Natural Or Chemical - Your Choice.

Hey everyone, so sorry it has been quite awhile since I posted. But, I am back and ready to get after it. Today, I want to talk about your groomer. A good groomer is like a good hairdresser for us. If you find one you and your dog like, you stay with that groomer until he or she retires or re-locates to another area away from you.

I always used all natural products in my shop. By this, I mean, organic. I felt that chemicals did nothing but damage the coat, and possibly the animal, health wise. In the summer time, fleas and ticks are a huge concern, so many people ask for their pets to be dipped with a flea dip, or have a flea shampoo used on them.

Whenever a client of mine would ask for a dip or a flea shampoo, I carefully explained that I did not use a chemical dip, and gave my reasons. The reply I most invariably got was, "well, how do you kill the fleas?" An organic dip works just as well as a chemical dip if used correctly. My dip contained pennyroyal, a natural insect deterrent. If left on for the right amount of time, it not only nourishes the dogs skin and coat, but will deter fleas and ticks. Now, remember, you want to nourish the skin, not burn it with chemicals.


Let me share a story with you from my grooming days. I had a young lady bring a Yorkshire Terrier into the salon I owned in Huntington, WV, called Doggie Do's. This dog had not a single hair on her back. Her former "groomer," and I use that term very loosely, put the dog under a sunlamp and literally burnt all of her coat off her back. She was so pitiful. So, I immediately, ran my hands over her body and felt her coat, what she had left, and found that she did have a really nice texture to her coat.

I told the owner that I had a great shampoo that had some really fabulous botanicals in it. So, we started a weekly regiment of medicated shampoo, all natural, and air drying. By air drying, I mean that I put her on my grooming table and dried her with a regular, small fan. Well, long story cut short, within 2 months, she had a full coat again.

Ask your groomer to use natural products on your dog, if he or she doesn't already. These botanicals were being used by people centuries ago, now it has been found that they work extremely well on dogs and cats.

A Woman And Her Greyhounds.

While at work the other day, at Just Dogs! Gourmet, I met a woman that owned a Greyhound kennel at the Tri-state gaming track, in Crosslanes, WV. I was skeptical at first of her, and started to ask her questions about her practices when it came to retiring her hounds. What I found, was a woman that actually loved her dogs, and they weren't just money to her.

They live in the Buffalo area, and I didn't get her name or the name of her kennel, but I was impressed with her. I am not a fan of dog racing due to what usually happens to the dogs that can't race anymore. But, when one of her dogs retires, she has it spayed or neutered, and then goes through a major placement regime.

She has quite a few hounds at her home that are not racing anymore, and she just can't get rid of them to other homes. She is also very, very active in the Greyhound adoption programs, not only in WV, but in several other states as well. She was telling me about a place in one of the Carolina's, I can't remember which one, that is a huge adoption center for retired hounds. She says that she took one of her dogs down their because she just didn't have room at her home for anymore dogs. When she took it down there, she said she was heart-broken at having to leave the dog, but was very satisfied that her dog would live a life of pure luxury.

This place has "Greyhound play-dates." I think that is absolutely cool. People from all over come to this place to let their hounds run and play with other hounds. If you don't know, a Greyhound cannot just be turned loose in an open area. They have to be in an enclosed, fenced area. I guess this adoption center has over 10 acres, fenced just for the dogs to run and play with one another. This is so great. Greyhounds are bred to run, and letting them run in that large of an area is fabulous for their mental and physical well-being. Kudos to the woman in Buffalo who loves her Greyhounds. It is nice to know that there are some that actually do like and love their athletes.

Responsible Greyhound Breeder And Greyhound Adoption.

Today while at work at Just Dogs! Gourmet, I met a lady with her children. As we were talking, I asked her how long she had her Greyhound. She told me that she owned a kennel at the Tri-State Greyhound track in Crosslanes, WV. I cringed! But, as we talked I became very impressed with her.

