Author: Penny

I was excited when I opened the package Christmas day from my wife and realized that my hot sauce collection was about to grow. But although I had heard of the hot sauce in my hand, I had never personally experienced its taste or its punch. That would soon change.

A hot sauce that captures the eye, before the palate

Mad Dog 357 comes in a very handsome 5 oz. bottle with a cartoonish canine mascot on the front with an almost “cheshire cat” grin, as if attempting to lure in the unsuspecting connoisseur. The “357” logo is boldly presented in the center of the bottle with the warning above it, “this sauce will blow you away.” Additionally, there is a disclaimer reading, “this sauce is very hot–use it at your own risk.” If that isn’t enough warning, there is a rather satirical(but legal) disclaimer on the side of the bottle in which the buyer agrees, among other things, that he or she is not “inebriated or otherwise not of a sound mind” before using the product. The appearance of the hot sauce itself is dark brown/red and rather thick and peppery.

A hot sauce with a lot of bite

Just as it claims, this sauce is fiery hot–and not for the faint of heart. But the taste is nearly as impressive as the heat, and reminiscent of a rich and robust barbecue sauce. The flavor is pungent but pleasant. There is a distinctly sweet tang to it, complemented by the peppery boldness. And then there is the heat–meriting a four-pepper rating on such popular hot sauce web sites as hotsauce.com. Mad Dog 357, as the name implies, boasts 357,000 Scoville heat units, the scale used to measure the amount of capsaicin in peppers, or, to put it more simply, how fiery the chili peppers are to the palate. That may not seem like a very high number compared to other hot sauces available today that register 600,000 units or more, but don’t be fooled–Mad Dog, being an extract sauce, has a heat that tends to “hang around” rather than dissipate quickly as with other sauces.

A hot sauce that fully satisfies

Mad Dog’s heat, just to underscore, is super-intense. I find that just 2-3 drops is enough to bring on the watery eyes, runny nose, and an endorphin rush that persists for roughly 10 minutes. This is a sauce that should satisfy even the most finicky chiliheads. It is bold, full of flavor, and pours thick and slow. But a final word of caution, especially for rookies: keep a glass of cold milk or a serving of ice cream close by. As veteran chiliheads know all to well, water, soda pop, or any other carbonated beverage provides zero relief for chili-burn. I’m looking forward to trying other varieties of Mad Dog in the future. Mad Dog hot sauces are manufactured by Ashley Food Co.

In 1840, Thomas Hall of Muswellbrook, New South Wales imported two Blue Smooth Highland Collies and crossbred their offspring with the wild Australian Dingo. This produced either red or blue speckled puppies. Satisfied with this breed, Hall kept them exclusively on his cattle ranch until his death in 1870.

Thomas Bentley obtained one of Hall’s Heelers, as the breed had become known, and widely used the animal as a stud because of its outstanding attributes and because it was an outstanding worker. The dog possessed a white blaze on the forehead, now referred to as a Bentley Mark, and a black tail root spot. This marking set seen on animals of today is believed to have come from Bentley’s dog.

New Blood in the Cattle Dog

Later in the 1870s, a butcher named Alexander Davis bought a pair of Hall’s dogs and bred some Bull Terrier into the breed. It was said this strain was eventually phased out, but some evidence of Bull terrier is occasionally seen today.

A pair of brothers, Jack and Harry Bagast, bred one of Hall’s females to a Dalmatian. All Austrialian cattle dogs today, whether they are red or blue are born solid white, just as Dalmatians and begin developing their color after six weeks of age.

The Bagasts also added some Black and Tan Kelpie to the mix. This final new blood set the breed type, giving the blue dogs the occasional tan markings and gave the red dogs deep red spots. These dogs became known as Queensland Heelers or Queensland Blue Heelers.

Breed Setting of the Cattle Dog

In 1902, Dr. Robert Kaleski drew up the first breed standard for the Cattle Dog. The breed became know as Australian Heelers and eventually, Australian Cattle Dogs.

Dr. Alan McNiven, an Australian veterinarian, infused more Dingo blood back into the breed and his dogs were imported heavily into the United States. Upon discovering McNiven was crossing purebreds with the Dingo, the Royal Agricultural Society Kennel Council banned him from showing and removed all his animals from registry.

