Getting the Best Nutritional Value for Your Money Karen E. Davison, Ph.D., Equine Nutritionist and Sales Support Manager, Purina Animal Nutrition

Diesel, groceries, fertilizer, grain and hay are all on the price escalator going up, up, up.

There are a number of reasons for this run in prices, including pressure on crops from ethanol production, poor climate conditions in some areas and the declining value of the dollar. Of course none of these reasons lessen the impact on our pocketbooks and horse owners are feeling the financial strain. This has caused many horse owners to become more focused on getting the most value for their dollar when it comes to feeding their horses. 

 

Finding the best value horse feed means looking past price per bag and calculating the actual cost per day to feed. Divide the price per bag by 50 lbs to determine price per pound. Then, multiply the price per pound by the pounds fed per day. Horse owners are often surprised to find the feed that is cheaper by the bag may be more expensive per day because it must be fed at a larger amount per day or requires added expensive supplements to meet nutrient requirements. For example, compare oats that cost $14 per bag to Purina® Strategy® Professional Formula GXhorse feed that costs approximately $17 per bag. If a horse eats 6 pounds of oats per day to maintain good condition, that same horse would only need 4.8 pounds of Strategy® horse feed to support the same body condition because Strategy® Professional Formula GX horse feed contains 25–30% more calories per pound than oats. Oats priced at $14 per bag, $0.28/lb, fed at 6 pounds per day calculates to $1.68 per day to feed. Strategy® Professional Formula GX horse feed priced at $17 per bag, $0.34/lb, fed at 4.8 pounds per day costs $1.63 per day to feed. Not only does Strategy ® Professional Formula GX horse feed cost less per day to feed, it also contains the proper balance of protein, vitamins and minerals the horse needs, whereas oats must be supplemented to provide all the nutritional needs of the horse. If you feed a daily protein, vitamin and mineral supplement, you want to figure the cost and add that to your grain cost. Basic supplements will usually add $0.50 to-$1.00 per day more to the cost of feeding your horse. 

 

In many areas of the country hay prices have gone up faster than grain prices. Forage quality and weight per bale both factor into finding the best value for hay. Quality is impacted by variety of forage, the maturity of the plant at time of harvest and the conditions at harvest. The assumption that alfalfa is better quality than grass and therefore justifies a higher price isn’t always the case. Moderate quality alfalfa, 16% or less protein, actually may be a lower feed value than good quality grass, 11% or more protein. The moderate quality alfalfa is usually very mature and lower in digestibility whereas the higher quality grass hay is more digestible and palatable to the horse.

 

Most people are not very accurate when estimating amounts of hay and grain being fed. For example, a three-pound coffee can holds three pounds of coffee, but it will hold four pounds of Purina® Strategy®horse feed. The weight of oats can vary quite a bit

depending on the quality of the oats, ranging from 2.5 to 4.25 pounds per three-pound coffee can. Hay weight can vary quit a bit as well so, when possible, hay should be purchased by the ton instead of by the bale. Hay that costs $10 per bale and weighs 65

pounds per bale is a better value than hay that costs $8 per bale but weighs only 45 pounds per bale. If you are feeding 20 pounds of hay per day, the hay that costs $10 per bale calculates out to $3.08 per day while 20 pounds from the $8 bale of hay ends up

costing $3.54 per day. Also, two flakes from the heavier bale will often weigh more than two flakes from the lighter bale so your actual feeding rates may vary as well. Weighing a few representative flakes from hay when you first buy it can help keep your feeding

rates more consistent and your hay costs more under control. 

 

The cost of owning horses has certainly gone up over the last few years and there doesn’t appear to be a change in that trend in the forecast. However, using a scale and a calculator to do a little figuring can reveal possible ways to save money without compromising the health and well being of your horses.

Helping Your Dog Overcome His Fear of Thunderstorms By Jennifer Nicole Cox

Many dogs are fearful of thunder and suffer great anxiety whenever bad weather rolls in. Some dogs will shake and cry uncontrollably, while others will wander off and hide. Many dogs will overcome their fear of thunder, but some won't. My dog is eight years old and he still becomes a nervous wreck during thunderstorms.

If your dog can't seem to overcome his fear of thunderstorms, don't worry. There are some things you can do to help him be less fearful.

By following these 10 tips, you'll be helping your dog deal with the stress that thunderstorms bring.

1. Distract your dog by playing with him. Doing this will keep his mind off the thunderstorm. Chews or toys can be really helpful during a stressful situation like this.

