymox is also a favorite for stubborn itching.These pure, gentle cleaning agents won't strip or harm your pet's natural oils but will do the trick to remove allergens.
• Paw soaks are also a great way to reduce the amount of allergens your pet tracks into the house and spreads all over their indoor environment. If this is too much hassle, wipe their paws with a damp cloth and a dash of a product mentioned above after coming in the door. More expensive but also good are hypoallergenic pet wipes -And with wipes so hard to find, you can use these yourself!
• Keep the areas of your home where your pet spends most of their time as allergen-free as possible. Vacuum and clean floors and pet bedding frequently using simple, non-toxic cleaning agents rather than household cleaners containing chemicals. I like Dreft or a hand wash in Pure Castile Lavender soap. Also a nice spritz of malt or apple cider vinegar can be a non-irritating cleaning agent.
• Because allergies are an immune system response, it's important to keep your pet's immune function optimal. This means avoiding unnecessary vaccines and drugs. I have seen awful results from dogs getting vaccinated during a systemic outbreak. Vaccines stimulant the immune system which is the last thing your pet with seasonal environmental allergies needs. Talk to your vet about “titers” to measure your pet's immunity to core diseases as an alternative to automatically vaccinating. Or, wait until they’re not symptomatic.
• Switch your pet to a human-grade, species-appropriate, anti-inflammatory food. Foods that create or worsen inflammation are high in carbohydrates, grains and gluten. (Most dry kibble is 40% carbs.) This is a good time to try a canned or fresh food diet. Also, knock out the treats until allergies are under control.
• Add those Omega-3 fatty acids which help decrease inflammation throughout the body. Adding them into the diet of all pets, particularly pets struggling with seasonal environmental allergies – is very beneficial. The best sources of omega 3s are krill oil, salmon oil, tuna oil, anchovy oil and other fish body oils. USE EXTREME CAUTION when feeding fish oils and products. Typically pet food uses the least expensive, poorest quality ingredient sources. With lakes and oceans so polluted, you don't want to add mercury and other toxins to an already compromised pet. Use human grade oils that have been approved and stamped by outside third party companies. I use anchovies and sardines packed in olive oil or spring water. These are too small a fish to worry about contamination. I also use Nulo pouches containing sardines, salmon and mussels. They make an inexpensive easy treat or meal topper and they use extremely high quality seafood.
• CBD. I use a holistic line of CBD products for pets and humans: PAWS EFFECT. All products are sourced with organic Hawaiian botanicals and tested for potency and purity by outside medical labs. I use CBD oil topically on dry, itchy skin and hotspots. I also give CBD oil orally to keep my dogs comfortable and help them sleep. With so many companies making CBD/hemp products, be sure to carefully research any product you’re considering using.
• Coconut oil. I also recommend coconut oil for pets but especially those with allergies. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which helps decrease the production of yeast. Using coconut oil can help moderate or even suppress the inflammatory response. It also helps take a bit of the stinky, fish smell away. I have seen amazing results in a few days for dogs suffering from horrific skin/yeast problems by simply switching a dog's diet and adding organic coconut oil. You can also use this on their coat, paws, tear-stains, nose, teeth, and hot spots for relief.
• Try to get out during non-peak pollen hours and exercise or play with your pooch and wear them out. If they are tired they may sleep better and not be sitting around itching and uncomfortable.
• ​ASK YOUR VET about CYTOPOINT. This relatively new treatment has been a GAME-CHANGER for pets that suffer serious allergies AND are immune compromised. Unlike Apoquel, and other pharmaceutical treatments, Cytopoint works wiyh your dog’s own immune system to fight off allergy triggers. It has no side effects and won’t harm the liver or kidneys. Ive seen very promising results with this injection when other home remedies are not enough.

A strong immune system is YOU AND YOUR DOG’S best defense against colds, allergies, illnesses, even THE CORONA VIRUS. Now is a perfect time to build up you and your pet’s immunity with a healthy diet. I hope these tips put an end to some of your fur baby's suffering this season. For great tips each week, please subscribe to my free weekly blog by clicking the link below. ❤️STAY HEALTHY❤️ Pugs and kisses!
-Katy


🐾Katy Cable is a writer and 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, Rick Cable
A 3 min. Read

I rate Soups - tips on storing non-perishable foods and surviving.

First off, I am not a survivalist but am a survivor. Prior to the COVINA-19 pandemic I would eat out at restaurants eight days a week.

The pantry was bare except for red wines and chips while the fridge served as a repository for my restaurant leftovers, salsa and choice beers. The freezer was for ice cream in various forms and shapes.

Times have changed. Below is some advice to eat safely and inexpensively during the ongoing pandemic apocalypse.

First - Soups — usually nutritious with a shelf life of 1.5 years.

1. Progresso Chicken Pot Pie -
STARS - 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Store purchased- Ralph’s

Yummy yummy in my tummy - good on the palette - claims white chicken meat and no antibiotics ever - potato, carrots and celery — along with dried peas and what looks like carrots. Could be monkey brains and turnips but I still recommend it!



Salads -
2. Dole Sesame Asian salad kit (no relation to what the former Leader of the FREE WORLD renamed COVID-19 the Asia Flu)
​STARS - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Store Purchased- Ralph’s

Yes, who would have known store salad ingredients could be placed into the refrigerator. My wife has made a salad believer out of a culinary heathen. Bagged Asian Sesame Salad complimented with roast chicken, fresh sliced tangerines and extra almond slices - add some chia and hemp seeds which bulks up the protein and VOILA! - A fantastic and nutritious lunch time treat.

By, Katy Cable-
A 3 Minute Read

Hello Friends! Welcome to the couch! It seems like just when I get my head wrapped around our new “soft apocalypse” normal, things drastically change AGAIN! -And not for the better! Therefore, in addition to my regular: Weekly Runt blog posts, which I will modify to be the most helpful, I will be doing Katy Cable “Quarantine Edition” with ideas, tips, links and other resources during this time. Just think of me as your friendly “quarantine camp counselor.”

