Happy Howl-o-Ween!

We are starting off our day with snow covered ground and freezing temps. No it's not Christmas time but Halloween! Who would of thought we would get 5 inches of snow the weekend before Halloween? The trees have barely changed color and now they have been assaulted by wind and snow, the likes of mid-January! Many trees in our neighborhood have broken branches from the weight of the snow on the leafed limbs! That has also resulted in power outages all over. We were lucky enough to of been spared unlike some of our neighbors who have no power until at least Wednesday of this week!

I wonder how this will affect the trick or treaters later on this afternoon? It's suppose to be in the 50's today so it shouldn't be cold. Just a strange juxtaposition to see costumed kids against a snowy back ground! I am just going to throw Ozzie's pirate cape on him and say he is Prince of the Bulldogs, since he looks so regal in it! I am not sure Oz will cooperate at this point but it's my best shot. As far as dressing up your pet it's probably not recommended unless your doggie is a real diva and enjoys it. I think most dogs are like Ozzie and rather go au natural!

Have a great fun filled Halloween!

Here are some safety tips below from the Humane Society for our pets.

• Keep pets safely inside, away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities to ensure they don't become frightened or feel threatened at the sight of noisy, costumed children
• Cats, especially black ones, may be the target of pranksters. Black cat owners are advised to keep their cats safely indoors during the Halloween season
• Frequently opened doors provide a perfect opportunity for escape, which can go unnoticed during all the commotion. Consider keeping your cat in a separate room with the door closed. For dogs, preventing access to the door can be as simple as keeping them attached to a leash, putting them in crates or confining them to another room with baby gates. Be sure all pets wear collars with ID tags in case of accidental escape. Of course, microchipping your pet is the best way to ensure your pet's return should he escape
• Keep candy out of your pet's reach. Candy can be harmful to pets and chocolate is toxic and potentially life-threatening to cats, dogs and ferrets
• Keep pets away from decorations. Flames in jack-o-lanterns and candles can quickly singe, burn or set fire to a pet's fur. Pets can become tangled in hanging decorations like streamers and can choke on some decorations if they chew on them
• Resist the urge to put your furry friend in a costume. Most pets dislike the confinement of costumes and masks. A printed bandanna or fun collar can be just as cute and often more comfortable for your pet
• Don't bring the family dog along for trick-or-treating. Dogs may become difficult to handle during the noise and confusion of the festivities. A lost dog bite will quickly end your Halloween fun

Finally Friday and Let it Snow?

Yup the weather forecast is calling for rain changing to snow on Saturday with a possible 1 - 3 inch accumulation in the NYC metropolitan area. Up north in Sussex County NJ where our friends, Terri and Dan and their doggies Tank and Harley live, they are predicting 4-8 inches of the white stuff! When was the last time it snowed before Halloween. Can't say I recall that happening .....ever! So much for global warming!

It certainly ruins plans we had for Saturday night. We always go into the city the Saturday night before Halloween to take our own spooky ghost tour of historic and infamously haunted sites. We usually end up at some point at McSorley's the oldest bar in the city. Believe me it looks it too! The bartenders are a bunch of characters that dress up for Halloween and serve beer three fisted at a time to tables. The walls are covered with memorbilia from over the years and the foot railing at the bar has Houdini's handcuffs attached to it. Yes the place certainly has a haunted quality about it. Well we may have to hunker down Saturday night and watch the snow fall while watching a scary movie or two instead!

I am sure Ozzie will be surprised by the snow. I anticipate it won't hang around long since Sunday will be sunny and in the 50's but enough for Ozzie to make it yellow in spots! Still working on Ozzie's costume idea for Monday. I like my son's idea of dressing Oz as a gangster and calling him Al Cabone, but I am not that creative and can't sew a stitch so it's not going to happen! Though the visual is amusing!

Well here is hoping you all have better weather than due us here in the northeast this weekend!

Smile and Say Cheese...Then Eat It!

Cheese! Ok I said it, now give me some Provolone!

I found what I believe is to be a good deal on Barking Deals.com. It's for Flavor Tek Dental Spray for dogs. It's all natural and not only does it give your pup better smelling breath, it helps combat tartar and keeps gums healthy. ( So they say! ) It's on sale for 13.99 for a 4 oz spray bottle, regularly 39.99 with free shipping. The offer is good for only 4 days so if your interested you best get shopping. I am going to try the product on Ozzie and report the results. Brushing his teeth is challenging at best and he is not the most cooperative dog when it comes to brushing. He constantly is trying to eat the dog toothpaste, usually chicken flavored, as if it was some pate appetizer I am serving him. Not that I will stop the brushing but this spray may make my life easier and Ozzie's breath fresher!

