Our dogs bring so much joy and happiness to our lives. I cannot think of much that is better than seeing my pup’s tail wag as I walk into the house after a long day. Here are some of our favorite happy dog stories from American Animal Hospital Association and the healthypet website:

Smokey, the Shetland Sheepdog

Smokey has brought so much laughter into my life it is hard to pick just one special story, but here is the latest. We go camping whenever time permits. Smokey has a habit of stealing any piece of clothing that is lying around. This time he picked one of my bras from the duffel bag just before leaving the tent to go for a walk around the campground. Here we are strutting down the road, me proud to be walking this beautiful dog and Smokey proud to be showing off my bra to everyone. It wasn’t until someone stopped to find out what breed he was that I was made aware of his choice of toys to bring on his walk. Needless to say it was all over the campground by the end of the week. Now I check his mouth before leaving with him for a walk.

DD, the Australian Shepherd/Shetland Sheepdog mix
We bought a doggie gumball machine that dispenses dry dog food and treats. The instructions said to allow about 3 weeks for the dog to get used to eating from the machine. We opened the box at 11 p.m. one night, and by 11:45 p.m. she was reliably getting her own treats from the machine! What a smartie!

HoneyB, the Pekingese
HoneyB has brought so much love to my household. My father passed away and I was feeling so lost and alone. While at a flea market in Florida, we passed by a booth that sold dogs. HoneyB was in a cage and very undernourished. She weighed one pound and the owner was throwing her old chicken skin to eat. Well, needless to say, she came right home with us. It was a battle for awhile to keep her alive, but through diligent feeding and care she starting perking right up. Still feeling so lost over my dad, I clung to her. She provided me with love and compassion from that very day she came home with me. During my crying periods, she was there, looking at me with those big black eyes and staying close to me. She knew just when to give me that extra special attention. I love her so much.

Sam, the dog
When Sam was a puppy, he was a “puppy from hell.” He got into so much trouble, we didn’t know what to do with him. He destroyed our kitchen. He got into cabinets and destroyed boxes of rice and bags of cereal that ended up all over the floor. Bottles of soy sauce landed on top of the counter right side up! Nothing was left in the cabinets. Sam tore the curtains down from the sliding doors in the kitchen. He thought that that was a lot of fun. He then proceeded to the walls and chewed through them. By the time we came home from work, Sam had made the kitchen into a war zone. He was standing, tail wagging, on top of the curtains, which were on top of the pieces of sheet rock, which were on top of the pieces of flooring! He was so proud of himself and wanted us to tell him how good he was.
Well, the years have gone by and Sam is now four years old and as good as gold.He just loves his bed, which is in the new designer kitchen. If you ever need a reason to remodel any room of your house, just get a puppy and leave him alone in it. He will tell you exactly what needs to be changed.

Buddy, the black Labrador Retriever
Buddy loves to stick his head in between the pillows of the sectional couch, stick his backside in the air, and stay like that for 10 minutes or more!

Hercules, the Pekingese
Hercules’ room is our laundry room.One day the laundry basket was empty and this was something he had not seen since we got him. He is 9 months old. He started barking and growling at the empty basket as if it were a monster. Since then I have used that as an excuse to be behind on our laundry.

Emerson, the Cocker Spaniel
Emerson has a habit of passing gas, and when he does, it scares him to death! He will chase his tail for a few minutes, then pass gas, then jump in my lap from fear and stay there until he thinks it is safe to return to the floor. It doesn’t matter where I am! If he passes gas, he is in my lap. He has jumped on me when I am in the bathtub, when I am sitting at the dining room table eating dinner, and when I have company over and we are in the living room. The look on his face is the funniest thing I have ever seen. He looks at me like he is trying to say “Mommy, what was that and is everything okay?” He is very sweet but very dumb. I love him so much, even when he passes gas.

We believe the way to pay back our doggies for all the happiness they bring to our lives is to make sure they are happy. We play with our pups often and we take care of their health. We take them to the veterinarian for regular check-ups and feed them the premium in dog food and dog treats.

We never give our dogs human food (as the vet instructed).

Our vet has recommended good dog food and good dog treats to give them. He said that a good rule to follow is to get them food and treats that are all natural and low in fat.

Our dogs take care of our happiness and we take care of theirs. It’s a happy house at our place!

Lisa M Andrews is an expert on treatpeople.com/ natural dog treats. She loves spending time with her 3 dogs and assisting dog lovers with finding the right dog treats for their pets’ needs. She also enjoys talking with dog owners and hearing the stories about their favorite pets.

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Tags: dog food, healthy dog, monster

While we all are aware about health insurance for use, dog or cat insurance is less known to many, but it can be of value to owners. Knowing the benefits and issues of pet insurance can help you make a better decision, and possibly save money also.