She told me that, yes, there are many people that treat the racing hounds horribly, but there are just as many that are responsible breeders and when one of their dogs retire, they get them spayed or neutered and then place them in responsible homes. She also works with a couple of adoption/rescue groups in a couple of states.

She said that her dogs have it made. The kennel is air conditioned and heated, concrete floors, fluffy beds and the best vet care. Her home is in Buffalo, WV, where she has quite a few hounds herself as pets.

Greyhounds make fabulous pets. So, if you are looking for a couch potato that needs about 5 min. of exercise and then wants to lounge on your couch, an adoption Greyhound is a perfect dog. Now, these dogs are not for everyone, so research the breed before you decide on one. You have to have a fenced in yard, as a Greyhound cannot be turned loose unless it is in a totally enclosed area. Remember, these dogs are bred to run and it is instinctual to them.

Saving a Greyhound is something you will never regret, if you are a person that can handle them. And, some hounds that come from a track have special needs, so make sure you know how to handle whatever needs that particular dog has. If a hound is not for you, there are other breed specific rescue groups out there or you local animal shelter has numerous dogs that are available. You can go to www.petfinder.com and put in your zip code and find dogs near you.

Also, remember Little Victories. They are full and need to have people for volunteers and as fosters for the dogs that they have. There farm can only hold so many dogs, so they have to have people to foster a lot of them. Have a heart and think about adoption before you go out and buy a dog. And, remember, NEVER buy from a retail store or over the Internet.

Canine Good Citizen Testing.

On July 16, 2009, AKC will be giving the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test at Club Pet at 6pm. For Further information, contact Sally Hatton, the trainer for the Club at 304-633-6261.

To learn more about the what the test is all about, go to http://www.akc.org/. When more info is available, I will post it.

Judge Orders Class Action Lawsuit To Proceed Against Infamous Florida Puppy Dealers

Permission given by Loraine Miscavage of the HSUS.

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. (May 26, 2009) – The Broward County Circuit Court has issued a ruling refusing to dismiss several defendants from a major class action lawsuit against a south Florida puppy dealer known as "Wizard of Claws." The suit, filed in 2007, accuses Wizard of Claws, its owners, and its affiliates of defrauding customers by misrepresenting the origin of puppies, and by selling puppy mill dogs who suffer from severe health problems and genetic defects.

The court’s order allows plaintiffs to proceed with their claims against three entities sharing common ownership with Wizard of Claws – Celebrity Kennels, Inc., Dog Breeder Kennel, Inc. and Puppies for Sale, Inc. – and also directs the defendants to turn over records regarding the puppies they have sold to the public. The court also ordered the owners of Wizard of Claws to sit for depositions concerning their business practices.

“After years of reaping huge profits from the sale of sick and dying animals, the owners of this operation are finally going to have to answer for their actions,” said Jonathan R. Lovvorn, vice president & chief counsel for animal protection litigation & research for The Humane Society of the United States. “The sad facts of this case are one more reminder of why consumers should never buy puppies from pet stores or over the Internet.”

The class action lawsuit is the result of years of legal investigation by the law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and lawyers of The HSUS. Through extensive investigation, Weil and The HSUS uncovered reports of serious, systematic violations of Florida’s animal and consumer protection laws by Wizard of Claws, its owners and its corporate affiliates. The violations include allegations concerning the sale of sick puppies with life-threatening genetic defects and highly contagious parasitic infections, and the refusal to reimburse customers for either the purchase price of sick puppies or veterinary treatments - that sometimes cost thousands of dollars.

The class action complaint includes numerous examples of Wizard of Claws selling sick or dying puppies including:• A puppy with severe giardia, a contagious parasite. The dog died two days after being brought home. • A puppy with a severe liver defect that resulted in constant seizures up to the point of death only a few weeks after purchase.• A puppy with severe pneumonia and a collapsed lung. The dog only partially recovered after a four-day stay in a veterinarian's oxygen chamber followed by months of intensive follow up treatment.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for the proposed class members, and injunctive relief against any further sale of puppies by Wizard of Claws, its owners and its corporate affiliates. The plaintiffs – which include members of The HSUS – are being represented on a pro bono basis by the New York, Miami, and Houston offices of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

Dignity And Love.

