So here are two BIG Super Bowl ads you simply cannot miss this Sunday as they have our four-legged friends as the main attraction…

Funny Super Bowl ads from years passed featuring dogs and cats (or other animals as the main performers) have always been big hits! The past performers have always big big passed performers!!

So you must check out the just-released video link to the highly anticipated follow-up to the Darth Vader VW commercial:

“The Dog Strikes Back” (had tears of laughter from this one – first part is WAY funnier than second part)

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VW Super Bowl Dog Ad [Image Courtesy DesignYouTrust.com

According to Todd Wasserman’s post on Mashable Business, where I got it: “A chubby dog gets in shape to chase a Beetle in Volkswagen’s long-awaited sequel to its “The Force” Super Bowl ad from last year.

“And don’t worry, there’s a shout out to Star Wars as well.”

Is He a Bit Chubby? YES. Adorable? YES. Wanna Take Him Home? YES. Hilarious? YES!

Keep in mind, the #1 Most Shared Super Bowl Ad this year is “The Barkside:” VW’s 2011 Tribute: “The sequel to the most-shared ad of last year’s Super Bowl, and of all of 2011 for that matter, is leading the pack this year. Volkswagen released this video last week showing dogs barking to the tune of Star Wars’ “The Imperial March.” So does that mean there will be dogs in this year’s ad? More Star Wars? We’ll know soon enough,” Wasserman said on Mashable.

——- ***** ——-

♦ ♦ ◊ ◊ Now there is also THIS hilarious (and SUPER-CUTE!) one to watch out for – from the animal-loving ‘wilderness’ car company, Suzuki ◊ ◊ ♦ ♦

For the second year, Suzuki is throwing its ad/marketing hat into the ring during the Super Bowl with “Sled.”

The stars of Suzuki’s commercial (in addition to its Kizashi sports sedan, of course) this year, however, are of the four-legged variety Our favorite kind ∞

The sled dog team featured in “Sled” are actual snow dogs that Suzuki found at a touring company in Alberta, Canada, near where the ad was shot. The actor dogs were coordinated/handled by Flo Krisko, one of the most respected animal coordinators and trainers in the Motion Picture Association of America. All dogs were securely harnessed in while in the vehicle and a representative from the American Humane Association’s Film and Television Unit attended the “Sled” shoot.

“Sled“

2012 Super Bowl Spot Suzuki Dogs

American Suzuki Motor Corp. today premiered the final version of its 2012 Super Bowl commercial – entitled “Sled” – on its Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SuzukiAuto) and YouTube pages. After previewing its big game ad last week, Suzuki upgraded the music in its television spot with a music track by well-known rapper 50 Cent. The artist’s song “Movin On Up” is fitting for Suzuki’s “Sled” advertisement, which illustrates the exhilaration one can receive from upgrading their ordinary daily driver with a more entertaining mode of transportation. In the ad, an Eskimo trades in his dog-powered snow sled for an all-wheel-drive 2012 Kizashi sport sedan. 

Developed by El Segundo, Calif.-based advertising agency Siltanen & Partners Advertising, Suzuki’s “Sled” television spot is set in an isolated mountain location. “Sled” opens with an early morning scene where an Eskimo and his dogsled team ride off into the horizon. As the landscape changes from morning to evening, the quiet still of the frozen tundra gives way to vibrations and a hint of something new in the distance. A Kizashi – accompanied by 50 Cent’s “Movin On Up” – comes driving into view with one of the Huskies’ heads sticking out of the front passenger window enjoying its owner’s new mode of transport. The spot then cuts to the interior of the vehicle, revealing the other sled dogs buckled into the back seat and the Eskimo behind the wheel of the Kizashi – all of whom are digging the lavish accommodations and warm interior of the car, while bumping their heads and tapping their paws to the song’s beat. The Eskimo pulls up to his igloo and his wife comes out to greet him. With a puzzled look on her face, and in her native Inuit tongue, she asks, “Where’s the sled?” The man replies, “I traded it in,” (the conversation is subtitled in English).