FUN THINGS TO DO WHILE STAYING HOME:

COOKING! That’s right! Good nutrition is our first line of defense against this virus (and others). With the ability to leave our homes and dine at our favorite restaurants “off the table” we’ll have to get creative.

By now, most of us have stockpiled enough canned food to feed an entire homeless population. Each week we risk our lives venturing out of home quarantine to fight crowds and grab whatever can be found on grocery store shelves. Crowded markets, with hoards of people grabbing whatever they can find with their germ-infested hands, have become a bio-hazard on par with hospitals.

From someone who eats 90% of her meals out of a box or bag through my car window, I’ve included a guest blog from my hubby on some cheap, easy, healthy meals you can make with those grocery store RATIONS! In the meantime, practice daily meditation by closing your eyes and enjoying an “imaginary” meal out at your favorite restaurant. Don’t forget to tip your server. 👍🏼

CRAFTS: Make a “Couldn’t SHUT THE F! UP About The Corona Virus” Jar. Every time someone mentions CoVid19 they have to make a donation. With all the money you save, when the quarantine is lifted you go to a concert or sporting event that was rescheduled.

GAMES: With the stock market falling like a lead balloon, let’s anti-up and play some CORONA VIRUS BINGO! For cash and prizes. Just like traditional bingo, have a creative member of your family make a traditional B-I-N-G-O card with the center square being FREE! Line the card with every symptom you can think of associated with the Corona Virus. Then hand everyone in your family some of the dried beans or macaroni stashed in your cupboard as Bingo card markers. The next time anyone on TV or at home mentions one of those symptoms, the first person to notice and call it out can mark that square. Another option is fill a bag with Post-It’s! listing each symptom and draw them out. First person to fill their card gets to scream “CORONA!” and wins!

HIDE AND GET SICK: Practice your improv and acting skills in this fun game suitable for all family members. In this game, place all the symptoms of CoVid19 in a hat. You can borrow them from the B-I-N-G-O game! Bonus points: get creative and add a few new ones. Each person takes a turn drawing a symptom out of the hat and has 30 seconds to act it out until someone guesses correctly. This provides wonderful practice for when we must call own physicians and best describe our symptoms using “telemedicine”

In all seriousness, the Corona virus is making all of us sick whether we’ve tested positive and show symptoms or not! It’s infecting our livelihoods. In this time of uncertainty and influx, I love this great way to deal with FEAR written by Nikki Bruno. For more great tips, articles and even private sessions you can reach out to her on LinkedIn.

I want to thank everyone for sharing your great tips, videos and suggestions. They’ve been so helpful! -Keep ‘me coming! I’m starting on next week’s blog.

Please reach out if I can be of any help! Stay well, stay CLEAN! Go wash those hands!

Love, Katy Cable

By, Katy Cable
A 4 min. Healthy Read

​It seems the Corona Virus is making everyone sick, whether you’ve tested positive or not! They say our dogs can detect our stress, fear and anxiety, and I believe it’s true. Ironically, even in the midst of this “soft apocalypse” which has many of us in a state of panic, our pups seem to be fairing quite well! Case and point, I’ve been on the brink, scrubbing my hands like Lady MacBeth, fighting with my husband over which movie we watch and who gets to pop out to the grocery store! In an effort to feel some sense of control, I’m obsessively taking inventory of our canned goods and toilet paper.

Yet, for my pug Olive it’s “business as usual!” She’s flopped on the couch in a vegetative state, raising the roof with her snoring. The second I wave a morsel of cheese or chicken in front of her nose, she jumps in the air and dances. Any stress or anxiety is gone faster than the last roll of toilet paper at the market!

While many of us are stuck at home and practicing social distancing, this is a great time to stretch your dollar while improving your dog’s diet AND overall health with a few easy tips. Remember: When adjusting your pet’s diet, or introducing new foods: GO SLOWLY, and GO SMALL! Avoid making too many changes at once. If you notice oily or runny stools, you’ve gone too fast and you need to cut back. Also see my blog with FOODS to AVOID!

1. CHOOSE A HIGH QUALITY KIBBLE: First if all, DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE BAG! That cute dog and delicious meal You see pictured on the bag tells you NOTHING! It’s important to choose food that’s free of artificial preservatives. You can recognize these by the names BGS, BHT, or ethoxy. There are numerous reports that these are carcinogenic and can cause a host of damage to vital organs. Stay clear of foods containing: corn, wheat, soy, or dyes. These ingredients, unless otherwise stated, are genetically modified (GMO). Wheat is high in gluten. These undesirable ingredients are shown to cause allergies, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer.
Next, choose a kibble with meat as the first and second ingredient. Less expensive kibble is filled with starchy, high-carb protein like corn, peas, potatoes and rice.

2. USE A VARIETY OF FOODS: Just like you wouldn’t want to eat the same bowl of corn flakes for every meal, you dog doesn’t either. Not only is it boring, it’s risky. Should that particular food be sold out, discontinued or there’s a recall, your pet won’t be as vulnerable if you rotate varieties. Plus, you can help your pet avoid food sensitivities by introducing a variety of foods. If your dog is running low on their usual BEEF or CHICKEN kibble, try LAMB or TURKEY or another protein, adding a small amount in as you run out of the current variety. If your dog is sensitive, stick to foods with one single protein (limited ingredient formulas) and not a cocktail of meats. Also, watch my video on reading a food label and choosing foods that don’t contain harmful additives preservatives and rendered meats. I extensively research pet foods and would be happy to answer specific questions or provide recommendations. I look at recalls, lawsuits, change of ownership and many variables that can’t be found on the label.

