This Party's Going to the Dogs!

This time last year, Scott and I knew we were going to lose our "Princess Autumn Bell" to a rare form of cancer: bile-ductular carcinoma, diagnosed in less than 2 percent of dogs. To this day I can't speak Autumn's name in a sentence without wanting to cry. Watching a beloved dog, a family member, wasting away and dying from cancer, knowing there's absolutely nothing you can do, is one of the worst experiences any dog parent can ever experience.

Three years ago I decided to get on board with Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign. I thought it would be a "fun" and "good" thing to do. Well, now I'm on a personal mission to help fund research to find a cure for canine cancer. There is nothing "fun" and "good" about cancer, in ourselves as humans, and in our pets.

One in four dogs will die from cancer, the No.1 killer in dogs over the age of 2. If you share your life with dogs, you WILL lose one dog, if not many more, from cancer. Ten years ago my dog Niki was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, so Autumn's death was not the first time canine cancer has touched my life.

My friend Kelly Smith is a Scentsy Independent Consultant. Kelly has a huge heart and began her Scentsy business in memory of her mother, Anne, who died suddenly last year from pancreatic cancer. I'm so proud to know Kelly and so excited that Kelly's generously offered to donate 40% of her commissions to help me raise funds for research to find a cure for canine cancer. So not only are you helping the dogs, you're helping to find a cure for pancreatic cancer!

Now through July 31st, purchase Scentsy candle products through our online Angels for Autumn party, and have a portion of the sales proceeds donated to Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign.

Please cross-post to all your dog-loving friends and family members and be an angel for all the dogs! Thank you all so much for your love and support! ♥

Animal Abuse: Let's Get A Plan In Place To Stop It

I feel abuse of animals is a learned behavior. Children grow up to be animal abusers because of what they're taught by peers, by their parents, or what they are NOT taught at home or in school. They're taught by seeing on TV that a pro football player like Michael Vick can serve a jail sentence for abuse but then get rewarded by a multimillion-dollar contract to play football again.

I feel since education at home may be lacking, the already underpaid and overworked teachers need to take on some of the task of educating their students, and parents need to contribute to the task of teaching their children that abusing animals is NOT okay.

How do teachers and parents begin to even find humane education resources and tools? A good start is by visiting The Humane Society Web site.

Here parents and teachers can learn how to educate kids, engage teenagers, inspire teens, receive Humane Educator training, receive lesson plans, and more.

Humane Educators are sometimes part of your local county's government. You can make an appointment with the humane education department of the county to pay a visit to an elementary school at no, or very little, cost.

Meanwhile, for the home, find some very inexpensive ways of engaging and teaching children how to care for and be kind to dogs, cats, and wildlife with these Humane Education Activity and Coloring Books, which will help teach humane values, create empathy, and can even inspire compassionate action.

Microchipping Your Pet and Cancer Risks?

ChipMeNot.org is one of several Web sites these days to warn pet owners and the general public about the possible associated dangers of microchip implants in pets.

Learn the possible risks of microchipping your pets, facts, scientific evidence, case studies, legislation regarding microchipping, how to report a suspected or known cancer case associated with microchipping, and more at this
Animal Adverse Microchip Reactions site.

Also read a most excellent article by The Dog Place.org on the medical reasons not to microchip your pet and why you should please consider NOT doing so.

Sure, microchips can sometimes help recover your lost pet, but you need to be aware of the possible medical implications involved.

Please know what you're dealing with BEFORE agreeing to let anyone microchip your pet! Nothing in this world is 100% safe. You should always know all possible adverse risks and reactions of anything you expose yourself and your pets to. Be safe, not sorry!

Rainbow Bridge Poem

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster...

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...

~ Author Unknown

Sarah's Angels Pet With Angel Keepsakes

When you're a pet parent, you feel like your pet is an angel. When that pet dies, your pet becomes an angel in Heaven that you know.

