http://www.spoilyourdog.com/news.html The latest dog news en-us http://www.spoilyourdog.com/news.html Margaret Svete has unleashed the new and improved SpoilYourDog website. The site has more information than ever. To celebrate Margaret is offering a personalized copy of the best-selling book 116 Ways To Spoil Your Dog until August 25 2004. If you haven't visited in a while check it out. http://www.spoilyourdog.com/news.html The FDA has approved a porcine insulin zinc suspension product as the first drug designed to treat diabetes in dogs. Prior to the approval the only treatment available for dogs was human insulin, which is less compatible with dogs' metabolic systems. The product will be marketed under the name Vetsulin and will be available through the prescription of a veterinarian. It's estimated that 1 in 200 dogs develops diabetes. http://www.spoilyourdog.com/news.html You may be surprised to learn that the answer is yes. In Northern Ireland, Dr. Deborah Wells tested 53 dogs. Here's how she determined whether they were right or left pawed: 1)turning over a can that had a treat underneath; 2) removing a blanket placed over the dog's head; 3) paw lifting when asked to "give paw." Dr. Wells also found that female dogs tended to use their right paws, while males tended to use their left paws. Pretty cool experiment for you to try at home. by Margaret Svete http://www.spoilyourdog.com/news.html Arthritis is no fun for anyone - even dogs. Here are two simple things you can do to help ease your dog's arthritis. First of all make sure your dog gets regular exercise. Good muscle tone and muscle mass help alleviate stress on arthritic joints. In fact veterinarians usually recommend at least two 20-30 minute walks a day. Second, make sure your dog has a nice comfortable bed, maybe even a heated bed in winter. Cold and dampness can make arthritis pain worse. by Margaret Svete http://www.spoilyourdog.com/news.html Here's a story that will make you smile. Toby, a 12- year-old golden retriever, arrives at the post office here at 9:30 every morning, ready to deliver the mail, even though he's barred from coming inside. Toby has been delivering mail to his owner for the past two years. He makes the three-block trek to the post office with his neighbor. Toby waits patiently outside until his owner's mail is put in a green pouch around his neck for the short trip home. "We put that pouch on him and he's a different dog," Toby's owner said. "It's like it's something important for him to do. Toby gets a treat when he gets home. And the local Postmaster said Toby carries on the Postal Service tradition of getting the mail out on time. "It's like clockwork at 9:30am" I wish my mail could only be as on-time. http://www.five-dog.com/news.html Several people may owe their lives to an alert dog. The barks of a Pomeranian a neighbor early yesterday morning as a fire was sweeping through his neighbors' apartment in western New York. The neighbor called 911 and firefighters were able to rescue four people who were trapped inside including a disabled person. http://five-dog.com/news.html You've got to read this. According to the Associated Press an Australian dog named Jerry is about to have a birthday -- and tie a record. The cattle dog, bull terrier mix is about to turn 27--- that's approximately 189 years for a human. The Guinness Book of Records lists the oldest dog at 27 -- a beagle from Virginia named Butch. Veterinarian Honey Nelson in the Australian Outback says Jerry could break the record because he's in good shape. Jerry's owner credits his longevity to his high-protein diet of Outback wildlife, like kangaroo, rabbit and emu, as well as scraps from the dinner table. http://www.five-dog.com/news.html You read about it and hear the horror stories. Yet you never think it will happen to your dog. Last night Wanda got sprayed by a skunk. I don't think I have to tell you - it was just awful. I found some Skunk Odor Remover from the pet store. It didn't work. Finally I remembered a skunk odor eliminator recipe that I had seen in a couple of magazines. It worked like a charm. And the best part is that it is very cheap and you probably already have all the ingredients in your house. Here's the wonderful recipe: 1/4 cup baking soda 1 teaspoon liquid soap 1 quart hydrogen peroxide (you may need more depending on the size of your dog) http://www.five-dog.com/news.html Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been enjoying the great outdoors a little too much? Here are some simple tips for helping your dog put her best paw forward. Read more at http://www.five-dog.com/news.html http://www.spoilyourdog.com/news.html I heard about this dog a couple of years ago when I was visiting my parents in Floria. It is a great example of why dogs need life preservers too! Fritzi, a fourteen-year-old dachshund, was aboard a yacht anchored at a restaurant in Venice, FL. While her owners were dining, she somehow let herself out of their room and must have fallen in the water while looking for her owners. When her owners came back, Fritzi was nowhere to be found. Many people joined in the search for poor Fritzi with no success. The next morning the search resumed. The search was finally called off at 6:00pm, and her devastated owners went home thinking she was dead. Two hours later, Fritzi paddled over to a boat where the owner of the boat club was working. He wrapped her in towels and called her owners. She had been in the water over 24 hours. Fritzi and her owners were very lucky. Now Fritzi is the proud owner of a new doggie life jacket. Her owners say that they will never take her out in their yacht again without it. Find out more at: http://www.allaboutdogcare.com/subscriber-lifejacket.html http://www.spoilyourdog.com/news.html Did you know your laziness can hurt your dog? A recent survey showed that failing to give dogs proper exercise gives them the same medical problems as people who don't exercise. I was sad to discover that the survey among 100 vets found 67% had seen an increase in obesity and related conditions among dogs over the past year. Heart disease, arthritis, breathing difficulties and diabetes were also on the rise, vets said. Why? Owners aren't taking their dogs for walks. Your dog needs at least an hour of exercise a day. If you're playing catch with your dog, you can cut back the time. With my five dogs, I have found that the game of fetch goes a long way, especially when five dogs are running after the same ball or Kong Toy. Plus, when my dogs are worn out - they are so well behaved. "A tired dog is a well-behaved dog." Margaret Svete http://www.allaboutdogcare.com http://www.spoilyourdog.com/news.html Anyone with allergies probably already knew this. Scientists have found most U.S. households harbor pet allergens at levels high enough tocause allergic reactions. This even includes homes without a dog or cat. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development researchers discovered allergen levels were especially high among dog and cat owners even if their pets were outdoor pets. Apparently allergens are transported on clothing, communities with more pet owners have a significantly higher count, putting pet-allergic patients at an increased risk. Margaret Svete http://www.allaboutdogcare.com