Soon there will be a new way to delight your pet(s) and have tons of tail wagging fun!

Remember the MySpace Secret Santa Gift Exchange & Secret Admirer Valentine's Gift Exchange? Well, we had a couple of participants who sent out gifts to the pets they were matched up with but they never received anything in return, so UniquelyYoursNYC.com was kind enough to send gifts to those who didn't receive their gifts. Both of the gift exchanges were successful overall, however, we thought there was room for improvement and after much feedback from pets on MySpace, we have decided to start a program in which you are guaranteed to receive a gift in return for sending one!  Plus, the program will raise funds for pets in need, so not only will you have a lot of fun, but you'll know that your fun is helping pets who are less fortunate which is a wooferful feeling indeed!

To participate, you will first register and sign in to a secure (password protected) area of DOGUEmag.com. There will be 3 levels of participation which are based on the amount you spend and frequency of gift giving. Participants will make payment to DOGUEmag.com by any major credit card or e-check through our secure server, then shop with their DOGUE "CLUB-bucks" in the DOGUEmall which will launch late Spring along with the website. There will be a HUGE variety of items available in the mall from participating merchants! You won't need to wrap your gifts or ship them yourself. It will all be taken care of for you, making the entire experience FUN! Not only will this be fun....but we will donate a percentage of purchases made to pet-related charitable organizations that YOU CHOOSE!

In addition to the gift exchanges, there will be other fun features which won't be announced until the website is launched late this Spring. We guarantee that this is going to be loads of fun for pets of all kinds (and their parents too of course)!

Stay tuned for more information! Sign ups will start April 30th and we will announce how to sign up, etc. on http://www.MySpace.com/DOGUEmagazine and on DOGUEmag.com! WOOF!

RETURN TO MYSPACE

To be added to either directory below or our CONTEST SITE DIRECTORY, please join THE DOGUE PARK MySpace Group by clicking on the link above. 

PET BUSINESSES ON MYSPACE (BY SPECIALTY)

PETS ON MYSPACE

DANGEROUS PLANTS (for Pets that is):

Garden Plants

·Apricot

·Avocado

·Black Cherry

·Black Walnuts

·Castor Beans

·Catnip

·Chokecherry

·Eggplant

·Garlic

·Mushrooms

·Mustard plants/greens

·Onion

·Peach

·Plum

·Potato

·Pokeweed

·Spinach

Fencing the garden area or monitoring if the dog is actually eating the plants within the garden is important. When in doubt completely isolating the garden from the area the dog is kept is a great idea.

Ornamental Outdoor Plants

·Amaryllis

·Baby’s Breath

·Bird of Paradise

·Black Eyed Susan

·Bleeding Heart

·Bluebonnet

·Boston Ivy

·Calla Lilly

·Chrysanthemums

·Cyclamen

·Daffodil

·Daisy

·Elephant Ear

·Easter Lilly

·Ferns

·Flamingo plant

·Geranium

·Honeysuckle

·Hyacinth

·Hydrangea

·Ivy

·Jade plant

·Lantana

·Larkspur

·Marigolds

·Morning Glory

·Peony

·Primrose

·Rhododendron

·Tiger Lily

·Yucca

There are many other beautiful garden flower that can also be deadly, so be sure to check with the nursery or garden shop before planting them in the same area that you are planning on keeping your dog.

Indoor Plants

Many of the houseplants including ferns, dieffenbachia, pothos, ivy, philodendron, and even poinsettias are very toxic to dogs. Corn plant, peace lilies and any of the ornamental tobacco plants can be very dangerous for both full-grown dogs and puppies.

If you think that your dog may have consumed a poisonous or potentially poisonous plant immediately get them to the vet. Bring a small amount of the plant with you, including the leaf and the flower, to help with identification.

Choosing Pet-friendly Flooring

Well, since Winter reared it's ugly head here in Michigan, Izzy has been afraid to go outdoors. She runs right back in, at times before doing her "business". So, I end up cleaning up messes indoors. I can't blame her. It's really cold out at times and she's just a little thing. So, I'm now trying to litter train her instead. Her messes aren't really that bad. It's just that we have her big brother Dexter who has started peeing here and there because when Izzy does the smell is really hard to get completely out of the carpet. Dogs have 20x more sniffing power than us humans. So, to get to the point, I am looking at replacing all of my flooring soon. Not totally due to Izzy's mishaps really. It's just that our house is 12 years old now and we've been doing a lot of remodeling. In my quest to find just the right flooring, I've researched online and off and this is what I've found.

You may like the look of laminate flooring and some of the other "hard" floor types, but your pets may feel differently. Watching a dog try to walk on laminate can be painful, and if Fido gets excited when you get home and runs around corners overflowing with excitement, it can be very easy for him or her to slip on some types of floors. Dogs' hips aren't meant to go those directions, so this could lead to a serious injury. Also, little claw marks can take their toll on certain kinds of flooring materials.  You don't want to spend a lot of money on your "perfect" floor choice, only to have it messed up after a few months of pet foot traffic. If I end up going with hardwood or laminate, I will definitely have runners in the major traffic areas.

