Friday, December 31, 2010

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Monster's 1st haircut :)

Monster is a 9mo. old mini Poodle.  I didn't know why the owner would name this cute little furball Monster until we started grooming him (I have battle wounds to prove it!).  He's just so freaking cute!!  I love fuzzy puppies... :)

Little Franklin

O.M.G.!  When I saw this puppy last week, I almost died!  Look at those big ears and that eyebrow... how can you not spoil him rotten?  He's only 4mo. old, I can't wait till hes ready to walk around the neighborhood!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Happy Holidays!

 Thank you for your continued support and patronage.
We wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year!

P.S. Thanks for all the cute Xmas cards, delicious chocolates & pastries :)

XOXO, Furry Tales

Winter precautions for pets

Happy holidays!!  So much to do before Xmas & New Year... we haven't had much time to post anything on the site.  Thought I remind everyone these common winter precautions for pets!  Trust me, it's not fun to be at the emergency vet's office during the holidays! (Mickey got into a bag of macadamia nuts when he was a puppy... I no longer eat macadamia nuts after that horrible incident!)

Holiday Items
  • Tinsel/Ribbon – can be ingested and cause serious gastrointestinal trauma.
  • Christmas tree water (with additives) – can cause stomach upset.
  • Bubble lights – contain methylene chloride which can be harmful if swallowed as a liquid or inhaled as a vapor.
  • Lights/electrical cords – cats, kittens & puppies may bite cords causing electrocution.
  • Glass/Plastic ornaments – can cause serious gastrointestinal trauma.
Winter Items
  • Antifreeze – even a small amount (1 tablespoon) can be fatal to a small pet.
  • Rodenticide – should not be used in a home with pets or small children.
  • Ice Melts – can cause ulceration if left on the skin or feet.  Can also cause serious gastrointestinal trauma if ingested.
Food Items
  • Alcohol – can be toxic to pets causing breathing problems & depression.
  • Chocolate – dark and/or bakers chocolate is more harmful in smaller doses than milk chocolate.  All chocolate should be kept away from pets.
  • Human Food – is too rich for pets, and while it’s tempting to share over the holidays, it’s best to keep your pet on his/her normal diet.
  • Macadamia Nuts – cause difficulty walking, tremors & swollen limbs.
  • Yeast dough – if enough is ingested before it has risen fully or cooked, it will continue to rise causing serious gastrointestinal distress.
Plants
  • Holly Berries – can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantities.
  • Mistletoe – can be very toxic to pets if ingested.
  • Pointsettias – are not as toxic as once believed, but can cause stomach upset.
  • Lillies – even in small amounts, can cause serious kidney damage if ingested.
  • Yew – causes muscle tremors, difficulty walking & has adverse cardiac effects.
  • Cyclamen – the roots of this plant can cause serious gastrointestinal distress.
If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, you should call your veterinarian or you can call the NAPCC.
(NAPCC stands for National Animal Poison Control Center)
This is not a free call.
* 1-800-548-2423 ($30 per case, credit card only; free follow-up until problem is resolved.)
* 1-900-680-0000 ($20 for 5 minutes, $2.95 per minute thereafter).

via Sheltienation.com

The incredible border collie

Chaser, a border collie from South Carolina who knows the names of 1,022 toys!  (Oh really?  mickey knows the names of his 1,023 toys!)  Fine.. Chaser is pretty incredible & smarter than my dog.

6-year-old Chaser spent 3 years working with her psychologist owner John Pilley and Professor Allison Reid to see how many words she could learn.  Chaser not only knows words, but also organizes them according to function and shape. (Smart doggie!)

They are still teaching Chaser more words and tests her regularly on the ones she knows.

Dr. Pilley put it like this: "We wanted to see if there was a limit to the number of words a dog could understand, and if they could understand the name of an object rather than just respond to a command related to an object, such as fetch. We’re not saying this means dogs can learn language in the same way children do, but it does show they are capable of learning many more words than might have been thought."

Here's Chaser at work:



via The Daily Mail

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Did you know that cats can transmit Toxoplasma parasite to us??

WTH?  I was just watching the National Geographic and learned how our domestic cats can transmit Toxoplasma parasite...  Makes you think 2x about not cleaning your litter box daily & just tossing the dirty cat litter in the trash bin!

According to Centers for Disease Control and PreventionToxoplasma is the third leading cause of death attributed to foodborne illness in the United States. More than 60 million men, women, and children in the U.S. carry the Toxoplasma parasite!!  Wait, huh? what?!!

