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Riley Chicken Makes Friends With a Tiny Chihuahua (video)

Written by Alexis on May 20, 2013 · 1 Comment

I mentioned that I was headed off at the end of last week to attend a conference for pet bloggers. The event was super pet friendly and tons of people brought their dogs, cats, ferrets – I even saw a guinea pig! I was amazed at how well behaved every single animal was. Not once did I hear or see any interaction that was less than downright friendly (seriously, we need to model after our pets, people!!).

Riley Chicken meets tiny Ryan

Since the conference was about 5 miles from my house I decided I had to bring Riley Chicken, but knew that there was no way he’d be happy to sit quietly during the speaker sessions. Each afternoon after the session were over, I’d run home and pick up the Chicken.

Now, several of you know that Riley Chicken, while he is the sweetest, softest and most gentle soul on the planet, is also lacking in a good foundation of social skills. It isn’t his fault. The poor kid had a rough and isolated start in life by spending way too much time in a crate because his first family didn’t want to deal with a rambunctious puppy. When he came to me at slightly over a year of age, Riley had no outside world knowledge. Other dogs were weird. Noises were scary. Going to PetSmart just about caused a total meltdown. Simply put, every experience was a new one.

Two years later, Riley Chicken is able to attend a chaotic conference with all manner of people in various states of sobriety and enough dogs to hold a majors show. He was the perfect gentleman and a wonderful ambassador for the Tigertail Foods team. He shows me everyday how resilient dogs can be when we give them a chance to be who they are meant to be.

Watch as he makes friends with Ryan, a tiny Chihuahua who thought that Riley Chicken should just stay put (message sent through a well timed nose bop).

I am so proud of my boy. He was quite he superstar . . . everyone’s heads turned to watch Riley.

Riley Chicken and Mr. TTF at the conference. A couple of super handsome guys (I might be biased though)!

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Sea Otter Cleans Up for Big Weekend Plans (video)

Written by Alexis on May 17, 2013 · Leave a Comment

You’ll never guess where I am today and tomorrow . . . a pet bloggers conference! There are conferences for everything – including a gathering for those of us who spend an inordinate amount of time looking at, hanging out with, thinking and writing about animals. There are so many worse ways you could go through your days though, if you think about it.

I give you Exhibit A: my job consists of finding videos like the following that will give you an insane amount of joy from watching a super cute sea otter “wash” his face while rubbing his little feet together.

Who else thought, “that is totally what I would look like in the shower . . . if I were entirely furry and had flipper feet.”?

Hopefully that will be enough to tide you over until I get back to my desk full time. In the meantime, have a fabulous weekend!

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Did you know that Tigertail Foods carries a complete line of Emu Oil products for people as well as pets? We have body lotion, lip balm, shampoo and conditioners for you and grooming products for your pets. There’s something for everyone. Now the whole family can have soft, shiny, healthy coats!

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The Cup Song – ala Animals (video)

Written by Alexis on May 16, 2013 · Leave a Comment

The Cup Song from Pitch Perfect has invaded my brain. I can NOT stop singing it. Thankfully for those around me, I’m doing it to myself (my voice is anything but pitch perfect). I’m not the only one who is enamoured with it – someone has put together the most adorable cover version/montage of animals playing the cups for The Cup Song.

The otters have a natural talent for cups as an instrument! The bears, on the other hand (paw), have great enthusiasm but might need to put in some more practice.

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Tigertail Foods’ Rescue Rebate Program helps the rescue group of your choice by donating a portion of every purchase. If you have a rescue group you want to support, contact us and let us know.

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How the Mighty Have Fallen! (video)

Written by Alexis on May 15, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Thankfully cats have nine lives because I think this poor, brave and oh-so-cute kitten just got one of them scared right out of him…

Don’t you love how he has the initial freak out followed by a delayed reaction freak out? As though, upon further reflection, yes, this entire situation calls for a total meltdown?

Lesson here is never take your eye off the other guy!

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This month the 2.5 lb size bag is 15% off the regular price, so pick up a bag of Tigertail Foods’ Whoats for your horse today! Your horse will love them and you’ll love giving him a treat that is all-natural and good for him!

