Chocolate Bunnies Are Better

Hi Everyone,

It's me, Zeva.  We're pretty busy at the Studio these days.  Easter is only a couple of weeks away and we're busy making lots of Easter Baskets.  We put all kinds of interesting toys and treats in our Easter Baskets and of course we have lots of fluffy bunnies in all sizes and colors.

Not living bunnies of course!  Bunnies are great pets but they are high maintenance so we don't think live bunnies are a good Easter gift for children.  Like puppies and kitties, bunnies grow up quickly and have a life expectancy of about 10 years.  Depending on the breed, a full grown bunny can weigh 10 to 12 pounds.  Like puppies and kitties, bunnies chew stuff around the house and like puppies and kitties, they need to be fed and they pee and poop on the carpets.

If you are thinking of getting your child a bunny for Easter this year, please think about a cuddly plush one or a yummy chocolate one, like the ones in our Easter Baskets.  If you still want to adopt a bunny, check with rabbit rescue services in a couple of weeks.  Unfortunately, there will be a whole bunch of cute baby bunnies needing new homes.

Your friend,

Zeva

Thought I Was Going Bald!

I'm shedding!  What a relief!  My hair was falling out and I was afraid I was going to be bald like my friend Jason.  Jason is a human and bald looks good on him but I've seen pictures of Xoloitzcuintli and I think I look better with my pretty white coat.
Shedding means that I'm losing my heavy winter coat and my shorter, lighter summer coat is coming in.  I'll shed again in the fall when my summer coat will be replaced with a warmer one for winter.
Seasonal shedding is normal for many breeds but some kinds of shedding are not good.  Non seasonal shedding can be caused by skin allergies, parasites or from not eating healthy.  Your vet can tell if you have allergies or parasites and help you get better.
Brushing and combing gets the hair before it gets on the floor or furniture and also helps spread good oils into the coat to make it shiny.  My humans like to brush and comb me so I don't go to the groomer like some of my friends.  Groomers also give baths.  If you don't go to the groomer, you can enjoy a SPA treatment at home like I do with one of my Spot's SPA Gift Baskets.  It has everything for a nice afternoon of pampering.
Spring is here and if shedding is what it takes to get our new summer coats, it's well worth it.
Happy Spring Shedding,
Your Friend,
Zeva

How Much Exercise Does A Dog Need?

How much exercise does a dog need?  The answer is, it depends.  It depends on the age and breed of the dog.  Puppies need lots of exercise while older dogs may not need much.  Like humans, dogs need to exercise every day.  Thirty to sixty minutes a day is a good average.
I come from a long line of working dogs.  I am part Border Collie so many of my cousins work on ranches and farms, herding sheep and cattle.  Some of my other cousins are Labradors who spend their time hunting birds.  They work hard and get plenty of exercise. 
My job as product tester for the pet division of our gift basket company and greeter at our store keeps me inside most days so we make sure that I get some type of exercise every day.  When we can't go for long walks, we play inside.  We play catch, fetch, tug-of-war and hide and seek.  I have dogs friends that I get to play with too.  We play in our yards or at the dog park.  I really like it when I get to go to day care and spend a whole day playing with all of the other dogs.  I am so tired after a day at day care, I fall asleep on the way home.
When dogs don't get enough exercise we find ways to entertain ourselves that can get us in trouble.  We find fun things to do like chew on shoes or furniture or dig holes or bark a lot.
Remember, a tired dog is a good dog so help your dog get lots of exercise every day.
How much exercise do you get every day?
Your friend,
Zeva

What If Your Human Gets Lost?

I go almost everywhere with my humans.  When we go for walks, I have to stay on my leash even if I don't like to because they don't want me to get in trouble.  We live where there are lots of woods but I have to stay in my fenced in yard. Mom says it's because she doesn't want to get lost from me.
Every day we go on FaceBook and read about dogs that got lost and we try to help them find their ways home.
According the ASPCA "Approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized (60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats). Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those animals relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state."
How awful!
I have a microchip.  Do you? Did you know that even if you have a microchip, it can't help you unless your humans remember to register it?  We were talking with our friend the town dog officer and he said that sometimes when he scans for a chip on a dog he has found, he finds the chip but it's not registered so he can't contact the people and let them know their dog is safe.  When you get your microchip, your humans get all kinds of paperwork that tells them how to make sure you are registered.  I know my Mom keeps the telephone number for the place I am registered at in my "important papers" box in the drawer near our telephone.
Also remember to wear all of your tags when you go out.  Your rabies vaccination tag and your town license tag can also help humans find your lost family.
I hope your humans never get lost from you but if they do, make sure you have evertything you need to get them home safely.
Your friend,
Zeva

Drop It!

Hey Everyone, it’s me, Zeva!

