Miss Groomer

Happy raBBit Year and Sweet Valentine

I hope its not too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
Time really fly without noticing its February. Have been busy lately with my day job. Colleagues leave and organization change - which means more jobs. This is the first company I have stay for 3.5 years. I have to salute myself.. My shelf life in a company is about 2-2.5yrs.
I have taken up new roles and coping with new changes in my work but I am still managing my challenges positively.

I am helping a friend with a new shop set up at Paris Ris for sale of puppies. Hopefully by end of the month I can post up some pictures and information.

Have a good weekend and another 6 more days of Chinese New Year :P

Dog's Age

Is dog age 7 years for each calendar year? In fact, canine aging is much more rapid during the first 2 years of a dog's life. After the first 2 years the ratio settles down to 5 to 1 for small and medium breeds. For large breeds the rate is 6 to 1, and giant breeds the rate is 7 to 1. Thus, at 10 years of age a Great Dane would be 80 years old while a pug would only be 64.

How to tell a Dog's age

If you've taken in a dog whose age is unknown, there are some ways to determine his age. Here are some things to check to differentiate how old a dog is:

The Teeth: Dogs usually have a set of permanent teeth by their seventh month, so if you've come across a dog with clean pearly whites, he is likely a year old or thereabouts. Yellowing on a dog's back teeth may put the dog between one and two years of age, while tartar build-up at a minimal level could mean you have a dog between 3 and 5. Missing teeth or severe wear usually means the dog is a senior and could use some special dental care.

Muscle Tone: Younger dogs are likely to have some muscle definition from their higher activity level. Older dogs are usually either a tad bonier or a little fatter from decreased activity.

The Coat: A younger dog usually has a soft, fine coat, whereas an old dog tends to have thicker, coarser (and sometimes oilier) fur. A senior dog may display grays or patches of white, particularly around the snout.

The Eyes: Bright, clear eyes without tearing or discharge are common in younger dogs. Cloudy or opaque eyes may mean an older dog.

In general, the larger the dog, the more quickly it declines. For instance, a Great Dane could considered " senior " at age 5, while a smaller toy poodle would still spry at twice that age. However, a dog is chronolodically old doesn't mean that an endless series of malfunctions is in store. In many cases an elderly dog can enjoy many healthy, active, pain-free years.

One of the best way to prolong the life and improve the functions of an elderly dog is to carefully regulate its fuel intake. Older dogs exercise less and thus need fewer calories and since age reduce their ability to digest and absorb nutrients, high-quality food specifically formulated for their needs is a necessity. Excessive amounts of protein, phosphorus, and sodium can aggravate kidney and heart problems, so much such foods contain smaller amounts of higher-quality protein, along with reduced quanties of elements.

neW yeaR resolutioN

With the arrival of a new year inevitably comes a variety of new year's "resolutions." We vow to better ourselves through losing weight, quitting smoking, save up for holiday, and so on. But how may we improve ourselves as pet owners? What new year's resolutions should dog owners consider? Here are some suggestions for your consideration.

1. To provide your dog with the highest quality nutrition possible
2. Make it a point to ensure your dog's health through providing adequate and appropriate exercise.
3. Be realistic about your dog's weight. Obesity shortens longevity, both in dogs and people. If you can't feel your dog's ribs easily, he is too fat. Ask your vet for guidance in regulating his weight and achieving healthy body condition.
4. Train your dog. Make training a fun time, it will make life more enjoyable for your dog by providing him with the mental stimulation that all dogs need and crave.
5. Keep your dog well-groomed and maintained. Mats in the fur, parasitic infestations, rotten teeth, overgrown toenails, embedded collars, yeasty ears, oozing or itchy eyes, hot spots, etc. are all unsightly and worse, uncomfortable for dogs. Routine care and maintenance can significantly improve your dog's quality of life.
6. Make time for your dog. This may mean rearranging your schedule. It may mean walk your dog. It may mean skipping Wednesday night ladies' night so that you can enroll in the agility class you wanted to take. It may mean spending less time on Facebook and more time playing, training, exercising with your dog.
7. Keep learning and improving as a pet owner. What does your dog love? What stresses him out? How does he communicate his emotions through body language. Understanding your dog will enable you to be a better friend to him, this year and every year.
8. Help a less fortunate dog at least once this year. Remember that not all dogs are as lucky as yours. Not all dogs have regular meals, veterinary care, someone who loves them and will play with them, a home to call their own. There are many ways you can help less fortunate dogs - by making donations (either goods-beds, leashes, collars, food, toys, etc. or cash) to a local shelter or rescue, volunteering at a local shelter or rescue, organize fundraisers.
9. Be appreciative of how wonderful your dog is. One of the biggest elements of successful training is looking for desirable behaviors and reinforcing them with something your dog likes and appreciates - a treat, a butt scratch, a game of tug, the opportunity to go for a walk. Never miss an opportunity to thank your dog for good behavior.