A Suzuki Super Bowl Pup Enjoying a Pooch Pastime!

Suzuki’s 2012 Super Bowl spot will air both in 60-second and 30-second formats in the company’s top retail locations across the U.S. “Sled” will continue to run following the Super Bowl in conjunction with a new Suzuki advertising campaign scheduled to debut in March.

In addition, starting on Super Bowl Sunday, Suzuki will give away BARKCODE® tags to the first 1,000 consumers to register on www.KizashiKicks.com/sled.

Each personalized pet identification tag has a scannable 2D code, making it easy for pet owners to be reunited with their four-legged friends when they are lost or even misplaced during a natural disaster.

COOLEST PART????

— With each tag that is ordered through the Kizashi Kicks website, BARKCODE®, on behalf of Suzuki, will donate $3 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief and preparation to help people and pets!!!!

* For additional information on BARKCODE®, please visit www.barkcode.com/.

** A PUPDATE with more previously unseen commercials with pets on the way tomorrow **

During their busy days at dog parks or while playing, in between meal times and while dozing off, bantering with neighborhood dogs or playing with siblings, a pets’ schedule can get messy! Whether Fido is exploring a new trail or rolling around in the new muck in the backyard from the last rain, there are all sorts of things our dogs AND cats get into every day that we don’t know about.

It’s for your sake just as much as theirs that hygiene be a #1 priority.

Groomed fur, healthy skin, shiny clean teeth and everything else comes only with dedication to care and decent management of pet hygiene – and this will ensure your pet is not only clean but also happy!

1. One of the major concerns for dog owners is to maintain their fur, so it looks clean, colorful, of the right depth and shape, as well as healthy overall. Obviously fleas can cause much irritation for your dog, spreading through their fur, living and breeding on their skin and biting them. However, the damage done can not only be cured but also prevented for the future. Clean fur can ensure that your pets remain free of fleas… Products for grooming and maintaining your dog’s fur include Furminator, which reduces shedding and the time spent on washing your dog.

2. The external threat of fleas is unfortunately matched by the internal threat of worms. These foul and powerful parasites, also a danger to cats, can make your beloved baby severely sickly seriously speedily. These maddening pests can be dealt with effectively with treatment: look to great websites like Milbemax, which can provide information on the symptoms you need to look for and the proper steps to take to de-worm your cat or dog.

3. It’s much much easier to spot external problems than it is internal, any pet owner knows that. Taking extra precautions could make a massive difference to your dog or cat’s (or any other pet’s) health. One such precaution to be taken is providing pet supplements, reassuring you that they are functioning healthy on the inside. Cosequin, for example, helps improve your pet’s joints, making them stronger, more effective and lasting. (See a post about Sasha’s new Cosequin for cats supplement diet here.)

4. Of course, taking pet hygiene maintenance down to the bare minimum involves a bathtub and trying to avoid your dog making a complete mess! But try to give regular baths as much as you can while keeping yourself sane. And trust me – it gets easier for both parties as time goes by and with each and every bathtime.

The fun of having a pet comes with great responsibility for you to make sure your dog, cat, horse or hamster is healthy, clean and above all happy.

So try to keep on top of at least these pet care hygienic needs, and you’re off to a great start!

For people who don’t own dogs, the amount of money spent on feeding man’s best friend may seem extravagant. Looking at the ingredients of a premium bag of food oftentimes can make the kibble sound tastier than most human meals, after all!

However, the reasons behind “super pet foods” may surprise those non-pet owners.

Food is NOT meant to be a special treat, nor is it supposed to be a way to spoil the family pooch…

The nutritional diet of a domesticated dog, however, is one of the most important aspects of pet care for any pet owner. Dogs need consistency in the food that they are given and they willtake time to adjust to new diets. So

Royal Canin Helathy Dogs (from website)

continuously altering a dog’s diet is not good for their health but this doesn’t mean that dog owners should not change the food that they are buying and stick with the same brand or products. There is a large selection of different brands, products and ingredients to feed your dog and choosing the right one is essential.

