Never Say “Diet” Cheese Treats for Your Dog

Dogs love cheese. Always and without question. But the reality is, too much cheese is no better for your dog than it is for you! Dogs love these richly flavored cheese-based treats, but don’t seem to utter a single growl at their recede calorie contents. A guilt-free treat your pup will really enjoy!

Never Say “Diet” Cheese Treats for Your Dog

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
1/2 cup green beans, cooked and mashed
3 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup beef broth
1/4 cup skim milk
1 tablespoon melted butter

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Mix shredded cheddar cheese with flour. Add skim milk, butter and beef broth. Knead dough until firm and roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into appropriate shapes and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Makes 30 cookies.

Pet Friendly Vacation Accommodations

Thinking of crossing the border this summer and looking for a great vacation rental that is PET FRIENDLY?  Go to:  http://www.petswelcome.com/milkbone/classrent.html for a fabulous selection of pet friendly homes just waiting to make your vacation extra special for the entire family!

The Love Behind Love on a Leash: Gillian Dunn

Gillian loves dogs of all breeds and has recently come into starting up a doggie business of her own called “Dunn’s Doggies.” As an independent dog-walker, Gillian runs and operates Dunn’s Doggie with the help of her sidekick, her black Labrador, Lucie. LOAL clients will note that Gillian recently took over for Penny’s Pampered Pets. In addition, she is a Love on a Leash-recommended dog walker.

Gillian resides in Kitsilano, where a portion of her clients are located, but also has clients in various parts of the city. Gillian believes in beginning a relationship with a new client in advance of your dog’s first outing. When you contact her, she will set up a meet and greet with you and your pooch (at no charge, of course). At the meeting, she’ll get to know your dog while asking you all the necessary questions. The idea is to get to know your dog before the walks.

Dogs love Gillian, something new clients often are able to spot right away. But it’s good to know that she is also Canine and CPR certified (via DogSafe), making her someone good to have around -- and around your dog! -- in the case of an emergency.

Gillian has been a dog lover her whole life. She has had a wide variety of pets, but maintains that dogs will always be her favorite! Her fondest memories include playing with and taking care of dogs belonging to friends and family, while wanting one of her own.

You can contact Gillian by phone at 778-846-8830 or at dunnsdoggies@gmail.com via e-mail.

A Happy Canine Smile

The patient. What a cutie!

Though no one argues the value of a good, clear smile, we don’t always translate that to our pets. Fortunately, there are people out there who do, among them Corinne Henderson, president and owner of DentaPet.

Before. Those choppers
clearly need attention!

“Our mission,” Henderson says, “is to provide professional, safe, well-priced, non-anesthesia teeth cleaning treatment in maintaining pet’s overall oral health and happiness.”

DentaPet’s certified hygienists are registered with the B.C. Government Oral Health Association and Veterinarian approved and they provide non-invasive oral hygiene service for dogs and cats.

Henderson offers some thoughts:

After. Nothing like a clear,
bright smile!

A pet can bring a lifetime of joy, love, and treasured moments. With those happy moments also comes special responsibility to care for the needs of your animal friend. At Dentapet, we provide compassionate oral care at the very highest level in all of the Vancouver area. We strive for a warm and friendly relationship with you and your pet. Dentapet takes great pride in treating your pet like a member of our family.
Since animals can't tell you when they have dental or oral disease, regular oral examinations are recommended. At DentaPet we offer options on how to treat these issues safely and effortless.

• Book free 15 min consult

Truly looking good!

• DentaPet can be mobile, but there would be an additional fee for travel
• Teeth cleaning: dependant on the condition of animal’s mouth
• Book two or more pets / $10.00 off ( not applicable with other promotions or coupons)
• Nails $10.00

Our goal is to help improve the comfort and quality of our patients’ lives.

Please visit our web site, dentapet.com and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me at 604-971-1388.

Karen Moe Photography: Fine Art Dog Portraits

In 2008, Karen Moe published the book, Dog, that features her photographic series, “Perros: Dogs of Central Havana.” While photographing every dog she saw in one week in Havana, Karen discovered both her emotional and aesthetic passion for dogs.

