Come summertime, we put our winter clothes away and wear lighter cooler clothing, wear strappy sandals, treat ourselves to delicious, cool drinks and when we get too warm, we truly appreciate our air conditioning, and maybe take a swim in the pool from time to time.

These are the things that make the summer months fun and enjoyable. 

Keep in mind that our animals can’t remove their winter attire, other than enjoying a somewhat cooler summer haircut by a good groomer, and they sometimes suffer in the hot weather.

Our furry, little children need special attention during the heat of summer and it is imperative that we make plenty of cool, clean drinking water available to them.  When we eat watermelon outdoors in the summer, we always share that treat with the dogs, (we remove the pits of course). It is fun for them because they like to treat the watermelon like a bone, and it happens to be cooling as well as hydrating.

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOGGIES IN YOUR VEHICLE, EVEN IF THE WINDOWS ARE PARTIALLY OPEN, as the poor dears could die of heatstroke, and it is just simply a cruel and thoughtless, neglectful thing to do.  

If you like to play games such as Frisbee with your dog, refrain from doing so in the heat of the day, and hold off on the strenuous activity until the weather cools off a bit.

If you live in an air conditioned home, make sure your animals are kept in the areas that are kept cool also. 

Fleas are a filthy nuisance and dogs can lose their hair, get infections and scratch from flea bites.  So, be sure to apply a good flea treatment regularly, according to vet instructions, keep your dogs well groomed with nice short hair cuts during the summer months, so they are fresh and comfy, and keep their teeth brushed and sparkly clean, no matter what the season.

We get so much love from our pets that anything we can do to help them experience our love back, is well worth it.  My dogs just have to give me that grateful look, and I melt.  

Dogs enjoy playing under the sprinkler from time to time or just splashing in a big basin of water outdoors where they can make as much mess as they wish.  It helps to keep them cool as well, just be sure to dry their ears thoroughly after playtime is over.  Even when you bathe them, ears should be protected as much as possible, and they must be gently cleaned without Q-Tips, and gently but entirely dried immediately after bath time.

Have a great summer with your dogs and remember, just as with human children, your furry babies can’t be given too much attention and love!  Don’t forget to kiss them good night, and one kiss from me too.

* For more information on Dog Health, check out TerrierLover.com

Ingrid

photo: Kimberly Edwards of TerrierLover.com

What pain and sorrow a person would feel. They would be unbelievably worried and heart-broken, to say the least.

• You would rack your brain as to if you left the latch on the gate open, or if the wind blew it, or if they discovered another way to get out of the yard.

• You would wonder if they would be able to find their way home…

• You would wonder if whoever finds them would call it in and take care of them in the meantime.

• Will their collar stay on?

• Are they hurt, or worse?

If you have an especially friendly dog, you’re worried they’ll go to anyone, and if your dog is cantankerous, you hope they don’t try to hurt anyone and be in the bad graces of a shelter or worse.

What’s worse than a lost dog? Lost Dogs, plural!

Multiply everything I just said by the number of pets you lost…What a tragic event that would be.

Being as close to our pets as we are, this would rip your heart in two.

The first things to do when you have lost your dog is:

1. Call for them and quickly scope the area.
2. If any neighbors are outside in shouting distance, ask them if they’ve seen your pet and that will also put the alert out.
3. If someone in your family can do it, have them walk the neighborhood or drive it, calling for your pet and surveying people as to if they saw them.
4. Call your local Lost Dog Shelter to see if they’ve been picked up or delivered to them.
5. Some websites provide the ability to put out a Pet Amber Alert – some are free, some are paid. You can even try using Facebook or Twitter to spread the word quickly.
6. If none of these steps have found your pet, it’s important to start putting posters out around the surrounding neighborhoods on telephone poles, community mailboxes, grocery stores or anywhere you can post a flier, with a reward of some kind.

I truly hope and pray this NEVER happens to any of you, but life happens…be prepared.

