Pet Health Links

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November 2011 Newsletter - Pet Therapy & Stress Relief and Thanksgiving Treats

October 2011 Newletter - No Tricks, all Treats

September 2011 Newsletter - Dog Bite Prevention & Cat Tips

August 2011 Newsletter - Traveling Tips & Introducing a New Pet into Your Household

July 2011 Newsletter - Dog Days of Summer & Celebrating Safely with Your Pet

June 2011 Newsletter - Take your dog to work day

May 2011 Newsletter - National Pet Month

April 2011 Newsletter - Earth Day

March 2011 Newsletter - How to be a professional K9 Clean Crew member & Yard Care Tips

February 2011 Newsletter - Announcing K9 Cleanup

January 2011 Newsletter - News Years Resolutions for Your Pet

December 2010 Newsletter - Homemade Pet Treat Recipes

November 2010 Newsletter - Benefits of Coconut Oil

October 2010 Newsletter - How Old is Your Pet?

September 2010 Newsletter - Treating Your Home & Pet's for Fleas

August 2010 Newsletter - 10 Tips to Keep Your Pet Cool & Pet Friendly Uses for Vinegar

June 2010 Newsletter - Outdoor Car Enclosures

May 2010 Newsletter - Pet Friendly Places to Walk Your Dog

April 2010 Newsletter - Cutting your Pets Nails

March 2010 Newsletter - Behavioral Problems in Cats

February 2010 Newsletter - Pet Insurance & Brushing your pets teeth

Pet Health Links

Handicapped Pets

Pet Sitting Links

American Red Cross

Recommended Pet Sitters

serving Sugar Grove and the Presbury area.

November 2011 Newsletter

As we enter the holiday season, its only fitting we think about stress and ways out furry, feathered and fishy friends can help us cope.

 "Pet therapy" is widely used in nursing homes, prisons, hospitals, and schools to reduce loneliness, anger, depression, and stress. Research in this area has shown that cardiac patient survival rates were higher for those who owned pets, and that elderly people with pets made fewer visits to the doctor's office. Significant decreases in resting heart rate and blood pressure, as well as mood changes, have also been observed when research subjects played with their pets. Similar physiological changes were seen among the animals, too. Amazing, right? 

 Animals play a big part in lowering symptoms of stress. The simplicity of caring for them can counter a high stress lifestyle. There is nothing like having a cat or small dog sit with you and beg for your attention to keep you focused on the present. The simple act of petting an animal is wonderfully rewarding and a great way to ease stress. The following are a few other ways that pets help people reduce stress:

• Exercise: Taking a dog for a walk or playing games with your cat helps you get exercise.

• Social: Animals often make people more social and pet owners tend to interact together. Its also an easy subject to talk about.

• Love: Cuddling with a cat or small dog on your lap will help you feel loved and needed during lonely times. 

• Well-being: Giving excellent care to family pets, such as grooming and spending quality time with them contributes to a general sense of well-being.

So this season when I'm stressing out about my gift list or even the weather, I'm going to try these tips to reduce my stress and bond with my dogs.  

 

My favorite Sweet Potato Pecan Pie recipe for you and Pup'kin Biscuits for your pups (courtesy of Rachael Ray Magazine)

Double Decker Sweet Potato Pecan Pie

crust:

• 8 graham crackers, finely crushed
• 1 TBS canola oil

preheat oven to 325. Spray a 10'' spring form pan with cooking oil. Mix all crust ingredients together and press firmly in to pan. Bake 4-5 mins. Cool on rack.

Sweet potato filling:

• 2 1/2 cups steamed sweet potato's, mashed until smooth
• 1 1/2 cups soy or almond milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 4 egg whites

Raise oven temperature to 350. In large bowl mix all ingredients together. Set aside.

Pecan Filling:

• 6 egg whites
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 TBS canola oil
• 1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 TBS vanilla extract

Combine 1st five ingredients in large bowl and beat until well combined. Stir in Pecan and vanilla. Pour Sweet Potato filling into baked pie crust and smooth on top. Carefully pour pecan filling on top. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a knife inserted in the pie comes out clean.

Pup'kin Biscuits

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canned pure pumpkin puree
• 2 TBS dry milk powder
• 2 1/2 cups white or whole wheat flour

1- preheat over to 350. In bowl stir all ingredients. Add 2 TBS water or just enough so the dough comes together 2- on a floured surface, roll out the dough and 1/2 inch thick then using cookie cutter, cut into shapes 3- place 1 inch apart on ungreased pan and bake for 20 mins. Let cool on pan for 5 mins.

October 2011 Newletter

Pumpkin -Pumpkin's not just a yummy snack; it's also a great source of fiber to help regulate the digestive tract. Fresh pumpkin is great, but canned pumpkin won't hurt pets, so long as there's nothing else added. You could make your pets a no-sugar-added pumpkin pie, or just let the dogs chew up the Jack-o-Lantern when Halloween is over, provided it hasn't begun to mold. My dogs love when I put canned pumpkin in their kong and freeze them for a yummy treat.

Popcorn - Unbuttered, unsalted popcorn is a tasty treat for your dog, and healthful when fed as part of a varied diet. If you buy kernels and a popper and pop your own, you can salt and butter your portion, and leave a portion plain for the pets. You can even strong some on wire for your bird to enjoy. 

Peanut Butter - Pets can't eat chocolate peanut butter cups, but there's no reason they can't have peanut butter. Spread a dog biscuit with a thin layer of peanut butter for a special holiday treat. You could even make your own peanut butter cups by buying soft dog treats with pockets for stuffing with pills, and stuffing them with peanut butter instead.