When the American Kennel Club took over the registry in 1979, the breed was officially recognized in 1980 as the Australian Cattle Dog.

Cattle Dog Behavior

Blue Heelers or Cattle Dogs are extremely loyal animals and can sometimes be known as “a one man dog.” Extremely intelligent and with high problem solving skills, these animals are highly pleasurable to own. They are medium sized, ranging from 30 to 45 pounds and are easy to care for. They require a lot of room to run and are happiest when given a task to accomplish.

As summer approaches, families decide where to go for vacation. South Florida has several beaches where tourists visit during the summer months. Parks and recreation areas allow people to bring their dogs. However, beaches are patrolled by officers who ask tourists to leave if a dog is present. Visitors who want to bring their dog can visit these beaches and let the dog play in the water and sand without repercussions.

Miami Beach – Rickenbacker Causeway, South Pointe Park

Rickenbacker Causeway is a toll road between the main Miami city and South Beach. On each side of the road is a park area on the ocean. Picnic tables are also available for lunch on the beach. The causeway does not have large beaches, and since it’s next to a major road, it is recommended that dogs stay leashed.

South Pointe Park is off of Washington Avenue, a trendy area of South Beach filled with restaurants and clubs. This park is not directly on the beach, but it contains playground equipment to bring kids as well. Dogs are required to wear a leash.

Ft. Lauderdale – Canine Beach

Canine Beach is located on A1A (the main beach strip in Ft. Lauderdale). The beach strip starts at Sunrise Boulevard (one block north of downtown Ft. Lauderdale) and continues north for 100 yards. This park is perfect for tourists to South Florida who vacation on Ft. Lauderdale beach hotels or the surrounding area. The main advantage of this beach is that it is an off-leash area, so dogs can run freely.

Palm Beach – Jupiter Beach

Palm Beach is very strict with dog laws in beach areas. Park rangers cruise the area ticketing tourists who bring dogs on the beach. The only dog friendly beach is Jupiter, which is in northern Palm Beach. A 2.5 mile stretch of beach from Jupiter to Juno Beach allows dogs. Dogs are allowed off-leash to play on the beach provided owners clean up after their pet. The dog friendly beach starts north of the Carlin Park lifeguard area and continues north to the Juno Beach lifeguard area.

These beaches allow tourists to take their pet with them on vacation to South Florida. Before planning a trip, ensure the hotel is also dog friendly. Bring flea and tick spray, and plan to wash the dog regularly after running in the salt water and sand. Most parks require a leash, so purchase a new one with a long chain to give the pet plenty of room to run.

The Dog Who Loved Too Much: Tales, Treatments and the Psychology of Dogs by Dr. Nicholas Dodman is an enjoyable read that involves the reader in the lives of Dr. Dodman’s patients. He brings to life the challenges he faced through descriptive prose that explains the various steps required to diagnose a problem and settle upon a treatment. The reader is provided with valuable insight into some of the most common causes of canine behavioral maladies.

Taking a Closer Look

This three part, 253 page paperback addresses three major challenges for dog owners: Aggression, Fear and the Obsessive/Repetitive Dog. Each part is divided into case studies that are presented with humor and sensitivity for the human/canine team needing treatment. At the end of each case study Dr. Dodman gives a summation of the diagnosis and strategy for treatment. These summations are short, sweet and to the point. Each one can be used by the dog owner as he recognizes the symptoms in his canine partner.

As with many books on canine behavior, The Dog Who Loved Too Much takes into account that the human partner is as much a part of the challenge as the dog. Both must face the challenge together, working as a team and communicating on a meaningful level. The therapist is a facilitator. The work is up to the dog and human.

All dog owners at one time or another, experience behavioral challenges with their canine partners. The anecdotes that appear in The Dog Who Loved Too Much will strike a chord with the reader. They will either remember a time when they faced such a challenge or they are currently experiencing one and will find the information presented as helpful. At the very least a dog owner will be made aware that there is help available through canine behavior therapy when the lines of communication between partners have collapsed.