Be calm, so you can think as clearly as possible to find your pet safe and sound.

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

Technorati Tags: lost dog, lost dogs, lost dog shelter, pets, dogs, Amber alert for pets

I just can’t help it…I am a grandma that wants to make sure everyone is taken care of, is healthy, and is loved.

I’ve been expressing my concern that the pooches will get too cold outside. Plus, how cute would it be to get them all dulled up in matching dog clothes and accessories?

Don’t you think that would be absolutely adorable? I do!

They are just so darn cute outside running altogether with the big dog pack, discovering new things and having fun. The only issue they have is that they don’t have a lot of fur like the adult dogs and their time outside has to be cut so short since they start whining and shivering. Then, it’s time to rush them all in to get dried, cuddled and placed in front of the fire place.

It’s great that they’re learning to do their business outside.

They love to snuggle in their dog beds – that’s right, I said beds. Not only is it the fact that they’re growing and can’t all fit into one bed as they did before, but they’ve gone through several beds.

Puppy teeth are very sharp and they like to chew. I’m not happy they tore up 2 beds, however, I’m happy it wasn’t my couch!

There’s just something about dogs that snuggle in beds that is so sweet, I can’t help but take photos all the time of them looking so cute and cuddly.

Take care of those puppies out there…What you train them and how you treat them will determine how their personality develops and how well they adjust to their environment, or failure to do so.

Enjoy every minute with them as puppies…they grow up so quickly and those sweet, precious moments are fleeting…

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pets post on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

Technorati Tags: puppies, dog clothing, dog accessories, dog collars, puppy supplies

Our puppies need their bodies cleaned and their bedding washed at least twice a day.

It isn’t really healthy to fully bathe puppies too stringently or too often.  However, puppies need all of their parts kept clean and free of  urine and excrement.

Harsh soaps and shampoos are definitely not acceptable as they remove the natural oils from their coats leaving them with dry skin or other skin problems.   Also, anything too “perfumey” can cause  drying of their skin and coats.

A mild puppy shampoo is advisable, followed by a mild conditioner.  A nice oatmeal conditioner would be good.

To this end, I have found a very good line of products suitable for our dogs, by John Paul (Paul Mitchell), who provides a lovely dog shampoo, conditioner, ear and eye cleaning wipes, wipes for their teeth and gums, and a leave-in oatmeal conditioning spray.

With seven pups, it can be a real challenge to keep them from playing with, and sitting in their messes, which is quite an ever present task  for us.   Someone always seems to need their paws or bottoms cleaned.

The above-mentioned product line also provides full body and paw bath wipes, which help to keep them fresh and  clean between baths.

Of  course you can accomplish  keeping your puppies clean by using  a common sense approach to cleanliness, if it is not in your budget to purchase “special” shampoos, etc.

Keep anything that touches your pup  mild and well-diluted.   Treat them gently, do not get water inside their ears, and do not use q-tips in their ears either.

We use towels and blankets for their bedding and avoid using harsh detergents or bleaches for washing their laundry. After their baths, we like to use towels we have warmed in the dryer beforehand, especially because it’s winter here.

When I look at all of our clean little puppies peacefully sleeping in their clean bed at night, I get the same overwhelming love feeling  that I used to get when I put my bathed, little children into their cozy cradles for a safe and comfortable night’s  sleep.  My heart is overflowing  for these beautiful, innocent little creatures too.

Today was another day to allow the puppies to venture outdoors to take care of their bodily functions.

We had more success today than yesterday and they certainly enjoyed tearing through the snow, chasing after each other and trying to imitate the adult dogs.

It’s a little difficult to keep the pups focused on the job at hand, but a good time was had by all – even the big dogs and the humans.

