The Healing Power of Pets

Xanax helps lessen acute anxiety. Zoloft helps ward off depression. Chemo helps fight cancer. Wheelchairs aide the disabled, much like braille helps the blind. But what if I told you pets had healing powers too? It may sound a little unconventional, but what is normal anymore anyhow?

Dog have long proven their usefulness in the world: learning to see for the blind, hearing for the deaf and walking for the immobile, but what about their ability to help ward of or lessen illness?

According to an article written by the New York Times, Over the years, data on the larger role dogs play in health has trickled out from various corners of the world. One Japanese study found pet owners made 30 percent fewer visits to doctors. A Melbourne study of 6,000 people showed that owners of dogs and other pets had lower cholesterol, blood pressure and heart attack risk compared with people who didn’t have pets. Obviously, the better health of pet owners could be explained by a variety of factors, but many experts believe companion animals improve health at least in part by lowering stress.

More notably, the article continues on to say, Dogs, in particular, also have been shown to do remarkable things to improve the health of their owners. There are stories of dogs warning their owners of imminent health threats. In 2003, University of Florida researchers published a report in the journal Seizure noting that some dogs seem to have an innate ability to detect impending seizures. A 2000 report in the British Medical Journal examined case studies of dogs alerting people with diabetes of a coming hypoglycemic episode.

As an avid dog lover myself, it is easy for me to believe in the ability of our four-legged friends! While I may be biased, I have also been exposed first-hand to the love and nurturing dogs bring into your life. When I am feeling down in the dumps after a long day at work, nothing turns my frown upside down better than a kiss and snuggle from my Maddie girl (well, and my husband too, of course)!

Now don't get me wrong, modern medicine is certainly useful - and very necessary in lots of cases. But maybe we have come to rely a little too much on the "quick fixes" medications and prescriptions provide, rather than looking to life's small (& furry) miracles for a cure.

Sometimes life's simply pleasures offer the greatest rewards. Tonight, I challenge all of you to spend an extra few minutes snuggling your own "Maddie." Now, I'm no doctor, but I'm willing to bet your temperament will see a vast improvement! :)

For the love of our furry friends,
M.J.

Merry Christmas From Maddie's Backayrd

 

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

From,

All your friends at Maddie's Backyard

A Winter Must-Have For Your Pampered Pooch!

Why should we be the only ones to dress in style this winter? Our pampered pets deserve the same respect!


I am just in LOVE with these adorable doggy parkas by FouFou Dog. These colorful clothing staples are fully reversible, offering your pampered pooch 2 looks in 1! The coats are thickly quilted and are water resistant - making them perfect for rain or snow in the winter months.

They are available in the following color combinations: Fuchsia/Green, Blue/Orange, and Red/Gray and retail for around $30.


AND, the even bigger bonus? They are available in a range of sizes (XS-2XL), offering style & warmth to our large doggies too!


ENJOY!
M.J.

Audra's Animals: A Heavenly Cause!

I would like to use today's blog to share a resource close to my heart: Audra's Animals. This amazing organization focuses on providing families affected by the illness of child with a pet of their very own - minus the financial burden. Statistics have shown that pets truly have a calming effect on children when they are ill.

Audra's Animals was created in loving memory of Audra Bena (August 30, 1994-July 11, 2010). To read her amazing story of courage and endless love of animals, click here. Please consider making a donation to a wonderful cause this holiday season! There will be many thankful children, families and pets as a result.

Merry Christmas To All,
M.J.

On Christmas Morning...I Wish...

For every dog searching trash cans for breakfast, a filled bowl with his name printed in bright letters.

For every dog who slept fitfully last night, chained in a frozen yard, a soft, warm bed with a person snoring gently nearby.

For every shelter dog, spending Christmas morning in a soiled run, a forever home, filled with sounds and smells of family.

For every "Christmas" puppy given today, a tolerant, caring owner who won't abandon you as you grow into a real dog.

For every ailing pet, enough money for your owner to pay the bills to make you well.

For every lost dog, a clear, safe road, and well marked path, to lead you home.

For every old and tired friend, a warm fire, and a soft bed, to ease your aches and pains.

and...

For every Heart Dog at the Bridge, a moment when you know that you are remembered today, missed again, and loved forever.

