dogcents

Sometimes I think Sartre had it right with his infamous quote, “Hell is other people.” Okay not all people by any means, just some particularly difficult people. We have all had the experience of dealing with a difficult person in our life. This person may be a neighbor, a co-worker, a boss, a friend, a parent, or even your spouse. A friend of mine once said that some people go to therapy and some people cause other people to go to therapy. Let’s face it, how many therapy sessions are probably spent discussing the difficult people in our life?

What defines an individual as being “difficult” is totally up to the observer. I have met plenty of people who I feel are pleasant personalities only to find that others may view this person as totally abrasive. Then there is also a range of difficult as some people may only be mildly annoying while others may be abusive and downright toxic to our mental health.

Author Lillian Glass who wrote the book, “Toxic People: 10 ways of dealing with people who make your life miserable” asks questions for you to ascertain whether or not you have a toxic relationship with someone. Some of these questions include:

Do you feel tense or nervous around this person or do you feel devalued after having been around this person?
Do you feel constantly judged by this person? Does your self esteem suffer when you are around this person?
Do you feel drained of energy after having been with this person?
Do you feel emotional relief when you are away from this person?
Do you suffer from physical ailments such as headaches, breathing problems, stomach problems, hives, or other tension related troubles after spending time with this person?
Does this person make rude, sarcastic, hostile, negative comments to you or give you backhanded compliments?
These are but some questions to ask yourself. I would add that when we are around a toxic individual; we do not feel comfortable being ourselves. There is a sense that we need to protect ourselves from emotional harm.

So what can we do?

In my opinion the first thing you have to decide is whether or not you wish to continue the relationship with this person. This is an extremely difficult decision to make in some cases. It may be a whole lot easier to cut off all ties with a long distance friend than it is with your parent. It may be difficult to just quit your job just because you cannot handle your boss’s personality. But sometimes these decisions are made because your mental health is at stake. In some cases, to leave is the only option in order to keep your sanity.

Yet in a lot of cases we are not in an option to delete the person from our life for whatever reason. Perhaps we need our job at the moment and cannot just up and quit. Perhaps we do love the rude relative or ill mannered friend but we just can’t stand their behaviors. So we make the choice to co-exist with this person but how do we do this peacefully? One way is for you to determine what sort of relationship you wish to have with this person.

A Clean Dog Is better then a dirty Dog!
always keeep in mind that a clean dog is a happy dog, so rreeeemember to bathe yur best companion regularly.
I recommend at least every two to three weeks and use doggie or baby wipes to clean him when you don’t have time to bathe him that certain week.

Parasite Prevention
Your Dogs heart
One of the most comon dog health problems includes parasites. Faithfully provide your dog with monthtly Heartworm medication. Start by having your veterinarian take a blood test. Heart worms in your dog are are deadly, but more One of the most common dog health problems includes parasites, but more importantly this is a dog health problem that is preventable. Heart worms are transmitted by mosquitoes, so protect him at all times.
Flea And Tick Dog Care
Both of these parasites cause so much distress for a dog by actually sucking their blood. Parasites cause dog health problems such as anemia, they become infected with tapeworms and fleas are also the primary cause for some skin conditions in dogs.

Here are some great tips I have used on my old dogs and they have helped them alot .
Give “Coated” Aspirin such as Ascriptin but NEVER IBUPROFEN or any products that contain Ibuprofen.
A dog bed made specifically for dogs with joint problems.
Purchase doggie stairs or a ramp and never allow him to jump and land on his front legs.
Don’t put his bed directly in front of the air conditioner vent.
Have a dog sweater ready for colder days and nights.
Avoid allowing your old dog to go up or down the stairs too much.
Place a thick rug down on hard wood floors for him to lay on.
Provide exercise with several short walks during the day.
Many Dog Health Problems Can Be Avoided With A Healthy Diet
No matter what the age of your dog, make diet the most important part of your daily dog care.
The fundamentals of dog care start with diet and nutrition and should start as soon as you bring your dog home. By feeding a premium diet rich in vitamins and minerals, you can avoid many dog health problems later on in your dog’s life. If you need to save money, this is not the place. “Dogs are what they eat” and your dog’s health starts with his food.

Lack Of Exercise And Dog Health Problems
Dogs with arthritis or joint problems should still be exercised daily with several short walks.
If overweight, it will be “twice” as hard for your dog if he develops Osteoarthritis or Hip Dysplasia.
Lack of exercise and weight issues are major factors in many dog health problems and diseases. All dogs need exercise daily no matter what their age. With this in mind, you also have to use common sense. If your dog is older and has a hard time getting around, limit the exercise to several small walks daily and check with your vet.
Dog Health Issues For Canine Ears
Dogs ears are one of the most sensitive parts of his body. Dirty ears and ear infections will cause your dog to shake his head frequently.

Clean your dog’s ears weekly and check for odor, redness or a thick pasty substance which could indicate a yeast problem and/or an ear infection.
Avoid infections with this all natural remedy that balances the pH level in your dog’s ears.