3. Add FRESH, LIVING WHOLE FOODS: Lets face it, even the top-of-the-line kibble is highly processed food! It’s equivocal to eating fortified cereal for every meal. You can drastically improve you pet’s health by adding in fresh living whole foods. No, not your nachos and pizza, but yes to a bit of your fish, chicken, beef, fruit and veggies*. So save those trimmings and organs. Chop things up in small pieces and freeze them so you have healthy toppers to add to meals or use as healthy treats. Many companies offer varieties of bone broths, and meal toppers but it’s much less expensive to use your own. Be mi Dudley to avoid adding seasonings and sauces which are not good for your pet.

4. Add PROBIOTICS: Some kibbles contain probiotics. But they’re not that effective … because the live bacteria don’t survive high processing temperatures or long term storage. Nulo is one kibble that uses a highly sustainable probiotic in their kibble and treats but you can also use healthy fermented foods such as: plain kefir (1-2TBS) goat’s milk kefir, plain Greek yogurt, and fermented veggies. The good bacteria in probiotics help balance the gut … and crowd out the harmful bacteria! Adding probiotics will support your dog’s intestinal flora boosting good digestion and immunity!

5. OMEGA 3’s, 6’s and Fatty Acids: Most kibble diets don’t contain healthy fats. Even if they’re on the ingredient list … they’re lost with heating and processing. Kibble-fed dogs need to eat more healthy anti-inflammatory foods. Not surprisingly …. a carnivore best uses the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oils. But there are some things you need to watch out for … Fish oil is very unstable and its quality varies tremendously. And rancid fish oil is worse to eat than no fish oil at all.
Don’t believe that fish oil already contained in kibble can be fresh. I personally use fresh salmon, or human grade canned salmon, anchovies, or sardines and feed one or two small fish a week to provide a yummy topper and a good source of these omega fatty acids.

By following these 5 easy recommendations, you’ll vastly improve your dog’s quality of life and health! I guarantee you’ll be thrilled with the results. Don’t be surprised if you find they have more energy, shinier coats and much more excitement at mealtime.

Now...your dinner is another story!
Pugs and Kisses,
-Katy & Olive

​*In the case of diarrhea, try cutting back on new foods and adding 1-2Tbs canned pumpkin.

By Katy Cable
A 4 min immunity-boosting read

Remember way back last week when we were all rubbing our eyes, groggy from the daylight savings time change? Sitting pissed-off in stopped traffic catching up on emails, calls and texts and noticing Friday the 13th was coming and what doom could that hold?

Overnight, the CoVid19 pandemic has become, for nearly all of us, the most unprecedented event in our lifetimes. Not only do we have a rapidly spreading, highly contagious pandemic to contain but the financial devastation may be an even more deadly side-effect.

Two weeks ago, my blog covered the unfolding Coronavirus crisis in Italy. Since then, the number of reported cases worldwide has more than doubled. In my blog I stated that most of us will be exposed to the Coronavirus and the chances of catching it or carrying it are likely. The chances of dying from it are much, much lower UNLESS...You’re at high risk due to old age or an underlying condition. Some of those being heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and weakened immune systems.

OHHHHH NOOOO! That’s 90% of Americans. We’re ticking time bombs stuffing our faces with processed junk, drugs, alcohol, sugar, and Vape pens. We spend every waking hour picking up any “gig” or “side-hustle” we can find in an effort to cover rent, medical costs, student loans, and hopefully eek out a little fun. We are overworked and under-insured (-if insured at all.) Most of us are either small business owners or independent contractors with zero benefits.

In the last week, this pandemic has shut down restaurants, bars, events and pretty much ALL SOCIAL ANYTHING. The stock market is falling like a lead balloon and people are in a complete panic. I too was in a panic. I have no income while events are cancelled and stores closed. I‘m worried about my neighbors and friends many of whom work in travel and leisure industries. I’m worried I’ll go CRAZY with cabin fever. My husband and I might drive each other NUTS and get so SICK OF EACH OTHER after being housebound, we may kill each other long before CoVid 19 🤪!

In all seriousness, I have learned. I had a serious condition last summer that brought me to my knees. I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s (an autoimmune disease that attacks my thyroid.) I was able to heal myself and bounce back with a whole foods diet, limiting carbs and sugar, meditation and 8 hours of sleep and meditation. So, after my tips on what NOT TO DO, I will share a plan of attack to keep you healthy and out of fear. Lastly, you will find helpful links and information specifically for dog owners. plus, common questions answered.

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers during this crisis. I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. Pugs and 😘 kisses!

​-Katy & Olive

FIVE SURE-FIRE WAYS TO CATCH
🦠CORONA VIRUS🦠

​NUMBER 5:
Lock your dog in quarantine in another area of the house since they carry germs.

NUMBER 4:
Call every last one of your scared, “doom-and-gloom” “glass half-empty” friends and discuss this situation at length.

NUMBER 3:
Count every last dime, double check your investment portfolio and retirement fund value which is melting line a snow-cone in July.

NUMBER 2:
Stay under the covers watching TV news all day, flipping channels to make sure you’re informed and “on top of this crisis!”

AND THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO CATCH CORONAVIRUS:
Stand in long lines for several hours at Cosco, Walmart, TraderJoe’s (or any other grocery store) in the cold pouring rain, (or worse, in the checkout line) with a death grip on the handle of the filthy grocery cart you were fortunate enough to snag. Try to avoid contaminated air droplets while fighting for the last can of SPAM or “bargain bin” fruitcake leftover from Christmas. Try not to go into a full blown anxiety attack as you realize you don’t have enough food to get through the week much less this pandemic.


FIVE BEST THINGS TO DO TO STAY
💪🏽STRONG and POSITIVE:😃

1. STAY HEALTHY. This is the reason we have immune systems. TO FIGHT ILLNESS and HEAL. Broken bones heal, chipped nails grow, hair grows, blemishes clear, we recover from colds and flu. Keep your machine in top running condition. Our bodies are just like luxury automobiles. Treat them as such! You wouldn’t give a prize race horse mac-and-cheese, put high octane fuel in your tank too!

