General

Yes, it's a very good idea to brush your dog's teeth! Doggie oral care is just as important as it is for us humans. I have found a couple things that help me take care of my dogs' teeth, so I figured I would share what I've learned from Dr. Donna Kelleher, our Bellingham holistic vet. For brushing, PetzLife Oral Care Gel is what I use. It's all natural (containing grapefruit seed extract and herbs and natural oils). There are two flavors - salmon and peppermint. I shop around on-line for this product as the pricing varies. I like the [...]

The days are getting shorter but we're as busy as ever here at the Lodge! Right after Labor Day, photographer Nicki Bailey and I hosted a photo shoot to benefit Whatcom Humane Society. I did all the posing while Nicki took the photos. It was so much fun! The dogs did great, even under all the lights. We raised several hundred dollars for WHS. We are thinking of doing another photo shoot sometime in 2012, so if you missed the September one and would like to participate in the next one, let me know. Some of the comments we received [...]

Awhile back I mentioned on my Facebook page that I'm reading a terrific book called DOG SENSE: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet. I am not quite finished reading this book, but I highly recommend it to any dog parent or dog lover (and it would make an excellent holiday gift). Whether you want to understand why our dogs behave like they do, or you've heard concerns about certain (e.g. Cesar Milan's) training methods, or you just want to know how to better bond with your dog, this is the [...]

Several people have asked me about the homemade diets I feed my dogs, so I thought I would share what I do. I feed my dogs under the supervision of Dr. Donna Kelleher, Bellingham's fabulous holistic vet. Personally I only feel comfortable feeding homemade diets under her supervision. I know there are a number of books on the market about homemade and raw diets, but I prefer to tailor a diet to my dogs' individual needs. Several of my five dogs have health issues and/or allergies, so what I share here is just for them and I don't advocate adapting [...]

Right now I'm reading a book called HERBS FOR PETS - The Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet's Life. The authors are Gregory Tilford and Mary Wulff. This is a great book to read if you like to try and integrate a more holistic approach into your pet's healthcare. I have a crew of 5 small dogs, several of whom have serious health issues, and so I'm continually trying to educate myself on best practices to managing their health, and for me that involves integrating western medicine and the so-called "alternative" medicines/practices: seeing a holistic vet, visiting chiropractors, and incorporating [...]

If you haven't been to the 3 Schips and a Girl facebook page, you're missing some cute photos of some of our happy campers! I just put a note on the wall there today about Living Earth Herbs. This nice little shop has a new pet friendly section with a custom doggie shampoo and a custom salve (made from plantain) that is great for bee stings and other mishaps and the great part about it is that dogs can lick away at the salve and it won't hurt them! If your dog gets the occasional hot spot (one of my [...]

In the December 2010 issue of Whole Dog Journal, Susan Sarubin (CPDT-KA), wrote a great article about buckling up dogs (buckling up as in doggie seatbelts). Did you know that according to AAA, "more than 30,000 accidents a year are caused by dogs riding in the front seat of a vehicle?" And that number represents only dog owners insured by AAA, so the number is undoubtedly much higher. Please, for the safety of your dog, use a seatbelt or a crate for your dog when you have them in the vehicle with you. These two options are best for two [...]

Here at the Lodge DOORSTEP PET SUPPLY now features some scrumptious treats for your pooch! We believe that treats should be as high quality as possible so everything we offer is real meat or grain free. If you're not familiar with Doorstep Pet Supply, pick up a brochure during your next visit or visit their website at www.doorstepdelivers.com. I have used Doorstep Pet Supply for quite a while now and have always loved their free delivery service . . . one less errand to run! Speaking of treats and dog food in general, Whole Dog Journal is the go-to place [...]

Hello again! It's been a long time since I've posted anything, and that is due to the construction of my new Canine Lodge (and home, which is right next door). Thank you Squalicum Builders! We broke ground in December and I moved in at the end of March. Woohoo! While I am missing the dogs and cats I cared for during my days of pet services, I'm very excited to be able to offer doggie daycare and overnights for small dogs. If you missed our Open House dates, please call me to schedule an appointment to tour the Lodge. It's [...]

It was a busy 2010, full of changes (some very unexpected), but the year ended on a good note and I'm excited about 2011. Some of you may have heard that I'm opening up a dog hotel and I hope to be opening those doors come April or May. We broke ground before Christmas and are moving right along. Stay tuned for details. I will say that this will be a small, very cozy and fun hotel (more like a "hound camp") that caters to small dogs. On another note, I want to say how grateful I am to all [...]