Recommendation: YES

The Dog Who Loved Too Much: Tales, Treatments and the Psychology of Dogs is an excellent example of some of the fine work in animal behavior that became available in the 1990s. The information in this book is still very relevant and can be a great help when addressing canine behavioral challenges early before they get out of hand. Dr. Dodman’s wry humor and straightforward language makes this an enjoyable read.

Taking these five things into consideration before getting a dog will help you determine how your cat and dog will interact with each other and give you the best chance for a peaceful multi-pet household.

Sexual Status:

Consider the gender of the new dog carefully. Male dogs more often guard “space” while female dogs tend to guard “objects”. For instance, while a male dog may lay claim to your backyard, a female dog will control the toys in the backyard. However, both male and female cats tend to guard space, so a good pairing for a cat would be a female dog. The cat can guard the space and the dog can guard the objects.

Spaying and neutering both dog and cat can also reduce aggression and other hormone-related problems, especially if performed before sexual maturity.

Heritage:

Although it is possible for any dog to get along with cats if trained to respect them from puppyhood, some dogs are less cat-friendly than others. Terriers and sighthounds are designed to hunt and kill animals and may not understand that your cat isn’t prey. If you plan on getting an older dog, it may be best to stay away from these or any other breeds with a high “prey drive” unless the dog is known for his friendly disposition towards cats.

Age:

A kitten under six months may be at a stage in her life where she’s more willing to be friends with your new dog. If instead your cat is geriatric, make sure she’s allowed her space so that she isn’t stressed by the dog.

Keep in mind that a young puppy will be more willing to accept a cat than an older dog that’s never been around cats. A puppy will also be easier for your cat to “train” before he gets too big to manage.

Health:

If your resident cat is unhealthy, chances are she doesn’t feel good enough to welcome the new dog. Adding the dog could also increase her stress level and lower her immunity, making her feel worse. It’s best to make sure she has recovered before introducing her to the dog.

Environment:

The environment in your new multi-pet household will affect how well your cat and dog get along. Too many pets with too little room can raise stress and increase the chances of aggression. If there isn’t much floor room for your cat, install cat trees before getting a dog. This will add more space and give your cat a place out of your new dog’s reach.

Another thing to consider is keeping your cat’s litter box and food bowls where your dog can’t invade. You can put them on a high countertop or in a room that only your cat can enter.

When you go to choose a new dog, remember to think of getting the dog for your cat too. This will help you find the best housemate—and possibly lifelong friend—for your cat. However, even with the best precautions, some pets will never get along. If your dog and cat become dangerously aggressive towards each other, contact a professional animal trainer or behaviorist.

The introduction of Frontline flea protection revolutionized the treatment of fleas on dogs and cats throughout much of the world. Frontline comes in a spot-on application which is very easy to use, it is extremely effective and safe, and generally available without a prescription.

What is Frontline?

Frontline is a safe and effective flea protection product, which is available for both dogs and cats. It is supplied in small plastic pipettes, each containing one application. A pipette is opened and the contents are tipped on to the dog or cat’s skin at the top of the neck. It is very easy to do, and animals are not upset by it as they often are with conventional flea sprays.

How Does Frontline Work?

The active ingredient, fibronil, spreads over the surface of the skin and binds to the skin and hair. Within about 24 hours it will have spread over the entire body, and it kills fleas wherever they are. The product remains effective for about a month on cats, and two months on dogs.

How Effective is Frontline?

Fleas which come into contact with Frontline die after about 24 hours, so it is very effective. However, Frontline will not kill fleas which are in a pet’s bedding or elsewhere in the house, so it is important to use it regularly as a precaution, until all fleas in the area have been eradicated. Since modern houses tend to be warm all the year round, it is a good idea to use Frontline on a regular basis at all times. If this is done it will be extremely effective.

Does Frontline Have Any Side Effects?

Frontline is extremely safe and side effects are rare, since very little is absorbed into the body of the cat or dog. Occasionally there will be a localized skin reaction at the site of the application, which normally clears up in a short time; if it does not, it might be best to avoid using Frontline on that particular animal. Frontline may be dangerous to rabbits, so it should not be used on them.

