It was the darnedest thing, but quite a long time ago when in a really awful pinch, my dog ate Pedigree. It was given to me for him during the tough time and I used it to stretch the little premium I had left. Oddly, despite how the food is not SUPPOSED to be as good for him, he thrived on it. Once he was switched to a premium food, he lost weight and benefited the room with his fragrance. What went wrong?

The premium food was formulated for senior dogs, and thus had a higher fiber content. The fiber made him feel full, but creates a lot of excess gas. In fact, his anal glands were even full of air. When years ago he was on a weight maintenance formula, he actually gained weight for the same exact reason.

The big reveal was that although the lesser dog food at more additives, the protein content was much higher. He appeared to thrive in the short term because of it, but would likely have health issues down the road because of additives and ingredients he just didn’t need. It was only an illusion that the premium food was doing more harm because of the constant flatulence.

The moral of the story? Even for a senior, the less excessive fiber, the less gas. It is a fine balance, as you don’t want so much protein your dog will pack on the pounds too quickly, so mixing a higher protein food with a secondary food or feeding the dog less will most likely do the trick.

He is now on a premium food, but has switched to a small breed formula mixed in until his senior formula is gone.

Luckily, or not so luckily, my dog will eat practically anything food-wise if I let him, aside from lemons. Before you say “my dog loves iams ” or “my dog has to have Wysong only” or Old Roy for that matter, just remember that sometimes a dog’s distaste for a particular brand might really be the symptoms we associate with it as the scarf it down, rather than turning up their nose.

If your dog is having extra fragrant problems, yogurt helps. Before you medicate, get the best food you can afford and check his/her food to make sure there is enough protein for their activity level. Going by activity level sometimes is more telling of an indicator than age. Surely, if a dog is flatulent its a blessing compared to pets with severe medical problems, but excess gas can eventually or periodically cause stomach pains and other complications. And that doesn’t exactly smell like a bed of roses.

According to the Carpet and Rug institute, carpet is still a practical choice for both humans with mobility issues and for pets.

They advise:

For those individuals who use braces, canes or walkers, maintaining balance can be less difficult with low pile carpet combined with an extra firm cushion.

For pets, look at a carpet’s pile. A looped carpet is a poor choice when you have pets that like to dig or display a kneading instinct. Claws and paws can become stuck and cause panic, or the loops can simply be torn, making the carpet look ragged. Carpet color choice is only a factor if you don’t vacuum often. If you seldom vacuum, most dog hair colors are noticeable on dark carpets.

What about material? Here are some popular choices and some considerations:

If you have multiple pets or kids, wood floor and  is still practical if you choose the right one?

• Wool is the longest lasting carpet fiber. It is naturally more flame retardant (don’t confuse this with fireproof) than most synthetics.  No harmful chemicals are used in creating a wool rug. The trade off is that they do require professional cleaning when stains set, but wool rugs can potentially last for generations and hold its color. Some enzyme cleaners can be used on wool.
• If you are chemically sensitive, avoid carpets with a “stain resistant” treatment. Treat stains yourself. If you use synthetic, stain treated carpet, place them in areas where children and pets won’t be sitting on the floor or licking the carpet frequently. The chemicals will dissipate over time, but are most concentrated when the carpet is new.
• Olefin is very water resistant and static resistant, making it a good choice for indoor/outdoor carpet and aisle ways near kennels. It also works well for rooms where sensitive electronics are stored or repaired. It is a budget choice when compared to wool.
• Polyester is very stain resistant, soft and easy to clean. It is not easily damaged by skidding canes or ride-on toys, but polyester sometimes gets matted over time. Polyester throw rugs are a budget an alternative if you change your style frequently.

If you want carpet for warmth and comfort, do not assume that pets, canes, walkers and kids are a reason to go with tile. With a few careful considerations, your house can be exactly what you envisioned, without the concrete living room.

There are tips and programs to help keep people in their homes that I was unaware of.

