Lil' Angel Pet Boutique & Gallery

New Custom Portrait Order

2012-02-04T12:34:00.000-08:00

This is a painting of Reggie the poodle. It is 5"x7"

Come Visit Lil' Angel Today!!

2012-02-04T12:29:00.000-08:00

Lil' Angel Pet Boutique and Gallery!
Stop by today and visit Kieko and give her a treat!

2012-02-04T11:33:00.001-08:00

Your pet is the picture of cuteness, right? Lil' Angel owner Meredith Brooks thinks so, which is why she will paint a custom portrait of your little angel,from your favortie photoin addition to offering a fine array of pet products at this high end pet boutique. The store features fine fashions from Ruff Wear, as well as foods from Mother Hubbard, Total Performance and Taste of the Wild to name a few. These foods are all natural, free of dyes, wheat, grain and soy.Meredith is happy to showcase merchandise made in Colorado and proudly notes that Lil' Angel was recently named one of the top pet stores by the local ABC television affiliate and was on NEWS 2 with Chris Parenti in December 2007, DENVER NEWS 9 with Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald in December 2011, was noted as Denver's Best Pet Boutique 2010- 5280 magazine.With degrees in painting and graphic design, Meredith has combined her love of painting and pets into creating attractive portraits that either bring out your pet's regal or playful disposition. Whether your looking for some art, note cards or mugs with your pet on it you can have it made here. Whether your looking to pamper your pet or commemorate them with a piece of fine art, you'll be happy to take a walk to Lil Angel Pet Boutique and Gallery on Old Gaylord Street. Visit www.megapetportraits.com!!

Christmas Ornament Series

2012-01-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

Here is a series of custom ornaments done for Donna V. - Denver, CO.
She loves them and said it was something that made her Christmas Gift Giving a hit and we made it possible for her to have a great holiday!

Custom Pet Ornament

2012-01-04T10:25:00.000-08:00

Here is the newest ornament for a customer in New York that already received another ornament last year and is commissioning a new one.
Here is the photo to ornament

Here is what he said about the ornament

Oh! It is absolutely precious! Thank you so much - can't wait to get it!!!
~R

Custom Pet Ornaments from a Photo 2010

2012-01-04T02:08:00.001-08:00

Here are the group of Custom Pet Ornaments from a photo that were
done for holiday 2011!

Photo to Ornament below.

Stoli

Callie and Beeker

Gus

Doggies looking at thier painting

2012-01-04T02:06:00.000-08:00

Custom Pet Portrait from a photo

2012-01-03T18:38:00.000-08:00

Here is the group of 18 custom pet portraits from a photo that I did this past
holiday season 2011.

The first one is of a cat named Deliliah that passed away in 2010.
Photo to Painting below
18"x18"

The second is of my sister's dog Uriah!
Photo to painting below
12"x12"

The third is of a group of three shelties! Two have already passed on!
Photo to painting below
12"x12"

The fourth dog is a havanese named Izzy!
Photo to Painting below
5" x7"

The Fifth is a Chihuahuah named Frieda!
Photo to Painting below
12"x12"

The Sixth is two Australian Shepherds named Fred and Archie!
This was done for a birthday present!
Photo to Painting below
30"x30"

The sixth painting was of a girl with her 4 dogs for a present for the Mother of the children!
Photo to painting below
8"x10"

The seventh is of a golden named Rosco!
Photo to Painting below
5"x7"

The eighth is of a golden named Tucker!
Photo to Painting below
5"x7"

The ninth is of an Australian Cattle Dog named Sasha!
Photo to Painting below
5"x7"

The tenth is of a poodle named Tucker.
Photo to Painting below
5"x5"

The eleventh is of a golden with a stick!
Photo to Painting below
5"x5"

Number Twelve is of a golden named Buddy!
This was a present from a pet sitter!
Photo to Painting below.
5"x5"

Thirteen is of two goldens that love to play and run with their stick!
Photo to Painting below.
5"x7"

The fourteenth is of a golden named Rowdy
Photo to Painting Below.
5"x7"

The fifteenth is of a golden named Kaya!
Photo to Painting below.
30"x30"

The sixteenth is of a Bull Mastiff named Riggs.
He passed away 2010!
30"x30"

The seventeenth is of a mix named Nuet.
He passed away in 2010!
Photo to Painting below
5"x7"

The eighteenth painting is of a maltese named Teddy

Lil' Angel Pet Boutique & Gallery wins 5280 Magazine -Editorial Choice for best pet boutique in Denver - 2010!!!!

2010-10-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

Lil' Angel Pet Boutique & Gallery wins 5280 Magazine -Editorial Choice for Best Pet Boutique in Denver - 2010!!!!

We work hard and our hard work has paid off. We won 5280 Magazine -Editorial Choice for best pet boutique in Denver - 2010!!!! This is a feather in our cap. We beat out all the others in Denver. What makes us special? We take special orders on everything in our store. We strive to put customer service first. Meredith Brooks will paint a custom painting of your pet from a photo! It makes a great gift! Come on by and check us out or look us up online at www.lilangelboutique.com.

Vote For Lil Angel!

2007-09-14T10:16:00.000-07:00

Well Lil' Angel has been nominated for Channel 7 Denver A- List for the best pet service in Denver, Co. Please go to the link below and vote for LIL' ANGEL TODAY!

THANK YOU!

http://kmgh.cityvoter.com/Contests/ShowCategory.aspx?contestCategory=1228

A wine tasting event in Colorado

2007-09-03T12:02:00.000-07:00

Lil' Angel Pet Boutique and Gallery and the Old South Gaylord Association presents a wine tasting experience in Washington Park. Saturday, September 15 from 4pm to 8pm. Tickets are $30 each and includes a wine glass, gift bag and a chance to win two round trip Airline tickets. There will be 27 merchants raffling off three bottles of wine from 4-8pm!
Come and enjoy! Buy your tickets online (credit Card) www.southgaylordstreet.com or cash the night of the event.

Furry Friends welcome at Lil Angel!

A customer gives Lil' Angel cool cat photos

2007-07-14T02:56:00.000-07:00

Lil' Angel Grand Opening Day #1

2007-07-13T22:12:00.000-07:00

Day one of our Grand Opening was a success. Here are some pics from the event!

Lil' Angel works the RMGDRI-Rocky Mountain Great Dane- Annual Picnic

2007-07-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

Lil' Angel works the RMGDRI-Rocky Mountain Great Dane- Annual Picnic
Here are pics from the event!

Dane At My Booth

Danes drinking water from our drink pool!

Bree Munger at Picnic

Lil' Angel's Booth

Bill my husband

Meredith

Dane At My Booth

My Booth

We had a great day besides being hot!

Lil Angel Will Be at RMGDRI Picnic Today!

2007-07-07T06:15:00.000-07:00

Lil Angel will be at the outdoor festival at Progress Park in Englewood today from 11am to 3pm. We will be advertising our Grand Opening and we donated a piece of art for the silent auction. We also donated a gift certificate for the silent auction. We will be popping a tent and we will have many great dane dog items for play, for eats, and boutique items for the dog as well. I will post photos tomorrow.

Come out and see us!

RMGDRI PICNIC
ENGLEWOOD- CO
PROGRESS PARK

11am to 3pm

Lil Angel Grand Opening Coming Soon!

