Dog Saves Brothers.

Family Pet Saves Two Brothers' Lives in Charleston House Fire
Posted Tuesday, October 23, 2007 ; 07:44 AM
Updated Tuesday, October 23, 2007 ; 07:49 AM
Home on South Park Road destroyed by blaze.
CHARLESTON -- The barking of a family pet helped save the lives of two brothers living in a house that caught fire in Charleston Tuesday morning. The blaze broke out shortly after 2:00 a.m. at a home in the 1000 block of South Park Road.
The brothers were woken up by their pet, noticed smoke inside the residence home, and called 911. When they went outside, they found that the roof was on fire. The house was a total loss. Investigators are still looking into the cause.

A Ranking of Some of the Smartest Dogs.

And The Smartest Dogs Are... While we would all like to think we have the smartest dog in the world there are some breeds that are generally more intelligent
than others. In this post we will look at the dogs ranking from 6th most
intelligent to tenth. And then in my next post we will look at the most
intelligent dogs in the world. Don't be too concerned if your dog doesn't appear in either of these lists, as sometimes it is not always an advantage to have an
intelligent dog. As expected, the more intelligent dogs generally need more
stimulation or they will get bored and this can cause problems, particularly if they are left at home during the day when you're at work. So lets start with the tenth most intelligent dog...
Tenth on the list is the Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog was originally bred for herding cattle,
just as their name suggests. Obviously to be tenth on the list they are very intelligent, but they need to be stimulated, as one would expect from an intelligent
dog. They are happy when they are working, as they need regular exercise
and mental stimulation.
Ninth on the list is the Rottweiler. Contrary to popular belief, the Rottweiler is actually a great family dog, and is not quite as fearsome as many people believe.
There are a highly intelligent dogs and respond well to training.
The eighth dog on the list of intelligence is the Papillon.
Like the Australian cattle dog the Papillon is very protective of its owner and makes a lovable and intelligent pet. And as with most intelligent dogs they are relatively easy to train.
Number seven on the list is the Labrador Retriever. These are one of the most popular family dogs because of their good nature, which allows them to socialize well with other dogs and more importantly, children. Like the previous dogs on the list, Labradors need exercise, and particularly in their case, without exercise they tend to gain excessive weight.
Number six on our list of intelligent dogs is the Shetland sheepdog. Like the Australian Cattle Dog the Shetland sheepdog was bred for herding cattle and sheep.
Obviously to do this well they need some intelligence and that is why they have ended at number six on our list. They're not quite as good at socializing with other people or children but are excellent pets in their own family.

Have a Party for Your Pet or a Wedding.

Michelle Felder admits that her Yorkshire Terrier, King Solomon, is spoiled. "Solomon is my baby, my first born," said Felder, 31. Viewing pets as children is a phenomenon that is spreading among pet owners. An overview of the findings of the latest pet owners' survey was revealed at the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Fla., in February. And more pet owners are showing their love and affection toward their animals by buying gifts and throwing parties.
Are Pets Like Kids?
Bob Vetere, president of the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, said the phenomenon of showing pets more affection includes scheduling play dates, birthday parties and weddings, as well as giving gifts. Dog owners were found, in a study by the APPMA to be more inclined to buy a gift for their dog's birthday.
Vetere said many pet owners have an emotional connection to their pets, and the amount of money spent is projected to increase, making it a $50 billion industry by the end of the decade.
Pet Party Popularity:
Additionally, the APPMA survey found that 6 percent of dog owners and 3 percent of cat owners have held a holiday or birthday party for their pet. Felder falls into that category. For King Solomon's first birthday, he had a party at an area boutique for dogs. In addition to Felder renting the boutique, she gave goodie bags to the 10 dog guests and provided birthday cake for both dogs and humans. Felder, owner of Felder and Co., an event-planning firm in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, thought about all the small details. Each dog had a personalized birthday hat, and Solomon wore a blue birthday crown and a blue and white T-shirt that read, "I'm the Birthday Boy." Felder said she also asked the boutique's owner to plan dog-themed games, such as word searches, so the owners would have fun as well.

