we're still here :)

The move to Nakusp went swimmingly.  I have been looking for permanent accomodations but in the meantime are staying with our friends at Pikkinokka.

Both Rhys and Bhindi are in heat, so Topaz is being separated from them to make sure nothing happens by accident.

Mercedes has yet to go into heat, we are expecting this sometime by mid-July if Mother Nature will cooperate, but are picking her up next weekend at the Vernon dog show so we have her well in advance.

We are interviewing families for the 4 remaining spots on our wait list and will make announcements as we have more families on board.

Even the 'good' kibbles have a price. A sellout price, that is.

 

Used to be there was a division between grocery store kibble and vet kibble.  You fed the vet brand if you could afford it and you wanted the best for your dog.  More holistic dry foods started to become readily available in the mid to late 90's, as there was a growing concern about the mass production of food then only known to few.

 

I remember the first time I went into a Mom-and-Pop pet supply store about 6 or 7 years ago.  A cat I had was sick and someone told me that raw food might help, so I sought it out.  I wasn't too impressed by the shop at the time (later I would work there... but I digress) as it was cluttered and disorganized, and the 'help' wasn't that helpful.  I tried the raw food, the cat wouldn't eat it, and I think I threw it out.

A few years passed, and I went into another independent pet store, and was surprised to see not only was the store organized, funky and inviting, but there weren't any ANIMALS for sale (there weren't any at the first one either, but I didn't even notice at the time.)  Not one glass case of puppies, not one dirty aquarium full of sick-looking goldfish or rickety cage with screaming budgies.  I was in love.  Having a raw dog at the time, I was interested in finding a dry food for her with similar health benefits, if such a thing was possible.

I think I bought some Evo, and Splash loved it. 

Although most of the time I am dedicated to raw food, there are still occasions where I am inclined to give them some dry food, if only for a 'treat'.  They do love it, as much as they love anything I put down for them.

What is happening in the globalization of human food is also happening in pet food.

Scary as it is, Natura Foods which make Evo, California Natural, and other reliable small-batch pet foods with health at the forefront is about to sell out to Proctor and Gamble, which currently manufactures Iams and Eukanuba.

Great article on the health risks of spaying and neutering

Please read the entire article here.

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Conventional wisdom says that altered pets are less likely to soil in the house, to roam and to fight. They won't get testicular, uterine or ovarian cancer or infections, and they'll have a greatly reduced chance of getting mammary cancer. It sounds so great it almost makes you want to rush right out and get spayed or neutered yourself.

Some of those things are true. You can't get cancer or an infection in an organ that you no longer possess, so it's accurate to say that your dog or cat won't get ovarian, uterine or testicular cancer or infections. And there is an increased incidence of mammary cancer in unspayed female dogs and a pretty high rate of uterine infection as well.

But there are also notable health risks associated with having your dogs and cats spayed or neutered.

These include an increased incidence of some cancers, including osteosarcoma, a painful and usually fatal bone cancer, in neutered male dogs.

Neutered males also have a greater chance of getting prostate cancer and transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Spayed females have a greater incidence of urinary incontinence. They may also have a higher risk of bladder infections.

Meanwhile, spayed female and neutered male dogs have a significantly greater incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries than intact dogs.

Recent research by Purdue University suggests that female dogs (and, interestingly, female humans) live longer if they keep their ovaries.

And yes, no matter what you've been told, study after study has shown that spayed and neutered dogs and cats weigh more when fed the same amount of calories as intact animals. The surgery won't "make" them fat, but by changing how their metabolism functions, the amount of food they can eat without gaining weight is reduced.

For most dogs and cats that's actually no big deal -- just feed them a little less, exercise them a little more, and they'll be fine. But how do you do that when you're having it beaten into your brain that spaying and neutering does not, cannot, will not make your dog or cat fat or have any other adverse effects?

But is any of that a valid reason for what I can only call the deliberate spreading of false and misleading information? Does it justify the anger and opposition that meets me and anyone else who openly discusses the medical risks to spaying and neutering?

Yes, I know there are millions of homeless pets in this country. And there are people out there who will seize on any excuse not to alter their pets. They're the ones who often let their animals, particularly cats, have unwanted litters.

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All dog owners should consider Vet Insurance

If you have an active dog, it is not a question of if your dog gets sick or hurt, it's when.  At about $20-$25/month, insurance covers accidents and illnesses which would otherwise cost you thousands of dollars.  A medical report is normally requested from the insurance company, and the younger you start on it, the cheaper your premiums will be throughout it's lifetime.

We have used the insurance for eye injuries, foot lacerations, foreign body ingestion, and bite injuries.  Friends have used their insurance for their dog getting hit by a car, breaking a leg due to being tripped over on the stairs, allergic reaction to bee stings, and major surgery after running into a broken branch and breaking ribs.  We are quite lucky that we haven't had any major illnesses but with such an active and busy breed, the injuries are almost guaranteed.

All Daintree puppies come with 6 weeks of complimentary pet insurance thanks to the CKC and PetSecure.  It is up to you to continue the coverage after the free period.

There are several providers of insurance in Canada, but in past research we have found President's Choice to be the most affordable while offering the most comprehensive coverage for what you pay for.

Just like with home or auto insurance, routine medical care is not covered- regular check ups and dental care are up to you to pay for.  The good news is, with minimal vaccinations and a raw diet, you will avoid a lot of the annual medical expenses that 'regular' dog care and food tend to cause.