2007-07-07T06:06:00.001-07:00

Our Grand Opening is a week away starting July 12 and ending July 16 and the prep work has been a blast. I have met some wonderful people in the process. Alida from Royal Canin has been a great help as well as April Hampshire and Liz from Performance Foods and I can not forget the support I have gotten from Pop Art Pet who donated some fun stuff for our grand opening giveaway bags. As usual my biggest supporter has been Suzy Swett from Heavenly Dog Do-It-Yourself Dog Wash located on Tennessee in Old South Gaylord. She will be performing a training demo for the event. I will let you know as more happenings come.
Have a great day!

Lil Angel Pet Boutique and Gallery is coming along

2007-07-01T22:56:00.000-07:00

Here it is!

April Hampshire from Performance Foods wrote...

2007-06-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

:::::Isabella laying in her new floral hammie with a pink feather
pen and paper in paw::::::::::::

MOM...... Do I have reliable transportation ?

YES DEAR WHY?

I am filling out an application for a job at Lil' Angel Pet Boutique
and Gallery in Denver. She is very ferret friendly and is hiring.
Now that I have to find a job, to support my shopping I thought I
would work at a cool place like that.

I dunno what Tonks is thinking...if I get a job, particularly at a
boutique or somewhere that I would be an asset, does anyone think that
a paycheck will be coming home with me? HELLO....I shop. "Working" in
a shop or boutique actually sounds pretty cool. I hope there is an
employee discount!!!!

Miss Isabella Gucci-

PET RULES

2007-06-13T16:06:00.001-07:00

PET RULES:

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height of your
pet.

Dear Dogs and Cats:

The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The
other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw
print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it
becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing
in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating
me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I
fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry
about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure
your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they
sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other
stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking
tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to
maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by
some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not
necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw
under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the
same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years
--canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt.
I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our
front door:
To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.
That's why they call it 'fur'niture.
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who
is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and Cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3 Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends 7. Don't smoke or drink 8.
Don't have to buy the latest fashions 9. Don't want to wear your clothes
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, etc; and...
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

Lil Angel Has a Store Front!

2007-06-02T22:27:00.000-07:00

Yes! Lil Angel finally has a store front on Old Gaylord Street in Denver, Colorado. It is located at 1014 South Gaylord Street. We offer Pet Portraits, Designer Collars and Leashes, Pet Beds, Grooming items, All natural treats, super premium pet food, durable toys for those tough chewers, accessories for the spoiled pet, Kong, Greenies, cat toys, cat treats, bones and many more boutique items. We are getting into the store in the next few weeks many more boutique items such as clothing and hard to find accessories. We are very excited about the store. It used to be called Heavenly Dog, Pooch Accoouchments. It was the sister shop and sold only practical items for your cat or dog. I will be adding ferret items as well as many other cat itmes. The cat area is very small right now.

We will be having a Christmas In July Celebration with a few stores participating in the festivities. We will have our Grand Opening during that time. July is the month to come out to Lil Angel! See what we have to offer you and your pet!

We are truly for the pet obsessed. We will be offering items for the pet lover and enthusiest as well as the practical items for your pet.

Our pet portrait line has expanded and we will be using the store as the studio. Already we have more orders than we know what to do with.

So that is the latest happenings of Lil Angel.... YEAH!

Recent Commissions

2007-05-09T16:46:00.000-07:00

It just dawned on me that I have not been keeping up with my end of blogging with letting you all know what I am working on, SO I will call this my work in progress commissions.....
The first commission I want to talk about is of a dog in Denver named BOBO. His finished commissioned portrait is below. He is a yellow lab. The second commission below is of a rescued dane named Zach. This is his second portrait done by me...Smile.

Press Release from the Wildlife Experience

2007-05-06T10:31:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release Contact: Keith Carlson Michelle Portillo
720.488.3331 720.488.3327
kcarlson@twexp.org mportillo@twexp.org

The Wildlife Experience Celebrates The Dog Days of Summer with Exhibits, Movies & Paws
DENVER—April X, 2007— The Dogs Days of Summer are heating up at The Wildlife Experience with exhibits, movies and more paws than you can shake a stick at.

This summer The Wildlife Experience is featuring two new exhibits: Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs and Paws & Reflect: Art of Canines as well as the showing of Wolves in the Extreme Screen Theater.
Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs explores the history, biology and development of dogs and the role of dogs in human societies. Paws & Reflect: Art of Canines features artwork in acrylic, mixed media, oil, pencil, watercolor, gouache, scratchboard and bronze sculptures celebrating the canine. Wolves gives audiences a look into the reclusive lives of wolves, their pack behavior and an opportune glance back at the plight of the gray wolves struggle to recover from near extinction.
In addition to exhibits, visitors will also be treated to “paw”-some activities such as:
ß Dog Days with My Best Friend – entries will be displayed in the Habitat Hallway and a Weekly Woof will be featured on our website
ß Live Wolves presentation – July 7th
ß Live Cheetah presentation – July 21st
ß Dog Day Expo – August 4th
ß Daily stories about dogs and wolves
ß Police Canine Unit visits and demonstrations
ß Weekend pet adoption opportunities & artist appearances
A natural history and wildlife art museum, The Wildlife Experience is located at 10035 South Peoria St., Parker, CO., one mile east of I-25 at the intersection of Lincoln Ave. and S. Peoria. For admission prices, museum and giant screen theater hours, and information on special exhibits, please call 720.488.3300 or visit thewildlifeexperience.org.

For pet trainer to the stars, short leash is not the answer

2007-05-05T22:59:00.000-07:00

For pet trainer to the stars, short leash is not the answer

By ANITA MANNING, USA Today

Dog trainer Tamar Geller says her horrific childhood helped her understand "what it means for a pet to be misunderstood, to be used as a scapegoat in the family dynamic."

Tamar Geller, a former Israeli intelligence officer who became a dog trainer to the stars, says the most important thing animal lovers can do for their dogs is to "empower them." Geller, who calls herself a "life coach for dogs," offers her philosophy and specific tips for pet owners in her just-published book, 'The Loved Dog: The Playful, Non-aggressive Way to Teach Your Dog Good Behavior' (Simon Spotlight Entertainment, $24.95).
"I'm completely against the notion of having your dog be submissive to you," she says. "There's a difference between submissive and well mannered. I want them to be empowered and well mannered."
In her book, Geller, 42, describes her childhood as brutal. She says her mother, who is now dead, was an "emotional monster." Her father, who was often away, did not protect her, she says. "I never felt that I was loved or that I belonged in my family," she writes.
It was this horrific background that gave her a special affinity for animals, she says, and an ability to see things from their point of view.
"I know what it means for a pet to be misunderstood, to be used as a scapegoat in the family dynamic. I know what it is to live in quiet desperation, to live in uncertainty, where you don't know if you're going to have a home, whether your parent is going to hug you or smack you for the same behavior.
"When I wrote this book, I did not write it as someone who understands dog behavior," she says. "I wrote it as someone who has been there."
Boasting a client list that includes celeb pet owners Oprah Winfrey, on whose TV show she appeared Wednesday, Ben Affleck, Olivia Newton-John, Eric Idle, Nicollette Sheridan and Goldie Hawn, Geller has been training dogs in Los Angeles for 19 years. She founded The Loved Dog Center, a dog day care in West Los Angeles, in 1996, and also does in-home training.

