Spaying your female dog or neutering your male dog for many is a foregone conclusion. Yet, somewhat surprisingly, some have not yet caught on to the idea that this is not just a good idea, but also actually a very serious concern!  Everyone of course has their own reasons for wanting neuter – or not – their animal.  While any one reason may not be more important than any other, it is important that the general consensus of veterinarians and veteran dog owners is always the same: neutering or spaying your dog is crucial.

Have you ever walked your dog on a blissfully beautiful Sunday morning, when the birds are chirping, the dew is still wet on the grass, and the weekend quiet is in full force?  You might be breathing in slowly and thoroughly enjoying your outing, when you are suddenly realizing that your dog has seized walking and is intently sniffing.  Before you can move your canine friend along, your doggy suddenly gobbles up the item of interest and you realize to your horror that your dog has eaten another’s dog’s feces.  Yuck!  A variation of this theme occurs when you come into the bathroom, only to see your dog’s head in the cat’s litter box, and he is snacking away at litter covered cat feces. What is it about poop – why can dogs not resist that taste sometimes?

Is there anything more adorable than a puppy?  Baby dogs of any breed are quite possibly the very definition of cuteness and it is not surprising that new puppy owners will go to great lengths to protect their little pup’s health and get them off to a good start in life, so as to enjoy their companionship for many years to come. While there are different schools of thought out there as to which vaccinations should be given at what time, there does appear to be a general consensus about which vaccinations should be given roughly at what times during the puppy’s first few months of life.

Living with a large dog is a wonderful experience. A companion who can match you in speed, agility, and endurance, a friend who will protect you in case of danger, and for those who own working dogs, and animal that will become a trusted right hand. Yet the downside of living with a large dog is the fear of your canine companion’s succumbing to hip dysplasia – an illness that will deteriorate her or his joints slowly, gradually, until your companion is crippled to the point of inability to move about.

If you have a dog, then the odds are pretty good that your pantry is at least partially stocked with dog food and – yes, also dog treats.  These treats come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and consistencies. There are those that imitate bacon and sausages, and dogs just love them!  There are those that are crunchy and good for their teeth, and once again, the dogs love them.  Sadly, there are also those that get lodged in throats, intestines, and other parts of the dog’s anatomy, and will potentially kill him or her.  The same is true for some foodstuffs that are not labeled as dog treats as such, but that pet-lovers will frequently feed to their dogs just the same.