After a snuggley toweling off,  they are once more safe in their bed and enjoying their snooze…

…I think I need a snooze too!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Grab yourself a pack of the full body & paw bath wipes – they sure save us a lot of work and they smell great too:

John Paul Pet Full Body and Paw Bath Wipes (45 ct.) Full Body and Paw Bath Wipes. Our pre-moistened wipes are specially formulated to help groom and clean your Pet, Use after a walk or for a quick clean-up, Also helps to remove loose hairs and dander from coat. Directions Massage into fur avoiding eyes and ears. Simply use Full Body & Paw Wipes between baths. Repeat for extra cleaning. John Paul Pet Full Body and Paw Bath Wipes * Cruelty Free * * Tested on Humans First * John Paul is the co-founder of Paul Mitchell, the finest in salon hair care. Type: Shampoos & Conditioners

Technorati Tags: pets, puppies, miniature schnauzers, miniature schnauzer puppies, training puppies, puppy training, terriers, puppy bath, John Paul Pet

Hurray!  Even though it is cold and snowy, we have taken the 7 puppies outside with our big dogs, for the first time, this morning.

We are hoping  they will catch on to the idea of  going  pee, etc. outside.   On this first outdoors bathroom time, we had some  successes,  which is very encouraging.

On this evening’s venture,  we had further welcomed successes.

The puppies all seemed to enjoy sliding, sniffing, chasing and playing in the snow with each other and the big dogs.   They even succeeded in braving the stairs up to the top level of the patio from the yard.

Of course, since they are still just babies, when they came into the house, they were swaddled in warm towels and enjoyed the luxurious nap which ensued.

We are hoping that the pups will soon come to realize that the pee pad in their area, is not intended to be part of their diet, or for their never ending game of tug-a-war.

As  mommy Kurious is reducing their nursing time, they seem to truly enjoy their dry food and reverse osmosis water we so lovingly provide.

They all relished their first taste of lettuce and clearly wanted more of the crunchy stuff.  They looked so adorable,  each one holding  his own lettuce leaf  in its’  mouth.

Every day with our cuddly little babes brings more love, laughs and joy into our lives.

They change every day in some subtle way,  and are so very endearing as they joyfully welcome each new experience and discovery.

Each day they have come to capture every part of our hearts and enhance our  lives in beautiful and loving ways,  which we could never have expected or imagined.

I feel so grateful to have these little blessings in my life!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Be sure to check out my daughter’s Terrier Lover Website!

Technorati Tags: pets, puppies, miniature schnauzers, miniature schnauzer puppies, training puppies, puppy training, terriers

Our babies (born Dec. 8th & 9th) have now been semi-weaned.

They still enjoy a little sip now and then, and mommy needs to reduce nursing them slowly. They are very interested in the puppy kibbles and readily welcome a drink of water for a chaser!

The puppies’ wrestling skills have developed to a fascinating level and provide continuous family entertainment for the big dogs and humans alike.  It is so exciting to observe their daily progress!

We have introduced a pee pad for their bathroom use.  As soon as they learn that it does not double as a pull or chew toy or mattress, we should be well on our way to effective toilet training.

The little personalities are now becoming very evident and are so interestingly different.  As well, they now seem to be able to distinguish the various humans in their lives and appear very happy and excited for our company.

Our mature female dogs (aunties who have been spayed), are also enjoying the chance to babysit, clean them and play with them, giving mommy Kurious a chance to get a well deserved rest and a needed fortifying meal for herself.

My teenage grandchildren who had the opportunity to be present during the birthing of the pups, have formed a beautiful, strong bond with all the babies and very willingly give up chances for socializing with their friends to spend time here, enjoying the company of our dearly loved canine family – even falling asleep on the floor with them.

As things here change enormously every day, I will try to keep you apprised of their progress.

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

Technorati Tags: miniature schnauzers, miniature schnauzer puppies, puppies, pets, schnauzer puppies, puppy names, K names, weaning puppies, puppy life

My daughter’s two miniature schnauzers, Kaptain (daddy) & Kurious (mommy), mated back in September, accidentally.

We wanted to wait until the next heat for her to have puppies, but hey, “C’est la vie”!