Cheerios - as with the popcorn, string them up for your bird and you can even add some peanut butter. 

 Apples - My own dogs adore apples. I side then up and they LOVE them. 

Hard Boiled Eggs - I boil up my eggs and let them cool then give them to the dogs shell and all. Its a bit of a game for them to crack it and eat out the inside. Finley usually open one small hole and tried to eat the whole egg out it.

Kitty Cookies

•  1 cup while wheat flout
• 1, 6oz can tuna in oil (do not drain)
• 1 TBS oil
• 1 egg

mix all together, add a little water if dough is too stiff. Roll out and cut into shapes. Bake on ungreased baking sheet at 350 for 20 mins

Horses-  Take a small pumpkin, cut off the top, and pull out the seeds and pulp. Fill the pumpkin with a mixture of sliced carrots and apples sprinkled with a little brown sugar and a few drizzles of molasses. Your horse will root out the goodies, then probably smash the pumpkin with a hoof to get at the pumpkin flesh, which is also nutritious. 

September 2011 Newsletter 

Recently I watched a show about a woman with 700 cats. My first thought was "oh great another hoarder". But I could not have been more wrong. Cat House on the Kings is a cat sanctuary that is a no kill and no cage home for unwanted, abused and adoptable cats. The show was amazing to watch and since then I've explored their website and wanted to share it.  

1. Did you know that a cat's whiskers could detect even the tiniest of creatures? A cat can detect any kind of movement up to 2000 Times smaller than the width of the hair on your head. 

2. Ever wondered why cats constantly lick themselves clean after eating? A cat has natural instincts derived from the wild and this instinct tells them to wash away food scent to keep predators at bay. 

3. Know how to tell when a cat is happy? That's easy, they just squeeze their eyes closed. 

4. Cats purr at the same rate of a diesel engine, 26 cycles per minute. 

5. Do you know who invented the famous "kitty door"? It was Sir Isaac Newton. 

6. In America a black cat is considered bad luck. Did you know that a black cat is good luck in Asia and England? 

7. Rags to riches! Morris, the famous "9-Lives" poster kitty was actually discovered at an animal shelter in New England. 

8. Ever wonder why a cat sees in pitch-black dark? It's because their eyes take light in and reflect it back out ... like a flashlight! 

9. Did you know that even Nostradamus had a cat? His name was Grimalkin. 

10. Do you know how to discourage a cat from scratching up furniture? Rub it down with orange or lemon rinds because cats hate them!

article courtesy of Cat House on the Kings

Dog Bite Prevention

Children represent our next generation of pet ambassadors. That's why it is vital to teach them proper ways to protect themselves from dog bites. Joan Orr, an educator and founder of Doggone Safe is on a quest to educate 50,000 children about dog safety and has developed the Be a Tree program.  Some tips for parents to keep kids safe:

• Dogs don't like hugs and kisses.
• Never disturb a dog who is sleeping or eating.
• Supervise all interactions with dogs and your children.

The Be a Tree program is a fun, interactive way to teach kids how to read a dog's body language and act safely around dogs. The best thing to do if a strange dog comes near you or your own dog is getting too frisky, or any dog is bothering you is to Be a Tree. Trees are boring to dogs and the dog will soon go away and leave you alone. Even if you are scared, it is important to stand very still and look at your feet. Never run from a dog! 

For more information visits www.DogGoneSafe.com

August 2011 Newsletter

Summer Travel:

There is only one thing I love more than traveling, finding great deals on travel. My husband and I are avid scuba divers and any money we can save on our room, airfare and rental, gives us more money to dive with. Here are some websites we use to make our vacation cost effective.

Vacation Rentals By Owner - we have used this site many times to rent a condo directly from the owner. You get to see photos, review and rates online. We like the convenience of having a full kitchen, washer/dryer and some even allow pets. You can speak with the condo owner directly for more details or to book your dates. We get great tips from the condo owners and their property managers. This is the best way we have found to travel. 

Home Away - very similar to the above link. Same concept where you rent directly from the condo owner. The great thing about speaking directly with the owner is they give great tips on where to eat, things to do and the best way to get round. 

Facebook - many airlines are using Facebook to show "secret" deals to their fans. Find your airline on Facebook and "like" their page. Recently United Airlines posted some great last minute fares.

Air Fare Watchdog - this site shows you the lowest fares from your favorite airport or airline. Their blog is a great resource also.

Scuba Board - as avid scuba divers we love this forum to talk with other divers about the best dive ops, which places are the best to travel to, and even stuff non related to diving. We have made great friends thru this forum. Even if you don't dive, check to see if your favorite travel hobby has a blog. Great insider info. 

Home Sweet Home - the quickest way to book your pet sitting is directly thru our site. Just click on the schedule service bone and follow the log in instructions. If you can't remember your user id just let us know.

Introducting a new cat to your household

The key to successful cat-dog introductions is to expose them to one another gradually under controlled conditions. You want to avoid creating situations where the cat runs away and the dog's prey-chase instinct is activated. If you have an adult dog who has never been socialized to cats, the introduction should be a very gradual process. Train your dog to sit and stay reliably before bringing your new cat home. This may give you somewhat greater control once the introductions have been made. Remember that these steps are progressive, so go on to the next step only when you feel your dog and cat have "mastered" the previous one.

