After moving to Wellesley, Massachusetts for an anchor job with a major television sports network, Kevin began taking his German Shepherd, Beverly, for walks in the surrounding neighborhoods. They developed a route that included historic Atwood Street. Beverly kept veering toward one house in particular that had also caught Kevin's eye previously, thinking it looked familiar but not knowing the reason.

After talking to a close family relative who had also once lived in Wellesley, Kevin was shocked to discover that the memorable house had once been a childhood home to his father, Bob Walsh, before WWII. After digging through old family photos that had been tucked away for years, Kevin uncovered a picture of his father as a toddler with his family on the house's front porch, complete with their first family dog, Dee Dee.

Kevin's father had been writing short stories about all of their family dogs through the years, but never knew about the photo. Its discovery was the pivotal moment that offered proof that the Walsh family's journey with dogs had come back to the exact place where it started.

Follow the Dog Home, which Publishers Weekly called "quaint and most charming," was written by Kevin Walsh, his father Bob, and his daughter Samantha. Bob lives in Ledyard, Connecticut, with his wife, Mary McGrattan. He is retired from a forty-year career in the pharmaceutical industry and now spends his days fishing, building fly rods, feeding the homeless, and traveling. Regularly by Bob's side is his ever-faithful dog, Annie the Corgi.

Samantha, who is only ten, loves taking care of her family's German Shepherd, Beverly, and dancing in ballet performances. She hopes to one day become a veterinarian.

Kevin lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with his wife, Jean, and daughters Samantha and Amanda. He is a seasoned sports and news broadcaster with Comcast SportsNet New England and New England Cable News. Kevin's first book, The Marrow in Me, details his courageous journey as a bone marrow donor.

Dog Helps Owner Sniff Out Family History is a post from: My Dog Magazine

But it goes even deeper. According to K9 Magazine's 'Dogs in Advertising' article, the dog is synonymous with the most desirable traits that, frankly, are often lacking in their bipedal owners.

People trust dogs not to lie to them.
People believe dogs have no ulterior motives.
People believe that if a dog gives you a 3-year warranty on your new motor, he'll honour it!

Any way, the German car giant VW has followed up on 2011's mega smash Superbowl ad with a barking symphony that has already seen more than 10m people view it online ahead of the NFL climax.

Here it is in all of its glory (warning: turn the sound up but cover your dog's ears).

VW 2012 Superbowl Commercial

Volkswagen Dog Superbowl Ad Barks its Way To Millions of Views is a post from: My Dog Magazine

After moving to Wellesley, Massachusetts for an anchor job with a major television sports network, Kevin began taking his German Shepherd, Beverly, for walks in the surrounding neighborhoods. They developed a route that included historic Atwood Street. Beverly kept veering toward one house in particular that had also caught Kevin's eye previously, thinking it looked familiar but not knowing the reason.

After talking to a close family relative who had also once lived in Wellesley, Kevin was shocked to discover that the memorable house had once been a childhood home to his father, Bob Walsh, before WWII. After digging through old family photos that had been tucked away for years, Kevin uncovered a picture of his father as a toddler with his family on the house's front porch, complete with their first family dog, Dee Dee.

Kevin's father had been writing short stories about all of their family dogs through the years, but never knew about the photo. Its discovery was the pivotal moment that offered proof that the Walsh family's journey with dogs had come back to the exact place where it started.

Follow the Dog Home, which Publishers Weekly called "quaint and most charming," was written by Kevin Walsh, his father Bob, and his daughter Samantha. Bob lives in Ledyard, Connecticut, with his wife, Mary McGrattan. He is retired from a forty-year career in the pharmaceutical industry and now spends his days fishing, building fly rods, feeding the homeless, and traveling. Regularly by Bob's side is his ever-faithful dog, Annie the Corgi.

Samantha, who is only ten, loves taking care of her family's German Shepherd, Beverly, and dancing in ballet performances. She hopes to one day become a veterinarian.

Kevin lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with his wife, Jean, and daughters Samantha and Amanda. He is a seasoned sports and news broadcaster with Comcast SportsNet New England and New England Cable News. Kevin's first book, The Marrow in Me, details his courageous journey as a bone marrow donor.

Dog Helps Owner Sniff Out Family History is a post from: My Dog Magazine

But it goes even deeper. According to K9 Magazine's 'Dogs in Advertising' article, the dog is synonymous with the most desirable traits that, frankly, are often lacking in their bipedal owners.

