Why Compare Pet Health Insurance Plans

It doesn’t matter if you have already decided to purchase health insurance for the family pet or if you are simply shopping for one. When you are comparing the quote of one health insurance quote to another, remember that the base dollar amount is not the only number you have to consider. In addition to the monthly payment, make sure you also check out exactly what type of veterinary care and treatments are covered (some basic insurance plans do not include cancer treatment), what kind of deductible you, the pet owner, will be expected to pay, is there a yearly cap on medical expenses, and what type of discounts are available. At the moment there are only a handful of companies that offer pet health insurance.

Keeping Your Dog Safe When on Walks

When we walk our dog, no matter the destination – on the city streets, in parks or in open spaces – it is necessary that he respects the disciplinary rules settled before and learned, to avoid getting into problems with other animals or people we meet.

So let’s see how our little friend will have to act in some situations:

• Usually, in crowded places we will keep him in a leash, to always have him under control. So he will have to know how to walk in a leash, near your foot, without pulling.


• The dog is not allowed to jump on people or animals met or to attack any of those, as long as he isn’t aggressed.


• The dog shouldn’t run after bicycles, motorcycles, cars or people that are running. It is know that some dogs do that because of their hunting instincts.


• When we let the dog free, to relax, it is crucial that when he is called he return on the shortest way and as fast as possible.


• At a picnic, the dog is not allowed to pass thought other people’s carpets or to eat their food.


• Wherever our dog might be, he is not to be allowed to eat food given by someone else or food found thrown around.


• Generally, small dogs are more spoiled than big dogs and they are more aggressive, anti-social and afraid of other people or dogs. The ones to blame are the owners that often amuse themselves when they see their dogs acting this way. This way the dogs get to barking and even biting their own owner.


• The dog must have the initial training learned and practiced, so we would have no problems when walking him.


• All through the walk, the dog is not to chew on his leash or to pull it with his teeth, because it might happen that he is tied somewhere alone and he will chew on it until he becomes free and gets lost.


• The dog is not allowed to jump up and out his front paws on us or others even if he is just playing.


• Pay attention to drunken people! Many times the smell, the walk and the yelling of drunken people annoy the dog. The dog is to loose his reality sense and his instincts and therefore they won’t pay attention to any of our advices. Some drunken people are even aggressive to dogs. Stay away from them as much as possible.

Keeping Your Pet Safe This Halloween

• All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers in unusual garb can be scary and stressful for pets.
  
  
• When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that Max or Mittens doesn't dart outside. Make sure all your pets are wearing current identification, just in case.
  
  
• No sweets for the sweet: Keep all Halloween candy out of your pet's reach. Chocolate can be poisonous to animals, and tinfoil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.
  
  
  
• It's not a bright idea to keep lit pumpkins around companion animals. Pets can knock them over, and curious kittens in particular run the risk of being burned.
  
  
• Don't leave your pet in the yard on Halloween. There have been reports of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen and even killed pets on this night.
  
  
• Although the ASPCA recommends that cats remain indoors at all times, it is especially important to keep your feline inside for several days before and after Halloween. Black cats in particular may be at risk from children's pranks or other cruelty-related incidents. As a safety precaution, many shelters will not adopt out black cats around Halloween.
  
  
• Don't dress up your dog or cat unless you know she loves it. If
  you decide to do so, make sure the costume isn't annoying or
  unsafe, and doesn't restrict her movement, vision, hearing or
  ability to breathe or bark. Avoid costumes with small or
  dangling accessories that she could chew off and possibly choke
  on. And please supervise pets in costume at ALL times.

Visit The ASPCA For More!

Toy Ball Posses A Danger To Your Dog!

It broke our hearts that such a horrible thing happened to Chai and cannot imagine the pain he went through. Our prayers and love are with him. Thank God that Chai has a wonderful and loving papa. "On Sunday, June 22, 2008 my 10-year old lab mix, Chai, sustained a severe injury from a product that the company Four Paws Inc, produces. The toy I'm referencing is the pimple ball with bell. (Item #20227-001, UPC Code 0 4566320227 9)" Please visit Choi's blog for more information and how you could help get this toy off the market before it hurts another dog...Choi's Blog

ASPCA's founder Henry Bergh!