Miko on Heat

Miko had her first menstruation last week. We are so excited as she is finally a grown up gal. I do notice she is more tired and wanted more attention than usual. We are not prepare with any menstruation panty so my sister-in-law introduces some impromptu wear for her. She got an "iPad" for Christmas; we put a panty liner over a face mask and wear it between her tummy and tail.

I also manage to get a liner to overlay her princess bed to prevent any staining. You can actually get it from the Daiso. I shower her twice a week as she is tend to smell a bit "fishy"

Managed to get the following 10 Most Asked Questions when a Dog in Heat.

1. What is heat?

Heat is more properly called the estrous cycle. During this cycle, female dogs may get pregnant. It's equivalent to human menstruation.

2. What are the symptoms?

Females bleed from the vagina sometimes with swelling of the vulva and increased urination. Don't expect bleeding comparable to a human female.For small dogs, it's usually not much and you may need to pay close attention to your puppy to identify her first cycle. Other than the bleeding, the most noticeable symptom may be male dogs hanging around your house.

3. When does a dog come into heat?

The average female dog has her first cycle about six months of age. A few dogs start earlier and few dogs later, even as late as 14-months.If you have a new female puppy, you should watch her and note when she has her first cycle. If she's 14-months old and still hasn't been in heat, you should take her to a veterinarian.

4. How long does the heat cycle last?

The average is three weeks or 21-days. In some dogs, it lasts only two weeks while others go four weeks.

5. How often will she be in heat?

Most female dogs have regular cycles usually every six to eight months. It's quite typical to be in heat twice a year.

6. When can she get pregnant?

She can get pregnant only when in heat. Some breeders test for progesterone levels to identify the most fertile days but the rule-of-thumb is that the most fertile days are 11-15 of her cycle. Note - when she's in heat, the average dog will permit any male dog to mount her. Few females, however, will accept a male when they're not in heat.

7. Can she get pregnant her first cycle?

Yes. However, responsible breeders generally would not breed a dog that early. For one thing, you need to do genetic testing and some serious problems such as hip conditions do not show up until a dog is approximately 2-years of age.

8. Can I take her on walks during this cycle?

Yes with care. She has no problem with the exercise but she's a walking magnet for male dogs. Even the best trained and behaved female dog will succumb to hormones. You can't trust her off a leash or out of your control. Never let her outside by herself even in a fenced yard if there is any possibility of male dogs nearby. For walks, if there are male dogs in your neighborhood, it's a good idea to take your dog in your car and drive to a remote area. Take her for the walk there and drive back home. Otherwise, the scent of her urine and vaginal discharge will blaze a trail to your home.

9. When I can have her spayed?

People used to be told to let their dog go through at least one cycle or let them have one litter. Today, veterinarians are doing it much earlier. Some vets spay as early as 6-weeks of age! Talk to your veterinarian about your dog and the vet's preferences. The state of veterinary medicine also is much improved over the past 25-years.

10. If I don't have her spayed, will she go through menopause?

No. Her fertility may decline but she will not go through menopause comparable to a human's. She won't lose her ability to become pregnant even as a senior so if you don't want to her to have any (or more) litters, she must be spayed.

How did you spend your Christmas?

I had a long Christmas break this year. I was off from work from 24-Dec-10 to 27-Dec-10. Thanks to the new company policy. Attended 3 Christmas gatherings.

1. A group friends checked in to the hotel and spend a wonderful Christmas count down.