 1. On day 1, confine your new cat to his or her own room at first. After a few hours, confine the dog in a fenced-in yard or basement or separate room, and allow the cat to explore the rest of the house. Then put the cat back in his or her own room, so the dog has an opportunity to become familiar with the cat's scent. Put a baby gate up but leave the door closed.

 2. On day 2, crack open the door to the cat's room a couple inches and allow the dog to sniff and see through the opening for 30 seconds. Reward the dog for appropriate behavior. Repeat this step a couple more times during the day. Continue to give the cat the opportunity to explore the house when the dog is securely confined out of sight.

 3. On day 3 and subsequently, increase the "viewing intervals" by short increments until the dog can watch the cat quietly for a few minutes. Reward good behavior.

 4. Allow the dog to view the cat with the door completely open, with the baby gate still in place, for a few minutes at a time. If the dog is tolerating the cat, go into another room. Call the dog to you and play a game with him or her. Then ignore both animals (but keep attuned to them!) and engage in some other activity. The dog will start to lose interest in the cat.

 5. Eventually work up to leaving the door to the cat's room open, with the baby gate still up, whenever you are at home. Always close the door when you are not present! Some pet owners will always need to keep the dog and cat separated when they aren't around to supervise, but others will find that after a couple months' probation, the dog and cat are OK together by themselves. It's far better to err on the side of caution, however, to prevent tragedy. Even after your dog and cat are peacefully co-existing, make sure that the cat's food bowl and litter box are out of the dog's reach. Keep the cat from approaching the dog when the dog is eating or chewing on a bone.

 article courtesy of the Champaign County Humane Society

July 2011 Newsletter

Having an outdoor party this summer and want to include your furry friends? With some simple precautions, you can include your furry friends in the festivities.
Have fun and games for your pet

• bobbing for hot dogs
• baby pool with toys that float and sink
• freeze bowls of water and place in tubs for them to lick. You can even free toys inside the water. 
• Make frozen treats for your pet (google for recipes)

The set the scene for the party

• Use plenty of umbrellas or tents to create shade
• Provide fresh water
• Don't use any fireworks or sparklers at this party.  
• Keep the party food and alcohol in a pet free zone. Don't want any upsets tummies.
•  Designate a potty zone for the pets and have plenty of clean up bags on hand.

Prior to party you want your yard to be barefoot friends so don't forget to call K9 Clean up. During the party you can even have our friendly staff come and play games with the dogs so you can enjoy your friends.

Have fun with your pet this summer.

1. the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere
2. a period of stagnation or inactivity

 But where does the term come from? Why do we call the hot, sultry days of summer "dog days?" In ancient times, when the night sky was unobstructed by artificial lights and smog different groups of peoples in different parts of the world drew images in the sky by "connecting the dots" of stars. The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky. In fact, it is so bright that the ancient Romans thought that the earth received heat from it.   In the summer, Sirius, the "dog star," rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, "dog days" after the dog star.

• Dogs should be kept on a leash, unless in the employee's office or cubicle.
  
• Employees should use a baby gate to prevent dogs from leaving their office
  unsupervised.
  
• Specific areas, such as bathrooms or employee dining halls, can be designated as dog- free.
  
• Have a back up plan for taking the dog home if he is not comfortable in the work environment.
  
• Hire Home Sweet Home pet services to provide midday walks to employees' dogs, so they can take a much needed break.
  

• Celebrate National Pet Month with a Mani-PETi! Make a day of it - pamper yourself with a pedicure while also treating your pal to a day of well-deserved grooming and nail clipping.
  
• Give your cats "me-ow time" by creating personal areas where they can retreat. Consider adding elevated perches, scratching posts, and cozy sleeping nooks to provide safe outlets for their natural behaviors.
  
• Reward good behavior. Whether human, feline or canine, we all like to be recognized for good behavior. Provide extra love, attention or treats to each of your pets as a reward and they will likely continue the good behavior.
  
• Have you ever given your pet a massage? Show your appreciation with a healthy indulgence that's not only relaxing, but will strengthen the bond between you and your best bud.
  
• Pets love presents too! Surprise your favorite furball with cool new stuff for playing, learning and grooming.
  
• Schedule three to four, 10 minute play sessions with your pet throughout the day.
  
• Consider installing a bird feeder or an aquarium. Think of the hours of fun your kitties will have with either of these additions to your home.
  
• Give the gift of activity by building a mini obstacle course in your yard.
  
• Treat your pet to their favorite snack. Baby carrot or fresh green beans make great healthy choices for both you and your pooch.
  

• Buy or make your pets toys from sustainable resources.
  
• Switch your cat litter to a wheat or corn based litter.
  
• Instead of flushing or throwing your pets waste away, compost it. The new soil will be a great organic mix perfect for your ornamental plants.
• Recycle your aluminum pet food cans
• Clean up after your pet around the house with organic cleaning supplies. They are safer for the environment and your pet!
• Adopt your next pet. Controlling the pet population is always green, so why not adopt instead buying a new best friend?
• Use Organic products, like shampoo and chose a Groomer that uses these products too.
  

Take me out to the Ball Game

You know that summer isn't far off when the Chicago baseball teams head off for spring training.

April 1st is the season opener for the Chicago Cubs (against the irates). Did you know that the White Sox also host "Dog Days" where you can bring your pooch along to watch the game? May 17th - Sox vs Rangers is the offical bring your dog to the game day. To purchase tickets contact Mary Weiss at MWeiss@chisox.com or 312-674-5244 to receive an
application.

