It's all about giving.........

A special shout out to a Super Foster Mom!! Penny found out about Aaron,  a young boy who has had several heart surgeries and more coming up, sadly, his companion passed away and he needed a new companion dog to help him through these trying times!

Penny matched Arron and his family with Bella!  Bella has been donated to Aaron and his family as a service dog.

We wish Arron and Bella many happy years together.  Penny and all of us involved in rescue are sending prayers your way.  It was Penny's pleasure to match you up with Bella, thank you for giving this great pup a home!!

 A boy and his dog.....  it just doesn't get any better than that!

Lori has some nice Labs available for adoption!

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********************************** UPDATE ***************************************
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Both of these beautiful dogs have found forever homes and are doing great!!  Thanks for all of the support!!





We have 2 very nice labs available right now for adoption!


Meet Zoe, she came to Rescue pretty rough and is doing great in her foster home, after living a good part of her life chained up, she is now enjoying having a large back yard to play in and a warm house to get cozy in!  A big thank you to Larissa, her foster Momma!!  She is now ready to be adopted.

Zoe is estimated 18 months old, spayed, learning her basic commands and learning not to pull when walked on a leash, she is 90% house trained and good with other dogs and kids!!


UPDATE!!  Zoe has a home!!!  Zoe was adopted by a wonderful couple who have lab experience and the love was more than apparent!  It was very mutual between Zoe and her new family!  Way to go Zoe girl!  We know you will be happy in your new home :) 

We also have Maximus, he is a 4-5 year old neutered male.  He has a flowered tongue so he must be a mix, but he looks like a purebred Yellow Lab.  Sadly, his family just had no time for him.  This wonderful boy is a favorite among the PupzNPalz volunteers!  He loves water, plays balls, knows all of his commands, good on lead, good with all other animals and kids.  Maximus is house trained and a jewel in the car!!

Educational toys for your puppy??

We buy educational toys for our children, so why not for our dogs?  Just like a human infant, puppies need to have their minds stimulated too!!  We encourages all pet owners to check out some of the fantastic educational toys that are available for our pets!  We've come a long way baby...... there is so much more available today for our pets.  Kong toys, the old standby are still great and we think everyone should have one, but there is so much more.  Not only will you stimulate mind growth, but you will occupy your best friend and we all know a pet that is happy and content is less likely to exhibit destructive behavior, separation anxiety, excessive barking, the list goes on and on.  

Please enjoy the following article, we hope it to be informative to you.  Let us know if you have a favorite educational toy (bought or even home made!!).

