Understanding Diabetes In Dogs

The diagnosis of diabetes is becoming a more frequent occurrence in society. Not only is the disease being commonly diagnosed in young adults and children but also in dogs. Pet owners are finding that their canines are suffering from symptoms due to the lack of insulin produced by their bodies. Puppies may suffer from diabetes contributed to disorders of their immune system or as a result from the damage that parvovirus caused to the pancreas. Some breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, actually develop diabetes through inherited traits. As with people, obese dogs are also at a higher risk for developing the disease. More and more young dogs and pups are being diagnosed with diabetes by vets. For this reason, it is essential to take note of any abnormal behaviors that your dog displays regardless of its age.

Dogs can have two different types of diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is divided into two groups, Type I and Type II. These forms of the disease are caused from the body's lack of producing insulin. When the body does not produce a hormone needed to help the kidneys carry out water absorption, Diabetes insipidus forms. The most common form of diabetes diagnosed in dogs is Diabetes mellitus.

There are a few different symptoms that can lead pet owners to believe that their dog may have diabetes. Puppies with the disease are most often characterized by the lack of growth. When a puppy does not gain weight despite normal eating habits, a problem such as diabetes may exist. The canine may also have an unusual need to drink and urinate frequently. The dog often begins to lose weight without explanation and can even loose the use of its hind legs. Any of these occurrences are signs that typically lead to the diagnosis of diabetes.

If it is suspected that a dog may have diabetes, it is best to contact a vet as soon as possible for proper diagnosis. If the condition is left untreated, serious side effects and even death can occur. The dog's organs may begin to shut down completely due to the high levels of sugar in the blood. Ignoring the signs is often fatal for the pet.

Typically, giving the animal insulin injections is the only effective treatments for canines. Controlling the condition solely through diet is often not a successful option. The level of sugar in the body should be checked by taking urine and blood samples on a regular basis. In addition, the dog should be placed on a feeding schedule that can be monitored by the owner.

Dogs diagnosed with diabetes can live normal and healthy lives just as any other dog. However, the condition needs attention from the master. For successful treatment and control, it is very important for dog owners to recognize the symptoms, contact a doctor, and then work with their vet by taking the animal for periodic check-ups. With all of these actions in place, a diabetic dog can live a full and happy life.

How To Help A Visiting Pet Allergy Sufferer In A Home With Animals

You've just got a new boyfriend/girlfriend or your aunt is visiting for the weekend and the person in question is allergic to pet hair. If, like the vast majority of pet owners, you consider your pet to be an important member of the family, this can be a difficult time. However, there are a number of ways to tackle the problem, without having to place your pet in a boarding center.

1. When having a friend or family member who is allergic to pets stay for several days, it is a good idea to ask if they have any medication. Try to tactfully explain that you will do all you can to reduce the potential for allergic reaction, but that your pet will be in the house.

2. If it is the new love of your life who is suffering with allergies, it is a good idea to arrange to go out for your dates. If that special someone is sneezing and puffy- eyed when in your house, it will surely kill the romance.

3. It is always a good idea to thoroughly vacuum all carpets, rugs and possibly furniture, before an allergy sufferer arrives in your home. These days, there are numerous vacuum cleaners that are wonderful at ridding your home of allergens.

4. Remember, not all people love animals as much as you do. It is a good idea to respect a houseguest's feelings on this matter and try to prevent your pet from jumping up or on your guest. Moreover, ensure that your animal cannot get to your guest's belongings to chew or shed on them.

5. It may be helpful to separate your guest and your pet, either by keeping your animal in another room, or using a baby gate to divide a room. Of course, baby gates will not work for cats or dogs that like to jump. Therefore, if you keep your pet in a separate room be sure to check on him, or her, frequently to ensure that there are no signs of distress.

6. During the two or three weeks leading up to your guest's visit, ensure that you have brushed your dog or cat daily. If you have a dog, it is wise to bathe him, or her, too. This will help to reduce the amount of hairs that your pet sheds, thereby reducing the possibility of an allergic reaction.

7. If your houseguest is severely allergic, you may like to consider asking a friend, relative or neighbor to care for your pet for the duration of the visit. Leaving your pet with someone you trust is preferable to leaving him, or her, in the care of strangers.

8. Alternatively, you may like to purchase an air purifier or filter, as this can prove very helpful to an allergy sufferer. It is certainly worth investing in an air filter if you are expecting regular visits from an allergy sufferer.

9. On the other hand, if you have yet to get a pet and you're living with an allergy sufferer, there are many animals that will not cause symptoms. Most obviously, fish and reptiles make great pets and do not shed. Alternatively, if you would rather a cat or dog, there are hairless breeds of both animals. Moreover, there are some dog breeds, such as the Poodle and Greyhound, which are considered 'hypoallergenic' due to the fact they do not tend to cause allergic reactions.

Of course, the majority of this advice is designed to help with a short-term visits from an allergy sufferer. Unfortunately, none of these measures can guarantee a solution to pet allergies, but they will help to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction.

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How To Ensure Your Dog Is Well-Mannered

The key to a happy and healthy relationship between you and your dog is good training. All dogs need to be trained to be obedient for their own health and well-being, just as much as making them manageable is easier for you.

