Hello all you Leg Up fans...it has been a while. On Sept. 12th,2009 my Mom and Dad got hitched. Please stad by as I will tell you all about it within the next few days. Also, I was the highlight, wearing a tux and a top hat, I had the honor of delivering their rings to them. My Mom has almost sorted out the pictures to share with you all and I will be blogging again consistently. Thank you for you patience and patronage...this is Fred D. Dog reporting....over and out.

Most people don't think about safety when purchasing a collar for their furry friend, more often...they are thinking about STYLE. There are some important things to consider when buying a collar for your dog that could save their life!

   Martingale Style Collars: These are great for the dog who loves to duck out of their collar on walks. It cinches closed when they pull but is made from nylon, cotton, hemp or other soft materials (instead of chain) which not only is more fashionable but more comfortable for your dog. Martingale collars do not typically have a safety buckle so it should be removed when the dog is unsupervised. If your dog were to be entangled on something they could choke as there is no feature that will "pop" open and free them. If your dog requires a martingale collar, have a back up collar with a safety buckle for them to wear when you are not with them. A safety buckle is the plastic buckle on most collars and it will open when a large amount of pressure or torque is applied. Yellow Snow Dog Gear is a great store to shop to find Martingale collars equipped with a safety buckle so your dog can wear them safely at all times. Yellow Snow calls them "slip" collars and they have just added a few new patterns (we also carry them in our shop).

The Metal Buckle: Everyone loves a little bling to accessorize their dog, whether it be glimmering swarovski crystal, metal spikes, an interesting buckle or a up-scale fashionable leather collar. The same rule applies to the metal buckle. A metal buckle stays put. Since there is no safety feature on a buckle collar you should remove the collar when you are not with your precious pooch. Also, collars must fit fairly snugly. I remember hearing a story of a woman who thought the "two finger rule" applied to her little dogs collar (2 fingers worth of extra room). When she left to go about her day, her dog got his lower jaw stuck underneath the collar and choked to death. What a tragedy!  Of course you want that collar to be comfortable but to be safe, always remove a buckle collar while you are away from your dog. The percentages are slim that something might happen but you would never want that small possibility to become a reality for you. If you are concerned about not having i.d. tags on your dog, change the collar to one with a safety buckle when you leave your best friend alone or unsupervised. Cetacea makes a great removable tag holder that you can transfer from one collar to another and we sell those in our shop as well. Beastie bands is a velcro cat collar that can not only be used for cats, but for small dogs too. There is a metal eyelet on the beastie band for attaching i.d. tags.

 Well folks, that's my latest. I write this because I have learned a few things in my years, I have recently turned 15! I want your best friend to live a long and healthy life. Remember they need you just as much as you need them! This is Fred D. Dog reporting... over and out.

Hello everyone! It's been a rainy week but I was at the park this morning and Spring was definitely in the air. Soon, people and their dogs will be surfacing for walks and you must be sure when you are out and about to stop in and let us know how we are doing. We would really like to reflect the changes and additions YOU would like to see made and if you can't make it in, please fill out the comment form on our site.

We want to know if you would be interested in a dog nutrition class or a giant birthday party, or educational seminars on natural pet supplements... you name it. If you can think of something you'd like us to touch on let us know. The great thing about living in a small town is that your voice tends to be a bit louder. We want you to know that we are listening!

I also wanted to let you know of the foods and herbs that ARE safe for your dog. It seems we are always hearing of new things that aren't safe for us dogs to consume, like chocolate and grapes but I'd like to know what things I can scarf down without worrying and here are a list of 8 of those items.

Carrots: crunchy, delicious, high in vitamin C and fiber and many other nutrients that help aid in energy production. Don't forget that boiling your veggies will suck those nutrients right out...steaming is a much better option to keep them vitamin rich.

Green Beans: an excellent addition to any Doggie dinner. Some of us get tired of the same old flavor of kibble. These are an excellent addition to any meal blanched or raw!They are also an excellent source of Vitamin K

Papaya: Fresh papaya is an excellent digestive aid as it contains papain, an enzyme used to help in the breakdown of proteins. Also, the papaya benefits joint & eye health. Scoop raw into dog food or feed in moderation as a snack. Freeze fresh cubes as a refreshing treat on those sweltering days! As a side note, I don't like the seeds much.

Parsley: Excellent for freshening breath (limonene kills bad mouth bacteria) but too much can act as a diuretic. Just remember, a little goes a long way. Great addition to homemade meals or fresh baked doggie treats. Fresh parsley is always best.

Pumpkin: High in fiber and cartonenoids. An aid to easing bouts of diarrhea. If using the canned variety, check for the addition of extra salts and sugars used in pie making which are no good for us. Can be steamed and mashed and added to moisten batches of baked doggie treats.

Cranberries: Great for aiding in the healing of urinary tract infections, and rich in antioxidants. As a dog with refined tastes, I prefer dried cranberries as they tend to be a bit sweeter than canned or fresh varieties.

Sardines: YUM! I looooove sardines. High in calcium and Omega-3 fatty acids ( for healthy skin and coat)  and vitamin b-12 (great for stress). PLease choose a water packed low sodium variety and scan for obvious bones before serving. Sardines are an excellent addition to any diet.

Wheat Grass: Decreases constipation and helps with upset stomachs. Grow some in a planter so your dog or cat can access it whenever they aren't feeling well.

 Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. This is Fred D.Dog reporting. Over and out.

 * info pooled from Bark Magazine Nov/Dec issue 2008

Well we finally got to work and redesigned the site. We hope you all find it easier to navigate and find what you are looking for.

As well as being easier, we also hope that the new site will be more informative. We hope to be adding articles and tips on pet ownership that will give you a better idea on what you should be doing to bring you and your pet closer together in a happier healthy way.

We look forward to seeing more of you.