About 40 percent of Americans don’t scoop, leaving behind nearly 4 million tons of dog waste. The failures of humans to pick up after their dogs are one of the reasons many people don’t like my kind around. No one wants to walk down the street, on the beach or through a park where there’s feces. It smells. It’s unsightly. And it’s unhealthy.

Dog feces can pass intestinal parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, and infections to other canines and people at parks, playgrounds and even backyards. Children can contract eye diseases, like ocular larva migrans, through the parasitic worms as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 10,000 human cases of roundworm infection annually. And I can even be exposed to infective worm eggs and larvae through waste. If your dog has diarrhea, it’s a good idea to bring along a bottle of water so you can rinse off the contaminated ground.

If you don’t pick up our piles, it can result in storm water pollution. Our waste contains bacteria that can increase the risk of viral infections, flu, and skin rashes for those who swim in the ocean.

In some areas, it’s against the law to leave dog poop in public. Don’t be afraid to scoop up our feces. If you don’t want to walk through the neighborhood with a pooper scooper, use a plastic bag from the grocery store or purchase them at pet stores. (Some are even scented.) Put your hand in the bag like it’s a mitten. Grab the feces with your covered hand, turn the bag inside out and be sure to knot it at the top. Dispose of the bag properly.

It’s really easy and everyone is happier.

- Trevor the Dog

Some men are turned off by miniature dogs because they think we are a reflection of their manhood. They’re embarrassed to walk us and even to pet us in public. But there are some benefits to having a small dog just like there are plusses to owning a big dog.

Little pooches can be easier on the wallet because we require less food and smaller doses of flea/tick medicine. We tend to live longer, usually between 12-15 years compared to large dogs, which often live between 8-11 years old, depending on the breed. However, dental problems and luxating patellas haunt us. Plus, our tiny bones break easily; therefore, it’s important not to let us jump off the furniture onto a hard surface.

Larger breeds such as Labrador retrievers, German shepherds and Dobermans are more prone to hip dysplasia, which can make them so lame that owners choose to put them out of their misery. But with proper healthcare, sometimes big dogs can live into their teens too.

All dogs, regardless of size, need daily exercise but owners who want a dog to jog with them will prefer a big dog. My little legs can’t keep up. But we can accompany our owners to more places because we’re easily transported. There’s a misconception that all miniature dogs yap. Many of us are extremely quiet. What is true is that some small dogs like to act bigger than they are. Their strong personalities make up for what they lack in size.
In the end, size doesn’t matter. What does is your lifestyle, your living space and your ability to love your four-legged friend.

- Trevor the Dog

The moment my owner put on her shoes, it would begin. My anxiousness would grow when she grabbed her keys. By the time she had her hand on the front door, I’d start whimpering. She’d feel sorry for me and play with me a little longer. (Little did she realize that she was adding to the problem.) Eventually, she’d have to leave and when she did I really acted up. I scratched on the door and window, hoping to get out so I could be with her. When that failed, I howled and barked, chewed furniture and relieved myself in the house even though I was housetrained. By the time she came home, I was so stressed out that I was shaking.

This type of behavior couldn’t go on forever or else I’d end up in a shelter, which I didn’t want. I knew I had to change so I did, along with my pet parent.

• Our morning walks became longer, thus allowing me to rid myself of excess energy I used to turn into nervousness.
• T-shirts she slept in were left for me so her scent could comfort me.
• Toys were left for me to play with and that took my mind off the fact that she was gone.
• She left home nonchalantly and stopped making a big fuss about departing. Sometimes I wasn’t even sure when she was going to leave because she walked around the house in her heels and with her keys in her pocket for a while before leaving.
• When she returned, she didn’t rush to me. Instead, she put down her purse, flipped through the mail, checked her voice mail messages, and then calmly petted me.

It only took a few weeks for my separation anxiety to dissipate. I’m glad I didn’t need medication or get shipped off to go to doggy day care, which can become expensive on a daily basis. What would have been worse was going to a shelter.

- Trevor the dog

Even a couple of extra pounds on a dog can be significant. According to Dr. Ernie Ward, the lead researcher on the study, a 90-pound female Labrador retriever is equivalent to a 186-pound 5 foot, 4 inch female and a 12-pound Yorkshire terrier is similar to 223 pounds on the same woman. I weighed over eight pounds before my vet ordered me to lose two pounds. My girth made it difficult for me to walk up hills, was hard on my spindly legs and put me at risk for a multitude of health problems, including kidney disease, various forms of cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, hyperthyroidism and heart and respiratory disease.