One way to choose the right food is to go by your dog’s breed. For example, Royal Canin Dog Food brand offers a specially developed breed-specific range of foods that take into account common health problems associated with each breed as well as the way your dog use his mouth to eat his kibble! How neat is that? As with most premium brands, they also provide food for pregnant or lactating female dogs of varying breeds and sizes so that both mother and puppy get the nutrients they need.

On another hand, you may be worried about your dog being susceptible to certain allergies like wheat or gluten. Eukanuba Dog Food uses potato and fish as opposed to grains and beef or pork to prevent inflammatory skin conditions from occurring.

James Wellbeloved also produces hypo-allergenic dog food, including James Wellbeloved Puppy Food to make sure your dog gets accustomed to these types of foods from an early age.

Ultimately, there are many benefits to purchasing premium pet food that can be used to combat a variety of health problems – from maintaining a robust digestive system to developing strong muscles and joint flexibility. A simple change in a dog’s diet means fewer trips to the vet and a longer, happier life for Fido.

Current law defines a “vicious dog” as one that, without provocation, has seriously injured a person, has killed another dog, or is of the general breed known as “pit bull.” Among numerous other changes, the bill drops the reference to “pit bull” from that definition.

BUT THE SENATE has PASSED SUB-HB 14 –THEY’VE LISTENED TO US!

They’ve honored constituent wishes and REMOVED PIT BULLS from the VICIOUS DOG LAW!

Watch for yourself near the 45-minute mark here (!):

Courtesy Best Friends Animal Society: a Happy Pittie, as it SHOULD BE

The measure notes that the label doesn’t include a police dog that has injured a person or has killed another dog while assisting law enforcement officials.

Hooray for puppy love this Valentine’s Day!

We will be having a small (for ThoughtsFurPaws) contest for the hub-a-bub heart-happy holiday; it’s being generously sponsored by the following brands: Stella and Chewy’s®, Spring Naturals™ and Lickety Stik® by PetSafe®!

This Contest Is Nothin' to Snooze About; a Previous Entrant Can Tell You!

Did you know that, according to Business Wire, pet parents are so so enamored with their special furry someones – that as many as 64% of Americans pet owners will spoil their pet with a special gift this love season? They spend as much as $15 billion dollars collectively to celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Well ThoughtsFurPaws and the aforementioned companies are happy to announce the Valentine’s Contest for Pooches for 2012!

Love to shower your pet with kisses? Then you’ll love Stella & Chewy’s® Carnivore Kisses™ Treats! These freeze-dried treats are made with only natural, premium raw meat and will perfectly compliment your pet’s diet. Every recipe is made without grains, glutens, fillers, added hormones or antibiotics, artificial preservatives and colorings. Carnivore Kisses are 100% nutritious and delicious and are available in 100% Angus Beef, 100% Chicken, 100% Duck and 100% Wild Alaskan Salmon.

Spring Naturals™ is a fresh new line of natural dinners and treats designed to nurture the health and well-being of dogs of all ages and breeds. The family of no-compromise recipes is made with real meats, whole vegetables, whole fruits and whole grains – meat, poultry or fish is always the first ingredient. Then whole chickpeas, green peas and eggs are added to offer pets a unique blend of high-quality proteins. And since these products do not contain meat, poultry or fish meals of any kind, they can be formulated without high-glycemic ingredients like corn, wheat, soy, potato starch or rice. Recently recognized by Pet Business in their 2011 Industry Recognition Awards, Spring Naturals was chosen as the year’s top pet food. Available in Whole Grain and Grain Free varieties (Organic line will arrive this March), Spring Naturals dinners and treats are made by a family-owned company in the USA.

For the pooch with model behavior here is a treat as lovely as he is. Lickety Stik® by PetSafe® is a new and innovative liquid treat for dogs that provides a healthy, all-natural snack while on-the-go. Designed with pet parents’ convenience in mind, Lickety Stik® is easy to throw into a purse or keep in your back pocket when heading out to the park or when packing for a road trip. Most importantly, dogs can’t get enough of this treat! With only 1 calorie in every 10 licks, this is a treat both consumers and their pets can feel good about. Lickety Stik® is available in three irresistible flavors – Savory Chicken, Braised Liver or Smoky Bacon. No matter your Valentine’s Day plans, Lickety Stik® is easy to pack, easy to treat and easy to fall in love with.

