February is PET DENTAL HEALTH Month

Before we say goodbye to the month of February, I want to write a bit about Pet Dental Health. Pets need routine dental care just like us. After all we brush our teeth regularly to prevent tooth decay and oral disease. Well the same principle needs to be applied to your pet. Here are few steps you can put in practice:

1. Take your pet to the vet for a dental exam.
2. Begin a dental care routine at home.
3. Schedule regular vet checkups.

If you are unable to brush your pet's teeth regularly you can incorporate special pet food in your pet's routine. Remember you have to introduce the toothbrush to your pet gradually. Praise your pet throughout process and keep it short and positive.

With a little patience, love and consistency your pet will have a pearly white smile and fresh breathe too. To learn more about pet dental care please visit: http://www.petdental.com

When I was in college I was required to volunteer in order to receive a passing grade for one of my college courses. I decided to volunteer at a "no-kill" animal shelter. To be honest, I did this more for the self interest of a passing grade. I was young and naive and it wasn't long before I realized it was the hardest but most rewarding work I had ever done. I scrubbed, hosed, scooped, walked and fed countless dogs. Down deep inside I truly felt sorry for these animals because they had no voice and relied on us to care for them. The most valuable lesson I took from volunteering was that I made a difference to a living creature. I didn't expect a pat on the back from anyone but I was content to know that I helped a facility that was looking out for the best interest of these animals. I developed a sense of inner gratitude and respect for all living creatures. Have you volunteered lately? It will do wonders to your community and your heart.

Dachshund breed ranked 8th in AKC

Welcome Doxie Lovers! I am glad to be part of this group and blog about Doxies and everything in between. So, I sit here and think. What should this first blog be about? I did some little research and I just read the American Kennel Club announced in a statement on January 27, 2010, the Dachshund breed ranked 8th in the top ten breeds in America for 2009. I am happy to read that the dachshund breed still remains high in popularity. After all, how can you resist a weiner? I did some more reading to learn the history of the Dachshund breed . Dachshunds were bred in the 1600's in Germany. The purpose of the Dachshund's elongated body was to dig into the badger's burrows and hunt. The breed lost it's popularity after WWI but breeders imported the breed from Germany into the US and slowly rebuilt the gene pool. The Dachshund was recognized by the AKC in 1885.