• 1) Home Affordable Unemployment Program (UP): Individuals unemployed for 12 months or more and have obtained their mortgage prior to January 1, 2009 may be qualify for reduced mortgage payments during an approved period. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages do not qualify for the program. You must contact the company that services your mortgage to assess eligibility.
• Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP):If you cannot refinance your home due to loss of market value, you may qualify for HARP. The mortgage must be a Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae guaranteed loan. The loan must be in good standing for 12 months, and the loan to value must be at least 80%.

The concept of money just feels so different to me than in the days I was carefully depositing pennies in my piggy bank. I could touch it and feel it, and could see that it was gone. Nowadays, money seems so transient. Even though there may be a healthy bank account backing one’s life, it just feels like it is “on paper.” It makes me wonder… There are folks who have the money but don’t seem to pay their basic utilities and their mortgage in favor of luxuries, or even just simply time getting away from them.

If this is you, or you seem to have yourself stretched far all the time:

• Go virtual. If you are used to doing everything online, many mortgage holders such as Aurora loans, are now provided access to managing and paying your mortgage online so you can keep tabs on what’s ahead. Ask your mortgage administrator if they offer it.
• Buy a starter home. Mom and Dad did it. If you are looking to purchase your first home, it is easy to fall in the trap of buying as much house as you can afford, or even more so. Consider a few hundred square feet less, the worst house in a good neighborhood, or something you will upgrade later rather than buying the status home now.
• Create a contingency plan for pets. Put some money aside so that if you must move, you can afford the pet deposit, or have a written agreement with a relative or a friend who loves your dog or cat that they will house them for a short period of time until you get back on your feet.

With a little investigation and foresight, a foreclosure might be something well avoided.

Both OneSight and the Lion’s Club accept donations of eyeglasses to distribute to those that cannot afford them in third world countries and right here in the United States. There are clinics run to match up folks with just the right glasses, too. They typically run a clinics series of days in an area, and then move on to the next.

Some Valentine’s Day glasses might be really fun to donate to a doctor in a children’s ward, or more so someone helping children in a disaster and working to keep the mood light for them. I remember a little girl who brightened up at the site of things that were pink or purple with sparkles, and the littlest things like that can bring a smile or convey a sense of normalcy.

Photo courtesy edendogbeds.com

A dog bed used to just be a dog bed. It was soft like a pillow or a thick special rug depending on canine preference. Ever since I have cared for my IVDD dog, the importance of specialized orthopedic dog beds has never been so important. He usually just beat up a blanket and arranged it as he liked. No matter how contorted he looked, I was happy as long as he was happy nestled in there.

Dogs get bed sores and develop pressure points just like humans do. Granted, smaller dogs are easier to manipulate and move into different positions than an adult person, but they do happen. Medical egg crate foam at the very least, or memory foam if you can afford it provides more gentle and even support to your pet, whether he/she has back issues or not. From there, you can even get beds made to look like antique furniture if you want to go fancy.

One may wince at the thought of the price of memory foam beds, but since you are buying a much smaller quantity for a pet than you would for a human queen- or king-sized mattress, sometimes with the cost of surgeries and long term care, you can’t afford not to. A comfortable bed can add a lot of to the quality of life of your pup who is not as spry as he or she used to be.

Just one dog or cat coming in with fleas can spread them to a whole aisle of pets in kennels very quickly. Soon, even though the original carrier is long gone, the facility cannot shake the infestation or get ahead of it. Flea infestations can lead to everything from skin irritation to blood diseases. A flea born or tick blood disease can cause severe lethargy and can be mistaken for something a little less curable.