On May 15th of 2005, my soul-mate, Kallee, passed away in her sleep. She and I had been together for 13 yrs. She died on a Sunday. Kenny,the man I had been with for close to 15 yrs., was kind enough to let me bury her on his farm. Charles, my husband now, went with me to dig her grave and bury her. As I sat with her body, wrapped in her favorite blanket, I looked around.

She was being buried along with many other animals that had belonged to his family. Like me, his family, and him, loved animals and wanted to bury them with dignity and in a familiar surrounding. When I became a member of his family, we purchased a beautiful Rottweiler named Cratty's Von Maxwell, or Max for short. Max was not my first dog, however.

My parents loved Dalmations and I grew up with 3 of them. The female, my father named Taryton, after the cigarette, because she had a black patch over one eye, died in 1982. Kenny,(my ex), buried her in the backyard of his mother's house. In 1983, we purchased Max. Helen, (my mother-in law), deeded the property where she grew up, on Homestead Rd., across from the Jenkins Plantation, in the Powell Wetlands on Rt. 2, Lesage, WV, to Kenny.

Max was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had to be euthenized in 1992. He became the first member of the cemetery. In this private cemetery, there is a Llama, 2 pygmy goats, a miniature horse, another Rottie, named Ralph, and a mix called Mikey. Kallee was the last to be buried there. Burying an animal on your property, as far as I am concerned, is the ultimate last show of love.

Pet cemeteries that offer burial or cremation services are a fabulous idea. This gives people that don't have the property to bury their beloved pet on, a means of showing that last bit of love and respect to their pets. I know many people feel that animals don't need a funeral. To those people I say, "you obviously have never owned a pet. Because if you had, you would not feel that way."

Say No! To Dogfighting.

I have been surfing the web looking for game dog websites. A gamedog is a fighter. Someone will disagree with that statement, I am so sure. Some use the term for bird dogs. I am not using it for that purpose. I found websites that are fighting sites. Even though fighting is illegal, it is not illegal, evidently, to have a website.

The site I found called gamedog.com, was the most detailed. It has profiles of the "big wigs" in the bloodsport. A man called Don Mayfield, is held up to be almost a "god." There are others, but this man seems to be the one. It is amazing to me that this crap is allowed on the net. But, freedom of speech. As long as they have a disclaimer, it is alright. Such as, "we don't condone the sport." Such nonsense.

"Mr. Mayfield once was one of the country's most successful breeders and handlers of pit bulls for dogfights. The Internet is full of tributes to him. A man identified as Norman Kemmer wrote that Mr. Mayfield was " the greatest conditioner of all times" for fighting dogs." He is dead now, which doesn't hurt my feelings at all. But, he just passed his knowledge down to some other vicious cretin.

I am glad to see that Youtube is putting videos on to stop the bloodsport. There are some really cute vids on there showing Pits playing with their owners or other dogs. The fighting has to stop! But, unfortunately, I don't think it will ever stop. It is too entrenched in society's underworld. As long as people will watch dogs rip each other to pieces, people will continue to fight them for profit.


If you know of someone that is involved in this horrid bloodsport, or watches fights, you can go to http://www.hsus.org/ and report them anonymously. And, the best part, if they are convicted, you get $5000.00. Please do your part, as I am, to end the suffering of these animals that know no better, except to do what their cruel masters intend for them to do....fight to the death or till they get a bullet to the brain, which is the most humane way. But, humane is not in a fighters vocabulary.

Here is the disclaimer I was talking about. From www.gamedogs.com.

