Can pets make you happier?

Pets can be a lot of work, they also provide something important: happiness. The folks at How Stuff Works have provided us with a great article about the benefits of pet ownership. Preview the article below or read full story here.

Can pets make you happy?

BY: Jennifer Horton

Pets are a big responsibility. Not only do they demand regular meals and a steady supply of fresh water, but they have to be cleaned up after constantly, too. Depending on the species, they may also require frequent walks, a steady supply of mice or a daily changing of the newspaper at the bottom of their cages. Caring for a pet is like raising a child but without the eagerly awaited emancipation stage.


Yet despite the tedium, an astonishing number of furry, scaly or creepy crawly critters have managed to work their way into our homes. In the United States, 63 percent of households harbor at least one pet. That works out to approximately 71.1 million homes and an astonishing 382.2 million animals [source: American Pet Products Association]. They're not cheap, either: According to the American Pet Products Association, pet owners will spend upward of $45.4 billion on pet charges in 2009.

So what's the justification for this madness? With all the attention and money lavished on them, what do pets offer in return? Well, plenty, actually. Pets are a pretty wise investment. It appears that what pet owners sacrifice in terms of time and money, they get back in better health and increased happiness. Sure, you pet owners out there have known your pets make you happy all along. But now a growing body of research is here to back you up.

The pet Rx appears to work in a number of ways. For one thing, pet ownership tends to prompt people to adopt a multitude of healthy behaviors. Take a pet's need to be fed and taken outside every few hours, for instance. That responsibility gives pet owners purpose and makes them feel needed, improving their senses of self worth. It also forces them to get off the couch and go for a walk every now and then, boosting both health and happiness.

Read full article here.

Treat your pet like they are top dog!

At all of our location we treat your pet like they are top dog! Thanks to our friends at abc news you can read below about this years top dog taking home the bragging rights for the 138th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

"Meet America’s Top Dog, Sky the Wire Fox Terrier"

BY: Dan Good

Sky is America’s top dog.

The wire fox terrier won best in show at the 138th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Tuesday.

The 5-year-old female — whose full name is “GCh. AfterAll Painting the Sky” — beat a field that included a standard poodle, a Portuguese water dog and a bloodhound.

This was a record 14th time that a wire fox terrier has won at the nation’s top dog show.

“They were bred to look for trouble so they’re always on their toes out there,” Westminster Kennel Club Director of Communications and longtime WKC Dog Show TV co-host David Frei said of the terrier breed. “It’s their world and we’re just living in it and I think that gives them a little extra edge in the show ring.”

Read full article here.

Good Health in Cold Weather

It is vital to keep your pet active, but more importantly we need to take into consideration the steps to properly keep them in good health when the temperatures drop. This article from NPR provides some great tips as to how to do so. Read full article here or preview below. 

"Cold Weather Tips To Keep Your Pets In Good Health"

by SCOTT HENSLEY


Here I sit shivering, wishing I were a dog or cat to get through this cold snap.

A built-in fur coat, no commute and maybe some quality time by the fireplace. What could go wrong?

Quite a few things, it turns out.

The friendly animal lovers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine's Ryan Hospital report seeing a few wintery problems for pets in the ER over the last few days. Some you might not have expected.

"One thing that we saw this weekend was rabbits who were in a basement during the cold weather," Dr. Deborah C. Mandell tells Shots. The rabbits were sick with a life-threatening condition called gastrointestinal stasis. Their intestines stopped working. Exposure to cold can trigger the problem, says Mandell, an emergency and critical care vet. The rabbits did fine after they were gently warmed.

Read full article here. 

Remove the Mess

We all love dogs, but don't want remnants of their mess left behind. Thanks to the folks at Dogster we have a few homemade remedies that will not break the bank while keeping those nasty odors and stains away. Read here for full article or begin below.

"Six Homemade Remedies for Dog Stains and Odors"

BY: DOGSTER

If you're strapped for cash and can't pick up your favorite professional cleaning products, fret not. There are a multitude of stain and odor remedies you can make at home with ingredients you may already have.

There are many pluses to using homemade pet cleaning remedies. It is cost effective for one, simple to put together, and as environmentally and pet-friendly as one could want. For some jobs that require extra strength, you may want to use ingredients that are best kept away from your pets. But you'll also find many non-toxic homemade pet cleaning remedies.

There are a few downsides to using homemade pet cleaning remedies but they can be worked with. Homemade supplies do not usually pack the punch that those we find in stores do, whether toxic or non-toxic. This is because you would need a laboratory to mimic some of their ingredients. But what a homemade pet cleaning remedy lacks in strength, you can make up for with elbow grease. Another downside is that homemade remedies do not retain their cleaning power as long as commercial ones. This just means mixing more often and, if you keep the ingredients on hand, this is easy to do.

Read the rest of the article here.

A Doggy Dog Halloween

Lions, tigers, bears, oh my! Looking for a cute Halloween costume for your dog this year? Check out these 15 easy DIY ideas from the folks at Spoonful. Give it your own personal touch or follow the step by step tutorials.

Click here for some great ideas!

K-9 Resorts Featured in MiddletownPatch

K-9 Resorts was recently featured in the MiddletownPatch in an article titled "Luxury Hotel For Dogs To Open In Middletown."

The article details the planned opening of K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel in Middletown on Route 35 at Tindall Road on May 1^st. The article includes details about local owners Dan and Lisa Cody, who expect to hire 8 people and are passionate about the rapidly expanding franchise. The article notes the price range for services and also includes information about 5 other expected locations to open in New Jersey this year. Click here to view the full article.

"Luxury Hotel For Dogs To Open In Middletown."