There are so many vitamins and minerals in fresh, whole unprocessed foods. Eat more salads, veggies, fruits, nuts, fish and lean meats. Probiotics and fermented foods such as pickles, yogurt, goat’s milk, kefir, kombucha, kimchi, & sauerkraut flood healthy bacteria into the gut to fight illness.

2. HYDRATE: drinking water flushes your entire body and allows it to function. Don’t leave germs stagnating in there. Set your Apple watch to remind you to sip water throughout the day.

3. GET A PET. This is a perfect time to CLEAR THE SHELTERS. Having a new pet to love and care for will fill your heart with love. It will give you a purpose. If you can’t adopt, foster. Just call ahead since most shelters have adoptions by appointment only. Getting out in the fresh air walking a dog plus training/caring for a pet will be one of the best things to cheer you up and boost immunity.

4. BE MINDFUL. Attitude is everything. During these stressful times be careful about what you put in your head. Stress, panic and worry tax your immune system. At the same time, a good belly laugh, petting a dog, reading a good book, calling a friend and doing a kind deed for another will build up your morale and immunity. Are there some fun things you have wanted to do but never have time? Take an online course, write your memoirs, paint, clean out your closet, plant a garden.

5. Make a routine and a daily plan. I begin each day with 30 minutes of meditations on the app: Insight Timer. I then vent my feelings by writing 3 pages in my journal. followed by writing 3 pages of gratitude. I limit my social media to 30 minutes with uplifting, positive friends and PETS. I then go out on one of many walks with my dog RAIN or SHINE and go through the alphabet finding something I’m grateful for with each letter.

FEAR IS REAL but stay in the here and now! I almost had a nervous breakdown when the President said this “shelter-in-place” may last well into August. After a panic, I stopped and realized today I’m fine. Today I have what I need. Today I’m healthy. I can get through the next hour and I can worry about tomorrow later. We’re all in this together and we will get through this. I would imagine we will probably have learned a crucial lesson about how we want to live our lives.

IMPORTANT TIPS AND RESOURCES
​🐾FOR DOG OWNERS🐾:

​While many of us are anxious and worried, dog owners have the comfort of knowing there is no evidence our pets can spread COVID-19 or become infected by it. That fact comes from the World Health Organization. Just because our pets are spared from COVID-19, doesn't mean life isn't changing for pet owners. Here are some things dog owners should keep in mind until coronavirus is no longer a threat.
What if I HAVE BEEN exposed to or have COVID-19 and I have a dog?
First, know that it's highly unlikely your dog will become sick, but as a precaution, limit your exposure to your pets. If possible, let another family member care for your dog. If that's not an option, limit your interaction with your dog and always wash your hands before and after touching and feeding your dog.
Veterinarian Visits:

• If your dog has a vet appointment for routine services, such as a checkup, nail trim, dental appointment, call your veterinarian and let them know your situation. If it's not a medical necessity, your vet may reschedule your appointment or ask you to have a family member or friend bring your pet to the office.
• In the event of an emergency with your dog, contact your nearest emergency veterinarian office and let them know you may or do have COVID-19 and your dog needs emergency care and follow their guidelines.
• If you need special dog food or medicine while you are ill, ask a family member if they can pick it up for you or request home delivery from your veterinarian.
• If you take your dog to a large veterinarian chain like Banfield or VCA Animal Hospitals, you can use their chat services to have non-emergency questions answered.
• If you have non-emergency medical questions about your dog on the weekend or after hours, consider using one of the many telemedicine services. Here is a shortlist of online veterinarian services:
• Active4Pets
• PetDesk
• Petzam
• Televet
• WhiskerDocs

Grooming Appointments / Doggy Daycare / Training / Dog Walkers

• Contact your service provider and let them know you may have or have COVID-19 and you will have to reschedule your appointments/sessions with them. Do not let an in-home groomer, trainer or dog walker into your home if you may have or do have COVID-19.

What if I HAVE NOT BEEN exposed to or have COVID-19 and I have a dog?
Even if you haven't been exposed to coronavirus, practice social distancing and handwashing when meeting with veterinarians, groomers, trainers and dog walkers. No hugs, high-fives or handshakes for now.
Veterinarian Visits:

• If your dog has a vet appointment for routine services, such as a checkup, nail trim, dental appointment, call your vet and ask if they have implemented special policies due to the threat of coronavirus.
• Do not bring anyone else to the vet appointment unless absolutely necessary.
• Keep a distance between you and other guests in the waiting room. Do not be offended if your vet asks you to wait in your car until the exam room is ready for your dog.
• If you only need to pick up food or medicine, this would be a perfect time to switch to home delivery options.

Grooming Appointments / Doggy Daycare / Training / Dog Walkers

• Contact your service provider ahead of your next appointment as they may have new policies to keep everyone safe. Groomers and trainers may be temporarily suspending in-home sessions during the coronavirus outbreak.
• Some daycares and grooming facilities may offer curbside pickup and some may prefer your dog to be dropped off without a collar and leash so the facility can use their own.
• Always be sure to wash your hands before your visit and immediately after.

Can people become infected with COVID-19 from dogs?

• This from the World Organisation for Animal Health: The current spread of COVID-19 is a result of human to human transmission. To date, there is no evidence that companion animals, including dogs and cats, can spread the disease. Therefore, there is no justification in taking measures against companion animals which may compromise their welfare.

Can dogs become infected with COVID-19?

• There is no evidence that dogs play a role in the spread of this human disease or that they become sick.
• There is one dog in Hong Kong that tested positive for COVID-19, but did not show any clinical signs of the disease. That dog was also exposed to owners that were sick with COVID-19.

Should I get my pet tested for COVID-19?

• Not at this time. There is no indication that healthy and unexposed dogs should be tested for the virus.

Should I do anything to protect my dog or cat from Coronavirus?

• There have no reports of dogs or cats becoming sick with COVID-19 and currently, there is no evidence that they play a significant epidemiological role in this human disease.
• As a rule, when handling and caring for your dog, basic hygiene should always be practiced, including handwashing before and after being around or handling your dog, their food, or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing, licking or sharing food.