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New Formula for Calculating Your Dog’s Age

Written by Alexis on May 14, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Dogs: the most diverse species on the planet.

Trying to figure out how old your dog is relative to human age? Feel free to toss that old 7-human-years to every 1-dog-year. Turns out that computing your dog’s age into human years has more to do with life-stage and size than anything as cookie-cutter as the old formula would lead one to believe.

Let’s first establish that no other species on the planet is as diverse as dog. As such, we shouldn’t expect that what is applicable to a Mastiff would carry over for the Papillon - and anyone who’s familiar with either breed knows that the Papillon will have a lifespan that is possibly double that of the Mastiff. However, this is completely upside-down to what we see throughout the rest of the animal kingdom.

“If you think about statistical correlation between average life span and body size in mammals it generally tends to be positive – gorillas, elephants and whales are much longer lived than shrews, voles and mice,” says Daniel Promislow, professor of genetics at the University of Georgia, whose research on the subject of dog aging lead to the finding that a spayed dog has a longer lifespan than one intact.

To add to the conundrum that is dog aging, small dogs reach maturity faster than big dogs but once they reach adulthood they age slower than their larger counterparts. In other words, that Papillon will be fully developed by the time he is one year old while the Mastiff might need a full two years to reach the same point — and when they both reach the age of 7, the Papillon is barely into middle age as the Mastiff is at the end of his average lifespan.

“It doesn’t happen in any other animal,” says Kate Creevy, assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Georgia. ”There isn’t any other species which has within a single species the same degree of size diversity that dogs have. It’s possible that by creating all of these diversely sized dogs that we unmasked this ageing phenomenon.”

The first time anyone saw the original 7:1 formula was in a 1960s math book; it was set forth as a problem for children to solve ratios and the dog was associated with it to make it more friendly. Even though it isn’t right, it isn’t completely off the mark if one views it as an average for all dogs.

For a more accurate way to compute your dog’s age this is the new formula:

For first two years:

9 years per human year for the first two years for small dogs
10.5 years per human year for the first two years for medium sized dogs
12.5 years per human year for the first two years for large dogs

For years 3+:

Small: Dachshund (Miniature) 4.32, Border Terrier 4.47, Lhasa Apso 4.49, Shih Tzu 4.78, Whippet Medium 5.30, Chihuahua 4.87, West Highland White Terrier 4.96, Beagle 5.20, Miniature Schnauzer 5.46, Spaniel (Cocker) 5.55, Cavalier King Charles 5.77, Pug 5.95, French Bulldog 7.65

Medium: Spaniel 5.46, Retriever (Labrador) 5.74, Golden Retriever 5.74, Staffordshire Bull Terrier 5.33, Bulldog 13.42

Large: German Shepherd 7.84, Boxer 8.90

Sure it’s not as simple as 7:1 but it does seem to be more accurate. Although this doesn’t explain why, at the age of 3 1/2, Riley Chicken is still waiting for his adult brain to develop.

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May’s Flavor of the Month is Apple Pie – a good, wholesome treat made with only real food ingredients. No fake colors or flavors, no soy, wheat or corn. All of our products are made by hand in small batches so you can give your dog a Tigertail Food treat knowing that it is healthy and delicious.

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Monday Morning Cup of Awww… Bear Den Visit (video)

Written by Alexis on May 13, 2013 · Leave a Comment

This morning was definitely a hibernation morning. The temperatures dropped here back into the low 40s, but the bed was warm and I had a sleepy, happy Chicken sprawled across me. I could’ve easily stayed in bed until this afternoon.

But there’s a great big day ahead of us. Nothing special per se, but I can’t convincingly pull off the hibernating bear routine so it’s for the best to just get up and do as much stuff as I can – and, naturally, that includes watching videos of hibernating bears – and bear cubs! Super cute cubs!

Is that a tiny bear tongue I see?

The video is from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It shows Dr. Dave Garshelis, who’s worked with the DNR for the last 30 years, leading a group of University of Minnesota students out on a field trip to do some very hands-on work with a tagged black bear (#5005).

How exciting for the students . . . and what a bizarre experience it must have been for the bears!

Here’s more information on Dr. Garshelis’ work.

