dog is my life

  Who doesn’t love a trip to the beach and the companionship of a good dog? Whether that stroll takes place at a lake, river, or ocean, part of the enjoyment is the familiar feel of bare feet pushing into cold, wet sand. Your canine companion may or may not notice the sand beneath her paws. Some dogs get so excited at the beach that they seem to bounce rather than walk. The fresh sea air can put new life into any dog, and it seems as they could go on playing for days. The beach can be a great place to enjoy an afternoon with your dog, but it also present safety hazards. Pet owners must be aware of their dogs’ activities. While no one feeds their dog a plate of sand, Fido could swallow the gritty grime without even realizing it. Be Aware When a dog eats sand, it is usually consumed in small amounts. For example, licking a dirty paw could result in swallowing a bit of sand. Digging in the sand, especially with a dog’s nose in the ground, could also cause a bit of sand swallowing. How...

  Body language is one way that dogs communicate what they want or how they feel. Some behaviors may seem trivial and unimportant to us, but that’s not always true. Dogs usually have a reason for doing things. If you notice your dog licking the air, he may be trying to tell you that something isn’t right. It could even be something that warrants a trip to the vet. Here are 8 reasons why your dog might lick the air. Anxiety Air licking is often a sign that your dog is feeling anxious or stressed. The challenge is to figure out what’s causing him to feel uncomfortable. Some of the things that can cause anxiety in dogs are loud noises coming from outside (e.g., thunder, fireworks, construction, motorcycles, a neighborhood gathering), a new pet in the home, guests in the home during a party, renovations, or a move into a new home. Compulsive Disorder Some dogs develop a repetitive behavior as a result of stress, frustration, boredom or to get attention. Behaviors that could be a sign i...

  Humans view a hug as a sign of affection, but many dogs would prefer that we skip them. Wrapping our arms around their neck just makes some dogs uncomfortable. However, that certainly doesn’t mean your dog doesn’t adore you. Some of the ways dogs show their love for us are obvious, while others are more subtle. Here are 9 signs that your dog is mad about you: Eyebrow and Ear Movements Dogs express what’s on their mind using their body language, tail wagging, growls, barks and whines. These are obvious signs that convey how a dog is feeling. Facial expressions can also give us a clue about a dog’s state of mind. However, most canines don’t have easy to see eyebrows, so it can be harder for us to notice movement of the brows. One subtle way your dog shows his love though, is to raise his eyebrows (primarily the left one) and shift his left ear back. The eyes may be a “window into the soul” as they say, but your dog’s eyebrows indicate his affection for you. Leaning Against You Your...

  When the time comes to say goodbye, all dog parents hope their pets peacefully pass away after a long, happy life. The unfortunate reality, however, is senior dogs and dogs suffering from illness or injury most often rely on their owners to know when it’s time to cross the Rainbow Bridge. Choosing to end a life—a life you’ve cherished as part of the family—is an impossibly difficult decision, but preventing suffering is your biggest concern. No one wants their best friend to suffer, and veterinarians guide dog owners in how to tell when illness or advanced age has become too much for a pet to bear. There is no clear answer to when it’s time to say goodbye, but there are signs to look for to help make this important decision. Having one or two of the following symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean it’s your dog’s time, but noticing several of these signs indicates it might be time to talk to your vet about a peaceful end of life plan. 1. Loss of Appetite For most dogs, eating is their...