Author: Heather R.

  • Gourmet Kitty Dining

    Though we feed our cats one flavor of dried, store bought cat food, I’ve often wondered how they would react if I tried making something for them. Given how they’ve treated homemade treats, I think it’s a safe bet that any type of deviation from their normal meals would be met with just as many upturned noses!

    kittyeating

    However, knowing how much they love tuna fish, I do have to wonder if they would give this “gourmet” kitty dish a try. I suppse if we ever had leftover sole then I’ll see, but until then, they’re stuck with the bagged stuff!

    Gotta Have Sole Kitty Food
    from cooksrecipes.com

    1/2 pound fillet of sole
    2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
    Water
    1 tablespoon margarine
    1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    1/2 cup milk
    1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

    2 tablespoons chopped liver
    1/2 teaspoon iodized salt
    2/3 cup cooked rice

    ~ Place sole in a small, greased baking dish. Sprinkle with the parsley. Add enough water to just cover the bottom of the dish. Bake in a preheated 450*F (230*C) oven for 10 minutes. Cool then and shred with a fork.

    ~ Melt margarine in a small saucepan. Stir in flour and heat until bubbly. Gradually stir in milk and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.

    ~ Remove from heat and add cheese, liver, and salt, stirring until cheese has melted.

    ~ Add the flaked fish and rice to cheese sauce and stir well. Cool. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    [image: flickr]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Gourmet Kitty Dining

  • Las Vegas’s New Spay & Neuter Law

    This is one news story we caught on TV last night that we’re actually happy to hear! In an effort to reduce the number of cats and dogs that are euthanized in shelters, our county commission here in Clark County, Nevada have passed a new law outlining that it’s now illegal for pets to not be spayed or neutered.

    kittens

    The law applies to cats over three months of age and dogs over four months of age, and those who don’t comply can face up to $1,000 in fees and fines, which makes the $60 (give or take) surgery look like pocket change. An estimated 30,000 animals are euthanized each Las Vegas year, and a staggering 200,000 to 500,000 feral cats roam the valley.

    The ordinance, which was adopted by the county yesterday but has been in effect in Las Vegas city since late last year, does include certain exemptions for some breeders and for animals used by disabled people and law enforcement.

    Does your county have a similar law?

    [image: flickr]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Las Vegas’s New Spay & Neuter Law

  • Bissell’s Most Valuable Pet Contest

    Bissell (the company that makes one of my must-have pet cleaning tools!) has announced their third annual Most Valuable Pet (MVP) Contest.

    jumpingdog

    Interested pet owners have from January 1 to March 25, 2010 to submit photos of their four-legged friends. Each week, the top voted pet will move on to the semi-finals, from which the grand-prize and second through fifth prize winners will be selected.

    Prizes include the chance to be featured on Bissell pet product packaging, a $10,000 donation to the pet charity of choice and a “Perfect For You And Your Pet” $500 shopping spree, courtesy of Bissell!

    More than 100,000 pets were entered into the contest over 2008 and 2009, and to help pet parents garner votes for their photogenic pets, Bissell created some custom widgets that can be uploaded to blogs and social networks such as Facebook, helping to win votes and the hearts of the pet’s family and friends.

    To enter your pet, simply go to the Bissell webpage and follow the instructions!

    [image: flickr]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Bissell’s Most Valuable Pet Contest

  • Pet Collar ID Goes Hi-Tech

    The jangle of ID tags on your pet’s collar may be a thing of the past thanks to an ingenious use of a simple computer gadget.

    pcpetid

    The PC Pet ID is a waterproof USB that plugs into your computer, allowing you to customize any information that you want known about your pet in case he or she gets lost, including contact address, vet information, special needs, and even pictures.

    The case is waterproof and shock proof and attaches easily to a collar. If you’re not keen on the device being attached to your pet 24/7, consider using it just for vacation or if you’re leaving your pet with someone else while you’re gone for an extended period of time.

    The ID tag is available at your local Petco for just under $20, or at Amazon for $17.99.

    [image: petco.com]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Pet Collar ID Goes Hi-Tech

  • Free Sample of Natural Nibbles Dog Treats

    Natural Nibbles dog treats are offering up a free sample to anyone willing to fill out a quick form. The treats claim to be made with the highest quality ingredients using no by-products, fillers, artificial colors or flavors, and no preservatives. They’re made in the United States and are minimally processed.

    nibbles

    The treats come in four varieties, including Beef Liver, Chicken Liver, Salmon Treats, and 100% Beef Liver. Simply fill out the request form located at their site to receive your free sample (though it doesn’t look like you get to pick which flavor you get).