Like I said, I've had issues with Izzy this Winter and because of that, I've had to deal with stain problems. I've tried a lot of ways of removing stains, from homemade removers to steaming the carpets with professional cleaners and using over the counter cleaning products from PetSmart. Here are some methods I've tried. I've ranked each.

Stain and pet odor remover - Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch together. Rub mixture into stain and let dry. Vacuum up and use brush if powder still remains on carpet. It works well and removes odor. (RANKING 3 PAWS)

Get dog urine out of carpet and padding - For fresh stains: Pour about one inch of table salt over the area. Allow to sit for 2-3 hours. The salt will pull the urine from the carpet and the padding. Lastly, return to the spot, break up the mound of salt, and vacuum. (RANKING 4 PAWS - BUT DON'T JUST DO THIS. FOLLOW UP WITH STEAMER & PROFESSIONAL CARPET CLEANING SOLUTION)

Getting the stink out - Rubbing alcohol will take the urine smell out of your carpet without ruining your carpet. (4 PAWS - GREAT! BUT, DON'T OVER-DO IT!)

Baking soda - Baking soda even does wonders with older stains. Mix a paste. Apply on stain. Let dry. Vacuum. Get the same basic results with Borax. Be sure you test for colour fastness first! (4 STARS - Only on lighter carpets in my opinion)

Make your own urine stain remover solution - 1 16 oz. bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide, 1 Tbsp. of Baking Soda, 1 Teas. of liquid dish detergent (regular or antibacterial). Mix all ingredients into a plastic or glass bowl (do not use metal). Stir with a plastic spoon (not metal!) until completely dissolved. Place in a plastic squirt bottle. Let the solution set for an hour before using (this is important!) for the best results ever! Test the solution on a small, hidden part of your rug, carpet or furniture (non-color set fabrics such as Indian cotton rugs may fade). Completely saturate the urine stain and allow the solution to soak in. Do not blot. Do not scrub. Do not walk on the spot. Allow to air dry. Once dry, vacuum up any residue left by the baking soda. Gentle brushing with a towel or soft brush may help. (4 1/2 STARS - Really does work pretty well!!)

More tips: Purchase a black-light or lightbulb and turn it on in the dark. You will see every little stain that the naked eye may have missed. Use any of the solutions above or purchase ready-made solutions from your local pet supply store. A wise purchase (especially if you have larger dog(s) ) is a shop-vac. I personally chose to purchase the Bissell Proheat steam cleaner which I use for smaller stains. Dexter, our huge Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier does have an accident now and then, and it's no small task cleaning his mess up, so I will use the shop vac for those times. When you live with multiple pets as we do, it is important to stay on top of any stains that may occur. No pet is perfect and when you have multiple pets and one pet has a mishap, the others will likely follow due to any smell that may remain. I take extra care when cleaning up messes and will often use more than one method just to be sure I have removed all of the stain, and especially the odor that may be left behind that us humans may not smell, but dogs and cats do.

Simple Solution Stain & Odor Remover Quantity: 1 Gal Price: $11.95 Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Effectiveness: 5 out of 5 Customers who would recommend this product to a friend: 100%	MY FAVORITE! Nature's Miracle® Stain & Odor Remover Quantity: 1.5 Gal Price: $29.99 Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 Effectiveness: 4.9 out of 5 Customers who would recommend this product to a friend: 100%
GET SERiOUS! Pet Stain, Odor and Pheromone Extractor Quantity: 1 Gal Price: $29.99 Overall Rating: 4.3 out of 5 Effectiveness: 5 out of 5 Customers who would recommend this product to a friend: 83%	PetZyme Stain & Odor Remover Quantity: 1 Gal Price: $10.99 Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Effectiveness: 3.9 out of 5 Customers who would recommend this product to a friend: 77%

Companies That Do/That Don't Test on Animals

Companies That Don't Test on Animals (WORD FORMAT)

Companies That Do Test on Animals (WORD FORMAT)

COURTESY OF PETA.ORG

“It” Breed of the Month: The Chihuahua

By: Galleria Boucree

 You walk into a magazine store, and then you browse the shelves.  On every magazine cover you see celebrities, such as Paris Hilton, and—wait, what’s that she’s holding?  A tiny dog, better known as a Chihuahua.  Face it, most celebrities use this pint-sized breed as an accessory, but there is much more to the Chihuahua than a fashionable friend that can fit in and match your purse.

