Pet Paradise, an upscale pet boarding and daycare operator, will open its doors to the public on Thursday, March 15th and provide a safe, clean and fun environment for area four legged family members. This former Pete & Mac’s location will be Pet Paradise’s 16th location and 4th Texas facility. Pet Paradise Plano is located at 3365 Premier Drive.

Pet Paradise Resort provides the ultimate pet boarding experience for its pet guests and peace of mind for their owners. The state-of-the-art facilities are staffed by professional “pet people” who will go all out to provide their guests with the ultimate pet boarding service.  Pet Paradise Plano is a 12,000 square foot all indoor location (for playtimes rain or shine) which has large play areas, presidential suite options and convenient hours for drop off/pick up.

 “We are looking forward to serving and providing peace of mind to Plano residents and their pets,” explains Chief Executive Officer, Fred Goldsmith. “Not only are we committed to providing the ultimate pet care in our industry, we actively participate and give back in the communities we serve.”

Area residents and business owners are encouraged to drop by, meet the staff and get a free tour of the resort during normal business hours.  In addition to the service and upscale amenities, pets will enjoy upgrades such as ice cream snacks, additional playtime options and fun promotions throughout the year. About Pet Paradise Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. with more than 250 employees, Pet Paradise was formed in 2002 and currently has 15 facilities in operation of which nine are located throughout Florida; three are in Houston, and one each in New Orleans, Atlanta and Charlotte.  The Pet Paradise facilities include spacious dog and cat boarding suites as well as day care and grooming services. For more information about each resort, visit http://www.petparadiseresort.com or visit our social media sites: Youtube, Twitter, facebook and Flickr.

 

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Program Covers Feline Distemper and Canine Distemper/Parvo Vaccinations 

Thanks to a grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the SNAP mobile clinics in Houston and San Antonio will be providing free distemper vaccinations for cats and free distemper/parvo vaccinations for dogs through the end of February. The cost of these preventative treatments is normally .50 each. Getting the vaccinations for free thus represents a great added value to the free spay-neuter surgery and rabies vaccination the clinic already provides for animals from qualifying low-income households. Clients can check the Houston and San Antonio mobile clinic web pages to find out whether they qualify for free services. Those who do are encouraged to check the appropriate (Houston or San Antonio) mobile clinic schedule to find out when the mobile clinic will be in their neighborhood.

 

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Thanks to our friends at DogHelpNetwork.com for this guest post on information you need to know regarding dental problems and your dog! 

Diabetes not only affects humans, but dogs as well. Diabetes in dogs is known as Diabetes Mellitus, and will affect 1 out of ever 10 dogs. Canine diabetes usually strikes between the ages of 6 and 9 years old. It is actually known that female dogs are more susceptible to diabetes than males because of changes in their hormones.  

Insulin is produced in the pancreas and helps to control the levels of glucose in the blood. When a dog has diabetes, there is not enough natural insulin produced to slow the glucose production to the bloodstream.  It is important to catch diabetes as quickly as possible because you do not want the glucose levels to get too high. If this happens, glucose can leak into the kidneys and cause infections as well as infect other organs in the future.
There is no cure for diabetes in dogs, but it can be managed. If diabetes is left untreated, it can lead to serious illness, and even death.

Symptoms Of Diabetes In Dogs:

Symptoms of diabetes in dogs need to be caught early on top help prevent serious side effects and provide relief for your dog. There are 3 different forms of dog diabetes: Mellitus, Insipidus an Gestational diabetes. The most common of the three is diabetes Mellitus. All three forms of diabetes display similar symptoms. The most common symptoms of diabetes in dogs are the following: 

Excessive urination – If your dog frequently urinates throughout the day, especially more than he used to, it could be a symptom of dog diabetes. Increased urination is caused by excess glucose which is not processed normally, so your dog’s body will try to get rid of it by urinating. Frequent urination will also cause extreme thirst.

Weight loss/gain – Weight fluctuation may be caused by a few things. If your dog is losing weight, it may be cause of lack of activity due to lethargy. On the other hand, a diabetic dog may not be able to burn as much sugar as he should because of insulin deficiency. If you notice your dog’s weight changing and there are no probably causes for it, it could be a sign of diabetes.

Lethargy – Dogs are very active animals. If your dog seems to be low on energy or sleeping all the time, it is important that they are examined by a vet right away. Lethargy or excessive sleeping may be signs of other illnesses as well.

Cataract formation – The most common disorder to cause cataracts in dogs is diabetes mellitus. Cataracts are formed because of an increase in glucose concentrations. Cataracts in dogs can develop very quickly if the problem is not treated right away. Cataracts will usually affect both eyes. Usually they require surgical removal after a few months of treatment for diabetes.

Diabetic ketoacidosis – If symptoms of diabetes in dogs are not caught and treated fast enough, you dog may become ketonic. Diabetes ketoacidosis is when acids (or ketones) build up in the blood stream because sugar is not available for energy. Some symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include:

If your dog displays any of these symptoms, it is important to take him to the veterinarian immediately.

