Blueberry Cheddar Dog Biscuits

Out of all of the super foods, blueberries are one of the tastiest! These yummy berries offer a myriad of healthy perks not limited to just us humans!  Dogs prosper from the antioxidants, fiber, and phytochemicals blueberries are full of. This scrumptious recipe is guaranteed to be a hit. Delicious berries paired with tangy cheddar cheese offer a perfect match in these crunchy biscuits!

Ingredients
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup bread flour
½ cup blueberries
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 egg
2 tbsp oil
½ cup water

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF
2. Combine flour, blueberries and cheddar cheese in a large bowl and mix well.
3. Add the egg and oil to flour mixture and mix until the egg is completely incorporated.
4. Add water to the dough and mix until dough starts to come together (if you find the dough is too dry, add another couple tablespoons of water at a time until dough forms - you don’t want the dough to be too sticky).
5. Once the dough is formed, place on a well floured surface and form into a ball.
6. Roll out dough to a ¼-inch thickness.
7. Using a dog-bone cookie cutter, cut out biscuits and place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Re-roll scraps of dough to cut out more biscuits, you’ll yield about a dozen if you’re using a larger cookie cutter.
9. Bake biscuits 25-30 minute until nicely browned.
10. Remove from oven and allow to cool, store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

 Recipe Courtesy of Kia's Kitchen.

Dog Breed of The Month : The Pomeranian

The fox like Pomeranian may be tiny in stature they have the courage and personality of a dog thrice their size. These miniature pups have much larger ancestors - The German Spitz from Central Europe. They get their chutzpah from their forefathers who were working dogs in a frigid region. The breed originated in Pomerania, and that is where they got their name. Formerly much bigger in stature, the British Royal Family altered the evolution of Pomeranians. Queen Charlotte transported 2 Pomeranians to England who are shown in paintings as much bigger dogs, weighing around 30-50 lbs. Her granddaughter, Queen Victoria, owed a considerably more petite pups named Marco, who only weighed about 12 lbs. When she showed Marco in 1891, the more minuscule Poms were a hit and demand for them was so high that the breed's size was permanently scaled down.  The Pomeranian has been a favored breed in the United States for a long time and is regularly listed in the top 20 AKC breeds over the last decade.

Pomeranians are diminutive dogs typically weighing 4-8 lbs and standing 5-11 inches in height. They are small yet tenacious dogs with a heavy double coat and a curled tail that flips onto their back. Their top coat forms a prominent ruff of fur around their neck and they also have feathered hair on their hindquarters. Out of all dog breeds, the Pom comes in the most diverse array of colors, including white, black, brown, red, orange,blue, black and tan, brown and tan, spotted, brindle, and any mixture of these colors. The most prevailing colors notwithstanding are orange, black, or white/cream. Pom Poms' heavy double coat demands care and these dogs should be brushed every day with a quality dog brush to help reduce shedding. They should be trimmed every 1-2 months.

Pomeranians have long life spans and usually live 12 to 16 years. With a quality diet and adequate exercise they don't have many health problems. They are predisposed to tooth problems including early tooth loss, so you should feed your Pom Pom dry food. Other common ailments that Poms are prone to include luxating patella, tracheal collapse, and black skin disease, which is a combination of alopecia and hyper pigmentation. Pomeranians are very spirited, amicable, and smart dogs. They adore their masters and require ample attention. They are very observant and can be spectacular guard dogs because they love to bark and anything out of the ordinary or not stationary. These happy little dogs enjoy being the life of the party but can become dominating and combative if they aren't properly trained. Poms are very loyal and make perfect pets for single people because they tend to be one dog owners. They can have small dog syndrome and aren't recommended for small children. Pomeranians usually get along well with other dogs and cats but should be guarded from larger dogs. These feisty pups do not realize how little they are and are fearless in challenging other dogs, despite how big their opponent might be.