Dog or cat insurance answers a question - how do you afford sudden pet health costs? Major illnesses with your dog and cat can end up costing a great deal. Surgery, for instance, can cost many thousands of dollars. Not every pet owner feels that cat and dog health insurance is needed, while some consider it a waste. Also, some feel the choice for major health problems is euthanasia, instead of extended care.

However, for other owners, the significance of caring for their cat or dog and prolonging their life might involve making sure health care costs are covered, such as with a health plan.

With every other healthcare plan, you contribute a given amount monthly to insure for future emergency health costs. Plans can vary a great deal in what they cover and don’t cover. Like health plans for people, animal plans differ a great deal, so it’s extremely important you read the legalese fine print on each plan you review.

For example, a health plan might include reduced payments for medicine and food used during treatment or care. Ensure this amount is sufficient for what you expect. Many policies also carry a lifetime maximum. This limit can vary widely, but in every case, when you reach it you will get no more benefits. Often, preexisting health problems are not covered by the policy. This stops owners from enrolling a cat or dog to help reduce costs of continuing treatments.

While some policies include death payments, this is not a thing you’ll likely want to pay additionally for, except if you anticipate some expenses for a funeral. Some plans don’t pay for what is termed consequential damage. For instance, if an accident damages the cat’s or dog’s kidneys, they may not pay for future treatments. Therefore, if you’re uncertain what your health plan covers, make sure to check it over in detail and ask questions.

As with your health care, it’s important to shop and choose well. Internet browsing allows you to evaluate health care plans and select the ideal one for your pet and you. And besides the Internet, your fellow dog and cat owners, veterinarian, and possibly others can provide suggestions.

Although checking into healthcare for your dog or cat isn’t an easy or simple task, the peace of mind once your cat or dog is protected will make it worthwhile. And if your dog or cat needs expensive care someday soon, the care plan you buy might mean the difference between a happy and healthy dog or cat, or struggling to fix an expensive problem.

Eric Hartwell oversees “The World’s Best Homepage” intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on theworldsbesthomepage.com/blog/category/home/pets/ pets, cat and dog care and animal health and visit our associated site free-content-resource.com articles for free.

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Tags: healthy dog

The Pomeranian is a small fluff ball that looks like a miniature lion. His double coat that can be colored orange, red, brown, cream, white, blue or black, and his small erect ears, are his most distinctive features. Although his coat is beautiful, it does shed plenty of fur and will require daily grooming to keep it free from mats and knots.

Pomeranians first became popular in England in the late 19th century thanks to Queen Victoria who took a great liking to the breed. However, Poms were actually developed from sled dogs in the once Prussian region of Pomerania, where the breed received their name.

The Pomeranian is full of energy and is incredibly clever. He loves to learn and work which makes him an easy dog to train. In fact, his supreme intelligence has also made the Pom a frequent show dog champion. One of his greatest joys is barking, which has made him an ideal watchdog. Unfortunately, Poms like to yap on a regular basis, which can become annoying. For this reason, many owners take great care to teach their dog’s when it is acceptable to bark.

Poms are very proud and courageous. Even though they love to be with their owners, they are very independent. Their independent, bold and often willful nature is why the Pomeranian requires obedience training. He must know that his owner is in charge or the Pom will take charge and attempt to boss his family around. Like many of the Toy breeds, Pomeranians seem oblivious to their size.

Pomeranians can be a very temperamental breed and only accept other family pets if they have been raised with them as a puppy. Poms will not tolerate teasing and are much happier with older children than they are with younger kids. Furthermore, younger children may handle the Pomeranian roughly and unintentionally hurt the dog.

Keep in mind, the Pomeranian is a Toy dog so it is very small weighing only 3 – 7 pounds and at its highest stands only at 11 inches. Thus, it is more fragile than larger dog breeds, and it won’t hesitate to defend itself if it feels threatened.

Due to the fact that Poms are so small, they make ideal apartment dogs and are perfect city companions. They are exceptionally active indoors and only require short walks. This also makes them an excellent companion for seniors.

On average, a Pomeranian is a healthy dog and will live anywhere from 12 – 16 years. They are not prone to any major health defects, but the common issues that seem to affect this breed include early tooth loss, eye infections and skin and heart problems.

A Pomeranian is a fantastic and devoted companion. He travels well and likes to keep busy. His love is unconditional and he will return it ten fold to anyone who shares their love with him.

Richard Cussons cares about all dogs and the Pomeranian dog is no exception. You can find out more about

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Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, groom, healthy dog

Man’s best friend comes in all shapes and sizes from massive Great Danes to microscopic Teacup Chihuahuas. It pays to be educated about the breed of dog you’re considering. Here are some things to take into account about the Maltese.