Health

Chihuahuas are fairly healthy dogs, but just as any other breed, their specific qualities in their appearance make them prone to certain sicknesses that wouldn’t be much of a problem for any other dog.  Hypoglycemia is a problem with all toy breeds in particular.  What this means is low blood sugar.  Hypoglycemia is most prominent in puppies of the toy breed genre, but they usually outgrow this by adulthood.  Oftentimes though, this can be a lifetime problem.  Some symptoms of Hypoglycemia are staggering gait, glassy eyes, and sometimes either limpness or rigidity.  If you see any of these signs in your dog or puppy, please take him/her to the veterinarian as soon as possible so that treatments can be given.

Another common sickness amongst us Chihuahuas would be Collapsed Trachea.  This is when a thin piece of cartilidge, in the shape of a straw, collapses in half due to an assortment of reasons.  The most commonly reported would be due to using a leash and yanking hard on the neck, therefore resulting in the fragile trachea collapsing.  The trachea helps Chihuahuas carry air from the neck to the chest.  Symptoms of this would be constant coughing, shortness of breath, and exhaustion.  Smoking can aggravate this condition, and with medical treatment, your local veterinarian can solve this problem.

 *Tip:  If your Chihuahuas eyes are watery, as mine are, this is usually not a problem.  If the excess water has an odor, or if it is any other color than clear, contact your vet immediately.  Otherwise, the tear ducts produce water in order to keep Chihuahuas eyes lubricated.  If you haven’t noticed, we have very large eyes!  Keep in mind, Chihuahuas are low to the ground, and our eyes can attract dust and other harmful substances, so please clean them regularly.

Chihuahua - Defined:

Chihuahuas originated from Mexico around the Mayan times which was 5^th century AD.  The Toltecs were the first to breed a dog that they referred to as the “Techichi.”  They used them as pets, and for religious purposes.  Mayan, Toltec, and Aztec writings depict this little breed in many ceremonies, and it had a high status back then.  The relics and remains of the Techichi suggest that it was a long-haired breed, and was very quiet.  The Chihuahuas of today are remnants of the Techichi, although they have overcome many obstacles and have gone through many changes.  Chihuahuas can usually achieve 16 or more years of age, making it one of the few breeds that live longest. 

 Chihuahua: Fashion

Yes, it’s true.  Us Chihuahuas have been known to be dressed up in everything from beautiful gowns to t-shirts with “Alpha Bitch” playfully printed across the back.  Each variation of the Chihuahua looks good in different outfits, and here are some lovely ideas for both males and females.

Males:  Male Chihuahuas often look good in leather jackets, and sporty shirts.  You can find these at your local Petco, or you can visit www.mypetique.com and look through their clothing.  My favorite?  Well I think male Chihuahuas look hot and dashing in a clean suit! Love the bow-tie (unless you chew it off of course…)

Females:  Girls just wanna have fun right?  Gosh, we can look good in almost anything we wear, but there are some that can make us look particularly ravishing!  Pink is lovely for us, and you can find beautiful pink sweaters and such at www.uniquelyyoursnyc.com  my pick being the sweater that Izzy (the editor!) is wearing.  My favorite?  Oh, I am simply in LOVE with the glittering Swarovski  Crystal collar that they have!  (Mommy, please?...)

Bottom Line: Is it over already?

If you plan on getting a Chihuahua, you should expect to have a lifetime companion who will always wait on your every call, cuddle when you need it most, and make you laugh when you frown.  Chihuahuas have the most human-like qualities that could ever be offered in a breed, and they have your back no matter what the circumstances! Just make sure you return the favor with lots of hugs and kisses!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CHIHUAHUA, CLICK HERE

 

Live.Amor.Dream

 

Galleria Boucree

Name: Galleria Manhattan Twinkie Boucree Reivers
Nickname: Galleria, Galli
Age: 5 months
MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/woahhxxitsgalleria 
Hobbies/Interests: Dressing up, Taking silly photos, Writing, Working on my new clothing line "Lil G Hip Hop Doggywear"
State: Pennsylvania
Reach me by clicking on my mailbox or click on my name to visit my myspace profile!

 

SAMPLING OF CHIHUAHUA GROUPS ON MYSPACE:

Chihuahua Lover for Christ (Public Group) This is where all those christain chihuahua lovers can chill and feel accepted

Join Group

 

Cha Cha Cha Chihuahua!!! (Public Group) A GROUP FOR CHIHUAHUA LOVE, FUN, AND SMILES!! IT'S NEW SO INVITE ALL OF YOUR CHIHUAHUA FRIENDS!!

Join Group

 

Chihuahua (Public Group) This is an educational group where Chihuahua owner/handlers/shows/responsible breeders/and fans can come together and share in their love of this breed. This group promotes responsible breeding and ed

Join Group

 

Chihuahuas of Myspace (Public Group) Chihuahuas

Join Group

CHiHuaHuaS Do iT BeTTeR (Public Group) STRiCTLY FoR CHiHuaHuaS oR CHiHuaHua LoVeRS! CauSe We aRe CuTie PieS!