How this parasite can be transmitted from an infected cat: 
  • Accidental ingestion of oocysts after cleaning a cat's litter box when the cat has shed Toxoplasma in its feces
  • Accidental ingestion of oocysts after touching or ingesting anything that has come into contact with a cat's feces that contain Toxoplasma
  • Accidental ingestion of oocysts in contaminated soil (e.g., not washing hands after gardening or eating unwashed fruits or vegetables from a garden)
  • Drinking water contaminated with the Toxoplasma parasite 
Learn more about Toxoplasma & how to prevent/reduce the risk of infection...


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Dog Waits Every Day For Dead Owner ...

This video below breaks my heart!  After Wayne Giroux was killed by a drunk driver last June, his faithful dog Spot still waits at the end of the drive-way for him to come home every day.

Similar to the story of Hachiko, a faithful Akita back in 1925 waited for his owner... people would see Hachiko at the same train station everyday for 9 years after his owner passed away!!!  O.M.G... *tears*....

Make sure to hug & love your dogs today & everyday, because they are truly happy to see you!!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Does your puppy sleep talk?

I wonder what this puppy was dreaming about?? I caught my dog sleep talk a few times & I'm 99% sure that he was dreaming about barking at our UPS delivery guy...

A Blue Merle Pom puppy!

He's sooooo cute and soft!  Only ~ 4 lbs with very interesting coloring.

Did you know  that the original Pomeranians were much larger, weighing up to 30 pounds and worked as sheep herders?  Marie Antoinette, Emile Zola, Mozart and Queen Victoria all owned Pomeranians.

Julesey says...

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Missouri Approves Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act

On 11/2/10, the majority voted to approve Proposition B (by narrow margin...), also known as the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.

A study done by the Better Business Bureau, "the southwest section of Missouri is the hub of the puppy industry." The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act states legal guidelines for Missouri dog breeders to maintain humane, small-scale breeding facilities rather than large-scale breeding kennels (puppy mills).

Want to know more about Prob B? Read the full text of the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Canine Parvovirus season

I often have to tell customers why we require vaccination records for grooming before we take in new dogs, especially puppies.  Just imaging our dogs out and about sniffing and walking through all kinds of wonderful stuff daily, you know they can't bathe themselves everyday!  They are exposed to viruses that can be easily prevented with vaccines.  A Nor Cal vet recently saw an increase in Parvo.  Parvo is a commonly known nasty virus & can easily spread directly/indirectly through a sick dog.    See full story via Andersonvalleypost.com

"The virus attacks the gastrointestinal system and can lead to lethargy, vomiting and bloody diarrhea."

"The virus passes from the dog through feces, and the virus can live for seven years in the soil, King said. Dogs that are kept indoors are not protected from the virus either, as people can carry the virus from the outside on the bottoms of their shoes. The change in weather can bring it up out of the ground."

So protect your furry kids!  The best treatment is prevention!

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Prince Bruno & Princess Mia


Thanks D'Ann for the cute photo!

Kyle d Knight


Thanks Brenda for sharing this cute photo. Kyle is adorable!

Happy Halloween!!

Hope you all had a fun Halloween weekend!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Halloween Safety Tips!

It's almost Halloween (yeah!).  I know how most of us love to get all dressed up & eat lots of junk food (hi gym!) on this fun holiday... Here are some important tips from ASPCA as this fun holiday for us maybe a little stressful & sometimes dangerous for our furry babies:

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increaing the chances that he or she will be returned to you.





Please be safe! 

Giants fan!

A cute Giants fan came by to say hello!  She's still a puppy :)  A PUPPY!!!!  <3

Did you go to Game 2 today? Go Giants!!

Guess who got a ticket?!  It is nuts outside since we're only 1/2 block away from the Giants stadium!

Monday, October 25, 2010

When Hormone Creams Expose Others to Risks

"Veterinarians around the country are reporting a strange phenomenon: spayed dogs and cats, even some puppies and kittens, are suddenly becoming hormonal.

In female pets, the symptoms resemble heat: swollen genitals, bloody discharge and behavioral problems. Male animals are showing up with swollen breast tissue and hair loss. Standard treatments and even repeated operations have had no effect.

Now vets have identified the culprit. The pets were all owned by women who used hormone creams on their hands, arms and legs to counter symptoms of menopause. Animals who licked or cuddled their owners, or rubbed up against their legs, were being inadvertently exposed to doses of hormone drugs."

See full story - nytimes.com

New Frenchie in town!

Meet cutie pie Buzz!  He's only 9mo old & just got here yesterday. I love puppies...

Have you seen Zorro?

11/12/10 update - Zorro was found, he is back with his owner now. 

Zorro was last seen around 1am by the Giants ballpark area. He's also sick so please call the number below if you know where Zorro is!