USA Today Headlines
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* For Raiders, logic says JaMarcus, but ...
Her career path sounds like something out of a film script. She became interested in canine behavior while an intelligence officer in the Israel Defense Forces, which she joined at 18. There, she witnessed military dog-training methods, which she says included prong collars, choke chains, hitting, pushing and bullying.
After her service, she spent a year backpacking through Southeast Asia; then, before returning to Israel, she made what was to have been a short stop in Los Angeles. She saw a billboard advertising a Pink Floyd concert and decided to stay for a few weeks to catch the show. During that time, she contacted local dog trainers to learn American training methods and went along on house calls as an observer.
"We went to a home where they had a cocker spaniel who kept stealing socks," she says. Geller was able to change the dog's sock-thieving ways by teaching him to fetch and play hide-and-seek.
The dog's owner was saxophonist Kenny G.
"It was a minute before he became big," Geller says. He and his wife recommended Geller to their friends in the entertainment community, and her star-studded client list grew.
She advocates a kind, gentle approach to communication with canines. "You don't have to be a dictator," she says. "There are two kinds of leaders, the Saddam Hussein type or the Gandhi type. Both types, people listen to. What kind of dog parent do you want to be?"
The most important thing dogs have to teach humans, she says, is "to love without holding back, to love as if you've never gotten hurt. A dog is the incarnation of love."
-------------------------------------
FOR A GOOD DOG, MEET BASIC NEEDS
Problem behavior in dogs results when any one of these seven basic needs is unmet, Tamar Geller says:
· A sense of security: Dogs need a steady routine and owners they can count on for love and safety.
· Companionship: Dogs are pack animals. They need attention and interaction with humans.
· Understanding the hierarchy: They need to know their owner is the leader. When two or more dogs are in the home, owners should let them work out the rest of the hierarchy.
· Surprises and excitement: Bored dogs find ways to entertain themselves by digging, chewing and barking. Treats, walks and visits to the dog park motivate good behavior.
· Food and exercise: In addition to a balanced diet, dogs need exercise to allow them to burn off energy. Usually the younger the dog, the more exercise is needed.
· Mental stimulation: Dogs love to learn and enjoy playtraining sessions.
· Love and connection: There should be a solid bond between dog and owner.

If You Want to Know if Spot Loves You So, It’s in His Tail

2007-04-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

If You Want to Know if Spot Loves You So, It’s in His Tail

By SANDRA BLAKESLEE

Center for Neurosci./Univ. Trieste

A Matter of Degree: Seeing its owner, the dog wagged harder to its right. Shown an unfamiliar dog, the bias was to the left.

Every dog lover knows how a pooch expresses its feelings.
Ears close to the head, tense posture, and tail straight out from the body means “don’t mess with me.” Ears perked up, wriggly body and vigorously wagging tail means “I am sooo happy to see you!”
But there is another, newly discovered, feature of dog body language that may surprise attentive pet owners and experts in canine behavior. When dogs feel fundamentally positive about something or someone, their tails wag more to the right side of their rumps. When they have negative feelings, their tail wagging is biased to the left.
A study describing the phenomenon, “Asymmetric tail-wagging responses by dogs to different emotive stimuli,” appeared in the March 20 issue of Current Biology. The authors are Giorgio Vallortigara, a neuroscientist at the University of Trieste in Italy, and two veterinarians, Angelo Quaranta and Marcello Siniscalchi, at the University of Bari, also in Italy.
“This is an intriguing observation,” said Richard J. Davidson, director of the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. It fits with a large body of research showing emotional asymmetry in the brain, he said.

My Thoughts on owning a new pet

2007-04-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

Well here are my thoughts on owning a new pet.
I just recently adopted an Australian Cattle Dog and I love her. I did the ferret festival in Wheat Ridge this past Sunday... Boy are those ferrets cute. I will be posting pics from the show in the next few days. Check out furretti.tk it is a great website for ferret lovers. I also visited the fast and the furriest in Fort Collins on Saturday. It was great. Lots of dogs... My advice to anyone going to Fort COllins... Stop at Horse tooth. It is wonderful. I hiked with my new cattle dog on Saturday with her friends molly and Moxie. It was big fun! I will post pics soon.

Bye for now!

New Member of My Family

2007-04-24T13:29:00.000-07:00

WEll I have a new family member... stella ann bean brooks.
She is a full blooded Australian Cattle Dog and I love her.
My dogs love her. Angel marie and her wrestle all day long. It is awesome!
Here is a picture of my new girl!

6 Common Dog Emergencies

2007-04-09T06:25:00.000-07:00

Sure, you may be a master of human First Aid. But do you know what to do in a dog health emergency?

Approaching Dog Health Emergencies: Two Steps

In any dog health emergency, stay calm and think. Approach the dog cautiously. The dog may become aggressive because of fear or pain. You can’t help the dog if you’re hurt yourself.
Dog Emergency 1: Traffic Accident:

If possible, do not to move the dog. Call the nearest Humane Society or ASPCA office. If the animal workers can’t or won’t come and you must move the dog, slide a blanket under the animal. Lift the animal to safety with the help of another person. Check for a heartbeat and bleeding. Try to stop the excessive loss of blood by holding a clean cloth or pad over the wound and securing it tightly with a makeshift bandage. Take the dog to the nearest vet, calling ahead to prepare them for the emergency.
Dog Healthcare Emergency 2: Burns:

1. Immerse the burned body part in cold running water for as long as possible. 2. If the burn is from a caustic substance, wash it off. 3. Call the vet.
Canine Health Emergency 3: Heat stroke

Warning signs: The dog is overheated and without sufficient air. The dog might be panting, vomiting, frothing at the mouth, or already collapsed. 1. Remove the froth, 2. Place or douse the dog with cold water to lower body temperature. 3. Take the dog immediately to the veterinarian for treatment. Treatment usually consists of more cold water, drugs and observation.
Emergency 4: Dog Poisoning

Warning signs: Look for muscular twitching, vomiting, bleeding, convulsion or collapse. 1. Have someone call the vet. 2. Follow the vet's advice. Different poisoning cases sometimes have to be treated differently. 3. If you cannot reach the vet, try to induce vomiting. Salt and mustard in water usually will do the trick. 4. If you know what the poison is, take some of it with you to the vet’s office.
Emergency 5: Dog Choking

Open the dog’s mouth carefully and try to see what is causing the problem. It could be anything: a small ball, bone, stick, meat wrapping. Pump the chest by pressing down on the ribs and releasing immediately at 5-second intervals. If this doesn’t dislodge the object within a few moments, rush the dog to the nearest animal hospital to have the foreign object removed under anesthetic.
Dog Emergency 6: Drowning

Remove the dog from the water. Try to get the water out of the dog's lungs as soon as possible by pumping the chest as for choking (see above). Take the dog to the vet to be checked out. Hopefully, you will never have to handle any of these emergencies. But if you do, you have the dog health advice that you need.

10 Things In Your Home That Can Kill Your Dog

2007-04-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

Dogs are very curious animals and as omnivores and natural scavengers, can get into and eat just about anything. However, there are many toxic substances found in your home that could potentially kill your dog. The following is a list of ten common household substances that you should make sure to keep out of your dog’s reach.