What if my dog is not feeling well or is showing signs of flu-like illness?

• If your dog exhibits any signs of illness, such as coughing, sneezing or lethargy, call your veterinarian immediately, and keep your dog indoors to prevent further spread. So far dogs have not become infected with COVID-19.
• Signs of illness in dogs and cats are more likely to be associated with common viral and bacterial infections such as kennel cough, canine flu, etc., that are neither coronaviruses nor transmissible to people.

Coronavirus has changed our way of life for the time being. This will pass. In the meantime, your dog can be a dog. It's safe to walk your dog, let him play in the backyard, and take him for car rides. Just keep a safe distance from the other people you encounter along the way.

​Please reach out to me if I can be if any help and I invite you to join me on social for daily posts and connection. Take care of yourself! ❤️

Pugs and 😘 kisses!
-Katy & Olive

By, Katy Cable/ 3 minute read

​It's time for a change! Did you remember to "SPRING FORWARD" and turn your clocks ahead? I was completely confused when last Saturday night my commute home from a fashion show in LA began at 11:44pm, the next thing I knew it was 1:38am when I walked in the door and glanced at my phone! Traffic had been a breeze and I thought I was losing my mind. This morning I was again thrown off when my phone said one time but my wall clock said another.

Unless you’ve heard the news reminding you or checked your calendar, it’s very easy to forget the time change. As much as I love the extra hour to sleep in and putter around in the fall, forgetting the time change in the spring means you’re running an hour LATE! This time change 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, time for a walk, or time for their owners to arrive home. Is it true? Can dogs tell time? As research shows, the answer is an overwhelming YES!

We know that every year of our "human" time equals about 7 in dog years. Therefore a day in dog time equals about a week. A week equates to roughly a month, and every 4-6 weeks round out to nearly a year. That means a 3 year-old pup would actually be an adult of legal drinking age in dog years. Wow! I didn't think anything could age quicker than an ingenue in Hollywood! So, when it comes to time, instead of measuring in hours and minutes, dogs differentiate between long and short time spans as well as schedules. -As my Olive just recently demonstrated.

In 2010, a group of Swedish researchers used hidden cameras to find out how dogs reacted when their owners left for different lengths of time. The research team wanted to know whether dogs behaved differently when left alone longer and whether they seemed to miss their owners more during longer periods of time.

The dogs in the study became much more excited when their owners returned after 2 hours compared to when they returned after just 30 minutes. Researchers reported more tail wagging, attentive behavior, and overall energy from the dogs after longer periods of time apart. This indicated that dogs knew that time had passed, and that they seemed to care. Interestingly, the researchers didn't observe a significant difference in the dogs' reaction to a two-hour separations verses a four-hour separation. And that's good news for those of us who feel bad leaving our fur babies at home alone for several hours each day.

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 easy, “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, insects, fungi, and interestingly enough, even some microbes.

An animal's circadian rhythm is governed by its 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 dog Olive, waking at the exact same time of the morning even though the time had been 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 dogs, the sense of time.

If your dog is having some trouble with the time change, or if you’re traveling and need to get them on a new schedule, I advise a few easy tips: 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 FALL, start a week prior.
⏰Daylight Savings Time Ends on Sunday, November 1st)

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 8 & 9am, 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. Another easy tip is to tire your dog out with more exercise to help them sleep and adjust to transitions. I have also found CBD* products, can drastically help a pet having difficulty adjusting to the new time or a schedule change.

Happy SPRING! 🌷☘️🐣Here's hoping you and your dog can enjoy longer days outdoors in the sunshine and fresh air. If you’re looking for fun events and activities, check my website homepage and follow me on social media. Pugs and kisses!😘🐾💕 -Katy Cable

*I personally use: PAWS EFFECT (-Tap to visit site) (For 10% Discount on your order use code: TWR10 at checkout)

By KATY CABLE, THE WEEKLY RUNT
A 4 min. Lifesaving Read

GET READY! Spring is on it’s way and with green shamrocks, thawing temperatures and chocolate eggs, The Corona Virus is here! I can no longer write this off! and ignore what began as a short news blip affecting “Chinese” peopke on the other side if the world. But how serious is this and what must we do to protect ourselves, our families, (and that includes our pets?)

Never in my lifetime have I seen a superbug so bad it closed Disneyland and quarantined entire towns. It’s frightening and surreal to watch the stock market to plummet like a lead balloon over Corona Virus fears. My own vacay to Italy is off the books and even the Olympic Games may very well be cancelled. That’s HUGE!

Some claim we’re being lied to about facts in an effort not to create total panic and mayhem. The news shows things spinning out of control, yet leading researchers and epidemiologists presenting facts that downplay the pandemonium. Two completely different sides of the same “Corona Virus” coin!

Regardless of what your believe, the Corona Virus is here and not going away anytime soon. These are the numbers and a few things you can do RIGHT NOW to stay safe.

First of all, there are never any guarantees. We all know that healthy puppy who comes from incredible lineage. They’re fed a fresh, balanced, healthy diet and still succumbs to cancer at the tender age of 3. Or that fitness buff who’s the epitome of health on Instagram and then drops dead of a heart attack at 30 years young!

What you can do however, will greatly decrease your probability of dying and catching deadly diseases. And it’s the same for your dog!

But back to the Corona Virus. Lets look at the two big questions: Will I get it and if I do, will it kill me?

Accirding to an article by Dr David L. Katz, Director of the Yale Prevention Researcher Center, the worry shouldn’t be over the Corona Virus but how sick most Americans are right now. And how ill prepared their bodies are to fight this attack.

WILL I GET IT?
​In order to get CV, you must first be exposed to it. So let’s take the epicenter of where this occurred, Wuhan, China, and use that as the “worst case scenario.” Assuming everyone there was “exposed”, they currently have just under 79,000 cases in a city of ten million. Rounding up for simplicity, I’ll say 8 people out of a thousand will become infected. That’s still under10% in the worst hot zone.