  Fun Facts

1. Some celebrities who are or have been Pomeranian owners include Sharon Osbourne, Elvis Presley, Leann Rimes, Fran Drescher, Nicole Richie, Rihanna, Maria Sharapova, Geri Halliwell, P. Diddy, Samantha Mamba, Bill Cosby, Mozart, Paris Hilton, Kate Hudson, Isaac Newton and Michelangelo
2. Whenever a smaller breed of dog is needed for a rescue mission, Pomeranians are used. Nordic people used their ancestors as sled pulling dogs and reindeer herders.
3. When the Titanic sank in 1912, one lucky Pomeranian survived with her owner, Margaret Hays, on a lifeboat.
4. Almost all Pomeranians go through an awkward “teenage stage,” when their puppy coat falls out and they grow in their adult coat. During this stage Pom Pom puppies can have random bald spots with fur sticking out.
5. Occasionally a Pom can end up being much larger than average (up to 20 pounds) due to a gene anomaly. These are called throwback Poms. Basically, these Pomeranian have the appearance of their descendants – the larger sled-pulling Pomeranians of from long ago. A Pom who is not overweight, but is larger than 14 pounds is considered a Throwback Pomeranian

Basic First Aid For Your Pets

Having a dog is very similar to being a parent to a human child… Both count on you to care for them and protect them. Accidents can occur at any time and it's not always possible to get to the vet immediately. The best insurance you can have when faced with unexpected accidents is knowledge and preparedness. Here are some prevalent accidents our pups experience and how to combat them until you can get professional care:

1. Stings - Remove the stinger if it is still ingrained in your pooch’s skin then wash the area. Use an ice pack to help take the swelling down. Benadryl can also help ease swelling. Your vet will be able to educate you as to the proper dosage for your dog. If the affected area is your pup's mouth or throat, get in touch with your vet immediately. Swelling in this area of the body could hinder your pet's ability to breathe.
2. Poisoning – If you think that your dog has consumed poison, try to find any packaging from the item ingested and have it with you when you contact the vet. If your dog has eaten a poisonous plant, attempt to figure out what kind of plant it is. If your pet is vomiting, collect that as well and bring it with you to the vet's office. Contact your vet or the Poison Control Center Hotline. They suggest that you to induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide and the will tell you on how to do so.
3. Seizures – If you pet is having a seizure, steer them away from any objects that could injure them, such as furniture. Do not try to constrain your dog until the seizure is finish and stay away from their mouth while they are seizing to prevent yourself from being inadvertently bitten. Try to record the length of the seizure. Once your pet has stopped seizing, try to keep them as warm and quiet as you can and call your vet.
4. Eye Injuries – If your pet has gotten chemicals or other substances in their eyes, flush it out with water or eye wash solution. If your pup’s eye is bulging out of the socket, apply a wet dressing and call your vet. Keep your dog from rubbing or scratching their eye as this will only worsen the situation.
5. Broken Bones – If you have a muzzle, put it on your dog. Dogs bite out of fear and pain and you could get hurt. Gently lay your pet on a stretcher or transportable flat surface. You could also use a blanket or towel as a sling. If you are able, secure your pet to the stretcher to prevent as little movement as possible on the way to the vet. This could be as simple as wrapping a blanket around your pet and the stretcher.
6. External Bleeding – Press a thick clean gauze pad over the wound and apply consistent, firm pressure with your hand until the blood starts clotting. This could take a few minutes, depending on the severity of the bleeding. Do not continually check to see if the bleeding has stopped as removing pressure will make it take longer. Apply pressure for 3 minutes and then check. Repeat if necessary. If the bleeding is severe and on the legs, you can apply a tourniquet using elastic or gauze and then apply the bandage over the wound. Loosen the tourniquet for 20 seconds every 15-20 minutes. Severe bleeding is extremely life threatening and you need to get your pet to the vet immediately.
7. Burns- If your pet is burned, run cold water over the burn for at least 5 minutes and then contact your vet for further instruction. Try to keep your pet warm.
8. Choking – Use extreme caution! A choking pet is more likely to bite due to panic. If your pet can still breathe, get to your vet immediately. Look into your dog’s mouth to see if the object is visible. If you can see the object, try to gently remove it, but be extremely careful - you could end up pushing it further down the throat and worsen the situation. Do not spend a lot of time trying to remove the object if you can’t reach it – Instead go directly to your vet. If your pet collapses, place both of your hands on your dog’s sides, where the rib cage is and apply quick, firm pressure. You can also lay your pet on their side and hit the rib cage 3-4 times with the palm of your hand. You are trying to forcefully push air out of their lungs that will in turn push the object out. Keep doing this until the object is out or you arrive at your vet’s office.
9. Heatstroke – Take your pet to the vet as soon as possible. In the mean time, put a cold, wet towel around your dog’s neck and head but do not cover their eyes, nose or mouth. Remove the towel and re-wet with cold water and put it back on every few minutes or when you can feel the towel getting warm. Use a hose or shower nozzle to run water over your pet’s body, especially the legs and abdomen. Never leave your pet in the car on a warm day. The temperatures inside a car reach dangerous levels even on mild days. Heatstroke can quickly kill – Seek help immediately.
10. Not Breathing – As frightening as it is, stay calm. If it’s possible, have someone call the vet while you help your pet. Open your dog’s airway by gently opening the mouth, grasping their tongue, and pulling it forward until it is flat. Check for objects that could obstruct breathing and remove if found. Perform rescue breathing by holding the mouth closed and holding your mouth over your dog’s nose and breathing in until you see his chest rise, about 20 times a minute. If you can’t feel a heartbeat either, push on your dog’s chest just behind the front legs every second. Give 2 breaths into your dog’s nose for every 15 chest compression. Continue until you hear a heartbeat and your pet is breathing regularly, or until you arrive at your vet clinic, where they can take over resuscitation.