Often, if dogs are not trained correctly, they will become unruly, aggressive and in some cases completely unmanageable. This is not just bad for the dog's owner, it is also incredibly distressing for the dog. We humans intentionally bred only the submissive traits of wolves when creating the domesticated dog. Therefore, when it comes to leadership, it is not a role that our dogs feel comfortable in. However, all packs must have a leader and if its not you, then a dog will feel that it has to occupy the post even though it finds it confusing and stressful.

Moreover, a well-behaved dog is a pleasure to be around for all people, even non-dog lovers. Therefore, it is in everybody's best interest to train your dog and ensure that he, or she, recognizes you as the boss.


The Basics of Training Your Dog
Because a dog is genetically programmed to want to please its master (you), the very best way of training is with positive reinforcement methods, such as clicker training, using treats as rewards or simply providing praise for good behavior. Almost all dog trainers recommend this approach to training rather than punishment of negative or naughty behavior.

It is advisable to begin training your dog as soon as possible. If you have a puppy, then training will be easy if you start from day one. However, even if you adopt an adult dog training is not difficult as long as you begin as you mean to go on. In other words, do not get carried away by the joy of having a new pet and spoil him, or her, because you will be making life difficult when it comes to enforcing rules. For example, if a house rule is no dogs on the furniture, make sure this is upheld from the day a new dog is welcomed into your home. Remember, mixed messages will simply confuse and distress a dog.

Manners All Dogs Should Have
Of course, each home will have its own rules. However, there are some basic rules that all dogs should abide by, partly for his, or her, safety, partly to reinforce your position as boss and partly to ensure that no visitors to the home are distressed by your dogs behavior.
For example:
           Dogs should never jump up on people - you may think of it as an affectionate way to greet you, but if a dog puts its paws on your shoulders, it is likely to think this is an acceptable thing to do to anyone who walks through the door and not everyone enjoys being leapt on. Additionally, jumping up to your height can be a gesture to challenge your authority, so it is advisable to make a dog wait patiently until you are ready to greet him, or her.
             Dogs shouldn't beg at the table - begging will often occur if your dog has been fed at or under the table in the past. Therefore, if you do not wish your dog to drool at the sight of you eating, do not offer him, or her, sneaky treats.
             Dogs should never be possessive over bones or toys - In case your dog gets hold of something it shouldn't, it is important that you are able to take any item away from him, or her. Moreover, this is a great way to establish your authority and gain your dog's respect. Therefore, it is a good idea to take a favorite toy, bone or food away from your dog at random points when he, or she, is a puppy. This may seem a little cruel, but if the dog behaves well, you can replace the item straight away and give him, or her, lots of praise. If, on the other hand, the dog growls or is aggressive, you may need to take things from him, or her, more frequently and for longer periods. The aim is to get the dog to recognize all items as yours - you just let him, or her, play or chew them.
             Obviously, these are just some of the things that a dog owner should consider. However, they are great foundations from which to expand your dogs training. If you are having difficulty with your dog, seek the advice of a animal trainer, behaviorist or veterinarian.

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Buying from China- FUnny~

A man went on business to China and wanted to buy some gifts for his

kids. He went to a shop and found a nice looking CD player. Wary of
buying inferior goods, he asked the shopkeeper, 'What would happen if
this does not work?'

The shopkeeper quietly points to the only sign in English that reads,

'GUARANTEE NO SPOILT'.

Feeling assured, he paid for the CD player and returns to his hotel.
He tried to use the CD player after returning to the hotel but it
would not even switch on.

He quickly return to the shop and asked for a refund or an exchange
for another unit. When the shopkeeper refuse to give either, the man
points to the sign assuring him of a guarantee.

The shopkeeper then said, 'Brother, you are in China . We read from
"the right to the left."

Coffee (happiness)

The happiest people in the world are not those who have no problems, but those who learn to live with things that are less than

perfect."

A group of graduates, highly established in their careers, got

together to visit their old university professor.

Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and

life.
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and
returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups -
porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some
expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the
coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee, the professor said:
"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up,
leaving behind the simple and cheap ones.
While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee.
In most cases, it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.
What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... Then you began eyeing each other's cups.
Now consider this:
- Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society
are the cups.
- They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type
of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of Life we live.
- Sometimes, by concentrating on the cup, we fail to enjoy
the coffee God has provided us. Enjoy your coffee!."

The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything."

1. Live simply.
2. Love generously.
3. Care deeply.
4. Speak kindly.
5. Leave the rest to God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nice article ~ WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry.
He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.

He said, 'I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.'

Well, all she had was a flat tire,

but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.
Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped.

Bryan never thought twice about being paid.

This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.
He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, 'And think of me.'
He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.
A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan .
After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin.
There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: 'You don't owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.'
Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.
Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the

money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard....
She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, 'Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.'

Furs look good after bathing

Another boring weekends passed by. I bring my doggy to go jogging as the Dogathon 2010 is around the corner. She has to be trained to run on lead. I bought a black lead which is covered her body as if she is wearing a bullet proof shirt: D

She is having super strength when it comes to running. It is quite amazing for a toy dog. After jogging, I quickly bath her to ensure she is clean and to avoid her licking on the dirty fur.

The pictures shown are taken after the bath, adorable!