Join Group

chihuahua love (Public Group) this is a plce when you can show and spread your love for the best animal on the planet

Join Group

 

	I, Chihuahua (Public Group) <BIG><BIG><BIG>One day, Chihuahua's <u>WILL</u> rule the world!!!	Join Group
	Hot Chihuahua (Public Group) Lovers and owners of hot chihuahuas	Join Group

chihuahua lovers (Public Group) if u love these small cute animals this is the club for u !!

Join Group

 

I ♥ my Chihuahua (Public Group) for Chihuahua owners

Join Group

 

Cute Chihuahuas (Public Group) Cute Chihuahuas

Join Group

Chihuahuas Rule (Private Group) For all Chihuahua owners and lovers.

Join Group

	<3 Chihuahua = Angel <3 (Public Group) This is a group for Chihuahua's.	Join Group
	♠SoCal♥Chihuahuas♥ (Private Group) this is a group for all the chihuahua owners who love their chihuahuas	Join Group

	~* Spoiled Little Chi's*~ (Private Group) Group made for spoiled chi's everywhere and the people that luv them!	Join Group
	~***I love chihuahua's***~ (Private Group) simply for all chihuahua lovers who spoil their pups rotten, and love them to death! ^.~	Join Group
	~*Chihuahua Lovin People*~ (Public Group) Here is a place where you can post up images of your chihuahua, talk about your chihuahua, and just plain have a good time. Share your love of Chihuahuas with everyone^	Join Group

Meet one of the most famous dogs in the planet, who just happens to also have a myspace!

His name is MultiCh. WA Mozart Dolce Sinfonia. His nickname is Mozart. Mozart won several championships of beauty worldwide. He also was silver medal at the most prestigious championship in the planet, the World Championship of beauty 2005 (compare to the Miss Universe for the human being). He is the main character in the movie "The Dog's Town" directed by award winning director Vibeke Muasya and main character in the music video "Say Goodbye" by 15th LA Music Awards winner Krassimir. Below are photos from during the "Say Goodbye" music video shoot:

      

  

 He is in the front cover best seller book "Passport of a Champion" written by his breeder and owner: Sabrina Parisi and recently released in Europe.

 

Mozart’s father, Champion Bolero Dolce Sinfonia was the Yorkie hired by the Eukanuba Dog Food. He is not only a great top winner and champion, but he is definitely a Star. Of all the show dogs in the world, he was the one recently used by Eukanuba dog food, filming in Hollywood for one or more of their advertisements (Saatche & Saatche of New York).	Recognized among all-time famous dogs and known as the Eukanuba Dog!
He is the model used by some dog fashion companies, and is going to be seen in posters and more advertising programs by Eukanuba and others.

Below is an article recently published in Europe:

Bella's Product Reviews
CLICK TO READ DENTAL PRODUCT REVIEW IN THE DOGUE CLINIC

 OTHER CONTEST SITES!

HAVE A SITE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT?  Email the name of the site and the url to info@DOGUEmag.com

ALL CONTENT IS COPYWRITTEN BY DOGUEMAG.COM. PLEASE DO NOT COPY WITHOUT OUR WRITTEN PERMISSION. THANK YOU!

__________________________________________________________

DOGUE Theme Song Lyrics Contest

Re-write Madonna's "Vogue" song as the DOGUE theme song! You could win a fabulous prize and your song will be used as our theme song on myspace and on DOGUEmag.com if you win! You may wish to look at Madonna's "Vogue" lyrics while re-writing. Just click here for the lyrics.

__________________________________________________________

PHOTO CONTESTS TO ENTER!

ENTER PHOTO CONTESTS OR COVER MODEL CONTEST BY CLICKING ABOVE.

Monthly DOGUE Cover Model Contest - This is a monthly, ongoing contest and we are always accepting entries! There is a winner every month! Winner appears on cover of DOGUE and receives a wonderful prize package from our sponsors including a DOGUE t-shirt! Our panel of judges chooses 3 finalists for the public to vote on. Contestants may not ask for votes.

ALSO ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR PHOTO CONTESTS BELOW (PLEASE ENTER ONLY THOSE SHOWN IN BOLD): *

Best Easter Photo

Cutest Tail  

Hi and welcome to Kibble Talk! I am honored that you took some time from your busy day to read my column. What we are going to talk about here is all kinds of homemade treats and main dishes for your pets. This month is all about dog treats you can make yourself. With everyone trying to be healthier it is often better to make your own treats instead of buying them. Here are some things to remember.

 By all means you don't have to follow a recipe to the T so to speak. Use what you have on hand. If your dog is allergic to something common scense tells you not to use it. This would give you a chance to see what you have and substitute. Remember one thing though it probably won't turn out picture perfect, but that's the beauty of making your own. You can be creative.

Something you don't want to use in your recipes is chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins or cooked bones.