~ Author Unknown
(Thanks to Schnauzer Rescue Cincinnati/Florida for sharing this!)

Great Pet Stockings For This Year...Or Next!

If your anything like me, you've already scoured the retail stores looking for the perfect stocking to hold all of Fido's Christmas "stuffers." When I first set out this year, I didn't think it would be that difficult. However, I quickly realized that it's harder than one would think to find a nice quality stocking for the price point I had in mind.

That's when I checked out Pottery Barn online. I found an awesome family set of stockings (two larger ones for my husband and I and two smaller ones for our pups) -- and the price was just right. I have come to expect a certain level of quality from Pottery Barn over the years -- so needless to say -- I wasn't at all disappointed with my stocking purchase!

I bought them at the perfect time too...free shipping and free monogramming (which if you watch the offers, happens quite a lot). The larger stockings sell for $15, while the smaller ones (perfect for Fido) sell for just $9 each. They are very well made and far exceed their price in quality. I opted for the red/ivory velvet stocking set, but they are also available in a red/green combination.

If you've already made your stocking selections for this year, keep these in mind for next Christmas. I promise you won't be sorry you did!

M.J.

Maddie & Santa

Yesterday, Maddie went and saw Santa at PetSmart. I just couldn't resist sharing these with everyone :)

Enjoy!

M.J.

Select Pet Food Recall from Kroger

CNN reported today that The Kroger Co. is recalling select pet food packages from stores in 19 states fearing some of these products may contain aflatoxin, a toxic chemical byproduct that could be harmful to animals.


The recall involves certain bags of Pet Pride Cat Food, Pet Pride Kitten Food, Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food, Kroger Value Cat Food and Kroger Value Chunk Food, the company said Saturday. 


To read the full article, click here.

Simply Fido = Simple Doggy Delight

Simply Fido is one of my absolute favorite pet vendors! Not only are their products adorable, but they are environmentally conscious in the production process too. Our pups, Maddie & Zoe, just go crazy for these toys! Simply Fido's products are very durable and can withstand a lot of playtime and wear-and-tear.

Simply read their mission statement, it says it all! Mission Statement: Our goal at SimplyFido® is to provide a healthier alternative to the everyday products that surround our furry best friends. Just like you, we understand that you are concerned with the well-being, nurturing and safety of pets. Therefore, we seek to provide an improved environment for pets by offering a better playing experience, meanwhile contributing to the preservation of the Earth in which they play.

Here's a sneak peek of the Simply Fido product line:

Sweet Pea Organic Dog Tee

Maggie Caterpillar Toy

Hemp Toys

Organic Dog Tanks

Owl Flat Tug Toy

Organic Stuffless Toys

Simply Fido products are available for purchase at Maddie's Backyard.com.

Pet Supermarket Coupon - $5 Off a $25+ Purchase

PetSupermarket is offering a $5 off coupon with any purchase of $25 or more. It is good now through December 31. You can click here to register for your own coupon and even send one to your friends!

Enjoy!

M.J.

We have to stop cutting down trees. This is getting serious!!!

The Winner of Maddie's Best Dressed Pet Photo Contest is....

Drum roll please....

Christmas Kitty, submitted by Stephanie LaPlante. This feline Santa received a whopping 726 votes! Way to go!

Stephanie and her furry friend will receive a $50 gift certificate for www.maddiesbackyard.com!

We hope it gives them both something to "meow" about this holiday!

M.J.

An ADORABLE Doggy Christmas Card

 

Okay, so I just couldn't resist! This is one of the cutest e-cards I have ever seen! Click on the image above to open!

Enjoy,

M.J.

A Jack Russell Christmas

Stocking Stuffers To Bark/Meow About - All Under $10

Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Less!

Fleecy Cleans, Starting at $6

Prince Burpy Plush Doggy Toy, $9

Hula Monkey Plush Doggy Toy, $9

Bungee Gecko Plush Doggy Toy, $6.99

Fashion Shoe & Purse 2 pack - $6.99

Fleecy Clean Tennis Ball Tug 24", $9

Wing-A-Ball, $7.69

Launch-A-Ball, $8

Collar Charm, $5

Dazzle Bird (Eco-friendly) Cat Toy, $7.99

Organic Catnip Leaf, $3.29

All of these items (& more) are available at www.maddiesbackyard.com . All orders ship for $2.99. Local orders (Ocala/Marion County, Florida) will receive free delivery. What a deal!