Not all dog toys are created equal. Much like children, educational toys are becoming popular for puppies because of the added value seen in making your puppy ‘think’ while they play. Often educational toys for a puppy are also interactive toys or toys that require you to play with the pup. This interactive play improves the bond between the puppy and owner, an important part of owning a dog. Educational Toys for Puppies Educational toys for a puppy are toys that expose the pup to sounds, textures, and actions that they would not normally be exposed to in day to day life. This exposure ensures a well-socialized pup that does not react negatively to new or different experiences. It is a vital part of raising a well-adjusted canine companion that is a calm and relaxed even in normally stressful situations. Stuffed educational toys for puppies often have a variety of textures to increase tactile exposure and often have various ‘arms’ to chew on. Think of an octopus with eight arms and a soft center body. The arms make for fun grabbing and tossing while often holding a variety of squeakers. The body is bigger and could have a sound maker different then a squeaker to add variety. The octopus could also be made out of two types of material – soft fuzzy on top and a tougher underside. Think of all the tactile and audible variations the pup experiences each time they play with the toy? Balls and things to chase are often classed as educational toys for puppies. Balls are also an interactive toy in that one of the best ways to both exercise and interact with a pup is through playing fetch. However, consider the Kong – a famous knobbly oblong shaped toy that bounces in a million directions each time it lands. Would learning to anticipate the trajectory of the bounce not be considered education? Kongs can also be stuffed with peanut butter and biscuits as a way of distracting a busy puppy and the company prides itself on producing products that are almost impossible to chew through. Rope toys are a fun, interactive activity for puppies and their owners. Rope toys often come in a variety of sizes, shapes and ways with which to play. Sometimes they come with a variety of other materials or toys attached to them as well – a Kong with a rope through it, for example. These added textures increase the ways a toy can be played with as well as adding extra interest for the puppy. Rope toys can ‘shed’ their fibers however and a puppy can chew off a section of rope and swallow it so these  toys  should only be given when the puppy can be supervised. One of the most versatile of educational toys for a puppy is a kibble ball. Kibble balls are designed to be filled with either kibble or treats that gradually dispenses as the pup pushes the ball around. Learning to use the ball takes the pup a bit of time but the instant reward of the treat dispensing usually has even the most reluctant of puppies excited about playing. This is a great way to keep a high energy puppy busy for a while and helps them to learn to use their nose. Kibble balls are also an excellent way to keep a puppy busy while you leave them to go to work. Instead of giving the pup a chew to distract them, give them their breakfast in the ball and over the course of the day, they will empty it out and enjoy their breakfast. Outdoor educational toys for a puppy are perfect for the pup with a yard. Home agility equipment helps build a stronger bond between owner and pup by teaching both to run an extremely basic agility course. Pups learn to walk along a raised platform, weave between poles, leap over short jumps, and run through a tunnel. Read the instructions thoroughly however before attempting to teach your pup as a bad experience on any one of these obstacles can traumatize a young dog for life. Although mandatory supervision is required, there are homemade educational toys for a puppy including plastic water or pop bottles either on their own or filled with rocks, cardboard boxes with holes cut in them, crumpled up newspaper, and ropes with bells or chew toys attached to one end while the other is attached to a tree branch or to the ceiling above somehow. Pups love playing with a variety of toys and anything that makes the pup think is a great toy for building confidence and  socialization . To keep pups interested in their toys, limit how many they have to play with and rotate them each day so they do not become bored as easily. It is essential to stimulate their young minds and interactive play sessions with educational toys is an wonderful experience for both the pup and it’s owner! Did you find this article helpful?  Please post a comment  :)

Back To School Tips For Families With Dogs

Back To School Tips For Families With Dogs
Bark Buster Offer Tips For Back To School
Wow, time really flies, summer is coming to an end and school is starting (if it hasn't already started in your area). A out a lot of really great pets get adopted over the Summer Vacation, but now as it is time for great changes in your home, we at thought that theses Back-to-School Tips for Families with Dogs might make the transition a little easier for your family and your dog!!

We sincerely hope that these tips will help parents and children prepare their dogs for the schedule change!

We found this great article by Bark Busters and think you will find this information very helpful. Please let us know if you have any other tips, ideas or methods that you have used to help your beloved pooch during this transition. We really enjoy your comments and feedback! :)

As kids head back to school, Bark Busters — the world’s largest dog training company — offers suggestions to help families avoid behavior problems with their dogs that often accompany this time of transition. By providing training and the right combination of food, shelter and entertainment, families can help their canine companions adapt to a new schedule.

“When children return to school, the stress on every family member can be huge — including the family dog,” said Amy Clear, dog behavioral therapist and trainer, Bark Busters USA. “This abrupt change in routine can seriously affect our canine companions, who are creatures of habit. But with a little understanding and preparation before the first day of class, families can avoid many of the back-to-school behavior problems their dogs might exhibit.”

Separation Anxiety
With parents at work and no children to play with during the day, dogs left alone can become stressed, often resulting in destructive behaviors and endless barking. Following these guidelines can help reduce the potential stress of separation and help return dogs to normal in a few weeks.

• Start early: At least a week before your children go back to school, get your dog used to being alone. Begin by separating your dog from the kids and the rest of the family. For example, if you frequently take your dog with you to the store, leave him at home.
• Pay less attention to him: Dogs may be the center of attention when the children are home. You need to change this scenario before the children return to school so that your family dog can adjust more quickly to the quiet time. Pay less attention to your dog for increasing amounts of time about a week before school and extend the amount during the days that follow.
• When you leave: As you and the family leave your home, don’t confuse your dog by saying in a sweet voice, “Don’t worry – we’ll be home soon. Be a good boy.” If he is feeling concerned that you are leaving, your happy, high-pitched voice can make him think it’s okay to feel this way. Dogs are pack animals and, as such, they expect their leaders to be strong when they leave the pack. Therefore, ignore your dog for about 10 minutes before you leave.

