Parasites are one of those things that people tend to avoid in polite conversation. It’s just not good table manners to talk about creatures that feed off something’s precious bodily fluids. But instead of skirting around this unsavoury topic, let’s smack the thing head-on! That’s right, we’re tackling a chat about dogs and ticks! (more…)
WELLNESS
HOW DOGS PLAY: LET THE GAMES BEGIN
What does a dog think of a fist-bump? Or dancing? Or Monopoly? The world of human play is a surprisingly complex beast, and even the smartest of dogs probably have no idea what’s going on when two people high-five. While the mystic realm of humanity may be as indecipherable as quantum physics to dogs, the nuances of canine amusement don’t have to stay a mystery to us. All you need to understand how dogs play is to watch closely. (more…)
HOW TO TEACH A DOG TO SWIM
It’s the middle of summer – warmth, sunshine, and free time. What better way to spend it than at a cottage with your best canine friend? The water’s clear and warm, just begging you to jump in. Ol’ Spot, however, wants absolutely nothing to do with any of it. Luckily, we have a simple solution for how to teach a dog to swim.
Contrary to popular belief, and the deceptively named “doggy paddle,” not all pooches know how to swim! While a dog like a Labrador loves to be in the lake, many other dogs simply don’t have the size, strength or body fat to easily stay afloat. Don’t go and cancel your cottage getaway just yet, though! Just like for humans who’ve got some trouble swimming, there’s a solution for water-averse doggies: canine life jackets.
DOGS AND VEGETABLES: THE VEGGIE PETS DEBATE
If you were perusing British newspaper headlines in 2002, you may have come across the story of Bramble the dog. Bramble, who had recently celebrated her 27th birthday, was then considered to be the oldest living canine in the world. While any dog living to be 189 dog-years-old is remarkable, what had many pet owners talking was the fact that the border collie had been fed a strict vegetarian diet since the age of two. Her story sparked a conversation about dogs and vegetables.