The Christmas Puppy Poem

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a Creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
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The children were nestled all snug in their beds, with no thought of the dog filling their head and Mamma in her 'kerchief', and I in my cap, knew he was cold, but didn't care about that.
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When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash.
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The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the luster of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears.
He unchained the dog, once so lively and quick, last year's Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick. More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name. The dog ran to him, despite all of his pain.
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"Now, DASHER! Now, DANCER! Now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! On CUPID! On DONER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all."
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I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year, for Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear. The gift of a dog is not just for the season, we had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons.
In our haste to think of the kids a gift, there was one important thing that we missed. A dog should be family, and cared for the same. You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain.
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And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight, "You weren't giving a gift! You were giving a life!"
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Author Unknown
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We can do much better than this poem suggests. We can be responsible pet owners. The resources are here. Make sure the cute puppies and kittens that are adopted as Christmas gifts are given a forever home. They are part of your family. Teach your children to properly feed, bath, and care for their new pet; train the new pet to use the bathroom outside; walk on a leash, follow simple commands, and train yourself on how to be a good pet owner. It takes a little time but the rewards are worth it. The love of the cherished pet lasts it lifetime and they will give back more to you and your family than you could ever give to them. Believe me, I know this to be true from a lifetime of personal experience.
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Hundreds of pet education books are available at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/ in the Pet Education Section. You will find books on: Pet Food/Recipes/Diets, Homemade Pet Food Recipes, Pet Training, Horse Training/Nutrition, Birds, Small Animal Care, Reptiles, Fish & Aquarium Supplies, all pet supplies. This is where to find natural, human grade, organic, & holistic dog and cat food, pet wellness care items for health, bird food and supply's, horse supply's, wild critter supply's, Sales with lots of discounts, and don't forget to give to your favorite animal charity for Christmas. Perhaps your local shelter could use a bag of dog or cat food.
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Merry Christmas to all and to all pets, a wonderful home with a loving family who will keep you for your entire life. Love & Blessings from Everything Natural Pet Food.>

Winter Pet Gifts - Give them Warmth for Christmas

It's freezing outside! What are you doing to keep your pets safe from the cold? Here are some ideas and where you can find them. Give your pet the gift of warmth for Christmas.

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Snuggle Safe Heat Pad: Perfect for all pets. Provides 12 hours of warmth. The temperature remains stable at 123 degrees for 5 to 6 hours then slowly drops off. 5 min in microwave and place under pets bedding. Also use to keep hot foods warm when transporting. $24.47 plus shipping. Locate at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/, click on Pet Education Books, click on Pet Supplys, page 10.

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Weatherbeeta Landa Deluxe Dog Blanket: Nine sizes and two colors available. Dog blanket coat with collar for extra warmth and a leash hole for easy walking your dog. 600 Denier outer shell on coat is waterproof & breathable. Full nylon lining, optional leg straps, touch tape closure, safety reflective stripes, and is washable. $31.95 plus shipping. Locate at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/, click on Pet Education Books, click on Pet Apparel, page 1.

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Red Fleece Reflective Safety Jacket: Brushed Fleece outside and lined with heat retentive polyester Fleece inside. Two reflective stripes on the back for night time visibiltiy. Red with grey turn down collar. Adjustable velcro closures at neck and stomach. Leash hole and storage pocket on back. Sizes available. $18.99 plus shipping. Locate at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/, click on Pet Education Books, click on Pet Apparel, page 1.

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Iglo-Style Lectro Kennel Cover: Attached to the Iglo-Style Lectro Kennel Cover Pad for additonal heat. Sizes in small and medium. Faux Lambskin, washable, weave design to allow heat to penetrate. $13.99 - $15.99 plus shipping. Locate at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/, click on Pet Education Books, click on Kennels and Carriers, page 5.