When pets are not infested with fleas, a rescue centre can take that extra dog or cat because they know they can immediately place them in a particular foster home that doesn’t have the means to quarantine the dog or cat from others. They might be able to keep them crated separately, but not far enough

When the public comes in and there are no more stories spread about people contracting fleas from a visit or the story about the dog that had to be taken to the vets before coming home as they were in such a poor state, the average person who would have not normally considered adopting from the shelter has a more positive view of doing so. To make a real difference in enough shelters, its not the person that has four dogs already that need to be won over to adopting from a shelter, but the people who are looking for their one and only “family dog” who feels buying would be a more positive experience.

The next time you are buying Frontline for your dog or cat, buy a few extra doses and check the wish lists of your local shelters.

One of the latest questions is if the antioxidant juices people drink can be good for pets, even as a last resort. One question in particular is if Nopalea, which is made from the juice of the Nopal cactus, can be also used for canines and felines who are suffering from inflammation. Firstly, the Nopal cactus comes from the Opuntia family, more properly, Opuntia Ficus Indica. The Opuntia is a tree cactus. According to the ASPCA, Opuntia is nontoxic to dogs and cats. If a pet accidentally eats a small piece of the plant, the results might be prickly, but there will be no poisoning.

Although the plant itself does not pose a high toxicity risk, the juice itself is not formulated for pets. Cactus juice, which as a slight laxative effect, is not sold in its pure form. To be palatable, Nopalea juice includes other ingredients as well as supportive antioxidants. The other ingredients, and not the cactus juice, makes it potentially highly toxic to dogs.  The following is the list of Nopalea ingredients. Outlined in bold are ingredients helpful to humans but toxic, or possibly toxic to dogs and cats.

Proprietary blend of Water (filtered), Opuntia concentrate (nopal concentrate), Agave Nectar, Grape Seed extract (vitis vinifera), Raspberry extract (rubus idaeus), Strawberry extract (fragaria chiloensis), Cranberry extract (vaccinium macrocarpon), Apple extract (malus domestica), Apricot extract (prunus armeniaca), Mango extract (mangifera indica) fruit, Orange concentrate (citrus aurantium) juice, Papaya concentrate (carica papaya fruit with papain), Tomato concentrate (lycopersicon esculentum) fruit, Kiwi concentrate (actinidia chinensis), Guava (psidium guajava powder), Lemon concentrate (citrus lionum juice), Opuntia concentrate (nopal concentrate) powder, Peach concentrate (prunus persica) juice, Pomegranate extract (punica granatum with ellagic acid and punocaligans), Green Tea extract (camellia sinensis), Beet (beta vulgaris) juice, Bilberry concentrate (vaccinium myrtillus), Acerola cherry extract (malphigia glabra), Amylase, Cellulase, Hemicellulase, Proteases [bromelain from pineapple (ananas comosus) and papain (carica papaya) from papaya, lipase, phytase], Stevia extract (stevia rebaudiana) leaf, Guar gum, Maltodextrin, Natural flavor, Cherry powder, Xanthum gum.

• Stevia can be upsetting to the stomach or even fatal to dogs.
• Grapes are known toxins, which can cause hypercalcima, anorexia, lethargy and kidney damage.
• Parts of the prunis family, such as the leaves, stems and pits are toxic. The prunis family includes apricots, peaches and cherries. The actual fruit is not toxic, but in the blending process, other pieces of the fruit could potentially intermix.
• Healthy dogs produce their own Vitamin C. The jury is out on whether C supplementation is harmful or helpful, or may only be helpful in severely ill animals.

Before giving your pet a “home remedy,” note that their systems are not completely like ours. Read the ingredients very carefully. Not all products that do you good will do your dog or cat good, even if they are “natural.” Enjoy a glass for you, but don’t be tempted to give Mittens or Duke a sip.

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

Did you know that your PET can be listed as your dependent at Walgreens? It's true. You won't get to claim them on your taxes, but they can be part of your family in the Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens. Read much farther down below for details.

