Amanda Bement, sporting her fashionable pink rain boots, walks her pet chicken, Louise. (submitted by Jim Bement)

(BPT) Your pets are members of the family. They are the source of some of your best memories, they are your travel companions, your confidantes and your evening snuggle partners. You love them and you want them to live the longest, healthiest and happiest life possible.

Like it is for you, achieving the healthiest, happiest life for your pet is directly tied to the cornerstones of preventive care, nutrition and exercise. To provide insight into how each of these can benefit your pet, Dr. Kurt Venator, chief veterinary officer for Purina, offers this advice:

Regular veterinary exams
Your veterinarian and his/her team are the experts when it comes to the health and well-being of your pet. Prevention is a key component of regular vet visits; the earlier a potential problem is identified, the easier it is to treat and the greater the chance of success. The physical examination, routine diagnostics, vaccinations, heartworm prevention and parasite control will help keep your pet in tip-top shape. You can also work with your veterinarian to create a tailored health plan for your pet that takes into account their age, activity level and any medical considerations.

Nutrition
In a recent Purina survey, three in five dog and cat owners (60 percent) would consult their veterinarian for food safety and quality advice, while just about half refer to their pet food companies’ websites. Furthermore, when it comes to nutrition, it is important to work with your veterinarian to select the ideal diet for your pet that is appropriate for their life stage (i.e., puppy vs. adult) and lifestyle (couch potato vs. sporting dog). It is also important to look beyond just the ingredient list and marketing claims on the bag.

The nutrients inside should also meet or exceed AAFCO, USDA and FDA standards. Many pet owners are unaware of the rigorous process that goes into ensuring quality and safety in pet food, with three in five pet owners admitting they didn’t know about the process after learning more about what goes into the pet food quality-checking process. For pet owners, it’s also important to take the time to look at the company’s manufacturing reputation, along with safety and quality standards. Ask these key questions when evaluating different pet foods:

• Who formulates the food and what are their credentials? Look for brands with nutritionists and veterinarians on staff to formulate the diets. Purina has more than 500 pet experts globally, including nutritionists, veterinarians, behaviorists and immunologists who use their expertise to improve pet nutrition and care.


• What are the company’s quality and safety standards? Purina conducts more than 30,000 quality checks involving ingredients, packaging, receiving, processing and packing in a typical 24-hour production period.
   
• Where is the food produced? Does the company own their manufacturing facilities? At Purina, 99 percent of the food sold in the U.S. is made in its own facilities.

Physical exercise can take on a variety of forms, from leash walks to ball fetch to playtime at the local dog park. For those dogs with a predilection for the water, swimming can offer a fun and effective alternative. Don’t forget that mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise. Obedience training, food puzzle toys, chew toys and trick training — such as roll over or paw — are all beneficial for pets.

Before starting any exercise regimen with your pet, be sure to consult with your veterinarian to find answers to your questions and learn what activities would best support your pet based on their breed, age and needs.

Your pet gives you so much and you naturally want to return the favor. You can do so by following the three simple suggestions above. Do so and you and your pet will be able to live a longer, healthier, and happier life together.

The Scripps Ranch Unleashed in the Scripps Ranch Marketplace, 10625 Scripps Poway Parkway, was doggie central on Saturday, Oct. 14.

Timothy Mapes makes treats and snacks for canines that are favorites of both dogs and their owners.

Mapes, founder of A’SLoBBRiN Pet Bakery & Gifts, is an obvious animal lover. In fact, the name of his home-based business is named for the pets he has rescued and provided for over the last 20 years.
A is for Andy
S is for Sampson
L is for Lukus
B is for Bridget
B is for Buddy
R is for Ricky (a rabbit)
N is for Nikki

Mapes currently has four dogs at his home. He can be found each Saturday at his A’SLoBBRiN Pet Bakery & Gifts booth in the Scripps Ranch Farmer’s Market. While he has been in business for nearly nine years, he has been making these healthy canine treats for about 18 years for his own pet rescues.

“I didn’t venture out until so many people started asking me to make it for them,” he said.

“I had a special needs dog who couldn’t digest chemicals, so I needed to take all the preservatives out,” Mapes said. “Most of the treats (in stores) have a lot of preservatives.”

