Please pick up your dog doody!
03 Jun 2011 1 Comment
in Dog Fun, Dogs, Singing Dog, Uncategorized
I know I have said it before. This was one of those dry winters in the West where dog poop not picked up is everywhere to be seen in various stages of decomposition. As I look at the disintegrating mounds daily in all parts of town, I wonder how someone can walk away leaving the proverbial steaming heap. My wife and the dogs even went out this year on Earth Day and picked up several large bags only to see the same amount along the trail just a few days later.
Here are some scary statistics about this problem:
According to recent research, non-human waste represents a significant source of bacterial contamination in urban watersheds. Genetic studies by Alderiso et al. (1996) and Trial et al. (1993) both concluded that 95 percent of the fecal coliform found in urban stormwater was of non-human origin. Bacterial source tracking studies in a watershed in the Seattle, Washington area also found that nearly 20% of the bacteria isolates that could be matched with host animals were matched with dogs. This bacteria can pose health risks to humans and other animals, and result in the spread of disease. It has been estimated that for watersheds of up to twenty-square miles draining to small coastal bays, two to three days of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria and nutrients to temporarily close a bay to swimming and shellfishing (US EPA, 1993).
Further:
Pet waste can also be a factor in eutrophication of lakes. The release of nutrients from the decay of pet waste promotes weed and algae growth, limiting light penetration and the growth of aquatic vegetation. This in turn can reduce oxygen levels in the water, affecting fish and other aquatic organisms.
Source: Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet: Animal Waste Collection
Read the full article here if you dare!
and the famous Scoop the Poop Choir
Then after picking it up in your biodegradable bag what do you do with it?
Creative solutions are in the works. Most notable the Park Spark Project in Cambridge Massachusetts where conceptual artist Matthew Mazzotta is using dog feces to power lampposts!
Wired Magazine put it wisely: “Currently when organic material (including dog waste, food and plant matter) goes into landfill, it releases methane into the atmosphere. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is approximately 23 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. When it’s burned in the presence of oxygen, it separates into carbon dioxide and water vapor, so businesses can actually earn carbon credits from burning off excess methane. As a result, the digesters are a good way to collect and use the volatile gas as a fuel.
So here in the West where water has become a critical commodity, to further influence the water quality by allowing dog feces to penetrate all of our water sources is just plain criminal! Oh by the way it is actually is punishable by a hefty fine. Happy dog walking!
Mushers Secret Wax Not Just For Winter
18 May 2011 Leave a Comment
in dog booties, dog coats, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear, dog paw wax mushers secret wax, Dog winter hiking and snowshoeing, Dogs, mushers wax
Want to keep your dog’s paws healthy this summer and afford some protection to the hot asphalt and sand that can get to temperatures over 100 degrees?
One of the things I find fascinating about Musher’s Secret is that it has the ability to form a semi permeable membrane that can protect the paw from salt, ice, road chemicals, hot sand, rocks and a myriad of other trail hazards. Used regularly Musher’s Secret can be a tremendous asset to your pet’s paw health.
After all think about what it would be like to run barefoot on hot city sidewalks. We humans can barely make it 100 yards across the sand to the water on a hot day. Now realize why your dog is miserable walking on hot pavement during the summertime. Try just a little bit applied to the pads and between the toes. Your dog will THANK YOU for it!
Just a Cinch Leash from Ruffwear- the best leash ever owned.
17 Mar 2011 Leave a Comment
in dog culture, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear, Dogs
The best leash that I have ever owned is a Just a Cinch leash from Ruffwear. Its a collar and leash all in one. By design it can be used as a correction collar by pulling upward. My Labs quit pulling on the walk using this leash. We had tried just about every device on the market. It seems to function as a conduit between human and dog. When the slip collar is relaxed. The dog seems to be more relaxed except when a cat is seen. Then it functions safely to hold back the charging dog or dogs in my case. Here are the features.
- 72″ Overall length
- 8.5″ Loop handle
- 10-millimeter rugged climbing rope with reflective strands woven in for excellent visibility
- 5-foot (1.5 meter) average length provides control while offering freedom
- Slip adjustment collar will fit virtually every size dog
- Friction tab prevents collar slip-offs and escapes
And here is what I really like about it. No more chasing a squirming dog around trying to hook a leash on the collar ring! That in itself is worth the price. For years I just looked at it but never tried it. Now walking the dog is easy and enjoyable.
Rio and Lily’s New Bed
06 Feb 2011 Leave a Comment
in dog culture, Dog Fun, Dogs
Rio and Lily have been sharing their WestPaw Organic Bumper Bed for some time. We decided to get them a new bed this winter. We decided on the Cozy Berber Bed by Westpaw Design since its easier for Rio to get out of. The Cozy Berber Bed is designed with the front open yet made with reinforced berber material for cozy warmth and stylish strength. This bed gives snuggling a whole new meaning! All in all both dogs give it a 5 star rating. As you can tell by the photos, no one is getting out of either bed anytime soon.
Heal My Paws-healing product for dog paws
15 Jan 2011 1 Comment
in dog booties, Dog Fun, dog hiking and camping gear, dog paw wax mushers secret wax, Dog winter hiking and snowshoeing, Dogs
Heal My Paws -Four Footed Formula
For rough, cracking pads.
Heal My Paws is a natural protective moisturizer and conditioner for the pads of your dog’s paws. It contains the finest natural waxes, emollients and essential oils. An excellent conditioning balm for all breeds.
Heal My Paws is particularly helpful for working and running dogs as well as dogs that spend a lot of time outside, particularly in inclement weather.
Daily use will keep pads soft and supple. During the winter months, the protective layer afforded by Heal My Paws helps seal out chemicals and salt on city sidewalks and guards exposed pads from ice and snow damage that leads to chapping, cracking and infection. Heal My Paws is quickly absorbed into dry pads.
The natural formula is not harmful if licked and ingested. And use it on your own paws too!
Summer Cool Down!
06 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
Here are some cool ideas to keep your dog safe this summer. Dogs are much
less efficient at cooling themselves than people, so they are more susceptible to
overheating. A dog’s normal body temperature is 100-102 degrees, and they
have sweat glands on their nose and pads of their paws. They pant and drink
water to cool down, so always have fresh, cool water available for your dog.
Make sure your dog has a cool shady place during the hottest part of the day.
Never leave your dog in the car during hot weather. Use cooling pads, coats,
or cooling bandanas to help keep them cool. And of course don’t forget to make the
Homemade Frosty Paws.
Bone Time, Doga Class
18 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment
We have a ritual at our house every morning that started as a way to keep the dogs from bugging us as we do our morning yoga. Like any good doggie parents we stick a bone in their mouths but not just any bone. Rio never could tolerate anything raw so we ended up with rawhide. After reading the evils of commercial rawhide products and the fact that Rio ate the soft ones in about a second we started giving him Castor and Pollux Good Buddy Rawhide 
These compressed sun dried sticks are made from the inner layer of water buffalo hide, GOOD BUDDY® and Wet Nose sun-dried rawhide is subjected to multiple rounds of testing before they release it for sale.
As a result our labs, Rio and Lily are hooked and we can practice our downward dog with only an occasional face licking.
