Roll them bones!

An Atlantic City casino is taking a gamble on Americans' love for their dogs.

They now offer pet-friendly rooms. Just an idea if you're planning an East Coast vacation with Fido. You can read all about it here. http://www.nbc40.net/news/16559/

Fat cats and doughy doggies

We've heard a lot over the past few years about America's growing obesity problem. Turns out the epidemic of overweight people has spread to our pets. A new study shows more than half of the country's household pets are too heavy to be healthy.This strikes very close to home, as in our house we have been working to help Willow shed an amazing 28 pounds. (She is now down to 70 pounds and looking great.) In typical American fashion, we refuse to simply get off our fat arses and walk the dog, we have to find new and interesting ways to help our furry friends slim down. Here is the video from ABC.

 You can read more here. http://abcn.ws/hvUVeA

Call to action!

*1

There is a bill in committee down in Olympia right now that could better the lives of countless dogs. It is pretty simple. It limits the amount of time a dog can be tethered and demands that owners provide little things like shelter and water to the animal. Unfortunately, many of the lawmakers at today's committee meeting displayed the ignorance and stubborness that makes so many people dislike and distrust the government and elected officials.
I swiped this post is from an entertaining and informative blog by a fellow Seattle dog lover. It's called Dogspot.
Read it and give your lawmaker a call. remember, no matter what they think, they work for you.
http://bit.ly/gPdHNt
*1 This image was blatantly stolen from the very talented RJ Matson, who was refering to MO lawmakers trying to repeal a ban on puppymills. See more of his work here. http://www.rjmatson.com/frames_S.htm

brush, brush, brush!

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. That had nothing to do with why we took two of our guys to the dentist, but it is a good tie in for the blog post.

The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that eighty percent (80 percent!) of dogs have some form of periodontal disease by the time they are two years old. Periodontal infections have been linked to diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and other life threatening disorders. They say the best way to prevent periodontal disease is by regularly brushing your pet's teeth.

It was while brushing Loki’s teeth that Heather noticed a discoloration on one of his far back molars; a black spot that we thought to be a cavity. Snuffy was already going in to the dentist for a consultation so we signed Loki up as well.