Charles Dickens Dog Collar Pulls Big Bucks at Auction

Leather and brass inscribed dog collar once owned by the famous author Charles Dickens sold at Bonhams New York's 28th dog art sale for a mindboggling $11,590! Dickens, known for his love of dogs, sure knew how to pamper his pups!

Leather collars have remained a classic style. See where you can get this look for your pet.



Leather Dog Collar from J. L. Powell

Leather Dog Collar with Plate from Dog Leashes Store

For more information on Dickens Dog Collar and other pet items up for auction, visit Luxury Launches.

Pet Obesity - Popular Pet Treats to Watch Out For

Let's admit it, pet obesity is on the rise. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention notes that an estimated 50% of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight or obese. We can all admit to giving in once in awhile to those longing eyes begging for just a small nibblet of our dinner, our pets know what they are doing!

It isn't a surprise to know that feeding your pet human food is a no no but did you know that some of the most popular pet food and treats on the market could be contributing to those extra pounds? A big culprit are dental chew bones. They may freshen your pets breath but can pack a large amount of calories for your pet. For a run down of healthy pet weights and a list of popular pet treats and their calories, check out veterinarian Ernie Ward's Pet Weights and Treat Caloric Content research below.


Ernie Ward is the founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention and author of "Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs Are Getting Fatter – A Vet's Plan to Save Their Lives."


Find more information on treats that can make your pets fat.

Thanksgiving Wishes - A Dog's Purpose

Another amazing reason to be Thankful during the Holidays -

A Dog's Purpose

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life, like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long." Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting20when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
• Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
• Be always grateful for each new day.
  

Happy Thanksgiving from the Polka Dot Pup crew!

Calling All Snowboarding Bulldogs!

Polka Dot Pup came across a pet-friendly casting call that we had to share with our readers. Bulldog owners get ready, your pup could appear in this years Rose Parade! Oh, but did we mention they need to know how to snowboard??

The most unique "cattle call" in years takes place 10:30 AM on Friday, November 6th at Natural Balance Pet Foods headquarters in Pacoima, CA, as the West Coast's largest open call for bulldogs will take place. The dogs will get to test their snowboarding skills, and the winners will then go into extensive training in order to snowboard on the world's longest float at this year’s Tournament of Roses® Parade.

The two winning bulldogs will get to show off their skills along with Tillman, the “World’s Fastest Skateboarding Dog” according to The Guinness Book of World Records, as he, his sidekicks Rose, Lyle and two fellow bulldogs snowboard on the world’s longest float at the Tournament of Roses Parade. The 112 foot float will be covered in snow and offer a giant ramp for Tillman and his bulldog friends to snowboard on.

Your favorite talented bulldog can now audition to snowboard down the Natural Balance® Pet Food Float with Tillman and friends on New Year’s Day in the 121st Rose Parade®.

The casting call will be at 10:30 A.M on November 6th. The location is at Natural Balance at: 12924 Pierce Street, Pacoima, CA 91331

To schedule your dog and get priority for the audition process, register your bulldog now and email the following information to betsy@naturalbalanceinc.com:
Your name
Your dog’s name and age
Your email address
Phone number(s) where you can be reached
The best time to contact you

You will receive a confirmation by email. If you have not heard from us within 48 hours of emailing, please call 800-829-4493 and ask for Betsy Martin. Print out your confirmation and bring it with you to Natural Balance on the day of the audition.Your bulldog must be well behaved and get along with other dogs and people. Proof of current vaccinations is required. To take a look at the audition information, you can also visit http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/programs/auditions.html.

Pet-Friendly Healthy Holiday Tips - Part of the Pet 'Net Safety Event 2009

The holidays are a time for family, fun and food. Elaborate meals filled with the most tempting of tastes and as the family sits down to eat, it’s hard to ignore those big puppy dog eyes hiding beneath the fancy tablecloth. As responsible pet-owners, we must look past those adorable faces and remember that people food is not always pet-friendly food no matter how hard Fido tries to convince us otherwise.

Lucky for hungry pups around the world, there are foods that are pet and people friendly. When using these foods as treats, always remember that they should be given in small amounts and should not make up a majority of your pets diet. Also keep in mind your pets food allergies. Always consult your veterinary if you have any questions.

PET-FRIENDLY FOODS

• Potatoes (cooked)
• Carrots
• Lettuce
• Green beans
• Peas
• Bananas
• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon
• Grains
• Yogurt (Plain, non-fat)

The holidays can also be an extremely dangerous time for your pets. With so much going on in your household, be on the lookout for items that should be placed out of reach. Also, instruct guests on what they can and cannot give your pet. Below are a few items to make sure to watch out for. Click here for a full list of ASPCA No No Foods.

FOODS TO WATCH OUT FOR

• Alcohol
• Avocado (leaves, fruit, seeds & bark)
• Macadamia Nuts
• Grapes & Raisins
• Yeast Dough
• Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs &Bones
• Xylitol (sweetener found in gum, candy, baked goods & toothpaste)
• Onions, Garlic, Chives
• Milk
• Salt (large amounts)

A great way to make your pet feel like part of the family during the holidays is to create your own pet-friendly treats. Find some of Polka Dot Pups favorite fun and tasty snacks for your favorite four legged friend to enjoy!