The ASPCA will celebrate the birth of the ASPCA's founder Henry Bergh! on Friday, August 29. "Regarding Henry": A "Bergh's-eye" view of 140 years at the ASPCA

"New York City, April 1866: The driver of a cart laden with coal is whipping his horse. Passersby on the New York City street stop to gawk not so much at the weak, emaciated equine, but at the tall man, elegant in top hat and spats, who is explaining to the driver that it is now against the law to beat one's animal. Thus, America first encounters The Great Meddler". Read the rest of the story at ASPCA.org

Maxxamillion's Dog House Social network

Today Maxxamillion has opened the dog house to all pets. Maxxamillion's Dog House Social network is opened to all pets. Create your pets profile in minutes share your pet story's. You could add photos, videos, music and communicate with other pet owners in our community. Join or start a discussion in the Pet Forum or Join one or several pet groups. Free to join! Register today to get started!

Are Golden Retrievers The Best Choice?

Part of Maxxamillion's breed is Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers simply develop a strong attraction to their owners. They are a preferred dog breed, making great pets, hunting dogs, obedience competitors, show dogs, and even a combination of all these traits. No matter what your intent may be to own a Golden Retriever, you’ll have an excellent dog that will live up to it’s potential and then some.

Golden Retrievers are calm, well mannered, and extremely affectionate. They are easy to train as well, very intelligent, and great for those who need a companion. Goldens are also loyal to their owners, lovable, and great with children of all ages. They also make great watchdogs as well, as they will bark loud and let you know when a stranger is near.

Like other dogs, Golden Retrievers will shed their hair throughout the year and more in the spring - no matter how many times you brush them a day. They also like to be in and near the water, similar to Labs. If you have any type of water on or near your property, your Golden Retriever will be in it, and tend to be either wet or muddy quite a bit - which can tend to get frustrating.

If you are always on the go or never at home, you shouldn’t get a Golden Retriever. If you prefer cats over dogs, you should look into another breed. Golden Retrievers crave attention and admiration, and normally don’t do too well if you leave them at home by themselves for long periods of time. Golden’s need attention, and desire to be around you at all times. If you spend a lot of time at home on the other hand, or have kids, a Golden Retriever will be a perfect addition to your family.

A lot of people out there prefer to get a puppy and raise it themselves. This way, the puppy will grow up with the skills they have taught him. This is a great idea and very rewarding, although it can consume a lot of your time and tend to be very frustrating at times. Those who don’t have a lot of time to spare or tend to get easily frustrated, shouldn’t get a puppy. Instead, they should look towards adopting an older Golden Retriever who has already been house broken and trained.
Your local animal shelter is a great start for an older or young Golden Retriever.

Golden Retrievers are an excellent breed, and they can provide you with the companionship you have been looking for. They can participate in several activities with you as well, such as hiking, camping, and walking. Goldens love the outdoors, and they love just getting out there and doing things with you and your family. If you include your Golden Retriever in family activities - you’ll have a friend for life who will quickly grow on you over the years. They become part of the family.

PawMaster At Work!

Maxxamillion Having so fun at home pawing his website CoolestDogOnThePlanet.net on his lappy!

Maxxamillion's Toyz







Simply Fido Organic Dog Toys Bone Collection 8" Plush Bone

Simply Fido Organic Pet Toys are made of organic fabrics and all-natural dyes. Organically grown, the fibers in each toy are unbleached, untreated, and unprocessed. Natural extracts from plants and minerals, such as gardenia seed, clove and chestnut bur, are used to dye the fibers. Toys are 100% environmentally friendly!

Early March and Maxxamillion is outside enjoying the weather. We have had a very long winter here in Chicago. Early spring and winter are Maxxamillion's favorite time of the year.

When Putting Down Your Dog Is Not An Option!

Two years ago our dog Maxx of ten years got very ill just after he had fully recovered from a surgery that removed a cancerous tumor. Our vet told us that this was it and that it was only a matter of time that our boy would pass away, there is nothing I could do for him, we were told. Well we were absolutely not going to give up on our loving companion of ten years so easily. My feeling was that this vet had an agenda with us because of a complaint I had recently expressed about one of his employees that hurt Maxx by incorrectly trying to lift him.