*** You can enter the contest by sending me a photo of your cute puppy or dog – he doesn’t have to be dressed up or doing anything silly – just send me your fave dog photo and tell me why it’s your fave and a little background behind the taking of the picture.***

 ♥ ♥ Email them to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com; please put “Valentine’s Day Contest” in the Subject Line. ♥ ♥

This is your weekly PUPDATE on the Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge for Henry and Franklin, the famous Lakewood Basset Hounds!

Sorry the pupdate is late but Mom was out of town!

Peanu "Undercover Brother" after a LONG dog park night!

See our previous Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge posts here!

We cannot believe the FOURTH WEEK changes we are seeing on our Basset Hounds, which are known for being inherently ornery, bossy, lazy and driven by their noses…

They have lost or gained weight where necessary; they actually enjoy their mealtimes now, and they have benefited in other ways individually in totally unexplainable ways.

So due to serious time restraints, here is the Q/A we were sent:

What physical changes are you noticing the most?

Activity level for sure – they are up and ready in the morning and evening after dinner to go to Lakewood Dog Park (which is having a Super Bowl Fundraiser Dog Pawty) and cause a ruckus! Franklin just will not be quiet or calm down until we go to the park or for a long walk; it’s so obvious that he feels younger. It’s difficult to explain when you aren’t seeing it first-hand, which is why I am going to tell anyone reading this to try the Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge next time it’s offered!

We’re also noticing that they aren’t shedding as much, but when they do, we notice it’s silky fur and easy to brush right off… Their coats are so shiny now that our friend at Lakewood Dog Park asked what kind of shampoo we use! We I shocked him when we said it’s not the shampoo, it’s the food!

Is your dog still enthusiastic about the food?

Oh yeah: they enjoy every bit of kibble.

Henry has actually slowed down so he tastes and enjoys the kibble – he doesn’t just inhale it! This is what we WANTED!

Have you seen any changes in your dog’s weight (maintained weight, shed a few pounds)?

♥ Henry has lost three pounds total — perfect! Franklin has gained four – PERFECT ♥

What has surprised you the most about your dog on Eukanuba?

We had never expected THAT ONE FOOD CAN DO SO SO MUCH for our dogs. What really has surprised us the most is their personalities — they are seriously – HAPPIER DOGS overall — due to this food.

And we think it’s because Henry and Franklin’s senior and joint issues, respectively, have changed.

So thank you Eukanuba and we will be back in a few days with the wrap-up!

OHIO READERS: this is an interesting, fun, sociable way to drive food donations to a shelter and to help local animals! Let’s all come together at Lakewood Dog Park on Super Bowl Sunday (you don’t have to miss the game – just take a half-hour break to come on over…!)

As part of an outreach mission for 2012, Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park, Inc. 501(3)(c) is hosting a pet food donation drive to benefit another dog-loving Lakewood organization, My Best Friend’s Bowl (MBFB).

And what better time to do it than Super Bowl Sunday!

MBFB is part of the PAWS OH Feed the Pets Program.

Simply stop by the Lakewood Dog Park February 5, 2012 from 10:00am to 1:30pm with a donation of dog or cat food. We have a super goal of stuffing a Subaru full of food to fill hundreds of pet bowls.

Representing the event sponsor, Ganley Westside Subaru, Laurie Sekeres, will be on hand showing off a “Dog Tested, Dog Approved” Subaru, with a tailgate wide open and ready for pet food donations. Dry or canned, big bags or small, all will be greatly appreciated. Gift cards to any local pet supply store will be used to purchase food when needed. One gallon zip-lock bags are needed to break down larger bags to smaller.