Her love of dogs as both individuals and members of families and her artistic and philosophical commitment to both animal and human relationships gives Karen the privilege of creating unique portraits that both exemplify and complement her clients’ extraordinary lives.

Karen’s skills and insights as an artist grace these photographic experiences as works of art. These philosophies and practices are at the center of Karen Moe’s Fine Art Dog Photography. Karen has been focusing on fine art dog photography since the fall. She captures canine images that are artful enough to hang on a dog lover’s walls, she says, and also stays busy offering headshots of dogs looking to break into careers in film.

Karen Moe is hosting Uncommon Vision this coming weekend (June 8-10) at the ARC showcasing multiple artists in our midst on Vancouver's Eastside. The ARC, one of the only live/work artists' buldings in vancouver, has been providing provocative “Uncommon” group art exhibitions since 2003.  It’s a great way to see some truly local art.

In celebration of “All Things Dog” Karen will host afternoon tea and offer 15 minute Dog Portrait Mini-Shoots on Saturday, June 9th from 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Karen's “doggy portrait sittings” will cost $30 and owners can choose a 5" x 7" print from one of five shots taken that day. $5 from the $30 fee will be donated to one of four animal protection agencies that Karen supports:  The SPCA, The Wilderness Committee, Liberation B.C. or the B.C. Health Coalition.  You get to choose which one you wish the $5 goes to!

Part of the ARC's Uncommon Vision
UNCOMMON VISION
ARC GROUP SHOW + OPEN STUDIO
June 8 - 9 - 10, 2012
Fri & Sat: Opening Reception + Night Gallery 7pm -12am
Sat & Sun: Day Gallery + Open Studios 12pm- 5pm
ARC Gallery: 1701 Powell Street @ Commercial

For more information, you can contact Karen via e-mail at karenmoephotography@gmail.com or call  604-787-1806.

Canine Communicator Breaks Dog Language Barrier

We’ve all heard about Dog Whisperers. In fact, our resident Fairy Dogmother, Shelly, at Love on a Leash in the Country is a Dog Whisperer. Shelley has the innate ability to understand canine psychology and the whys and hows of what your dog is acting and reacting to. Because of this, Shelly works with many of our special needs doggy clients to help them through their anxieties, phobias and bad behaviors when they come stay with her. She also works with owners to learn -- and sometimes unlearn -- their own behaviors so they can better understand and work with their dog so their dog becomes more balanced, relaxed and feels secure in the family.

As much as I love and respond to Shelly’s special gifts at understanding to and relating with our canine pals, there is another way. Dale McCarthy is an animal communicator. Her gift is, I think, more difficult to pin down than Shelly’s. But I’ve seen it in action and have been no less impressed.

To me, Dale is one part Dr. Doolittle and one part Dog Whisperer in that she can actually hear your dog’s thoughts. She doesn’t train your dog or work through any psychological issues but, if you are wondering if your dog is in pain, if you are asking yourself if it is time to let your geriatric pooch go to the other side or find yourself wondering what your dog may be thinking, Dale’s gift seems honestly able to help.

I’ve been so deeply impressed that I asked Dale to share some of what she does with our readers. Dale writes:

Want to know what your pet is thinking? 

Are you trying to make the tough decision of when to let them go? 

Quite often, we wish we could talk with our pets to find out what they are thinking, discuss health issues, deal with behaviour problems or to make the difficult decision of when it is time to let them leave this world. 

Animals are constantly communicating with us but we usually just notice the wagging tails, meowing and the usual cat or dog behaviours. There is way more they are telling us but just that we don’t recognize or understand.  Sometimes you probably do feel that your pet is talking to you -- and it is! So trust your instincts in that you really do know what is going on with your pet.  

But if you want to get more confirmation on what you think or want to know more, then having an Animal Communicator do a session for you and your pet is a great way to find out what you’d like to know! 

I am fortunate to have the intuitive gift of being able to communicate with animals through conversations of words and visuals which can be shared with their owners. The pet will provide me with information as to their personality traits, what any issues may be and even when they are ready to pass on. This ability to converse, interpret and relay information will answer any questions or concerns you might have about your pet.  

You can contact Dale through her web site, or by calling her at 778-330-6936.