Five Fun Dog Facts

Out of the hundreds of different dog breeds, each with their own personalities and characteristics only one thing is certain - Our dog pals are as interesting as they are adorable. Here are some fascinating tidbits you might not already know about our canine companions:

 1. As loving as our furry friends can be, they don’t like hugs as much as other animals. Dogs interpret putting a limb over another animal as a sign of dominance.

2. There is a high pitched whistle heard only by dogs in the Beatles song “A Day in The Life”. Paul McCartney put it in for his Shetland sheepdog to enjoy.

3. Have you ever pondered why your dog’s paws smell like corn chips? Dogs pick up all kinds of microorganisms on their paws because they are always in contact with the ground. When dogs sweat through their feet, the combination of moisture and bacteria releases the “Frito feet” odor which is essentially dog b.o.

4. Dogs can count up to 5 and perform simple mathematical calculations.

5. Some stray dogs in Russia figured out how to navigate the subway system so that they can travel to more populated areas to search for food.

Pet First Aid Kits

April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, a way the American Red Cross is trying to draw attention to and educate people on pet first aid. Everyone owns a pet should have basic first aid knowledge, in case of accidents or emergencies. A adequately supplied first aid kit is a big leap towards being prepared.. Our canine companions are very different from us and require different care, so many of the items found in a standard human first aid kit won't work and could actually do more harm than good! You could buy a first aid kit made for pets at a pet sore but making your own can easily be done with items you already have around the house, saving you some cash. Here is a list of items you should include:
1. Phone numbers to your vet, an emergency vet, and the Animal Poison Center as well as your pet’s               medical records
2. A pet first aid book
3. A leash
4. Gauze to wrap injuries
5. Nonstick bandages and adhesive tape
6. Milk of Magnesia (to absorb poison)
7. Hydrogen Peroxide (to induce vomiting)
8. Digital Thermometer and petroleum jelly
9. Eye dropper or large syringe (with no needle) for administering oral medication
10. Tweezers and scissors (with a dull end)
11. Latex gloves
12. Cotton balls
13. A disinfectant
14. Wound spray for mild cuts, bites, scratches, hot spots, etc
15. Saline solution to wash out eyes
16. Antihistamine such as Benadryl to relieve allergy symptoms
17. Styptic powder or a small container of cornstarch or flour to stop bleeding if nails are cut too short or           break off
18. Rescue Remedy for natural stress relief
19. A blanket
20. A flashlight