Posted on May 04, 2009 by Nancy Houser

Welcome, everyone to the 2nd National Dog Blog Carnival here at Way Cool Dogs. Our website will be the ringmaster and host for this month of May, and what a month it is!  With pretty much double the entries since our first carnival of dogs, we have a lot of exciting performances with over 20 different dog blogs participating!

Our theme this month is alternative and natural health for dogs and animals. This is a suggestion, not mandatory, but as many people already know, alternative health is fast becoming the popular choice of so many animal lovers for the prevention and maintenance of their pets. Hopefully, this carnival of dog lovers will answer many questions you may have or point you in the right direction to find them yourself.  The following blogs who have elected to send in alternative health articles will have a double star (**) in front of their blog names.

**Molly Sumner’s blog “KINDRED COMPANIONS LLC”

Beginning with Molly Sumner’s website “Kindred Companions LLC” for holistic pet care for the whole pet, her article submission is entitled “Proper Puppy Procurement” from her website Kihaku Shibas. As a breeder of Shiba Inus, Molly has a background as:

• Animal Welfare Director for NYC Shiba Rescue
• Certified Avian Specialist
• Member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers)
• AKC CGC & S.T.A.R. Puppy Evaluator
• Member of PSI (Pet Sitters International)
• Member of PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council)

The article “Proper Puppy Procurement” is Molly’s reminder that before we can apply natural health to our animal, we need to be careful where we get it from to avoid a long list of health issues. She tackles the delicate issues of puppy mills and backyard breeders, versus quality breeders. She singles out step-by-step what to look for in a healthy puppy as compared to simply dragging one home from the local pet shop because they are “cute”. Check out her article if you are shopping around for a puppy, or read it be well-informed on the subject.

P.L. Frederick’s blog “SMALL AND BIG”

P.L. Frederick has a fun sort of website—in a dry sense of the word–with an appreciation of wit seldom seen applied so well. This month’s  submission is from his blog  ”Small and Big“,  around since August of 2006.  Not an article in the typical alternative or natural health manner, her submission,  ”Man and the Manchester  Terrier” provides humor toward appreciation and recognizance of the continuous ongoing mind of the little Manchester Terrier.  And for sure, if you cannot laugh and appreciate the inner workings of this little dog … you will not be very healthy!

“The rancid garbage with its expired buttermilk cartons and brown Q-Tips I can understand. But, tearing through plastic bags to get at a single dulled chain-saw chain, to pull it round the yard backwards, now forwards, now back again, and leave it as a graceful industrial art installation by the garage door? Can a mere human fathom the mind of the terrier?”

Lynn’s blog “FUNNY DOG VIDEOS”

Lynn has submitted her article titled, “Stop Dogs from Barking” from her Funny Dog Videos.  A serious discussion on the many ways available to train a dog to not bark, her article also provides a training course to sign up for   some pretty focused articles:

“It is not unheard of for dog owners who have dogs that constantly bark to be reported to the police for disturbing the peace. Happily, there are many ways to stop a dog from barking for no particular reason.

To stop your dog from barking, he should be trained to understand when barking is appropriate. Although a variety of options may be considered, the most effective method is the reward/reprimand technique. This method is both humane and effective.”

Sweet Jasmine is our red-cream Shiba Inu who does not know she is a dog, and we will never have the heart to tell her she is!!

Pius’s “Dogs Training Blogger”

Another excellent blog entry is “Dog Trainer” with the entry  ”Dog Training: Should you pay for lessons?“ When training a dog or puppy, there are two different ways to approach the task. The first, and probably most popular, is to try and train the dog yourself using a standard reward scheme of training (for example, if the dog performs a trick successfully, he gets a small treat). Many owners enjoy this kind of training, and it does have its benefits. Firstly, both you and your dog friend will be able to learn at your own pace and go over things that you’re finding particularly difficult. You’ll be able to partake of the lessons in the comfort of your own home, and make sure you learn the tricks that are particular for your lifestyle. Enjoy!

**Beth Lowell’s blog “Mysterious Beautiful”

Beth Lowell’s blog “Mysterious Beautiful” this month has an entry entitled “Animal Reiki and the Empathosphere” which pertains to the gentle passing of a Doberman by the name of Zelda who was dying of spleen cancer.

“Her human mother, Nancy, called to find out if I could offer Zelda Reiki to make her remaining days more comfortable. When I met Zelda, she was thin but able to get around pretty well. She was only four. Nancy adopted her from a shelter that had found her abandoned on the streets of Newark, NJ. Zelda sat on her favorite bench in Nancy’s home office while I offered her Reiki.”

The connection that Reiki practitioners makes with their clients (human or animals) refers to the connection with universal energy which basically exists in all living things. If you doubt this, where do you think the electrical energy comes from that is hooked up to your AKG machines?