If you would like healthier treats think about organic ingredients. Yes, they are more expensive. If your pet has health problems (allergies) it may be worth it in the long run. Have you thought of making your own peanut butter? If you go that route its all natural. No added sugar which isn't really all that healthy to begin with. Also you can use applesauce instead of oil. And possibly substitute egg whites for an egg.

Please give treats out sparly. Treats can be compared to human desserts. And we all know what happens when we get too many desserts. Doggies may get used to getting treats instead of eating there meal. And that can just be a pain.

When you store your homemade treats remember there are no preservatives in them. Treat that have meat and cheese in them can be stores in your fridge for not longer than 2 weeks. Other treats that don't have meat or cheese can be stored in baggies or containers. Making big batches also isn't a problem. You can freeze the treats for up to 3 months. Just defrost when needed. Be creative and cut out different designs. If you find that you have dough leftover, cut them up too and there you have instant training treats. Oh, if you line your baking pans there is less clean up.

 So with out further ado here are some recipes to try out!

 Apple Sauce Cheddar Treats

·        1/3 cup shredded cheddar

·        1/3 cup applesauce

·        1/3 cup water

·        1 ½  cups whole wheat flour

·        ½  cup oatmeal

·        ¼ cup parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine cheddar, applesauce, and water in a small bowl. Combine flour and oatmeal in a large bowl. Pour the cheese and applesauce mixture into dry ingredients and mix. Knead the dough into a ball and put on a floured surface. Roll the dough out until its about ¼ inch thick and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Cut in to shapes with cookie cutters or cut into bite sized squares with a pizza cutter. Bake in the oven for 20 min.

You Bake Em Dog Biscuits by Janie Adams

(Running Press, 2004 -$13.95)

Herbalicious Biscuits (great for special needs dogs)

·        1 ¼  cups cornmeal

·        2 ½ cups whole wheat flour

·        2 tsp garlic powder

·        1 tsp dried dill

·        1 tsp dried rosemary

·        1 tsp dried parsley

·        1 tsp dried mint

·        1 tsp dried oregano

·        1 ¼ cups water

·        1 egg for glazing

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients. Add water and knead into a dough ball. Place dough ball on lightly floured surface. Roll the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Beat egg until it's scrambled. Brush on tops of the cookies. Bake for 20 min or a tad longer if you want crispier treats.

You Bake Em Dog Biscuits by Janine Adams

(Running Press, 2004 $13.95)

Lazy Bones Carob Balls

·        1 cup Carob powder

·        1 cup skim milk

·        2 TBSP honey

·        1 tsp vanilla

·        3 cups bran flakes

In a large bowl combine carob, milk, honey and vanilla. Add the bran flakes and mix thoroughly. Break off golf ball size pieces and form into balls. Place balls in a sealed container. Refrigerate for at least an hour before you serve them. Store what is left over in a container in the fridge.

Three Dog Bakery Cookbooks by Dan Dye & Mark Berkloff

(Andrews McMeel, 2005 $14.95)

Well that's all for this month. Hope you enjoyed kibble talk!

Woof!

Georgie

ABOUT GEORGIE:

Nickname: Doglet

Age:3

MySpace URL:http://www.myspace.com/georgiethedog

Hobbies/Interests: sleeping, eating, going for walks, singing

State:PA

Siblings: No siblings but I live with my cousin Rambo who is a daushund/jack russell mix

Don’t Use Wild Kitty Cat Food, FDA Warns

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers not to purchase or use a national cat food product because it contains salmonella bacteria. However, the manufacturer says the product is safe for cats and has faulted FDA guidelines.

The FDA on Feb. 13 said that it detected salmonella bacteria in Wild Kitty Cat Food during a routine inspection Dec. 27 in which it collected and analyzed a sample of frozen raw Wild Kitty Cat Food.

Salmonella bacteria infection can cause high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea in humans as well as cats. Long-term complications can include arthritis.

The product, Wild Kitty Cat Food, is sold nationwide to retail stores and through distributors and Internet sales, nationwide. The FDA says after it discovered the salmonella, it contacted the food manufacturer, who refused to recall the product despite several requests that it do so.

Stephanie Nadeau, the owner of Maine-based Wild Kitty Cat Food Co., confirmed the FDA’s recall requests, but told Pet Product News that her company will not comply. She said is there is no need to do so. All FDA guidelines for the tainted product were followed, she said, adding that pathogens such as salmonella are inherent in any raw poultry product.

"We’re in complete compliance with the current laws governing all manufacturers of raw pet food as set forth by the FDA. The FDA realizes that if they have a raw meat product, they can’t get (all) the salmonella out of it. They can’t get the salmonella out of the poultry supply. The FDA realizes this," Nadeau said.

