Amy Shojai's Blog, page 15

STUDY ON SERVICE DOG EFFECTIVENESS FOR PTSD FINDS MANY BENEFITS

STUDY ON SERVICE DOG EFFECTIVENESS FOR PTSD FINDS MANY BENEFITS

June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness and providing support and education for people who suffer from PTSD. So when I received the press release, below, I eagerly scheduled this great news. Read on!

Ponte Vedra, FL (June 4, 2024) – The first National Institutes of Health-funded clinical trial of its kind links the pairing of service dogs with military Veterans to lowered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity, odds of PTSD diagnosis and other negative mental health symptoms. The study, released in time for PTSD Awareness Month in June, was also the largest national study to date comparing Veterans and service dog teams to usual care alone for PTSD-afflicted Veterans...

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Cat Whiskers & Dog Whiskers: What Are They For?

Cat Whiskers & Dog Whiskers: What Are They For?

I’m fascinated by kitty whiskers, how about you? Does your cat have lots of whiskers, or only a few? What about your dog? Have you noticed how s/he actually uses them? Seren had a “wild” whisker that started to grow curled forward once she became an aging kitteh. And for some of the longer furred […]

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Dog Parasite Treatments: What to Do to Keep Dogs Safe

Dog Parasite Treatments: What to Do to Keep Dogs Safe

I take dog parasite treatment very seriously. Lots of pet parents want to know about wormed dogs. Magic and I used to spend a couple hours every day running and playing in the fields and rambling through the wooded areas of our thirteen-acre property.

With the recent rain and warmer temperatures, the wildflowers and roses--as well as grass and weeds--have flourished. But so have the dog parasites including the ones you can see like fleas, tapeworms, roundworms and mosquitoes, and the hidden bugs such as heartworm, hookworms, and whipworms. What's a caring pet parent to do to provide effective dog parasite treatment?

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Stages of Puppy Development: How Puppies Mature

Stages of Puppy Development: How Puppies Mature

Puppy development is fascinating, and one of the most popular dog topics. Every time we get a new puppy, I learn new things about new puppy development. Did you know that the adult incisors (next to the canines) erupt at age 16 weeks? That's a way to help age your new baby dog.

Along the way, puppies tend to get into all kinds of things–we laugh, but then we might cry if they hurt themselves. On May 31st we celebrate Shadow-Pup's gotcha day--he arrived in 2020 when we needed him most.

Did you ever wonder about the stages of puppy development? Some of this has to do with the dog breed, but all newborn puppies (whatever the breed) look surprisingly similar. They also develop along the same period of time. Look no further, I've got you covered! Oh, and enjoy the SQUEEE! cute puppy pictures, too!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Dogs Jumping Up? How to Ground Jumping Jack Dogs

Dogs Jumping Up? How to Ground Jumping Jack Dogs

A puppy jumping up aggravates and even terrorizes people. His paws muddy slacks; her claws snag pantyhose. Being tackled by a dog is an unpleasant, dangerous surprise. It’s also rude behavior that should not be allowed in polite human/canine society.

Puppy training goes beyond potty training. With our Bravo-Dawg weighing over 120 pounds, jumping up became a safety issue. Shadow-Pup at only 50 pounds still causes plenty of aggravation. Teach limits early--but even hard case adult dogs can be taught not to jump up.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Why Puppies Jump Up on People: What to Do

Why Puppies Jump Up on People: What to Do

When dogs jump up on people, it can aggravate or even injure or terrorizes people. Being tackled by a dog is an unpleasant, dangerous surprise. It’s also rude behavior that should not be allowed in polite human/canine society. Here's why dogs do it, and how you can manage the behaviorl.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Outdoor Cats: Keeping Your Cat Safe with Outdoor Cat Enclosures

Outdoor Cats: Keeping Your Cat Safe with Outdoor Cat Enclosures

It's vitally important that you keep outdoor cats safe with outdoor cat enclosures. In the best of all possible worlds, cats could roam back gardens and chase butterflies, enjoy sniffing the roses and have a wonderful time being cats--as they were meant to be. But the reality of the situation is that dangers lurk even in the back garden. Here are some things to consider.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Travel With Pets: Vacationing with Cats & Dogs

Travel With Pets: Vacationing with Cats & Dogs

Whether you enjoy vacationing with cats and dogs, travel with pets on business, or go camping with pets, it's important to gauge how well your individual pets will react. Plan ahead for any pet travel, and you and your pets will be happier.

Air Travel with Pets

Small pets that fit into carriers sized to slide under the seat can travel as carry-on luggage, but there is an added charge and a limit to the numbers that can be in the cabin at one time. Pet owners need up-to-date health certificates, a standard crate (size/details according to the flight restrictions), and it gets pricy...

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Hunting Gifts: Why Do Cats Bring You Dead Animals

Hunting Gifts: Why Do Cats Bring You Dead Animals

Here in Texas, the warm weather continues to bring big-bug-migrations from outside to the living room. The cats are thrilled with cricket carcasses and the occasional disoriented field mouse that takes a deadly detour. But why do cats bring you dead animals?

Thank goodness, both Karma-Kat and Trinity-Kitten haven’t presented me with anything beyond a cricket drumstick. But it’s not unusual for cats to share their bounty. Mousey morsels end up on the front porch or (Ew!) a beloved owner’s pillow. Why do cats bring us critter gifts?

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing

Dog Scooting On Butts Points to Anal Gland Problems

Dog Scooting On Butts Points to Anal Gland Problems

Does your dog “scoot” across the carpet, ground or grass? Is there an unpleasant aroma clinging to your feline friend? The culprit may be problem anal glands. (Hint: if you’re eating breakfast, you might want to wait and read this later).

Magic never did this, but Bravo frequently scooted, and now and then Shadow indulges. Eww! The behavior does vary somewhat by breed. Cats more typically clean themselves without scooting. Here's what you need to know.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Practical Solutions for Pets Problems & Publishing