SHOW AND TELL TUESDAY

Really short and cute today.

Pauline sent this to me, and I thought it was worth sharing. So here's a plug for Pauline.

Pauline makes some top of the line doggie dresses and the cutest slip dresses for pets, and more. Check out her shop and you will even see many kitties dressed in her fashions. Visit her at www.PaulinesFashions.com

Now here is the cute video she shared with me:

Diana

http://www.dianadesignsny.etsy.com/

http://www.stylindogsboutique.etsy.com/

Artists Contributing to the December Pet Sampler Boxes

Free photo slideshow created with Smilebox

Sasha's Night Before Christmas Part 4

Twas The Night Before Christmas Sasha's Version Part 4

(Click on the pictures to see how you can get one of your very own.)

His eyes-how they sparkled! His eye dots so merry!
His ears like warm fuzzy socks, his nose like a blackberry!

His happy little mouth was smiling at me,

And his tail was wagging as fast as can be.

The hubby stuffed bone he held tight in his lips,
And the drool flowed down with many drips.

He had a black and tan face and a little round tum-tum,

That made him waddle and sometimes fall on his bum-bum.


To Be Finished Next Week:

Saturday Blog Hop 12/11/10

A glimpse of spring for all of those buried in snow:

Welcome Pet Blog Hoppers!

Give us a follow and we'll return the favor.

Click here to sign up for our email list and
Click here to see our team Pet Sampler boxes.






A sampling of the artisans who contribute to the pet sampler boxes --------------------------->

A Cavy’s Christmas!

By Patty from Catcalls and Dogbarks

Christmas is coming, the pigs are wearing hats.

Please join the choir as they whistle, squeak, and chat.

If singin’ ain’t you’re thing, then jugglin’ will do.

If jugglin’s just too tough, then dance without your shoes!

But whatever you do....don’t FURget the prezzies!

All product photos can be found at Otter House on Amazon

Licking

While licking is part of a pet’s normal grooming behavior, too much can lead to hair loss, infection or skin damage. Pets get into licking cycles for a variety of reasons. Some have allergies, others are merely upset -- because of a recent move or because there’s another pet in the household, for example. Here are some tips to help your pet dry out:

-Keep a ‘Lick Diary’: To help your vet get to the root of the problem, start keeping track of your pet’s licking -- when it began, what’s happening at the time, how long it lasts and whether other pets in the family are affected. The more you can tell your vet, the more likely it is that he’ll find a solution.

-Light, camera, -- lick: Since your pet probably won’t lick on command at the vet’s office, it’s a good idea to make a videotape showing her in the act. This will help the vet figure out what’s wrong.

-Look for culinary culprits: Pets that are allergic to certain foods may get skin irritation and turn to licking. Try putting your pet on a different food -- then notice if the licking stops.

-Keep her honest: You’ll never find out if your pet has food allergies if she’s wandering the neighborhood and mooching from neighbors. You need strict control to determine food allergies.

-Try an OTC: Pet stores sell topical anti-licking ointments. Bitter apple is recommended, but other flavors may be equally effective.

-Get her paws moving: Some pets go into licking because they don’t have anything else to do. Taking your pet out for regular workouts will channel her energy in a healthier direction.

Although some licking is normal, occasionally pets will lick themselves so vigorously and for such a long time that they damage the underlying tissue. The resulting sores can lead to serious infections. If your pet is licking a lot and her skin seems red and sore, call the vet right away.

*These tips are home remedies only and should not ever be used as a substitute for any treatment that may have been prescribed by your veterinarian. If your pet has a medical problem, we urge you to seek competent medical care.