Harvest Howl at Treasure Island Wines

Want something to do with your pup this Halloween? The SF SPCA has a fun event on the 30th. Click below for more details.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Strutting Diva Dogs - A Canine Named Lulu Walks Like a Human Being

- Topix

"The one-year-old pinscher pup named Lulu loves to walk on her hind legs and carries a teddy bear bag in her front paw to add charm to her "dog walk." The pup can be seen walking in this unusual stance with her owner Zhou Guanshun, a retired teacher in the city of of Zhumadian, China."

I know I can't be the only one thinks this is too weird...  BTW, where's her LV purse?

 

Friday, October 22, 2010

Top 10 Dog and Cat Medical Conditions of 2009

According to VPI - One of Nation’s Largest Pet Insurers, these are the top 10 reasons why we take our furry kids to see the vets.  Yup, we were just there for ear infection on Monday...


Source

Sheltie Eating Cookie

I've been trying to get Mickey to do this trick... but my little piggy can't keep the cookie on his nose for more than 5 seconds!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Fast Food Shelties

I think most of us have seen this pic by now since it's been around for many years.  Someone would always forward me this pic right around Halloween time and I still LOL every time I see it! 


Friday, October 15, 2010

Paralyzed Dog Lucy Walkin' Wheels Wheelchair Climbs Mt. Washington

What an incredible dog!  I think she just inspired me to get off my buns & go workout now...

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

IPhone App to Help Pudgy Pets!

Yup, I knew someone would eventually come up with an App like this!  Now I just need a way to track all the treats people sneak in for my little Butterball...

Below is an App CU-PetHealth developed at Cornell University offers a solution - it addresses pet nutrition in much the same way as popular human nutrition mobile applications.  This App doesn't have the pretty interface but it is simple enough to use.

Guard Dog Prices Skyrocket to Six Figures

Wow... I didn't know trained guard dogs can cost so much!  Apparently they're in high demand!  The ones from Harrison K-9 in Aiken, South Carolina are priced from $22,000 to $60,000 per dog.  I wonder if you're suppose to insure the dogs just like if you're buying a car... love how they show the credit card payment options on the site, LOL!  I'll take 3 please...

Monday, October 11, 2010

Pessimistic Dogs See the Bowl Half Empty

See full story via Discovery News.

  • Dogs may be optimists or pessimists, new research suggests.
  • Pessimistic dogs appear to be more prone to engage in unwanted behaviors, such as barking and destruction.
  • Both behavioral and drug therapies are available to help affected dogs.
Now, a new study reported in the October 12th issue of Current Biology, a Cell Press publication, suggests that this kind of separation anxiety occurs most often in dogs that also show "pessimistic"-like behavior."


FDA announces Blue Buffalo dry dog food recall - FYI

FDA announces Blue Buffalo dry dog food recall - National Dogs | Examiner.com

Products recalled - may contain too much Vitamin D.:
Blue Wilderness Chicken (dog) 4.5 lb, 11 lb, 24 lb.  Best used by dates: JUL1211B, JUL1311B, JUL2611Z, JUL2711Z, JUL2811Z
Blue Basics Salmon (dog) 11 lb., 24 lb.   Best used by dates: AUG2111B, AUG2211B
Blue Large Breed Adult Chicken, 30 lb.  Best used by dates: SEP 22 11 P, SEP 23 11 P, OCT 26 11 P

Consumers who have purchased any of the products being recalled are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-877-523-9114 from 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time or visit the Company web site at www.bluebuffalo.com/news9 for more information.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Dogs Join Fight to Save Rhinos in Borneo

Good job Storm & Thunder!! (I love working dogs).

"With less than 40 rhinos left in the state of Sabah on the island of Borneo, field staff from WWF turn to man’s best friend to help track rhino movements. It’s a notoriously difficult task, due to the rhinos’ solitary lifestyle and large ranging area. This technique has been used successfully in Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam and is being tested by WWF’s Borneo Species Program. The dogs are trained to search for rhino dung. Samples found are recorded and sent overseas for DNA analysis. The two new recruits, Storm and Thunder, are finishing their training and will be used in the field in the coming months." Story via WWF.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Rub-a-dub-dub, Warren in the tub!

I've never groomed a Basset Hound before (only met 2 in the neighborhood) so when Warren came in today, I wasn't sure what to expect.  After an hour of our 1-on-1, I think Warren is adorable!

Warren just came from Japan (こんにちは)!  I asked him to "sit" (in English) during nail clipping, but... all I got was the huh? look... He was a big slobber & a licker (need a good bath when I get home)!  I just love those big floppy ears (they're really soft)!!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Foster a dog

I've met a lot of 1st time dog owners not knowing what they got themselves into... Just think about it - the daily walks, grooming, vet bills, what to do when you have to work long hours? what to do when you have to travel? It's a big commitment!