Kaptain is a super rare blonde colour, and Kurious is an AKC recognized colour of salt & pepper. They are both purebred miniature schnauzers.

Kurious gave birth to seven, count them…7, beautiful purebred miniature schnauzer puppies on December 8th & 9th…5 were born the night of the 8th and 2 more in the wee hours of the morning. She had 6 boys and 1 girl.

Seven puppies for a miniature schnauzer is quite a lot of babies, especially since the x-ray she had 2 weeks prior only showed 5 of them. However, the veterinarian warned us that there could be a few “hiding”.

As per my daughter & son-in-law’s style, they name all of their animals with “K” names. So, in order of birth, there was: Kicker, Knudger, Khristmas, Krumpet, Kasper, Kokoa (female) & Kodiak.

Each one is of different coloring. Kasper was pure white with a pink nose, all the way to Kokoa, who is dark and colored like a Rottweiler puppy is in black and tan.

Kurious managed so well and just knew what to do when they were born. She readily nursed them and took care of them by cleaning them and even chewing the umbilical cord. What a wondrous experience to have been blessed to witness.

The puppies and mommy were all healthy and the other dogs in the house were so very interested in all that was going on, and knew to stay away and be calm. Amazing!

I will share more to come…The puppies were 1 month old today and get cuter by the minute!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pet Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. Be sure to check out my store coming very very soon accessible in the pages listing in the sidebar of my blog.

Technorati Tags: miniature schnauzers, miniature schnauzer puppies, puppies, pets, schnauzer puppies, puppy names, K names

This is a part of our crew – There’s Kurious on the left with Precious trying to chew on her beard, and Kaptain (our only male) on the right hand side.

Together, with my daughter’s dogs, we have 5 – four miniature schnauzers, and 1 Westiepoo mix. I have both the oldest and the youngest and my daughter and her husband have the 3 middle children! LOL…I am, more often than not, together with my daughter and son-in-law.

What a riot and a great time, but before you adopt more than one dog, there are some things to bear in mind and understand prior to jumping in!

A friend of mine, Jason, wrote me this article to help others understand this curious issue:

Owning More than One Dog

Even if the dogs are around the same age and size, owning more than one dog can be a challenge for any dog owner. As with many other specie of animals, dogs are inherently pack animals. Puppies learn pack behavior from their mothers and littermates and even interactions with the father or other male dogs in the pack. Males are dominant in pack societies, and the most dominant dog is considered to the alpha dog, however females can also be the pack leaders. In wild packs, the most dominant dogs eat first, use the natural resources available first, and have the greatest likelihood of surviving to reproduce.

In house kept dogs, pack behavior is instinctive. Male dogs will compete with other male dogs for the right to breed, although a female dog may not be anywhere around. Likewise, intact female dogs will compete for their place to be the first to breed with the most dominant male dog. If you are a dog owner with two or more dogs, you will discover that either the intact male or intact female dog can be the dominant dog. In addition, if there are two intact dogs present, the male intact dog is normally the dominant dog, assuming that the female dog is not an aggressive dog or the male dog is not of docile temperament. Spayed or neutered dogs are usually subordinate to an intact male or female dog. Moreover, the younger a dog is, the more likely the dog will be subordinate to the older dog. In their prime years, older dogs will be less dominant to their younger counterparts. This is the case whether the dog is intact or not.

There are several things to consider when housing two or more dogs. The majority of house kept dogs will demonstrate dominance by growling, strutting and showing their teeth. You should be aware when caring for dominant and subordinate dogs in a group. For instance, you should never single out the subordinate dog in front of the dominant dog for treats or praise in the dominant dog’s presence. When you bring a new dog home among a group of dogs, it is wise to allow the new dog to socialize slowly, while monitoring the interactions of the other dogs with the new dog. If you detect aggressiveness among the dogs with the new dog, then you should reduce contact among the dogs.