To say the items baked at A’SLoBBRiN Pet Bakery & Gifts are high in quality is an understatement. All the ingredients Mapes puts into his products are fit for humans, and there is no salt added. He gets his ingredients from a restaurant supplier and a warehouse that distribute food for humans. Everything is human-level and human-grade, he said.

Mapes takes it home and bakes them, producing healthy snacks for dogs using his recipes that he has spent years researching and developing.

Mine is in the baking process,” he explained. “When the cookies are baked, they are baked more on a lower temperature for a longer time to make them crispy. Unlike human cookies (that are soft and squishy), the dogs like them hard.”

For the larger dogs that like to bite and swallow their food quickly, he has created a harder product called apple buttons.

A’SLoBBRiN Pet Bakery & Gifts sells chicken jerky and beef jerky. All the meats are cut by hand. Other favorites are dried cow trachea and pig ears.

Mapes used to dry the ingredients in his home oven, but he added a large dehrydrator. Last January he purchased a second dehydrator due to the demand for his products.

What are favorites among the canines and their owners?

“The chicken and apple, and the chicken and beef are the number one,” he said. “There’s no additives, no preservatives, so they seem to like it a lot better.”

A look at the doggie goodies in the A’SLoBBRiN Pet Bakery & Gifts booth will turn up a display case filled with what look like bakery goods for humans. While some customers have sampled these treats, they are definitely made for dogs, Mapes said. The muffins are made from his own cake recipe for canines. He can bake doggie birthday cakes in chicken, beef or turkey.

“I make my own base (for cakes),” he said. “I don’t purchase the base from any of the stores, so it has no preservatives, no salts, no onions in it whatsoever.”

Yes, some of the colorful treats look like desserts for people. But instead of sugary frosting, Mapes uses almond bark.

“It is a less sugary frosting,” he said. “They (the treats) are from my peanut butter recipe. The topping is the almond bark … it is not as sugary or harmful to them as butter creams.”

Earlier this month, a family of four relocated to Spokane, Washington, from San Diego with mixed emotions: They were looking forward to moving into a new home in the Pacific Northwest while at the same time they were feeling anguish over leaving behind their 3-year-old cat Badger, who had been missing since January.

After a fruitless eight months of posting “lost cat” signs in their San Diego neighborhood and social media channels, they gave up looking. They figured something horrible had happened to him. So, they said their goodbyes and mourned their loss. 

That was the situation until three weeks ago when a stray cat was rescued by the county shelter. The cat’s microchip led the shelter staff to Badger’s family. When they got the news that Badger was alive and safe, the family was in tears and full of disbelief – Badger was coming home; although not soon enough.

The Billings family was waiting to move into their new home at the end of the month. They reached out to San Diego Humane Society to help care for Badger until they could be reunited with their family pet. 

The moral of the story: be sure your pets have updated microchips. Thankfully, the information on Badger’s microchip was current; without it, a family reunion would not have been impossible.

There’s always the potential for pets to escape through open doors. Keep your pets safely indoors and always make sure they're wearing current ID tags and that their microchip information is up to date, just in case. Licensing and microchipping pets helps reunite lost pets with their owners faster.

You can get your pet microchipped at the San Diego Humane Society, 5500 Gaines St., or in Escondido at 3450 E. Valley Parkway. No appointment is necessary, and it’s open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It’s been a warm summer, but not the hottest. As August continues, it’s easy to slow down a little, maybe not move as fast as usual and possibly enjoy a nice bowl of water in the shade. At least that’s the way it is for local dogs. No sense in getting worked up unless someone has a nice, bouncy ball to fetch or maybe a Frisbee. Perhaps there are some birds to chase or maybe a squirrel or two. 

But for the most part, each summer day brings along another great opportunity to sniff around and find a cozy spot to catch some rest.

Scripps Ranch residents love their canine friends and their canines love them back. It’s been a great summer for dogs. They can be found almost everywhere: at the park or accompanying a human for a walk, at a summer concert or at a community fair, and definitely at a canine fundraiser or a pet adoption event. 

Adoptable Pets
Dogs seemed eager to find new families at the Labradors + Friends pet adoption event held at the Scripps Ranch Unleashed pet supply store Aug. 5.