I met few people recently who foster dogs regularly from Rocket Dog Rescue & give the dogs a temporary home. I think it's a great way to test it out & see if having a dog is suitable for your lifestyle.

I think Brooklyn from Rocket Dog is pretty cute :)

Cats for adoption at SPCA

So there are lots of kitties up for adoption at the SPCA in SF. I think Whitney & Blondie are pretty damn cute!!

I may need to stop by later & check them out. I wonder if Mickey is ready for another kitty sister? The cat of my life passed away 2 yrs ago... (miss you Kitty)!

Whitney Blondie

RIP - my Hello Kitty (yes, I named her that)
BFF!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Howl-o-Ween @ Mission Creek Park

We got to sneak away from work yesterday and see some cute doggies at Mission Creek Park (thanks for hosting the party). Hope you got the "good" gift bags ;)

So not all the photos came out right... (apparently it's not as easy taking pictures with all the exciting dogs around!)

Thanks to all who came out & entertained us!

Can't view Flash? See link for photos.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

The Danger of Discounted Pet Drugs - NYTimes.com

"The United States Food and Drug Administration has issued a consumer alert to pet owners, warning them about the dangers of buying discounted pet drugs online.

Reputable online pharmacies can help pet owners save money when they purchase prescription drugs, just as they can help people get their own prescriptions filled. However, legitimate companies always require a prescription from a veterinarian before filling an order for pet drugs."

See full story.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sunday Football

Just checking my Fantasy Football scores.

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Sunday, September 19, 2010

Polar bears and dogs playing?!

O.M.G.! This has to be one of the coolest things ever! I want a Polar bear...

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Man builds cat-sized village for 660 homeless cats!!

Ok... for someone who didn't like cats to having 660 cats?! The crazy cat man!

I think he did a really good job building a cute place for the cats (30 acres to roam around, that's pretty awesome). Somehow I can't imaging how strong the smell of cat urine is... Full Story.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Friday, September 3, 2010

Labor Day Weekend Schedule - Closed 9/6 Mon & 9/7 Tues

Happy Labor Day! We'll be closed on Mon & Tues for Labor Day. Hope you all have a chillaxing weekend!

Thx boss for the extra day off! ;)

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Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Nonprofit helps pet owners cope with emergency vet bills | Seattle Times Newspaper

"It's a pet owner's nightmare.

Your dog or cat is sick or injured and you don't have the money to pay a veterinarian for treatment. Euthanasia or giving away your best friend become the only options.

The recession and unemployment have made that scenario a reality for more pet owners, animal-care experts say. " See link for full Story...

Living | Nonprofit helps pet owners cope with emergency vet bills | Seattle Times Newspaper

Learn more about the United Animal Nations programs. You can also donate to the UAN for those who can help.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Disaster Preparedness for Animals (free training!)


Get certified to help animals when a disaster hits our city.

In the event of a disaster in San Francisco, our animals are vulnerable and at risk for harm. We need to be prepared to rescue our animal companions. What is the best way to do this? Become certified as a Volunteer Animal Disaster Service Worker by attending upcoming training events! Certified volunteers will help with tasks such as helping triage injured animals, assisting in temporary animal shelters, and animal transport & identification.

Click here to learn more and to register: www.pawssf.org/sfdpca

The Truth about Dog and Cat Food

You are what you eat... I think I eat a pretty healthy diet & I also prepare fresh meals for my dog everyday without questionable ingredients (yes, I'm one of those crazy pet owners)... All I want is for my naughty dog to live a long and healthy life.

I don't like to tell people what they "should & must" feed their animals but if you do care what goes into their tummies like me, here's some interesting info... read your labels...

A just released video of AAFCO* (Association of American Feed Control Officials)'s president finally admitting, on camera, that it’s allowable (and, in fact, fairly common practice) for "rendered pets" to end up in some pet food...

So what else can be rendered and made into “meat and bone meal”? Euthanized pets, road kill, expired grocery store meat (including the packaging), kill floor detritus, dead stock… etc. GROSS...

* AAFCO is the regulatory body that sets guidelines for pet food and pet food ingredients in the USA. They could quite easily ban the use of rendered pets as acceptable for inclusion in pet food – but they don’t... some pet food companies use the cheap protein count that comes from rendered meat and bone meal.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Bark for Life - awareness for the American Cancer Society 8/21/10

The American Cancer Society Bark For LifeTM is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer.

By supporting Bark For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

Join Bark For Life for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and then continuing with demonstrations, contests, and games.

See more details & sign up here.