Check out this article from DogAge.com on dangerous table scraps:

Sure, you’d like Fifi to share in the joys of the holiday table, but resist the urge to be generous. Foods and drinks you digest easily, like the following, can cause trouble for your pooch:

Dinner rolls — Dough expands in the stomach, creating distressing gas.

Onions and garlic — These flavor enhancers contain a compound that could damage a dog’s red blood cells, causing anemia.

Rich sauces — Gravy upsets the stomach and may lead to pancreatitis.

Bones — Sharp pieces of bone can choke a dog or pierce or block her gastrointestinal tract.

Alcohol — Even slightly spiked eggnog can be toxic, so don’t leave any drinks unattended.

Check out this cool link to find out!

Is your dog as young as he or she can be? Take the free DogAge Test today to find out your dog’s biological age, measured in people years!

The DogAge Test determines your dog’s biological age, based on health, breed, risk of disease, and behavior.

Just like RealAge, DogAge is based on science and statistics. Now you have a reliable and easy way to measure your dog’s health status — and help improve it. You’ll also get personalized tips that can help your dog live younger longer. Take the FREE DogAge Test today!
 

From the creators of REAL AGE! http://www.dogage.com/reg/regassess.aspx?cbr=RA70_RA

December 9, 2008 from the New York Times
Observatory By HENRY FOUNTAIN
To the list of the qualities of dogs — enthusiastic and steadfast come to mind — can be added another. That pooch of yours, researchers say, may be envious.

Scientists in Austria report in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that a dog may stop obeying a command if it sees that another dog is getting a better deal.

In this way dogs may be showing a sensitivity that is similar to, although perhaps more primitive than, that shown by chimpanzees and some monkeys. Until now those primates were the only nonhumans to show what is called “inequity aversion” in the absence of a reward.

The finding may come as no surprise to some dog owners, and it didn’t completely surprise Friederike Range, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vienna who led the study.

“We have a dog at home,” she said, “and I know how jealous she is of different people and situations.”

The study tried to quantify the behavior by using well-trained dogs that readily offer a paw on command. The researchers used two dogs side by side but treated them differently, giving one a better reward (sausage) and the other a lesser one (bread) when the paw was given, or giving one dog no reward at all.

They found that the quality of the reward made little difference. But in the case in which one dog got no treat at all, that dog became less and less inclined to obey the command.

Check out this story from - KPHO Phoenix

PHOENIX — It’s not unusual for a small dog or cat to be taken by a wild animal, such as a coyote, in the Valley; however, one Ahwatukee family’s pet was nearly carried off by an owl. Lucy, the Cocanour family’s Maltese and Yorkshire terrier mix, was playing in the yard nearly two weeks ago when Becky Cocanour heard a “horrible shrieking.” The family ran to the dog’s aid.

“I realized she had tears on both sides of her — punctures — torn, ripped about an inch and a half,” Dave Cocanour said. Dave Cocanour, is a wildlife biologist, and he said he quickly realized Lucy’s wounds were the work of a great horned owl. They rushed the dog to the vet. “I was scared I was going to have to put her to sleep that night,” Becky Cocanour said. “I’ve had her 10 years. (It) would’ve been horrible to lose her … to an owl.”

The 11-pound terrier’s weight probably saved her, said veterinarian Kurt Baumler. “It made a difference; it really did,” Baumler said. “Those (owls) can pick up a full-grown rabbit, and you’re talking six — seven — eight pounds without a problem.” Becky Cocanour agreed. “The owl couldn’t pick her up,” she said. “Or, if it did, she was able to get away.” The Cocanours said they’re happy Lucy is OK. “I don’t have anything against the owl — it was just trying to eat,” Dave Cocanour said. “I’m just glad it didn’t eat Lucy.”

Take care when traveling with your pet this Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many of us will be taking to the road to meet up with family and friends for the holiday. Some of us will be bringing along our pets. According to the American Pet Products Association, the number of pets traveling in vehicles in the United States was up 300 percent from 2005 to 2007.

“Bark Buckle Up” is the leader in pet travel safety. “Bark Buckle Up” works closely with first responders and Animal Care and Control to help mitigate some of these problems.

- A 60-pound pet in a 35 mph accident becomes a 2,700-pound projectile.

- Pets in vehicle accidents delay access to human occupants.

- They become injured or aggressive and may bite.

- They may escape through an open window or door and cause a second accident.

For information about traveling safely with your pet, contact Phoenix Fire Division Chief Mark Faulkner at (602) 256-3535.

Thousands of Champion Dogs From Around the World Compete for Top Honors and $225,000 at Eighth Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

Are raw hides or beef hides chews good for dogs? This is a real concern for pet owners. Learn how these chew toys are made and how they should be used, then decide for yourself.