​WILL IT KILL ME?
​The second question is: If I get it will it kill me? The fatality rate in Wuhan is 2,800 deaths out of just under 79,000 cases. That’s a mortality rate of around 4 deaths per hundred (about 4%) Now, I sincerely hope a loved one is not counted in those numbers. If so, I offer my most sincere condolences. The last thing I want to do is minimize or trivialize a precious human life and turn them into a lousy statistic in this blog.

​But here’s the takeaway. We all stop in our tracks and pay attention the minute a death is reported. The CV numbers right now, show that many, many more people are likely coming down with CV and mistaking it for a mild flu. Others possibly have no symptoms at all and are letting it go unnoticed.

Compare that to the numbers for this year’s influence outbreak. (We haven’t heard much about that during the CV scare.) Each year around 40 million people contact it (about 1 in 9) and it kills about one in 1,000. Yet, we have safe vaccines which greatly reduce the infection and transmittal. But these statistics are much more staggering.

The current odds of contacting and dying of the Corona Virus or even a flu are quite small, the really scary epidemic killing way more people AND PETS is our AMERICAN DIET

​With 100 million adults pre-diabetic, and 3 out of four anywhere from overweight to morbidly obese, our diet is a far greater concern. But, unlike the Corona Virus which strikes and sometimes kills very fast, not so with a piss-poor diet! It often takes years for deadly effects to present and even then it’s typically under the guise of heart disease, diabetes or other conditions.

Im certainly not trying to downplay a very serious and fast moving pandemic, but, for most of us there are much bigger threats sitting right smack on your dinner plate and in your dog’s bowl. Quite simply, we can eat for health and to live, or we can dig our graves with a knife and fork.

Heres a bit of good news...there’s plenty you can do to decrease the odds of getting ANY disease and staying safe while this scary Corona Virus spreads at record speed.

1. Manage STRESS (Stress will kick your immune system to the curb and then you can’t fight off ANYTHING! Meditate, read, golf, walk your dog and let go of some stress!

2. Get Enough SLEEP! 6-8 hours for most of us is sufficient. But if you’re not feeling well then rest up! Your body needs sleep to recharge, restore and heal.

3. Eat Fresh, Whole FOODS. Cut back on the big killers: like sugars and processed carbs.

4. Practice INTERMITTENT FASTING Give your body a chance to repair and rebuild during sleep. Try and go 12-18 hours before eating.

5. Get Some FRESH AIR & EXERCISE. Spend some time outdoors in the fresh air. Do something you enjoy and move your body.


Surgical masks are fine but sterile gloves offer much more protection if you’re immune compromised. Wash your hands or use wipes after handling money, door handles, etc. It’s always smart to stay away from sick people. Don’t travel to highly infected areas and try and avoid wildly crowded, popular places like airports, cruise ships, amusement parks, casinos.

I know, nothing you haven’t heard before but these simple steps go along way to build your immune system and keep you healthy.

This is a great time to start adding healthy fermented foods like kimchi, pickles, sauerkraut plain Greek yogurt, Kefir, Kombucha and Goat’s milk to your diet. These provide billions of probiotics (healthy bacteria spores) to the digestive system and build up your immune system.

GanedeanBC30 is a powerhouse, patented probiotic used in Nulo pet food. You can buy it in a number of products from gummy vitamins to Karma probiotic waters. Every serving delivers billions of powerful bacteria that activates in the gut.

This is a good time to double check that emergency kit and make sure you’re prepared if a quarantine goes into effect. Make sure you have a 30-60 day supply of the following:

*WATER
*CANNED FOOD/NUTS/PROTEIN BARS
*PET FOOD
*MEDICATIONS
*BATTERIES
*MATCHES
*BLEACH
*DISINFECTING WIPES
*CASH
*FIRST AID SUPPLIES
😜 books, toys, games!

Let’s hope we get a handle on this current CV scare and our lives don’t become even more disrupted. Unfortunately things are looking to get much worse before they get better. This is a crucial time to get the facts, be prepared and make some healthy changes to boost up your immune system! Hopefully taking these precautions will keep you and your family safe from attack!. Stay safe!
Pugs🐾and ”surgical masked”😷 kisses,
katy & Olive

By Katy Cable-TWR
A 4 min Read

As Black History Month comes to an end, I decided to look into whether there was any truth to the urban myth that black pets are harder to find homes for and get euthanized more often. I was surprised and saddened to learn this is actually true. Research from a variety of sources shows that black pets do typically sit in shelters longer and are often harder to find homes for.

I know many people are superstitious about black dogs and cats, but as the owner of “little black Olive the Pug” I’m a huge fan of an all-black pup. As a matter of fact, I’m not alone; For not a day goes by without somebody telling me how much they adore and want a black dog or cat.

While they’re many wonderful things about having a black beauty, here are my top five reasons NOT to be “Puppy Prejudice!”

​1. BEST DRESSED: As someone OBSESSED with fashion you can’t beat a black dog. Especially when it comes to dressing them. From hot pink to royal blue. Stripes, polka dots and bling collars all POP and look amazing on a black pet.

​2. A BEAUTIFUL BLACK COAT: Their fur is sleek with a beautiful sheen. Photographers always love to use them as models. Plus, there’s far less shedding with a black dog. When you do love them up, their dark fur often blends right in and is far less noticeable than fur that’s lighter in color.

3. BLACK NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE! Whether it’s cars, jackets or a little black dress, you can be even go wrong with black.

4. BLACK DOGS LOOK CLEANER LONGER. Fetching a toy in the dirt, or a splash in a puddle can turn a lighter dog 50 shades of filthy. While a black dog needs cleaning like any other dog, you can certainly go much longer without them looking like they need a bath.

​5. BLACK DOGS ARE THE MOST LOVING. Perhaps it’s because they have sat in shelters longer, but black dogs are some of the most loving pets you’ll find. Some breeds of black dogs like Pugs, Labs, Poodles and Cocker Spaniels also make the best family dogs.