Losing an animal companion is one of the most stressful and heart-breaking events one can experience in life. When the beautiful spirit of a beloved pet has gone to the Rainbow Bridge the devastating grief and/or guilt one may feel can be overwhelming. I know. I've been there and understand.

Sarah's Angels Collectibles always make a meaningful sympathy gift for a pet parent. Animal-angel keepsake gifts are hard to find. Sarah's Angels figurines will always be cherished and will provide a source of comfort for years to come for the pet parent's grieving heart.

I like being surrounded by the memories of my angel dogs with their pictures and with my Sarah's Angels figurines. Read how I am Displaying Sarah's Angels Collection in my home.

Rachael Hale Pet Lover Ecards

When you want to send an electronic greeting card to an animal loving friend or loved one, check out the free ecards from Rachael Hale. These ecards include friendship, sympathy, marriage, Christmas, birthday, and more.

The Rachael Hale e-cards are so cute. Check them out. You're going to love them.

How to Make a Dog Cookie Arrangement

This past summer I created my Bow Wow Blooming Cookies arrangement for a friend's dog who was getting ready to go through obedience training. Like a lot of people, I don't have time to bake, but I wanted to create a memorable dog cookie bouquet.

Here are the materials I used that you will also use to create this unique dog cookie "flower" arrangement. Remember, all the goodies in this arrangement are for the dog!

1. Paw print Snapware dog treats container purchased at a local Petsmart.

2. Small organic bone-shaped dog training treats purchased at a local pet spa boutique. Purchase a big enough box or bag to fill the entire inside of the Snapware container with the training treats.

3. Premade organic dog cookies, as pictured here, purchased at a local pet spa boutique. You can purchase premade cookies in many different shapes and sizes and are limited only by your imagination.

4. Tissue paper in various colors to match the dog cookies. As this was a summer arrangement, I used two tones of several sheets of green tissue paper.

5. Floral foam purchased at a local craft store.

6. Wilson lollipop covers (or cellophane bags) purchased at a local craft store. Check the baking aisle for the appropriate size clear cellophane bags you need AFTER you've purchased the dog cookies.

7. Extra-long Wilson lollipop sticks purchased at a local craft store. (These can be trimmed down to the appropriate height to keep the dog cookies above the top of the container yet should be able to securely fit into the floral foam.)

8. Green cloth ribbon, purchased at a local craft store. This ribbon is used to tie the cellophane bag at the base of the cookie to the stick and is used as a decoration.

9. Optional print cellophane used like the tissue paper for a decorative accent. The paw print cellophane is what I use in my gift shop for wrapping pet gift baskets and what I used here, but it cannot be found in a craft store.

10. Clear cellophane tape.

11. Decorative cloth ribbon tied into a bow to cover the lid of the Snapware container.

To start, cut a chunk of the floral foam with a knife (to fit in the center of the container) and wrap the foam in cellophane like it is a present. Wrapping the foam in cellophane protects the treats from the foam. This chunk of floral foam is then taped on its bottom to the middle of the inside of the Snapware container. (Don't worry if the foam is somewhat wobbly as once the cookie stems are placed into it and the treats added to fill the container, the foam will stay in place.)

Once the floral foam is secure at the bottom of the container, add enough of the small dog bone treats to fill the bottom sides of the container to meet the top edge of the floral foam. As you add each cookie stem, add treats to cover the cookie stems, and so on until all cookie stems are arranged the way you want them, secure in the foam, and treats fill the entire container up to where the bottom of the lid meets the container. Be sure as you're gradually adding the treats that you check all sides of the container to make sure there are no gaps. You don't want to see the cookie stems.

Take each sheet of tissue paper, gather it as per the video, and add the sheets of tissue paper between each cookie stem. Push the bottom edge of the tissue into the dog treats.

Watch this YouTube video by Karen's Cookies and see just how easy it is to make your own dog cookie arrangement. The video will fill in the gaps that I missed here.

You may use any type of container or mug and use however many cookies you desire. Again, just use your imagination and create something spectacular and one-of-a-kind!

