Via UC Davis News

Veterinarians at the University of California, Davis, offer some helpful tips to keep your pets safe this holiday season.

Items to watch out for:

• Chocolate — Chocolate contains ingredients that can be toxic to pets. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it is. While dogs are the most susceptible, cats and other species may be affected, too. It is best to avoid letting any of your pets eat chocolate. If they have eaten chocolate and show signs of anxiety, agitation or vomiting, consult a veterinarian immediately.
• Poinsettias and holly — These traditional holiday plants can cause mild irritation to a pet’s mouth and may cause minor drooling, decreased appetite or vomiting. Seek veterinary care if these signs progress.
• Mistletoe — In small amounts, mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal irritation, possibly resulting in drooling, vomiting or diarrhea. Larger amounts could cause more severe harm. Consult veterinary care immediately if your pet has eaten any mistletoe.
• Electrical cords — Pets can easily be electrocuted if they chew through holiday light cords, which are usually thin and not insulated. Respiratory distress is a sign of electrocution, as well as a burn mark across the lips or tongue. Consult veterinary care immediately if your pet has these signs.
• Tinsel — While it makes a beautiful decoration, tinsel can be deadly to your pet if swallowed. It can easily cause an intestinal blockage and leakage of the consumed material into the abdomen. If you suspect your pet has eaten tinsel, and it has a loss of appetite, vomiting or diarrhea, seek veterinary care.

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Dog lovers rejoice! Not only is it the most wonderful time of the year, it's the start of our holiday vacation, and around here that means lots of dog photos being shared between family and friends. We can't resist the cute!  What makes this winter even more exciting is we just discovered a virtual dog park called Puppystream. Drop the galoshes and snow shovel!

Puppystream.me is a fun new community for all the dog lovers out there who want to share photos of their dog, or see photos of other cute dogs, and we know they're out there! Did you know that there are over 12 million photos tagged #dog on Instagram? 

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, approximately 75% of pets over the age of three will experience signs of periodontal disease. When we adopted our dog Cleo, she had a root canal within months of coming home. She was about three years old. Adopting an adult dog, we didn't know her background but since having Cleo is for keeps, it's been important for us to learn about doggie dental care.

www.grouchypuppy.com

With Thanksgiving over, the tree trimmed and the first set of Christmas cards in the mail, our home is now in full holiday mode. As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm working on a holiday gift for Team Cleo and I'm pretty excited on how it's turning out!

Because I remember when Cleo could express her excitement in leaps and bounds, I have to share this cute new SEASON’S GREENIES® commercial for the popular dental chews. And Cleo may not be able to leap like the dog in this commercial, but she sure expresses her excitement with a louder woof!

Hohoho Woofs to one and all!

This post was written by a Nutro Knowledge Network Member and sponsored by the Nutro Company.

Via Monterey County Weekly

Lily’s future didn’t look so bright. The 6-year-old Hollister stray, a black-and-white Chihuahua-rat terrier mix, was headed to the shelter where she would join a lot of other Chihuahua mixes, many of them younger and thus more adoptable.


She didn’t have much of a chance – until a shelter employee phoned Peace of Mind Dog Rescue. “She’s a perfect little dog, great with dogs and people; quiet,” says Carie Broecker, the nonprofit’s co-founder and executive director.


Read the full inspiring story

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This first week of December is when I scramble to find a new way to Zazzle up an image of my dog Cleo. She is so photogenic, and like many dog lovers, I take endless photos throughout the year of her being cute. This week is my time to finally choose one to share with family, the nice people who make up Team Cleo*, and yes, the few left in the world who need to be persuaded that she is more bark than love bite these days.

Naughty Dog Ornament by sfcaste

This is the funniest exchange between a beautiful Malamute and an adorable baby. Does the baby think they are a dog? The dog's look and sniff of the baby's face had me in stitches. Enjoy!!