2. Because thunderstorms will make your dog anxious, you shouldn't react to it. Dogs can sense fear and if they see you're fearful of the thunderstorm, their anxiety level will increase. During a thunderstorm, remember to behave as usual.

 
3. Turn on some soothing music for your dog to listen to during a thunderstorm. Soothing music can help calm his nerves.

4. You should never reward your dog during a thunderstorm in an attempt to calm his fears. These rewards can be anything from cuddles, hugs, treats, etc. If you reward a dog for shaking and whining, you'll only be reinforcing his fears - which is the last thing you'll want to do.

5. Try conditioning your dog when the weather is sunny. The way to go about doing this is to play a recording of a thunderstorm on a low volume setting. If your dog reacts negatively to the recording, turn it down to a level that doesn't upset him. You'll need to play this recording multiple times throughout the day. After several days have passed, you'll want to start increasing the volume. By gradually conditioning your dog to the sound of thunder, you'll be helping him overcome his fear.

6. Create a safe place that your dog can go to when stormy noises frighten him. If you notice that your dog prefers a certain spot during stormy weather, make the area as comfortable as possible for him. If your dog feels safe under the covers, give him his own blanket to help him feel less fearful.

7. Make sure your dog has shelter during stormy weather. If your dog normally stays outdoors, make sure he has a dog house or pen to stay in. If you'll allow your dog to stay in the garage or basement during stormy weather, that's a much better option.

8. Give your dog one of these two products: The Anxiety Wrap or Thundershirt. These two products will fit your dog like a piece of tight clothing and use pressure to relieve your pet's stress during thunderstorms. If your dog doesn't mind wearing clothing, one of these two products may work great for him.

 9. Give your dog over-the-counter medication (sedatives) to help relieve his stress. Remember, even though most over-the-counter medications are safe for your dog to take, please consult with your veterinarian before administering them to your pet.

10. You should never punish your dog for being afraid. Doing this will only make him more fearful. If your dog does well during a thunderstorm, don't forget to reward him when it's over.

How to Provide Optimal Nutrition for Your Dog

If we love our dogs, then we naturally want to see them as happy and healthy as possible. Many of us simply trust that any store-bought bag of dog food will provide all the nutrition that their dog needs. This, however, can be misguided faith. The various canned and dry foods available offer varying amounts of the different nutrients that our dogs need. What’s more, you need to be wary of marketing tactics that can add to the confusion by making inflated claims.

There are many good dog foods on the market, but in order to find them you have to read the ingredients carefully before you buy. Buying the cheapest brand is not the way to go, either. You’ll typically get what you pay for. You may have to feed your dog twice as much of a cheap dog food to provide him with the same nutrition that a slightly more expensive brand would provide. Consider how much you’re really saving in the long run.

Dogs have been domesticated for a long time now, and their systems have adapted to life with humans. Providing your dog with optimal nutrition is similar to planning healthy meals for yourself. Protein should make up a significant portion of your dog’s diet. The rest should include vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fat. Make sure your dog always has fresh water as well.

Good protein sources for your dog include fish, chicken, beef and lamb; try to avoid meat by-products. Quality meat will supply much of your dog’s fat requirement, but you might consider supplementing this with a little fish oil, safflower oil or olive oil. Good sources of fat help your dog maintain healthy and shiny fur and skin.

The majority of vitamins and minerals can be provided by whole grains. Barley, oats and brown rice are ideal, and preferable to corn and soy. Some vegetables and fruits will give your dog added nutrients as well as digestive enzymes. Broccoli, cauliflower, apples and bananas are all good sources. Avoid onions, grapes and raisins. Once you’ve covered your dog’s basic needs, you can supplement his diet by occasionally offering leftover portions of meat (be sure to rinse any added pepper and salt off of it); yogurt provides various bacterial cultures that aid digestion.

Puppies differ from adult dogs in that they require a higher protein diet. This applies to your pet until he’s eight months or older. Good puppy food will contain about 38 percent protein whereas a quality adult dog food provides 25 percent or less.

© Copyright 2013, Sears Brands, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Seven Tips to Help You Bond with Your Cat

Most dogs are quite easy to win over, but cat psychology is rather complex. If you want to experience the full extent of the love and companionship cats can provide, take these seven tips into consideration.

1. Pet your cat frequently, but monitor its body language. Cats love to be stroked, and common favorite spots include the back, under the chin and behind the ears. If your cat is arching its back or purring while you pet it, this means your attention is appreciated. However, if your cat starts swatting its tail or ducks out of your way, leave your pet alone for a while and try again later. If you try to force your cat to be stroked, it will grow to resent you and attempt to avoid you.