Alice England
Makingstuffwithlove.etsy.com

Keeping Critters Safe During The Holidays

I love all the trappings and decorations that go with Christmas. When Cody was a puppy, he was good and I really didn’t have to worry about him. Enter Copper. He is an adorable 3 year old but mischievious, class clown and full of fun. I have to watch him every minute around everything. To insure that you holidays are safe for you pups, check out the following advice:

Pointsettias, Mistletoe and Holly

Be extra careful about where you place them. Keep holiday plants out of a dog's reach. To a puppy, or a playful and curious young dog, a plant or a basket of holly might look like something fun to play to with, but many holiday flowers, plants, and greens are toxic to pets. Remember to pick up any leaves, blooms and berries that have fallen and remove any withered or dried matter that might soon fall off.
Poinsettias were once thought to be highly poisonous. The toxicity of poinsettias is actually quite low but ingesting the leaves or flowers can cause stomach upset and skin, eye and mucous membrane irritation.
The berries of some varieties of holly are toxic. They can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and possible central nervous system depression. Keep holly out of reach and pick up fallen berries immediately. If berries are ingested, induce vomiting as soon as possible and seek medical attention.
Certain varieties of mistletoe contain toxins that can cause stomach and intestinal irritation, diarrhea, and a decrease in blood pressure and pulse. Some veterinarians recommend that vomiting be induced following ingestion of mistletoe leaves, stems, or berries.

Christmas cactus can cause upset stomach, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.

Eating Amaryllis bulbs can cause vomiting, collapse, and respiratory distress and can be fatal, especially in puppies and very old dogs.

If you think your dog may have eaten parts of a toxic plant, call your veterinarian. Even normally non-toxic plants can make a dog sick if they've recently been sprayed with chemical pesticides. Possible symptoms are excessive salivation, runny nose, watery eyes, skin rash, breathing or swallowing difficulties, vomiting or convulsions.

The Christmas Tree
Use a sturdy tree stand. Use thin green craft wire or heavy fishing line to anchor a very large tree to a wall or ceiling to prevent it from tipping over. Don't add aspirin or chemical preservatives to your tree's water. Use a heavy tree skirt to cover the tree stand. Be extra mindful of always having water in your dog's bowl to discourage drinking water from the Christmas tree.

Don't use food as ornaments or ornaments made with food ingredients on your tree. Dogs have died from salt poisoning after eating ornaments made from homemade craft dough containing high levels of salt. Don't use popcorn garland to decorate your Christmas tree. In an attempt to eat the popcorn garland, dogs have been known to undecorate a tree.

Hang breakable ornaments high on the tree out of a dog's reach.

Don't use strands of tinsel. They can cause major intestinal damage if swallowed.

Unless it's specifically labeled non-toxic and safe for use around pets, don't use spray-on snows or flocking on a Christmas tree. They are respiratory irritants when inhaled and they can cause stomach upset if ingested.

Don't leave electric wires dangling where a curious pup can become tangled in them. Fasten cords from light strings together, well inside the tree, out of sight and out of reach. Cover cords leading to outlets with a tree skirt.

Other Holiday Decorations

Secure electric window candles to sills and tape cords below the windows. To prevent a pet from chewing on cords from Christmas lights and electric decorations, inside and out, cover or hide the cords. Use extension cords when needed to run cords along walls and baseboards to prevent entanglement.

Don't use angel hair. It's made of spun fiber-glass, which is a skin and eye irritant. It can cause tiny cuts and eye damage.

Place lighted candles where they can't be knocked over. Be especially careful when burning candles around curious pups and dogs with large happy tails. Besides the obvious fire danger, spilled hot wax can burn skin. Never leave lighted candles unattended. Extinguish all lighted candles before leaving the house, even for a few minutes.

On Christmas morning

Don't leave gifts of food under a Christmas tree, before or after presents have been opened. A dog can smell things that you cannot. Whether its pet treats, a box of chocolates, or a tray of bologna and cheese, dogs know when a wrapped package contains food.

Gift bows, stings, etc. can cause choking. Don't give your dog the opportunity to play with ribbons, tape or wrapping paper, which can cause choking and serious intestinal problems. Don't allow kids to tie ribbons or bows around a dogs neck .

Put toys away after they are opened. Have children put new toys and games, including all the small pieces, back in their boxes. Chewing on small toys can cause choking and intestinal obstruction. (In addition to making a child very unhappy because new toys are ruined.)

Keep batteries for new Christmas toys out of a dog's reach. Batteries contain corrosives that can cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and gastrointestinal tract.

Excerpted from Bellaonline.com.
Ann, Cody and Copper
AnnieKDesigns.etsy.com
AnnieKClothing.etsy.com
CodysCloset.etsy.com