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Wenzel Padded Pet Beds: Orthopedic padded pet beds for use inside kennels, carriers, or just on the floor. Washable with mild detergent and gentle cycle, two sided plaidwith Sherpa cover, zipper removable cover, 24 inches by 35 inches, two colors available, $12.99 Locate at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/, click on Pet Education Books, click on Pet Beds, page 1.

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Everything Natural Pet Food sells natural, human grade, organic, and holistic dog and cat pet foods and complete pet supplies (dogs-cats-horses-small animal-birds-fish-reptiles). Shop for Christmas gifts at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/

My Dog Ate Chocolate! - What to do

My Basset Hound Goober got into my shopping packages and found a one pound box of See's Candies. He ripped it open and bagan to eat it. My Black Lab knew it was wrong and began barking for me to follow her. I did. She led me to Goober who had eaten all but two pieces of chocolate before I found him and removed the box. I immediatly began to panic. In the past, I knew somones dog who had died from eating his family's Halloween chocolate. I knew I had to act fast. I thought to make him vomit the chocolate. My medicine cabinet did not have any Syrup of Ipecac so I drove to the pharmacy. The Pharmacist said they did not make that product any longer. They had nothing else to make my dog vomit. I rushed home and called poison control.

Poison control asked me how much chocolate he ate and how much he weighed. There is a formula for figuring out if they ate enough to be toxic. They worked out the formula. It came out that Goober would have to eat three boxes of milk chocolate for him to have toxic results. They informed me he would be all right but would have a tummy ache and possibly vomit on his own. Luckily, he only had a tummy ache and laid on my lap all evening and sometimes letting out little groans. I was so thankful he was all right. I was so thankful for the quick thinking of my Black Lab.

However, I did learn something very important about what kinds of chocolates are very toxic to dogs. It is mostly the bakers chocolate and then the dark chocolate candies. Chocolate containes an ingrediant called "Methylxanthine" which is made up of caffeine and the alkaloid theobromine. This is not toxic to humans in the doses found in candy and bakery items. However, if your dogs eat bakers chocolate, it can be lethal in the right dose. So, if your dog eats a chocolate cake, it can be in trouble. You have to either get it to vomit using the Peroxide formula below and/or rush it to your Vet or Vveterinary emergency clinic. Even though your dog won't die from small amounts of milk chocolate, it is not a good idea to give it to them as a treat. It can make them vomit or have a bad tummy ache. Give them natual, human grade, organic, holistic dog treats. Never feed dogs chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes or raisons as they all have toxic effects.

The signs of chocolate poisioning can show up to hours after they have eaten the goodies. Your dog could be vomiting, frequently urinating, have diarrhea, rapid breathing, weakness, seizures, and go into a coma. Usually death occurs from cardiac arrest.

What to do according to the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" written by Debra M. Eldredge, DVM, Liisa D. Carlson, DVM, Delbert G. Carlson, DVM, and James M. Giffin, MD is: "If you know your dog has eaten chocolate within the past six hours and he has not already vomited, induce vomiting. Record the type and amount of chocolate ingested (sweet milk chocolate and semisweet chocolate in candy bars is not nearly as toxic as baking chocolate). Then call your veterinarian for further instructions."

Inducing Vomiting: Give the dog hydrogen peroxide. 3% solution is effective. 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight. Repeat every 15 to 20 minutes, up to three times until the dog vomits. Walk the dog after each dose to stimulate vomiting.

For emergencies have two things: 1. the phone number to poison control in a handy location, and 2. a good book like the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook" which can be found at http://www.everythingnaturalpetfood.com/ in the Pet Education Books section and click on Pet Wellness Care. I refer to this book often for my dogs care. It has everything from first aide to emergency care. If you have a dog you need a book like this.

Everything Natural Pet Food is a location for natural, human grade, organic, holistic, and vegetarian pet food and pet supplies for dogs, cats, birds, horses, small animals, reptiles, and wildlife. If you need something and can't find it, let us know and we'll find the resource for you. Remember, to keep your pets healthy, "Feed them Life!"