March 2011 Newsletter
How to pick up your yard like a Professional Pet Waste Remover

"The American Pet association estimates that this country's seventy-one million pet dogs produce over 4.4 billion pounds of waste per year. That's enough to cover 900 football fields with 12 inches of dog waste! Dog feces are more than just a nuisance - pet waste can pose a serious health hazard.

Why? A number of common parasites, including round worm, are transmitted via dog feces. When infected dog droppings are left on the ground the eggs of the roundworms and other parasites can linger in the soil for years. As a result, anyone who comes in contact with the soil
also comes in contact with the infected eggs.

Children run the greatest risk of infection because they're prone to play in the dirt at the park or playground and then put their hands in their mouths or rub their eyes with their hands. But even a group of teens or adults playing Frisbee or touch football in an open area could be in
danger. Parasitic infections can make humans extremely sick, and for pregnant women - can pose a serious harm to their unborn child."

To maintain a clean and safe yard, we can offer the following tips.

1-you will need to take a trip to your local ACE hardware or other home improvement store. You will need to get a 6 gallon metal pail with locking lid, trash bags and a pooper scooper.

2- Once home put a trash bag in the garbage pail. With your pooper scooper, walk a grid pattern in your yard. Pick up all pet waste materials and place in garbage pail. To make sure you find all of it, overlap your grid pattern. Go front to back then side to side. After about an hour of this, you will find that it's a lot more work than you anticipated.

3-Once you finally finish, sanitize all your scooping tools then make a mental note to call Home Sweet Home so that you NEVER have to clean up what your pet left behind AGAIN.

For only $11.50 per week, our K9 Clean Up Crew will clean up your yard so that its clean and safe for you and your family

*source: www.aPAWS.org

Adopt the Love of your Life Event Recap
Home Sweet Home pet services and Heritage Woods - Yorkville hosted a very success "Adopt the Love of your Life" event and silent auction on February 19th. Paws and Purrs Humane Society and Jellystone Bark Rescue Rangers brought kittens, cats, puppies and dogs to the event. Many community members came out to place their silent auction bids and rescue a new furry friend. Three pets found new forever homes and over $1300 was raised from the silent auction and donations.

Kim Morgan from Jellystone Bark said "I want people to know they can get great, pure bred pets from rescue." Jellystone Bark's Rescue Rangers is a newly formed rescue group based in Oswego. Their mission is to reduce the number of adoptable pets that are euthanized daily in shelters. Jellystone Bark works along with other out of state animal rescue groups to get pets out of high kill shelters and transport them to their forever homes. This group is an all volunteer group which relies on the help of foster families to socialize, provide medical care
and teach them now to be indoor companion pets. For more information on all their adoptable dogs visit their website at www.petfinder.com/shelters/IL645.html

Norma Gobert said "If you don't see a cat you like on our website, contact us and we can match you with a cat that suits your life style." Paws and Purrs Humane Society is a no-kill, not for profit organization dedicated to finding good homes for homeless cats and kittens. They are a small all volunteer group providing veterinary care, socialization and lots of TLC to their animas until they are matched with their forever guardians. For more information on this all cat rescue visit www.PawsandPurrs.org

March is National American Red Cross Month
In Celebration of the Red Cross, Home Sweet Home will be offering Pet CPR & 1st aid classes on March 18-19. As an instructor with the American Red Cross I have made it my mission to educate more people on how to help their pet in an emergency situation.

The American Red Cross Pet C.P.R. and 1st Aid class will teach you several things:
* How to be prepared for a pet emergency.
* How to protect yourself and your pet from further harm, injury or suffering during
emergencies by teaching prompt, effective first aid actions and care.

Class Schedule
* March 18th 3-7pm at Wags to Whisker in Oswego
* March 19th 1-5pm at Wags to Whiskers in Oswego
To register for classes go to www.HSHPet.net

Spring Lawn Care Tips
from Brockway Lawnscaping

You will need to do a general clean up of your yard. Avoid heavy yard work in the spring until the soil dries out - foot traffic and hard raking can compact and damage tender, new grass shoots. Once the soil is good and dry,remove leaves and fallen debris, and gently rake to fluff
up and separate the grass shoots.

Spring is the best time to prevent weeds by using a pre-emergent weed control, which works by preventing weed seeds from germinating.

Spring is also the time to apply a Dormant oil treatment for trees & shrubs that will help ward of insects. You should also do your bed mulching and annual plantings.

Brockway Lawnscaping is a family owned and operated company located serving the needs of residential and commercial customers throughout the Western Fox Valley communities. their goal is to give our clients that "Total Lawncare Experience". Brockway Lawnscaping is
available to help you with all your spring yard needs as well as mowing. For more info: 815-286-3726 www.brockwaylawnscaping.com

February 2011 Newsletter
K9 Clean Up - pet waste removal
Home Sweet Home pet services and Brockway Lawnscaping are partnering up to provide a new service - K9 Clean up. K9 Clean up is a professional pet waste removal service that cleans up with your pet leaves behind. K9 Clean up offers many pet waste removal options starting at just $11.50 per week.

Are you worried about what is underneath all that snow? For a limited time, K9 Clean up is offering a $43.00 spring clean up special. Once that snow melts, we will come to your yard and make it spring time ready. Schedule today by calling (630) 728-4215 or www.HSHpet.net

Home Sweet Home pet services has provided professional pet sitting and dog walking services to the Kendall County area for the past 4 years. Brockway Lawnscaping is a family owned and operated landscaper that provides their clients with "A Total Lawnscape Experience". Additional Lawnscaping information available at www.BrockwayLawnscaping.com

January 2011 Newsletter
New Years Resolutions to help our pets live Happier, Healthier lives.