Boredom
Dogs sleep a great deal during the day, but when they wake up, they want something to do. It doesn’t take much to entertain a dog, even when you’re not at home.

• Scatter food: Dogs are natural foragers who love to look for food on the ground — and will literally spend hours doing so. Scatter a variety of foods (such as bits of raw vegetables and/or dog kibble) around the yard when you leave. (Note that some foods attract wasps. Avoid meats and sweet-tasting foods like apples.) You might even try hiding some treats so your dog spends time looking for them. And always provide lots of fresh, clean water to keep your dog well hydrated.
• Build a digging pit: Dogs love to dig, so rather than trying to eliminate this natural instinct, control where they dig by building them their own special place. Build a digging pit (as you would a sandbox for a child), and teach your dog that it belongs to him. Bury his favorite chew toy or bits of cheese in the digging pit and when he digs them up, praise him lavishly. Very soon he will learn where to dig — and, more importantly, where not to dig.
• Toys: Dogs love toys, but they can quickly get bored with them or destroy them. First, buy high-quality, virtually indestructible toys that your dog will always enjoy, such as those that hold treats like the Buster Cube™ and KONG™. Second, every few days, rotate what toys are available to him. This gives your dog something new and fun to hold his interest.

Shelter
Dogs need to have their own “home.” Just as we feel more at ease in our home, so do dogs. If your dog doesn’t have a place of his own, create one for him.

• Crate: Dogs love crates. Dogs are descended from animals that live in dens, and a crate has the same characteristics of a den. If your dog hasn’t been crate trained, don’t start training him the day the kids leave for school. That’s too late and can actually add to his stress. Although your dog will soon enjoy his new den, do not leave him in his crate for extended periods of time. If you find you will be away longer than 10-12 hours for a dog and 6-8 hours for a puppy, ask a friend to come by to let him out to toilet.
• Dog house: If your dog will be kept outside while you are gone, be sure he has shelter in which to get out of the weather. Dogs are more relaxed when they are covered and in familiar surroundings. Place the dog house next to the house so that he feels like it is an extension of the larger “den.” Provide a blanket or some other soft, inviting bedding.
• Laundry room: If your dog will be inside all day and you are concerned about him toileting in the house, enclose him in an area that is rather small (this inhibits the tendency to toilet) and has a floor of vinyl or tile in case he makes a mistake.


Unusual Behavior
When dogs are stressed, they can sometimes exhibit unusual behaviors, such as jumping up or even biting. It is not uncommon for children to come home from school and be greeted by the dog in an unnecessarily rough manner, knocking a child to the floor. After being left alone all day, the dog has pent-up energy — and when he sees the kids, his excitement might cause him to overreact.

• Train the kids: Parents need to train their children to avoid immediately entering the dog’s area as soon as they get home. Kids should ignore the pet for 5-10 minutes to allow him to settle down. With young children, it is always best to have a parent present to reduce the chance of a problem. Once your dog learns the routine, he will relax.
• Train your dog: It is amazing how quickly dogs learn what is acceptable and what is not. Dogs have a language of their own and once we understand it, we can easily control them by “speaking their language.” Bark Busters specializes in using dogs’ natural, instinctive communication methods as the way to train them. It’s simple, and it works.

These guidelines are based on Bark Busters’ expertise in dog behavior. Bark Busters dog behavioral therapists are renowned authorities in understanding, correcting and managing dog behavior. In every market where Bark Busters is established, a majority of veterinarians familiar with the technique recommend the company’s services.

Dog Heatstroke Prevention and Treatment

With temperatures in the triple digits in many parts of the country, pet owners need to be extra vigilant about keeping their animals cool.