People trust dogs not to lie to them.
People believe dogs have no ulterior motives.
People believe that if a dog gives you a 3-year warranty on your new motor, he'll honour it!

Any way, the German car giant VW has followed up on 2011's mega smash Superbowl ad with a barking symphony that has already seen more than 10m people view it online ahead of the NFL climax.

Here it is in all of its glory (warning: turn the sound up but cover your dog's ears).

VW 2012 Superbowl Commercial

Volkswagen Dog Superbowl Ad Barks its Way To Millions of Views is a post from: My Dog Magazine

In a human, a compulsive disorder may be repetitive, such as frequent hand washing or pulling one's hair out. In dogs, these disorders can include excessive licking and spinning in circles. Compulsive disorders are competitive, nonfunctional, nonbeneficial behaviours. Although the exact cause of compulsive disorders is unknown, animal behaviourists feel that they are often caused by stress brought on by environmental conflicts such as competition with other pets, changes in the home, constant punishment, or confinement to small areas such as cages or crates.

Lack of socialisation or too much attention may bring about a compulsive behaviour as well. A nutritional imbalance can also lead to pica. A dog with a compulsive disorder loses control over his ability to initiate and stop these negative, repetitive actions. Often the compulsive behaviours are oral in nature, causing the dog to eat things he shouldn't.

Controlling Your Dog's Compulsive Disorder

1. The first step in treating a compulsive disorder is to identify the cause and eliminate it. For example, if your dog is crated for a large portion of the day, allow him outside the confined space to help get him on the road to recovery.

2. Don't reinforce the behaviour by paying attention to him while he is engaged in it. Providing good quality time on a set schedule is preferable and more effective than petting, stroking, or verbally consoling your dog in the midst of repetitive activity.

3. Do not reinforce the behaviour by punishing your dog for the compulsive behaviour or for other inappropriate activities. It may make the problem worse. (learn more about OCD in dogs)

4. Spray household objects your dog likes to chew with cayenne pepper, essential oils in citrus, cinnamon, or eucalyptus scents, spray deodorant, or perfume that is not your own.

5. Spray favourite chewables with a pet repellent to deter your dog from sticking non-food objects in his mouth.

6. Keep dangerous objects such as yarn or string out of your dog's reach to prevent him from chewing and swallowing them.

7. If your dog is chewing his hair, he may have an allergy. Discuss the problem with your veterinarian before embarking on a behaviour modification program.

Always seek the advice of an experienced animal behaviour expert if you are unable to manage any undesirable behaviour.

7 Ways To Help Dogs With Compulsive Problems is a post from: My Dog Magazine

In a human, a compulsive disorder may be repetitive, such as frequent hand washing or pulling one's hair out. In dogs, these disorders can include excessive licking and spinning in circles. Compulsive disorders are competitive, nonfunctional, nonbeneficial behaviours. Although the exact cause of compulsive disorders is unknown, animal behaviourists feel that they are often caused by stress brought on by environmental conflicts such as competition with other pets, changes in the home, constant punishment, or confinement to small areas such as cages or crates.

Lack of socialisation or too much attention may bring about a compulsive behaviour as well. A nutritional imbalance can also lead to pica. A dog with a compulsive disorder loses control over his ability to initiate and stop these negative, repetitive actions. Often the compulsive behaviours are oral in nature, causing the dog to eat things he shouldn't.

Controlling Your Dog's Compulsive Disorder

1. The first step in treating a compulsive disorder is to identify the cause and eliminate it. For example, if your dog is crated for a large portion of the day, allow him outside the confined space to help get him on the road to recovery.

2. Don't reinforce the behaviour by paying attention to him while he is engaged in it. Providing good quality time on a set schedule is preferable and more effective than petting, stroking, or verbally consoling your dog in the midst of repetitive activity.

3. Do not reinforce the behaviour by punishing your dog for the compulsive behaviour or for other inappropriate activities. It may make the problem worse. (learn more about OCD in dogs)

4. Spray household objects your dog likes to chew with cayenne pepper, essential oils in citrus, cinnamon, or eucalyptus scents, spray deodorant, or perfume that is not your own.

5. Spray favourite chewables with a pet repellent to deter your dog from sticking non-food objects in his mouth.

6. Keep dangerous objects such as yarn or string out of your dog's reach to prevent him from chewing and swallowing them.