According to a December 8, 2011 press release, the contract between Walgreens and Express Scripts has been terminated. What does that mean, exactly? According to a December 8, 2011 press release, it affects access to the chain by U.S. military and other entities using Express Scripts and its military administrator, Tricare. It reads:

More than a quarter of a million U.S. military personnel, family members, retirees and others in the Department of Defense Tricare pharmacy benefits program, and their supporters, so far have signed petitions demanding access to Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG) pharmacies under the Tricare pharmacy program. The pace of petition signatures from Tricare members seeking to retain access to Walgreens and their supporters has reached more than 10,000 per week in recent weeks.

Why is the drop of network coverage critical? Walgreens represents, aside from mail-order prescriptions, one of the only in-network alternatives to receiving prescriptions for military families. Since the chain is nation-wide, it is highly convenient to military families who may frequently relocate or are fragmented and there is at least one pharmacy location open 24 hours in each geographic area.

The sticking points of the contract were two fold, as they appear to this reader:

• Express Scripts desired to classify medications as brand or generic, despite Walgreens classifications; thus, cost to consumers increases based on formerly generic meds classified as brand name. This seems to mean that the same consumer could purchase the medication at a less expensive rate than what the insurer was charging, just by choosing a generic and paying out of pocket, while still needing to pay the insurer premiums.

• Walgreen's agreed to not raise its rates to keep military families at Walgreen's. However, Express Scripts wished to steer families to their mail order program.

In reaction to this measure, there is a Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens that anyone can join, especially those whose insurance or prescription carrier has dropped Walgreens from their network. Right now, individuals can register for as little as $5.00 as an individual, or for $10 as a family. Family includes pets! Simply add your pet's name to your dependent list and all medication, so long as there is a human version, it qualifies.

Although some prefer to sign petitions or become activists for a cause, others let their feet do the walking and take their business away from plans that are no longer competitive.

For the latest developments, check Walgreens on Facebook or follow Walgreens on Twitter.

Is your family going to be affected by this? If so, how will you adjust or react?

1) Examine your cell phone to note whether it is in working order or not. Some recyclers are looking for only working phones, or pay a premium for them. The reason? Some phones are not recycled into raw materials, but are refurbished and resold as reconditioned phones. Non-working phones are also accepted depending on desirability of the model. Note the condition – Like New, Normal Wear, etc.

2) When you find the best deal offered for your model, follow the company’s outlined procedure.

3) Carefully pack and mail your phone. Many providers waive the shipping fee by giving consumers a USPS/Fedex account number or generate a printable label. Some shipping methods include tracking, but many do not. If you have a phone that carries a high value, it is best to ship it on your own dime so that the package is guaranteed trackable.

4) After the quoted period, you will receive a check or vouchers in the mail or payment via PayPal, depending on the company’s terms. Payment time ranges from one to five business days from receipt of the phone, but times vary.

When you receive your check, remember your favorite charity. You can direct the funds to your favorite cause for whatever program you care about most.

Author: Joseph Sandoval

I looked into clear tv and internet packages and decided that I would upgrade to them before the holidays. I love Christmas and I love Christmas crafts. I have been surfing the web since we got it installed looking for great decorating tips and ideas. There are a slew of DIY websites that have some really great ideas.

My favorite thing that I have made so far is felt iphone cases. They are in the shapes of a Santa clause, reindeer, and snowflake. They are really festive and I have already given some that I have made to my friends and family.

The other thing that I have really been pleased with is the Santa suit that I made my beagle, Henry. I got a great pattern that I was able to download and print for free on-line. I even added jingle bells to the suit so that you can hear him coming. I don’t know how much he likes wearing the suit, but it sure looks good on him. I took a picture of him in it and it made the front of our annual Christmas card. I love crafting!

Do you have the "It" factor?

Medication ads, pet supply catalogs, commercials: All of those folks are considered “commercial models.” In reality, most likely 99% of most people employed as models are not 6′, nor have large cheekbones, nor were discovered at a night club. Folks may scoff and think that modeling is a superficial profession only obtainable by the chosen few, and riddled with young women and men suffering from anorexia. On the contrary, everywhere we seen to look, we see models that look like “regular people.” Yes, even the lady posing near a grooming table or the guy smiling in a blood pressure medicine ad because he can now climb Mt Everest are those regular folks.

