1. FREE Vet Health Exam
   VCA Animal Hospitals is offering a free initial health exam to new clients. Limit 2 pets per household.
2. FREE Gloss and Glide Detangler for Dogs/Cats
   Get a free 8 oz. sample of SynergyLabs Gloss and Glide Detangler for Dogs and Cats.
3. Save $26 on Joint Max Soft Chews
   Was $44.00, Now $22.99, and a $5 coupon code brings the price down to $17.99, a savings of 59% on Joint MAX TRIPLE Strength SOFT CHEWS (120 CHEWS).

Everyone has their own top questions to ask dog breeders when searching for that new pup to welcome into their family. Among the top questions, one always pops up – “Does the pup come with papers?” No, not newspapers to help housebreak your new puppy, but dog breed registration papers such as those from the American Kennel Club (AKC) and United Kennel Club (UKC). Although many ask for them, most do not really know what they are.

It has been 1.5 months since we made the switch to Nature’s Logic and we are so happy with this new dog holistic dog food. We have seen some great changes in health, energy and look since changing the food and have completed the slow progression to the food without any problems.

The positive changes we have seen in the Lab Brats include:

• More energy
• Less chewing on paws
• Decrease in flaky skin
• Decrease in flatulence (passing gas)
• Firmer, white, disintegrating stools
• Decrease in ear infections and how often ears need to be cleaned

There is nothing like being witness to a Labrador Retriever when it is around water. It is as though they have finally found their element and without it they can neither be whole nor survive. This weekend was the Community Bark’s June River Dip at our local dog park in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. This group meets once a month at a different dog park in our area so we can mingle while our pups get rid of all that pent-up doggy energy. Unfortunately, the Lab Brats haven’t been able to go to many in the last several months. First, it was too hot, then Cheyenne threw out her back leg again and then it always seemed to rain the day before the event (not much fun when Labs dive into every mud pool they see and want to curl up in your car’s backseat on the way home *laugh*). This time though, it was a perfect day and, at worse, the Labs get wet – not muddy – at this park.

Dogs need to have their ears cleaned just like humans do and Labrador Retrievers are especially prone to ear infections if not done correctly, but certain preventative measures need to be taken so that no infections result. If you would like to begin cleaning your own dog’s ears, like we do with the Lab Brats, instead of taking it to a groomer or veterinarian, please read on for some easy to understand directions and tips. (Sorry, there are no tips for dragging you dog out of the corner once it knows what you are up to.)

You will need:

1. FREE Wellness® WellBars for Dogs
   Buy one box of Wellness WellBars and get a 20-oz. box free.
2. FREE ASPCA Safety Kit
   Get a free “Pets Inside” window decal and poison control fridge magnet from the ASPCA.
3. FREE Sample Flushable Dog Waste Bags
   Get 2 free Flush Doggy biodegradable and flushable dog poop bags. You pay $1.99 S/H.
4. $5 Off Your Stay at a Pet-Friendly Hotel
   BringFido.com offers you two ways to get $5 off your next stay at a pet-friendly hotel

Question:

“Hi, I have a 5year old black lab mix. Each springtime he’s been getting little bumps under his chin and he itches until it bleeds. He’s also started licking his front paws alot. Not obsessively, but alot. The vet has told me I could give him Benedryl Allergy 25mg 2x per day. I’ve been reading that Benedryl doesn’t really help much and that there are natural remedies to give dogs. Does anyone else have this under-the-chin bump problems with their labs? I’m pretty sure it’s an allergy and it could be lots of things, his dog food, the treated grass in our yard, other grass allergens. It could be the wood material in the old couch he sits on or something in our carpeting. I’m wondering if its even worth getting the blood tests done at the vet, or if I should just find some other remedy. Any advice?
Thanks.”

The FDA announced the approval of Vetoryl (trilostane) Capsules, a new drug for the treatment of pituitary-dependent and adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism, commonly known as Cushing’s disease. Vetoryl, a new molecular entity, is the first drug approved to treat both pituitary- and adrenal-dependent Cushing’s disease in dogs.

“Cushing’s disease is a condition that results when the body produces too much cortisol. Cortisol is normally released during times of stress. The level of cortisol produced in dogs with Cushing’s disease is excessive and, if left untreated, becomes incapacitating. Vetoryl acts to block production of cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands. The disease is a complicated and slowly developing one, and the early signs are not always noticed. Symptoms include increased drinking, increased urination, increased appetite, reduced activity, excessive panting, thin or fragile skin, hair loss, recurrent skin infections, and enlargement of the abdomen.”

On Friday, June 26, 2009, business, animal shelters and pet-care professionals from around the globe will celebrate the Take Your Dog To Work Day. This day was created to celebrate our beloved canine companions and encourage their adoption from humane societies, animal shelters and breed rescue clubs such as L.E.A.R.N.

Given that I work from home, the Lab Brats treat every day as though it is their own national holiday. However, this annual event is important to us as it encourages employers to understand and experience the value of pets in the lives of their employees. Take Your Dog to Work Day just goes one step beyond to not only recognize the valuable lovable dogs we already have in our lives but promote the importance of pet adoptions.