Blog by Feed Jake Pet Mart

Your dog can contract heartworm disease from the bite of a mosquito, which can be fatal if left untreated. So be sure to visit your veterinarian for a blood test and preventative measures for your dog. Year around preventative is best! If you keep your dog on heartworm preventative all year long, a blood test is only required every 2 years.

Well six weeks has passed! Unbelievabley fast! It is amazing how fast time fly's when one is caring for a puppy! Little Melody is now fully recovered from her "Puppy Strangles", after high doses of Prednisone and antibiotics. In the mean time she developed a "Cherry Eye" which was operated on Feb. 9th. Through all of the problems this little pup has had, that little tail never stopped wagging!  She is doing wonderful and has turned into a happy, healthy, vibrant little pup!

Last Friday I had to let go of her (not an easy task for me), and give her to her forever family.

I read this poem written by Evelyn Colbath and could not resist passing it on:

"Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed, all nicely tucked into my warm new bed. I would like to open my baggage lest I forget, there is so much to carry, so much to reget.

Hmm...Yes there it is, right on top - Let's unpack loneliness, heartache and loss. And there by my leash hides fear and shame. As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave - I still have to unpack my baggage called pain.

I loved them, the others, the ones who left me, but I wasen't good enough - for they didn't want me.

Fear agression, or more commonly known as fear biting is a dog, who when confronted by someone he is unfamilier with, or is uncomfortable with, simply bites. This doesn't mean that the dog is mean or aggressive, only afraid and doesn't know how to react. He is frustrated and doesn't know what to do about it so he bites.

Some of the factors that may contribute to fear biting could be his genetics, how he was socialized, lack of training (training promotes self confidence), past abuse, his health history, and his overall health can all contribute to the development of this behavior.

As always, my recommendation is to adopt from a animal shelter or rescue. But, if you decide that you want to adopt a purebred puppy from a breeder, here are 10 questions you should ask:

 1. How long have you been involved with this breed? You are looking for a breeder that has worked with only 1-2 breeds at the most and is familier with the traits of the breed.

2. What are the congenital defects in this breed? If the breeder answers none or I don't know, this is a breeder to stay away from.

Spaying and neutering makes dogs fat. Not true! Dogs are just like people, too much food and not enough exercise makes dogs fat and people too! After your dog recovers from surgery you may need to adjust his food quantities and level of exercise. Remember, a long walk every day will do you both a lot of good. The activity level for male dogs in particular may decrease because they do not have the desire to get out and roam. Grown dogs are also less active than puppies, so you should adjust the feeding routine when your dog matures, about the same time as neutering, or he will put on weight.

A dry, hot nose means a fever. This is just a myth! A dog has a fever when a thermometer properly inserted into his rectum exceeds 102.5 degrees. His nose has nothing to do with it! You can purchase a thermometer for your dog or cat at any pet supply store or on the internet and is a good addition to your pet care kit. A tube of lubricating jelly to make insertion easier and more comfortable for your pet is also a good idea.

Other symptoms to watch for are frantic panting and glassy eyes.

Never let your puppy do anything that you wouldn't want he or she to do as a grown dog! For example, if you don't want your 80lb dog jumping on you and others, don't let it happen as a 10lb puppy. Puppy classes are a great way to start obedience traning, and to begin your life long relationship together. The better trained your dog is, the happier you will both be, and the stonger your relationship! And puppy classes are fun, and a great way to socialize too!

One of the greatest things about being a dog owner is the feeling of being needed. Dogs are social animals and feel more comfortable being with they're "pack", their human companions. Unfortunately, in todays busy lifestyle, their "pack" sometimes must leave them for long periods of time. Most dogs adjust to the absence of their owners on their own. But for some, it can lead to serious behavioral problems caused from separation anxiety.

Some of the signs of separation anxiety are: digging or chewing, barking, whining or howling, urinating and/or defecating shortly after you leave, constantly following you around the house, drooling or panting, chewing or licking the paws or tail, refusing to eat, sadness, inactivity.

The Dachshund Snow Song (Sung to "LET IT SNOW")

Oh, the weather outside is awful
and it should be quite unlawful
to make a poor dachsie go
IN THE SNOW! IN THE SNOW! IN THE SNOW!

It doesn't show signs of stoppin',
So it means that I'll be hoppin',
cause my tummy is way too low-O
IN THE SNOW! IN THE SNOW! IN THE SNOW!

When I finally get inside
I'm all tired and wet and beat
So in bed I want to hide
and only come out for a treat!

Oh the snow is all I'm seein'.

Startling Statistics:

Two uncontrolled breeding cats, plus all their kittens and all their kitten's kittens, if none ever neutered or spayed, add up to:

First year: 12 ; Second year: 66 ; Third year: 382 ; Fourth year: 2,201 ; Fifth year: 12,680 ; Sixth year: 73,041 ; Seventh year: 420,715 ; Eighth year: 2,423,316 ; Ninth year: 13,958,290

• 2 litters per year
• 2.8 surviving kittens per litter
• 10 year breeding life
• In 10 years, multiply to 80,399,780.

With winter starting to rear it's ugly head, please remember that if it is too cold for you to be outside, it is probably too cold for your pet too! Your dog or cat may have a furry, thick coat but it is no match for "old man winter". Even outdoor dogs should be inside when winds blow or temps drop to 20 degrees.

Outdoor dogs should have a dry, draft-free house large enough for them to sit or lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold body heat. The floor should be raised and covered with straw and blankets.