Buying Gifts, Dog Accessories:
Felder did not spare any expense when planning Solomon's party and usually does not when making purchases for him. When her dog was about 6 months old, Felder bought a fashionable Juicy Couture bag from Nordstrom so that he could be carried in style.
"His Juicy Couture carrier was $400," she said. "I was just doing my taxes and came across all the receipts for him and said to myself, 'Are you crazy?'" Crazy or not, Felder cannot imagine treating Solomon any differently. "Hopefully, I will get a lot of the need-to-spoil out of my system on him, so that when he gets human brothers and sisters, I won't be as bad," she said. Felder shows Solomon that he is loved in many ways. "I talk to him, play with him, discipline when needed, and I pray for him," she said. "I had him blessed. He has a Godfather, and he has a sizable amount of my life insurance policy." Felder added that Solomon is worth every penny.
"They say dogs are man's best friend, and truly that is what Solomon has been to me," she said. "He has been such a blessing. He has often been just what I needed to see when I have not-so-good days or just feel like throwing in the towel."
Pet Party Plans:
Not sure what you need to plan and throw a great pet party? Here are the essentials:
Figure out how many furry friends you want in attendance. Too many dogs can lead to fights if the space isn't adequate. Secure a location. Whether it's at your home or a park, make sure there's enough room for guests to run and play. Plan and send invites, make sure to invite pets and their owners. Put together two menus, one for pets and one for people. Check out local pet bakeries for delicious doggy treats that look like cupcakes and cookies. Organize games and activities that include all your guests. Decorate! Simple decorations are best; make sure they are non-toxic and safe for pets. Balloons are fine, but opt for non-latex balloons, for pets' sake. Put together gift bags for guests. Examples of treats could include toys, doggie snacks or even hats, tees or "Doggles" for cool canines. Have fun!
Here Comes The Dog Bride And Groom:
Kellee Etheridge, a mother of three -- two humans and a dog, is clear about Parker, a 2-year-old Maltese, being part of the family. He has birthday parties and has many articles of clothing. "We treat Parker just like we treat everybody else in the family," she said. When Etheridge suggested letting Parker mate with another Maltese, named Chloe, her human children, who are 11 and 15, suggested that their brother get married first. The wedding, which is currently being planned, will likely be held outdoors at the Cleveland Metroparks within the next few months. The wedding will be complete with flowers, a runner and sheer curtains all over. Parker will don a tuxedo, while his bride will wear a white gown. There also has been discussion among family members on what type of gift Parker should give Chloe. So far, family members have suggested a rhinestone crown or rhinestone collar. Etheridge said there will also be appetizers that both humans and dogs can eat. "I see it like an adult wedding," she said. "I expect humans to be dressed appropriately."

The Ellen DeGeneres Fiasco.

Blogger's personal opinion:
This story is a perfect example of a celebrity trying to circumvent the rules or laws. My personal opinion is that Ellen DeGeneres is wrong. All she had to do is call the adoption agency and let them know what she wanted to do and the agency most likely would have let her give the dog to her hairdresser. Now, a child has attached itself to the dog and things have gotten way out of hand. And for the talk show host to take a "long weekend" because of the stress of this incident was too much, is absurd. Ellen caused her own stress by thinking she would do whatever she wanted because of her celebrity status.