Flea is a Crowd - Mike Rowe, Chuck and a Flea

Ozzie and I have been invited by Norvartis Animal Health to check out their latest product for flea and heartworm protection, Sentinel Flavor tabs.

Even though the cooler weather has arrived there are still fleas that lurk outdoors and we must continue to give our dogs protection against the nasty buggers. Not only do they make our pets miserable but they invade our homes, hiding in bedding, carpets, furniture and even the floorboards of your home. Following are some revolting flea facts:

• Adult fleas represent just 5% of the flea festation-the other 95% are the egss, maggot like larve and pupae hiding in your home. (Yuck)
• A female flea can lay 50 eggs every day-as many as 2000 eggs in her two to three month life cycle. (busy little fleas aren't they?)
• Larvae are repelled by light and burrow into the carpet, fabric, cracks and crevices (Ewwh)

Sentinel has enlisted the nations most experienced authority on dirty situations, Mike Rowe the host of The Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs" to lead the campaign to educate the public about fleas. Mike is experienced with all things messy is no stranger to bugs. "I've been biten by just about evey parasite on the planet." he said. "Bed bugs, lice, ticks, leaches...I even had a tapeworm for a while."

Mike has made a series of videos for the campaign with his best friend Chuck, a Burmese Mountain dog who gives us advice on flea and tick control. Chuck by the way talks and is 6 feet tall but you will see for yourself! Ozzie finds the videos amusing but thinks that Mike's dog Chuck is too much of a neat freak.

Sentinel Flavor Tabs are only available through your vet and your dog must be tested for heartworm before medication is administered.

Ozzie's Manic Monday

"Leaf me alone!" Ha a little Autumn humor!

Ozzie sunning with a pumpkin!

Finally Friday and the Good, the Bad and the Ugly about Bulldogs

Pass the suntan lotion please!

Well we all made it through another week! It's been an eventful one as far as the news goes! Gaddafi meets his maker and the world is rid of another nutty evil dictator! Like Martha says, that is a good thing!

A disturbing tale of exotic animals on the loose in Zanesville Ohio the other day. I am still upset over the killing of 48 beautiful animals that was a tragic lost to us all. Perhaps now finally Ohio and other states that don't have laws on owning exotic animals as pets will enact legislation that will prevent this kind of irresponsible and selfish situations from occurring again!

Ozzie has just been "chillin" enjoying the cooler weather, sunning himself in the front parlor in the afternoons. It's a tough life but someone has to live it! What to do? Nap on the couch or on his sherpa mat? Decisions, decisions!

The other day a friend of mine told me her son was considering getting a bulldog and she asked for some advice on the subject. Now knowing that an English Bulldog is not for everyone I wanted to give the facts without discouraging them too much! I came across something on line that put together all the facts about bulldogs very succinctly.

If you want a dog that:

• Is moderately-sized -- built low to the ground but very heavy
• Has a short easy-care coat that comes in many colors
• Is easygoing and dependable with most of the world
• Doesn't need much exercise and spends much of the day snoring on the sofa
• Seldom barks

If you don't want to deal with a dog that is:

• Tenacious stubbornness if he decides he really, really doesn't want to do something
• Serious food possessiveness -- Bulldogs should not be fed around small children or other pets
• Shedding
• Snorting, snuffling, wheezing, grunting, loud snoring
• Slobbering and drooling
• Gassiness (flatulence)
• A multitude of health problems, a short lifespan, and sky-high vet bills
• High cost ($1000 and up)

Now this all true and valuable information that can help you make a decision, but if you happen to be around them and fall in love with that beautiful sourmug face then all the negative stuff flies out the window! But to be fair to the animal itself, they are the most neediness dogs on the planet! So if you don't have the opportunity to be home with them for most of the day, you should probably pass!

Let me get back to tending to Ozzie's needs. He is currently lying in a pool of sunlight streaming through the window and it's probably time for him to turn over so he tans evenly!

Hope to get to those cookies on Sunday! Ozzie and I are wishing you all a fun filled fall weekend!

Chew Bully, Chew!

Just a chew between your cheek and paw will do ya!