    Though my dogs don’t much care about nutrition or in some cases even what they’re eating, I do and it’s good to know there are pet food companies keeping that in mind, even if it is “just” treats!

    [image: natural nibbles]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Free Sample of Natural Nibbles Dog Treats

  • Happy New Year from Blisstree Pets

    Happy New Year from Blisstree Pets! May your 2010 be prosperous, happy and full of lots of snuggles, head-butts, licks and purrs!

    partyhatdog

    [image: flickr]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Happy New Year from Blisstree Pets

  • Petfinder’s Top Pet Names of 2009

    Petfinder.com, one of my favorite pet sites online (it’s how we found our sweet Honey, after all!), has released their list of the top names for pets for 2009.

    kitty

    Petfinder points out the interesting trend of Americans veering away from “traditional” pet names like Fido and Fluffy, and are instead opting for either more “human” names or going all out wacky (there’s an “oddest names” list too).

    Buddy, Max, Daisy and Lucy are the top names for for dogs, and cats don’t stray too far with Lucy, Smokey, Midnight and Bella leading the feline list.

    The unusual names list is the one I find most interesting, though. It makes me want to know how these people came up with them, at the very least (my favorite is “Angry Donut”):

    ~ Shyanne Thailand Moo Goo Guy Pan
    ~ Mr. Tomfoolery Scardeycat Eliot
    ~ Rusty Buckets
    ~ KeelHaul
    ~ Too Fancy for You
    ~ Angry Donut
    ~ Maple Syrup
    ~ Hoseclamp
    ~ Prince Xavier Binxley
    ~ Hoku-ho’okele-wa’a

    What the most interesting pet name you’ve heard this year?

    [image: flickr]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Petfinder’s Top Pet Names of 2009

  • Send Pet-Themed Cards for New Year’s

    It’s hard to believe we’re at the tail end (so to speak) of 2009 already. I could have sworn I just put away last year’s holiday decorations and now here we are, ready to stash this year’s decor for another eleven months!

    partydog

    Though I don’t make New Year’s resolutions (and well, neither do my cats and dogs!), I do like to incorporate my love for them into the holidays when I can. One way to do this is with cute e-cards.

    Sloppy Kiss Cards have electronic cards for pretty much any occasion you can imagine, including Thinking of You, Birthdays, Anniversaries, and of course, New Year’s 2010. They even have “New Dog or Baby” announcements, too!

    Simply choose the card you want to send, pick which pet you want represented (dogs, cats, monkeys! even specific breeds), name it, add your message and send it off to your friend or loved one’s email address. Some cards even allow you to upload your own picture!

    [image: flickr]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Send Pet-Themed Cards for New Year’s

  • Merry Christmas

    Merry Christmas from Blisstree pets! May you have a peaceful, beautiful day full of family and friends, including the furry four-legged variety!

    merrychristmas

    [image: flickr]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Merry Christmas

  • Christmas Tree Disaster

    This is just a fun little video for your Christmas Eve — a sweet little dog who knows he’s done something wrong!

    It’s funny to me that dogs do this. Though my dogs are pretty small there have been times where they’ve damaged something or done something they know they shouldn’t (Honey hates the rain and thunder, and will avoid going outside to do her business at all costs when there’s a storm, if you catch my drift), and before we’ve even discovered what they’ve done, they’ve got the ears turned downward, the poor puppy dog eyes, and the tail tucked.

    Does your dog act guilty when they know they’ve done something they shouldn’t?

    Post from: Blisstree

    Christmas Tree Disaster

  • Presidential Pup’s First Snowfall

    A lot of fuss has been made about the First Dog Bo Obama’s first snowfall this past week, and for good reason: Dogs and snow are a lot of fun to watch!

    The presidential pooch, a one year old Portuguese Water Dog, romped around the grounds of the White House with reporters and photographs capturing his every move. He played fetch and took breaks to investigate the white stuff.

    Are you or someone you love a Bo fan? Check out some cute stocking stuffer and gift ideas!

    ~ Bo Obama Official Ty Beanie Baby
    ~ First Dog
    ~ Bo, America’s Commander in Leash
    ~ Fuzzy First Dog Doll
    ~ First Dog T-shirt

    Post from: Blisstree

    Presidential Pup’s First Snowfall

  • New York Dog Diagnosed with Swine Flu

    A family dog in New York state has the distinction of becoming the first canine in the United States to be officially diagnosed with the 2009 H1N1 virus.

    shot

    The thirteen year old mixed breed is thought to have contracted the virus from his owner, who tested positive with the flu himself earlier in the month.

