We've all been there.....oh gawd, that's awful! Who tooted? Doggy Farts are the worst silent but deadly stench to wrestle your nose while winding down at the end of a busy day. Those SBD (silent but deadly) farts (you know those really stinky ones) are a wake up call for a dietary change for Tubbs!

I've scoured the internet seeking various (organic, healthy) solutions to the problem to recommend solid advice for my Paw Clients in a short and concise solution (always seek medical advise from a Vet if your Pet shows signs of illness) .  Here are the top 3 recommendations I've found and used  combination  resolve the condition completely.

Bad Gas, Flatulence, Farts Solutions that work:

 1.  Change the diet.  Most Food based gas is from a poor quality diet.  I know what your thinking...but the label says best, natural ingredients...here's what to avoid when reading the fine print on the Food Ingredient list: Corn and Soy, and Fillers.  Junk in, Junk out as the saying goes.  Feed your Dog the highest quality Dog Food you can afford.  The less ingredients on the list the better. Organic, high quality food will  reduce the amount of waste product, meaning less gas, and less smell too. The goal is a healthy digestive tract for Tubbs and less stink!!

 2.  Probiotics for Dogs. Probiotics for Dogs help to reduce the 'bad bacteria' in the gastrointestinal tract and restore the balance in microfloral.  Probiotics are the good, friendly bacteria for Pets and People alike. The results will be a clean and more efficient digestive system. It's a good thing and you can get them in the refrigerator section of the store. Probiotics are live bacteria.....

 3.  Yogurt.  Organic Yogurt has the good bacteria in it and has been very helpful reducing the excessive gas. Yes it's a milk product but it has been 'cultured' which creates the good bacteria making it digestible with different properties than Milk or Cheese per say.  You won't get the good bacteria from Milk or Cheese and in fact many Dogs are lactose intolerant so make sure to stick to Organic Yogurt.  I've read giving 3 tablespoons a day will do the trick. 

If the condition doesn't improve with these public recommendations I'd consult your Vet.  We love our Dogs and want to hang out with them and snuggle...Stinky Butts and Farts are not warm and fuzzy and may be indicative to a bigger problem. Do your Dog a favor and make the changes for cleaner air between you.  The goal is Happy Tails and Smells. Let me know how these work for you...Sharing is Caring. Leave a note, I'd love to hear your success stories.

The news came in Saturday that John passed away in the early hours before dawn.  The shift from bedside vigil and prayer  to disbelief and grief is over-whelming .  Sunday I took the call asking for help with the now orphaned Parrots.  'What about the Parrots'? 

As a friend of the family and a Parrot/Paw person my heart sank hearing the news of John's passing.  There were no provisions or an Estate Plan to take care of the Parrots if he passed before them.

It's a hard reality to embrace but there are over 500,000 Pets orphaned every year due to the death or disability of their Humans.  Many of these Pets end up euthanized because many people assume their Families will care for them, it just doesn't happen that way. Now think about the other reality; 4-5 million Pets are euthanized every year in the United States!  We can reduce this by planning ahead for our Pets.

These two Half Moon Conures are considered Senior Citizens at 27 yrs old, a another strike against them since the life span for these Birds is 30 years.  I'm calling them 'Heckle & Jeckle'.  They know somethings up...John hasn't been home for a month.. They have been Cage Mates and Companions to John for the  27 years. That's longer than most marriages! Now he's gone.  The only hope for them today is the organization PEAC, Parrot Education Adoption Center. Reaching out to Rescue organizations, most are full, under funded and  maxed out seeking donations and support to keep the Birds they have alive.  This opened my eyes to the silent suffering that continues after the death of their Humans. The last thing, the last consideration while planning a funeral is the distressing challenge to 're-home' a loving family Pet(s)  These Poor Parrots have lost their family! 

So I must ask,  have you made provisions for your Pets in your Estate Plan?  Researching this topic I found a very informative guide, 'Who Will Care When You're Not There? Estate Planning for Pet Owners'.  This guide is a must read immediately with tear out tools to prepare and submit to your Estate Attorney.  No one wants to think about dying, but I know you don't want your constant companion to be toss out and or worse, euthanized.  I encourage you to think about what's best for your Pet before you no longer have a say.  Our Pets fill our lives with love, companionship and purpose.  Please take to heart these two Parrots, Heckle & Jeckle, helpless and now homeless, orphaned  with an uncertain fate, no plan for their care.  Don't delay, make plans for your Pets today.

If you know any Parrot lovers in or around San Diego, these two Senior Citizens Birds are looking for a compassionate place to live out their days.  Call me at 858-603-9925 and Thank you!

Being approached by a Pack of Strays is not some thing anyone of us want to deal with, especially when walking your client's Dogs!  There are over 500,000 lost or abandoned Dogs every month across the US.  The ones that become Feral are considered 'Stray Dogs'.  Just because you 'know' Dogs doesn't mean you are equipped to handle a pack of hungry or sick Dogs.  Here are some tips and myths to use and avoid. 

#1 - Do not approach the Dogs.  They are usually hungry in survival mode, not your happy couch potato. Keep as much distance between you and the Strays as possible, never taking your eyes off the Dog(s) or turning your back on them.  Seek the closest home or business for assistance.

#2 - Toss Kibble.  Always carry Kibble when walking your Dog!  If you can not get help and the Dogs keep getting closer tossing Kibble is the best distraction and can buy you time to exit the situation. 

#3 - Don't Run.  Should the Dogs be upon you stand your ground, do not run!  Keeping your eyes down using your peripheral vision, watch the Dogs movements.  Staring at the Dogs can be seen as a threat, don't do it. Stand your ground calmly and with firm conviction with your arms together in front of you.

#4 - Don't Extend a hand.  Extending a hand can be view as a threat, don't do it.

#5 - No Pepper Spray.  You'd think Pepper Spray would be good right? Wrong!  It's never a good idea with a Dog!  What usually ends up happening is spraying Pepper Spray actually exacerbates the situation angering the Dog(s).  Keep calm and toss kibble!  No fast gestures, but reach into you pocket and grab a handful and toss it away from you.  Back away as quickly and calmly as possible, never turning your back on the Dogs. 

#6 - Play Ball.  If you end up on the ground, curl into a ball covering your face with your hands and facing down.  This is the best protection.

#7 - Pay Attention.  The best plan is to be ever aware of your surroundings.  It doesn't have to take away from the joy of walking your Dog(s) but the more aware you are of your surroundings, the more time you have to react.  Always scan the area for unusual movement, etc. Look ahead and all around so you can anticipate your action plan.

#8 - Carry your Cell Phone.  Having your cell phone fully charged and with you on your walk is wise.  Don't leave home with out it.  Just in case you need to call for help, you can.  It may sound silly, but many of us enjoy that leash time away from technology, strolling along with Fido...you can turn the ringer down...just have it with you.

With so many Dogs lost and abandoned every month, the chances of you running into Stray Dogs is very good. The numbers out there are staggering.  The best offense is a good defense.  Be prepared to meet unexpected Paws. It's not a matter of 'IF' it's really 'when'. 

We can help bring the numbers down by supporting low cost Spay and Neuter Clinics such SNAPS SAN DIEGO, http://www.snap-sandiego.org/ .  My thinking here is fewer unwanted animals born, fewer roaming the streets...  Even if you don't own a Pet your tax dollars go towards the shelters and euthanasia to control the population.  I invite you to help stop the Feral Dogs one snip-snip at a time.  Feral Dogs are everyone's business.  If you would like to know more about safe dog walking tips or service you can reach me at 858-603-9925.  Be safe out there and have fun, being prepared can be fun with the Paws!