PET-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY TREAT RECIPES

Pumpkin Barley with Turkey – Everyday with Rachael Ray

Ingredients:
1 quart chicken broth
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/4 cup long-grain rice
3/4 cup pearl barley
Pinch of freshly grated or ground nutmeg
1/3 pound ground turkey or ground turkey breast
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
Salt

In a small pot, warm the chicken broth over low heat. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the rice and barley and toast for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season the grains with the nutmeg and stir in half of the warm broth. Cook until the broth bubbles, about 5 minutes. Then add the turkey, crumbling it as you drop it into the skillet, and cook until the liquid is absorbed by the grains, about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time, allowing the broth to be fully absorbed before adding more. Cook until the barley is tender, about 18 minutes. Stir in the pumpkin puree. Cook over medium heat until just heated through, about 1 minute. Season to taste with salt. Makes 4 Servings, Prep 10 min, Cook 35 min

Liver Brownies – Big Paws Only

Ingredients:
3 to 3 1/2 lbs of liver, beef or chicken
1 C whole wheat flour
2 C white flour
1/2 C corn meal
1 med shaker of grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover cookie sheet with foil, coat with cooking spray, sprinkle lightly with corn meal and set aside. Process liver in food processor or blender until it looks like milk chocolate. Pour into large mixing bowl and blend in the rest of the ingredients. Spread evenly onto cookie sheet (the mixture will be thick) and sprinkle lightly with corn meal. Bake until no pink is left. I usually bake them for about 30 min for one pan and then turn the oven off but leave the brownies inside until they are cool. Cut in pieces and be ready to be loved by your dogs.

Hypoallergenic Peanut Butter Dog Bones – Best Dog Treat Recipes

Ingredients:
3 cups barley flour
1/2 cup oatmeal (old fashioned oats or quick oats)
1 tablespoon oat bran
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses
1 1/4 cups peanut butter

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the milk, peanut butter, molasses until smooth. You can use a mixer, blender or a whisk. Add the liquids to the dry ingredients. Mix, using the dough hook on your mixer. Or, you can mix the ingredients and then knead them by hand. Or, easiest of all, just put everything into your bread maker and let it do the work! Roll the dough out to ¼” thick. Cut into 3” bone shapes with a dog bone cookie cutter. If you want to make larger bones, roll the dough to ½” thick. Or, alternatively, you can use the little 1” dog bone cookie cutter. In this case, roll the dough to 1/8” thick. Bake the bones for 45-60 minutes for the larger bones (less cooking time for the 1” bones) or until they are lightly browned. Turn off the oven and let them finish drying overnight. They should be crisp and firm and not move when you press on them.

October 21, 2009 celebrates the 2nd Annual Pet 'Net Event. Help Polka Dot Pup along with Petside.com and other pet-friendly sites spread the word about pet safety. Check out more ways to keep your pets safe and happy during the holidays at www.petside.com/pet-net-2009.

Second Annual Pet 'Net Event

Polka Dot Pup along with Petside.com and 24 other pet sites will be taking part in the Second Annual Pet 'Net Event being held on October 21, 2009 to help shine spotlight on pet safety.

In an effort to heighten awareness about critical issues related to pet safety, Petside.com, the popular online destination for pet owners and pet enthusiasts from NBC Digital Networks, has organized a consortium of some of the Web’s favorite pet-focused sites to launch the Pet ‘Net Safety Event on Wednesday, October 21.

On this date, each participating site and weblog will highlight content devoted to the important topic of pet safety, with Petside.com hosting a comprehensive one-page hub (www.petside.com/pet-net-2009) with links to all of the special coverage.

Help us spread the word of pet safety especially during the holiday session!

Dogs Rule Day - An International Holiday for Dogs October 10, 2009

On this fur filled day, pet owners across the world are celebrating Dogs Rule Day, An International Holiday for Dogs brought to you by Pedigree. Created to celebrate your favorite four legged friends and everything special that they bring to your life.

You may ask, how does one celebrate this canine holiday? Check out Pedigrees top 10 ways to spend the day with your doggies -

• Adopt a dog! What better way to celebrate than with a new best friend. Find more information on Pet Adoption.
• Give an extra minute of bellyrubs.
• Play fetch 'til your arm falls off.
• Make a donation to The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive, your local shelter, or the dog-loving charity of your choice. You can donate here.
• Get your dog a gift basket full of snacks and treats.
• Volunteer at a shelter.
• Donate a bag of PEDIGREE® Food for Dogs to your local shelter.
• Hold a dog walk/parade to benefit dogs in your town.
• Give him/her the other half of your sandwich. Just this once.
• No baths. None.

For more great ways to make your pet feel special on Dog Rules Day (or any day!), visit http://www.pedigree.com/dogsruleday/.

Submit your favorite Dog Rules Day moments to polkadotpupblog@aol.com.