(BPT) Millions of people every year open their hearts and homes to rescue dogs to find their new best friend. It’s an act of compassion that is beneficial and fulfilling for both person and pet.

But, a new study shows adoption is not an option for everyone. In fact, even if shelters were cleared, there are not enough dogs for everyone who wants one.

Findings from a recent study by the Moore Research Group show an annual demand of at least 8.1 million dogs and growing. Yet, according to the latest research from Mississippi State University, there are only 2.6 million dogs available for adoption from shelters every year. That means 5.5 million people looking for dogs need to search elsewhere. Without options for those people, we would simply run out of dogs.

Where to find dogs
So, where do you go when you are ready to welcome a four-legged friend with a wet nose and wagging tail into your home? It starts with what you are looking for.

You might be okay with any dog, no matter the size, mix, age or temperament that nuzzles its way into your heart. But, for others, specific needs often require certain canine traits only found in individual breeds.

Parents of children with allergies might need a dog breed to be hypoallergenic. Those living in big cities may not have enough space for a dog with high exercise needs. Families with small children may need a dog with patience and playfulness. Some people seek a dog for home or personal protection. Having a range of options increases the chances you will find the perfect match and a dog won't end up in a shelter due to a poor match.

Snap up rescues
Adoption is a wonderful option that comes with the benefit of giving a homeless animal a second chance.

But, this new research from Mississippi State University also shows that thanks to the good work of animal shelters and rescue organizations, more lives are being saved and fewer dogs are homeless in shelters.

When looking to adopt, there are several different possibilities to choose from, including shelters, rescue organizations and animal control facilities.

Before you adopt, ask what is known about the dog, including its age, breed, temperament and health. Has it been seen by a vet, is it spayed or neutered and microchipped? Spend some time with the dog, introduce it to other family members to see how it interacts. Finally, make sure you fully understand the organization’s policies and procedures so you have peace of mind should the adoption not work out as hoped.

Buy from a good breeder
If you are looking for specific traits in your canine companion, getting a dog directly from a breeder gives you a great opportunity to learn about your new pup from an expert.

Be prepared to wait as sometimes a breeder might not have puppies that are at least 8 weeks old.

If you can, visit the facility in person or have someone else visit on your behalf. If not, ask for references and get information about the puppy’s parents and its health records. Ask if there’s a guarantee, so you can go home feeling prepared and confident about the road ahead. A responsible breeder will not only share that information, they might interview you.

Find friends or family

When someone you know has a litter, news travels fast. Don’t let a puppy’s cuteness skew your judgment. When you talk about the dogs, don’t be shy — ask questions. They should give you a good picture of what life will be like with your new pup.

(BPT) It’s fair to call Charger a bull in a china shop. Well, at least a pit bull. The charming 9-year-old has a full-time job in the marketing department at dinnerware giant Replacements, Ltd.

“Charger’s been coming to Replacements since I rescued him from the side of a road as a puppy, so he’s really grown up here,” says Kevin Boyd. “Coming to work is great for Charger because he’s able to engage with people and other dogs, so it’s really helped him become more sociable; he has so many friends who give him treats or want to take him for walks. Having him here helps me relax because I know he’s not home alone and really creates special moments in the day, like having him sit in my lap while I’m working.”

Charger is among dozens of pets you’ll find at Replacements. Walk through the warehouse and you’ll see dogs riding on carts pushed by their owners or perhaps encounter a cat or two. An opossum riding high on the shoulder of her human friend even graced the company's retail store with a visit.

Replacements implemented its pet-friendly policy more than 20 years ago, after founder and CEO Bob Page received a dog for his birthday and couldn't bear to leave him home alone. Fast-forward two decades, and national and international media have repeatedly recognized Replacements as one of the top pet-friendly businesses in the country. The company invites all employees and customers to bring their pets to work or shop; in fact, Replacements’ front doors read, “All Well-Behaved Pets Welcome.”

Gaining scientific support
Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) spent a week at Replacements, focusing specifically on the impact of dogs in the workplace. The VCU team monitored stress levels among three test groups: those who brought their dogs to work every day, dog owners who left their pets at home, and those who do not own any pets.