2. Avoid looming over your cat. If your cat seems unsure or skittish, it’s important not to chase it in order to try and have contact with it. Instead, go down to the cat’s level by sitting on the floor, and try to coax it to come over to your area by extending your hand or offering a treat. This method is much less threatening.

3. Take charge of feeding. Feeding a cat helps the bonding process, as your pet will come to associate the person who feeds her with nourishment and care. By feeding your cat at regular, predictable intervals, you teach it that it can rely on you for the nutrients it needs. However, it’s important not to give cats human food in order to win them over, as many ingredients in our foods can cause illness or digestive discomfort in our feline friends.

4. Never spank or yell at your cat. Cats do not learn from being punished in this way. If you raise your voice or are physically violent, this will only terrify your cat and make it very difficult to bond with in the future. Refusing to pay attention to your cat or moving it to a different room are more effective responses to bad behavior.

5. Find your cat’s favorite toy. Experiment with lots of different toys in order to figure out what gets your cat excited. Most cats love “teasers” that have feathers on the end of a stick, or long snakes of fabric attached to a pole (though these toys should be kept out of reach when you’re not in the room). Some cats like to chase ping pong balls thrown by their owners. Spending at least an hour per day actively playing with your pet will help to strengthen your bond.

6. Encourage your cat to sit on your lap. It’s extremely pleasurable for both cats and their owners to spend time relaxing in close proximity. If your cat seems sleepy or affectionate and you’re sitting down to read a book or watch television, gently place the cat on your lap and stroke its back. If you’re lucky, it will take a nap on your lap, indicating that it feels safe with you.

7. Do not prolong eye contact. Finally, if you find that you have made direct eye contact with your cat, try to blink slowly or look down. This communicates trust and friendliness, while engaging in a staring match will make your cat feel like you’re trying to be dominant.

© Copyright 2013, Sears Brands, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Military working dogs today have long history of heroism by Laura Sesana

WASHINGTON, January 10, 2013 - Working dogs form an important part of today’s military.

Dogs have been used in warfare by ancient Egyptians, Persians, Greeks, Slavs, and Britons.  During the Roman Empire dogs were arranged in columns and wore armor and spiked collars.  Dogs were also used by Attila the Hun and Frederick the Great.  Napoleon chained dogs to the walls of Alexandria to warn of enemy attacks.  Dalmatians were used on the borders of Dalmatia to warn of Turkish attacks from Croatia.
By the early 1900s, France, Belgium, Russia, and especially Germany used military dogs for scout duty, to warn of enemy attacks, find the injured, and to carry supplies and messages during combat.  Even though dogs were used in the Spanish-American War and Civil war, the US officially began training dogs for the US army in 1942.   During WWII, 15 war dog platoons served overseas as part of the army’s K-9 Corps.  Dogs have served in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq with bravery and distinction.  Today, military working dogs are trained at Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland for all branches of the military.

Dogs & Soldiers
Like members of the military, working dogs go through battle training and face combat, explosions, and gunfire.  Often dogs are sent into dangerous situations to protect the lives of their handlers and other soldiers.  Military working dogs are invaluable in detecting explosives and chasing down an enemy on foot.  According to some estimates a military dog saves around 150 soldier lives throughout its service.
There is also much to be said about the bond that forms between war dogs and soldiers.  They spend 24 hours a day together; they train, eat, sleep, and fight together.  Many handlers consider working dogs their buddies and fellow soldiers.  Many soldiers credit these dogs for saving their lives on the battlefield and providing much needed companionship.

