Happy National Dog Day!

Did you all know that it's National Dog Day today?! Founded in 2004 by pet lifestyle expert & animal behaviorist Colleen Paige and sponsored by the Animal Miracle Network, National Dog Day was created to raise awareness about dogs in need of rescue and celebrate the important role that dogs play in our lives. It's a day to recognize that dogs are a huge part of our lives, whether they are our running partner, our couch potato, our service animal, or our rescuer. Below are just a couple of ideas for ways you can celebrate this day and the dogs in your life. For more information on National Dog Day, please visit their website www.nationaldogday.com.

1) Donate $5 to your local animal shelter. Just this small amount can help make a real difference in the life of a shelter animal. At CMHS, we work hard to make a little go a long way!

2) Sign up to volunteer or foster for your local animal shelter or rescue organization. These groups rely on volunteers to help care for and socialize the animals in their care. Foster homes help rescues and shelters save more lives. Both are rewarding experiences that truly make a difference in the lives of animals in need.

3) If you don't have the time to volunteer, you can always donate to your local animal shelter. Many organizations have a wish list for items they are in need of - check it out and help them out. You can also hold donation drives at your office or social club, or raise money by holding a garage sale or bake sale. Local animal shelters and rescues are always grateful for the help and support of their community!

4) Help a neighbor out. Do you have an elderly person in your neighborhood who could use some help caring for their pet? Lend them a hand - offer to walk their dog or scoop their yard for them. You'll put a smile on their face and probably get a tail wag out of it as well.

5) Resolve to adopt your next dog (or cat or rabbit or guinea pig). There are literally millions of animals in shelters and rescues across the nation. Save a life by bringing one of them into your home. Rescued animals make great pets!

6) Go to the CMHS facebook page and post about how a dog has made a difference in your life. Share your special dog's story and read about how dogs have touched the lives of others.

7) Celebrate your dog! Take a trip to the dog park or go to your local pet store for a new toy. Go for a long walk and then lavish your pup with belly rubs. Our dogs touch our lives in ways that people can't - show them today that you wouldn't be the same without them.

Why Do You Say That? (Part 1)

Ever wondered what the origins of certain phrases and sayings are? Well then, you're in luck! Welcome to the first installment of "Why Do You Say That?", a continuing series on the meanings and origins of animal phrases!

"Let the cat out of the bag"

We use this phrase when someone tells a secret before it's time to, or let's out a bit of private information that wasn't intended to be shared with others. The roots of this phrase, however, are a bit more nefarious.

In feudal England, land tenants were supposed to turn over a portion of all that they produced as their rent. Some folks, however, did a little illegal business on the side to make extra money, including the selling of suckling pigs. Since these animals were sold on the black market they were concealed in sacks to hide the transaction. Some shrewd businessmen found that you could easily substitute a cat in the sack for a piglet and make some easy money. Suspicious buyers who demanded to see the contents of the sack before purchase often had their suspicions confirmed when they "let the cat out of the bag".

*From Why You Say It by Webb Garrison

Cool Treats

Nothing is quite as refreshing on a hot summer day as a delicious frozen treat, whether it be ice cream, popsicles, or sno cones. While these treats aren't exactly pet friendly (or healthy), you've no doubt found that your dog can barely resist the temptation of that dripping ice cream cone. Well you and your pet are in luck - here are some pet friendly options for cool treats to help refresh your dog on a hot summer day.

Frozen Kong.Put a twist on your dog's favorite chew toy. Fill a Kong (or other similar product) with peanut butter, freeze for a few hours and voila - frozen peanut butter Kongsicle! Sass it up and keep it more interesting for your dog by layering the peanut butter with kibble, small dog biscuits, or banana slices and then freezing it. Try to find low or no salt peanut butter that has no added sugar in it for a healthier treat.

Doggie Ice Cream. There are many choices for dog ice cream widely available in stores, like Yoghund and Frosty Paws, but you can make your very own homemade ice cream treats with ease. Simply blend 1 cup of plain, low fat yogurt with 1/4 cup of peanut butter and 1 banana, divide into reusable containers (about 3oz size) and freeze for at least 30 minutes. Get creative with the flavors! Instead of peanut butter and banana you can do blueberry and apple or even carrot and sweet potato - the possibilities are endless. Just be sure that the ingredients you are using are dog safe and low in salt and sugars - the more whole foods you can use the healthier it is for your dog.

Sno Cones. Lots of dogs enjoy chewing ice, but whole ice cubes have the potential to break a dog's teeth - so why not crush it and make them their very own doggie sno cones?! Start by simply freezing low sodium chicken or beef broth in an ice cube tray. When it's time for a frozen treat, take a moment and run a couple of cubes through the blender and there you have it - doggie sno cones. You can even mix frozen peas or blueberries into the crushed ice as an added bonus! Your dog will love the taste of this cool, refreshing treat.

Bloodsuckers

Ah, summertime. Abundant sunshine, barbecues, lounging by the pool, and, of course, bugs. Lots of bugs, and the kind that like to bite you and, unfortunately, your pets. There's nothing like a flea infestation to take the fun out of your summertime plans. Following are some tips on how to deal with those pesky bloodsuckers if they do indeed invade your pet and your home.

1. Bathe your pet (yes, even a kitty) with a pet safe, soap free shampoo to help wash away fleas, flea eggs, and flea dirt first. Do not use a flea shampoo when bathing your pet, as some pets can have a bad reaction to the mixing of pesticides from the shampoo and topical treatments. Thoroughly dry your pet off and wait 24 hours to apply a topical treatment like Frontline or Advantage. Be sure to use the correct dosage for your size animal - never take a chance on being able to split the medication between several pets. The bulk of the fleas should be dead within 24-48 hours, but if you still feel like your pet has a large number of fleas you can use a product called Capstar available from your vet.

2. Skip the flea collars, powders, and sprays. They don't work and they don't prevent. The extra money it costs for a topical treatment is well worth it, and when you consider that it takes an average of 3 months to fight an infestation (yup, sorry to be the one to have to tell you that)you really need to use the stuff that actually works.

3. Wash your pet's bedding, your bedding, and any other blankets or throws that your pet may have come in contact with. Wait to put those items back out until you've treated the area.

4. Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. And then vacuum again. Vacuuming helps rid your home of fleas, flea dirt, and flea eggs, so doing it at least once a day makes a big difference. Flea eggs are not sticky; they are designed so that they can fall off the animal wherever they go and spread the eggs around a large area. Think about that for a moment - fall off the animal wherever they go. Yup, that's gross, so vacuum your home thoroughly, including floors, couches, beds, tables, counters - anywhere your pet has been. Be sure to empty your vacuum cleaner bag or canister outside immediately after you're done. If you have a bag system this will mean throwing away the bag every time after you vacuum, but it's the only way to make sure those fleas don't escape back into your home.

5. Treat your home with a carpet and upholstery spray to rid those areas of fleas. Make sure it has an Insect Growth Regulator in it to help break the reproductive cycle. Follow instructions closely to keep your pet and your family safe. If the infestation is really bad you may want to use a flea bomb to help rid your home of the pests, but be aware that all living creatures must be out of the home for several hours in order to use a bomb.

6. Be diligent. Be sure to treat your pet with the topical preventative once a month every month. Vacuum at least once a day. Treat your home a second time if necessary, and put all the bedding through another wash cycle. The battle against the bloodsuckers is a frustrating one, but if you stay diligent and keep on top of them, you will come out ahead.