How does a young person, or any person know how to spot a legitimate agency? Or how does one go about making healthy and appropriate connections in the industry, if that is your chosen field?

Alycia Kaback hosts a show on WNJC 1360 in Philadelphia called the “IT” factor. She also heads up two modeling agencies in the NYC and Philly areas, one of which, Kaback Model Management, caters to commercial models. As a child, she auditioned for the Mickey Mouse Club unsuccessfully. According to her bio, it was frustrating to be considered the best dancer at her school and never receive a break. It was not actually for lack of talent, but poor auditioning skills and also not knowing any of the casting agents or decision makers in the business.  “So many people were taken advantage of both financially and emotionally because there was no proven system a person could follow to find success.” It is very enticing to answer a splashy ad in the paper promoting a special contest or a pageant where the winner receives a modeling contract after paying hefty fees.

Modeling and acting is not for everyone, but if you have always wanted to see if you had a shot at your dream, or should go back to crunching numbers or shining shoes, and are timid about the reality show route, why not take a chance?

An alternative is to shop around yourself and  sell mobile phones that are collecting dust and lint in your drawer at a competitive rate to a recycler, and then in turn give the proceeds to the group of your choice once the check arrives. Sellmymobile.com has a list of various phone models and the going rate at a variety of recyclers. The site does not purchase cellphones, but gathers the reported data in one place. Once a match is made, you send the phone to the selected company.

When you receive your check, you can personally donate the funds to your group of choice. Since you shopped around, the rate might be higher than the funds realized by a group in a dedicated cell phone program. The other benefit is that a charity need not be registered with a recycler to receive a benefit. Granted, a publicized collection campaign does drive donations when a group mount ones, but shopping around yourself when you clean out your drawer and spreading the word to your individual network creates initiative. Oh, and of course – you divest of the clutter in your drawer. You can’t save every one for a 2037 Antique Roadshow episode.

Photo via zennioptical.com

Next year, the Ugly Sweater may be on the outs again, with the amount of Christmas eyeglasses I have spotted. Have a full-on reindeer sleigh on the side of your head (the model at left is from Zenni Optical). Lest you worry about someone mistaking the fine details for polka dots underneath your long locks or amid your sideburns, the bridge has to be in a bright color, too just to make sure you don’t miss it.

While we may jest, the glasses would be a fun donation to a charity who does “pictures with Santa” as a fundraiser. Several dog rescues I have volunteered with have done so, with even my brother once playing “Santa.” It would help the “elves” look the part. The Lions Club also regularly looks for eye glass donations to help individuals advance their lives through improved vision all over the world…maybe even at the North Pole.

If you want to brave the offers and take a chance that your lack of forsight has been rewarded, www.savings.com has a stable full of coupon codes and discount codes from various retailers. There is a 20% coupon code for Kohl’s. If you order by 11 PM Central Time tonight, you will receive your order of in-stock items in time for Christmas. You have until 2 PM for a free 2-Day shipping upgrade to 1-800Baskets, plus a 20% discount code.

If your shopping is all done, there are offers from online pharmacies for both human and pet, and grocery coupons to help with the monthly budget, even if you do receive them after Christmas.

This post brought to you by Swifto. All opinions are 100% mine.

So many folks have crossed my path and so many email pleas had caught my eye over the years that went something like this:

"I am moving to New York City next month, so can't take my dog with me. I need to find him a home, otherwise I have to take him to the pound."

In fact, it has been so rampant, that I had to check it out for myself. When I went for a training class in New Jersey, and ventured into the city with coworkers, I asked them to stop as close to the city limit as possible.

"I don't see it," I said. "The 'No Dogs Allowed' sign."