Exercise and Workouts for Healthy Dogs

"With about 45% of U.S. dogs suffering from obesity, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, experts are urging canine owners to provide their pets with regular exercise and workouts especially during the holidays. Experts recommend consulting a veterinarian about safe workout routines to avoid the risk of overworking dogs."

Just because you may have a backyard that your dogs can roam in, that does not constitute exercise.

Remember: Some exercise is better than no exercise. Not only is it good for your pets, it is good for you!

Read our post about pet obesity also posted this date. Good food and exercise go hand in hand when it comes to keeping our pets in optimal health and extending their life spans.

Photo courtesy of OregonLive.com

Pet obesity: Ailments linked to dogs' weights are increasing - El Paso Times

If you don't ever want to read an article or a book on pet nutrition and the proper feeding of your pets, please read this one. Whether you know it or not, you could be setting your pet up for disease and a shorter life span.

How much do you love your pet? You want your pet with you as long as possible, right? You want to cut down on vet bills, right? Then pay attention to what this article has to say and make changes NOW!

Pawprints Left By You Memorial Plaque With Easel

There have been so many people I know who have lost a pet this year. Today a friend of mine lost her dog to cancer.

So many of us who have gone through the anguish of losing a pet know that purchasing little gifts of remembrance for ourselves and loved ones helps the healing process. When I saw this lovely sentiment on several pet memorial gifts, I quickly identified with it and knew I would have to have these gifts for not only myself, but my customers. Whoever poured their heart out and wrote this beautiful message is someone I completely identify with. They have experienced the pain that I and so many others have felt upon the death of a cherished furry family member.

The Pawprints Left By You Memorial Plaque is an outpouring of grief and love felt for a beloved pet after he's gone to the Rainbow Bridge. This 5" x 7" heartfelt wooden plaque contains the following sentiment:

"Pawprints Left By You . . .
You no longer greet me,
As I walk through the door.
You're not there to make me smile,
To make me laugh anymore.
Life seems quiet without you,
You were far more than a pet.
You were a family member, a friend
. . . a loving soul I'll never forget.
It will take time to heal -
For the silence to go away.
I still listen for you,
And miss you every day.
You were such a great companion,
Constant, loyal and true.
My heart will always wear,
the pawprints left by you.

The Pawprints Left By You Memorial Plaque is available for purchase at the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop. A matching Pawprints Left By You Memorial Picture Frame is also available for purchase.

Pet Sympathy Cards and Token Gifts

When looking for a pet sympathy gift that is inexpensive but super meaningful, send an Angel Pet Memory Token with a beautiful pet sympathy card.

The Kindred Spirits Gift Shop has Angel Pet Memory Tokens that serve as a simple little reminder of an angel cat or angel dog who has passed on to the Rainbow Bridge. The little pewter tokens come in a silver linen pillow box and are engraved with one of the following sweet sentiments:

* My angel on earth, now you are an angel in Heaven - for cat and dog guardians
* You've left paw prints in my heart forever - for cat and dog guardians
* You have left my life, but you will never leave my heart - for cat and dog guardians
* Run free now, go play with the angels - for cat and dog guardians

Many pet guardians create a memorial table with the beloved pet's picture in a beautiful photo frame, a memory box filled with the pet's collar and tags, notes from the heart written by the pet guardian to the angel pet, as well as cards and notes from family and friends.

Letting a loved one know they're not alone grieving a lost pet is just as important as acknowledging the death of a human family member. Your tokens of remembrance will soothe a broken heart, show your love, support and encouragement, and give comfort that will forever be cherished by your gift recipient.

Let it Snow Christmas Family Gift Basket

The Let it Snow Christmas Family Gift Basket features Old Dog and the Christmas Wish, the beautifully written and illustrated book by author Christine Davis.

It is Christmas Eve, and an old dog lies chained to a tree, alone and forgotten. Beyond the fence something is about to happen that will awaken the strong spirit that still runs deep within his tired old bones. Whispers of a Christmas wish will reach the heavens, and suddenly anything is possible on this very special night.