Disclaimer
>>>(CLICK HERE)>>>Complete Disclaimer Must Read
NOTICE: The publisher of this website will endeavor to comply with any and all federal, state and local laws pertaining to depictions of cruelty to animals, promotion of dog fighting and/or any other activities deemed illegal by the Dept. of Justice.If any person or agency is aware of any violation of any laws or ordinances contained in or by the information on this web site or any of Gamedogs.Coms other products we urge you to notify the editor/publisher for immediate resolution.

Otherwise we will assume the 1st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America is still in effect and this publication will excerise its right to freedom of the press and freedom of speech.

God protect us against those enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC who would steal our Constitutional rights and our liberty! FREEDOM!

Vick Returns Home.

Well, I was watching the news and it seems that Michael Vick has returned home to serve the remaining 2 mo. of his sentence on home arrest. I don't think he should have the luxury of being in his home. He is a monster, just like the rest of the dog fighters in the world. Notice I used "world," not nation. Dogfighting is a world-wide problem. And, in some countries, it is looked upon as tradition, not legal, just like cock fighting is in Somalia and Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Send me your comments about the Vick home confinement. Also, I would love to hear about your thoughts on him returning to the NFL. My personal opinion is Roger Goodell should not allow him back. He will only taint the game more than it already is with the Pac Man Jones and Plexico Burress, and the many more that have been caught using drugs or being somewhere they shouldn't. Thanks.

Testing Before Breeding.

Breeding a dog is not something to take lightly. But, it seems that breeders in our area don't care about getting their dogs certified for hips, eyes, elbows, heart and other necessary tests to make sure that their breeding dogs are genetically sound.


Most people just throw two dogs together and sell the pups to first come, first serve. Not caring about where their pups go. Most of the people breeding in this area use the "AKC" logo as their selling point. I have been looking for a female for my male lab for over 3 yrs., and haven't found one in our area. I am in a forum called "retrievertraining.net" and have learned a lot. There are many tests that need to be done before breeding should occur.


The certification for hips is to make sure that the parents are not dysplatic or carrying the displatia gene. The same for elbows. Eye certification is for "cherry eye." This is a hereditary eye disease seen in Cockers, Maltese and other breeds that have long eyelashes.


In the lab breed, there is a test for EIC, which is Exercise Induced Collapse. This is where a dog will eat and then is exercised heavily and just collapses and dies. The stomach twists. If caught, surgery can sometimes, notice the wording, sometimes, correct it ans save the dog's life.

Brucellosis is caused by bacteria known as Brucella canis. The disease spreads from one dog to another during breeding or oral contact with vaginal discharges, aborted fetuses and placentas, semen or urine. It occurs most frequently in breeding kennels, though family pets may become infected also. This test should be done on both breeding dogs.

Pregnant females with brucellosis abort their puppies, while nonpregnant bitches may fail to conceive when bred. Males develop swelling of the testicles and usually become sterile. Some dogs appear to be in excellent health yet are infected and capable of spreading the disease.
Diagnosis is by blood culture and/or blood testing. More than one blood sample is usually required.

Tests for heart murmurs are a necessity in the breeds with deep chests, such as Boxers, Dachshunds and Dobermans. Rottweilers and Labradors are known for cancer. So, having them checked for the cancer gene is so important. But, these tests are somewhat expensive, but so worth it. If you take the time and expense to do them, you will be known as a reputable breeder and save litters of puppies from having to be put down due to genetic problems.

That is why all puppies sold in stores are sick. They come from puppy mills where the people don't care about anything except money. The parents are just cash crops and once they are not viable breeders, they are put down, usually very inhumanely. Always get health certification on any dog you buy. If the breeder doesn't have any medical certificates for you to look at, don't buy. In other words, no medical certificates, buyer beware!

To Everyone That Has Lost A Beloved Pet.

I'm Still Here.

