Do amber collars repel fleas?
Spike looks debonair wearing his amber flea collar. We got it at Healing TouchVets in Sherman Oaks. His vet there, Audra MacCorkle, DVM, wears an amber bracelet, as do many of her vet techs and patients. Baltic amber collars are the latest “thing” in flea control. We aren’t talking about golden globs of transparent resin […]
Are retractable dog leashes dangerous?
Used in the wrong way in the wrong setting, a retractable dog leash can injure or potentially kill a dog. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Knitting dog sweaters
I’m not a fan of rhinestone-crusted, slogan-slobbered clothing for dogs. The fancier the garb, the more likely it is to seriously interfere with a dog’s movements. Most of the time, the dog just ends up looking like a cheerleader at Hogwarts that got caught on the wrong end of a wand. There are exceptions, of […]
4 tips for dog Halloween costumes
Vera Woof and Pierre Curden here for Fashion Friday and tips for dog Halloween costumes. But first, a real fashion horror story we experienced once upon a Halloween spooky at a local Three Dog Bakery part and dog Halloween costume contest.
Dressing up your dog
If dogs were really meant to dress, there’d be a store called “Bloomingdog’s.” But there’s no denying that some days are cold, even in California, and a small dog needs an extra layer. The first time I tried to put a coat on Joey, he froze and wouldn’t walk. It was like a horse blanket […]
Essential gear for dogs
Dogs are flexible creatures. Most of what humans think dogs need — paw boots, mechanical toys, rhinestone collars, Halloween costumes — is all in the human mind. Some essential gear for dogs make living better and safer for both dog and human. Here’s my short list:
Fighting Anxiety with a Thunder Shirt
Joey had an anxious Thanksgiving. True, we had out of town guests — but they weren’t total strangers. We also had company for dinner. This was not unusual and Joey was familiar with the guests. There were no strange noises. No fire in the fireplace. No exotic handouts from the table. Just Joey, shaking as […]
Give shelter dogs some holiday comfort before Dec. 31
If you still have space in your heart and charitable dollars to give, you can give dogs in Los Angeles Animal Services Shelters the gift of comfort: a Kuranda bed for sleeping off chilly concrete shelter floors. According to a Los Angeles Times article, Tracy James, a four-year volunteer at the North Central Shelter, is […]
Help animals in LA just by walking your dog
WoofTrax’s free smart phone application, Take Your Walk for a Dog, gives you a real two-fer — first, you and your dog get a healthy walk and, secondly, the miles you walk add up to donations for the animal shelter or rescue organization of your choice. That sends 11- to 25-cents a mile to a […]
Knit a dog bed — or give it to a dog in a shelter
One of the best gifts Fido and I gave this season was to a friend whose dog, Denny Covina, was rescued from a Denny’s restaurant in Covina, where he apparently was abandoned. Denny’s feisty bark and impertinent wiry Mohawk suggest that he is part Terrier. He’s small enough that he might have a pinch of […]
Knitting for dogs: a leash poop bag holder
Pumpkins have replaced watermelons at the local Ralphs. The calendar says autumn starts on Sunday, so we’re pulling out the knitting needles and yarn. Joey — or rather me on his behalf — is going to be the first beneficiary of the 2013 knitting season. We’re using hollypknits pattern for Bentley’s Leash Bag Holder. Picking […]
Why do I need a dog crate?
Whether at home or on the road, a crate can be your dog’s favorite safe zone. In the ancient past, dogs looked for small protected spaces to hide out or sleep in. You can see the same instinct in dogs today when they hide under furniture or in closets when they are anxious or afraid. […]
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