Dogs are much more prone than people to develop heatstroke, because they are only able to sweat through their foot pads and can cool off only by panting. Even the healthiest of dogs can succumb to heat-related illnesses if pushed too hard or left in a confined space. Dogs with medical problems are even more vulnerable.

Help keep your pooch safe with these tips from the Humane Society of the United States, and veterinarian Ira Roth, director of the Community Practice Clinic at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.

Protecting Your Dog From the Heat. Here are three things to keep in mind during these intense summer days:

Limit time outside. During extreme temperatures, it's a good idea for everyone -- man and beast -- to be inside if they can. But short-nosed dog breeds who naturally have more trouble breathing -- such as Boston terriers, pugs, English bulldogs, or boxers -- should be kept in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. The same goes for dogs with renal or cardiac failure, or other health disorders, says Roth. If you can't keep your dog inside, make sure it has ready access to fresh water and shade, like in a dog house.

Reduce physical activity. Keep exercise short with just a walk in the early morning or evening hours. Taking your dog out to "do his business," or letting him walk with you to the mailbox in the middle of the day is probably fine. But it's easy to overexert a dog without realizing it, Roth says."If your daily routine is to come home and throw the ball and play catch for a while, you want to eliminate that or drastically reduce it," Roth tells Paw Nation. "Dogs will push themselves to exhaustion." It's up to you to recognize when your pet has had enough activity.

Never leave a dog in car: We know you've heard this before but we will say it again and again because even if you're parked in the shade, the inside of your car can quickly reach 120 degrees. "Pets who are left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and can even die. Don't think that just because you'll be gone 'just a minute' that your pet will be safe while you're gone," the Humane Society of the United States says in its Summer Care Tips guide. Also, don't leave your dog in the back of a pickup truck. The bed can get hot enough to scorch a dog's feet or belly.

What to Do if Your Dog Becomes Overheated, Quick action is the key to treating your pet.

If you suspect heatstroke, call your vet immediately. If your dog is panting excessively, staggering, seems disoriented or has reddish-purple gums your pet is in serious trouble. Fast treatment is critical to avoid life-threatening complications like blood-clotting abnormalities or multiorgan failure, Roth says. "Time will be an important factor," Roth says. "Many [overheated dogs] will die even with very, very aggressive treatment."Cool your dog down. After contacting your vet, the Humane Society recommends that you move your pet to the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply cool (not cold) water over his body to gradually lower his core body temperature. Apply cold towels or ice packs to your pet's head, neck, and chest only. Let your pet drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes. By staying alert and taking action quickly, you can keep your dog safe. Of course not all pet owners will be as vigilant as you so if you see a pet in a car alone during the hot summer months, alert the management of the store where the car is parked, and if the owner doesn't return, call local animal control or the police department.

Mmmm.. Home made doggie (and human) treats for a hot day!

Peanut Butter Yogurt Freezies
by Marina (Barrie, ON Canada)


This is a great dog treat for those hot days of summer. And it's healthy too!

Ingredients

375g (or half if a large container) Plain Non-fat yogurt
1 Cup peanut butter Natural no sugars or additives. (I use smooth but I am sure crunchy would work too if you prefer)
2 tbsp. molasses1)

I melt one cup of peanut butter in the microwave for a few seconds just so it become thin and easy to stir. Do not allow peanut butter to get very warm and especially do not let it get hot. If it get hot, let it cool before the completing the next step. Reason for this is you can destroy the good bacterial properties of yogurt if it gets warm.2) Add yogurt to the peanut butter and then add molasses and stir until blended. Drop using a table spoon portion into medium muffin wrappers. Freeze and serve frozen.Great summer treat. I like them too!

Homemade Dog Treat Recipe (Salmon)

Homemade Dog Treat Recipe (Salmon)

We all love our dogs and want to give them treats, so many of the store bought treats are full of fillers and in general just not a good choice for your dog, this is not to say that there are not some great dog treats on the market. We at pupznpalz recommend natural, organic, grain free dog treats. We will be posting some great recipes that you can make at home for your dog and even give some to friends!!Making your own homemade dog treats can be a fun project, and is a great way to get all members of your household involved with caring for your dog. Dog treats are fairly simple to make, since they are meant to be used as a reward for your dog (not for nutritionally balanced feeding)! However, it’s still important that you use high-quality ingredients in your dog treat formula. This will help to ensure that your homemade treats still have some health benefits for your dog, and will not contribute to any health problems. There are thousands of recipes available for making your own dog treats, each of which use different ingredients. Here is a simple recipe for homemade dog treats that can be easily modified if you feel the need to add additional ingredients.