Ellen DeGeneres says she's done talking about her canine dilemma and is pleading for calm, saying on her show that the controversy surrounding an adopted dog has "gotten out of hand." Ellen DeGeneres, with partner Portia de Rossi, has asked that the rescue agency be left alone. During a Wednesday taping of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," to be aired Thursday, DeGeneres told viewers she wouldn't speak again until the dog, Iggy, is returned to DeGeneres' hairdresser and the woman's young daughters.
The dispute erupted last month when DeGeneres and her partner adopted Iggy, a black Brussels Griffon mix terrier. When Iggy wasn't able to get along with DeGeneres' cats, the couple gave the dog to DeGeneres' hairdresser. Mutts and Moms, the nonprofit dog-rescue organization that originally gave DeGeneres the dog, later took it back, saying the talk show host had violated the adoption agreement by not informing them that she was giving the dog away. That set off a firestorm of nasty e-mails and threats directed at the agency after DeGeneres shared the blow by blow with viewers on her show this week. "Let me just say this, it's gotten out of hand," DeGeneres said on the segment to air Thursday. "I want nothing, nothing more than that dog returned to that family. But you don't resort to violence. So anybody out there, please stop that. Please don't threaten or do whatever." The angry calls got so bad that Marina Batkis, co-owner of the dog rescue organization, said she had to close her business and stay home Wednesday, a day after DeGeneres broadcast a tearful, televised plea for the dog to be returned to her hairdresser and the woman's daughters. "My life is being threatened. This is horrible," a tearful Batkis said outside her home. DeGeneres has acknowledged she erred but said her hairdresser and her family shouldn't be punished. Batkis has refused to back down. "If Ellen wants to place dogs and decide what's a good home, then she should start her own rescue group," she told "Inside Edition." "But I'm the one doing this and I know what I'm doing." DeGeneres said several agencies had offered to provide the family another dog, even one that looked like Iggy. "And unfortunately, Ruby, the little girl, doesn't want another dog, she wants Iggy," said DeGeneres on the show to air Thursday. "It's not a toy that's broken that you can replace. It's a dog."

Dog Toys.

Toys, Toys, Toys.

Dogs are a lot like children.
They love toys. They love things to play with. Dogs grow older but they never really do grow up do they? And they will always get enjoyment out of having their own toys to play with. There are so many different varieties of toys on the market for dogs that it can often be quite difficult to know what to buy. All dogs love to chew, and you'll find that most dogs' toys are chewable. Toys are essential if your dog is going to be left on it's own for extended periods of time as they can become bored quite easily. A good toy can keep a dog amused for hours when they are younger
and as they grow older they will have learned to spend time on their own without fretting or getting into mischief. Many dogs also like to have their own possessions and a good toy is ideal to keep them satisfied. The best places to look at a wide selection of toys for dogs are the online pet stores that have all you could dream of and ready to be delivered to your door overnight. Take a look and see what you think will keep your dog amused.

More information on dog food.

You need to consider various different factors when feeding your dog. You certainly wouldn't want to be feeding a sedentary dog as much food as one that is exercising regularly or a working dog. The dog's activity levels are very important when deciding how much to feed it. Over-feeding will obviously lead to an overweight dog with corresponding health problems and a potential shortening of its life. Another factor that will determine what food to give your dog will be the breed of the dog. Obviously, you won't be feeding the same quantity of food that a Doberman might eat to a miniature poodle. It is not just the size of the dog that needs to be taken into account, but also specific requirements for certain dog breeds. If you have a pedigree dog it is wise to check with that dogs society to get more information on the types of foods that you should be feeding it. Incorrect food choice can be very detrimental to the health of your dog. If in doubt, and you are unable to find any suitable information, it is always better to stick with natural foods, meats, and a
little vegetables, and always monitor the weight of your dog to see that it is not getting overweight or alternatively losing weight. One thing that is essential with all dogs, all breeds of dogs, and all sizes of dogs, is the need for fresh water at all time. Just like humans, dogs need to remain hydrated at all times or they will become lethargic and sick. You'll also need to give your dog, food that they can chew to assist in the cleaning of their teeth. And of course, any dog will always be happy with a nice big bone to chew on.

How long should your dog-training sessions be?

There are many different factors that come into play when determining how long your dog training sessions should be. Just as people have many and varied personalities, the same is true for dogs - even within a breed. Many people recommend that you do a personality analysis before getting your dog to determine which breed will be most suitable in your life. Very often, however, we choose dogs based on other different factors at the time. The various different breeds of dogs have different personality traits and you need to work with these when training your dog to get the best results. The age of the dog also determines the ability to be trained. While young puppies generally have a shorter attention span they haven't learned the bad habits of older dogs and in most cases are easiest to train. When training young puppies it is a good idea to have shorter training sessions, and to end the training sessions with a bit of fun and playtime. When you mix a little fun with the training, you always get better results, and you will also be more likely to continue with the dog training for longer. As an owner and their dog progress along with training, both parties will find it far more enjoyable as the results will improve and the obvious rewards that both the dog and the owner receive from one another will bond the relationship even further. There's nothing quite like dog training to start off a lifetime relationship in the best manner possible. Dog training is the best investment you can ever make for your pet.