Frontline Spot-on and Frontline Combo

Frontline Spot-on contains only one ingredient, which kills fleas. Frontline Combo is a newer product, and contains an extra ingredient which sterilizes fleas so that they cannot breed. The idea of this is that it lasts longer than the original Frontline product. However, a vet’s prescription is required for Frontline Combo.

Sarcoptic mange in dogs, sometimes called scabies, may begin with intense itching, irritated skin, and eventually hair loss which may first be noticed on the ears, armpits, and in the belly area. Symptoms also include red pustules, sores, and yellowish crusty skin. As the disease progresses, the skin may darken in color.

Due to the dog’s constant scratching, the skin becomes even more traumatized, allowing secondary bacterial infection to set in as well. The toxic effect of bacterial infection entering the bloodstream through open sores may cause the dog to be lethargic. Eventually death can result from sepsis.

Causes of Sarcoptic Mange

The sarcoptic mite is contracted from another animal and burrows into the skin of the dog. Female mites lay eggs in these burrows and then die. Intense itching caused by scabies is thought to be an allergic reaction to the mite, although allergy treatments do not typically relieve it.

Is Sarcoptic Mange Contagious?

Sarcoptic mange, unlike demodex mange, is highly contagious from one dog to another dog. It can be spread by direct contact but also by sharing bedding, collars, sleeping areas, and other things as well. Any dog can contract sarcoptic mange.

The Sarcoptes family is made up of species specific mites that prefer their own particular host but can infect another animal to a lesser degree. Humans can contract sarcopsis from dogs, characterized by itching and a rash, but it will be short lived as the mite cannot reproduce on a human host.

Diagnosing Sarcoptic Mange

A definite diagnosis may be difficult unless the sarcoptic mite can be identified through a skin scraping and microscopic examination, which happens in some cases. In other cases a skin biopsy may be done and if mites are still not found, treatment is usually started based on an evaluation of symptoms and diagnosis may be made according to response to that treatment.

Treatment of Sarcoptic Mange

Various treatments have been used in the battle against sarcoptic mange. In the past, dogs had their coats clipped and then received a series of dips in Paramite, Mitaban, or LymDip. High concentrations of ivermectin have been used off label for some cases but this treatment can be dangerous for many herding breeds such as Collies and Shelties.

Safer, more convenient, and usually effective are topicals such as Revolution, Frontline Plus, Frontline Top Spot, and Frontline Spray. Some veterinarians have used Interceptor at off label doses but expense may be an inhibiting factor here.

Secondary bacterial infections are often treated with antibiotics. It is recommended to also keep the dog’s bedding washed and treat sleeping areas with an insecticide. Due to the life cycle and the hardiness of the mite, treatment usually is continued for 4 weeks or more. All dogs exposed to the infected dog should also be treated.

Prognosis of Sarcoptic Mange

Although a few cases of sarcoptic mange can be resistant and difficult to cure, most cases respond to treatment.

Seizure activity in a dog is a frightening experience. Often, owners are unprepared and not certain what to do for their seizing dog.

What Causes Seizures in Dogs?

There may be many causes for seizures in dogs. Canine epilepsy is probably the most commonly diagnosed seizure disorder, but other causes of seizures in dogs need to be ruled out also. These include:

• liver disorders
• toxins or poisons
• encephalitis
• encephalopathies (brain disorders)
• brain tumors
• electrolyte abnormalities in the blood such as low calcium levels
• hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• hypothyroidism

Often, the exact cause of the seizure activity cannot be established and these disorders are usually referred to as canine epilepsy.

How are Seizure Disorders in Dogs Diagnosed?

The diagnostic work-up of a dog experiencing seizures may include:

• a basic blood screen consisting of a complete blood count, a blood chemistry panel with electrolytes included and a thyroid screen.
• a urinalysis (an evaluation of the dog’s urine).
• diagnostic imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed axial tomography (CAT scan).
• cerebrospinal analysis (a spinal tap).

Even with advanced diagnostics such as MRI or CAT scans, exact diagnosis may be elusive. Many seizure disorders in dogs are never definitively diagnosed, despite exhaustive diagnostic investigation. In addition, these advanced imaging tests may not be widely available in smaller communities and/or may be cost prohibitive for many dog owners.

