My Bestfriend

The holiday rush is on. The preparations for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s celebration always keep our hands full with shopping for gifts, decorating the house and preparing the holiday fare. But don’t forget to include your beloved pooch in the festivities. My friend Shaun Omstead shares this simple recipe for dog treats that will surely delight any canine buddy.

These dog treats are made of cheese (which is a favorite flavor among canines) and garlic (which is a natural flea repellant), making them any dog’s favorite chew, paws down. This treats are also great gifts to fellow dog lovers.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups of grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 pound of softened corn oil margarine
1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
1 crushed garlic clove
milk

Combine the first four ingredients and mix well. Add enough milk to form the dough into a ball, then cover the ball with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. On a floured board, roll out the dough to a 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out bone shapes (or Christmas trees, stars or candy cane shapes for a more festive look) and bake on an ungreased baking sheet at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until slightly brown and firm. Cool on a cookie rack and store in a jar. Makes 2 to 3 dozen, depending on size.

Just like in humans, obesity is one of the top health concerns of pets. And it’s our obligation, as responsible pet owners, to ensure that our beloved pooches and kitties maintain an optimal body weight and help them live long and healthy lives. More often than not, humans are to be blamed for their pet’s obesity. Some of us think that loving pets means spoiling them with too much food and unhealthy treats. This notion has got to change.

My friend Shaun Olmstead listed warning signs that tell whether your pet is overweight or has developed an unhealthy feeding behavior. It is best, however, to have your vet take a good look at your pet to rule out medical problems such as hypothyroidism as cause of obesity.

Pet has lost his/her natural curves

Your pet’s back should show some gentle curves: a gentle dip after the ribs (waist area), a gradual slope to the base of the tail, when viewed from above. When viewed from the side, you should see a “tucked up” area just before the hind legs (not a flat line along the base of the belly). Your pet may have a haircoat the prevents easy viewing, but gently running your hands along the top outline of your pet should reveal these natural curves.

No more ribs

With gentle fingertip pressure, you should be able to feel your pet’s ribs easily. If you can only feel cushioned body wall, your pet is carrying too much weight.

Your pet overheats easily

In addition to the body having to work harder just to move around, overweight pets overheat easily. Fat is a great insulator. This condition is known as “heat intolerance”, and will put overweight animals at greater risk for heat stroke.

Your pet is constantly searching for food/begging for treats

A pet who is always on the lookout for food versus a pet who is comfortable “free feeding” is more likely to be overweight. If possible, it is best to offer food free choice (always available). This is not always possible in mixed pet households and with pets who are always craving their next meal, but it will usually encourage a healthier outlook on food consumption. Restricting high calorie treats is also a good way to reduce weight.

Your pet prefers to lay around than walk or play

Pets of optimum body weight and in good health are usually excited for a brisk walk or a game of Frisbee or catch anytime their owner is willing. Pets that are overweight may have the intention, but are soon panting excessively or taking frequent rest breaks just to keep up. Carrying extra body weight can lead to extra pressure on the joints, heart, and lungs. Additionally, other organs, such as liver and pancreas can be affected; leading to diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus.

The election fever is over and Mr. Barack Obama’s life as a normal citizen has inevitably come to an end. Now, even choosing a pet puppy for his two young daughters has become a national issue, more pressing than who will complete his cabinet.

Great anticipation is brewing, especially among dog lovers, on what breed will be the next Top Dog that will accompany the Obama family in the White House. During his victory speech, President-elect Barack Obama promised his kids a dog that will accompany them in their would-be official residence: “Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.”

On succeeding interviews, Obama said that there are two criteria to meet in choosing the right pooch: one was it has to be hypoallergenic because 10-year old Malia has allergies; and two, it has to be a rescue dog. “But, obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me, so whether we’re going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household,” jested the President-elect, referring to his mixed ethnic background.

My dog lover friend, Shaun Olmstead, shared this opinion: “The lucky pooch the Obamas should choose must be comfortable with children and impeccably behaved at all times. It must be potty trained and not a biter not like current White House dog, Barney.” Barney is President George W. Bush’s Scottish terrier which hugged the limelight after biting the finger of a White House reporter.

Playing with your cats is a great way to bond with them and at the same time give them the exercise they need. Interactive playing (that’s you playing with your cat) hones their hunting skills, helps maintain their healthy weight, it’s also a good way to release negative energy (aggression), and more importantly, it’s fun!

My cat lover friend, Shaun Olmstead, warns though, that cats are not dogs. You shouldn’t accustom them to play with your hands while they are still kittens. They should be taught, early on, that your hands are not toys. You may enjoy the gentle biting, scratching and pouncing while they are still young, but when they get older, you wouldn’t want to know what those full-sized teeth and claws can do!

Acquiring or adopting a dog is no easy feat.  It is not like buying four Ferraris, two Mercedes convertibles and a BMW and dumping them in the garage. Owning a dog requires a lot of dedication, patience and responsibility.  Remember that a dog won’t be able to feed, do the minimum necessary exercise, groom, or get the proper care when it gets sick without your help.The quality of life a dog will have depended solely on its master’s dedication to give his every need. So if you cannot commit your time, money and presence, owning a dog is not for you. My friend and dog lover, Shaun Olmstead, says that the average life span of a dog is of 10 years and some are even fortunate to live sixteen or seventeen years. So, before you make up your mind, think it over and seriously examine your own lifestyle, your character, and the kind of surroundings you live in. Weigh the pros and cons that a dog might bring into your life and the inconveniences of actually owning one.

Are you ready to protect your animal regularly from infections and worms that may afflict its breed? Are you financially able to sustain your dog, the veterinary visits should the dog become ill or suffer a main injury? Can you provide the animal a healthy and balanced diet? Your leftovers from dinner or lunch won’t be able to cover its basic needs.

So if you want a dog because you find it adorable in the pet shop display window, or so you could please your three year old daughter on her birthday or you saw Paris Hilton looks great with a Chihuahua in her purse, please think again. There are already too many stray dogs wondering in the streets or wallowing in dog rescue centers simply because their previous owners decided they weren’t up to the challenge of owning them.