Caring For Your Dog’s Eyes
Use a soft cloth dampened in warm water to gently remove sleepers and anything around the eye.
A haze or cloudy look to the eyes usually means cataracts are present. Have your Vet check it out.

A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read “Puppies For Sale.”
Signs like that have a way of attracting small children,
and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner’s sign.
“How much are you going to sell the puppies for?” he asked.
The store owner replied, “Anywhere from $30 to $50.”
The little boy reached in his pocket and
pulled out some change. “I have $2.37,” he said.
“Can I please look at them?”

The store owner smiled and whistled and
out of the kennel came “Lady”, who ran down
the aisle of his store followed by five teeny,
tiny balls of fur.

One puppy was lagging considerably behind.
Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging,
limping puppy and said, “What’s wrong with that little dog?”

The store owner explained that the veterinarian
had examined the little puppy and discovered it didn’t have a hip socket.
It would always limp and always be lame.

The little boy became excited. “That is the puppy
that I want to buy.”
The store owner said, “No, you don’t want to
buy that little dog. If you really want him,
I’ll just give him to you.”

The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight
into the store owner’s eyes, pointing his finger,
and said, “I don’t want you to give him to me.
That little dog is worth every bit as much as
all the other dogs and I’ll pay full price.
In fact, I’ll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents
a month until I have him paid for.”

The store owner countered, “You really don’t want
to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able
to run, jump and play with you like the other puppies.”

To his surprise, the little boy reached down
and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted,
crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace.
He looked up at the store owner and softly replied,
“Well, I don’t run so well myself and the little
puppy will need someone who understands!”

We ALL need someone who understands!

Author Unknown Dog Poem

<a If you regularly buy commercial pet food, try the large discount stores like Kmart or Wal-Mart for about a 20 percent savings over supermarket and pet store prices. Warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club can save you even moe. But for the the best savings, try a commercial feed store. These stores usually sell a wide range of pet foods at a substantial discount. And remember, the larger the bag, the more you’ll save.

Want to keep your Dogs happy and save money at the same time . Make some Homemade doggie treats…….1/2 cup non-fat powdered milk
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 cups rice flour
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. honey
1/2 cup water
5 tsp. chicken or beef broth
1 jar baby food meat (any flavor)

Combine all ingredients well. Form into a ball. Roll dough out on a floured surface. Cut out desired shapes. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes. Let cool. The treats should be hard and crunchy.

A DOG’S BEST FRIEND
O Lord, don’t let me once forget
How I love my trusty pet-
Help me learn to disregard
canine craters in my yard
Show me how to be a buddy
even when my sofa’s muddy,
Don’t allow my pooch to munch
the postal carrier for lunch,
Shield my neighbor’s cat from view,
guide my steps around the doo,
Train me not to curse and scowl,
when it’s puppy’s night to howl,
Grant I shan’t awake in fear
with a cold nose in my ear,
Give me patience without end-
And let me be A Dog’s Best Friend…………….Author Unknown

Excess dog scratching can be a sign of a huge number of canine health issues including mange, lice, fleas, ticks, parasites, fungus, cancer, liver disease or even anxiety. Dog itch is not a problem every once and awhile, but excess scratching can lead to inflammation or infection so you should stay on top of heavy canine itching and look out for problem symptoms. Besides the obvious sight of dogs itching, you should watch your pets for excess licking, chewing, redness of the skin or ears, hair loss, and head shaking. With such a large number of potential reasons for these symptoms, however, going to a veterinary doctor or even a veterinary dermatologist is necessary for a correct diagnosis.

Bacterial and yeast infections frequently cause canine itching, especially a certain type of bacterial infection known as a hot spot. Hot spots are a type of skin infection that causes common but painful sores, especially for dogs with thick hair. To prevent the spread of the infection, trim the hair around the infected spot to dry the area and watch the hot spot to make sure it does not get worse and require a trip to the vet’s office. Apply hydrocortisone spray or antibiotic ointment to speed healing and offer relief, but be sure to check with your vet first before using these products.

Mange is another common cause for heavy dog itching and is caused by mites. Bring your dog to the vet if you think mange might be the problem. Symptoms include hair loss and dry, scab-like marks on the dog’s skin around the eyes, ears, and joints. A skin test and medication is needed to diagnose and treat mange and can be prescribed by your veterinary doctor.

If allergies are the cause of your dog’s itching, solutions may include flea prevention and control products, drugs such as antihistamines or allergy shots, or a diet change if food allergies are suspected. Healthy eating habits can also prevent canine itching, especially a diet rich in omega fatty acids.

An at-home remedy for your dog’s itchy skin is a cool water bath– not warm or hot water– especially a bath using an oatmeal shampoo to ease superficial symptoms. Psychological issues like separation anxiety can also lead to excess dog itching, and these symptoms may be relieved through training and calming methods. Source: Vet info on the net..