1. Help your pet get more exercise. Go for a walk, play an indoor game - anything to get your pet moving. This can be fun and healthy for you. If you don't have time, hire a pet sitter. Your pet will thank you. Did you know you can even do indoor pet swimming?
www.HSHpet.net
www.apluspetmassage.com

2. Train your pet. This year, teach your pet a new trick or two. Many pets enjoy mental challenges to give their brain some exercise, plus it's good bonding time for you and your pet.
www.Flydogs.ws

3. Slim down that fat dog or cat. Pet obesity is a growing problem that leads to many health issues down the road. These health issues can be potentially expensive and life threatening. Obesity is a problem that is 100% preventable (and curable). Consult with some local sources
for premium foods
www.HappyHoundsYorkville.com
www.wagwhisker.com

4. Get your pet checked out at the vet. Do blood work, heartworm tests and any other procedures your pet may need (like getting his teeth cleaned). Did you know there is even a mobile vet that comes to your house? We LOVE Dr. Lisa www.theWelcomeWaggin.com

5. Give back to the pet community. Volunteer at your local rescue or animal control. Spread the word about spaying/neutering pets, help with a local fundraiser to benefit the community pets or even donate pet food and supplies to local programs.
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/IL111.html

Make 2011 a great year for the pets.

New Year Resolution (from the pets perspective)

12. Have a one-night stand with a stray.

11. Try to understand that the cat is from Venus and I am from Mars.

10. I will no longer be beholden to the sound of the can opener.

9. Circulate petition that Leg Humping be a competition in major dog shows.

8. Call PETA and tell them what that surgical mask-wearing freak does to us when no one is around.

7. Take time from busy schedule to stop and smell the behinds.

6. Find the warmest spot to sleep, even if that means on your head.

5. Always scoot before licking.

4. Grow opposable thumb; break into pantry; decide for MYSELF how much food is *too* much.

3. Find more embarrassing things of my humans to run around with in the backyard.

2. January 1st: Kill the sock! Must kill the sock! January 2nd - December 31: Re-live victory over the sock.

1. I will NOT chase the toy unless I see it LEAVE HIS HAND.

December 2010 Newsletter
Homemade pet treats are great for gifts and are also a good way to save money

Banana Dog Bites
2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup nonfat dry milk
1 egg
1/3 cup mashed ripe banana
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 beef buillion cube dissolved in 1/2 cup hot water
1 tbsp. brown sugar

Mix all ingredients until will blended. Knead for 2 minutes on a floured surface. Roll to 1/4" thickness. Use a 2 1/2" bone shaped cookie cutter (or any one you prefer). Bake for 30 minutes in a 300 degrees oven.

Pumpkin Dog Cookies
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup pumpkin, canned
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons Crisco
1 whole egg
1/2 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine flour, cinnamon and nutmeg and cut in shortening. Beat egg with milk and pumpkin and combine with flour, mixing well. Stir until soft dough forms. Drop by tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool.

Cat Crackers
6 ounces of undrained tuna
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/3 cup water
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Measure all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly with your hands. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into treat sized pieces. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes. Let cool.

Kitten Liver Treats
1 lb chicken liver
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
2 eggs
1/2 cup dry milk powder
2 tablespoons molasses
Combine all the ingredients in a food processor: blend until smooth. Pour into a baking dish. Bake at 400°F until the sides pull away from the pan or a knife comes out clean. When cool, cut into bite size pieces and store in the fridge.

November 2010 Newsletter

I recently learned about all the benefits of coconut oil (thanks to Go Dog Go) and couldn't wait to share all I learned.

Whats the hottest new health food for pets and humans???? That's right we are talking about coconut oil An important ingredient in America's processed foods for most of the 20th century, coconut oil is one of the world's few saturated-fat vegetable oils. That designation gave it a terrible reputation, and by the 1980's and '90s, it all but disappeared from our food supply. Then the vegetable oils that replaced it caused more harm than coconut oil ever did, and now coconut oil is making a comeback.

According to its advocates, when taken internally, coconut oil:

* Reduces the risk of cancer and other degenerative conditions
* Improves cholesterol levels and helps fight heart disease.
* Heals digestive disorders like Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers and colitis.
* Relieves arthritis
* Prevents and treats yeast and fungal infections.
* Promotes normal thyroid function.
* Reduces allergic reactions.
* supplies fewer calories than other fats.

What you can do . . .

* Sample coconut oils (only the products that have not been hydrogenated) from your health food store - and share them with your dog.
* Feed small amount and increase gradually to about 1 tablespoon per 30lbs of weight daily.
* Apply coconut oil topically to cuts, wounds, infected ears, bites and stings.

Get the right type:
There are two main types of coconut oil. Refined coconut oil (labeled RBD) and unrefined coconut oil. RBD is typically inexpensive, bland and odorless. It doesn't contain all of the nutrients found in unrefined coconut oil, and in most cases the coconut used to produce it are of low quality. So stick with unrefined coconut oil.

article courtsey of Whole Dog Journal, for entire article visit www.wholedogjournal.com

October 2010 Newsletter
How Old is Your Pet, Really????

Just how old is your pet really? More than likely you know the pets age in years, or at least have an approximation of its age, but do you really have any idea how old it may be- chronologically speaking?