Dogs love to chew. It's part of their genetic makeup. Bulldogs are intense chewers that require some real sturdy chew toys to keep them satisfied. Ozzie's favorite are his assortment of nylabones which are durable plastic bones that he will gnaw on very happily for hours. I never experienced him chewing on any of my shoes or other possessions other than a cardboard box or two. (He enjoys cardboard for some reason?!) Of course there are always bullie sticks but they are more of an outside chew, since they often result in a stinky slobbering mess!

The other night I was watching one of my favorite shows, Modern Family, where husband and wife Jay and Gloria, now have a French Bulldog named Stella. Jay spoils Stella silly and Stella loves to chew on all of Gloria's shoes and clothes. Of course Gloria is very upset by this behavior and blames it on Jay's lack of discipline with the dog. In this clip Gloria has had enough and tries to turn the tables with Stella's choice of items to munch on.

Stella is a cute Frenchie! I am sure when she isn't on the set she only chews on her own toys! What do you think Oz? "Arf!" Hmm you're not that sure are you Oz?

Finally Friday and Where's the Grub?!

Hurry up with the cookies, I'm hungry..again!

Still getting over this cold but I'm feeling a lot better. I think I gave it to Ozzie's pop, oh well so it goes! I ordered Ozzie's dog food from the vet on Monday and when they got it in I ran over there on Tuesday. When I received the food at the reception area I knew right away it was the wrong kind. The box had a red background and it wasn't the same diet formula. Ozzie has been on the Hill's Prescription diet Therapeutic Weight Reduction for a few months now. He has lost 7 pounds and is looking fit and trim! ( well at least for Ozzie) It comes in pre-measured packets and so it's is a no brainer in terms of portion control. You can only get this through your veterinarian. They corrected the order and now I am waiting for it to come in.

In the meanwhile I ran out of food for Oz so I picked up at the local grocery store a small bag of Rachel Ray's Nutrish. It is all natural and though not a diet formula the chicken variety has chicken listed as its first ingredient. Figuring that since a portion of the proceeds go to animal rescues I felt good about it. Ozzie seemed to like it but then again he doesn't have the most discriminating taste. He likes everything! Not to say it tastes bad , it looks and smells good! If I were a dog I would go for it!

Speaking of going for it I have a recipe that is Fall appropriate for this weekend. It is for Cinnamon Pumpkin Dog Cookies. I haven't made them yet myself but I am going to give them a try. Here is the recipe in case you want to do some baking for your pup.

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups of wholewheat flour 1 1/4 cups of pumpkin puree ( do not get the pumpkin filling variety it has sugar in it ) 1/4 cup of crunchy peanut butter 3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 cup water ( to adjust the consistency of your dough)

Mix ingredients in a bowl or in a food processor using the dough blade Roll out dough with a rolling pin until its 1/4 thick. Using the cookie cutter of your choice, cut out the cookies. Place cookies on a greased sheet or use parchment paper to line your baking sheets. Bake them in a pre-heated oven for one hour at 275 degrees F. The dog cookies should be slightly browned. Let the cookies cool before giving them to your favorite pooch!

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

What to Wear Wednesday

Get this dumb thing off my head!

Halloween is only a couple of weeks away and I am in quagmire as to what costume Ozzie should wear! He hates having anything on his head. I have been that route before only to end up ditching the hat. He did however like wearing his pirate cape the year before. Maybe I can dig that up and have him wear just the cape and tell everyone he is Dog Juan! The tiger costume I bought last year was a complete waste! I had to wrestle him to get it half way on before giving up. I am not sure what he can be yet but I better get a move on it. The neighborhood kids are looking forward to seeing Oz dressed up for their trick or treating delight!

Happy Columbus Day!

What a beauty of a day! Especially lucky weather for the Columbus Day parade that is marching down 5th Avenue in NYC at the moment. A proud day for Italian Americans to celebrate their heritage. It just so happens that the guy who discovered the Americas happened to be an Italian from Spain. So a day also to recognize all who come here to be Americans and to celebrate this great country. My great-grandparents came here from Italy over a hundred years ago and with them the dream of a good life. It was also very important for them to become Americans first while still embracing their Italian culture. I am very proud of them and all of the Italians who immigrated here and made a successful and wonderful life for themselves and future generations!

Now Ozzie being an English Bulldog is confused by all the hub -bub! Though I am sure if I said the word "pizza" he would come running! I think I will make some good ole fashion spaghetti and meatballs for dinner tonight in celebration. I am sure Ozzie will approve!