1) Antifreeze: Many people do not realize it, but common antifreeze kills many pets each year. It smells and tastes very sweet to your dog and is very appealing to him. Ethylene glycol is toxic however, and each winter, many animals are killed by it. Symptoms of toxicity include seizures, vomiting, stumbling and lethargy leading to kidney failure. Make sure to keep your antifreeze out of your dog’s reach. If you suspect that your dog has ingested antifreeze, take your dog to the veterinarian immediately.

2) Chocolate: Chocolate contains a substance called the obromine which is toxic to dogs. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate is especially dangerous. While it usually takes a somewhat large amount of chocolate to kill a dog, poisoning and death does occur with smaller amounts ingested. Signs of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, and increased activity. This can progress to seizures and unusual heart rhythms. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate.

3) Bleach: As you might imagine, household bleach is toxic to dogs. Keep all products containing bleach out of your dog’s reach. Symptoms of bleach poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Do NOT induce vomiting if you suspect your dog has ingested bleach and contact your veterinarian immediately.

4) Tylenol: As little as two regular strength Tylenol tablets can kill a small dog. Dogs lack the proper liver enzymes to break down acetaminophen. Signs of toxicity include drooling, lethargy, and abdominal pain. If you suspect your dog has ingested Tylenol, call your veterinarian immediately.

5) Watch Batteries: If your dog ingests a watch battery, it can cause a potentially fatal ulceration in the stomach within 12 hours. All other alkaline batteries are toxic to dogs as well. Symptoms of toxicity include drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. If you suspect your dog has ingested a watch battery, contact your vet immediately.

6) Moth Balls: Moth balls are very dangerous to dogs. They contain an insecticide that causes central nervous system excitement and seizures. When metabolized, ingestion of moth balls can lead to liver failure. Symptoms of poisoning by moth balls include vomiting and seizures. If your dog has consumed moth balls, do NOT induce vomiting. Seek veterinary care immediately.

7) Fabric Softeners and other detergents: All sorts of household detergents are toxic to dogs at one level or another, but fabric softeners fall into the highly toxic category. Signs of toxicity include vomiting, lethargy, burns to the mouth, drooling, muscle weakness, and even coma. Do NOT induce vomiting if your dog has ingested any detergent. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

8) Mouthwash: Mouthwash can contain boric acid which is highly toxic to dogs. Symptoms of poisoning by mouthwash include vomiting, drooling, seizures, and coma. You should take your dog to the veterinarian immediately if you suspect poisoning by mouthwash or other household item containing boric acid like contact lens solution or denture cleaner.

9) Peach Pits: With most fruits, the pits and the seeds are toxic to dogs. Signs of poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and lethargy. If you suspect your dog has eaten a peach pit or the pit or seeds of any fruit, take him to the veterinarian immediately.

10) Household Plants: Many common and popular household plants are highly toxic to dogs. A partial list of toxic plants includes poinsettias, lilies, ferns, devil’s ivy, aloe, and ivy. Symptoms of poisoning due to ingestion of toxic plants include vomiting and central nervous system excitement. Many of these plants are fatal if ingested. Please contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten a toxic houseplant.

With diligence on our part, we can help prevent our dogs from getting into substances that are toxic to them. Many veterinary school websites offer lists of things that are toxic to dogs and what you should do if your dog ingests such things. As always, if you think your dog may have eaten something dangerous, contact your veterinarian immediately or take your dog to the closest emergency clinic.

2007-04-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

GREYFRIARS BOBBY
Bobby was a shaggy little Skye terrier who was owned by a Midlothian farmer who was known as Auld Jock. Bobby used to accompany Auld Jock to market in Edinburgh each Wednesday. Auld Jock and Bobby would regularly have some refreshments in a small restaurant owned by John Traill in Greyfriers, arriving at one o'clock when the gun at the Castle went off to announce the time. The eating- place had a cosy little corner where Auld Jock and Bobby could partake of some warm food and where Bobby could curl up between the boots of his beloved master and have a sleep.

On one such visit to the market, Auld Jock died and was buried in the Greyfriers churchyard. Bobby, being totally devoted to his master refused to leave him and after he was buried in the churchyard, found a way in and lay on his master's grave. Dogs were not allowed in Greyfriers churchyard and the caretaker strictly upheld the rules. Bobby was soon rooted out and sent packing.

Three days after the funeral, as the time gun sounded one o'clock, Bobby who had been wandering the streets, now hungry and unkempt, arrived at the restaurant in the time honoured way. The sound of the one o'clock gun had reminded him of an old routine he had been used to. Taking pity on the little dog, the owner gave him a bun. Trying to coax the little dog to stay in the warm, Traill gave Bobby a place by the fire and the offer of a home. Bobby ran off but returned the next day at the same time. This happened every day. After a while Traill decided to follow Bobby and see where he went. To his surprise he found that Bobby went back to his owner's grave, somehow he had found a way into the churchyard to be with Auld Jock and sleep on his grave. Bobby had been living there since Auld Jock's death.

Bobby began to be a celebrity in Greyfriers. People would recognise him and take time to speak to him. At the back of the churchyard was an old building that had been a hospital but in Bobby's day had been turned into a children's home. Bobby became a favourite with them and they kept an eye on him and Bobby in turn, became fond of them. Bobby became an important part of the children's lives because he played with them every day. Each night they would call out to him from the windows of the home that overlooked the churchyard, 'a good night to you Bobby' before they retired to bed. He became especially close to a little crippled boy named Tammy. Although the caretaker of Greyfriers tried to exclude Bobby from the graveyard, he failed. Thinking he would get the law on his side, the caretaker went to the magistrate to have Bobby dealt with like a homeless dog and removed. John Traill went to court to explain that he fed Bobby daily and that he lived on his master's grave. The orphaned children from the home went to the magistrate to plead for Bobby as well. After lengthy argument, Bobby was granted freedom of the city and was allowed to continue living in the churchyard.

In time a little shelter was erected so he had some shelter from bad weather. Even through all the bad winter weather, Bobby refuse to take shelter in anyone's home. The caretaker offered a warm fire and bed regularly, only to be refused. Bobby and the caretaker had become friends. The gate of the churchyard was left off the latch so Bobby could always get back in and by his master's grave. Auld Jock had died in1858; Bobby lived by his master's grave until he died in1872. He had stayed with his master for fourteen years. By the time Bobby died, he was famous and well loved by the community. He is also buried in Greyfriars churchyard near his beloved master. His grave and little statue can still be seen in Greyfriers.

Dog Gone Devotion

2007-04-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Travel often means leaving your pets behind, but there are places all over the world where you can indulge your passion for pooches even when your miles away from home. Start a global tour of inspiring dog stories at Tokyo's Shibuya Train Station and the statue of Hachiko is a favorite meeting spot.

TOKYO, JAPAN - Loyalty, faithfulness and unconditional love are qualities that have earned dogs the title of "man's best friend". One particular Akita dog took these qualities to such an extreme, he has earned a place in the hearts of all Japanese people, and has kept that place for over sixty years!

Nestled amid hoards of harried commuters, a variety of shops and department stores, and a giant television screen that covers half a skyscraper, a life sized bronze statue of a dog can be found at Tokyo's busy Shibuya Train Station. Despite the diminutive size of the statue in comparison to the massive neon flash of the city, it isn't difficult to find. Millions of Tokyoites have been meeting at the landmark since 1934 and continue to do so today.