Dogs, just like people, are unique. They come in a variety of breeds, shapes, sizes and idiosyncrasies. Let’s embrace that. Whether you chose a dog whose fur is black, brindle, grey, white, red, a mix, or they have no fur at all, isn’t important. Our dogs warm our hearts and teach us everyday. We can disagree with someone on everything from music to politics to whether or not Bigfoot exists, but the minute we see their dog, none of that matters. We instantly forget our own differences and connect over how much we treasure our dogs.

In these heated political times when there’s so much division, let’s follow the lead of our dogs and be more loving and accepting of others. And if you’re considering a new pet, go consider that broken soul hoping for a chance to cherish and adore you. Pugs and kisses!
​-Katy 🐾

By, Katy Cable-TWR
A 3 min. Read

One of my guilty pleasures is the super-natural. Psychics, mediums, tarot cards, fortune tellers, even the Quija Board.... I’ll admit, I’m OBSESSED. Some of my favorite shows are The Long Island Medium, Tyler Henry, even the movie BIG! I love ‘em all!

When Liz Murdoch, a Los Angeles based pet psychic reached out on LinkedIn, and invited Olive and me to be guests on her popular podcast, "Talking With The Dogs!" we jumped (and barked) at the chance. On occasion, I’d seen shows using dogs to locate missing persons. I’d also seen mediums give people messages from pets that had crossed over. But to get a reading on a current, living pet, that was something totally new!

Anyone who spends five minutes on my site, “The Weekly Runt” will learn my background and how I found Olive. In addition, most of my blogs are personal stories pertaining to relevant pet issues. I figured doing a reading on Olive would be as predictable as a sunny day in LA. I walked into this experience a huge skeptic.

​Beginning in Kindergarten Murdoch remembers having a unique connection with animals. For show-and-tell, a classmate brought in their pet standard poodle. Murdoch instinctively knew what the dog was thinking and their mood. This sparked her interest and she begged her parents for a dog of her own. Two years later, a family move made that dream a reality. Not long after getting her first dog, she was competing against adults and winning blue ribbons in Dog Obedience at fairs.

Years later, while recovering from a traumatic car accident, Murdoch paid a visit to the Humane Society and adopted Sam, a black Lab puppy she immediately bonded with. Together, they became a certified therapy dog team and made regular visits to children’s hospitals and rehab centers. It was here she cut her teeth as an intuitive pet whisperer and realized her unique gifts went far behind training and obedience.

Murdoch went on to receive a Masters Degree in Education and continuing studies in Animal Communication from Columbia University. In addition to her popular podcast, she’s a frequent guest lecturer and does readings at events, in homes and via the internet. Many celebrities call on her for assistance with their pets.

Our podcast was scheduled for the early afternoon at a studio out in Burbank. It was located in an industrial part of town with low-key, unmarked store fronts that typically hide the high-profile film and TV production being done inside. Good luck finding a Starbucks in this part of town. Not many buildings had numbers and I felt I needed a psychic to find it!

It was an eerie day right out of a super-natural scene in a movie. Unusually warm for a January afternoon, -even in SoCal. Once we arrived on the desolate block, out of nowhere, huge super-bursts of wind began kicking up sending random furniture and trash cans flying out into the street. It was like ghosts were causing a stir around our car. Olive suddenly woke from her nap became and began frantically barking at whatever loomed outside. This seemed very odd.

Once we found the studio, Murdoch greeted us at the door and buzzed us in. She had a kind loving smile and energy making me immediately feel right at home. Olive did as well. After rubbing against her pant legs like a cat, my normally tentative Pug, raced right into the recording studio. She wasted no time making herself at home on a chair directly behind the microphone. This seemed extremely odd and out of character.

“Olive is very excited! She wants to tell her story!” Murdoch chimed. That seemed obvious but again, Olive rarely acts that enthusiastic about anything She can’t put I her mouth and devour! After a few quick selfies, we got underway with the podcast.

Murdoch began by watching Olive, while scribbling symbols, words and pictures on the notepad in front of her. She told me how excited Olive was to share HER story.
“She doesn’t want people to feel sorry for her. She’s very proud of her story!”

I was calling B-S on the comments and thought, this isn’t anything uncommon. Based in Olive’s behavior, any perceptive person could’ve come to this conclusion.

And then something happened. Murdoch began gesturing areas of her own body and asking me very specific questions about Olive that have not been addressed in my blogs. Unless she somehow obtained Olive’s vet records she would never have known these particulars.

No “spoiler alert” You’ll have to listen to the podcast if you want to learn Olive’s story from HER prospective. I will tell you, something shifted. Within 5 minutes of starting the podcast I was completely surprised at how overcome with emotion I became. It was a good thing she was doing all the talking since I had a lump in my throat that felt like a wet gym sock. Tears began streaming down my cheeks while Murdoch conveyed interesting specifics on what Olive wanted to tell me. When I glanced at Olive she would cock her head when Murdoch spoke. I could see in her eyes and body language, this was the real deal and quite incredible!

I don’t expect people to understand. Some things just can’t be conveyed in a podcast. You can’t witness Olive’s unusual behavior or feel the strange surge of energy that made me overcome with emotion. If I hadn’t experienced it myself, I would’ve quickly written this whole thing off. Another ”cheesy, bull-sh—ty” LA frivolity right up there with $15 CBD bath bombs and bottled probiotic water.

Now my logical brain had some questions. The first was, could Murdoch communicate with pets that have crossed over to Rainbow Bridge. The answer was an overwhelming “YES!” and she filled me in on some questions I had about my beloved first pug, Raisin.

The next question I had was whether or not she could talk to other animals, -like Dr Doolittle. First off, Murdoch made it known she isn’t a fan of that movie. While she has nothing against the actors or story, she is adamant that pets don’t communicate like that at all. (Talking in English, or other languages, with funny human voices.) Murdoch can and does do readings on cats, horses, hampsters, bearded dragons and even snakes. So, yes she is a regular Dr Doolittle herself.

