• "A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue" -Author Unknown
  • "Every boy should have two things: a dog and a mother willing to let him have one." - Anonymous
  • "Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." - Gene Hill
  • A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same. - Elbert Hubbard
  • "A hug is like a boomerang - you get it back right away." -Bil Keane
  • "A meow massages the heart." - Stuart McMillan
  • "There is more to life than increasing speed." -Mahatma Ghandi
  • "Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it." - J. Petit Senn
  • "If your horse says no, you either asked the wrong question, or asked the question wrong." - Pat Parelli
  • "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." - Winston Churchill
  • "Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." -Roger Caras
  • "No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle." - Winston Churchill
  • "Agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." - George Eliot
  • "To err is human - to forgive, canine."
  • "Money may buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag its tail." -Kinky Friedman
  • "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." - Anatole France
  • "I hope to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am." - Unknown
  • "Horses - if God made anything more beautiful, he kept it for himself." - Author unknown
  • "Are we really sure the purring is coming from the kitty and not from our very own hearts?" - Terri Guillemets
  • "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." - Ben Williams

Skin and Nail Care

shutterstock_40455169 Skin and nail care are essential to maintaining the health of your dog or cat.   Many times the coat and skin reflect the general health of your pet.  There are different components to maintaining your pets coat and skin.  It is generally a combination of proper nutrition, effective parasite control and regular general grooming.

Proper nutrition plays an important role in your pet's general health including that of the skin and coat.  An excess or deficiency of certain nutrients can cause problems.  Discuss your pet's diet with your veterinarian.

Parasite control is another important element in maintaining healthy skin & coat.  Internal and external parasites such as hookworms and fleas can have a negative effect on the skin and coat.  Follow your veterinarian's recommendation for flea and internal parasite prevention.

Grooming

Routine grooming may prevent skin and or coat problems and will enable you to detect problems before they become more serious.  Bathing your dog should be done as often as necessary to keep your pet clean.  It is generally recommended once per month for dogs.  Cats seldom require bathing as they are exceptional self groomers.  If your cat stops grooming seek medical attention as it may be a sign of a health problem.

If you are grooming or bathing your dog or cat at home, be sure to consult your veterinarian regarding proper shampoos for your pet.  Frequent shampooing can strip essential oils so a mild shampoo is important.  Remove dead hair and mats to prevent skin disorders.  A good quality stainless steel pet comb or brush should be used to gently remove the hair.  Always wash the brush in between use.

Routinely check your pet's skin for potential problems such as hot spots, itching, redness and flaky dry skin.  These may be signs of a deficiency in nutrients or allergies.  Consult your veterinarian for additional assistance.

Nail Care

Nail care should be a regular part of your dog or cats grooming routine.  Overgrown nails can cause painful infections or result in soreness or other problems in the leg.  Some pets will wear their toenails naturally.  If you hear a clicking noise as your pet walks on a hard surface it is likely your pet needs a nail trim.

For most dogs and cats nail trims once a month are best.  Use a clipper designed specifically for dog nails.  Your dog nail clipper should have stainless steel blades and a nail guard to protect from cutting too much nail.  For cats, use a nail trimmer shutterstock_53398564designed for felines.  Never use a scissors.

Each nail has a quick or a blood vessel that runs down the center of the nail that will bleed if the nail is cut too short.  It is easily identified in a white nail but not visible in a black nail.  It is important you have styptic powder or gel on hand to stop the bleeding if you should cut the nail too short. 

If you are new to trimming your pet's nails, watch your veterinarian do it first.  Ask questions.  If your dog or cat is nervous or apprehensive about having their feet handled or you are uncomfortable trimming your pet's nails, your veterinarian is best qualified to perform this service.