I'm sure you've heard of the old "seven year theory". You know, the system where each year of a dog or cats life is the equivalent of 7 of ours. This system was simple, but too simple.

In the early 1950's a French veterinarian, Monsieur LeBeau, formulated another system to address this problem. In LeBeau's system, a dog/cat of 1 year in age became the equivalent of a 15 year old person- due to the onset of puberty in each species. The second year of a dog/cats life became the equivalent of a 24 year old person- someone/something that has reached full maturity. After two, each year of an animals life would equal 4 years of human life.

Example - a cat is 6yrs old - how old would they be in "human years"?
24+ (4*4)= 40. It is interesting to note that dogs and cats move up this newer age scale at the same rate until they reach the age of 14. See the chart below to see how old you pet is in Human years. Was it what you thought?

Age Cat/Dog Human
1---------------------------15
2---------------------------24
3---------------------------28
4---------------------------32
5---------------------------36
6---------------------------40
7---------------------------44
8---------------------------48
9---------------------------52
10-------------------------56
11-------------------------60
12-------------------------64
13-------------------------68
14-------------------------72

Age Cats/Humans Dogs/Humans
15------------74--------------------74.5
16------------76--------------------77
17------------78--------------------79.5
18------------80--------------------82
19------------82--------------------84.5
20------------84--------------------87
21------------86--------------------89.5
22------------88--------------------92
23------------90--------------------94.5
24------------92--------------------97
25------------94--------------------99.5

article courtesy of Debbie Ray, owner of www.pedigreedpups.com

September 2010 Newsletter
Does your pet have Flea's?

One issue every pet owner deals with is flea control. How to prevent fleas. How do we know if our pet has fleas. How can we get rid of fleas. What is the most effective and safest option for our pet. What are some natural options.

How to know if your pet has fleas: Flea infestation can sometimes be difficult to diagnose. If you notice your pet scratching or biting itself more than usual, you are going to want to have a closer look. First, part you pet's hair and look for fleas where the fur is most sparse, like the
belly or inner thighs. If no fleas are visible,look for redness, irritation, scabs, and "flea dirt". "Flea Dirt" is flea excrement and looks like black or brown dandruff. You can check to see if it is flea dirt by placing some on a wet paper towel. Flea dirt will turn red, indicating digested
blood.

Cats, because they often over groom, will occasionally just have hair loss, and no skin lesions or disruptions. However, they often will display the exact signs mentioned above.

How to get rid of the fleas?
Now that you know your dog or cat is infested, what is the best way to kill these nasty pests and soothe and heal your best friend's irritated skin? There are basically 4 products on the market today: Frontline, Advantage, Program, and Revolution.

Frontline is a good option because it kills ticks as well as fleas. Frontline Plus will kill both flea eggs, and adult fleas. One negative is that there are bathing restrictions - before and after you apply it.

Advantage is a product that works virtually instantly to stop fleas from biting your pet. It causes neurological damage to the flea in just a few minutes, which stops them from biting. On the negative side, it does not kill ticks.

Program is a pill or liquid that your pet ingests. This medication comes out of your pet's pores and inhibits the flea's ability to lay eggs. It prohibits them from reproducing which gradually kills off the fleas themselves. This is good if you have a limited population of fleas. Negatively, this product does not kill adult fleas.

Revolution is a spot application medication that kills both adult fleas and stops the eggs from hatching. There is only a two hour period after application before it is safe for the pet to be bathed. It also prevents heartworm. The bad side of Revolution is that it has a slightly higher
risk of side effects in the form of stomach problems, like vomiting and diarrhea.

Flea prevention:
Bath and comb your pet regularly, and wash their bedding on a weekly basis. Adding garlic to each of your pet's meals is a great natural way to keep flea's at bay. For more natural remedies, visit www.greenpaws.org

August 2010 Newsletter
10 Tips to keep your pet cool
by Dr. Karen Becker

Did you know that your pet can't sweat? Dogs not only have a higher body temperature than people at about 100 to 102F, their bodies just aren't as efficient at cooling down.

The only sweat glands your furry companion has are on his nose and the pads of his feet. The primary way he brings his body temp down is through panting and breathing.

1- Dogs and cats can quickly dehydrate, so make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, clean water at all times.
2 -Exercise your dog in the morning or evening during the coolest temps of the day, stay in the shade whenever possible, and keep all your animals indoors when it's extremely hot, generally considered to be 90 or hotter.
3- Never, EVER leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle on a hot day.
4- Make sure your dog knows how to swim before giving her access to a pool, pond, lake or other body of water. Not all dogs, even breeds known for their affinity for water, instinctively know how to swim.
5- Play in the sprinkler with your dog or hose her down with cool water if she must stay outside and cannot avoid temperatures over 90 degrees.
6- Don't walk or otherwise subject your dog (or cat) to hot pavement. Not only can this result in burns to tender paws, but because animals are close to the ground - and the ground is much hotter than the air - your animal can quickly overheat.
7- Keep your pet safe from toxic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides commonly used during spring and summer months.
8-Take care to keep your pet away from the potential food and drink hazards of your backyard barbecues, and remember to keep them safe at home during fireworks displays. Many animals suffer extreme fear from the noise, and the explosives themselves can be potentially hazardous to a curious pet.
9-Work with a holistic veterinarian to help your pet avoid summer pests like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. There are safe, natural methods to both prevent and eradicate summertime pest infestations.
10 -Know the Signs of Overheating

Symptoms of overheating include:
Excessive panting
Difficulty breathing
Elevated body temperature (over 104 degrees)
Increased heart rate and respiration
Drooling
Weakness or collapse
Seizures
Diarrhea and vomiting

article reposted from Mercola.com

Pet Friendly uses for Vinegar
Everyday when I check my facebook account I see updates from a pet friendly landscaping company out of Colorado. They have some great tips. I personally am really trying to use less chemicals in my home and yard and also reducing my carbon footprint at the same time. This
month Pawfriendly Landscaping started putting tips on their Facebook page about the numerous uses for Vinegar. I found so may of them useful I thought I would share so that you too can make your home more environmentally friend for both you and your pets.