Current Status
There are currently between 2,500 and 2,600 dogs deployed with American troops overseas.  About 400 military dogs are retired from service yearly; 430 military dogs were adopted in 2011.  There is usually a waiting list of about 300 to 400 potential adoptive owners.
There are several misconceptions about the fate and treatment of retired military working dogs.  Perhaps this is because historically, the military’s treatment of these animals in the past has not been exactly stellar.  Nearly 5,000 dogs were sent to Vietnam, and only around 200 returned to the US.  The rest were given to the South Vietnamese army, abandoned, or euthanized.
Tech. Sgt. Joseph Null, the Military Working Dog adoptions coordinator at Lackland explains that even though this was not a proud moment for many involved, the sacrifices made by these dogs paved the way for the much improved humane treatment and respect that these animals get today.  It was because of the dogs that were left behind and the impact that leaving them behind had on their handlers, who later became lobbyists and advocates, that Robby’s Law (10 U.S.C. 2583) was passed.
Signed in 2000 by President Clinton, Robby’s Law allowed for the adoption of military working dogs (and horses owned by the DoD) by their handlers, law enforcement agencies, and civilians capable of caring for them.  Additionally, under this law, the Secretary of Defense must submit an annual report to Congress accounting for all of the dogs adopted under the program, those awaiting adoption, and those euthanized.  For dogs that are euthanized, the report must specify the reason for euthanasia instead of adoption.  All 11 reports can be found here.
Contrary to popular belief, the military no longer euthanizes an animal simply because it cannot find a home for it.  The only reasons for euthanasia, according to Tech. Sgt. Null, and appearing on the reports, are (1) to prevent suffering and (2) because the dog is too dangerous/aggressive.  While it is true that many adoptable dogs were euthanized prior to 2000, thanks to Robby’s law, this is no longer a practice.  Today, a dog that is suitable for adoption is not euthanized by the military under any circumstances.
Neither are dogs left in combat zones, as many believe.  Like their human handlers, some military dogs are deployed to combat zones, and like their handlers, they are always brought back to their duty stations.  However, once the dog is at the duty station, transportation from the station to the adoptive home is not paid for by the military.
A lot has been made of this fact.  Many advocates claim that dogs are not being brought back from overseas because even though many in the US would like to adopt them, they simply cannot afford the transport cost, which can run up to $2,000.
Colleen McGee, Public Affairs Chief at Lackland, and Tech. Sgt. Null both agree that this is simply not the case.  While it is true that the military does not pay for the transport once the animal has been adopted, 95% of dogs are adopted by their handlers.  If a handler is on active duty and relocating from an overseas base, they are allowed one pet as part of their moving costs, so transportation is generally not an issue.  When transportation of the animal does become an issue, which happens extremely rarely (four times in the last 2 ½ years), adoptions coordinators at Lackland have been able to take advantage of their network of supporters to find an adoptive owner willing to pay for transportation costs.
So while maybe the military should pay for the transportation costs, no dogs are being euthanized or abandoned because adoptive owners cannot pay for their transportation back to the US, as many recent reports, including my own, stated.
Another misconception is that adopting a military working dog is a deliberately long and complicated process.  This is also untrue.  A process that once took seven to eight months currently takes about nine days, according to Tech. Sgt. Null.  The only reason potential adoptive owners may face a delay is because there is a long waiting list of people who want to adopt a military dog. 
While Robby’s law went very far in making sure that military working animals are treated humanely and with respect, even after they retire, many advocates say that the law does not go far enough and are currently lobbying for an amendment that would reclassify dogs as manpower, provide for the animals’ transport to the US, and allow military veterinarians to treat the retired animals after they have been adopted.
Republican Congressman Walter Jones has currently submitted to the Congressional Budget Office a bill that would reclassify military working dogs as “K-9 members of the armed forces” and make them eligible for official medals.  The cost-analysis response from the Budget Office is expected in mid- February of next year.
Even though several organizations are involved in helping these animals both while they serve and after they retire, only Lackland handles military working dog adoptions.  Operation Military K-9 sends care packages to military working dogs and their handlers.  People who want to donate may send money or put together their own care package from a list of needed items.  Other organizations, like US War Dogs Association help injured military dogs and their handlers heal and grow together once they have returned home.  Yet others like Military Working Dog Adoptions and Save A Vet lobby and raise awareness of issues related to military working dogs.

Source:

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/world-our-backyard/2013/jan/11/military-working-dogs-today/