Your furry friend is overweight if it’s difficult to feel his ribs under the fat, if he has a sagging stomach, and if he doesn’t have a waist. Rather than buy an expensive doggie treadmill, it’s more economical to switch to reduced calorie dog food, cut back on the treats, and increase your pooch’s aerobic activity. Walk your dog 30 minutes a day but instead of allowing Fido to stop and sniff every time he wants, walk at a fast pace for a portion of that time. This benefits the dog walker as well.

Treats are often full of sugar and fat and are the main culprit for obesity in canines. Make sure they don’t account for more than five percent of your little pal’s caloric intake. Have the vet gives a paws up before your four-legged friend begins a weight loss exercise program.

- Trevor the dog

As a dog, I like to sleep a lot when home alone. I’m like a sundial and follow the sun around the house. It’s not unusual. Most of my fellow canines, depending on the breed, prefer to sleep anywhere from 10 to 18 hours a day.

Before my owner leaves me for the day, she usually takes me for a long walk in the morning. This tires me out and I’m ready to go back to bed as soon as she departs.

If she leaves her bed unmade, I like to curl up in the bed and smell the scent of her on the sheets. It’s almost like she is right there with me. A made bed doesn’t deter me. I still get on the bed, which explains why the pillows are a little askew when she comes home.

But sleeping is not the only activity I do when my owner is away.

After I eat all of the food in my bowl, I sniff the kitchen floor for anything I can find. It seems like my master always drops something while cooking. Discovering slivers of grated cheese on the floor is like receiving a treat for good behavior. I can often count on my owner to leave me a treat hidden in one of my chew toys. I don’t mind working to find it because it feels like a reward.

Sometimes I sit at the window and look outside at the birds. In my mind, I imagine chasing them to receive the exercise I need.

But mostly I sleep. When my owner comes home from a long, hard day at the office, I’m ready to play.

- Trevor the dog

Brushing our teeth regularly, an annual oral examination and sometimes even a professional cleaning are vital to our health. Dental disease can lead to heart, lung and kidney disease. Small dogs like me are more prone to periodontal disease than big dogs. Tooth decay and gum disease led to me having some of my teeth pulled and some of my teeth fell out because so much tartar, a contributor to gum disease, was wedged under my gums. I can still eat dry dog food with the few teeth I have left but I wish my owner had brushed my teeth as much as she brushed hers. Maybe that’s asking a lot but a few times a week could have prevented this.

I actually like having my teeth brushed with the special doggie toothbrush and toothpaste, which has a turkey flavor. Most pooches are like me and will let you brush their teeth. But if they don’t, as an alternative, give your furry friends hard dog biscuits, chews or an occasional raw marrow bone to help reduce the buildup of tartar. Avoid prepackaged bones, which often contain preservatives and several unpronounceable materials that may harm us.

Oftentimes, veterinarians will recommend professional cleaning as early as one year old for small dogs and two years for large dogs. I’ve had my teeth cleaned several times and each time I have anesthesia administered. But before I do, the vet always examines me thoroughly to make sure I’m healthy enough to undergo anesthesia.

Life would be so easier if someone just brushed my teeth.

- Trevor the dog

Once we reach 7 to 10 years of age, there’s a 60 percent chance that we’ll develop arthritis, a chronic pain condition that results when joint cartilage deteriorates. The joints become inflamed due to a lack of lubrication and we hurt when we move. Older, big dogs are especially prone because their frames have to carry so much weight. But younger pooches that are overweight, lack exercise and eat poorly are also in danger. Genetics and poor breeding are also to blame. Notice if we start to limp, favor a limb, are unwilling to and have difficultly sitting and standing up and let out a yelp if you touch us. Sometimes we can’t keep up with you on walks because we’re in too much pain. Have a vet check us for arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form in animals and humans. There’s also rheumatoid arthritis and infectious arthritis.

There’s no cure for the condition but here are things you can do to make us more comfortable.