Specific products covered by the FDA warning are Wild Kitty Raw All Natural, Frozen Cat Food – Chicken with Clam Recipe, Net Wt. 3.5 oz (100g) and 1 lb in plastic containers. Some of these containers could be uncoded.

Nadeau said that she will not comply with recall request based on principle, despite the economic harm the FDA announcement could cause her company and the harm to her company’s reputation.

"They may very well put me out of business," she said of the FDA. "I am very worried about it."

The FDA says that consumers who have purchased the Wild Kitty product shouldn’t feed it to their pets, but should instead safely dispose of it and that anyone experiencing the symptoms of salmonella infection after handling the product should seek medical attention, and then report use of the product and illness to FDA’s Office of Emergency Operations.

In addition, people who have concerns whether their pet has salmonella should contact a veterinarian, the FDA says.

Nadeau said that her company has not had a single health-related complaint about its products, regarding salmonella or otherwise, since the company was founded in 2005.

To report any injuries or problems with Wild Kitty Cat Food, contact the FDA’s Office of Emergency Operations. Phone numbers to call in each U.S. state are available through the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html

DINING WITH YOUR PET

To find a pet-friendly dining location near you, visit dogfriendly.com or petsonthego.com.

Call ahead to confirm that your dog is welcome. Some pet-friendly establishments have certain times set aside when dogs are welcome. Also ask about any rules or restrictions they may have regarding your dog.

Be sure your dog is clean and well-groomed. Other guests do not want to eat near a smelly, dirty dog.

Leave any poorly socialized, nervous, or untrained pets at home.

Pack a poop bag or two in case Fido has an accident.

Bring water and food bowls if your dog will be eating with you.

Be sure your dog is wearing a well-fitted collar and is attached to a leash.

It is a good idea to walk, run, or otherwise wear out a highly energetic dog before taking him out to eat.

Once you are at your dining location, be very aware of your dog's behavior and follow the etiquette steps listed below:

Walk your dog around in the grass before being seated to give him appropriate opportunity to eliminate. Remember to pick up after him!

Get your dog's attention and let him know that you are in control before you are in the middle of the dining situation. Do not allow your dog to be bouncing everywhere, ready to lick and pounce on his fellow diners.

Put your dog in a sit or down - stay either beside your chair or under the table. Do not allow him to be on the table or chairs or in the way of the restaurant staff.

At all times, either hang onto your dog's leash or have it tethered to something solid. The table leg is not ideal, as a tug at the leash could cause spilled drinks or a moving table.

Only allow him to socialize with other people and dogs if it is welcomed.

Do not allow begging or barking.

If your dog is going to have a snack or refreshment, do not allow him to eat or drink it from your plate, cup, or silverware. Either use the bowls you brought or ask for disposable dinnerware.

Do your best to clean up after your dog if he is a messy eater.

If your dog gets rowdy, take him away from the situation until he relaxes. Sometimes a short walk will help.

Tip your pet-loving waiter or waitress well, and thank him or her for giving your dog the opportunity to dine out.

Using appropriate etiquette while eating out with your pooch will help encourage more public locations to welcome our furry friends. Show your gratitude to the current pet-friendly businesses and give pooches in public a good name by practicing ideal dog and owner behavior. Above all, have fun and enjoy the extra time you get to spend out with your canine companion.

Amish Country: It’s not just buggies and furniture.
The dirty, little secret of the Midwest Amish.

________________________________

10 LITTLE-KNOWN FACTS ABOUT DOGS
By: Jose'Ole' (Janelle Kowal)

1. Dogs shed. Dogs are covered in a substance known as "fur" or "hair". This fur can be thick, fluffy, wavy, wiry, smooth, curly, short or long, and every combination in between. On occasion, dogs shed this fur, which is natural and vital for their health. However, fur or hair can stick to clothing, furniture, carpet, you name it and it can sometimes fall out in clumps! There are a few hairless breeds of dog, but they need sunscreen and special treatment to protect their skin and they still poop and pee (see below).

2. Dogs poop and pee. Believe it or not, dogs have what is called a digestive system, which includes an organ called the stomach. After dogs eat and drink water, their bodies need to eliminate what they have digested and it comes out of their rears as waste. This waste can be big, small, solid, runny or any combination thereof. Their pee or urine, is usually yellow and can stain carpeting, furniture, clothing, you name it. In fact, male dogs can urinate on things that are above the ground or floor because they lift their legs when they pee. A dog can pee on the side of a couch or even on your windows! And they don't always eliminate outdoors. While they prefer to, sometimes they just can't make it.

3. Dogs eat. Dogs are creatures that need what is called dog food to survive. There are many different types of food for different types of dogs. In fact, some dogs even eat twice a day or more, depending on their size and activity level, health, etc. And dogs drink a lot of water as well. When dogs eat and drink, they poop and pee (see #2, no pun intended).