I want to leave you with three Italian teenage tenors who's singing is amazing. If there were any justice in show business Justin Bieber would be shining their shoes!

Ciao!

Finally Friday and Dogs Don't Catch Colds!

Unfortunately I have come down with whatever head cold that has been going around of late. You know... sore throat, runny nose, headache the whole enchilada! Ozzie just looks at me with his head tilted as if to say "What's up with you Ma?" I guess that is the most sympathy I will get from him. Dogs don't catch colds from their humans so he is the only one who will allow me to get close. Everyone else in my family is treating me like Typhoid Mary! Well avoid me as you will...it's only a matter of time ma famille!

There are a lot of long faces in the NY/NY tri-state area this morning. The Yankees lost to the Tigers 3 to 2 last night. No World Series this year Yankee fans! Probably the most disappointed person is Jorege Posada. This was likely his last season in pinstripes. At least he leaves the team with plenty of World Series rings in his pocket.

The weather looks to be sunny and warm for the weekend, a little bit of Indian Summer perhaps and we look forward to taking Ozzie to the park with the fish pond. Not that Ozzie is looking forward to it. I am sure he rather just sun himself on the deck.

I will leave you with this website of some bulldog art, and who doesn't like that? The artist is Susan Tantlinger and she does some wonderful portraits of bulldogs. They really are fantastic! I wish I could paint like that! Well, lets face it, the only thing I have painted lately is the kitchen!

Enjoy the weekend all! Right Oz? Oz? Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Sherpa Madness

As I type away Ozzie is taking his morning nap on the floor, not the new Sherpa mat I bought him yesterday! I went to the Christmas Tree Shop because I spied in their flyer Sherpa Pet Mats on sale for 16.99. I thought this was a decent price and I have been looking at them for Ozzie versus a bed. Ozzie has had beds in the past only to pee on them and have them end up in the trash. The Sherpa mat seems more practical since its easily thrown in the washer if there should be an accident.

The Christmas Tree Shop should be called The China Tree Shop. There is not one thing on sale there that is not from China. It reminds me of the challenge ABC news gave a family to go out and furnish and replace everything in their house that was made in China with goods made here in the USA. It was tough to do and I see why. Anyway I have deviated from the subject. Ozzie seemed to like it at first. He even took an hour and a half nap on it. But this morning he has returned to the floor in the office totally ignoring the Sherpa. Maybe its because that is where he usually naps in the AM and he is a creature of habit. Hopefully he will use the mat and it won't end up in the attic somewhere under the cat carrier. (Yes I use to have a kitty, for 16 years!)

A week ago Ozzie had his bath and nails done and he seems to have reverted back to his bulldog odor! I know if he didn't have that bath it would be far worse but it just seems that for the price of the groomer it should last a little longer! I guess to Ozzie he smells just fine and has no idea why his humans wrinkle up their noses at him. Ah...smelly dog bliss!

Limping Along and Petition for Pups

I love fish oil pills, as long as they are wrapped in cheese!

Ozzie has been limping slightly once again. I am not sure if its from lying on the wood floor or maybe from rough housing with his pop. He is limping with his front legs and I think its stems from his big shoulders. Lets face it, English bulldogs are orthopedically challenged! I started giving Ozzie some fish oil pills this weekend and I am not sure if its coincidence or not but his limping has alleviated somewhat.

Fish oil for dogs has been promoted as an anti-inflammatory helping everything from skin conditions, arthritis to kidney disease. If it's so good for humans why not dogs too? I am going to continue to give it to him this week and see how he does. Almost 2 years ago he was limping and when we took him to the vet they prescribed Rimadyl, an anti-inflammatory. It made him (pardon the pun) sick as a dog. He ended up over night in the vets hooked up to IV's since he was dehydrated from vomiting and a bad case of diarrhea. So I rather go the holistic route first.

In the meantime I wanted to put this website on my post today. I received it from the Humane Society. It is a petition to President Obama to crack down on the puppy mills and selling dogs on line. There are some loop holes in regulations that they use to continue this inhumane treatment of dogs that they profit from! Lets try to put an end to puppy mills in our life time! Please sign this petition and get active in promoting laws that can end their suffering! Ozzie and his friends thank you!

crack down on puppy mills petition

Just Desserts?!

The perfect chew toy for dogs! Symbolic as it may be it is a" gotcha" moment for this pup!