Friend, please don't mourn for me. I'm still here, though you don't see. I'm right by your side each night and day and within your heart I long to stay. My body is gone but I'm always near. I'm everything you feel, see or hear. My spirit is free, but I'll never depart as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight-I'm the brightest star on a summer night. I'll never be beyond your reach-I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach. I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around and the pure white snow that blankets the ground. I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond. The clear cool water in a quiet pond. I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring. The first warm raindrop that April will bring.

I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine, and you'll see that the face in the moon is mine. When you start thinking there's no one to love you, you can talk to me through the Lord above you. I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees, and you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze. I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep. I'm the smile you see on a baby's face. Just look for me, friend, I'm everyplace!

Author Unknown

Shot Clinic

This Saturday, May 9th, 1-5pm, the low-cost spay and neuter clinic called Help For Animals on
Rt. 60 E, Barboursville, WV is having something great. They offer a shot clinic for people who can't afford to have their animals vaccinated otherwise. Dr. Kelly Pinkston is their vet, and I can say, personally, that I have found her to be a very caring person.

I have taken several dogs, of other people's, to be spayed, all were females, and was very, very impressed with the service and treatment of the animals. Also, Dr. Pinkston is very candid when it comes to the treatment of animals. One older Doberman that I took, after talking for several years to her owner, had litter after litter of pups, and finally was down to having just one in her litters, was one case that Dr. Pinkston was candid with the owner about. I really, really appreciated her candor with the owner. She got her message across.

So, if you have a dog that needs its vaccinations, or a new puppy and haven't found a vet yet, I suggest Help For Animals. Their phone number is 304-736-8555. And, if you know of someone that has a dog that needs spayed or neutered and they can't afford to have it done, suggest this vet clinic.

They are located right before you get to King Tobacco, at the Huntington Mall exit, on Rt. 60 in Barboursville, WV.

In Response To The Tether Law Comment.

I got a reply to my post about the anti-tether law. It was really sad, too. A man owns a Shih Tzu that was attacked by a loose Pit Bull. The dog lost a leg from the attack. His reasoning was sound and logical, too.

I agree that tethered dogs can't roam and randomly attack people and other animals. But, tethered dogs can and sometimes do, and notice the wording I use, CAN and SOMETIMES, turn aggressive and attack animals or people, children, that come into their chain range. But, the people that are letting their animals run loose, are breaking the law, and should be punished to the full extent of that law.

There are so many people who just don't care about their dogs and let them run loose. Or, they say it is cruel to chain a dog, and that dog needs its freedom, as all animals do. I do not agree with them, at all.

If you have a dog tied up or penned up, you don't need it. If your dog can't stay in your house as a pack member, then don't get one. Now, for the people that have allergies, my personal opinion is, either take the shots and keep the animal in the house, or don't get a dog and chain it up or pen it up, alone and most of the time, forgotten. A dog is a pack animal and needs it pack, that is you, the human. So, if you are serious about your dog, get it off the chain, out of the pen, and in the home where it belongs!!

Also, there is a leash law. Obey it. And to law enforcement, I have a bone to pick with them, too. Enforce the darn laws!! That is part of the problem. You call animal control and they might or might not come out, same with law enforcement. But, in fairness to the Cabell County Sheriff's Dept., they have gone on every call I have told them about. So, I can't say anything about them. Especially Jim Scheidler. Kudos to Jimbo. He has done a lot for the animals in our area. And, not just dogs, horses, too.

So, again, spay and neuter your pets and don't chain them up and pen them up. Bring them into the house where they belong.

Run For Rescue.

On May 2nd, Little Victories will hold its 5k Run For Rescue. It starts with registration at Ritter Park at 7:30 am and race time beginning at 8:30am. The first 200 people are guaranteed a t-shirt. If you registered by 4/20/09, you were guaranteed a shirt in your size. The course starts at Ritter Park, through the park, along North Blvd, turning at Veterans Memorial Arch, and returning to the finish line at Ritter Park. For safety reasons, the course will close at 9:30am. If you are still going to participate, you will be asked to use the sidewalks.