And because it’s Super Bowl Sunday, we want a win-win situation! Not only will all the pet food collected be donated to My Best Friend’s Bowl, but for every new or pre-owned vehicle purchased from Laurie at Ganley Westside Subaru during the month of February, $100 will be donated to Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park, Inc. 501(3)(c). Half of all Subaru owners own a dog, so we know we’ll see a lot of canine pet parents.

The organization really scored a touchdown with support for the event from the Cleveland Browns. So, be sure to stop by with your pet food donation and see what surprises we have.

Here is why it’s so important to help:

“It is heart breaking for a pet owner to have to surrender a beloved animal because of their economic situation. My Best Friend’s Bowl is dedicated to providing a temporary supply of food to the people in our community and their pets through Lakewood Community Services serving clients from Lakewood, Rocky River and Westlake. It is our goal to keep pets and their owners together and make sure every bowl is full. 25-30 lbs of dry dog food would feed an average dog for a month. 3-4 lbs of dry cat food will feed an average cat for a month.”

◊ ◊ Remember, if you’re not a member of Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park, Inc., you can join the team on February 5th from 10:00am to 1:30pm. The annual fee, ONLY $10. ◊ ◊

*** For more information visit: www.LakewoodDogPark.org or www.mybestfriendsbowllakewood.com ***

The ThoughtsFurPaws admins encourage you all to LIKE both organizations on Facebook. Contact Laurie Sekeres at Ganley Westside Subaru, 25730 Lorain Rd., North Olmstead, Ohio 44070 or Call: 216-513-9565 with questions/inquiries.

And thanks to the Cleveland Browns! Woof! Woof!

DON’T FORGET: Go to the Lakewood Dog Park, 1699 Metropark Drive, Lakewood, Ohio 44107 off Detroit just over the Rocky River Bridge and past of the Emerald Necklace Marina in the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks.

  Ark Naturals Suggests Pet Owners Consider Natural Botanical Alternative to Chemical Pesticides to Control Fleas & Ticks

My friend sent this to me to post – I thought I would give it a good old college-try argument on ThoughtsFurPaws as there are clearly two sides here… she would like to – as I would – undercover an oft-misunderstood myth… and also remind you guys that pets need winter protection from fleas and ticks.

But there’s a right and wrong way to do so — and to advertise your new product…

What do you think?

“Today I walked barefoot in 20 degree temperatures on a sidewalk with laden with residue from this weekend’s first official winter storm in the northeast. Returning home, I didn’t wipe my feet off but proceeded to jump on your bed and walk around the house. I watched as my roommate put a pair of rubber gloves on her hands. Gasp, I shuddered to myself, why the gloves? She put a funny smelling solution in between my shoulders and said it would help protect me against pests. She said the package of mystery liquid told her avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing and wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling.”

Think about it: Our dogs spend their time walking where we take them, eating what we feed them, and hoping that fleas and ticks take the winter months off (they don’t). With paw to pen, Fido would indeed scrawl that across the family memo board…

Contrary to popular belief, fleas and ticks don’t take the winter months off. Fleas and ticks are a way of life for dogs and cats but controlling them is a matter of choice.

Anyhow, a new report suggests that pet owners might consider a natural botanical alternative to chemical pesticides to control fleas and ticks.

A December, 2011 press release issued by the law firm Green & Associates announced that class-action lawsuits against makers of pesticide-based “spot-on” (aka topical) flea and tick products has prompted Ark Naturals CEO Susan Weiss to recommend that pet owners use a natural botanical alternative to effectively control fleas and ticks. (Just Google “lawsuits against flea and tick products” and you’ll see at least five different brands facing lawsuits, some include Sanofi-Aventis, Bayer, Merial and Sergeant’s.)

“The Green Associates’ press release was alarming and frightening at the same time,” said Ms. Weiss, whose Ark Naturals company has been marketing natural pet products for 16 years, including Flea Flicker! Tick Kicker!, a formula developed recently as a natural, botanical alternative to chemical pesticides in controlling fleas and ticks.

Fleas and ticks are a way of life for dogs and cats but controlling them is a matter of choice, and the “pesticide solution” – their words, not mine, “seems to be wrought with serious problems,” Ms. Weiss noted in the release.