• I know we’re in pain but light exercise is vital to help us strengthen the muscles, keeps the ligaments and tendons flexible and helps blood circulate to the stiff joints. Make it fun, short and low-impact. A little incentive always helps.
• Make sure we have a proper bed – Hard, cold surfaces irritate the joints. Invest in a heated or orthopedic pet bed.
• Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by a vet and analgesic medications to reduce the symptoms, but be aware that they can sometimes cause gastrointestinal problems. Hip and joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin and Omega 3 fatty acids help as well.
• Owners who prefer a holistic approach, can try acupuncture, hydrotherapy, massage and light therapy.
• More recently, stem cell therapy has proven effective
• Surgery is also an option, but is rare

Winter days may be bleak and bleary but there’s hope for us arthritic dogs during this time.

- Trevor the dog

More than 80 percent of dog owners take their canine companions along in their vehicles on errands, leisure rides and day trips, according to a survey by the Automobile Association of America survey in 2010. But some of my fellow canines have problems becoming accustomed to the noise, vibration and motion in standard cars. Therefore, we might shake, drool and even vomit on your beautiful leather car seats.

We smell 1,000 to 10,000 times better than humans and hear at a higher frequency too. But because hybrid cars are quieter than conventional vehicles, it results in a more pleasant ride for us. Hybrid cars are also easier on our noses because there’s less smog exhaust in the air.

Regardless of the kind of car, always remember to secure us with a doggy seatbelt or crate us and use a seat belt to secure the crate. This prevents us from climbing into your lap, one of our favorite places, or flying around the car should you have to brake suddenly or someone hit your car. And it’s fine if you put us in the backseat. We know how much you want to pet us (and we like it too) but we don’t want to distract you from driving. Letting us hang our heads out of the window may look cool but it’s bad for us because debris can fly in our eyes and ears and harm us. Also, don’t leave us in a closed car, even for a few minutes. You’d be surprised at how quickly a closed car can heat up and cause permanent damage to us or worse yet, even kill us. Therefore, make sure you can take us inside whatever establishment you go to as well.

- Trevor the dog

Active: Exercise is important for all dogs, regardless of size. I want someone that will take me for walks through the neighborhood and play outside with me.

Sensitive: It’s important that you get to know my behavior and patterns so you can tell when I’m not feeling well.

Caring: I want someone who will bathe me or take me the groomer regularly. Make sure my toenails are clipped because it will help prevent injury and make me more comfortable. Also, brush me often so my coat doesn’t matt and I won’t shed so much.

Great communicator: Talk to me daily. Not only do I like the sound of your voice but you would be surprised at how many words I understand. My vocabulary extends far beyond “sit,” “stay,” “roll over,” “come,” and “fetch.” Nothing warms my heart more than when someone says “I love you,” and kisses me. I’ll even kiss back.

Patient: Please don’t be in a hurry when you walk me. I like to stop and sniff – a lot.

Generous: This means with your time. I’m excited when you come home from work and want you to spend some time playing with me. Before you leave in the morning, take a few minutes to play with me also.

Affectionate: I love to be rubbed and, like most dogs, have my belly scratched. Massages are also nice and can be calming for humans. Try giving me one.

Giver: Praise us. Dogs love their owners and we want to please you. If you praise us then we know we’re doing the right thing.

Remember, dogs are the most loyal pets. We remain devoted through the good and the bad times. But being an ideal pet parent gives us all the more reason to be the best companion to you.

- Trevor the Dog

Just like our masters turn up their noses at unfiltered water from the tap, so do your four-legged friends. We notice that you drink bottled and filtered water and even lately water from expensive systems that turn yucky tap water into tasty water that is high in alkaline and antioxidants. Please share with us little people.

Tap water can contain harmful bacteria, viruses and even parasites. We don’t want those in our bodies any more than you do. Chlorine is added to tap water to kill the bacteria but that can be bad because chlorine, a poisonous gas that is converted to liquid form, might react with organic materials found in the water to create dangerous trihalomethanes (THM). Sometimes ingesting THMs and other chlorine by products increases the risk of certain types of cancer in both humans and animals, according to some studies. And chlorine just doesn’t taste very good. Imagine drinking water from a swimming pool with chlorine and then you’ll know what I mean.

Water is very important to us because we need to stay hydrated. We want to lead a long and healthy life with you and one way is for us to have quality water. When I lap fresh, filtered water, I don’t worry so much about getting urinary tract disorders and other medical conditions.