Chu-ken Hachiko (lit. the faithful dog Hachiko) was born in Akita in 1923 and was first brought to Tokyo in 1924. He and his owner, Mr. Eisaburo Uyeno, were inseparable friends right from the start. Each day "Hachi" would accompany Eisaburo, a professor at the Imperial University, to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, the professor would find the dog patiently waiting, tail wagging. This happy routine continued until one fateful day in 1925, when the professor was taken ill on the job and unfortunately died before he could return home.

Despite the fact that Hachiko was less than two years old at the time, the bond between dog and owner was strong. Hachiko continued to wait each day at Shibuya station for a friend who was never coming back. At times, he wouldn't return home for days at a stretch.

The Akita became a familiar sight to commuters as he kept his vigil for over ten years. On March 8, 1935, Hachiko finally went to meet his master. He died on the very same spot he last saw his friend alive.

Statue Erected

The people who passed the loyal dog each day were so touched by his story that they erected a statue in his honor in 1934. The famous artist Ando Teru was commissioned for the original bronzed sculpture, which was melted down during the war.

After the war, Hachiko was hardly forgotten. In 1948 The Society For Recreating The Hachiko Statue commissioned Ando Tekeshi, son of the original artist who has since passed away, to make a second statue.

Being a dog lover, the Hachiko statue has become an important pilgrimage for me each time I find myself in Tokyo. During my last visit with "Hachi," I encountered an old man who had also come to pay his respects. He told me in broken English "I knew him. I used to bring him treats. The station was much smaller then." With that he approached the statue, gave it a friendly pat, wiped a tear from his eye and slowly walked away.

Though Hachiko stood only two feet tall and weighed 92 pounds, the message he left on the importance of good friends is enormous. Hachiko's life has been portrayed in a book and motion picture (The Hachiko Story). Travelers going through Shibuya station can buy gifts and souvenirs of their favorite canine at the Hachiko Memorial Store called Shibuya No Shippo or "Tail of Shibuya." A colorful mosaic of Akitas at play covers the nearby wall of the station.

Hachiko may be gone but he will never be forgotten. The story behind the statue is one that has endured and continually warms the hearts of locals and tourists alike.TOKYO, JAPAN - Loyalty, faithfulness and unconditional love are qualities that have earned dogs the title of "man's best friend". One particular Akita dog took these qualities to such an extreme, he has earned a place in the hearts of all Japanese people, and has kept that place for over sixty years!

Nestled amid hoards of harried commuters, a variety of shops and department stores, and a giant television screen that covers half a skyscraper, a life sized bronze statue of a dog can be found at Tokyo's busy Shibuya Train Station. Despite the diminutive size of the statue in comparison to the massive neon flash of the city, it isn't difficult to find. Millions of Tokyoites have been meeting at the landmark since 1934 and continue to do so today.

Chu-ken Hachiko (lit. the faithful dog Hachiko) was born in Akita in 1923 and was first brought to Tokyo in 1924. He and his owner, Mr. Eisaburo Uyeno, were inseparable friends right from the start. Each day "Hachi" would accompany Eisaburo, a professor at the Imperial University, to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, the professor would find the dog patiently waiting, tail wagging. This happy routine continued until one fateful day in 1925, when the professor was taken ill on the job and unfortunately died before he could return home.

Despite the fact that Hachiko was less than two years old at the time, the bond between dog and owner was strong. Hachiko continued to wait each day at Shibuya station for a friend who was never coming back. At times, he wouldn't return home for days at a stretch.

The Akita became a familiar sight to commuters as he kept his vigil for over ten years. On March 8, 1935, Hachiko finally went to meet his master. He died on the very same spot he last saw his friend alive.

Statue Erected

The people who passed the loyal dog each day were so touched by his story that they erected a statue in his honor in 1934. The famous artist Ando Teru was commissioned for the original bronzed sculpture, which was melted down during the war.

After the war, Hachiko was hardly forgotten. In 1948 The Society For Recreating The Hachiko Statue commissioned Ando Tekeshi, son of the original artist who has since passed away, to make a second statue.

Being a dog lover, the Hachiko statue has become an important pilgrimage for me each time I find myself in Tokyo. During my last visit with "Hachi," I encountered an old man who had also come to pay his respects. He told me in broken English "I knew him. I used to bring him treats. The station was much smaller then." With that he approached the statue, gave it a friendly pat, wiped a tear from his eye and slowly walked away.

Though Hachiko stood only two feet tall and weighed 92 pounds, the message he left on the importance of good friends is enormous. Hachiko's life has been portrayed in a book and motion picture (The Hachiko Story). Travelers going through Shibuya station can buy gifts and souvenirs of their favorite canine at the Hachiko Memorial Store called Shibuya No Shippo or "Tail of Shibuya." A colorful mosaic of Akitas at play covers the nearby wall of the station.

Hachiko may be gone but he will never be forgotten. The story behind the statue is one that has endured and continually warms the hearts of locals and tourists alike.

National recall is expanded to dry cat food

2007-04-01T09:35:00.001-07:00

> Tainted gluten went to more than one maker
>
> By Diane C. Lade
> South Florida Sun-Sentinel
>
> March 31 2007
>
> A massive national pet food recall involving wet, gravy-style products
> expanded Friday to include its first dry food, as federal officials
> confirmed a contaminated wheat gluten shipment from China had gone to more
> than one manufacturer.

Rescue Dogs Poem

2007-03-28T03:25:00.000-07:00

This poem was sent to me by a really good customer, Bree Munger.
She does rescue work for RMGDR-

Here is the poem.

Taking care of rescue dogs
Is something I do best.
I know because I've done it,
And I've surely passed the test.
The dogs I've bathed, the food I've fed,
The vacuuming I've done,
And all to watch a frightened soul
Sit dreaming in the sun.
My own dogs I've neglected,
But I tell them everyday
That I love and cherish each of them
Though a new dog's come to stay.
I know they understand this,
For in their eyes I see
The love that I have given them
Come shining back at me.
Some people think I'm crazy,
Some others think I'm great.
But very few can understand
What really is at stake.
If I can love and help a dog
To find a better way,
My own life is much richer,
I look forward to each day.
So now you know my secret,
It's there for all to see,
The love I give, the life I save,
I do it all for me.
~~ Kathleen Parsons

MORE BAD NEWS ABOUT PET FOOD LAWSUITS!

2007-03-23T07:51:00.000-07:00

Petfood maker Royal Canin hit with lawsuit
Canadian Press

TORONTO — A Canadian class action lawsuit has been filed against pet food maker Royal Canin Canada Co. on behalf of dog and cat owners claiming that certain products contain excessive amounts of vitamin D and have caused their pets to become sick or die.

Q: Spring's coming! And spring brings bees, hornets and all of their stinging relatives. What do you do if your pup gets stung?

2007-03-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

A: First off, you should always call your vet. Some pups, like humans, are allergic to bee stings. Vets will have the best answers. If your vet okays it, for future bites, you can use Benadryl-type drugs (make sure to use the right dosage for your pet's size and use the type that doesn't have acetaminophen - the main ingredient in Tylenol), or use a paste of baking soda and water to reduce the swelling and itch. In case symptoms change or worsen, keep the number of a 24-hour vet on hand.