Reports of dangerous side effects associated with spot-on flea and tick products date back far; the Natural Resources Defense Council released a report in 2000 called “Poisons on Pets: Health Hazards from Flea and Tick Products.”

The report revealed a link between chemicals commonly used in flea and tick products and serious health problems in both people and pets.

More recently, a 2008 study by The Center for Public Integrity reported at least 1,600 pet deaths (about one pet a day) related to spot-on treatments with pyrethroids to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over a five-year period, according to an analysis of EPA pesticide incident exposure data by the center. The report continued, saying pyrethroid-based flea and tick treatments — from Hartz, Sergeant’s, Farnam, and Bayer — are approved for sale by the EPA, and they are readily available at grocery stores, specialty pet retailers, and hardware stores. But they “have stirred the ire of pet owners…”

Moreover, the Center reported that pyrethroid spot-ons also account “for more than half of ‘major’ pesticide pet reactions reported to EPA over the last five years—that is, those incidents involving serious medical reactions such as brain damage, heart attacks, and violent seizures. In contrast, non-pyrethroid spot on treatments accounted for only about six percent of all major incidents.”

Ms. Weiss said that New Jersey class-action suits claim the EPA has done nothing to change the advertising, marketing or labeling of pesticide-based flea and tick products to alert pet-owners of the possible serious side-effects, which could include shivering, salivating, dilated pupils, vomiting, tremors and skin irritation.

The release goes on to say:  “Nancy Scanlan, DVM, Executive Director of theAmerican Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and past president of theVeterinary Botanical Medical Association, said she has long been aware of theproblems associated with the chemical and pesticide-based flea and tickproducts. “I prefer natural botanicals over pesticidesfor treating fleas and ticks and there are a number of good natural productsthat work without harsh side effects,” said Dr. Scanlan. “Herbal flea and tickproducts tend to be safer than pharmaceutical or pesticide flea and tickproducts, but all products that are formulated to rid pets of fleas and tickspose some percentage of risk.”

As a way of doing business Ark Naturalsprovides a full disclosure of its Flea Flicker! Tick Kicker! product and is oneof the few, if not the only company, that includes a “cautionary statement” onits website www.arknaturals.com.

Is this just a nice way of this CEO saying that she believes the lawsuits have done nothing – a safe way of her putting her opinion out there…? What do you think?

Now, I am going to take a second to tell you why I believe the EPA has “done nothing…”

As far as my research would take me, this is what I found:

As an honest media representative/blogger/writer/product reviewer, I am noting that in a 2009 report, the EPA, according to a Channel 5 News Report in Cleveland, blamed the vast majority of these unlikely incidents on misuse of the product – i.e., people putting on too much in one spot, the product dripping into an animal’s eyes/ears/mouth – which is specifically mentioned as a hazard on labels, plus, not letting the product set in or not rubbing it in thoroughly as advised on label, etc.

This means human/operator error — not product error.

Ark Naturals’ “natural botanical Flea Flicker! Tick Kicker! is labeled as GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) by the EPA and FDA.

Generally?

Is that supposed to make us feel better about it???

It doesn’t make me feel better…

Anyhow, apparently, all you do to use Ark Naturals is spray on a light application, massage it into the animal’s coat, and it starts working immediately. As a way of doing business, Ark Naturals provides a disclosure of its product and includes a “cautionary statement” on its website.

Currently, nine class-action lawsuits are pending against makers of topical flea & tick products in the wake of an EPA investigation into safety of the pesticides used on dogs & cats.

Hartz, for example, is one of the most well-respected pet product companies in the world; mud-slinging campaigns aplenty have been waged against them online over the years because of the lawsuit against them.

I talked with a representative today from Hartz; this is what they say: 

1. The Hartz Mountain Corporation believes that all pets deserve the best care possible; safety is our #1 priority.

2. We are confident in the quality of our topical flea and tick products, including Hartz® UltraGuard® and Hartz® InControl® brands for dogs and cats, all of which are held to the same safety and efficacy testing standards and labeling direction as all EPA-registered flea and tick products.