If your pet gets sprayed by a skunk, rub full strength vinegar in his fur and rinse. Vinegar's natural pH properties actually soothe pet's skin and removes the skunk's odor.

Do you need to keep your kitty cat out of certain places? Spray vinegar on the areas, it discourages them from sleeping, walking or scratching on them.

Need to eliminate animal urine stains from your carpet? Blot up urine, flush the area several times with warm water, apply a mixture of equal parts vinegar and cool water. Blot up, rinse and let dry.

To keep fleas and mange away, add a little apple cider vinegar to your pet's drinking water or food. It even helps with skin allergies, hot spots and arthritis. Depending on the size of your pet, the dose is normally 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon a day.

To repel mosquitoes all together use catnip - it's better than DEET! Leave sachets of it in areas frequented by mosquitoes. Your cats will love you for it!

Don't have time to give your pooch a bath? Make his coat smooth and glossy by spritzing it with a cup of white vinegar mixed with a quart of water - spray it directly to his fur. This concoction works on human hair too!

Need to hide the smell of cat (or any odor) in your house? Leave a bowl of vinegar next to the cat litter or any room that needs an air freshener.

If you're treating your pooch for a skin infection - after his therapeutic shampoo, rinse him with a solution of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts water.

To become a fan of Pawfriendly Landscapes on Facebook go to:
www.pawfriendlylandscapes.com

June 2010 Newsletter
Indoor Cats can safely go outside!
Recently I was reading about a company called The Cat's Den. This company makes outdoor cat enclosures. The idea behind the enclosures is that indoor cats can safely go outside to explore the sights, sounds and smells and the enclosures blend into the landscaping. At Home Sweet Home, we have so many kitty client who try to squeeze past us to go visit the outdoors. If those cats had access to outdoor enclosure they could still experience nature, but can't kill any birds or run away. What a great product! If you are interested in learning more, check out the website for idea's.

May 2010 Newsletter
Pet Friendly place to walk your dog!
Kendall County, IL is home to many great parks and trails. Even though we don't have an official dog park in our county, we do boast tons of trails and parks. Before you set out, your dog needs to have an ID tag with all of your contact information. You'll also need to remember
a leash -- most places that allow dogs require them. Finally, pack a kit that includes:

plastic bags (for waste cleanup)
water for both you and your dog
snacks or food (depending on how long you'll be gone)
dog booties (depending on season and terrain)

Below are some of my favorites to take my own dogs to:
Silver Springs State Park
Harris Forest
Richard Young Forest Preserve
Subat Forest Preserve
Fox River Trail (Oswego)
Grove Road Trail (Oswego)

There are two dog parks nearby in Aurora & Sugar Grove.
For info and to get a permit visit:
Aurora Dog Park
Sugar Grove Dog Park

Happy Trails!

April 2010 Newsletter
Cutting Your Pet's Nails
Keeping your pet's nails short and their paws clean is very important. I recommend starting a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly ritual of cutting your pet's and cleaning their paws. Nail trimming should be a positive process, so keep treats nearby and reward your pet. There is no set rule that you have to cut all the pet's nails in one sitting.

Below are some links demonstrating nail clipping
Dog Nail Trims
Cat Nail Trims

If your dog suffers from allergies, many vets will recommend foot baths. Below is a link featuring Dr. Karen Becker.
Foot Baths

If you are not comfortable cutting your pet's nails, please take them to a groomer or vet. If you need a recommendation for a Groomer or a Vet, please send us an email. We would be happy to share the contact information of our favorite Pet Professionals.

March 2010 Newsletter
Behavior Problems with Cats
Home Sweet Home attended a Cat Behavior seminar led by Veterinarian Dr. Ciribassi of Chicagoland Veterinary Consultants on February 27th. We attended this seminar because we see and hear from our clients the frustrations they have with cat and certain behaviors they do. Here are some topics Dr. Ciribassi covered. I will also list contact info for him and his practice.

How many litter boxes should I have?
1 box per cat plus 1 additional. You should also spread them out throughout your home. When you put all your cat boxes in one room, the cat see that room as one giant litter box.

Is there any particular kind of box, brand of litter or liner I should use?
You should use whatever litter material your cat likes. Not all cats like the same kind and doing trials of different litters can show you which one they prefer. As for liner, you should not use them. Most cats do like them. Cats have also shown that they don't prefer the covered litter boxes. Those covers are more for our benefit than theirs.

How can I tell if my cat is having toileting problems or is just marking?
You should first rule out a medical problem. Your vet should be performing the following tests to completely rule out a medical problems

• Urinalysis
  
• Urine Culture
  
• CBC
  
• Chem Profile
  
• Total T4
  

If you see blood in your cats urine it doesn't necessarily mean a bacterial infection. It is rare that cats get bacterial infections. Blood means inflammation not bacterial. If your vet makes a diagnosis of a bacterial infection without doing any test, press him for more or find another vet.

