The Gourmet Dog Bakery Blog

You are all invited to paricipate in the July  3rd, 2009 at  5pm CDT gathering time . The Parade line up is to start at 6 pm  and the Parade starts at 7pm sharp . 

It’s  FREE to waddle and dress those HOUNDIES in Mardi Gras waddle gear of choice.  

Location:  401 Gorden Dr in Sioux City,  Iowa   51101
 
We will  be handing out beads with bones and bassets on them.

PLEASE if you want more info,  get a hold of us  at 712-204-9807 or email us at iabassetrescue@yahoo.com

DROOL IS COOL AND WE LOVE OUR IOWA HOUNDS

PLEASE COME LOOK AT OUR WEBSITES AT
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/IA154 or
http://www.freepowerboards.com/iowahounds

IOWA BASSETHOUND RESCUE
RESCUED ONCE  -  LOVED FOR A LIFE TIME

Basset Buddies Rescue of TX have ordered calendars for any last minute holiday shoppers.  This calendar features many of their rescued hounds from 2008, and the proceeds will go toward caring for all the hounds they’ll be rescuing in 2009.  So please check it out and order today!

Here’s the link to help the basset hounds in TX

http://www.basset-buddies-rescue.org/info/display?PageID=5914

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

  Senior HoundsAbound, is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the rescue and lifelong care of senior Bassets and Beagles abandoned by their families or left in shelters.

The Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter Challenge - brought to you by Petfinder is awarding $100,000 in grants to eligible Petfinder member rescue organizations. The grand prize is a $25,000 grant. Just imagine how many animals we could help for $25,000! This money could go a VERY long way for the hounds & no one in our rescue takes any part of a salary, volunteers only. 100% goes to helping the hounds!! 

 Instructions to Vote:

Go to   www.theanimalrescuesite.com   you have to click on the “CLICK HERE, IT’S FREE” purple button in the middle of the upper page. When you click through, scroll down to the bottom of the page and you’ll see an ad that is white with purple font that says “THE ANIMAL RESCUE SITE $100,000 Challenge”.  Click it.  Go to the middle of the page and search for “Senior  Houndsabound”, and select “FL” as the state. Click “Senior Houndsabound”, when it appears under the search bar and then Click “VOTE”.  It’ll ask you to name the animal in the picture as a security question (note: type all lowercase letters) and submit that.

Thank you for helping the senior hounds!

I came across an offer from Frontline that I had to pass along to my blog readers. Frontline is one of the most recommended flea and tick control products  by vets across the USA and is know to be one of the best by dog owners.  They are offering a  20% off and FREE shipping if you order in October 2008.  Now that’s a good deal for saving some of your hard-earned money!

So if you are a Frontline user or just want to try it, I  would encourage you to take advantage of this offer.  More information can be obtained about this offer at: frontlinespecialoffer.com.

There is an internet radio show and podcast just for dog lovers and it is called DogCast Radio.  The owner and has covered some very interest topics such as: 

•  
  • Coping with the loss of a dog
  • Information on Breed Specific Legislation
  • Crufts 2008 coverage – largest dog show in the UK, similar to our USA Westminister Dog Show
  • Improving your dog’s diet
  • Dogs with aggressive behavior
  • And many more…

New episodes are posted twice per month (2^nd and 4^th Saturday of each month) and it is totally free by listening on the website, download to a MP3 device or link a podcast feed to your computer (you may need special software but you don’t need a device such as an iPod). 

DogCast Radio has articles from experts on topics of interest to dog owners.  I enjoyed learning from Dr. Paula Terifaj, DVM.  For years, I have been looking for a vet who doesn’t believe that we must feed our pets commercial dog food in order for them to be healthy and she is it. 

DogCast Radio covers on their website, dog breed profiles including temperment, dog owner interviews regarding agility & water training, professional dog trainers, listeners share their own experiences, puppy activities and they review dog related websites. 