3. Because safety is our number-one priority, we undertake rigorous clinical tests on all our products. All EPA-approved topical flea and tick products sold through retail channels are held to the same safety and efficacy testing standards as those brands purchased from veterinarians. Labeling direction mandated by the EPA is also consistent for all flea and tick prevention products sold through retail channels or veterinarian offices.

4. We are confident in the quality and safety of our products, and will continue to work with the EPA on labeling and other matters to make sure our consumers better understand the proper use of these products and use them with confidence. Hartz agrees with the EPA on the importance of carefully following label directions when applying topical flea and tick control products to pets.

5. Hartz flea and tick drops accounted for only 4.6 percent of all adverse effects reported to the EPA in 2010 for topical dog and cat flea and tick treatments. In addition, from 2008 to 2010, Hartz reduced the amount of adverse effects reported per total Hartz doses sold by over 38 percent.

6. Per the EPA, most reported incidents were classified as minor, meaning effects were minimally bothersome and rapidly resolved.

My position on this?          

 (If you care or know the ThoughtsFurPaws writers… here it is…!)

*** Kudos to a company for hopping on the “natural” bandwagon and making a product like this. ***

*** However; don’t EVER use the misfortune of those people who have lost animals or had pet injuries (due to the other products) to announce/promote/sell your own product – that’s just wrong… and it’s a fear-based PR tactic. ***

It’s bad public perception and (PR) manners to blast (however imperceptible) another company to get YOURS ahead…

I believe:

So to all you pet owners who HAVE had a pet injured or lost due to flea/tick topical applications: I am SO sorry for your loss or strife.

I cannot take a side as I am a professional and FAIR journalist… I’m simply reporting the pet world news!

Dog parks have quickly gained popularity over the past few years.

In the beginning, the standard dog park might have consisted of an open field, a walking path, and a pool/lake/pond.

Oh, how things have changed…

Don’t be surprised to see a full blown swimming pond, jungle gyms, and even doggy showers nowadays!

Dog parks should be places where dogs can run wild, get dirty, and make new friends. However, you might find some cause for concern—not with the elaborate play structures, but with the dogs themselves.

Bad things can happen in parks crowded with potentially dangerous dogs.

That being said — when you take appropriate safety measures, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

Take note of the following tips:

1. Supervise Their Playtime  

Watch your dog closely when they’re at play. You should always be able to spot your dog. Accidents often happen with your back turned. Feel free to socialize with other dog owners—just be mindful of your dog’s location in the park.

2. Interact With Your Dog

Play tends to be the best form of bonding time, so be part of the action. When you’re an active part of your dog’s life, both of you will benefit.

My sister Ash with a Foster Basset at a Dog Park/Event...

3. Stick to Weight Classes

Put simply, Great Danes shouldn’t play with Chihuahuas unless they have the same owner. Many dog parks have designated areas for different sized dogs. Use your best judgment if your dog could be in danger.

4. Leave Your Puppy at Home

This is one point that I may disagree with the author on…

According to him, puppies often have a difficult time acclimating to new situations – which is true. They’re also vulnerable to attack and to disease – also true. But when properly vaccinated and vetted, they are just fine and need stimulation, outside play, and to meet other dogs to become properly socialized. The author, however, recommends playing it safe and having your puppy “socialize in more controlled settings until they reach six months of age.”

5. Watch for Signs of Stress

If your dog appears stressed, you may want to throw a leash on them and call it a day. Excessive panting, barking, and shaking are all sure signs of stress.