Our friend Jim Helems and Jake came in to visit us at the Laurel Mountain Basket Co Studios the other day. Jim is a dog trainer and Jake is one of his Aussies. Jim and Jake teach lots of things including Pet Health and First Aid.

I was really surprised to learn that the ASPCA Poison Control Center received over 167,000 calls last year. That’s a lot of calls about pets getting into things that can make them very sick and even make them die. The most common calls were about pets that got into over-the-counter and prescription medicines. There are so many things around every house that are poison. Much of the stuff used to clean the house or take care of the car are poisonous. Antifreeze is really, really bad. I don’t know from experience but it’s supposed to taste sweet so dogs and cats don’t know it is bad.

Lots of household plants like Aloe and Jade and garden plants like many type of holly are very bad for dogs. We have Aloe and Jade in our house and Mom makes sure they are way out of my reach like on top of the refrigerator.

People food can be bad for pets. I know I’m not supposed to beg but I love pizza. I only get the crust, if I get anything at all, because onions and garlic are two people foods that are very bad for dogs.

Even if your humans are careful and keep all the bad poison stuff on high shelves or in cabinets, curious or bored pets can get into lots of trouble. I learned from The Preventive Vet that Mom’s purse has lots of things in it that can make me sick, like aspirin and sugarless gum with stuff called Xylitol in it. So Moms, don’t hang your purses over the back of a chair or on a door knob where we can get to them.

If you know of other stuff that is bad for us, I'd like to know cuz I want to have my house be as dog safe as we can make it.

And remember, when your human says "drop it!" you need to let go of whatever is in your mouth because it could be very bad for you.

Until next time, be safe

Your friend,

Zeva

Gingerbread Whoofie Pies

I love my job! Like it says on my business card, I am the Product Tester for the Pet Division of Laurel Mountain Basket Co. On Saturday our friend Nancy from Cozy Home Cookies (and more) had a booth at a crafts fair in our building.  She asked me to taste test her newest dog treat, Gingerbread Whoofie Pies. 
OMG!  Delicious!  The gingerbread was soft and not too sweet and the cream cheese filling was heavenly!  Definitely worth a five paws rating.  I could have eaten the whole box in one sitting but we put one of the Whoofie Pies in the fridge and I got to sample a little piece every day to test for freshness.  I know they are supposed to be healthy but it's hard to believe healthy tastes this good.
If you live in Western Mass and want to try the Gingerbread Whoofie Pies or any of the other home made pet treats from Cozy Home Cookies, you can usually find Nancy at the Greenfield Farmers' Market or you can contact me and I'll send you her email address.
Nancy also makes the cat blankets we put into our Cat Napping Gift Baskets.
We're expecting an order of dog toys any day now from Angelica of The Smiling Pets.  She embroiders sayings on her hand made dog toys.  I'm thinking of having her embroider my name on all of the toys but Mom says that would not be nice since the toys aren't all mine.  We are buying them to add to our expanding line of pet gift baskets.   Angelica is from Maine which makes her extra special.  We like working with New England crafters.
I am constantly sniffing out great new products of our pet gift baskets so if you have any ideas, let me know.
Your Friend (a/k/a Designer and Product Tester)
Zeva

Best In Show

Hi Everyone,
Are you ready for the greatest sporting event of the year?  No, not the Super Bowl, that's over with, to the disappointment of many New England fans.  It's the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and it starts on Monday, February 13th.  I've got my favorite cow's knuckle bone and seat on the couch all set.
Established in 1877 the Westminster is America's oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs and it is the second longest continuously held sporting event in the United States, the longest running being the Kentucky Derby.
Although the whole show is amazing to watch, I am most interested in the Sporting Group and the Herding Group competitions since I am part Labrador Retriever and part Border Collie. Like lots of people I am  interested in learning more about my ancestry.
Did you know that the Labrador has a "kind" expression and an outgoing temperament?  We are great assistance and therapy dogs as well as search and rescue dogs.  Labs are one of most popular breeds.
Border Collies are great at herding because of the our intensity, energy and agility.  Border Collies rock in obedience and agility competitions.  We love to please but can get into lots of trouble when we get bored. So if you have a Border Collie they need lots of chew toys.  If you don't know what kind or where to get them, ask me and I can tell you.
Being a Lab and Border Collie mix I think I would be an awesome therapy dog.  Mom is going to let me go to therapy dog school but she says we are going to wait a couple of months.  She says we need to get some more basic training down first.  I get too distracted and excited and forget to listen.
The winners in the Westminster show get silver trophies. I guess trophies are nice but I think most dogs would rather get something like my Best In Show! gift basket.
Do you have a favorite group that you like to watch?  Let me know and I'll make sure I tune in to watch.
Good Luck to all of the competitors! You're all champions!
Your Friend,
 Zeva