Facts on Marking:
Marking typically occurs on vertical surfaces and along the perimeters of the room.

• Urine is found on personal items
  
• Stool is rarely used to mark in domestic cats
  
• Marking occurs after the cat reaches maturity.
  
• The chance of a cat in your house increases as the number of cats increase.
  
• Spraying is always marking
  

How can I stop my cat from urine marking?

• Once you figure out which cat is marking there are many thing you can do to stop the behavior.
  
• This seems simple, but maintain good cleaning practices. Scoop each box daily. Wash completely every week in hot water only every week if using non-clumping litter. Wash monthly in hot water only every month is using clumping letter.
  
• You should put 3-4 inches of litter in each box.
  
• Place a litter box in the area the cat is marking in.
  
• Do litter trials to find which litter he prefers. Set up a new, clean box with a new litter, if not used in 2 days try a different kind, etc. You can also do this for different types of litter boxes.
  
• Try different litter materials. If your cat is eliminating on carpet or other soft surface, try using rags in a litter box.
  
• Marking is only one way cats scent mark. (cat mark by scratching, face rubbing, and eliminating). If you cat is marking with urine, try giving other scent marking options like scratching posts and scratching toys and cat combs.
  
• Properly clean the urine marker area with K.O.E. or Anti-Icky-Poo. these 2 brands are proven to eliminate the smell. Natures Miracle does not work and neither does steam cleaning.
  
• Confine the cat with his preferred litter & box to one small area. Once he shows he consistently will use the box, gradually increase his area.
  
• Try placing Feliway to area's the cat has marked. Sometimes this generic Pheromone can deter the cat.
  

Contact info:
Dr. Ciribassi (630) 231-1544
www.chicagovetbehavior.com

The American Veterinary Society of Animals Behavior
http://www.avsabonline.org

February 2010 Newsletter
Pet Insurance
As most of you know, I am a new puppy owner. Finley is a Chocolate lab and she melts my heart! As I was preparing for Finley to join our family I did tons of research on pet insurance. I did eventually purchase insurance for her but since I haven't had much interaction with our
new insurance company I really don't have a strong opinion one way or the other yet. Here is an article written by Joel Walsh.

Should you consider buying a dog health insurance policy?
Dog health insurance saves you money. As with just about all other costs, veterinary expenses have increased rapidly in recent years. Without dog medical insurance (or more accurately, veterinary insurance), you are responsible for paying for everything: routine checkups, preventive procedures, emergency care and disease treatments. That will run into hundreds of dollars. Why not get some help?

Dog Health Insurance: Quick Cost Facts

• Health insurance for your dog, like health insurance for yourself, has annual premiums and deductibles.
  
• Pet insurance premiums depend on the breed of your dog and the type of policy you decide upon. If you have more than one dog, there is usually a reduced rate after the first policy. Dog health insurance deductibles can vary as well. The average annual deductible is about $100.
  
• You may choose among different coverage plans which are based on your dog's age, breed, and per-existing medical conditions. Some policies even consider the dog's lifestyle; for instance, whether your dog is purely a pet or a watchdog, too.
  

Health Insurance for Dogs: Quick Coverage Facts

• Dog insurance health care plans can vary greatly. Some canine health plans are quite comprehensive, covering annual checkups, routine care, vaccinations and other preventive medications, and spaying/neutering, as well as illnesses and accidents. Others only cover unexpected sickness or injuries.
  
• Dog insurance can have waiting periods for illness and other claims.
  
• Your dog's age can affect your dog's health insurance coverage. Typically, policies begin veterinary health care coverage when the dog is 6-8 weeks old, although some will start when the dog is younger. Similarly, some dog health insurance companies only will cover
  dogs under 8 years old unless the animal was already insured with them before turning 8.
  
• Many dog health insurers will not cover your pet if she has a preexisting condition or a terminal illness. Some will insure the dog only if the condition is controlled or stable, usually for 6 months.
  

With all these options, it is important you check out the various dog health insurance companies, their pet insurance policies and corresponding dog health care plans. In short, if you care about your dog, you should care about his health. If you care about your wallet, you
should care about your dog's health insurance coverage, too.

How to brush your pet's teeth
Dental disease (especially periodontal disease) is the most common disease in our canine companions. It is also one of the most preventable and treatable diseases. Fortunately, we can reduce or even prevent dental disease by giving appropriate chew treats, toys and frequent tooth brushing.

You will need a soft-bristled tooth brush and veterinary toothpaste.
Start by offering your dog a taste of the veterinary toothpaste. The next time, let him taste the toothpaste, then run your finger along the gums of the upper teeth. Repeat the process with the tooth brush. Get the bristles of the brush along the gum line of the upper back teeth and angle slightly up, so the bristles get under the gum line. Work from back to front, making small circles along the gum lines. It should take you less than 30 seconds to brush your pet's teeth. Do not try to brush the entire mouth at first. If all that your pet lets you brush is the outside of the upper teeth, you are still addressing the most important area of periodontal disease - prevention. If your pet eventually allows you to brush most of his teeth, so much the better.

Even with the best tooth brushing, some dogs may still need an occasional professional cleaning, just like humans. By brushing your pet's teeth daily and curtailing the amount of periodontal disease, you may reduce the frequency and involvement of dental cleanings and
provide your pet with a healthier, sweeter smile.