    The dog was brought into the vet after his owner suspected pneumonia, but with a critically high temp of 103 degrees, blood tests confirmed he had the flu. After a stay in the pet hospital the dog has fully recovered and isn’t thought to have passed it on to anyone or anything else. Though the swine flu has been known to pass from humans to pets, there has been no indication that pets have passed it on to people.

    Dog and cat owners who have been ill with the H1N1 virus themselves should keep an eye on their pets for flu-like symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, sneezing, coughing, fever, discharge from eyes and/or nose, and changes in breathing.

    [image: sxc]

    Post from: Blisstree

    New York Dog Diagnosed with Swine Flu

  • Dog Eggnog

    Dog treats don’t have to be baked for your four-legged family members to enjoy them — have you ever considered a drinkable treat that would be appropriate for the holiday season too?

    snowdog

    A dog eggnog, served in moderation, of course, is a yummy seasonal treat that your dog can enjoy as you sip your own. Pair it up with a homemade dog biscuit for an even more special treat after an afternoon of romping in the snow.

    Dog Eggnog

    1 container plain yogurt
    1 jar baby food (any meat flavor)
    1 large can evaporated milk
    1 egg
    1 1/2 cups water

    ~ Place all ingredients in a bowl

    ~ Blend all ingredients together thoroughly

    ~ Serve to your furry friends, who will truly enjoy!

    [image: flickr]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Dog Eggnog

  • Simon’s Cat in “Snow Business”

    If you’ve been around a little while you’ll see that I’m a big fan of the Simon’s Cat series of animated shorts on Youtube. Artist Simon Tofield draws simple line drawings of his cat doing everything from playing with his desk lamp, playing with a fly, wanting dinner, waking Simon up, and coming inside, and animates them.

    The newest one is part of its own little series titled Snow Business, Part One.

    In it, Simon’s cat heads outside and discovers his first snow fall. After an “altercation” with a bird (I didn’t say it was all true to life!), the short video ends and we’re told we get the rest after the new year.

    Which Simon’s Cat video is your favorite?

    Post from: Blisstree

    Simon’s Cat in “Snow Business”

  • Keeping Kitties Warm

    My three kitties really do their best to help keep me nice and toasty warm (I’m sure there’s absolutely no benefit for them in that), so I’ve been thinking about getting them a nice little bed that they can go to when my lap, legs or even my shoulders are not available for their slumbering presence.

    petbed

    I really like the idea of a heated bed for them, and I know that they and the dogs would actually really appreciate it. Though we don’t really get below freezing here, the drop in temperature does obviously bother them (this is evidenced by all of them tolerating each other long enough to lounge in a patch of sunshine on the floor in an attempt to warm up).

    Amazon has a lot of these types of pet beds to choose from, and the one pictured above comes in several different sizes. (Though I’m still only looking at this point, I can’t help but be amused by the thought of all the cats and dogs cramming themselves into the largest one together.) The detachable power cord is also chew resistant with a 12 volt power adapter, and the bed cover is machine washable.

    If the thought of having something plugged in and generating heat bothers you, there are also these little heat discs that you warm in the microwave before tucking it in with your pet.

    [image: amazon]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Keeping Kitties Warm

  • Hot Guys and Baby Animals

    Did that title catch your attention? It certainly caught mine when it showed up in my inbox this week! Hot Guys and Baby Animals is a 2010 wall calendar complete with — you’ll never guess — hot guys holding baby animals!

    calendarshot

    The puppies featured in the calendar are rescues from several different groups such as Karma Rescue, Adopt-a-Chow, and PAL Rescue, and many of them are still available for adoption. A portion of the proceeds from the calendar will be donated to these rescue groups!

    About the company, which is “created by women for women,” co-founder Audrey Khuner says: “I got sick of seeing pictures and calendars of bikini-clad girls sprawled out on sports cars. I wanted to make something that would appeal to women like me. So I decided to combine my two favorite things: sexy men and baby animals.

    The 12 month calendar features full color shots of some hunky guys posing with cuddly animals, and is even printed with soy-based inks on 30% post-consumer recycled paper.

    The calendar, which would make a great gift, can be found at hotguysandbabyanimals.com, and can be purchased for $12.99 plus shipping (and you can even buy in bulk!).

    [image used with permission from hotguysandbabyanimals.com]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Hot Guys and Baby Animals

  • How to Give a Cat Liquid Oral Medication

    We’ve been fostering kittens for just over a month now, and just this past weekend three of the four kittens were adopted. I took the one remaining kitten into the vet this morning for boosters and got to meet the adopted “parents” of the other three kittens, who were also there for boosters.

    cat_medication

    Unfortunately, the kittens all have a mild case of ringworm, which I noticed on one ear this past Sunday. The vet said it’s likely that since they’re all from the same litter that they contracted it from their mother, but that the only bad thing about it is that it’s just an irritation and won’t cause any permanent harm. We’ll be keeping the remaining foster in the “kitten room,” as we call, it for a while longer and for now all four of them are on a liquid oral medication to take care of the infection.