Treatment For Dog Diabetes: 

Once diabetes has been diagnosed in your dog, it is time to begin treatment. Your vet will likely begin a strict plan to best treat your dog’s case of diabetes. There are a number of different treatment options available. 

While diabetes cannot be cured, it can be controlled. IT is a lifelong process which includes a healthy balance of exercise, proper diet and medication. Supplements can also be given along with insulin to help control your dog’s diabetes and reduce any symptoms.

Insulin therapy – Depending on the level of diabetes your dog has, the amount of insulin needed is different for each dog. The size of your dog may depend on how frequent his dosage will be. There are several types of insulin available. Your vet will prescribe the best type for your dog.

Spaying females – Often times, owners will choose to have their dogs spayed after being diagnosed with diabetes. This is helpful because the reaction with insulin and level of other hormones, particularly progesterone, decreases after they have been spayed.

Spaying your dog will not only make it easier for owners to manage their dog’s diabetes, but also help to normalize insulin requirements.

Diet – The best way to control your dog’s diet is with a properly controlled diet. A good diet is beneficial because it decreases your dog’s dependency on insulin and helps control weight. Your veterinarian will have the best information regarding your dog’s case of diabetes and which diet will be most beneficial.

For more information about diabetes in dogs, treatment options and risks, as well as some home remedies, visit www.dogdiabeteshelp.com 

 

 

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The third annual Food for Paws pet food drive spanned 5 states and collected over 20,000 pounds of pet food for various non-profit animal organizations in need! The wide spread effort not only benefited non-profit organizations in desperate need of donations, but pet owners struggling to feed their pets. 

“We expanded our pet food drive this year to all 15 of our locations and it was a huge success,” explains Pet Paradise COO, Fernando Acosta-Rua. “We are pleased to be able to help out the communities we serve and partner with such great organizations that directly affect the local pet communities.”
Since beginning the pet food drive effort, Pet Paradise has collected over 18 tons of pet food – 36,000 pounds.  Each Pet Paradise resort partners with a local organization or pet food bank that serves the communities they are in which allows the company to make such a wide spread impact.

About Pet Paradise Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. with more than 250 employees, Pet Paradise was formed in 2002 and currently has 15 facilities in operation of which nine are located throughout Florida; three are in Houston, and one each in New Orleans, Atlanta and Charlotte.  The Pet Paradise facilities include spacious dog and cat boarding suites as well as day care and grooming services.

The Pet Paradise facilities include spacious dog and cat boarding suites as well as day care and grooming services. All facilities are staffed 24/7 and are Hurricane Category 3 safety rated and serve as pet evacuation sites in the event of mandatory hurricane evacuations.

www.petparadiseresort.com 

 

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Special Encore Presentation of 2011 Hero Dog Awards Airs on Hallmark Movie Chanel, December 23, 2011 at 8pm ET/PT!

Following the spectacular reception of the inaugural “American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards” – taped before a live audience on October 1, 2011 – American Humane Association and Hallmark Channel are pleased to announce that nominations are officially open for the second annual installment of the program. Dog lovers are encouraged to visit www.herodogawards.org to nominate their heroic canines in any one of eight categories: Law Enforcement/Arson; Service; Therapy; Military; Guides; Search and Rescue; Hearing; and Emerging Hero Dogs, a category reserved for ordinary pets who do extraordinary things. 

The broadcast of the 2012 Hero Dog Awards will air on Hallmark Channel next fall, and an encore presentation of the 2011 installment, hosted by Emmy(R) Award-winning Carson Kressley (”Carson Nation”, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”), will air on Hallmark Movie Channel on December 23 at 8pm ET/PT. Presented by Cesar(R) Canine Cuisine, the 2011 Hero Dog Awards was produced by Emmy(R) Award-winning MRB Productions, who will return to produce the second-annual presentation. 


“Americans love a hero, and this year’s inaugural Hero Dog Awards proved that’s true for the four-legged kind as well,” said Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane Association. “The overwhelming outpouring of support for the 2011 Hero Dog Awards instantly transformed this event from a great idea, into a campaign and program that was nationally embraced. Everyone has a hero dog in his or her life, and we want to hear about yours!”

 ”In a very short period of time, the Hero Dog Awards has established itself as the ultimate celebration of dogs and the remarkable things they do to make people’s lives better. This annual initiative recognizes these tremendous animals through their stories of loyalty, bravery, commitment, and unconditional love,” says Bill Abbott, CEO and President, Crown Media Family Networks. “As we open nominations for next year, we look forward to hearing and sharing more of these accounts, which are important reminders of how integral the human-dog partnership is to the enrichment of so many lives. I actively encourage dog lovers and everyone who has a four-legged hero to visit www.herodogawards.org and nominate your dog or share in the inspirational stories of others.”

After all the nominations are in, each category will be narrowed down to one finalist through online voting. The eight category winners and their human companions will be flown to Los Angeles for the main event, the 2012 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards, on October 6th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where the winning American Hero Dog will be announced.