I did see someone walking a Great Dane, though. Apparently, these souls were lied to. Apparently.

No matter where you live, a reliable dog sitter or dog walker is key when your lifestyle or health changes to something that doesn't quite match the dog you have. That includes moving to the city where many, many dogs do just as well in an apartment as they do in a small home with frequent walks in the park. What amazes me is when folks who seldom take their dog for a walk or don't have a large yard decide to part with their dog when they move to an apartment where there dog also won't have a yard. What really changed?

In New York City, Swifto runs an on call dog walking service. Enter the request online, including the day and time, and a bonded and insured, pre screened dog walker will arrive. A dog walker can arrive in as little as in an hour if needed. When I checked the site after 9:00 pm, the request form suggested that a walker could arrive by 5:04 am the next morning if I wanted.

Rates for dog walking:

• Walks are half an hour long for $20 (includes tip)
• +$5 upcharge for an additional dogs
• $10 upcharge for an hour-long walk.

When you are matched up with a dog waker:

• You receive a list of available walkers for you to choose.
• Make arrangements to exchange a key if you will not be home. It is not as practical if you are looking for service within an hour, but works for longer range appointments. Some may leave a key with a trusted doorman or neighbor, or perhaps ask the walker to pick the key up from the the owner's office around the corner.
• Pay Swifto online, and the dog walker and you never have to exchange cash.

Swifto is just in its beginning stages, so it will be interesting to see how it grows. A little help from a professional sure beats leaving your Best Friend behind.

This post brought to you by Slim-Fast. All opinions are 100% mine.

I never worried much about weight loss. If I was overly stressed, I tended to shed weight rather than pack it on. Envious? You shouldn't be. Rapid weight loss and being underweight is just as big of a health problem sometimes as weight gain. Up until about two years ago, maintaining my weight was a constant challenge. Now that I feel uncomfortable with the Thanksgiving/Christmas cake and candy festival, or at least my waistline does, I am looking to tone up. The worst thing I could do is skip meals, as my body will store it all, thinking its not getting another meal.

So far, I have been marginally successful and the marginally part is due to not having enough protein in my diet to give my body the fuel to change my shape.

Recently, I tried the new Slim-Fast shakes, formulated to be taken on the go, and containing enough protein to fill the huge gap.

Slim-Fast shakes, formulated to be taken on the go, and containing enough protein to fill the huge gap.

The Good:

• Easy to carry curved bottle.
• 30% of the recommended daily value of folic acid, important for pregnant mothers, or for both parents when considering conception.
• 10 grams of protein per bottle.
• One serving = one bottle. I have often been tricked when the nutrition facts describe a product with 1 1/2 servings or 2 servings per bottle that I am going to finish anyway.
• No chalky taste. The formulation is smooth and consistent with no residue at the bottom. It tastes somewhat like a thicker chocolate milk.

The Bad:

• Artificial sweeteners. The shake contains sugar as a nutritive sweetener, but also contains high fructose corn syrup, fructose and sucralose.
• Primary ingredient is fat free milk – not bad in of itself, but challenging for the lactose intolerant.
• The cocoa used is processed with alkali, reducing the antioxidant qualities in the chocolate. Many popular products do the same.

The shakes are part of Slim-Fast's 3-2-1 plan. They recommend 3 snacks, 2 Slim-Fast Shakes or meal bars, plus a balanced, regular meal consisting of roughly 500 calories to achieve your weight loss goal. For me, it is not so much actual pounds, but inches, since muscle weights more than fat. In my case, meal replacement products are used for times when I am running around, so as not to "forget" to eat. Skipping meals blows not just your weight maintenance but your energy and nutrition levels, too. When I am around the house, I eat a variety of small meals throughout the day, but when on the go, sometimes it just isn't possible.

"Like" Slim-Fast on Facebook for product updates. Find the full line of products at Walgreen's, Target, Amazon and your favorite grocery chain.