Message From the Alpha Dog

Merry Christmas!!! I hope all our members have a Happy and Safe Holiday season.

Please remember our four legged friends this time of year. Donate something to your local shelter, as they are always in need of blankets, food, kitty litter, newspapers and even cash gifts.

Our pets at home also need special care during the holidays. As much as we want to include them in our celebrations, sometimes it is better to keep them out of the thick of things. Our dogs often don't understand all the strangers, new foods and decorations.

Try not to change their schedule too much. If your dogs are used to a daily walk, grooming or playtime, stick to it. Don't give them alot of human treats that really aren't good for our pets. We might be tempted to give them cookies, chocolate and other goodies, but they really aren't good for your dog. Parties can also confuse our little ones and it may be best to confine them to a room away from the guests. It would also be easy for a dog to escape when guests are entering and leaving the house.

There are other dangers associated with Christmas that we need to be aware of. Lots of plants during this time of year are poisonous to dogs. Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias need to be kept out of the reach of our dogs. Keep ornaments and lights out of the reach of your dog, or better yet, keep them away from the tree completely. Needles from real and artificial trees can be ingested and make them sick. Power cords can be chewed and electric shocks can be deadly to dogs.

I like to include my dogs in the holidays, but I keep them away from the hustle and bustle. The tree is in room that I can block off from them. I always buy them special toys and treats just for dogs for Christmas. I do wrap them and let them open the gifts, but we quickly take the paper away from them. It may be silly of me, but they do seem to love it!

Melody Golubski
DogHobbyist.com Site Coordinator
PH FasDog

Chats During the Holiday Season

Regular scheduled chats on DogHobbyist will be canceled Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and New Year's. All our nightly Pet Loss Support Chats will be hosted as usual, however. So many of us have bittersweet memories of animals no longer with us when holiday time comes around, so if you feel in need of checking in with others who understand, please come by the Haven at http://chat.pethobbyist.com at 9 PM ET on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, and 10 PM ET on Christmas and New Year's. We'll be there!

How IMOM Saves Pets' Lives…
And how you can help
by Christie Keith

This fall, I had the heartbreaking experience of losing a young dog to acute kidney failure. Despite ten days' hospitalization and dialysis at UC Davis, he didn't make it. And while my heart was broken at his loss, at least I was able to know that I left no stone unturned in my effort to save his life.

But not everyone has the resources to be able to pay unexpected veterinary bills, and may face the loss of a beloved pet due to financial constraints. That's where Beverly Vana (PHTomcat on CatHobbyist.com) found herself last year, when her Maine Coon, BJ Huneycat, was diagnosed with lymphoma at the age of two.

"The vet gave her three months to live using only prednisone as the treatment," says Vana. "He said with chemo she could live another nine months. My world revolved around BJ. She is so close to me and I wasn't ready to let her go. She is also a fighter and I knew in my heart that if given a chance, she would do her best."

An online friend told Vana about a group called IMOM, Inc. "I immediately got online and brought up the IMOM website," she says. "I completed the application and ran back to my vet and he agreed that he would send the necessary information and invoices needed to get BJ going on her chemo.

"Today, she weighs in at 13.6 pounds and all her hair is grown back and you would never know she was sick. She eats, plays, and enjoys life like a Maine Coon kitty should. She is still a fighter and I have no regrets in making my decision to give her chemo treatments. For I can't imagine life without her and the bond between us has grown stronger."

Says Vana, "I can never thank IMOM enough for posting her picture and story on their website. I was told that she received more than $3,500.00 in donations. I was told that this was the most money donated to a single animal in the history of the website…. I know some people would think its odd to be so devoted to an animal but when that animal is the reason for getting through the day and making the day a little bit brighter, then they surely are worth any amount of money."

If you would like to support IMOM with a donation, or make a gift donation during the holiday season in the name of a pet-loving friend or family member, they can be reached on the web at IMOM, Inc.

Christmas Has Been Called Off!!!
By PHBorzoi

Yes, I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but Christmas has been called off this year.