Another thing Beth talks about in her article is the term empathosphere which is what Dr. Michael W. Fox talks about in his new book, ” Dog Body, Dog Mind.” His term refers to the connection that dogs make for the earth and living things, which is the reason that “dogs have been known to react at the precise moment of a loved one’s death, or run to the door awaiting their human’s return, well before anyone shows up.”

Tasha and Tilly Mae completely wore out after sharing their well-chewed up toy

**Helene’s “Shaping Chaos” Blog

Shaping  Chaos is Helene’s blog about dog training and health. It is an outlet she has created for herself, where she can write about her experiences, her joys and frustrations, her successes and failures, in trying to help her dogs ‘be all that they can be’.

She has sent in two articles and we will put both up due to their quality and the information involved.  The first is “Natural Rearing“:

“Maximizing health is one of my main focuses with my animals. To do so, I have adopted the philosophy of ‘natural rearing.’ This term is now very commonly used and can mean different things to different people, so I will define here what it means to me. The approach of natural rearing involves looking at how animals would exist in nature and simulating this to the best extent possible in a domestic setting.”

The second article is entitled  ”Symptoms of Rabies Vaccinois” where a multitude of symptoms will show up:

In sum, symptoms of rabies vaccinosis include the following:

• Obsession with water, especially running water
• Fear of water (including fear of going out in the rain)
• Reactivity to light or reflective surfaces
• Light and shadow obsessions and chasing
• Noise sensitivity
• Seeing imaginary objects
• Irrational fear of objects that are harmless, as if seeing a ghost or monster
• Interpreting approaching people or animals – especially dogs – as an assault
• Thunderphobia and other noise sensitivities
• Reactivity to movement
• Alarm barking seemingly at nothing, especially in the dark
• Fear aggression towards approaching people and especially towards other dogs
• Separation anxiety
• Panic at being contained (i.e. excessive desire to escape their crate, house etc.)
• Seizure activity
• Hind end weakness or paralysis
• A dislike of being touched (feet, ears, and especially hind end)
• Trouble eating or drinking, as if tongue is partially paralyzed

**Michele  Simseon of  ”A House Called Nut”

Michele Simeon of “A House Called Nut” has sent us an article which she thought everyone would be interested in reading. Titled  ”Fluffy and  Fido Go Green“, it is about a lot of natural stuff that is not harmful to our pets. Things that we take for granted can be very harmful — if not deadly — such as flea dips or certain food.  The article is full of quick suggestions for things that are good for us, our children and our pets.

“And when it comes to toys, you must stop buying plastic, metal, man made toys for the fuzzy ones. They love sticks, ropes, old clothes and towels as much as they like the dancing mouse. Make chew toys out of rope (choose cotton or hemp rope, please!) or fill old socks with catnip to keep kitty peaceful and happy. I have a toy I made for my cats that includes old ropes, strings, rubber bands, found feathers and, at the end of the mile long mess, a stuffed sock with catnip. They fly over the sofa, skid across the kitchen floor and leap over my bed in hot pursuit. For a few pennies, it just doesn’t get any more fun. “

Raising Whiskers

As you all known by now, even though Way Cool Dogs is ‘generally about dog, we do not discriminate against any other type of pet or animals when submitted to our website or the National Dog Blog Carnival. Therefore,  the blog “Raising Whiskers” has submitted two articles for this month’s submission: “Exercise for Cats” and “Signs of Cat Limping.”  Exercise for cats has some excellent information, such as:

“On an average a cat needs about 15 minutes of exercise up to three times a day. Though do make sure that you consult a veterinary doctor to know the exact exercise time that is ideal for the breed of cat you own. This would greatly depend up on her age, health and physical condition. Exercises for cats can range from outdoor play to other physical activities that you could do within the house. Though, do remember that if yours is an indoor cat then she would need at least 3 times more activity than an outdoor cat. “

Learn About Cats

The WordPress blog “Learn About Cats” has submitted their article entitled “Taking Care of an Abandoned Kitten“. Very few of us has not had  a family/friend who brought home a stray kitten home of varied ages at one time or another.

“…you’ll need to learn how to care for the abandoned kitten – and quickly. How difficult this will be will depend on the age of the kitten. If the kitten is under two weeks old, you’ll have to bottle feed her and clean her – and essentially become her mother. You can determine if the kitten is two weeks or younger by whether or not she has any teeth.”

Frank Riley’s The Write Place Site

The blog “The Write Place Site” by Frank Riley has submitted an article The  Good, the Bad and the Ugly blogs with the good blog consistiing of  “The Castaway“. Here is a short insert, and we hope you enjoy it and take a look at his blog!

“Sophie Tucker, the dog, not the singer, is an Australian Blue Heeler Cattle Dog, who has a remarkable story. She did a Tom Hanks and got herself marooned on a desert island – she became a castaway.