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A portion of every purchase this month goes to support Pug Rescue of San Diego, our Rescue of the Month. PRSD works to rehome and rehabilitate pugs that come from abusive and shelter situations, as well as owner surrendered. We are proud to be able to support their work in helping the biggest little dogs in San Diego.

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Happy Mother’s Day!

Written by Alexis on May 12, 2013 · 3 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

I haven’t spent Mother’s Day with my mom in 18 years. I’m lucky enough to talk to her almost everyday and see her several times a year but being on opposite sides of the country is hard. My mom is The Best Mom Ever…. now I know what you’re thinking. You think you have The Best Mom Ever. Sorry to tell you this, but no – I do. This isn’t one of those situations where we all get to have The Cutest Dog Ever. Don’t get me wrong, your mom is really great – maybe even a very close runner-up to my mom – but I know for a fact that my mom is The Best.

She taught me everything. She gave me a standard to hold myself to, something to continually strive for. She provided me the freedom to experience the world around me while quietly setting out a safety net in case I needed it. She’s smart – so so very smart. She’s kind and generous and patient. She can be a total hardass when she needs to be . . . and ohmy stand back when she loses her temper. But mostly, my mom is love. She is a 5 foot 4 inch embodiment of love.

And I am so thankful – today and every single day – that she’s my mom. I love you, Mom. Thank you for everything you are and everything you do.

If you are lucky enough to be with your mom today, give her an extra hug from me.

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Spin Cycle (video)

Written by Alexis on May 10, 2013 · Leave a Comment

We get so caught up in everything that “matters” that we don’t take enough time to slow down and look around us, breathe and just be. If you’ve forgotten what it looks like to do those things – and, more importantly, feel those things – here’s your Zen guru master of the day. . .

I could watch this all day, but I need to go smell some flowers and melt into a puddle of relaxedness. Have a fantastic weekend!

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Keep your dog at maximum health and vitality by feeding Tigertail Foods’ Wholistic Raw Pet Food — available in Original, Diet and Grain-Free.

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Food Stamps for Pets

Written by Alexis on May 9, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Did you know that 1 in 7 Americans is on food stamps? I found that statistic – over 10% of our population! – surprising. I knew that, despite claims that our economy is rebounding (and it might be, although very slowly), people everywhere are struggling to make ends meet, but I had no idea that the number of people on food stamps was so high.

When you then think about how animal shelters and rescues are being flooded with record number of owner turn-ins this statistic helps put things in perspective, doesn’t it?

Food stamps – a program designed to help people get by; a program with the intention of feeding families when they simply can not afford to buy food. Did you know that there are some rather strict guidelines about what you can and cannot buy with food stamps? The obvious: alcohol and cigarettes. The not-so-obvious: hot food (that pre-roasted, hot chicken is a no-no) and pet food. It makes sense when you think about it, actually. The program is outlined so that people will buy only items they will eat. That doesn’t include their pets. Pets, as many families across the nation trying to keep a roof over their heads will tell you, are a luxury when it comes to tax-payer funded food programs. You might fight that notion with every fiber of your being, shake your head, your pet is part of the family – not a luxury! – and say that YOU would never consider giving up your dog or cat, but when it comes down to who gets to eat, you and your kids or your dog, trust me your priorities suddenly come into sharp focus.

Giving up your dog or cat because you can’t feed them is not a sign of not loving them enough or being a dedicated pet owner. It is a sign that you are in a horrible situation and have made a very difficult decision. One no loving pet owner wants to make. So, let’s go back to that 1-in-7 number. . . and now consider that these people have had to make the painful choice of having to give up their pet because they simply can’t afford to feed them. Can you imagine what that’s like?

One man, Marc Okon, could. He saw firsthand what it was to make the choice of feeding your much-loved pet or yourself. He heard the numbers: 50 million Americans on food stamps and millions of pets going to shelters to be euthanized because no one could afford them anymore. A former stockbroker and entrepreneur, Okon was motivated to start a privately funded nonprofit called Pet Food Stamps for those who are already enrolled on the federal food stamp program or living below the poverty line. The group opened in February; they are already completely overwhelmed with requests for aid from people who are desperate to hold their families together.