Finalists for the 2011 Hero Dog Awards show included: Iraq war veteran dog WMD Bino C152; Sage, who had helped find survivors at the Pentagon after the 9/11 attacks; Ricochet, the only dog in the world who conducts surf therapy with special-needs children; Arson Detection Dog Sadie who has worked more than 40 fires; Service Dog Zurich, who has helped his ill owner in small and immeasurable ways; Hearing Dog Harley, who helps his human companion live a richer and safer life; Therapy Dog Stacey Mae, who helped collect more than 2,000 teddy bears for ill children; and the overall winning 2011 “American Hero Dog” Roselle, a guide dog who led her blind companion down 78 flights of stairs to safety during the World Trade Center terror attacks.

The Hero Dog Awards celebrate the powerful relationship between dogs and people and help to raise much-needed resources to support the vital work of American Humane Association – the nation’s voice for the protection of children and animals. In 2011, American Humane Association’s charity partners, which include The Pine Street Foundation, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Dogs for the Deaf, National Fire Dog Monument, U.S. War Dog Association, National Search Dog Alliance, Canine Companions for Independence, and Paws & Effect were granted a total of ,000 as a result of the Hero Dog Awards. Cesar(R) Canine Cuisine made a 0,000 donation to American Humane Association, which the organization will put toward supporting the role of therapy dogs in helping Americans in need.

 

 

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Small Paws is now uploading all of their photos onto Facebook. Please click on the following link to follow us, check out the AMAZING dog photos,

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Hello fellow dog lovers. Thank you for making this Small Paws Dog Blog a daily must-read for all your daily photos and doggie adventures!

Small Paws is now uploading all of their photos onto Facebook. Please click on the following link to follow us, check out the AMAZING dog photos, and to see what the dogs are up to each day.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-Paws-Doggie-Daycare/7533082970

Small Paws Doggie Daycare and Grooming is at 491 Sperling Ave in Burnaby (Metro Vancouver), at the corner of Hastings St. For more info, visit www.SmallPaws.ca or call 778-370-0456.

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Small Paws Doggie Daycare (http://www.smallpaws.ca/) has won BEST Dog Daycare and BEST Groomer in Burnaby! We have taken the best dog daycare title a couple years in a row now, and were also

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Big thanks to everyone who voted for us in the Burnaby Newsleader’s annual competition.

Small Paws Doggie Daycare (http://www.smallpaws.ca/) has won BEST Dog Daycare and BEST Groomer in Burnaby! We have taken the best dog daycare title a couple years in a row now, and were also named the best dog daycare in the Burnaby Now’s annual competition in 2010 and 2011.

Our tails are wagging like crazy today, so thanks again.

If you’ve you’ve turned to this Dog Blog to see the daily dog photos and updates, please scroll down to read our previous blurb, or click here to see the images on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-Paws-Doggie-Daycare/7533082970
Small Paws Doggie Daycare and Grooming is at 491 Sperling Ave in Burnaby (Metro Vancouver), at the corner of Hastings St. For more info, visit www.SmallPaws.ca or call 778-370-0456.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/smallpaws

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Our fave artist, Ron Burns has created yet another masterpiece that tells an amazing story!  Maybe you saw the story on his latest work, Harper, on the Today Show or online.  I am sure you were as compelled by her story as Ron was.  Here is a short video if you don’t know her story:

Following is a brief exerpt from a post on Ron’s website explaining his motivation to paint the pup:
“I have numerous people send me pictures of their dogs to paint, often with hilarious or miraculous stories of their pup’s antics as well as the all too often notification of their loving companion crossing the rainbow bridge.  But when my right-hand person Matt, brought the story of Harper to my attention, well I just couldn’t stop thinking about this little girl.”

“Sure she was as sweet as they come, making me want to paint her for the most simplest of reasons, but then there was the story.  And not just her story, but the story of Erica that knew she needed to give this little helpless puppy just one great night of love and devoted attention prior to euthanasia, to make her feel special while spending her short time on this planet.  Then, miracle of all miracles, Harper returned the love by showing Erica that she wasn’t done yet.  That there wasn’t a good reason to put this pup down, that this pup was staying here with us – you can read their story here.”

Ron has just completed his painting of Harper and it is available for purchase and will benefit Dolly Foundation, a group that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes homeless, neglected, and abused American Pit Bull Terriers and other bully breed dogs.

Harper by Ron Burns

Archival Print on Paper – Unframed Image Size: 12″ x 15″Paper Size: 14″x 17″ will fit standard-sized frame available from most craft stores w/ mattingEdition Type: OpenHand-signed by Artist Ron Burns + shipping40% of net proceeds to benefit Dolly’s FoundationTo order: www.ronburns.com/harper

 

 

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Happy Friday from Chief, a recent winner of our pups playing contest and one gorgeous Golden Retriever!

Chief was adopted in January of 2010 through Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue. Mom Jennifer knew that he was the ONE as soon as they met and he joined their family. Jennifer says that he is, “INCREDIBLE with my two little girls and is simply a member of our family.” 

If you are looking for a new four-legged friend like Chief, visit Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue at www.gbgrr.org!

This pic of Chief was chosen as our pups playing winner and he received a great gift pack from Martha Stewart Pets for PetSmart! Happy playing Chief!!

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