Shortly thereafter disappointed and heart broken we took our boy home, we putting him down was not an option. He is family and we would not give up on him so easily, especially when we could see so much life and love in his sparkling eyes. My huband and I started researching on the internet for alternative medicine for dogs.

Fortunately, we found medicinal options that we felt would safely help Maxx get started on his way to getting well again. Many of these medicines we read about were holistic and although we live in a big metropolitan area, some were not locally available. However, we were fortunate to find that some of the holistic medicines we needed for Maxx were sold on-line, while several others were available in stores a short distance away.

Over a short time of giving Maxx these holistic medicines, his health began to steadily improve. Although Maxx's overall health steadily improved, he still suffered from arthritis in the joint of his right front paw, which occasionally caused him to limp.

In addition to the holistic medicines we also found a great animal rehabilitation center fully equipped with top notch equipment with a holistic approach to the rehabilitation of animals. We also learned it provided acupuncture for pets. It had a underwater treadmill which Maxx could use to rehab his rear legs, we could also get his acupuncture treatments at the same time. The staff was great, and made us feel right at home. The veterinarians had vast experience in animal rehabilitation as well as being well versed in Chinese and Western herbs. After a few months of taking Maxx to the clinic we were able to arrange for Maxx to receive his acupuncture treatments at home twice a month.


We are so happy to say that these holistic medicines have turned our boy Maxx's health completely around and we recently celebrated his twelfth birthday! The holistic approach has let us enjoy Maxx for two more wonderful years and counting. Just like humans always get a second opinion if in doubt.
by: Diana Romaxx (c)2008

Maxxamillion enjoying the snow in our back yard. The temperature was -0 so he had his warm hat on to keep the cold air out of his ears. He had an infection in his right ear last week.

This past week my husband and I celebrated our puppy boy Maxx's 12th anniversary with us. We picked up our Maxx twelve years ago on snowy December 23rd and we've been loving him more and more ever since. We fell in love with him as soon as we saw him. He was a golden fluffy little ball of fur that weighed six pounds, with adorable blue eyes, a cute pink little nose and a crooked little walk.

Our baby's first reaction walking into his new home was so amazing to me, because what I thought might be a little uncomfortable for him or maybe even a little scary, was totally the opposite. Maxx walked in, took one look around and wobbled over to the first object he saw, which happened to be a red kitchen floor mat. Immediately he started wrestling with the floor mat, biting it and fiercely snapping his head from side to side. We were so touched and tickled at the same time that we started laughing. It was so funny to see such a tiny little thing wrestling with a kitchen mat that was five times bigger than he was. We were still giggling at this sight when Maxx suddenly finished, looking so beautiful, out of breath and tired. Then he gathered himself, left the mat in a bunch and began exploring the rest of the house.

We were so happy that Maxx felt so comfortable in his new home.

Maxxamillion having some fun on a cold December day. He loves to roll over and fall a sleep on his back.

What to do with all the snow! We started to pile snow on this planter and before we knew it it looked like ice cream so I got out the paints and painted the snow to look like a sundae. Maxxamillion is in the background.

Happy Holidays! Well it's been one year since Maxxamillion was sent home to die, but our boy is still here with us. Over the past year he has been on a home-made food diet with holistic medications and acupuncture treatments twice a month. Maxxamillion turned twelve in Oct 2007. We keep posting on his prognosis.

Traveling With Our Dog Maxxamillion
by Diana Romaxx.


Traveling with your dog can be a very rewarding experience, but it also means added responsibility on you. The best advice for traveling with your dog is to plan your trip in advance.

Make sure your dog is up to date on all his vaccinations, and get a copy of your dogs medical records from your vet. It is a good practice to always have the medical records when you travel in case of an emergency or an accident. Most states in the USA require this.

One of the most popular ways people travel with their dog(s) is to go by car or recreational vehicle. Before you plan on traveling with your dog it is good practice to first get them used to being in your vehicle.