We look forward to earning your business,

M.J.

Tried & True: Yummy Dog Biscuits Recipe

For all you Martha wanna-be's out there, why not cook up something a little different this holiday? Make your furry family some homemade treats - they also make great stocking stuffers for our four-legged friends!



Here's a great recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart herself:

Ingredients
Makes about 5 dozen
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup brewer's yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup low-sodium canned chicken stock, plus more for brushing

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, wheat germ, yeast, and salt; set aside

2. Place oil in a large bowl. Add stock and flour mixture in three alternating batches, beginning and ending with stock. Mix well.

3. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to about 3/8-inch thick. Shape biscuits using a dog-bone-shaped cookie cutter or by cutting around a store-bought dog bone with a butter knife.(Make biscuits that are appropriate for your dog's size.)

4. If desired, you can spell out your dog's name or a holiday message in the dough with a toothpick (wet the toothpick first so it won't stick).

5. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.

6. Bake biscuits 10 minutes. Brush with stock; rotate baking sheets, and bake 10 minutes more. Turn off oven, leaving door closed. Let dog biscuits stand in oven to dry completely, about 1 1/2 hours. Wrap as a gift, or store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Enjoy!
M.J.

Winter Ready Pup!!

Madison sure knows how to stay warm and stylish this winter! We'd love to see pictures of your pet's styles. Email them to maddiesbackyard@gmail.com and we will post them on our blog.

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Dogs & T.V.

This feisty Westie reminds me of my Maddie.

Just for laughs,
M.J.

Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pet!

The holidays are in full swing and with only 12 days left until Christmas, now is the time to educate yourself on some pet safety tips! We don't want Fido feeling "under the weather" for the biggest holiday of the year!

Below you will find our 12 tips for keeping your dog safe this holiday season:


12 - Secure Your Tree
Make sure to anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.

11 - Have a Tinsel-FREE Tree
Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.

10 - Stick To Your Pet's OWN food
By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising fur kid will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.

9 - Beware of LIVE Plants
Holly, poinsettias, lilies and mistletoe are especially toxic to our furry friends. Trade out the live plants this year and opt for some nice artificial ones instead.

8 - Pick Your Stocking Stuffers Wisely
Stick to pet friendly toys and treats to avoid any unwanted mishaps or illnesses.

7 - Forget The Leftovers
While it may be tempting to feed Fido the leftovers, skip it this Christmas. Their tummies and their physique will thank you! :)

6 - Keep an Eye on the Candles
Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over.

5 - Be Weary of Wires
Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet's mouth.

4 - Cocktail Caution
If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

3 - Keep The Medicines Out of Reach
Much like we baby-proof our homes, make sure pets don't have access to things that can harm them. Among those, medications! Keep them locked in a cabinet and out of Fido's reach!

2 - Give Them a Quiet Retreat
The holidays aren't just overwhelming for us, they can be for our furry friends too! Give your pet its own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from all the holiday commotion.

1 - Ring in the New Year Right
As you count down to 2011, keep in mind that noisy poppers and fireworks can terrify your furry family and cause possible damage to sensitive ears.

Cheers to a wonderful & safe holiday season!

M.J.

Source: Adapted from - Holiday Safety Tips from ASPCA

Winter Warmth For Your Furry Family!

Recently, I had a client ask me about a heated dog bed for their Lab. I did some research and found some great options. My favorite, however, is the bed shown above. This extremely low wattage Lectro-Soft heated dog bed comes with a cream cover and is available in small, medium and large sizes. It is perfect for doghouses, basements, garages, barns, sheds, porches or simply to keep your pet warm on a cold night in the house! This soft, orthopedic bed is unique in that it will still provide soft comfortable warmth even in sub-zero weather.

Measurements:

Small - 14" x 18" with cover

Medium - 19" x 24" with cover

Large - 25" x 36" with cover

These heated dog beds are available for special order from Maddie's Backyard and retail for $96...a small investment offering a lot of warmth & comfort for your furry family! :)

M.J.

Dog Food & Allergies

Maddie at eight weeks.

