The battle of the fleas!

We're heading into the main time of year when fleas like to get very intimate with your dog, yard and even your home.

The best way to avoid a battle and give them the brush off is to take steps to protect your pet and your environment long before they invite themselves in.

I've written a helpful article with tips to alert you to the first signs of them on your dog, then how to get rid of them, plus how to keep your dog, yourself and your home flea free!

Get started now.

Looking For Love - A Dog That Is!

When you come to the decision that a dog is a fine animal to invite into your home and your heart, the next step is to go about finding the one who is waiting for you somewhere.

Some of the places to look include the classified ads, the professional breeders, the breed rescues, and the local shelters.

It can be a bit confusing, so I've written a guide to help you out when you set off on your mission to find Rover.

It's appropriately called Dog Buyers Guide. And, I think it will give you a lot of insight into what things to consider.

It's a kind of magic when you see that certain dog and know that this is the one you want to be pals with forever.

Happy tails to you.

Another vote for homemade dog food.

I recently read that Martha Stewart feeds her dog a homemade diet. I'm sure most of you will you'll agree that Martha is not only a good cook, but a very savvy lady. So it came as no surprise to me that she is also a smart and caring dog owner.

So what are you waiting for, put a smile on your dog's face by switching to a homemade menu if you haven't already done so.

You can find homemade dog food information here, here and also here.

Finding Fido

If your doggie goes AWOL, you'll be less likely to panic if you have made sure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag, rabies vaccination tag and city license.

In fact it's a good idea if he also has a designer tag with additional contact information beyond that on his city license. For example, if you've signed your pet up with a registry service, they can maintain several of your private contact numbers and you will only have to list their number on the tag.

A great digital tag you may want to consider, lets you enter 40 lines of text in the display. This is especially useful if your pet has any important health issues that need timely medication. Plus it is easy to update the information if necessary. You can find the Dog-E-Tag here.

Whatever you do, make sure your pet is adequately protected when it comes to his dog ID tags.

Doggie Record Keeping

So, can you find your dog's medical records or licensing receipt if called upon to do so in an emergency? Don't feel bad if you answered "no" - you can keep company with many other dog owners in the same boat!

But, help is at hand, in the form of a digitized system that lets you retrieve his records at a moment's notice, because it is stored on your computer. And, beyond the basics, your dog's record can include many other important records including proof of ownership, breeding details, vet contact information, adoption papers (if relevant).

You can check out this handy system here.

Now you can he a hero to your best friend down when it's really important!

Dog Mansions - A Spoiled Dog's Castle!

I'll cut to the chase and tell you that there is nothing to compare with these spectacular custom dog houses. Each one is an artistic design resulting from collaboration between the designer, builder and of course the customer. They are built from the ground up employing the highest construction standards and top of the line materials.

The end result is a unique dream of a dog house that you and your spoiled pooch can justifiably be proud of.

Do check out these custom doggie mansions that are more than just a cut above any other dog house - they are the creme de la creme!

The Best Dog Food

If one good thing came out of the pet food recall, it is that dog owners have become much more savvy about selecting food for their dog.

I've long been a promoter of natural organic dog food that you make yourself from fresh ingredients. Other reliable options include top quality premixed nutritional bases to which you add fresh meat and vegetables, or complete organic meals.

I've just completed a new article highlighting what I consider the top choices among natural organic dog food which I hope will be a useful guide to dog owners.