If you haven’t listened lately, check them out at http://www.DogCastRadio.com

Dog obesity is on the rise with 41%  of dogs either overweight or obese. 

There is definitely a rising obesity problem among dogs and with that comes pancretitis, diabetes, joint and hip problems, liver or kidney issues and even heart problems.

I think that some dog owners feel guilty by leaving their dogs at home alone during the day but with this guilt, comes an overindulgence with commercial treats and the convenience of commercial dog food.  Owners are actually killing their dogs with this kind of behavior. Commercial treats and food has wheat gluten (even after several pet food recalls), high fat content, sugar additives, chemicals for preserving the product on the store shelves for around a year, large amounts of salt and artificial dyes and flavors. 

Some owners think that by giving table scrap, they are not feeding them chemicals or preservatives but on the contrary, they are feeding them high fat, low fiber and probably garlic and onions in some form.  Onions and  garlic contain thiosulphate, which is toxic to dogs and especailly to cats. Onions are more of a danger because of the amount of thiosulphate but some dogs become violently ill after ingesting garlic. 

Commercial treats are full of preservatives, chemicals, wheat gluten, and additives amongst other high fat ingredients.  For example, milkbones are one of the best sellers within the commercial dog treat industry, yet dogs that develop allergies, are usually allergic to the Brewer’s yeast that is a main ingredient in milkbones. I have had quite a few dog owners explain to me that their vet says their dog is experiencing allergies.  I usually followup by asking if their dog is eating milkbones and you would be surprised at how many say ‘yes’.  After I explain about Brewer’s yeast and allergic reactions in dogs, they decide to remove that treat from their diet. Small, independent dog bakeries are trying their best to create dog treats that do not contact yeast, preservatives or chemicals. 

We, at The Gourmet Dog Bakery, have the responsibilty to develop recipes that are low-fat, low-glycemic ingredients and we never use garlic.  We adapt human diabetic recipes suitable for canine tastes.  We limit the use of honey and oil but some is beneficial to the health of your dog, as shown in recent studies.  We have shopping categories by the type of issues you are facing, such as ‘Diabetes’ or ‘Skin Allergies’  at http://www.TheGourmetDogBakery.com. 

We are currently developing a new treat named Pug Buns, that are carob and cinnamon buns. Soon our newsletter mailing list will receive notification of all new treats that are developed and announced by The Gourmet Dog Bakery staff.

As each day passes, we witness another unbelievable event involving commercial pet food.  Today, the FDA posted a press release about their request to seize various commercial animal food products at the PetCo Distribution Center in Illinois. The press release describes insanitary conditions for storing the food products, such as rodent and bird infestation. More information can be read at the FDA website (link provided below). 

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01854.html

 

If you have a diabetic pet, you may not know that you should carry a small packet of honey with you.  If your pet’s blood sugar level becomes too high and they go into diabetic shock - just rub some of the honey inside their mouth and seek a veterinarian immediately.

This is similar to a diabetic person carrying a chocolate candy bar.  Animals cannot eat chocolate so honey will have the same effect on their blood sugars.

Currently, the Basset Buddies Rescue of TX has 10 rescued basset hounds that are sitting in boarding kennels due to lack of available foster homes around Houston, TX.  These hounds need the TLC that only a foster family can give them - please don’t leave them waiting all alone in a cage!  Fosters provide our rescued hounds food, shelter, and love - we pay for the medical bills until they are adopted.

Please foster a hound today! They deserve a loving and safe foster home until their FOREVER home has been found.

Please learn more at:  http://www.Basset-Buddies-Rescue.org

My sister and I were treated to Frosty Paws last night.  We had the peanut butter flavored frozen dog treat and it was HOWLING good.  On their website, you can join their Birthday Club and you will receive a Birthday greeting and a coupon for a free box of Frosty Paws frozen dog treats.  My Mom checked out their section on party planning ideas, the photo contest and some of the party kits that they have for sale.  Check it out at:

http://www.frostypawstreats.com/frostypaws/default.aspx?tabid=43