Pet Dog Trainers also says to watch for these signs:

Signs of Anxiety/Stress to Monitor:

• Fast wagging low tail
• Whining or whimpering
• Ears may be back
• Hiding behind objects or people

Signs of Fear:

• Dog will try to look small
• Tail tucked
• Hunched over, head down
• Tense
• May urinate submissively

Red Flags that Require Intervention:

• Excessive mounting
• Pinning (holding another dog down and standing stiffly over them)
• Shadowing another dog (following) incessantly
• Bullying: repeatedly bothering another dog that does not want to interact
• Fast non-stop running with a group – high arousal situation
• Full-speed body slams
• Putting head repeatedly onto another dog’s neck or back
• Staring with a fixed gaze directly at another dog
• Snarling or raised lips
• Showing teeth
• Hackles up at the shoulders

* The (intro and first five) points of this blog post were provided by HowToPayMyVet.com, a website dedicated to vet bill assistance. Whether you need help with vet bills for a dog, cat, or other pet, howtopaymyvet.com can provide the assistance you need to pay your bills on time. *

So the Basset Hounds (aka, the “Bass-sais,” or “Bass – saze,” like they’re French or something, lol), have shown amazing improvement in so many areas

since they started Eukanuba’s 28-Day Challenge just a bit over 3 weeks ago…

(First post here, second post with updates here…)

*** Certain areas of progress are uncanny in a fantastic way, absolutely remarkable.***

So I put together answers to some Q’s that were asked for you all to peruse so you could read about what we’re seeing first-hand over here….

1. YES – we are noticing major physical changes to the dogs… AND improved muscle tone!

Oh my gosh – Henry lost two pounds and Franklin gained 1.8– which is EXACTLY what needed to happen (according to the vet’s weight the last time they went in for a check-up (early December))!! Hoorah!

Peanut after one of his newfound LONG walks on Eukanuba!

Franklin’s muscles are actually showing more now; before this he was a bit weak – mostly from the puppy mill background and from him spending 4.5 years crouching, sitting, stooping and not moving EVER inside an Amish Puppy Mill cage. Even though it’s been almost exactly three years since he’s been saved and we’ve worked with him regularly by walking, exercising and playing with him, it’s very difficult to develop muscle tissue in his damaged hind legs correctly because his joints have permanent damage and he suffered stunted growth.

This Eukanuba Healthy Joints Formula has so many healthy supplements in such great levels. We think the animal-based proteins are seriously contributing to the muscle build-up, particularly in Frank’s back legs, because in order to build muscle you need to have healthy joints first, right? (That’s what we read anyways….)

2. The dogs are both more active and have NOTICEABLE added energy on runs/walks…

They are both more active THEN EVER – I mean, Henry is back to being a lean Basset machine on a leash… He leads the brigade, pulling and yanking and squawking (he always has felt the need to announce his presence) while we walk down the street; Franklin is RIGHT on his tail… He was, for a while there, lollygagging quite a bit. Sometimes Frank-N-Beans would even sit and stop (literally) on the sidewalk… For a while he didn’t know what a walk was, and then, oftentimes, once he knew, he didn’t want to go… then we realized he needed a harness as he despises the control and discomfort (and probably painful memories of) neck-leashes…

Anyhow, when he held up the group (there were 2 foster Bassets and 2 permanent at that time, so we walked them in twos, sometimes threes depending on who had extra calories to burn or poops to take) Henry would shoot  Franklin dirty glares if he held up the brigade by stopping (SO funny…)!

Not anymore…. These two are rearing to go at least twice a day now, and they are wrestling around with each other in the house all the time!! It’s like they’re little balls of entropy like a couple of new kittens or something!

In general, too, though, they are both more active.

Frank resting up with Grace after an energetic long walk on Eukanuba!

They are playing with each other more and Henry has taken up playing with toys like a sassy-pants again instead of tiring out after 3 minutes.

3. They both have had significant changes in appearance: 

Coat, eyes, ears and teeth are much shinier and cleaner, respectively, since starting and always eating Eukanuba. (Check out the pix of Henry’s clean ears to the right…!)

We have really noticed their teeth being cleaner, too, and it also seems their breath isn’t as bad for some odd reason.

Perhaps the best part of all of this testing, no matter how odd this seems, is that Henry HAS SOLID POOP EVERY DAY consistently.

And Frank has a consistent timing/pattern or pooping now. IT’S AMAZING!

♥ ♥ So stay tuned for the final (fourth) week next week of the Eukanuba 28-Day Challenge! We can’t wait to see the final, final results and share them ♥ ♥