How do you pamper your pooch?

2007-03-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

If it's with homemade treats and custom couture, we want to hear about it!

Your pet is special and let's face it...adorable. Of course, they deserve only the best! So, how do you pamper your pooch and coddle your kitty? If it's with homemade treats and custom couture, we want to hear about it! Selected pet photos and critter crafts will be showcased in an upcoming feature on HGTV.com.

E-mail the following to us at: crafts@scrippsnetworks.com. Please put "Pet Crafts" in the subject line.

* Your name.
* Your e-mail address.
* Your home address.
* Your pet's name and breed.
* Your crafty tips for creating handmade pet items.
* AND most importantly, we need photos of your pet enjoying their custom-made luxuries — e.g. collar, snacks, toys, bed, clothing, bowls, etc.

New Ferret Painting and The Furetti Ferret Club

2007-03-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

I had the priveledge of working on a new commission for a Ferret. Yes! You heard right. I took a photo that April Hampshire gave me of her ferret Isabella Gucci. Well- Isabella Gucci needed her portrait done so here is here before photo....

and the after painting!

Doesn't she look fab! Her mom April thinks so! Her mom April brought me a bag of Performance Dog Food for my old disc dog- Angel Marie, Lil' Angel's Mascoot! I hope it helps her arthritis! She is having alot of trouble getting up and down lately so I will keep you posted. Now- Check out www.furetti.tk

That is April's Ferret Club! It is way cool! You can get special discounts on portraits on that site!

Popular sweetener is toxic for dogs

2007-03-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

By Sharon L. Peters, Special for USA TODAY

A sugar substitute found in a variety of sugar-free and dietetic cookies, mints and chewing gum is proving highly toxic, even fatal, to snack-snatching dogs.

Xylitol, popular in Europe for decades but a relative newcomer to the U.S. alternative-sweeteners market, can be "very, very serious" to dogs when ingested, says Dana Farbman, spokeswoman for the Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

PET PROBLEMS: Recall affects 90 brands of pet food

"It doesn't take a whole lot (of xylitol), and the effects are so rapid that the window of opportunity to treat the dog is extremely small," Farbman says.

The ASPCA sent an advisory to veterinarians last August warning them about the potential for serious harm or death. Veterinarians have used a variety of means to get the word out, including posting signs in their offices and making copies of the bulletin for clients to augment the caution the ASPCA has posted on its website.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: PET | Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | ASPCA | Gum

Concerned that millions of people are still unaware of the risk, veterinarians with forums for widespread public announcements are spreading the word that way as well. Among them: Miami veterinarian Patty Khuly wrote about the problem on her doolittler.com blog, and Colorado Springs veterinarian Anne Pierce devoted her entire weekly newspaper column a week ago to xylitol.

Within 30 minutes of consuming a small amount of a xylitol-sweetened product, the ASPCA says, dogs can experience a dramatic drop in blood sugar, and they usually begin vomiting, become lethargic and can have difficulty standing or walking. Some have seizures, develop internal hemorrhaging and lesions and suffer liver failure. As few as two or three sticks of xylitol gum could be toxic to a 20-pound dog, the ASPCA says.

Immediate and aggressive veterinary treatment, which includes glucose drips and IV fluids, has proved effective in many cases.

The ASPCA's poison control unit is aware of 10 dog deaths from xylitol since 2002, and it has received scores of reports of dogs becoming gravely ill. But only a fraction of veterinarians and consumers alert the ASPCA when a dog becomes ill or dies from toxins, and there is no national clearinghouse tracking xylitol-suspected toxic reactions.

Moreover, it's not always entirely clear what caused the problem when a dog arrives at a veterinarian's office with seizures or liver failure. "I suspect that there are more cases than we know about because they come in with liver failure, and the owner is not aware of what has been ingested," Pierce says.

She believes that xylitol ingestion is "an emerging problem" and that the number of cases probably will increase with time, "depending on how widespread xylitol as a sweetener becomes."

Xylitol is an all-natural sugar substitute derived from beets, birch tree bark, corncobs and other natural sources. It's as sweet as sugar but has 40% fewer calories. Unlike sugar, xylitol does not require insulin to be metabolized.

Right now, xylitol is used mostly in cookies, candies, cupcakes and other sweets developed for people who have diabetes. It's also sold in bags of crystals for baking. Because of its bacteria-killing properties, it is put into some oral care products, including Tom's All Natural and Biotene toothpastes.

It also is beginning to be used in a broad assortment of products intended for the general public. Among them: Jello sugar-free puddings and a wide variety of sugar-free gums, including Trident, Orbit, Stride, Icebreakers and Altoids.

Makers of products with xylitol say their products are designed for people, including diabetes patients, who are seeking an alternative to sugar; they were never recommended for dogs and were never intended to be ingested by dogs. Owners should be careful because some dogs, Khuly says, "get into just about everything and eat everything they find."

There is no indication that any of the other sweeteners on the market adversely affect dogs. And there is no evidence so far that xylitol is toxic to pets other than dogs. But cats, for example, don't scavenge for sweets as dogs do, so it's possible there are risks that have not yet been discovered. For now, veterinarians advise pet owners to keep xylitol away from all animals.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs

2007-03-18T17:23:00.001-07:00

Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs

Every home with dogs should have apple cider vinegar. It's a remedy with multiple uses for dogs: alleviating allergies, arthritis, establishing correct pH balance. You can also give apple cider vinegar to cats and horses.

As written in an excellent, 1997 article by Wendy Volhard:

"...If your dog has itchy skin, the beginnings of a hot spot, incessantly washes its feet, has smelly ears, or is picky about his food, the application of ACV may change things around. For poor appetite, use it in the food - 1 tablespoon, two times a day for a 50 lb. dog. For itchy skin or beginning hot spots, put ACV into a spray bottle, part the hair and spray on. Any skin eruption will dry up in 24 hours and will save you having to shave the dog. If the skin is already broken, dilute ACV with an equal amount of water and spray on.

Taken internally, ACV is credited with maintaining the acid/alkaline balance of the digestive tract. To check your dog's pH balance, pick up some pH strips at the drug store, and first thing in the morning test the dog's urine. If it reads anywhere from 6.2 - 6.5, your dog's system is exactly where it should be. If it is 7.5 or higher, the diet you are feeding is too alkaline, and ACV will re-establish the correct balance.

If you have a dog that has clear, watery discharge from the eyes, a runny nose, or coughs with a liquid sound, use ACV in his or her food. One teaspoon twice a day for a 50 lb. dog will do the job.

After your weekly grooming sessions, use a few drops in his or her ears after cleaning them to avoid ear infections. Other uses for ACV are the prevention of muscle weakness, cramps, feeling the cold, calluses on elbows and hock joints, constipation, bruising too easily, pimples on skin surfaces, twitching of facial muscles, sore joints, arthritis and pus in the urine. There are also reports that it is useful in the prevention of bladder and kidney stones.