4. Dogs need exercise. Dogs have appendages called legs. As a matter of fact, they have 4 of them! Dogs need to exercise these legs by walking, running or just being able to move about freely from time to time. If dogs are always caged or tied to a chain, it makes this very hard and hurts the dog. Hurt dogs are not happy dogs.

5. Dogs feel pain. Dogs are sensitive and feel all sorts of sensations, such as pain, pleasure, heat, cold and everything in between. In many ways, they are just like us. Most of us don't like to be in the snow, naked and hungry with a tight chain around our necks. It is common for dogs to feel the same way about sensations.

6. Dogs need people. Dogs speak a language other than English. In fact, they do not speak any language known to man, as of yet. Therefore, dogs need people to care for them, provide for them and give them a voice when they need to be heard. If a dog is in pain, he'll let you know, but it is up to you to do something about it.

7. And dogs do make noise. They bark, whimper, whine and cry, especially when left unattended. Therefore, be prepared to hear noises from your dog; they are not silent creatures.

8. Although some dogs are small enough and enjoy traveling by purse, remember that dogs also need other things to live. Fuzzy collars, pink purses and leopard print bikinis are swell, but they won't feed your dog or pick up his poop.

9. Dogs have what is called teeth. As a matter of fact, we have teeth known as canine teeth as well. Dogs use these teeth to chew their food, to bite when scared or anxious and angered, to protect themselves and to demonstrate on shoes and couch cushions that they are bored or lonely or just feeling rambunctious. If you hurt a dog, he may bite. If you or your child pesters a dog, he may bite. If your dog is scared or sick or trying out his new puppy teeth, he may bite. Their teeth are usually sharp and they have strong jaws. Dog bites hurt. ?

10. Dogs live longer than an episode of Friends. In fact, some dogs can live 20+ years, so make sure that you can commit at least that much time to a dog. Dogs typically don't like relocating to a shelter or a stranger after a few years of being with you. If you find that you are physically or otherwise incapable of keeping a dog for their entire life, a drive down a country road or cardboard box in front of the shelter or a store is not the solution. There are rescue groups and proper shelter procedures available and they are FREE.
If this all seems a bit too complicated, there is GOOD NEWS! There is ONE way to get a dog and avoid all of the above:
GO TO TOYS R' US AND BUY A STUFFED ANIMAL!!!!!!!!

ABOUT Jose' Ole', Hobie
Name: Jose' Kowal
Nickname: Jose' Ole', Hobie
Age: 11 years
MySpace URL: http://www.myspace.com/148923789 (Jose' Ole')
Hobbies/Interests: Therapy Dog w/Therapy Dogs Int'l, Foodie, rug connoisseur. See Myspace page for further interests
State: Michigan (The Mitten)
Siblings: Chip, 17 year old male and Mischa, 7 year old female. All 3 rescues, no biological relation. All rescued from Chihuahua Rescue and Transport since 2002.

More about Jose' Ole': Jose' Ole' is a saucy, little fellow, very true to his breed, with a lot of personality and love to give. He is completely toothless, but is too proud to eat soft food. He prefers NutroMax Senior Small Bites and savors each morsel. He is very meticulous in the way he transports a small amount of food from the bowl to a private location to eat. The whole process lasts about 30 minutes. As a result of being sans-teeth, his tongue permanently hangs out of his mouth. He prefers turning right over left and will not make a counter-clockwise turn. Rather, he twirls in a circle to get to where he needs to be. He is our 3rd adopted Chihuahua from CRT, and he stole our hearts when he actually "broke in" to the Chiesta; an annual get-together for CRT volunteers in the Midwest. He was being fostered by another volunteer and broke free from the rest of her pack and squeezed himself right under the gate before the hostess could open it to greet them. Jose' has many endearing and unique qualities and is a true survivor, as he was in his 11th hour at a shelter in Ohio before being rescued by a CRT foster volunteer. Since that time, he has amused and comforted patients at our local hospital as a certified, Dr. Paws Therapy Dog, and has been a catalyst for my involvement in rescue and activism for animal rights. And at the end of the day, he is just one of milliions of beloved, spoiled, four-legged family members who gives us unconditional love and a daily dose of laughter.

Anxiety Pill for Dogs Near FDA Approval

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration will soon announce its approval of Eli Lilly & Co. Reconcile (Fluoxetine Hydrochloride), perhaps as soon as Monday.

The tablets would be for use in dogs and puppies 6 months of age or older and 8.8 pounds or heavier, according to FDA-established guidelines. The flavored, chewable drug will be approved "for the treatment of canine separation anxiety in conjunction with a behavior modification plan."

The drug, based on the active ingredient in Prozac, is not for use in people.

Such behavior modification could include counseling, such as rewards for good behavior, and training the dog to be content alone, according to the drug’s prescribing information.

Reconcile would not be the first anxiety medication for dogs on the market, however; the drug Clomicalm was approved by the FDA in 1999. It will, however, be Lilly's first drug approval for its new companion animal business.

