A summer day on the lake is relaxing and stimulating at the same time. The wind in your hair, the cool breezes off the lake, and the chance to sit for a moment’s quiet reflection are all part of the boating experience. If you want to share that experience with your dog, there are a few safety tips you should keep in mind.

First, your pup needs a personal floatation device (PFD) or life jacket. Just like for people, this will protect your pet should they accidentally (or on purpose) go over-board. Although most dogs can swim, some cannot. And all dogs have a short endurance and can get hypothermia in cold water. A PFD will keep your pet from drowning and limit fatigue until you can return them safely to the boat.

PFD's made just for dogs may be purchased all at major marine vendors. Make sure the PFD fits securely. You should have your dog practice swimming in controlled conditions. Give your dog time to get comfortable with it before actually getting on the boat. BoatUS provides additional information on boating safety and your dog. You can find some very nice dog PFDs at EZYDOG. Their special dog PFD has an ergonomic and comfortable fit that keeps your dog in a natural swimming position at all times. The vests have a grab-handle and strong nylon D-buckle that allows you to transport and secure your dog as needed.

In addition to your pet’s PFD, you should provide: water, shade protection from the sun, and you need to consider doggie elimination. You may want to include some piddle pads and designate a place for Fido to use, if needed. Or, plan to make some pit-stops on land during your outing.

Posted by Barbara.

All of the pet owners I know talk to their pets and many of us look at our pets as if we believe they are trying to communicate back to us. With some dogs, it is a light in their eyes, a tilt of their head, and a direct stare that seems to be saying "listen to me". Then, there are animal communication specialists who take this informal interspecies communication even farther - to pet telepathy.

Debbie McGillivray is a professional animal communicator and pet psychic. In her book, Complete Idiot's Guide to Pet Psychic Communication she shares client stories of psychic experiences and at-home exercises to make her points.  In reading the book you will learn how to have a psychic conversation with your pet, how to help an animal with emotional scars or fears, how to connect psychically with a lost pet, and how to communicate with a pet that has passed on.

I confess to being a skeptic about the area of telepathic communication with people or pets. But, I know there are events and experiences that people have had that seem to only be explained by considering telepathic communication. And, I know that serious researchers have looked at the abilities of people to communicate psychically. So, who knows? This book was reviewed on Amazon by eight people whose consensus was that it was entertaining, well written and persuasive - they gave the book five stars.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Pet Psychic Communication

Posted by Barbara.

I got my first Nylabone® chew product when my retrievers were six months old and still in that chewing stage. We were both delighted because they got to chew on something to their heart’s content and I could stop replacing their toys every few days. Nylabone® has specific chew products designed to meet the chewing needs of almost every dog, no matter what size, breed, age or type of chewer the dog might be. Now they have a new dog-approved treat that is good for your dog’s joints and is organic which is good for the environment, too.

The Nylabone Vida Organic Treats are highly digestible and gluten-free made with no preservatives, added color, salt or wheat. They were chosen as the top dog treat by Alison Rogers Green Gazette writing for Mother Jones magazine in their February/March 2008 issue. The Nylabone Vida™ is certified organic by Oregon Tilth, a nonprofit organization supporting and promoting biologically sound and socially equitable agriculture through education, research, advocacy, and certification.

 There are five Vida organic treats including ones for:

Hip and joint
Immune system
Puppy
Multivitamin
Skin

The organic chews contain Organic Barley, Organic Oats, Organic Rice, Organic Chicken, Organic Flax Seed, Organic Canola Oil, Natural Flavor, Organic Peas, Organic Carrots, Fish Meal, along with additional vitamins and minerals. They are: 11% minimum crude protein, 12% minimum crude fat%, 8.5% maximum crude fiber and 10 calories per gram.

Posted by Barbara.