Moreover, to eliminate the majority of aggressive and dominant behavior, a dog owner should spay their dogs as soon as the opportunity presents itself. When breeding, it is not advisable to house two or more intact dogs of the same sex while breeding. Be aware of the aggression levels of the dogs that you own. Pair neutered male dogs and spayed female dogs with other neutered and spayed dogs that are less aggressive. In addition, try to avoid pairing very large and very small breed dogs together, particularly when the there is an aggressive smaller dog involved. It is also wise to monitor multiple dog groups to make certain that the dogs in question are socializing properly.

Content written by Jason Richards of ohmydogsupplies.com, search for current specials on dog seat covers online.

(Thanks, Jason!)

Great information! That’s for sure…

For more Information on Terrier Breeds, be sure to check out my daughter’s website, TerrierLover.com!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pets Information on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Ingrid

P.S. If you’re thinking of adopting a miniature schnauzer, they’re the most amazing breed in my eyes! Find out more about them:

Miniature Schnauzers Miniature Schnauzers

Technorati Tags: miniature schnauzers, dogs, adopting dogs, owning more than one dog, adopting more than one dog, having more than one dog, multiple dogs

What a beautiful day in Niagara!

It’s 27 degrees C in my back yard.

The doggies are loving it too…Running around, chasing each other and smelling the air!

I made some homemade lemonade this morning and I’m enjoying it on the patio.

As for gardening, I’m going to pick up a few branches and pretend I’m working…lol

This is close to my favorite time of year – not too hot, not too cold, bright and sunshiny…

Life is good! Praise the Lord!!!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Life post on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Take Some Time Out to Taste the Lemonade,

Ingrid

P.S. These containers are really handy for when you want to make a large quantity of iced tea or lemonade. I can even fit it in my refrigerator – Perfect:

Global Amici 9.5 x 9.5 x 18-in Lemonade Jar with Spigot, Recycled Green Fill this quaint, old fashioned lemonade jar with sweetened iced tea or a sprightly lemonade or limeade and you’ll have a refreshing beverage for your summertime backyard parties. The lemonade jar features recycled green glass, is hexagonal in shape and comes with a black plastic spigot for dispensing your drink. A matching lid is also included. Looks great perched on your checkered tablecloth, and holds a little over three gallons so there’s plenty for thirsty guests, parched from the summer sun! Black stand sold separately.

Technorati Tags: Spring, lemonade, gardening, dogs, life, Niagara Falls, Ingrid

During the balance of my cancer treatments, Precious was constantly in my arms or on my lap…

I even took her to my oncology appointments and she would sleep under my sheet with her “bony” during my Herceptin treatments.

People didn’t even realize I had a dog with me…She was so good and quiet!

As my feet and ankles are arthritic and walking is difficult even with my canes, my little Precious has become accustomed to the noise of the canes and wheelchair, and finds comfort close to her human mom, as I find comfort in her presence too!

She is such a beautiful and special dog, who fills my world with joy and love…truly a “Precious” gift.

I cannot foresee a time when I would ever, willingly, be without 1 or 2 (or 3 or 4 or 5) terriers. They are each so very unique and endearing. Life is wonderful and fulfilling with them around!

As I sit here in my living room, nursing my painful joints, my little Precious is standing at the window on her hind legs, with her forepaws on the windowsill, watching the squirrels and birds in the back yard, and looking like she is anticipating the coming of Spring, and her 2nd birthday.

My little Precious Princess will be receiving her own, special little dog bed soon.

She is my darling “Precious Princess”!!!

I would emphatically recommend a miniature schnauzer or any other terrier dog to anyone looking for a companion animal.

Be prepared to fall hopelessly captivated & in LOVE!

***

I hope you enjoyed this Pets post on Ingrid Turner Today! Until next time…

Love Me, Love My Precious Princess,

Ingrid Turner

P.S. Please be sure to Subscribe to this Blog.

Technorati Tags: pets, dogs, Precious, miniature schnauzer, puppy, terriers, terrier puppy, cancer