Sorry that I didn't know about this before the 4/20/09 date. I found a brochure at my doctors office. I hadn't heard anything about this until then. They have different age groups, and they are: 14-under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 and up. The fee for late registration, after 4/20/09 and at race time is $20.00. You can make checks payable to: Little Victories. You can mail your fee to: Little Victories, POB 247, Barboursville, WV 25504. Fee is non-refundable.

May 2nd, 2009 is National Adoption Day and the month of May is Be Kind to Animals month. Please support your local shelter and rescue groups.

Join To Ban Tethering Of Dogs.

City Council will meet on April 27 at City Hall to vote on an ordinance to ban the tethering of dogs. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. This is so important for many reason. First and foremost, chaining a dog could lead to aggressive behavior. The reason I say this is dogs are pack animals and need to have human contact. When they are sequestered from humans, they become frustrated and the frustration usually turns into aggression. Many people, mainly children have been attacked by a chained dog.

There is a great organization called Dogs Deserve Better. The sole purpose of this non-profit organization is to get all dogs off the end of chains and out of pens and into the home where they belong. I am so glad that the council will meet to debate and hopefully pass the resolution into law. If you can't attend, them contact your local councilperson and let them know how you feel about chaining. Imagine the life on the end of a rope or chain and never getting the love and touch you crave and need so much. Eating and sleeping where you use the bathroom. A miserable existence, not a life.

Go to www.dogsdeservebetter.org to learn more about tethering and what it can do to a dog's mental state.

Take Your Dog To Work Day.

source: Dog Fancy Magazine
Survey Source: APPMA in Dog Fancy Magazine.


There is a great day coming up in June for pet lovers that work. It is a day set aside on June 26Th to take your dog to work with you, that is, if your job allows it. But, there are several things you need to do before just bringing your pet to your job. First, check with management and co-workers to see if anyone in your office is allergic to dogs, afraid of them, or is just opposed to the idea.

Next, just like you did your home, puppy-proof your office. Make sure all cords are hid and things like correction fluid (white-out, ink, etc.) are put up out of reach. Bathing your best friend is the next step. Who wants a stinky, dirty dog around them all day? No-one! Also, a shy or aggressive dog is a no-no at an office. For the shy dog, it can be an excruciating time. Can you imagine being scared for 8-10 hours, I can't. Also, if your dog appears to be ill. Just bring a pretty picture instead.

Prepare a bag for your pet. Just like you would prepare a diaper bag for a baby. Things like clean-up bags, bowls, leash, toys, paper towels, and disinfectant. (in case of a potty accident) If you move around alot, consider bringing a crate for your dogs security and your peace of mind. A really important one is planning feeding times. Make sure the spot you chose to let your pet potty is appropriate.

I think this one is the most important! Don't force your pet on co-workers. Let them come to you and your pet. Curtail treat giving, as this could cause a very messy potty accident. Your pet might not like it, but, trust me, minimal treats are a must. No people food!! Lastly, remember that not all pets are office goers. If your pet becomes overly playful, aggressive or withdrawn, make sure you have permission to leave and take them home. Of course, I have to say this; never, ever leave your pet in your car while you are at work!

While it is sometime away, have a safe and fun day in June. Most offices allow you to bring you best friend to work, as they know it helps with office morale.

In a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Assoc. (APPMA) here are some very interesting results.

55 million Americans believe that pets in the workplace leads to more creativity.
53 million Americans believe that pets in the workplace decreases absenteeism.
50 million Americans believe that pets in the workplace helps co-workers get along better.
38 million Americans believe that pets in the workplace creates a more productive work place.
32 million Americans believe that pets in the workplace decreases smoking in the work place.
37 million Americans believe that pets in the workplace helps improve management/employee relationships.
46 million Americans believe that pets in the workplace improves hours worked by each employee,