Filled with beautiful illustrations, this simple story celebrates the true joys of the Christmas season. Animal lovers will want to make this magical book part of their holiday tradition, reading it aloud on Christmas Eve to two-legged AND four-legged members of the family.

Old Dog and the Christmas Wish by Christine Davis and Lighthearted Press is for anyone who believes in Christmas miracles ... and for anyone who is not quite certain.

The Let it Snow Christmas Family Gift Basket is filled with snacks and winterberry tea for the whole family to enjoy. Purchase it in the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop to arrive in time for Christmas.

Holiday Gifts and Gift Baskets for Pet Lovers

What kind of gifts do you give to the dog and cat lover during the holidays? You give gifts that will be enjoyed by the beloved pet -- like all-natural and organic gourmet treats and toys -- and also pet lover keepsake gifts that will be enjoyed by the dog and cat guardian for years to come. Pet lover gift baskets are always a hit during the holidays because they stand out among the gifts given by others.

Ali, the cat, is pictured here with our Animal House Gift Basket. This gift basket was a custom design for a house full of cats and dogs. Ali's mom barely got the gift basket out of the box when Ali started to tear into it to get ahold of her salmon and catnip treats. So fun!

When you want to make an impression on your pet loving family and friends this holiday season, order your Pet Lover Gifts and Gift Baskets from the Kindred Spirits Gift Shop and give your loved ones and their furry friends something to bark and meow about! Custom gift basket orders are welcome here!

Rainbow Bridge Pet Sympathy Ornament

When someone you know and love is grieving the death of their beloved pet, letting them know you remember, you care, is easy to do with the Rainbow Bridge Pewter Pet Photo Ornament. This pet sympathy ornament makes a great, inexpensive gift year round, and not just during the holidays.

The Rainbow Bridge Pewter Pet Photo Ornament will find a special place on a Christmas tree or displayed as a year-round memento of the beloved animal companion who is waiting for his master at the Rainbow Bridge. This sweet token of remembrance includes a white ribbon for hanging and holds a 1.75" photo of the forever-cherished furry friend. "We'll Meet You At The Bridge" is engraved beneath the photo opening. This beautiful ornament comes in a clear gift box with the Rainbow Bridge poem printed on the box.

The Kindred Spirits Gift Shop, LLC has an outstanding selection of pet sympathy gifts from which to choose if you would like to send a more substantial gift. Custom orders are always welcome here.

Healing After the Death of a Pet

I've had quite an absence here since my last blog posting about "Knowing When It's Time." July 23, 2010, our beautiful Golden Retriever, Autumn, passed on to the Rainbow Bridge. Autumn died of a rare form of cancer, bile ductular carcinoma. I won't share with you her signs and symptoms, but I suspected cancer even before the vet did.

Some of us are so in tune with our pets, just as we are with our own children. Making the decision to have Autumn put to sleep was heartbreaking and, of course, extremely difficult. We kept waiting for Autumn to "let us know" when it was time, and she definitely did. She was such a sweet soul and is terribly missed. Are we completely healed from our grief? No. Does one ever heal from the death of a pet? I don't think so.

What do you do when your pet dies, after you crawl into a ball and sob for however many days, weeks, and months (years?) you need to in order to grieve? My feeling is you try to open your heart again, as soon as you can, to another furry friend. There are so many wonderful, needy animals in this world that are waiting to be loved, waiting to go to their Forever Home, waiting to open their hearts to YOU.

On Halloween, my least favorite holiday, we brought home Heidi, born on 9/8/10. We had not really been looking for another dog. Some of you know how it is: It happens when "it's time."

We are enjoying opening our hearts again to another furry family member, laughing over her puppy antics, and watching this little spirit grow into another sweet Golden Retriever with a completely different personality than I've ever experienced with any dog my whole life.