Fleas, flies, ticks and bacteria, external parasites, ring worm, fungus, staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus, mange, etc., are unlikely to inhabit a dog whose system is acidic inside and out. Should you ever experience any of these with your dog, bathe with a nice gentle herbal shampoo -- one that you would use on your own hair -- rinse thoroughly, and then sponge on ACV diluted with equal amounts of warm water. Allow your dog to drip dry. It is not necessary to use harsh chemicals for minor flea infestations. All fleas drown in soapy water and the ACV rinse makes the skin too acidic for a re-infestation. If you are worried about picking up fleas when you take your dog away from home, keep some ACV in a spray bottle, and spray your dog before you leave home, and when you get back. Take some with you and keep it in the car, just in case you need it any time. Obviously for major infestations, more drastic measures are necessary. ACV normalizes the pH levels of the skin, makes your dog unpalatable to even the nastiest of bacteria and you have a dog that smells like a salad, a small price to pay! "

Cat plays piano

2007-03-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

Feb. 21: The talented feline has a love for playing the piano, and her performance has become a hit on the Internet. WCAU's Ted Greenberg reports.

Click this link

http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=2a4e04c7-c0e7-4415-93c8-67b5b25681aa&f=00&fg=email

A work of ARF

2007-03-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

The oil on canvas portraits of Lisa Manzione's "three girls," as she calls them, hang near the fireplace in her Delray Beach family room. She loves to glance over and admire them. "You can see their personalities in their eyes," says Manzione, who was so happy with artist Eric Bossik's work that she e-mailed copies to several friends. "When I die," replied one, "I want to come back as your dog."

Those three portraits -- at $700 a piece -- depict Manzione's dogs: the perpetually happy Dakota, the excitable Denver and the very regal Aspen, who always walked around with her snout in the air. Aspen died Feb. 10.

"Now that Aspen has passed away, I'm so happy I have it," says Manzione, vice president of a management company.

Pet portraits are just a small slice of the estimated $38 billion Americans spent on their pets last year, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. With 63 percent of U.S. households now owning a pet, up from 56 percent in 1988, more American households have pets than children.

Pet health insurance premiums totaled $160 million last year. Human fans of Paul Mitchell hair care products can now buy John Paul Pet shampoos and conditioners. And Omaha Steaks makes pet treats along with its signature rib eyes and filets.

So it's no wonder that South Floridians looking to immortalize their pets can choose between photographers, painters, even sculptors.

Stacia Goldman of Delray Beach freely admits that she treats Chanel, her Yorkshire terrier, like a child. Two years ago, she met a very nice guy with an English bulldog named Rocco.

"He used to say Rocco was the eighth wonder of the world," says Goldman. "It's his son. He adores that dog."

So when his birthday came along, Goldman commissioned Tamarac artist Jene Rizzo to paint his portrait. "He loved it! He just loved it. It's in his bathroom. For his next birthday, I figured I'd get one of Chanel."

Rizzo has been doing portraits since the late 1960s, first humans and now more and more pets. At the monthly Island City Art Walk in Wilton Manors, Rizzo's animal portraits attract attention as much for their $65 price tag as their style.

"For somebody that's got everything, what are you going to get them?" asks Rizzo. "At the Wilton Manors show, one of these high-priced Realtors took one of my cards. She said you can buy a basket of fruit but it's rotten in a week. But a pet portrait? This is forever."

Cheryl Gotbaum of Pompano Beach says she and her husband have six children between them. Choosing a personalized gift can be difficult, so the Gotbaums usually opt for cash. But when one of their sons adopted a new boxer puppy, Gotbaum called on artist Carol Ann Sherman of Delray Beach to capture Ulrich in watercolors. She's waiting for the hair on her year-old Papillion to grow in before Sherman does his portrait.

Gotbaum named her dog Sir Lancelot in part because he "rescued" her from empty-nester syndrome.

"We forget to play when we get older," says Gotbaum. "We don't go out and throw a ball in the backyard anymore. Bringing a playful creature back into our lives reminds us to have fun."

John Tanasychuk can be reached at jtanasychuk@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4632.

Pet Expo!

2007-03-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

I did the Denver Pet Expo this past weekend. It was a great show. Bob Payne from Tower Show Productions was handling the show and Thumbs up to Bob! He did a great job. I had lots of help at the show. My best friend Amy helped me set up- and did the show with me on Saturday. She was awesome. She really knows how to sell product. She lives in Florida and her boyfriend came to help as well! And of course, my loving husband Bill was there to help me set up and he worked the show with me on Saturday. On Sunday.... THe girls of Pop Art Pet helped me do my show. They are two of the nicest girls I have met in a long time. They are located at www.popartpet.com. Check out thier website. They do computer generated art from your pet's photo. THey do a great job. Here is a picture of a painting they did for me of my dog and mascot Angel Marie.
They really captured her personality. I will be posting another blog with more information on Pop Art Pet and the art that they created for me. Thank you to Pop Art Pet.

Raisins and grapes toxic for dogs

2007-03-16T12:25:00.001-07:00

Even if you don't have a dog, you might have friends who do. This is worth passing on to them.

I looked on Snopes and found it's true.
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/raisins.asp
(Below written by a vet)

This week I had the first case in history of raisin toxicity ever seen >at MedVet. My patient was a 56-pound, 5 yr old male neutered lab mix that ate half a canister of raisins sometime between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM on Tuesday. He started with vomiting, diarrhea and shaking about
AM on Wednesday but the owner didn't call my emergency service until >7AM.

I had heard somewhere about raisins AND grapes causing acute Renal failure but hadn't seen any formal paper on the subject. We had her bring the dog in immediately. In the meantime, I called the ER service at MedVet, and the doctor there was like me - had heard something about
it, but....Anyway, we contacted the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center and they said to give IV fluids at 1 ∏ times maintenance and watch the kidney values for the next 48-72 hours. The dog's BUN (blood urea nitrogen level) was already at 32 (normal less than 27) and creatinine over 5 (1.9 is the high end of normal).
Both are monitors of kidney function in the bloodstream. We placed an IV catheter and started the fluids. Rechecked the renal values at 5 PM and the BUN was over 40 and creatinine over 7 with no urine production
after a liter of fluids. At the point I felt the dog was in acute renal failure and sent him on to MedVet for a urinary catheter to monitor urine output overnight as well as overnight care. He started vomiting again overnight at MedVet and his renal values have continued to incr ease daily. He produced urine when given lasix as a diuretic. He was on 3 different anti-vomiting medications and they still couldn't control his vomiting. Today his urine output decreased again, his BUN was over 120, his creatinine was at 10, his phosphorus was very elevated and his blood pressure, which had been staying around 150, skyrocketed to 220.. He continued to vomit and the owners elected
to euthanize.

This is a very sad case - great dog, great owners who had no idea raisins could be a toxin. Please alert everyone you know who has a dog of this very serious risk. Poison control said as few as 7 raisins or grapes could be toxic. Many people I know give their dogs grapes or raisins as treats including our ex-handler's. Any exposure should give rise to immediate concern.

Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville , Ohio

Hotels going to the dogs!

2007-03-05T23:49:00.000-08:00

Lily was born in July 2000 and started working at Denver's Hotel Monaco two months later. Last week, she retired.

Who's Lily?

The Jack Russell terrier was the hotel's first "Director of Pet Relations." She spent six years greeting four-footed guests (the hotel allows them) and putting smiles on the faces of pet owners pining for beloved pooches back home.

Lily may be doggone, but her duties will be taken over by a 4-month-old golden Shih Tzu named Georgie.

