Dog Ramps Many dogs need help getting into cars or boats, or even on furniture, especially as they age.  Make your dog's life easier with one of these sturdy ramps.

As the end of the summer nears and early fall approaches, regulation of pets on the beach are eased and beautiful early fall weather beseech you to take your furry friend outdoors to the nearest body of water to play. Here are a few tips for keeping your dog safe around water. 1)      While some dogs live to swim, others may be unable to or simply hate being in the water. Be conscious and considerate of your dog's preferences and skills. Don't try to force him or her to swim if your dog seems afraid or averse; many dogs will never feel comfortable in the water.   2)      If you're taking your dog swimming for the first time, help coax him into the water by starting off in a shallow area. Try calling his name and creating a fun environment by using dog toys and/or treats to play with.     3)      Swimming is very hard work, making it easy for your dog to overexert himself- especially dogs that are drawn to the water. Keep track of the time and evaluate your dog's level of effort to keep your dog from overdoing it.   4)      Never throw your dog into the water. Doing so may cause your dog to feel anxious or fearful of going into the water in the future. Also, since some dogs have large bodies and short legs, they are not built to swim for enjoyment and therefore may be traumatized by the act.   5)      If taking your dog swimming at the ocean, be careful of strong tides. Never let your dog swim far enough out to be swept away by the current. Use a doggy life jacket as a safety precaution.   6)      Moisture in a dog's ear can cause nasty infections if not cleaned properly after swimming. Ask your vet or local pet store for the proper supplies and a demonstration to make sure you are thoroughly ridding his or her ears of the nasty bacteria found in ocean and lake water.   7)      Never leave your dog unattended in water. If you have a pool, make sure to invest in adequate safety products, such as a baby fence or pool alarm to alert you if your dog falls in. Train your dog to know how to exit the pool by teaching him/her to locate the steps or ramp, and providing a refresher course on exiting at the beginning of each swimming session.   8)      Be careful of taking your dog swimming at night. Dogs' vision dramatically decreases after nightfall as well as with age, so swimming in the dark may be extremely scary for dogs, even those who normally love to be in the water.   9)      Just like humans, dogs are equally susceptible to getting hypothermia in cold water. Unfortunately, they may not understand that the water is what's causing them to feel cold, making it easier for an accident to occur. If the water is cold enough to prompt you to get out, it is safe to say your dog is at risk to getting cold as well and should be brought out of the water to regain warmth.   1    Never let your dog drink the pool water, which is filled with chlorine and chemicals that can make your dog sick. Salt water from the ocean and bacteria found in lakes can also be harmful. To prevent ingestion of contaminated water, keep a clean water bowl nearby for your dog to drink from. Se    

Are you planning on doing a lot of walking this Halloween? Walking on the pavement can commonly be irritating for you pup's paws, especially if it's really cold out! Our Guardian Gear Boots keep paws safe from heat, cold, ice, salt, stones, and abrasive surfaces. These boots have bold new colors and a tough new non-skid sole for all-weather use. Guardian Gear Boots are a great accessory to have for your trick-or-treating extravaganza! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/3097--guardian-gear-dog-boots.html    

Does your dog LOVE playing fetch? Most dogs do! Don't let an achy arm and slobbery ball stand between you and your dog's favorite pastime!  The Flik-It™ arm pivots to increase throwing power and accuracy, extending range while reducing joint and muscle strain. In short, it helps you send the ball soaring without getting sore. The Gravity-lock™ slider naturally falls into place to secure the arm for easy, slobber-free ball pickup. During this game of fetch, your dog will tire out long before you do! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/8499--dog-games-flik-it-launch-a-ball.html

It's been hot all summer and it doesn't look like it is going to end any time soon for many areas of the country.  I think it is always smart to brush up on the signs of heat stroke in dogs.   The ASPCA offers the following warning signs for recognizing when your dog might be overheated. According to Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, "symptoms of  overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees." Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.   Summer Safety Tip: Dogs and Cars - Don't leave them alone! Even on a relatively cool day, temperatures can escalate quickly and in the Summer, can become a furnace in no time—even with the windows open—which could lead to fatal heat stroke.     

Run out of fun summer activities to do with your pooch? Make the most of this summer and take you pup on some adventures! Here's a list of 10 great ideas to get you inspired! http://kendalldog.com/2011/06/14/10-fun-things-to-do-with-your-pup-during-the-dog-days-of-summer/  

Need some help convincing your boss to let you bring your pet to work with you? Research has found that taking your dog to work has numerous benefits for the employees and work environment. Below are several noteworthy reasons you can offer your employer to sway their policy on pets.   1)      Reduces stress. You may have heard that dogs and cats help reduce their owners' stress, but did you know that benefit can carry over into the workplace? In a study published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, stress levels lowered amongst employees who had their dogs by their side throughout the workday in comparison to employees who left their pets at home as well as with non-owners. A study by the American Journal of Cardiology has found that people with pets had hearts that adapted to stress better than non-pet owners.   Stress is a major contributor to the degradation of employee morale and burnout. By buffering the impact of stress during the workday by having one's pet by their side, employees are more likely to be resilient, productive, and satisfied.   2)      Promotes health. There have been numerous studies backed by the American Heart Association that have proven a connection between pet ownership and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, data shows that pet ownership plays a part in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In comparison to non-pet owners, people with heart issues that own a pet have a higher likelihood of surviving a heart attack.   3)      Increase Camaraderie. Research indicates that having a dog present leads to more conversations with others and helps people feel socially connected. Therefore, bringing your pet to work can help strengthen work relationships and facilitate team-building in the office. Feedback from employees note that working amongst coworkers with their dogs helps increase cooperation in the group.   4)      Increase Productivity. According to a study that incorporated both small and large companies, those that allowed pets in the workplace had employees who worked longer hours and had a lower rate of absentees. Without having to run home to be with one's pet, people are more likely to stay later to finish up their work. If you do decide to bring your four-legged friend to work with you, remember to pack enough food and water to last them the entire day, and make sure you've pet-proofed your office space to ensure a healthy, safe environment for both your pet and fellow employees.   