She fell off her owner’s boat in heavy seas off Mackay in North Queensland, Australia and was given up as lost. Her owner, Jan Griffith, and her family were in a state of grief at having lost their beloved pet, who went just about everywhere with them. But in such sea conditions as there were when Sophie did her Robinson Crusoe act, there was no hope that she would have survived. After all, they were about five nautical miles off shore when the accident happened and the family, reluctantly, accepted the terrible fate that had befallen their dog. But…”

What Is It?

The blog What Is It? has submitted their article “Biting Puppy Syndrome” which is a very common problem:

“On the whole dogs are ordinarily the most loveable of pets, inherently loyal, fun loving, comforting and always entertaining. Nonetheless, you have to face the fact that dogs are 3 years old standing in terms of discipline. That is why a training program early is required. Dogs utterly love their owners fondness and wish to please them. It is up to you to make your pup know what is expected of him in the way he behaves. In their view, life is in a endless state of fun. They have no idea what is good or bad conduct, unless you let them know what is. One of the most common dog behavior problems you will have stop is the biting puppy syndrome.”

**Nadine’s Pet Parenthood

Nadine’s blog Pet Parenthood has submitted her article, “The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood” which is basically about a journey into the human-animal bond, healing cancer holistically & senior canine care. An excellent website, it offers an empowering new take on the grieving process when a beloved animal passes away–a process which everyone will become involved in at one time or another in their life.

“It is commonly misunderstood in the west, that holistic means symptom treating with natural remedies or herbs in lieu of pharmaceutical drugs. WRONG! What it means is clearing the body’s inner and outer environment of all possible toxins, detoxifying the body of all residual toxins, and giving it the proper nutritional support so that it can do what an unburdened, nontoxic body does best: HEAL ITSELF.”

THE BOOK’S 3-FOLD MISSION:

♥ Helping pet parents realize that we may be unconsciously contributing to the skyrocketing increase of cancer in our pets by unknowingly creating highly toxic environments in our homes.

♥ Providing comfort, camaraderie, and validation for pet parents experiencing the devastating loss of a beloved pet

♥ Helping to remove the words, “It’s just a dog/cat” from the lips of non pet parents everywhere

Gwen Mart

“Gwen Mart” has submitted an article “How to Stop a Dog Barking“  where  “In a short time we will start to explain how to stop a dog barking, first however it’s important to understand why dogs bark. Attention seeking is one of the most frequent causes of barking. Puppies get attention from their masters at a young age by barking. This trait is often shown in older dogs that have been left alone for long periods of time, that need more exercise, and dogs that are not mentally challenged often enough.”

With dog barking one of the most annoying traits a dog can have if it is non-stop, uncontrolled, and prevents neighborhoods from sleeping … this is an excellent article to help train your dog to do just the opposite.

Mad Kane’s Political Madness

The “Mad Kane’s Political Madness” blog has submitted a short ditty on President Obama’s new dog:

“At long last, we have an answer to these burning questions: What kind of dogPortuguese water dog puppy named Bo with a Kennedy pedigree. will Obama get daughters Malia and Sasha, and when will he get it? From a plethora of breathless press reports we learn that it’s a male.”

Dog Training Pet

The blog “Dog  Training Pet” has submitted their article “3  Tips to Help Housebreak Your Puppy“. One of the most difficult tasks when first bringing the new family member home, housebreaking needs all the tips possible. This is a good article to read, as it approaches the training with an excellent step-by-step process:

“When you get a new puppy for your household, sometimes the excitement of the moment can replace your concerns. But when it comes down to living with this puppy in your everyday life, you realize that there’s more to this “dog ownership” thing than you originally thought. One important part of working with a puppy that you just welcomed into your house is housebreaking.”

Another entry by Dog Training Pet for May is  “Should You Neuter Your Pet?” Believe it or not, there are times when neutering or spaying a dog is not necessary. “Many people find that looking at their dog’s individual case could have a big effect on whether or not to have the dog neutered – let’s take a look at some of the reasons you might or might not want to have your pet neutered.”

The National Dog Blog Carnival #3 for June 4th will be hosted by Beth Lowell’s blog “Mysterious Beautiful“. She is requesting articles be sent in on the subject of human-animal bonding, so think of this throughout the month and send them to whenever they are ready. Otherwise, just pick out one or two of your favorites articles and send me the URLs for it.

Try to choose those which have pictures to go with the articles if you can to “dress it up” a bit!!Anyone else who would like to host the July 4th carnival, please get hold of me right away to get your name on the list. It is a good way to promote you blog and move your numbers up, plus get some good dog information out there!

NOTE:

We do NOT accept articles like “How to Make Money on Ebay” or “Learning to Make Online Bets”. Similar articles will be automatically deleted…we accept ONLY articles that are dog based or animal bases to benefit readers.

Related posts:

• Catch up on previous National Dog Blog Carnival Participants!
• Update on National Dog Blog Carnival #3
• National Dog Blog Carnival #2 for May 4, 2009
• Entries being accepted for the National Dog Blog Carnival #1
• National Dog Blog Carnival #2 Coming Up!