Doggie goodwill ambassadors are a trend at Kimpton. The 5th Avenue Suites, now The Hotel Monaco Portland, has just tabbed a 4-year-old yellow Labrador named Art to be its pet relations top dog. Art was chosen in a competion that included fashion, talent and bark-off segments and benefited the Oregon Humane Society.

I've heard there are other hotel dogs out there. Raise your paws and tell us where else we can pet a pooch in the lobby!

Terrier Breeds

2007-02-27T09:36:00.000-08:00

I have been doing some reasearch for a new group of paintings of terrier breeds. SO here is a list I compiled of the terrier breeds if anyone is interested.

Airedale Airedale Terrier
American Staffordshire - Amstaffs Amstaff American Staffordshire Terrier
Australian Terriers Australian Terrier
Bedlington Terriers Bedlington Terrier
Border Terriers Border Terrier
Bull - Miniature Miniature Bull Terrier
Bull - White & Colored Bull Terrier
Cairns Cairn Terrier
Cesky Terriers
Dandie Dinmonts Dandie Dinmont Terrier dog
Fox Terriers, Smooth Smooth Fox Terrier
Fox Terriers, Wire Wire Fox Terrier
Glen of Imaal Terriers Glen of Imaal Terrier
Irish Terriers, Irish Terrier dog
Jack Russell Terriers Jack Russell Terrier see Parson Russell Terrier
Kerry Blues Kerry Blue Terrier
Lakelands Lakeland Terrier
Manchesters, (Standard & Toy) Manchester Terrier
Norfolk Terriers Norfolk Terrier breed
Norwich Terriers Norwich Terrier dog
Parson Russell Terriers Parson Russell Terrier
Schnauzers, Miniature Miniature Schnauzer
Scottish Terriers Scottish Terrier dog
Sealyham Terriers Sealyham Terrier
Skye Terriers Skye Terrier
Soft Coated Wheatens Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terriers Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Welsh Terriers Welsh Terrier
Westies Westie - West Highland White Terrier

Does being “Best in Show” make a dog popular?

2007-02-16T17:58:00.000-08:00

Does being “Best in Show” make a dog popular?
Lets see…

The answer is no. Let' s take a look at the registration numbers from a large kennel club and compare that to dog show winners. The American Kennel Club which was established in 1884 and includes 151 breeds. It is the largest dog club group in the United States. The Westminster dog show was established in 1877 yields a yearly “Best in Show”. Over 160 breeds can participate in the 2500 registration openings. Let's compare the registration numbers with the “Best of Show Winners”.

1. Labrador retrievers - has never won at Westminster
2. Golden retrievers - has never won at Westminster
3. Beagles - has never won at Westminster
4. German shepherds won once in 1987
5. Dachshunds - has never won at Westminster
6. Yorkshire terriers Won once in 1987
7. Boxers The boxer has won 4 times at Westminster – in 1947, 1949, 1951 and 1970
8. Poodles The miniature poodle has won 4 times (1943, 1059 and 2002) and the toy poodle has won twice (1956 and 1961)
9. Shih Tzus - has never won at Westminster
10. Chihuahuas - has never won at Westminster

There seems to be almost no correlation. The dogs that are most common or "popular" have nothing to do with who wins at the shows.

What human foods are good for a dog?

2007-02-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

What human foods are good for a dog?

I was trying to find out if carrots were healthy for Angel our dog and I found the following list helpful and interesting.

* Apples (they contain potassium, which stimulates the immune system, and pepsin, which helps the stomach)
* Broccoli (rich in vitamins)
* Carrots (rich in vitamins, great treats to substitute for biscuits)
* Cabbage (rich in vitamins, good for digestive system and skin)
* Cucumber (good for teeth and bones due to potassium content; can combine with carrots to promote a healthy liver and kidneys; in juice form, a good diuretic … peel cucumbers unless organically grown)
* Celery (chopped or juiced; can help with arthritis)
* Garlic (removes waste from blood, can help repel fleas; use fresh garlic finely minced)
* Green beans (lightly steamed; healthy and low-cal treat)
* Parsley (can reduce allergy symptoms and aid kidney function; chop finely or boil parsley and add the juice over food)
* Kale (rich in antioxidants and can help reduce allergy symptoms)
* Spinach (very healthy; serve chopped)
* Bananas (in small quantity; a coveted treat)
* Olive oil (a tablespoon a day is good for skin and fur)

* Preparation suggestions: Many veggies can be served raw, lightly steamed or in juice form. For most vegetables such as broccoli and carrots, it is far better to steam them instead of serving raw for improved digestibility and nutritional value. Also, since dogs have small digestive tracts, you can puree vegetables to enable your pet to digest more. If you use canned vegetables, get the salt-free kinds.

* Organically grown benefits: Due to their smaller size and more compact body systems, pets can be more prone to the toxic effects of pesticide contamination than are people. So it is best to feed them produce that is organically certified, which also has higher nutritional value for everyone.

IN THE PRESS

2007-02-06T19:17:00.000-08:00

We have received new press thanks to one of our local competitors.
www.popartpet.com who has published an online article on us!

How to Purchase a Pet Portrait

2007-01-30T15:12:00.000-08:00

This is a guide that I have compiled to help someone purchase a pet portrait. SO first , you should look for a place to hang your art. Then come up with a perfect size for a painting in that area. Then you will find your artist. The easisest way to do this is to do a search on Google for Pet Artists or you can always stop by www.megapetportratis.com to see my style. Do not forget that , You will need to decide on a style of art you would like to purchase. From the style of art you choose you can then search for pet artists within that art style.
When you pick an artist you should always look at their Testimonials. You also should look at the final price an artist charges to create your piece of art. Many artists will ask you for a background color or theme. Keep this in mind when choosing an artist. They should have a well rounded gallery or portfolio of pieces they have done for previous clients for you to choose from. Next look at the color scheme in the area where you will be hanging your painting. You can decide upon the best color for you painting’s background. Then you will need to find a photo for your artist to use to paint your painting from. This photo should be the best quality available. If possible you should be able to see the eyes of your pet. Thank you for reading my article. I hope that you found it helpful.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-23T04:55:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has recovered from the holidays and if you live in Denver,
I am sure you are tired of this snow! I want to wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosporous new year.
I have decided this year not to make any new year's resolutions except to keep my promise. Our word is
all we have so promises are invaluable if you ask me.

On that note, I promise to update this blog weekly....yes, weekly. I will be posting new events, inspirations and news from Lil
Angel Pet Portraits.

First of all, You may have noticed that Lil' Angel has started off the new year with some changes to it's website.
I have been trying to set up a website with very little knowledge....urgh....but I think it is coming along.
Not all of the links work yet... but be patient and by February 1 they will all be working! YEAH!

Lil' Angel has started off the year on a positive note.
We have been invited to participate in The Pet Expo in Denver March 10 and 11th.
We will be painting your face to look like your pet! We are really excited about this and hope you can all come out to see us on March 10 & 11, 2007 and participate in looking like your furry friend!

We have also, started out the season cleaning up house! SO, it is special time and we have made several of our products available on ebay or you can buy any of our specials directly from our website-- which is a new option! YEAH!

Angel Marie has recovered from her PLASTIC SURGERY--hahahhaaa and will be at the Pet Expo in March!

We are also working on a new painting to be auctioned off at channel 6 PBS- Denver's local channel in April!