Raw hide chews are manufactured from by-products of the slaughterhouse industry, usually from cows and horses. Every hide has an inner and outer layer, and chews are typically made by processing the tissue from the inner layer. Beef hide is the more appetizing name given to chews made from cattle that have been raised for human consumption. The quality of these chews varies slightly, but those made from corn-fed cows are considered a premium product and usually fetch a higher market price.

Processing

When an animal hide is processed, the skin is divided into two layers and cleaned. The tough outer layer is processed into leather for clothing and other utilitarian uses, while the fleshier inner layer is reserved for making raw hide chews. Excess fat and tissue must be scraped away from the hide before it can be formed and dried for dog chews, and here is where part of the debate over the safety of rawhide chews comes into play. Manufacturers outside of the USA generally find it expedient to soak the hides in a solution of commercial lime and water for several days before scraping. Once the hide is soaked and scraped, it is usually rinsed in bleach water to remove traces of the lime and sanitize the hide before shaping and drying. In the USA, hides are tumbled in a hydrogen peroxide solution, and then rinsed with plain water before further processing. After preparation, the hide is either cut or ground before it is pressed into its final shape. It is then run through a commercial dryer to give it that signature tough texture dogs love.

Flavoring

Before they are dried, some raw hide chews are basted with a flavor solution made from beef, chicken or liver broth to make them more enticing to your pet. Brown basted bones sometimes have a tendency to stain a dog’s fur as well as carpet and upholstery. Clear basted bones still provide a tasty treat, but are usually a better choice because there’s no worry about color run off from your dog’s saliva.

Types

Raw hide/beef hide chews come in three main types: Pressed raw hide chews are made from folded layers of hide to create long lasting chew toys. Granulated raw hide chews are made from ground raw hide that has been compressed into formation. These normally pose the least choking hazard. Flat raw hide chews are made from a single layer of hide, and are far easier to chew than pressed raw hide.

Hazards

As with any toy you give your dog, raw hide and beef hide chews can present a choking hazard if they’re not used under supervision. As your dog chews and slobbers on his treat, the hide becomes rehydrated, soft and gooey. When it reaches this point, your dog is able to tear away sections from the main bone. Most of the time your pet will simply wind up eating the hide and it will pass through his digestive system without a major event. In some cases: The hide can actually become lodged in a dog’s teeth, requiring an owner’s assistance to remove it. Larger chunks may be too big to swallow, causing a dog to choke. Intestinal blockage can also occur if the chunk of hide becomes lodged somewhere along the intestinal tract, and may require surgery to remove it. While all of these scenarios are possible, they actually happen quite rarely. However, you should still take some precautions to ensure your dog’s safety whenever you give him a raw hide chew.

Here are a few safety tips: Make sure the chew is large enough that your dog can’t fit it completely into his mouth. Only give your dog a beef hide chew when you can be around to keep an eye on him. Keep two chews on hand and trade them when one becomes too soft. The hide will harden as it dries, and you can give it to your dog again when the other chew becomes soft. Replace your dog’s chew when he has whittled it down far enough to fit in his mouth.

Benefits

Raw hide chews do provide some dental benefits for your dog. As your pet chews, the hide scrapes away tartar and calculus from his teeth and gums where harmful bacteria like to hide. This will reduce your dog’s chance of developing gum disease and tooth loss.

Raw hides also give your pet a chance to exercise his natural chewing instincts on an appropriate item versus your table leg or favorite pair of loafers. Chewing can be a great stress reliever, so it’s important to supply your dog with safe chew toys and bones.

As you can see, questions about giving your dog raw hide are not easily answered when you consider the pros and cons. Used under proper supervision, a carefully selected raw hide treat can give your dog a lot of chewing satisfaction, but it takes an owner’s watchful eye to head off potential problems. Choosing beef hide chews manufactured in the USA may also prove a better alternative to chews produced in countries that use harsher chemicals during processing. Are raw hides or beef hides chews good for dogs? In the end, only you can decide.

Provided by Donna West in Las Vegas, From the article: http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Are_Raw_Hides_or_Beef_Hides_Chews_Good_for_Dogs

  A Dog’s Purpose (from a 6-year-old) sent to us from a veterinarian. …..

OCEANSIDE, CA  – A memorial service will be held Monday at Camp Pendleton for Stryker, an Oceanside police dog who was killed New Year’s Eve when a man being pursued by police jumped with him from the San Diego-Coronado Bridge.The 11:30 a.m. ceremony will take place at the Marine base on Vandegrift Boulevard between 13th and 14th streets. While it is open to the public, those attending will need a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance to enter the base. The Oceanside Police Department has received many inquiries about a memorial fund for the dog, who was a 6½-year-old Belgian Malinois, officials said.The department has a fund that supports the K-9 program. Those who want to donate can write a check to “K9 Fund” and mail it to the attention of Lt. Fred Armijo, Oceanside Police Department, 3855 Mission Ave., Oceanside CA 92054.

Stryker was the department’s most experienced police dog.