Our dog Maxxamillion's wonderful car behavior resulted from us getting him accustomed at an early age. We would take him with us in the car every time we went out, especially to the park close to our home. We brought Maxxamillion home at eight weeks old in December, and by the following summer he was accustomed to riding in the car with us.

Be considerate of your dogs needs when traveling with them. A good tip for traveling with your dog is to chart ahead all the hotels in the towns you intend to stop and visit. It also would be good to look up some animal hospitals on your route. We did this on our way to Texas last summer and it gave us an added peace of mind knowing we had the addresses and phone numbers of most animal hospitals on our route. The internet makes this process very easy today.

Another good tip when traveling with your dog is safety, have your dog either in a car kennel or with a doggie seatbelt on. There are many car travel accessories for dogs on the market today.

Follow these additional safety tips to help keep your dog safe when traveling with them.

- research indigenous plant life in areas where your heading (e.g., spear grass in Texas)
- important medication,favorite food in air tight container, treats/snacks, food and water bowl
- favorite toys, some of his towels in case it rains, grooming kit, leash and i.d. tags
-
- clothing in case it's cold at night where you're going
- consider including information about flying with pet even though we've never experienced it personally. If the dog is accustomed to car travel, then air travel shouldn't be a big problem
- asking for rooms on lower floors or ground level if you have an older pet, so that your dog doesn't have to deal with stairs.
- ask hotel for designated areas that you can walk your dog if they are not visibly indicated by signage.
- timing the stops at rest areas
- good etiquette - no barking especially at night, keep him leashed at all times especially near other hotel guests, always pick up after your pet.
- Not because you plan to travel, but at any time, the Avid microchip is a good investment in case dog gets separated from you

Find a pet friendly hotel, motel or lodge with online guides. Find pet friendly hotels near your favorite travel destination.

Traveling with our dog Maxxamillion on our annual family vacations has been a very rewarding experience for us.

Traveling With Our Dog Maxxamillion by Diana Romaxx. website:www.maxxamillion.com

Choosing a Pet Sitter For Your Dog
By: Diana Romaxx

Many dog owners today like the idea of hiring a pet sitter to take care of their dog while they go away, but then you'll have to decide--is pet sitting right for you? The pet gets to stay home in their natural environment, and the owner doesn’t have to travel back and forth to the kennel. However, having a stranger in your house can be a little weird—for both you and your dog. So be sure to choose your pet sitter wisely.

Pet sitting has become a booming business these days. Many people decide for one reason or another that they want to go into the pet sitting business. However, once they find out all the work it involves they become disillusioned. Bottom line—you want to find someone who has been doing this for a long time.

There are ads for pet sitters everywhere these days. In the phone book, on the internet, and posted on bulletin boards in pet stores. Ask your friends, family, co-workers and your vet for some references.

You will definitely want to interview some pet sitters (in your home and in person) before hiring anyone. It is especially important for your pet to meet any potential pet sitters in their home environment.

Ask the pet sitter why you should hire them. They will probably say, “Oh, because I just LOVE animals!!” This is fine. But my three year old nephew also loves animals. I doubt you’d trust him to take care of your dog.

You want to know what kind of experience this person has with animals. Do they know how to recognize signs of illness? Do they know what to do in case of an emergency? Loving animals is an important quality but it takes more skills than that.

Get a list of references and contact other people that have used the pet sitter you are considering. Also make sure the pet sitter is insured and bonded. This protects you and your home against any potential damage or theft while you are away. Anyone you hire needs to be a member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.

There are many companies that have several pet sitters on staff. Make sure you and your dog meet the person who actually will be coming to your house. When you get prices make sure you know what’s included. How many visits will your dog receive a day? Does that include walks, playtime, dispensing medications, getting the mail, etc.? There are even pet sitters that stay in your house overnight while you are away.

Finding a dependable pet sitter you can trust your dog to can be very comforting. That way you know both your home and your dog are in good hands. For peace of mind, be wise and do your home work!

Link: National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
http://www.petsitters.org/

About Author:
Diana Romaxx Maxxamillion's Dog House

Organic versus non-Organic Dog Food - Important Facts to Consider  by Dan Buchman

The basis for good health in our dogs is diet and the key to good health is prevention. The more natural and fresh the diet, the more nutrients are available for your dog's body to use in building a good immune system which will in turn ward off illness and disease. Organic and natural dog food is the best way to start off your puppy's life to give him/her the healthiest chances of long and happy life through adulthood.