I asked what type of situations people reach out to her for. She said gets a wide range of requests. Some are from people with a new pet they want to understand. Or a pet with behavior issues they can’t control. People reach out trying to help pets that are injured or sick and not acting normal. Murdoch also frequents animal shelters and does assessments helping people make more compatible adoption choices. And sadly, some people want to know if a pet is ready to cross to Rainbow Bridge.

​Good news, if you’re curious about your own pet, you don’t need to travel to LA to get a reading with Murdoch. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home. She is readily available for readings via the internet. All you have to do is supply a photo of your pet and book a convenient time. And of course her podcast is available for you anytime.

If you ARE in the LA area, Murdoch attends lots of events and does readings. Check my events page or her social media to find out her schedule.

I’d like to give a great big thank you to Liz for having us as guests. It changed my view on “animal communicators” and it was a bonding experience I will never forget. I hope you’ll check out the podcast and let me know what your thoughts are. Do you believe?
Pugs and kisses! -Katy & Olive

​https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-with-the-dogs/id1476712823?i=1000465289426

By, Katy Cable - A 3 min. Read

Ahhhhh, it’s February! The month of LOVE! Everywhere you go, everywhere you look, love is in the air. From ❤️balloons and flowers at the grocery store to lingerie and jewelry ads on TV. This month more than any, the pressure is on to find the love of your life.

I feel very fortunate that in addition to having a wonderful husband of 22 years, I also have a beloved dog. With that I have learned a thing or two about finding that perfect mate that may completely shock you and change your strategy.

All my single friends think I have it made because I’m happily married. I have what appears to be the “perfect” relationship everyone is trying desperately to find. Not a day goes by when I don’t meet singles hinging all their happiness on finding that perfect someone. While I do consider myself very, VERY, blessed, I want everyone to learn the truth. My marriage is far from perfect and it’s certainly not always easy. It usually boils down to a daily conscious choice to stay together rather than some romantic fantasy straight off Lifetime Television.

In today’s world (bonus points for living in LA) 22 years of a marriage is pretty much the equivalent of winning an Oscar, or an Olympic gold medal. It takes dedication, focus and hard work. It can be extremely challenging. It’s never equal. There are many times the scales get tipped and one person is doing a lot more of the “work” in the relationship. It boils down to two imperfect people choosing to honor their commitment. And even with that, ultimately the marriage is only as good or bad as the people in it.

For those striking out in the search to find that “perfect person” why not start with a dog. Here’s 5 great reasons why:

1. Finding A Perfect Dog Is Much Cheaper And Far Less Time Consuming Than Finding A Perfect Mate. Like many things, it’s a numbers game. The more people you meet, the greater your odds for finding “The One!” Plus, it requires the same diligence, time and priority as anything else you want to succeed in. This means being available for dates, building on-line profiles, searching social media, attending parties, events, mixers and even agreeing to be “set-up!” That’s going to be tough to juggle if not impossible when finishing a masters degree or trying to get a promotion at work. It may even be hard to manage with normal day-to-day demands.

​Dogs are easy! Going out of town on business? Send them to boarding camp. Working day and night for tax season or the holidays? Get a dog walker. A new relationship will not blossom under extreme schedule demands. A dog on the other hand will be a great partner at the end of a business trip or long, stressful day.

2. You Don’t Have To Deal With The Dating Scene. Whether it’s bars, clubs, set-ups, dating sites, or Tinder swipes, dating can be time consuming, expensive and downright ego crushing. Most people would rather have a root canal than relive an awful date.

​Not so with a dog! No painful dating required. Dogs just need to get out in the fresh air and walk around. If you’re active, you can find one to run, swim or hike with you. For those whose idea of a strenuous day is peeling your sticky body off the leather recliner to grab the remote, a dog will happily flop at your feet and FETCH things for you. Whatever you enjoy, there’s a dog out there that loves that too. Every outing and date can be fun when choosing a dog. If it’s not a good match, there’s plenty more to consider. And even better, you’ll never go home feeling completely discouraged by some dating disaster straight out of a reality show.

3. They Build Your Confidence. When it comes to dating most people lack confidence. Everyone has that nightmare relationship that kicked them to the curb or they remember how horribly they might have treated someone. It’s easy to lack confidence in the dating scene even for those knocking it out of the park in every other area of life. Often, those credits don’t transfer to the dating arena. But a dog, that’s a whole different ballgame.

A dog will love you unconditionally whether you have an MBA or dropped out of high school. And a dog’s love never wanes! They’re ALWAYS happy to see you regardless of the fact you’re wearing designer duds or last night’s dinner thanks to the stomach flu. Having a darling creature alway want to see and be near you is amazing for self esteem and happiness. Marriages are give and take. Even the strong ones can’t compete with the undying attention of a dog.

4. Finding a perfect dog to love is much easier than finding a perfect spouse. Just make a trip to any animal shelter or adoption event and watch how fast you fall in love with the loving gaze of an often stinky, shedding, drooling mess, of a dog that’s desperate to go home with you. One look and you can go from zero-to-psycho over this creature and lose all rationality.

Finding A Marital Spouse Takes Much More Work And Searching. There’s so many deal-breakers and issues to consider beyond if the toilet seat stays up or down. Whether your standards are ridiculously high or merely, “doesn’t live with their parents and has their own Netflix account,” it’s tough to find available, suitable mates. On the other hand, when it comes to dogs, chances are probably 100% nearly EVERY SINGLE ONE would love nothing more than to go home and spend forever with you.

5. Last but not least, the very BEST reason to choose a dog is learning unconditional love. A dog will transform you into a more loving, kind, compassionate person. You will be healthier and happier just having a dog too!

​And although a dog will one day get their wings and leave you, to have your heart broken by a dog leaves you in gratitude for having gotten them in the first place. Not resentful or spinning with what was wrong with you. A dog is never going to dump you for another owner!


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

💕 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.)