It seems Mr Santa and his jolly photo taking elf were visiting a local pet store for photos, to help the local homeless kids at the local shelters have a merrier christmas, when a lady walking three Borzoi and a Greyhound came in. All four dogs looked sweetly at Santa and his helper, wagging tails, and counting down the presents they really wanted for christmas, and trying to think of how to hide their bad doings so they would get more than just a sack of coal stuck in their stockings(Have to remind Mom to get them a new one, since the puppy had eaten them, but a little darning might work, and Santa need never know). The nice lady and her pretty dogs walked the store, looking at treats, picking up a toy and a roll of Natural Balance, and then headed over to get photos taken with Santa.

"Ho ho ho, you're our first customer of the day!" Crowed Santa, as Obie and Yanna both stuck their heads in his lap to get scritches. "Who shall we do first?"

"Me, Me, Me!" Bounced Yanna, doing the Borzoi boing off the ground in a happy dance. "I've been sooo good, I'm sure you'll bring me LOTS of toys!"

So, Santa was handed Ms Yanna's leash, as the nice lady moved away with the other three dogs. That's when disaster struck, and Ms Yanna's evil side showed up. She grabbed Santa's beard, and tried to run away with it! Then she grabbed his hat by the cotton ball at the end, all proud of her silly self. When that didn't work, she returned to his beard, ripping it off his face.

"Nothing but coal for xmas," Muttered Obie, wanting to crawl away in embarassment.

Because Santa is now missing his beautiful bushy white beard, Christmas has been called off. YOu can't have a Santa with a naked face.

Yes, Princess Yanna showed her truly evil side today as we got pictures with Santa. Well, as we TRIED to get pictures with Santa.

Featured Rescue Group
Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, Inc.

We here at Pethobbyist.com are great advocates of rescue groups. We are going to feature a page from our Adoption at DogHobbyist in the hopes that you might find the friend of your dreams.

This newsletter we are featuring Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, Inc. The MAGDRL was organized in 1979 and works with Great Danes and Great Dane mixes. Please contact them if you are considering this breed.

PHDaMutt

HI! PHDaMutt here,

Aww December. What a great month from Maine, with snow, to Hawaii, and the white sand. Decorations all over the place and presents.

Humm presents. That reminds me. Question to you Caretakers. Is a pup for the holiday a perfect gift? No!! Bet you all answered that one right. A new puppy for Christmas? Think twice!

My Human had a great idea. If you do want to give a pup as a present, check out and learn about the breed you might be interested at American Kennel Club, or go to a shelter or rescue group and see what might be available that fits your lifestyle. Adoption at DogHobbyist. Mixed breed dogs are also a good choice. Just take a look at me - PHDaMutt - a stray that was picked up and found a forever home with a Human.

What to do for the holiday? In a pretty box put in a stuffed toy dog and a gift certificate for the purchase of a new pet friend. When the confusion of the holidays are over, check them out. Dogs and Pups can get lost in the holiday spirit and that is not good. Get the new dog or pup when you have time to bond and train.

If you already have a dog, watch the holiday hazards, edible and "only the dog thinks they are edible" alike: Holiday Hazards - Preventing a Holiday Trip to the Vet - Holiday Dangers from the ASPCA Poison Control Center.

Have a Wonderful Holiday everyone and never forget that Pets are for a lifetime, not just Holiday Gift Giving! Be a Responsible Dog Owner!

PHDaMutt signing off

Holiday Bread Pudding Treats

4 slices white bread
3 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups scalded milk

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Grease baking dish with LOTS of Butter or Margarine.
Cube 4 slices of White Bread and put in baking dish.
In a bowl, mix 3 Eggs, 1/2 cup Sugar, 1/2 tsp Salt and 1/2 tsp Vanilla. Add 2 cups Scalded Milk and beat with wire wisk. Pour mixture into baking dish on top of cubed bread.
Place baking dish in pan of water and bake (uncovered) for about 1 hour.

Dog Chats in the The Dog Den
All times Eastern

NEW! Free email reminders and more, in the DogHobbyist Chat Center!

All chats in The Dog Den
If you have any trouble with our chats or have questions, check out our Chat FAQ for more information.