How are Seizure Disorders in Dogs Treated?

Treatments for seizure disorders in dogs depend on the cause of the seizures. If possible, correcting the underlying cause of the seizure behavior is the most effective treatment. However, often the underlying cause is not known and the goal of treating seizure disorders in these dogs becomes controlling the seizure activity the dog is experiencing.

There are many different drugs which may be employed to help control seizure activity in dogs. These include:

• phenobarbital
• potassium bromide
• gabapentin
• zonisamide
• chlorazepate
• levetiracetam

The most commonly used anticonvulsant in seizure disorders is phenobarbital followed by potassium bromide. These medications may be administered together or separately.

When is Anticonvulsant Therapy Recommended?

Anticonvulsant medication may not be necessary for the dog who has only occasional mild seizure activity. Most veterinarians recommend beginning medications to help prevent seizures:

• • if the seizure activity occurs more often than once per month.
• • if clusters of seizures occur, one right after another.
• • if the dog has a seizure which does not end without medical intervention.
• • if the dog is of a breed predisposed to epilepsy which is difficult to control. These breeds would include German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters and Saint Bernards.

What Should a Dog Owner Do if Their Dog Suffers a Seizure?

If your dog has a seizure, remain calm. Your dog can sense your emotions and a panic reaction on your part may make your dog’s condition worse.

Make certain your dog is in a safe area, away from stairs and sharp objects. Gently stroke your pet and talk calmly and soothingly to him. Avoid going near your dog’s mouth while your dog is having a seizure. Your dog is unable to control his muscle movements during this time and may inadvertently bite you.

If the seizure your dog is experiencing does not end in five to ten minutes, transport your dog to a veterinary emergency facility immediately.

Any dog which has experienced a seizure, even if fully recovered from the seizure, should be examined by a veterinarian.

Sweet gum ball Christmas ornaments are open to plenty of imaginative interpretation by each artist. Grownups will also enjoy making the simple ornaments, transforming them into different types of dogs by adding additional gum balls or creative details.

To use the sweet gum ornaments as miniatures, simply omit the thread cord or ribbon use for hanging them. Sturdy twig or pasta legs can allow the mini dogs to stand on their own for display.

Materials Needed:

• • dried sweet gum balls
• • dried corkscrew pasta (rotini noodles)
• • hot glue gun w/ glue sticks
• • craft glue
• • craft paint
• • paint brush
• • seed beads in various colors
• • acorn caps or medium-sized craft beads
• • pine cone pieces or construction paper

Assembling the Dog’s Body

Empty any seed debris inside the dried gum balls. Glue together two sweet gum balls to form the dog’s body (three for long breeds, like dachshunds). Sweet gum ball sizes vary, so choose large ones for large-chested dogs when forming the body. Glue a sweet gum ball above the chest to form the head.

Paint four pieces of pasta with the chosen dog body color, then glue two pieces of pasta to each side to form the dog’s legs. For smaller legs (and smaller dogs) substitute mini macaroni noodles for corkscrew pasta. Wood twigs will also work, but tend to snap more easily and can be difficult to trim to size.

Glue a piece of pasta to the rear to form a tail or use a small strip of felt for the tail and ears. Paint the dog’s body with the desired color using craft paint, then let the ornament dry.

Adding Facial Features

Form the dog’s muzzle by gluing a painted acorn cap to the front of the face. Add ears or facial features from broken bits of pine cones or tiny seeds for a more natural ornament effect, if synthetic substitutes are not ideal for the ornament’s purpose.

For easy kid-friendly decorations, use a bead glued to the front of the sweet gum ball to for the dog’s muzzle; use construction paper to form ears, or even a tail if so desired. This avoids the messy seeds or fragile twigs needed for an “nature-themed” design.

Adding Details to the Ornament

Use seed beads to form a nose and eyes on the dog’s face. Brush them lightly in glue and press them onto the face. Or paint the features directly onto the sweet gum ball using a tooth pick and craft paints.

Glue a loop of ribbon or thread to the back of the ornament in order to hang it on a Christmas tree. Use them as party favors and mini gifts attached to packages or display them proudly on the family tree.