    Those in search of canine companionship without the commitment of fulltime ownership can reach a happy medium at the Aspen Boarding Kennel and Shelter's program Aspen, Colorado. The program offers travelers and citizens of Aspen the opportunity walk dogs and even take them on overnight trips. The program is the No-kill shelter's attempt to provide better quality of life and ultimately increase adoptions but can also serve as a fun activity for tourists.   Labeled a “dog paradise,” The community of Aspen is a prime location for the program. Whether its water bowls outside many retailers or a mailman equipped with dog treats for neighboring dogs, the program thrives in the dog-friendly atmosphere.   While walkers and caretakers get in their fix of canine companionship, the dogs become more socially acclimated and have a better chance at being adopted. Some walkers use the program to ease themselves into pet ownership and others use it as a way to meet the dogs prior to adoption. The flexible policy requires the dogs to be leashed for liability reasons. Temporary owners are able to take them on daily errands, home to their yards and even weekend hikes! If you are in the Aspen area and miss your dog or want to hang out with one when you finished with a day at the slopes, consider the Aspen Boarding Kennel and Shelter's Program. Visit www.dogsaspen.com for more information.  

I never thought of myself as one that would use a dog stroller, but I have become a big fan.  I use a dog stroller for two different reasons.    One, I have a 15 year old Bichon Frise (Sammy) with major back problems resulting in her inability to walk for any distance.  Putting her in the stroller while I walk our other dog, Cookie, gives her the opportunity to be a part of the family, get some fresh air and sunshine.  Once I started doing this on a regular basis, she seemed to become a happier little dog.    I also use a dog stroller for Cookie when I work at dog events.  Cookie is my "assistant" at these shows and I have found the stroller to come in handy both when setting up and breaking down our booth because I can roll her around in it and not worry about her leash getting tangled as we set up, as well as throughout the day to give her a break from the activity.   And I'm sure everyone has seen dog strollers while shopping.  While I haven't done this (yet), it is a great way to take your little one with you when you go to the mall.   We have two models that have been popular at Furry Travelers:  The PetZip 3 in 1 Stroller, and the Pet Stroller XL.  The images below are of the 3 in 1 Stroller (including Cookie at a trade show in Atlanta).   This 3-Way Stoller covers all your needs.  Along with it being a dog stroller, it conveniently converts into a car seat as well as a carrier.  Holds up to 30 pounds.  Available in Red or Navy Blue.   The Pet Stroller XL is another great stroller and one I have used for almost 2 years now.  This stroller has really worked hard for me and has held up just great!  It also holds up to 30 pounds and it is long enough and tall enough to hold more than one dog, or taller dogs.  It easily collapses to fit into your trunk.  The colors are great, too.  Tangerine and Lime.   So which stroller is for you?  If you don't need the car seat, my vote is for the Pet Stroller XL.  If you like the 3 in 1 concept, you can't go wrong there, either.   For more information on all our strollers, click here.

We recently found a company in California that bakes all natural dog treats in some very unique ways with healthy ingredients.    Here is the scoop:   Sweetie Pies are a healthy dog treat made of free range chicken and sweet potatoes.  Research has shown that sweet potatoes are one of the top 10 healthiest foods you can eat!  They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.  Even better, dogs love them! The chickens and sweet potatoes are both from small local farmers.  They are slow baked to preserve their goodness.  Dogs can't say no to these treats!  Break pieces off to use as training treats or as a nutritious low calorie snack. I had always heard of dogs that had a "tooting" problem, but this has become a recent issue with Cookie and I can't wait to try these!  We sold out of them too soon for me to try with our first order, but now that we have more, we won't waste any time getting her started on them!   Enzymes are the catalysts for every metabolic process in the body and the foundation for good digestion and overall health.  Better digestion means less gas.  Digestive enzymes are added to these treats so they are easily absorbed.  Fart Busters are made from pure whole free range chicken with a proprietary blend (human grade) of digestive enzymes that can aid digestion and help with those "aromatic" moments.  These are all meat treats, manufactured in California.  Chickens are from local farmers and are raised without the use of antibiotics or animal by-products and are fed a vegetarian diet.   Cookie and Katie both have tried - and go crazy over - Bark Stix.  What a great idea - dog treats that look like bread sticks!  They are made with organic whole wheat flour, beef liver, water, rolled oats, carrots, bacon, parsley and baking powder.    I am very happy to be able to offer healthy treat options for your Furry Traveler.  Give one or all of them a try while they last!