When we first brought Madison home in 2006, I'm ashamed to admit I wasn't the most educated pet owner. We were prepared for her arrival and had the necessities: bedding, food, bowls....but what we didn't know was the importance of BRAND when it comes to your dogs daily meals. I went out and bought the familiar Beneful that you can purchase at almost any convenience store and supermarket out there. That's what Maddie ate for her first two years of life.

From a very early age, Madison started having skin allergies and common bouts of vomiting. After doing research on West Highland White Terriers and common ailments they suffer from, I figured Maddie's allergies were just a product of her DNA. It never occured to me that what I was feeding her may be producing and contributing to her symptoms. I started doing research on dog food brands and what ingredients they use. I soon realized that Beneful was one of the worst foods to feed a dog with allergies. The first ingredient = CORN! One of the worst things you can feed your dog, I learned, (especially one with allergies and stomach sensitivity) is corn gluten.

After researching various brands, I settled on Blue Buffalo. BLUE uses real meat, whole grains and healthy fruit and vegetables, while many leading dog food brands use chicken or poultry by-product meals, corn gluten and artificial preservatives. I slowly weaned Maddie off of Beneful and onto Blue Buffalo (Note: never just switch a dog's food. Slowly ease them into it by mixing the brands together initially. If you switch them cold turkey, it could cause stomach upset, diahhrea and increased vomiting).

While BLUE is a little pricier, it has definitely saved me money in vet bills. Prior to putting Maddie on BLUE, I took her to the vet almost quarterly and we tried various allergy and stomach relief medications, none of which seemed to solve the problem. Since switching her food, Madison has extremely reduced allergy symptoms. It would be unfair to say they are completely gone, but it her "breakouts" are few and far between these days.

If your dogs exhibit any of these symptoms, I would strongly encourage you to examine the ingredients of your current pet foods. BLUE has a great Dog Food Comparison on its Web site. Check it out here.

All for the love of our pampered pets!
M.J.

Lazy or Spoiled?

Zoe is our rescued lab mix puppy that we adopted last April from the Humane Society of Marion County. She is truly a sweetie...and makes us laugh all the time. While Zoe is a hyper pup, she sure does know how to relax. I thought I'd share some photos I've taken recently of her making herself "comfy!" Haha. She especially loves her dog couch my husband picked out just for her. Sometimes she shares it with Maddie though, as you can see in the above photo.

I hope you enjoy!!
M.J.

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GUEST BLOG: The Ugly Truth

You go into your local pet store and see the cuddly little puppies, so cute you just can’t resist taking one home, but I wonder if people give any thought to the conditions which produce these adorable creatures. Pet store puppies come from puppy mills, regardless of what the owners will tell you. These designer puppies, selling for $1,000 or more, are born in the most deplorable of conditions.

Puppy mills are a serious problem in this country, and one our law makers are having great difficulty combating. We, as consumers, can help in this battle. DO NOT BUY PUPPIES FROM PET STORES, AND DO NOT GIVE YOUR BUSINESS TO PET STORES THAT SELL PUPPIES. Puppy mill dogs live in wire cages that are stacked one upon the other. These dogs are half crazed, never taken out, cages are never cleaned, hair is matted, disease is rampant and no thought is given to insuring congenital defects are not passed along.

The Humane Society of the United States offers information and tips at the Web site: Stop Puppy Mills. You can also view heart breaking videos of these disgraceful puppy mills. A number of the large pet store chains do not sell dogs and cats for this reason. Instead they support the growing number of pet rescue organizations by allowing them room to show their dogs for adoption. The next time you are in the market for a puppy, please consider adoption. A good resource is www.petfinder.org. Or visit your local Humane Society or animal shelter.

If you want a pure bred dog complete with AKC papers, find a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder will never sell puppies to pet stores, will not ship puppies, will allow you to inspect their kennels, and typically will offer a limited number of breeds. They will ask that you return the dog to them at any time in the future if you find you cannot take care of the animal or no longer want it. But beware, all registrations are not the same. Some registrations can be bought online, and one uses the same initials as the Canadian Kennel Club. We, as consumers and pet lovers, have the ability to put these people out of business. It’s simple. Change your buying habits and consider pet adoption. Almost 4.5 million unwanted dogs are euthanized annually in the United States alone. This is a truly inexcusable statistic.

Karan Ten Broeck

Pet Styles: Holiday Fun!