Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Police Dogs Assist in Arrest

I always enjoy stories of police dogs coming to the rescue to help stop a criminal. The full article can be found HERE, but the dog part is as follows:

Man commits carjacking and police find the car.

Police found the car and the suspect fled the car, and both Cromwell and Middletown police attempted to find him. With the help of a K-9, police tracked the suspect to a garage at a home in Middletown, where he was found hiding beneath a car.

Fazzina refused to leave the garage, but was eventually drawn out by the K-9. He was taken to Middlesex Memorial Hospital for treatment of dog bites, police reports said.

Hopefully that dog received some great treats.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Unknown Dog Steals Frozen Turkey

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=16872940

Funny story about a dog stealing a turkey, and leaving it in someone else's yard....

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy thanksgiving from The Pet Haven!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Keep your Dog Warm in the Winter Weather!

(Guestblogger post)
Winter is quickly approaching which means temperatures are dropping, rain and snow are falling, and you’re bundling up to stay warm. You may know what to do to keep yourself comfortable, but it is important to remember that your pets can feel the change in the weather as well. There are a few ways that we can protect our dogs from the chilly winter conditions and keep them safe, dry and warm.

- Outdoor dogs will of course be most affected by the winter. Keep them inside as often as possible, especially during rain or snowfall. If you can’t leave them in the house, they should have a sturdy outdoor shelter with walls to protect them from wind, a lifted floor to keep them off the cold ground and a roof to protect them from the rain.
- Be sure to leave your dog with a full coat for the winter and avoid trimming their fur for a few months. This allows them to better generate and insulate their body heat.
- Your pet may need more food during the winter as they will be using extra energy to stay warm. Be sure to watch for changes in eating habits and adjust food portions if necessary. Water bowls that are left outside should also be watched as they can freeze.
- You can always look into clothing or sweaters for your pets to help insulate their body heat, but make sure they are comfortable and it isn’t restricting to their movement.
- Play with them and give them plenty of exercise to keep them active and moving. Attention is important as pets can be prone to “winter blues.”
- Watch for cues of discomfort, such as changes in behavior and energy level. Make sure to have several veterinarian visits over the season to ensure that they are remaining healthy.

If you feel cold, your pet is probably feeling it too, so you can use your own comfort as a gauge for the needs of your dog. Keep in mind that your dog will enjoy curling up near the fireplace with the family as much as you will!

Kathryn Ek is a writer for Pocketchange, a shopping blog from Become.com where you can find more information about smart shopping for your dog. Check out Become.com this season to shop for all of your pet needs.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Concern Over H1N1 in Cat

With the recent announcement that the H1N1 virus was found in a cat, it is important to be concerned. Here are is intresting viewpoint that I found:

Be Concerned, Not Panicked
The upshot is that we need to be concerned for our pets, but there’s no need to panic. Knowing that cats and ferrets are susceptible to the swine flu virus adds a heretofore unknown twist to the rapidly developing H1N1 story, but all it means is that you need to take precautions should you develop flu-like symptoms –– even with your pets.
It’s no surprise that the recommendations for reduced human to animal transmission are similar to those for preventing human to human transmission: Cough into your elbow, wash your hands before handling your pets and give them a wide berth until 24 hours post-fever.

Again, take into account that so far it appears as though only humans can transmit H1N1 to cats and ferrets. They haven’t yet given it to us, nor have we given the virus to dogs. Only time will tell whether this will remain the case. Here’s hoping that’s as far as H1N1 goes.
www.petmd.com

Monday, November 2, 2009

Average Cost of Pet Ownership

Pet ................First year cost .........Annual cost
small dog .........1,050 .....................580
medium dog.... 1,260.................... 695
large dog ..........1,435..................... 875
Cat.................... 1,035 .....................670
Rabbit ...............1,055..................... 730
Guinea Pig ..........705..................... 635
Small Mammal... 340.................... 300
Small Bird ............270 .....................200
Fish........................ 235....................... 35

Prices do not include adoption costs, tank set up for the fish, or purchase cost.
Source: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Tips for Holiday Travel with Your Pet

The winter holiday season is a time for family and friends to gather, often traveling a great distance to be together. Many families consider pets to be part of their family and choose to take them along. Traveling with pets is not always easy, especially when the family dog or cat experiences fear of travel, or motion sickness.

Some dogs resist getting into the car, giving out shrill yelps, while cats meow plaintively, salivating and drooling even before getting into the car. Some pets happily jump into the car, but the moment the engine starts and the car begins to move, their heads hang down and they start to drool, eventually getting sick after some distance. Others look out the window, flicking their heads in different direction as things move by, and quite rapidly they begin to drool and soon get sick.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that most long-distance holiday travel, about 91 percent, is by a personal vehicle, such as by car. Below are some helpful tips from HomeoPet to help make car rides more comfortable and safe for your pet, and your family:

Seat your pet securely in the car, either with a harness, crate or barrier.Allowing your pet to roam freely in the car can be dangerous for the pet and distracting for the driver. For pets with visual cue motion sickness, putting them down on the floor of the car where they cannot see out can often be very helpful.


If your pet is not accustomed to traveling in the car, take some short trips, gradually increasing his time to get him used to longer rides.Bring a favorite toy and blanket for comfort.


Your pet should have a very light meal in the three hours before travel.An empty stomach is usually more prone to nausea. Some pets will respond better on a reasonably full stomach, but if it comes up, it could mean a lot of cleaning. Keep pets hydrated with small amounts of water.


Make frequent stops, allowing pets time to exercise and relieve themselves. Be sure your pet is wearing identification tags or has a microchip in case he does run away or gets lost.


Never leave your pet in the car unattended. They can easily overheat, even when windows are left open. Always be careful with an open window—pets may jump out at the wrong time, or get stuck in them.


Be sure your pet’s mandated vaccinations are up to date, and ask your vet for a health certificate to bring along. Pack any medications your pet might be taking, or might need in an emergency. Researching local veterinarians and emergency clinics in the area you intend to visit can save you valuable time in an emergency.


If your pet does experience motion sickness, use HomeoPet’s Travel Anxiety before you begin your trip.

Tips courtesy of homeopet.com

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Halloween Not Good for Black Cats

The New Zealand Veterinary Association is warning trick-or-treaters to spare a thought for their pets this Saturday night.

Halloween is a bad time of year for black cats, with their long-standing connections with witches, hubble-bubble and evil.

Veterinarian Pieter Verhoek warned petowners to keep black cats away from children who might play pranks.

Reports of deliberate cruelty to black cats rise especially in the weeks around Halloween in Britain, the RSPCA animal charity said on Wednesday.

Verhoek said dogs should be restrained and protected from getting over-excited by a series of visitors to the front door which could result in someone getting bitten by accident.

Treats and trick-or-treating should also exclude pets, Verhoek advised.

"Lollies and chocolate are not good for cats and dogs, and in some instances can be toxic. Especially with chocolate, which can result in animals getting seriously sick or even dying. We do suggest that such treats are kept out of the reach of our pets.

"If the kids want to dress your dog or cat in a costume - please be sensible - ensure that the animals are comfortable and not restrained by unaccustomed clothing," he said.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Holidays are Coming!