Reconcile is then expected to be available within the next several weeks.

JOIN www.groups.myspace.com/DOGUE and be featured in DOGUE!
Category: Pets and Animals

SO YOU WANT TO BE FEATURED IN DOGUE?

Well you can! Here's how!

Join DOGUE's Group and be featured in our 'MySpace Pets Directory', whether you're an individual or business!

______________________________________________________________________

RETAILERS - Showcase your products in the DOGUE Mall!

If you have a product you would like to have featured, email us! Your product(s) will be featured along with short desciption(s) and links to purchase. Email us the following information:

Your Name & Logo:
Your Web site address:
MySpace URL:
Photos of up to 3 products:
Short Description of Each:
URL link to where each product can be purchased:
Price:
Forms of Payment Accepted:

______________________________________________________________________

PET SHELTERS/RESCUES:

You may submit photos and bios of up to 5 homeless pets weekly. Submission will be in the form of a comment to our Adopt-A-Pet blog entry. No email submissions please. Once a pet has been adopted, please delete your comment from the Adopt-A-Pet blog. Your comment/submission should follow this format:

Pet Name:
Photo:
Age:
Breed:
Short Description:
State/Area Available for Adoption:
Shelter Name & URL or contact info:

These features are dependent upon space avaiable, so there are no guarantees, but we will do our best to include you in DOGUE Magazine. All submissions due no later than February 14th!

Thank you!

xo's, wags and woofs!
Izzy (and Nancy, of course) c/o

Soon we will unveil the  mall onmag.com!

This is just a preview of items we will offer in our mall. There will be MANY other items offered by participating retailers! A percentage of sales will be donated to the ASPCA!

PLEASE READ:

Click above for calendar of deadlines, etc. Articles should be complete & submitted by email to info@DOGUEmag.com (along with any photos you would like included and a short bio of approx. 100 words about yourself/pet with photo). All information must be received in ONE email. If you do not have all the materials together by this deadline, please email us to let us know and only email your submission only when completed.

EDITORIAL GUIDELINES: 

General Standards:

1. We are willing to publish poetry, fiction and articles in which the dog speaks as if it were human - for entertainment purposes.

2. We especially encourage well-written, thoroughly researched articles about health, nutrition, care, grooming and training.

3. Word count: roughly 650 to 1,000 words; ideal if accompanied by high-quality photographs, which must be your property (not taken from the internet).

4. DOGUE does not accept unsolicited manuscripts; we work from a query basis only. About queries:

• Please submit queries by email only to info@DOGUEmag.com.
  
  
• Writer bio information (as follows) must accompany all article submissions.

Name:
Nickname:
Age:
MySpace URL:
Name of Column you are writing & subject:
Hobbies/Interests:
State:
Photo (if other than your tile ad photo)
Siblings?
Any other information you would like to include!

In addition to your bio, we will design and place a permanent tile ad on our profile page which will link to your email or profile page (whichever is appropriate for your column).

Writing Style:

• Before you write, outline the article. The outline can be as simple as a list of important points to include. An outline will help you stay on track as you write. Keep in mind that information boxes, short sidebars and bulleted lists can increase readability, especially for readers who dont have time to wade through text. Look for opportunities to present information in these ways.
  
  
• Do not rely on information solely from the Internet. You can use websites to locate people or organizations, but the origin and content of Internet information cannot be verified.
  
  
• Remember: Pets are the main focus of every story. Use a real story about a real pet to open the piece, then relate it to the subject. Use expert sources and information woven together with quotations and anecdotes to propel the reader through the article. When contacting sources, keep in mind that we value diversity.
  
  
• We prefer a comfortable, conversational style that's like talking to a friend, but dont get sloppy. Tighten your writing before submitting your story; turn clauses into phrases and phrases into words. Pay special attention to leads and conclusions to ensure they have impact.
  
  
• DOGUE refers to all pets as he in features and she in section items unless the dogs name is used, in which case we will need the dogs age, breed, and gender.
  
  
• Make sure your article answers all the questions a reader might ask: not only who, what, where and when but also how, why and what the future holds. Suggest a headline and deck on every story.
  
  
• Double-check spelling (particularly names), website and e-mail addresses (with permission), pets name. Use full names for people and organizations and include credentials (DVM, MD, etc.) - (again with permission) - and any relevant qualifications or affiliations. Include the location (city and state) for all businesses, educational institutions, and organizations mentioned. For book titles, include in parenthesis the publisher, year of publication, and price of the book.
  
  
• Include a list of all sources of information, including names, titles, affiliations and telephone numbers.
  
  
• We have a tight production schedule; articles must be submitted by their assigned deadline and meet the specified length. We reserve the right to edit and cut for clarity and space.

All submissions to be made to info@doguemag.com only!

Thank you for being a contributing writer! We sincerely appreciate your time & expertise!