eat. play. love.
My name is Dr. V. Actually, it’s Jessica, followed by a long last name that no one can ever pronounce correctly, so I think it’s best that we just do what everyone at my work does and call me Dr. V. You can call me Jessica if you insist, but don’t expect me to answer any questions about your dog if you do. READ MORE >>
You heard me.
I totally want a chicken.
I blame Dr. Crosby over at AboutVetMed for putting the idea in my head in the first place- I had said something to the effect of, “I don’t do birds,” and she said, “But what about chickens?” and I had to admit I had never really given the idea much thought because as she correctly surmised, by “birds” I meant “parrots and cockatiels.”
Using random.org, I came up with a number and here you go: Congratulations to Lindsay and her stinky pup Toby!
This sounds perfect for my dog Toby. His breath STINKS. I got his teeth cleaned and it still smells.
Lindsay, if you can send me a line through my contact info we’ll get that out to you!
People ask me on a regular basis what kind of toy they should give their dog to chew on. We go through the usual: Bully sticks, rawhides, Greenies, Kongs (each with distinct advantages and disadvantages.) We eliminate the problem items I never recommend: pigs ears, cow hooves, dried femur bones. For the most part, we can find something that most dogs can use.
Sticks, by the way? I don’t recommend them. (My husband took this picture when I wasn’t around.)
About once a week, an owner asks about their Super Duper Nutty Chewer. The kind who eats a bully stick in 10 minutes. The kind who demolishes the heavy duty Black Kongs. And to those owners, I say: Good Luck.
There are Blue Kongs- they’re like the secret menu item at In N Out, hardly anyone knows about them. Did you? They’re a little harder to find (some vets carry them.) They are even stronger than Black Kongs, and impregnated with barium so if Cujo manages to rip some off, you can at least see where it wound up.
I haven’t found someone who’s used one yet, though, so please let me know if you have any thoughts on them. Or if you have an insane hardcore chewer and have some other idea, let me know. I’d like to have more constructive advice for these owners than “hide your shoes and pray for the best.”
Happy Monday, all! This Pet Doctor Barbie post was probably the most labor intensive to date, but it was a labor of love. I hope you like it. 
Hi everyone. Thanks so much for coming to Pet Loss Anonymous.
My son, like all 3 year olds, is a bit of a drama queen. A bump on the noggin is a traumatic head injury. A bruise requires a band-aid, ice, and a popsicle. And on a daily basis, he is mauled, devoured, and eviscerated by the dog.
“AUUGGGHHH!” he will scream, an ear-splitting curdle that ricochets around the surrounding hills. “BRODEEEEE’S BIIITING MEEEEEEEEEEEE!” Invariably, this involves Brody doing a little bit of the harmless but annoying mouthing that puppies do when they are still learning to behave. I’ve seen him play with the other pups in doggie daycare, and they are ROWDY. He routinely comes home exhausted and soaked in dog saliva. Brody very consciously moderates himself with the kids.
After the first 20 or 30 breathless sprints to the scene of the crime, I’ve become a little more laid-back about my son’s reported incidents. Don’t get me wrong, I still monitor them and intervene when needed, but I’m no longer hovering 18 inches away the way I have been the last 6 months. And based on the behavior I’ve observed, I’m quite sure Brody is not always the instigator.
Tracie hotchner giving fantastic advice on book publishing! #blogpaws