"We were surprised to find that stress actually decreased throughout the day among those who brought their dogs to work, while stress levels significantly increased for those who left their dogs at home," says principal researcher Dr. Randy Barker. “About half of those who bring their dogs to work said their productivity increased with their dog present. Some employees even commented that the presence of pets increases cooperation and builds relationships among coworkers.”

Barker also notes employees overall had higher job satisfaction than industry norms. He believes establishing pet-friendly policies could be a great benefit that doesn't hamper a company's bottom line. “I think leadership in many organizations may be hesitant to allow animals in the workplace, but our study indicates pet presence may serve as a low-cost wellness intervention that may enhance organizational satisfaction and perceptions of support.”

Getting started as a pet-friendly workplace
Replacements hears from large and small companies across the country wanting to start similar practices and policies. Their best advice? Start small.

“Consider having a pilot day to gauge how a pet presence works for your organization,” says public relations manager Lisa Conklin. “You might try allowing pets for a half day or a Friday to determine the best fit for your employees and your business. Being pet-friendly is truly a huge part of our corporate culture — so many of our employees tell us it’s one of the best benefits the company offers.”

Replacements’ formal pet policy requires all animals must be current on vaccinations, polite to people and other pets, and stay on a leash near their owners unless contained in an office or cubicle space. Owners are also required to clean up after any accidents.

Conklin adds pet owners must be sensitive to the fact some people have allergies or may be fearful of animals. Likewise, other employees aren't allowed to aggravate or intimidate pets. “We've seen many instances where employees actually got to know each other better through their pets. Seriously, it's hard not to smile when you're greeted by a wagging tail and friendly face,” Conklin said.

Casey, a Labrador/ridgeback mix, is a loyal and longtime member of the Dougherty family at age 13 years of age. (submitted by Sandra Dougherty)

The San Diego Humane Society is offering free microchipping on select days for all animals in anticipation of the Fourth of July holiday – when shelters typically see a substantial increase in lost pets.

July Fourth is a festive day of celebration for people, but it can be a terrifying time for our pets due to the loud noises associated with fireworks and revelry. Also, pets spooked by the noise of fireworks have been known to jump fences out of fear and confusion resulting in a higher number of stray animals entering the shelter post July Fourth celebrations.

“There is typically a spike in the number of stray animals that we receive the day after a big holiday, like the Fourth of July,” said Jennifer Brehler, chief operating officer for San Diego Humane Society. “We want to help pet owners take precautions to protect their pets on these busy holidays, which is why we’re offering free microchips so we’re able to reunite pets with their families faster.”

Licensing and microchipping pets helps reunite lost pets with their owners faster. In anticipation of the upcoming holiday, San Diego Humane Society is offering free microchipping at the following times.:

San Diego Humane Society, San Diego Campus, 5500 Gaines St.
Saturday, June 24, from 9 to 11 a.m.

This offer will also be extended at all campus locations on Friday, June 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment necessary.

(NewsUSA) As more and more people move or look to minimize and simplify their lives, small-space living is on the rise. This trend toward scaling back is great news for cat lovers. But sharing your small home with a cat isn’t without its challenges. Learn how to ensure you and your feline friend live in harmony when space is at a premium.

 Give kitty a ‘territory’
By nature, cats are territorial, just like their wild counterparts. Domestic cats don’t need acres of grassland to roam, but they should have a special place in your small home. Let your cat pick his or her favorite spot — perhaps a windowsill, a high perch or a dark hiding spot — and set up a comfy bed or blanket. Intrusions from either humans or other pets should be kept to a minimum in this area.

Forget about ‘off-limits’
In a small space, your cat will need a lot of freedom to explore. Expect furniture, tables or even kitchen countertops to be a part of his or her territory. Store food, breakables and anything else you don’t want your cat to get into behind closed cabinet doors so your cat can roam free.

Cat litter for tight quarters
The litter box can be the trickiest part of sharing a small home with a cat. You need a litter that delivers powerful odor control and makes it easy to keep the box clean. World’s Best Cat Litter harnesses the concentrated power of corn for long-lasting performance and keeps odor under control even in the tightest spaces. 

Cats can be perfect pets for people living in small spaces. All it takes is a little planning and compromise to keep everyone purring and content!