The remainder of this article will discuss the pros and cons of using organic versus non-organic dog food. There is a common misconception that organic dog food is more expensive than non-organic (supermarket quality) dog food. This cannot be further from the truth, read the remainder of this article before making that purchasing decision.
Commercial Pet Food -

The first known commercial pet food that came into existence was first known as wet food or canned pet food. Dry pet food, or what is known as kibbles, did not come into existence until the 1950's. We have always been told that feeding human food to our pet was not healthy. Ironically, feeding the wrong type of commercially packaged dog food to your pet can be just as unhealthy. Certain grades of commercially packaged dog food may need to have additional supplements added to the food just to maintain the nutrient level best for a dog's good health. The exception is with the use of high-quality natural and organic dog foods. Many of the better of commercial organic dog foods have added these to the dog food making them a great choice for your dog.
Ingredients -

Some of the things you will most often see listed on the label of your non-organic kibble or canned food are different types of grains. Dogs, however, do not fare well on grains because they are carnivores and their bodies were not made to digest grains. The reason grains are added to commercial dog foods is that they are cheap and your dog can survive on them for a while before health problems begin to manifest. Meat is often listed as the first ingredient in commercial dog food which seems healthy at first glance. Unfortunately this meat has been cooked for so long that the nutritional value is gone and the beneficial fats and enzymes are no longer present.

Here are some guidelines to help you make informed decisions for your dog when purchasing commercial dog food:

* Avoid commercial foods that have chemical preservatives such as BHT, BHA or ethoxyquin. Try to choose organic foods that have natural preservatives such as vitamin C, E and mixed tocopherols.

* Try to avoid canned foods altogether. Canned foods consist of the worst junk parts of dead animals, along with poor-quality grains packaged in such a way as to sound appealing. Most canned foods are mostly grains, by-products, and preservatives with flavoring added.

* Try to avoid grains as much as possible. Your dog will have a much healthier and longer life if you leave the grains out of his/her diet. Make sure that grain is one of the last ingredients listed on the package of the dog food you are purchasing rather than one of the first. Always avoid any dog food that has corn in it, dogs have a very hard time digesting corn and will get sick from it over a period of time.

* Choose a food that does not contain any by-products. A By-product is a fancy word for everything that really should be tossed on the slaughterhouse floor and is not fit for human or dog consumption.

* Add cooked meat to your dog's dry food or cooked or steamed vegetables to add flavor.

Be very selective in the foods you purchase and read the labels closely. There are many organic and natural commercial dog foods that are good for your dog so do not just settle for the supermarket varieties. Look at the ingredients and make sure the healthy ingredients are listed first and the grains are listed near the end.
Need More Convincing?

Because the lower-end, less expensive commercially packaged dog foods are usually so laden with grains and other undesirable ingredients, your dog will have more frequent and larger stools. The bigger the stools, the fewer nutrients are being assimilated into your dog's body. All the junk in commercial dog food will eventually take its toll on your dog's body, leading to a decline in health. Your pet will also have more offensive body odor and doggy-breath when fed a lower-end commercially packaged dog food.

If you are planning to use the commercially packaged food method for feeding your dog, seriously consider using a higher-quality organic or natural dry dog food. The initial higher cost for the organic dog food will pay off. In the long run, you will pay far more in veterinary costs and experience more behavioral problems with your dog by feeding him/her a lower quality food just to save a few pennies. Your dog also requires less volume of the organic and natural dog foods because of the higher concentration of nutrients. If you start out with high-quality organic and natural dog food you will save money and have a healthier and happier dog.
Making the organic dog food choice for your pet could not be an easier decision.


About the Author
Dan is an Internet Marketer as well as a dog enthusiast. Dan has researched and identified multiple product/supplier sources that offer natural and organic alternatives for your pet's nutrition to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Additional product/supplier resources will continue to be added to his site as well as important and relevant articles - www.organic-dogfood.com - please check back often.