Golden Retrievers Help To Heal Boston

Heritage Trading Company extends our condolences to all those affected by recent tragedies in Boston, MA, and West, TX.  The following article demonstrates how important our canine friends can be in times of sorrow but also in our everyday lives.   Golden Retrievers Help To Heal Boston    Five, doe-eyed golden retrievers - K-9 Comfort therapy dogs from Lutheran Church Charities -- traveled to Boston a few days ago to help heal a grieving city.  The fluffy necks of Luther, Ruthie, Maggie, Addie, and Isaiah - service dogs with special training in emotional support - were the perfect place for many Bostonians to find solace in the aftermath of senseless violence.   Unfortunately, these pooches have been busy the past several months - they were sent to comfort Newtown, Connecticut, where the dogs stayed with students of Sandy Hook Elementary School.  And, last week another group of K-9 Comfort Dogs traveled to West, Texas, to comfort families of victims, first responders and other survivors affected by a fertilizer plant explosion.  The Lutheran K-9 Comfort program started five years ago, in response to a shooting at Northern Illinois University, which left five students dead.  "People talk to the dogs - they're like furry counselors, "Tim Hetzner, president of Lutheran Church Charities, said recently.   But how can a simple animal have such immense power?  According to Marjorie Jacobs, a training associate at Boston University's Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, "Petting and holding dogs releases a hormone (oxytocin) that brings grieving people back to the present moment, allows them to forget about the past and avoid being anxious about the future." Wherever the K-9 Comfort Dog team goes, they help provide a respite area, a place to step away from fear and sadness and work through the healing process.   Call Heritage Trading Company for all of your pet needs, including vaccines, medications and remedies, nutritional supplements, dewormers, flea & tick and pest control, grooming, feeding equipment, collars & leashes, training, beds, and toys & treats for your customers' pets.  Call Heritage Trading Company for information and orders.

Morning Starr Animal Sanctuary & Spay/Neuter Clinic

Morning Starr Animal Sanctuary is a 501 (C) (3) non-profit, NO-KILL, all volunteer organization founded in 2001 by Fran and Alan Freedman. We are proud to say that there has never been a shortage of volunteers willing to give their time and effort, their love and sometimes their homes and financial support.

In its beginnings, it was the refuge for many abused, abandoned and lost animals of every ilk. Our focus was to provide assistance for 'special needs' animals. This assistance would be in the form of rehabilitation, either behavioral or physical. It would mean finding loving homes for many animals that were abandoned or providing medical treatment that was urgently needed. Sometimes it meant feeding babies and injured exotics from as young as one day, or even hours old.

Most of the animals taken in over the years are in wonderful loving forever homes and some are permanent residents with us. Many of the senior animals we have taken in lived with us until the end and will forever be remembered for their unique personalities and missed to this day.

At one time the Sanctuary housed fifty ferrets and was the only 'official' ferret rescue north of Phoenix. Out of sheer circumstance, we quickly became and still consider ourselves to be ferret experts and have been faced with every imaginable situation with the ferrets we have been privileged to care for. Like bunnies, ferrets are cute little animals that for an instant - seem the perfect pet for a little girl or boy and the perfect Easter or Christmas present. As is usually the case, the parents soon realize that one must know how to 'handle' and care for these little creatures and like many, did not want to put in the time or effort to learn. And that is how Morning Starr grew its population of bunnies and ferrets...among many other varieties of our friendly creatures!

Morning Starr has always known that the issue of so many deaths in the local shelters is caused by the overpopulation of animals. That is why Morning Starr's new mission is to fight and conquer this serious and growing problem of uncontrolled animal population growth. We are committed to doing more to help dog and cat owners (they are in the most need of a solution), realize the benefits to their own families' health; safety and well-being of spay/neutering their pets. Our new affordable spay/neuter clinic is dedicated to providing affordable solutions without compromise in either the quality of care or the first-class professionalism of its veterinarians.

Because our staff is all volunteer we are able to keep the costs low enough to be affordable for most pet owners. We do pay for our Veterinarian and one Vet Tech.

We take our responsibility to the people and animals of our community very seriously. We will always keep the lines of communication open to our users via our on-line newsletters while providing a significant and much needed spay/neuter service. As well, we are always available by telephone and email to answer any questions and listen to any concerns. We will assist in any way we can. Working with other no-kill organizations in the area, we are able to offer No Cost spay/neuter for certain breeds. Through grants and donations we can also offer more help to those in the community.

We are proud to say that we have indeed saved the lives of many animals and have provided nurturing and love to many that would otherwise, have never experienced. And like any non-profit organization, none of this is possible without support. We always welcome donations of time, equipment, food and most importantly, financial. Our dream is to continue to save the lives of our animals and help our community. We cannot do this without the support of our communities. Please visit our website www.morningstarr.org to learn more about Morning Starr and our new Spay/Neuter Clinic. Read how you can help make a difference and be part of our dream. Any donations can be provided by check or pay pal. Please contact us for more information about Morning Starr Animal Sanctuary. We are located at 257 Justin Dr., Suite A, Cottonwood, AZ 86326, email fran@morningstarr.org or phone 928-821-2420. Learn more on our web site. One hundred per cent of all donations are used to help support our new clinic as well as our resident animals in need of care. Be part of the solution and the dream!