By Christina Johnson

K-9 Resorts Daycare & Luxury Hotel is opening a new 5,300-square-foot luxury hotel for dogs in Middletown, at Route 35 at Tindall Road, where the Centrex Gym used to be. 

A construction crew is in the vacant site this week, framing out the trendy facility. K-9 Resorts plans to offer overnight accommodations for up to 160 dogs, and two doggie daycare areas for up to 80 dogs. A 3,000-square-foot fenced-in dog park in the back, with different areas for small and large dogs, is also in the plan. 

"There is not even any comparison around to what we're going to be able to offer," said franchise owner Dan Cody, who will run the business with his wife Lisa. "Kennels are usually cages. Our luxury suites are going to have beds, TV sets playing Animal Planet, or the Yankees, whatever dogs want to watch. They are going to have all the comforts of a high-end hotel," said Cody.

Click here to view full article

Best Pet Gifts

Are you still searching for that perfect gift for your pet or the pet lover in your life? Well luckily we've found some morning inspiration for you. We came across a list of fantastic doggy gifts for your furry little friends. So take a peak, and shower those beautiful pups with love, because we all know they deserve it. Click here to view the entire list.

Dog Gift Guide: Top Gifts for Dogs

By Jenna Stregowski

 

1. Dog Tornado by Nina Ottosson

Photo courtesy of PriceGrabber

Innovative and unique, the Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado is an interactive dog toy and game that is both fun and mentally stimulating for any food-motivated dog. Plus, it's durable and easy to clean, meaning you dog can enjoy it for a long time.

2. Star Mark Everlasting Treat Ball

Image courtesy of PriceGrabber

Dogs love treats. Dog love toys. Therefore, dogs are sure to love this treat-toy combination. The Star Mark Everlasting Treat Ball is a versatile gift that will appeal to most dogs. It can be thrown for a game of fetch, be stuffed with treats, or used with Everlasting or Everlocking Treats to stimulate your dog's mind and appetite.

3. A New Dog Bed

Photo Courtesy of PriceGrabber

Want to get a gift your dog will use frequently and love for a long time? Try a new dog bed! With so many types of beds available, you should have no problem finding one that perfectly meets your dog's needs and keep him comfy and cozy

4. Slobber-Wick Squeak Buddy

Image courtesy Planet Dog

If your dog loves plush squeaky toys, Planet Dog's fast-drying, easy-to-clean Slobber-Wick Buddy is a great option. The toy has a double squeaker and a gusset for extra-fun "chewability". Plus, the fast-drying feature means the toy will be a little less "icky" when your dog brings it to you! The Slobber-Wick Buddy comes in three sizes and two different color themes.

Click here to view the full list.

15 Homemade Holiday Pet Treats!

The Holiday season is upon us! As you prepare to start your shopping and spreading of holiday cheer, don't forget to treat your furry friends. What better way to show your puppy with love then by treating them to some special holiday snacks. We came across this great article by the examiner that shares some wonderful holiday treats you can use to pamper your pup. So keep the holiday cheer flowing and let shower your pup with these tasty delights!

15 Homemade Holiday Pet Treats: ‘Bone-afide’ Christmas Recipes for Fido & Fluffy

By: Jace Shoemaker-Galloway

With the holidays right around the corner, many people are scouring the crowded stores in hopes of finding those last-minute gifts, busy wrapping presents and/or preparing for that big holiday meal. But in the hustle-and0bustle of a busy and hectic holiday season, many folks overlook other valued members of the family – our furry, four-legged friends.

Whether your family consists of a Fluffy or a Fido, it’s important to remember our beloved pets during the holidays too! And you don’t need to spend a fortune either. Why not whip up a batch of homemade pet treats that are safe to eat and guaranteed to be tail-waggin’ “bone-afide” hits? Grab a few of your favorite holiday cookie cutters and you are on your way to being the cat's meow and the top dog in your house!

While the holidays can hold additional hazards and dangers for our furry friends such as tinsel, certain table scraps and poisonous plants, it is important to remember certain ingredients humans consume can cause serious illness or can be deadly to pets!

Recipes for Homemade Holiday Doggy Treats

• Gourmutt Holiday Peanut Butter Treats – This simple recipe sounds dog-gone good! You’ll need molasses, natural peanut butter and oil! There is also another recipe for Christmas Carob Mint Dog Cookies too!

Click here to read the entire article, and see the full list!

After missing for seven years dog and owner are reunited

During my internet browsing this morning I came across this very heart warming story. It's the story of a lost dog and a hopeful owner being reunited after 7 years! Any dog owner can understand just how traumatic losing your dog can be. Imagine the joy and elation you would feel after being reunited with them after 7 years, it's hard to fathom, that's exactly what happened to dog owner Dan Kesler. This is truly a bright story to get you set for the holiday season. Click here to read the entire article.

After missing for seven years dog and owner are reunited

Dan Kesler patiently waited seven years to get the phone call he always hoped for. Four weeks ago he finally got that phone call. His Doberman B.A. had been found and they were going to be reunited.

When B.A. was three years old he ran off in a thunderstorm. “The first night I spent outside waiting for him to come back, because I honestly thought he would come back that night. Within a week I thought he would show up – but then as weeks turned into month and months turned into years…did I think he’d be back – I can’t say yes. But I never gave up hope,” said Kesler.

When B.A. went missing Kesler lived in North Carolina. He currently lives in Tempe, Arizona where he works as the assistant swim coach at ASU. He made sure he never changed his number though. He knew B.A. had a microchip and he was hopeful that one day he’d get the call that he’d be found. “Yeah I never changed my number throughout the years depending on the job or wherever I was at – I never changed the number just in case this happened.”

Click here to read the entire article.