Also, please don’t forget to wash our bowls frequently. Otherwise, our bowls turn into Petri dishes where bacteria can grow from mold in the air. We prefer bowls made of stainless steel, glass or stoneware because they resist scratches that can harbor bacteria.

The thing to remember is this: if you would not drink the water from my bowl then neither should I.

- Trevor the Dog

Is there a way to lessen the amount of poop produced? More than likely your dog will poop less when he’s eating a well-balanced diet filled with top-notch ingredients. Many lower-grade canine foods contain all kinds of animal byproducts. In fact, although the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is tasked with monitoring feed standards for both livestock and pets, each state in the US is allowed to enforce those guidelines as they see fit, and that can mean some pretty unsavory menus for Fido.

A good portion of many doggie diets on the market are filled with waste foods that are not fit for human consumption. Up to 50 percent of every food animal (lungs, intestines, hooves, hair, etc) is not used to produce human food, and these byproducts often find their way into dietary products for animals. By choosing healthy food for your dog, you can ensure their food is short on byproducts and high on nutrition, which essentially will cut the poop problem at the source.

Higher-quality food that contains good sources of protein are easier for your dog to digest, which means a greater percentage of the calories in the food are digestible and nutrient-rich. In the end, your dog will poop smaller, firmer stools, which means less mess for you!

Here are some characteristics to look for in a healthy dog food:

• Look for protein (meat) to be the first thing on the ingredient list: lamb, chicken, and beef for instance. Avoid foods that contain things like “chicken meal” “beef byproduct” and other non-specific ingredients.
• High-quality ingredients like eggs should also be listed in the top three to five ingredients. What you don’t want one type of meat followed by a list of grains.

- Lucy

• Increased longevity after heart attacks
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower cholesterol
• Decreased feelings of loneliness

Someone bring me a puppy please!

So when Dr. Suzanne Phillips over at Psych Central asked the question, “Can pets improve your relationship?” I was all over it. We know how their mere presence in our lives helps us physically and mentally, but how we relate to them, our capacity for forgiveness, our openness, and our willingness to let them be who they are, opens us up on an emotional level. Perhaps we should take note of the grace and compassion in which we treat out animal companions and apply that to our loved ones. We are so afraid of getting hurt. We are so afraid of people seeing who we really are, of judgement. Our pets are not. They let it all hang out. And maybe they do it out of ignorance and I’m willing to bet that the bliss of that ignorance is what we really want anyway.

Can we learn something from our relationship with pets that might enhance our relationship with partners?

Greetings
No matter how you feel or what mood you are in, you greet your pet with a positive, even animated, hello and often with a display of physical affection.

Expectations
With pets, maybe it’s your lack of expectation that makes the difference. You probably rarely predict that your pet will be angry if you are late. As a result, you don’t head home defensively angry in preparation for the reaction you expect to face.

Holding Grudges
When you do return home to find that your cats have redecorated the room with shreds of every tissue they could find or the dog has eaten some of the mail, you may well react with a choice expletive but you are not likely to hold a grudge. You are still going to be petting Donatello or cuddling with Thor the next day.

Assuming the Best
There is a natural tendency to forgive pets their trespasses – after all, the dog wasn’t trying to torture you by eating the mail. Was your partner really trying to torture you by putting it in such a safe spot it can’t be found?

Acceptance
Few pet owners personalize their pets’ reactions to others to an extreme that makes them so embarrassed that they fear their image is tarnished or they become resentful of their pets. The fact that the dog is licking every part of the arriving guest’s body is cause to pull him away or laugh it away. The cat that will not come out of hiding or the parrot that is screeching is left without judgment or excuses. That’s them!

For Better or For Worse

In most cases, pets are home to stay. People love and care for pets of every size, shape and disposition. “She’s not exactly a watch dog; she’s loving but easily frightened.” “He insists on sleeping on the bed – we have given in.” “She steals food from the other dogs, she’s pretty hyper, but cute.” Few pets live with the fear of being betrayed or with the implication that things are just not working out. Of course they don’t – but just consider how the absence of such fears enhances the trust and connection you feel from them!

So think about what you give your pet and maybe how — in addition to improving your health — your pet can improve your relationship!

- Aunt B

Source: Psych Central