SALMON DOG TREATS (GRAIN-FREE)

1. Gather all of the ingredients that you will need for making your dog treats. In this recipe, you will need one can of salmon (organic), ½ cup of grated parsley, 3 cups of potato flour and three eggs (including shells). Optional ingredients include ½ cup of ground flax seeds, sesame seeds, or other nutritious ingredients you wish to add to the formula. It’s best if you only use organic ingredients in your dog treats, since this will allow you to make a treat that is free from pesticides, preservatives and artificial growth hormones.

2. In the next step, you will need to thoroughly blend all of the ingredients. Add the Salmon, parsley and eggs to a food processor, mixing them on a low setting. Once these ingredients are mixed, you can turn the speed of the processor up slightly to a middle setting. Add the flour (and flax, sesame or other ingredients) gradually, through the top of the food processor while it is still mixing the ingredients.

3. Once the mixture has reached the consistency of cookie dough, take it out of the food processor. Knead the dough on a floured cutting board, making sure that the consistency of the dough is even. Flatten the dough with a rolling pin so that it is from ¼ to ¾ of an inch thick, depending on how big you want your treats to be. Once your dough is flat, you can either cut it with a cookie cutter, or simply slice it into small squares with a knife. Try to ensure that all of the pieces are the same size, so that they will all have approximately the same cooking time.4. Lightly grease a cookie sheet with a non-stick cooking spray, or simply line the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place your dough pieces about an inch apart on the cookie sheet, using even spacing.5. Cook the dough mixture in the oven at approximately 375 degrees for about twenty minutes. If you want harder cookies, you can rotate your cookie sheet after 20 minutes and bake for another few minutes.

Do you have any homemade dog treat recipes that you would like to share? Please post a comment below!

On a lighter note.....

Pupznpalz posted a few graphic videos a few days ago to make more people aware of what is happening to some of our best friends! Dogs ARE "Man's Best Friend" and should be treated as such. Please take the time to view the next set of videos.

Hero German Shepherd Leads Help to Fire

Pupznpalz Rescue would like to share this amazing story with our readers! We are not speculating that a dog adopted from Pupznpals will become another Buddy, but stranger things have happened! We thing you will enjoy this story, we did :)



by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts)
Apr 23rd 2010 @ 12:30PM Filed Under: Pets News, Hero Pets



Just like in an episode of "Lassie," this hero dog led police to the scene of a fire and helped save his family.

Buddy, a German shepherd, was with his owner, Ben Heinrichs, when his family's workshop caught fire. Once he and Buddy were safely outside, Heinrichs turned to the dog and said, "We need to get help." He didn't expect Buddy to actually do anything about it, of course. However, help is exactly what the shy dog brought -- in the form of an Alaska State Trooper, reports the Anchorage Daily News. The dog's heroic act was caught on the trooper's dashboard camera.

Buddy had gone off into the woods, and Heinrich assumed the pooch was hiding. In fact, Buddy had run out to the road, where he caught the attention of Alaska State Trooper Terrence Shanigan, who had been alerted by concerned neighbors when they saw a fireball erupting in the distance. Shanigan was having difficulty finding the fire due to the winding country roads. That's when Buddy suddenly appeared. On a hunch, Shanigan followed the dog and arrived on the scene just in time. He was able to talk the fire department through the difficult directions, and they put out the flames just before the fire spread to the family's home.

Buddy is being presented with an award from the Alaska State Troopers today, including a silver plated, engraved dog bowl, reports "Today" via the Associated Press. We're willing to bet he's getting more than a few extra cuddles and dog biscuits.

See the video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L53sAVRZUE4&feature=player_embedded