Meet Heidi, the dog who is helping all of us in this household heal. We think Autumn would approve and would love her just as much as we do. I'll never view Halloween the same way, thanks to Heidi. It's a special day for me now.

The Pet Lover's Struggle - Knowing When It's Time

My boyfriend and I just returned from a walk with our three dogs, one of whom is eight and a half years old, a Golden retriever named Autumn. Autumn has not been in the best of health since she received vaccines two years ago, unbeknownst to me. Autumn has a horrible skin condition called canine ichthyosis (fish scale disease). We are unable to put weight on her, and she cannot go on long walks. She is hypothyroid, but otherwise, all the tests run on her have come back normal. Our vet is trying vitamin A in her food twice a day to see if it will improve her skin condition as nothing else is working.

Autumn used to have the most beautiful thick coat and the sweetest disposition. She's still a sweet girl, but it seems her real joy in life is when she can have something else to eat. During tonight's walk under a clear sky in nice, cool weather, I was wondering how much time she will be with us on this earth. This makes me very sad.

Click the title of this article and read one of the best articles I've read about saying goodbye to our pets when it's time, written by Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori. I hope I won't be referring back to it anytime soon.

Need a Responsible Pet Sitter?

Afraid to leave for a vacation or even for work and wonder who's watching your pet?

The "Who's watching your Pet?" video on the Pet Sitters International Web site had me laughing. But when it comes to the care and treatment of your pets, finding a responsible pet sitter is no laughing matter. After all, you want to come home to find a happy and healthy pet.

Pet Sitters International is the most highly recognized advocate for and the most respected authority on pet sitters throughout the world. If you don't already have a responsible family member or pet sitter whom you can completely trust with your pets while you're away from home, here's a good source you can look to to start to find a responsible, insured, and bonded pet sitter in your area.

Click the title link and watch the video on the Pet Sitters International site. Laugh there so you won't cry later with the wrong choice of a "pet sitter."

How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth

The number one problem seen in dogs by veterinarians is dental disease.

Your dog's teeth need to be kept clean, for dental hygiene, to prevent "dog breath," to prevent organ dysfunction, and to prevent a shortened lifespan.

Click on the title and watch a great short video on how to brush your dog's teeth, from dog trainer Mike D'Abruzzo and the lovely Tallulah.

Many of our customers and friends have asked where we get our recipes for our dogs' meals and doggie treats. Some we've created ourselves and have posted the recipes on our blog and our The Pet Guardian, LLC Facebook page, but here's THE best dog biscuit cookbook you'll want to add to your library of cookbooks and one cookbook that you will actually use again and again: The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook by Bubba Rose Biscuit Company.

When we first purchased our copy of this organic dog biscuit cookbook filled with "over 100 'tail wagging' recipes," we spent two hours reading not only the recipes, but all the great nutritional tips provided with each. So not only will you be able to prepare delicious organic, wholesome treats for your pampered pup, you'll learn why the ingredients are so good for him.

Virtually all the ingredients to stock your refrigerator and pantry can be found at King Soopers, Kroger, and/or natural food stores like Whole Foods. We recommend you grab your Post-it notes because you won't know which dog treat you'll want to prepare first!

While this cookbook mostly uses organic ingredients, of course you can use regular eggs, or use pureed carrots or celery, etc., that you can purchase in the baby food aisle. By keeping it simple, you'll enjoy baking more often, which is really the point: serving the best all-natural homemade treats you can for your best buddy!

Don't want to spend the time cutting out treats with a dog bone cookie cutter? Spoon the mix into a baking pan and bake as if baking a pan of brownies. Cut the treats into small squares when the pan has cooled. Trust me: your dog doesn't care about the presentation.

It is really so simple and easy to bake nutritiously for your dog. The Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook by Bubba Rose Biscuit Company leaves you no excuse not to be able to do so.

Famous Facebook Dog Sparks a Cross-Country Rescue and New Leash on life

Famous "Facebook Dog Pic" sparks a cross-country rescue and new leash on life

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