    We each got a small, skinny syringe to use for dosing, and contrary to what you might think, it’s actually pretty easy to give liquid medication to a cat. The easiest way I’ve found over the years, with my own cats, is:

    1. Hold the cat up firmly by the scruff with their back legs resting on your lap.
    2. Insert the syringe into the cat’s mouth, resting along the cheek and toward the throat.
    3. Gently (and not too quickly), press the plunger of the syringe to release the medication. The cat will start licking as the medication goes down its throat.

    That’s it! They won’t be too happy about it at first, but this is the quickest and non-messiest way we’ve found when it comes to giving liquid medication. Pills, on the other hand…

    Post from: Blisstree

    How to Give a Cat Liquid Oral Medication

  • PABS: Chastity Belts for Dogs

    I’ll say it right up front, I think this is one of the more ridiculous things I’ve ever seen: a company called PABS (which stands for Pet Anti Breeding System) has developed a chastity belt specifically for dogs.

    You strap the belt onto the female dog’s backside and voila, no access for any randy male dogs in the area.

    PABS is apparently for those people who “just do not like to spay or neuter,” but I can’t even pretend to understand why someone would spend the same amount of money, if not more, on a contraption you have to strap onto your dog for weeks at a time, several times per year when she’s in heat, instead of just getting her fixed. The only 100% guaranteed way for your dog to not accidentally breed is to get her fixed.

    Admittedly, the one scenario this might be useful in would be for a professional breeder who wants to take their dog out for a walk, though I’d imagine you’d already have other safeguards in place to prevent random dog humping while you’re right there, and it’s important to keep in mind that the mesh does not prevent the dog’s scent from attracting males.

    Anyway, here are a few links about the benefits of getting your dog (and cat!) permanently altered:

    ~ Myths and Facts About Spaying and Neutering
    ~ Why You Should Spay or Neuter
    ~ The Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

    Post from: Blisstree

    PABS: Chastity Belts for Dogs

  • Holiday Peanut Butter Bites for Dogs

    Your four-legged friends don’t need to be left out of the festivities this holiday season, even when it comes to food. Though the same tips and suggestions for Thanksgiving still hold true for Christmas, you can treat your dog to a special holiday cookie made just for him!

    dogtreats

    Holiday Peanut Butter Bites

    3 cups of all purpose flour
    1-1/2 cups of whole wheat flour
    1-1/2 tsp of molasses
    3 tablespoons of peanut butter, unsalted
    3 tablespoons of canola oil

    ~ Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

    ~ In a bowl mix the all purpose flour and the whole wheat flour together and set it on the side. In a separate large bowl stir the molasses, peanut butter and oil together. Then add the flours mixture into the molasses mixture and whisk it until it is smooth.

    ~ Use your hand to break the dough into small ball size pieces and roll each one into logs about 1/2″ in diameter.

    ~ Cut the logs into 1/8″ thick discs. Place the discs on ungreased baking sheets and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown.

    ~ Once done allow to cool completely before serving.

    ~ Store in an airtight container for up to 14 days, or wrap in freezer wrap and keep them in the freezer for up to 60 days.

    [image: flickr]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Holiday Peanut Butter Bites for Dogs

  • Hanukkah Menorahs for Cat and Dog Lovers

    Happy Hanukkah from Blisstree pets! Hanukkah begins today and goes until December 18th. Over the course of the next eight nights, ceremonial candles are lit on a menorah in Jewish households worldwide.

    dogmenorah

    Menorahs can be found in many different styles and for pretty much any taste. For animal lovers specifically, I found this cute little handpainted ceramic dog menorah at Amazon.com, and it comes complete with the eight spots for the eight candles, as well as the ninth in the middle to hold the shamash, or auxiliary, candle. The base is also decorated with little paw prints.

    cat_menorah

    Cat lovers aren’t left out, though, as I also found a really cute cat menorah. It’s also handpainted ceramic, and has the standard eight candle holders as well as a spot for the shamash, and its base is decorated with orange and pink mice.

    Both are available at Amazon for under $30 each (plus shipping and handling, of course), and though it’s a bit late for this year’s Hanukkah, they’d make a great addition to a collection or the perfect gift for the pet lover in your life next year!

    [images: amazon.com]

    Post from: Blisstree

    Hanukkah Menorahs for Cat and Dog Lovers