"Tell a friend" and so on and so on and so on.......

We all know someone that is disable or might have someone in our family that is disabled, all the way from being blind to having a learning disability.

Disabilities come in many fashions and affect people of all shapes and sizes. When walking down the street you might find yourself staring for a bit or maybe your child stops and looks for awhile, that is because we often don’t teach our kids about people who are disable and what it might be like for them. Its not necessarily a bad thing, its a human thing.

On August 22, 2009 a wonderful event is being held to that will benefit all to understand disabilities and what it is like to have a disability. A Touch of Understanding (ATOU) has a wonderful Youth Force that is having an event Paws with a Cause from 11-1pm at Mahany Park, 1545 Pleasant Grove Blvd in Roseville, Ca. This event will help raise money in the Youth Force’s mission to spread the word about disability awareness to all.

Admission to the Paws with a Cause event is free and there are a variety of things to do to help support this mission:

• Cake Walk
• Food and Drinks
• Face Painting
• A “working dog” demo
• Disc Dog Demonstration by Steve Teer & The Flyin' Irish - featured on Animal Planet and a Raffle!

A special Thank You to our very own Jennifer from Posh Puppy Boutique for donating to this wonderful time!

Grab a friend and head to the park for a day of fun~ if you can’t come, please consider donating to a great organization or Volunteer to help the Youth Force on their mission to spread the word about Disability Awareness.

Vaccinate your animals, a decision you won't regret

In Pontiac, Michigan breaking news today was regarding the outbreak of Parvo (parvovirus) in dogs and about how Parvo has taken the lives of hundreds of dogs this summer.

The Detroit Free Press reports that shelter workers in Detroit and Flint have also had outbreaks and it is the worst she has seen in years and even Houston, Texas is showing signs of the outbreak.

Parvo affects dogs by contact with feces (pet waste) from other contaminated dogs and most of the time die after several days after symptoms appear. Parvo is a viral disease and can be highly contagious and should be prevented by a regular vaccination by your vet. Puppies get Parvo more often than adult dogs and is carried by one dog to another. The vomit and feces of an infected animal can live outside the dog’s body for as long as 10 months. Some adult dogs can have this horrible disease and show no symptoms but be a carrier transmitting to other dogs and animals.

Families that are lower income are more susceptible to their pets having diseases because they tend to skip vaccinations and regular dog upkeep and care. There are many vaccination clinics and many of the pet stores in your area that run “specials” on vaccinations, so if you cannot afford your dog to have their shots, please visit one of these portable pet care events. Call your area’s animal shelter and find out what event's are going on in your area. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona offers vaccinations twice a week for $10.00.

Without treatment 80% of infected animals will die of Parvo.

Some symptoms of Parvo are below but if you want more information regarding Parvo please visit: http://dogparvosymptoms.net/

• Depression
• lethargy
• No eating
• Vomiting and diarrhea

Bottom line is ~ no one (even animals) should suffer especially if you can keep it from happening ~ Have your dog vaccinated, do the right thing :)

Good Hair isn't just for Humans anymore

Pet Head Dog Products has some great new items for your dogs grooming issues. Want to change your dog’s haircolor as you change yours? They have the neatest new things, hair dye for DOGS! The line of dog shampoos, dog sprays, dog detanglers and dog crème rinses are all made with specially formulated ingredients that smell great and keep their hair well taken care of. They are PH adjusted and free of Parabens, petroleum derivatives, propylene glycol, sulfate and DEA.

The Pet Head Dry Clean Waterless Spray Dog Shampoo is great and I recommend using it on the dog that hates to get a bath or even between baths! I like to use it after they have ran in the park and kinda have that smell of a kid that has been playing outside for hours! Love that Blueberry Muffin smell!

Even if you don’t color your dog’s hair, or add a touch of sparkle, on a rainy day this summer, why not let the kids color their canine’s hair? I mean, how much fun would that to add a little touch of color to your dog’s head?

I love all the Pet Head products and who cares if you spend a bit more, why not?

I believe my little ones are worth it and we have fun doing it! Check out Pet Head's precious dog toys too! Great company and great prices!

Life Vest for Dogs, so many uses

Doing my normal internet surfing for dog clothing and accessorories, I stumbled across a pretty cool idea to keep your doggies safe while they are frolicking in the water, LIFE JACKETS FOR DOGS!

I am amazed, I had no idea that not all dogs can swim, so having a floation device on your dog would ease your mind. The life jacket also provides an effective way to rehabilitate dogs with leg injuries. Sometimes after surgeries, dogs are immobilized and this makes many of our furry friends unhappy. But with one of these lifejackets our dogs can take of excess strain and rehabilitate effectively by swimming rather than going for a run. Not all dogs take to them right off, I understand that in time, they adjust just fine. Not sure if your dog is anything like mine, but my playful doggy loves to jump in the pool and swim with our family during the summer. We love having him in, but have always worried about how long he can swim safely. You know, they swim out and then they look a little tired so you try and lead them back to the edge or step of the pool.

These canine life vests come in many different sizes, different prices, different colors and by different brands. I found great ones which I am excited to share with you today. Some of these are large size dog life vests others smaller sized floation support for your petite pooch. . Now your pup can play with the family and be just as safe as your toddler who should be wearing water wings ;).There is more than just safety when swimming with family. We go out on our boat pretty frequently and in case our pup slips off the edge or decides to take a dive, we know that he will be taken care of with one of these safe yet fashionable life saving dog vests.

What a great idea to take care of our dogs during these summer months. What pup wants to stay at home while the family is outside enjoying their summer? I can’t wait to see these on the lake this summer!

Here are a few dog water safety tips for your little one: You can get additonal tips at: http://www.akc.org/public_education/summer_safety.cfm

~Test your dog, see if he can swim. If not, don’t force him in the water, especially puppies.

~Do not let your dog drink pool, lake or saltwater. It can make him sick.

~Watch for algae scum in any body of water as it can be toxic for dogs.

~Know Dog CPR

~Be careful of unfamiliar lakes or parts of the beach. Strong currents can pull the dog right under.

~Limit your dog’s time in the water. They get very tired too and older dogs will poop out much faster.

~Dogs can get sunburned too, apply dog sunscreen to their ears and their noses.

~Keep your dog hydrated

~Hot sand or a hot boat dock or deck can burn your dog’s paws. Try putting your pooch in these great dog sandals to protect them!

Keep your family safe this summer and ENJOY!