Okon said in an interview: ”I just heard from a lady in North Carolina who has an autistic son whose only companion is a Jack Russell Terrier. It’s cookie-cutter sadness. … Little details change but the gist of each story is the same.”

The group helps feed dogs, cats and small animals (gerbils, rodents) and even reptiles. If you are interested in helping support their efforts, learning more about the program or getting help for yourself check out their site at www.petfoodstamps.org

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Once-a-Month members get their treats automatically shipped to them, and they get 5% off! To make a good deal even better, Tigertail Foods donates another 5% to the rescue of your choice. What a sweet deal!

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Can My Dog Eat That? Cicadas

Written by Alexis on May 8, 2013 · Leave a Comment

This is for all the folks like me who are about to play host to Brood II cicadas in the coming weeks. Everyone west of the Great Plains, y’all just go about your business and don’t worry about all of us on the east coast living with the deafening horde of hundreds of billions of leaf eaters that have crawled out of the ground to get their groove on. We’ll be fine. Really. Maybe a trillion bugs emerging from the ground – no biggie.

Brood II cicada, aka Magicicada. It only appears on the east coast of the US and nowhere else in the world.

Every 17-years this particular species of cicada, Brood II, comes up out of the ground to do one thing, reproduce. If you were around for their last appearance, you know what we’re in for . . . bugs everywhere. It turns driving down the bug-littered road in an act of mass-murder. Mowing the lawn? Ah, heck no! Getting a good night’s sleep with the window open? Don’t think so! Cicadas are certainly going to be a headache for us humans, but what about our pets? I know that if given the opportunity, Riley Chicken will take one look at this invasion as fun and food! A moving buffet that he can play with. Since Chicken is absolutely the norm when it comes to dogdom and how they explore their world (with their mouths, primarily), I imagine that I’m not the only person to wonder how to handle the soon-to-be situation. Do we need to keep our dogs inside until the cacophonous critters go back from whence they came? The short answer is no, cicada season doesn’t mean your dog is a prisoner. . . but that doesn’t mean you are off the worry hook completely.

Let’s start with the fact that cicadas are perfectly harmless. They don’t sting; they don’t bite. They are just loud and creepy looking. We don’t have to worry about being outside among them. We will be doing a lot more harm to them when we inevitably step and crush them than they could ever do to us.

Can my dog eat them and be okay? Yes. There is nothing about a single cicada that a dog can not eat and ingest safely. In fact, they are a good source of protein. They are not toxic in any way.

HOWEVER… this is the cautionary part of the answer. In the same way dogs can overindulge in any type of food, they can eat way too many cicadas. The typical signs of having too many helpings at the bug-bar is a sick pup with a very upset stomach, and possible vomiting and diarrhea. Because the cicada’s exoskeleton is not very digestible – it’s made up of keratin like our hair and fingernails – they can possibly cause intestinal blockages. This can be very serious, and if you know you’re dog has been eating a lot of the cicadas you might want to monitor the frequency of his/her bowel movements. If you notice an irregularity, get your dog in to see the vet.

Given the sheer numbers we’re expecting to see in the coming weeks, it will be impossible to keep a determined dog from gulping down a mouthful (or five). Don’t sweat the occasional crunchy snack, but if you find your dog is treating the backyard like an all-you-can-eat buffet (bugget?) you will want to keep him with you on a leash to help control his intake.

Food trivia: Cicadas are actually eaten by humans. From NatGeo: Experts say that the best way to eat cicadas is to collect them in the middle of the night as they emerge from their burrows and before their skins harden. When they are in this condition—like soft-shell crabs—they can be boiled for about a minute. It is said they taste like asparagus or clam-flavored potato.
So there’s a handy tip if you’ve ever wondered what a clam-flavored potato would taste like.

Added bonus: This ridiculous video of the 1990 Cicada cycle that came back in 2007. If you love Golden Retrievers (and who doesn’t?!) you will want to watch this.

Fortunately, this nonsense will last about 6 weeks. Then we won’t see them again (at least this version) until 2030.

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Tigertail Foods’ Rescue Rebate Program helps the rescue group of your choice by donating a portion of every purchase. If you have a rescue group you want to support, contact us and let us know.

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