The Maltese is a member of the toy class, usually weighing between three and 10 pounds. Its most prominent characteristic is its long, flowing white hair with no undercoat. Because the Maltese don’t have fur like other breeds, it will lose hair the way humans do instead of shedding like most dogs. Perhaps the most interesting and unique characteristic of the breed is its color-changing nose. The nose can change from coal black to a light brownish color or even pink depending on the amount of sunlight the animal is exposed to. The nose of a female Maltese may change color when she goes onto heat.

Because Maltese don’t shed if properly and regularly groomed, they make good pets for people who suffer with allergies.

The breed’s temperament lends itself to companionship. The Maltese is happiest when in the company of family and friends being lavished with affection. Like most small breeds, they are energetic and given to sudden bouts of activity, but their small size makes them a good option for apartment dwellers. Maltese are very smart. Their high intellect makes them easy to train and quick at picking up new tricks.

Maltese are generally good natured and playful, but like any pack-oriented animal, they might not do well with small children or strangers. They are very territorial and likely to be protective of the family unit.

Like anything else with hair, a Maltese must be regularly groomed to prevent matting. Some caretakers find a way around the chore by keeping their dogs in what is known as a “puppy cut” or a “teddy bear cut,” where the hair is kept short, about a half an inch, all over the body. This style is certainly less fuss and may be more comfortable for the dog, but it’s not acceptable for a show dog.

Maltese are relatively healthy dogs, usually unburdened with the afflictions of other pure breeds. However, luxating patella, white dog shaker syndrome and progressive retinal atrophy are common in Maltese that do develop problems. Luxating patella is a condition in which the kneecap slips out of place. White dog shaker syndrome is a sudden onset of tremors, sometimes full seizures, that troubles only white dogs. Progressive retinal atrophy is just what it sounds like. It will eventually result in blindness for which there is no cure.

In keeping with the designer breed trend, Maltese are often bred with other breeds, such as poodles, to emphasize their sweet nature and intelligence.

Corinne enjoys writing about dogs and other pets. Find more of her articles at Pets 247, a pet resource website where you can find pets-24.com online pet store resources, pet directories, pets-24.com/online-pet-store-forum pet forums, reviews and more.

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Your dog is a social being, just like you! He/she loves walking in the park with you, playing ball or chase with you, and just being with you. Even when he/she’s lying around the house or the backyard having a snooze, your dog is well aware of your presence, or absence, and appreciates every minute you spend with him/her. If you have a family, your dog loves being part of your family and no doubt has a special relationship with most, if not all, of the family members.

I have a Rottweiler, Kara, and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jet. They’re both female and both just turned 9 years. I’ve had them since they were puppies, and they’re definitely members of my family. I love them to bits and would be lost without them.

I’ll bet your dog is much like mine when it comes to interacting with you.

I know my dogs are always beside themselves with joy and excitement whenever I come home - regardless of whether I’ve been away for a week, or just popped out for 10 minutes! What human gets that excited to see you? No one? I thought so. I don’t know any human who’s even half that happy to see me.

Kara often stands and wags her tail when I walk past her in the house or when I talk to her. And Jet doesn’t move from her comfortable position lying down. But her tail thumps up and down on the floor. Just goes to show that every dog has his/her own unique personality. Just like us.

And my dogs just love being let in from outside. They consider their place is in the house - just like the human members of the household!

And why not? Dogs really can be a man’s (or a woman’s or a child’s) best friend. They rarely ask for anything. So long as you feed them regularly, and show them some love and attention, they’re happy. And a happy dog is the first step to a healthy dog. (Don’t get me wrong, dogs don’t have to be allowed in the house to be happy - mind you, my dogs would like me to believe that this is the case!)

Consistency when dealing with your dog is very important. And I’m talking here about both the initial teaching/training of your dog, and also the reinforcement of those teachings throughout your dog’s life.

It’s essential for your dog’s wellbeing for you to be consistent when disciplining, playing with and just simply spending time with, your dog. But it’s also important for other members of the household (and even frequent visitors) to treat your dog in a similar manner where possible. This is particularly so if your dog has any problem behaviours, such as jumping up at people. If you don’t also ask your family and your visitors to make it clear to your dog that this is unacceptable, your dog is unlikely to curb the jumping altogether. And this may simply perpetuate the problem.

Dogs who experience consistency tend to be better behaved dogs, and, guess what? You guessed it - better behaved dogs are happier dogs, and happier dogs are healthier dogs!

So you know what to do - love your dog, spend quality time with your dog, and make sure you’re consistent.

About The Author

(c) Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs, 2004

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover and owns 2 dogs - a Rottweiler and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Brigitte has a special interest in improving the health and possibly extending the life of your dog.

You can subscribe to the Healthy Happy Dogs ezine - for free tips, information, strategies and resources for a healthier happier dog - at: HealthyHappyDogs.com” target=”_new HealthyHappyDogs.com; mailto:Brigitte@HealthyHappyDogs.com Brigitte@HealthyHappyDogs.com

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Tags: bull terrier, healthy dog, rottweiler