7. If your dog is chewing his hair, he may have an allergy. Discuss the problem with your veterinarian before embarking on a behaviour modification program.

Always seek the advice of an experienced animal behaviour expert if you are unable to manage any undesirable behaviour.

7 Ways To Help Dogs With Compulsive Problems is a post from: My Dog Magazine

AFRICA is one of Happy Dog’s Halo Brands, inspired by the cuisine of different countries around the world, Happy Dog’s Supreme Sensible Nutrition range not only provides wholesome and tasty food for dogs but it also provides specific solutions for feeding demanding and sensitive dogs, Lovingly prepared and developed by vets in Happy Dog’s factory in Bavaria, this range is even tastier and more easily digestible than many other foods on the market.The food is suitable for fully-grown dogs of all breeds and contains ingredients that reflect regional cuisine.

Happy Dog’s AFRICA contains ostrich meat and is suitable for dogs with food intolerances. There is only one animal protein source in the food and it contains no cereals and only uses gluten-free potatoes so is ideal for dogs with cereal allergies and intolerances.

Ostrich meat is becoming increasingly important for feeding dogs with demanding nutritional requirements. The meat is characterised by its special dark red colour and easy digestibility. The food is available in a medium kibble size, in a range of bag sizes, 300g, 1 kg, 4 kg and 12.5 kg and in small kibble in the ‘My Little Range’ in bags of 700g and 2.5Kg.

Happy Dog is reknowned worldwide for its innovative approach to dog nutrition and continues to develop premium quality products to a discerning market and a further new ‘Halo brand product’ is planned to be launched at Crufts 2012. Further information on this new product will be released in the next few months – stay tuned!

Happy Dog’s Ostrich Meat Food Helps Dogs With Delicate Stomachs & Helps To Aid Projects In Rwanda is a post from: My Dog Magazine

AFRICA is one of Happy Dog’s Halo Brands, inspired by the cuisine of different countries around the world, Happy Dog’s Supreme Sensible Nutrition range not only provides wholesome and tasty food for dogs but it also provides specific solutions for feeding demanding and sensitive dogs, Lovingly prepared and developed by vets in Happy Dog’s factory in Bavaria, this range is even tastier and more easily digestible than many other foods on the market.The food is suitable for fully-grown dogs of all breeds and contains ingredients that reflect regional cuisine.

Happy Dog’s AFRICA contains ostrich meat and is suitable for dogs with food intolerances. There is only one animal protein source in the food and it contains no cereals and only uses gluten-free potatoes so is ideal for dogs with cereal allergies and intolerances.

Ostrich meat is becoming increasingly important for feeding dogs with demanding nutritional requirements. The meat is characterised by its special dark red colour and easy digestibility. The food is available in a medium kibble size, in a range of bag sizes, 300g, 1 kg, 4 kg and 12.5 kg and in small kibble in the ‘My Little Range’ in bags of 700g and 2.5Kg.

Happy Dog is reknowned worldwide for its innovative approach to dog nutrition and continues to develop premium quality products to a discerning market and a further new ‘Halo brand product’ is planned to be launched at Crufts 2012. Further information on this new product will be released in the next few months – stay tuned!

Happy Dog’s Ostrich Meat Food Helps Dogs With Delicate Stomachs & Helps To Aid Projects In Rwanda is a post from: My Dog Magazine

K9 Magazine has put together a series of dog body language articles that will give you an insight in to some of the more common dog body language traits we all know and (sometimes) love!

Dog Body Language Questions

• Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads?

• Why Do Dogs Mark Territory?

• Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?

• The Anatomy of a Dog Attack

• Can Dogs Be Pessimistic?

• Why Do Dogs Bark?
  

Dog Body Language: An Insight is a post from: My Dog Magazine

Transmitted by ticks, Lyme disease is a debilitating chronic infection which affects a number of animals including humans and dogs. It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Clinical signs in humans include a characteristic circular red rash that spreads from the site of the tick bite, followed by a flu-like condition. In dogs, the symptoms can be much more vague and difficult to diagnose. If untreated, the disease progresses to neurological problems and arthritis; chronic forms of the disease can last for many years.

While only occasionally affecting humans, reported cases in the UK are thought to have increased more than fourfold since the beginning of the century – from 0.38 per 100,000 in 2000 to 1.79 per 100,000 in 2009. In 2010 there were 953 reported cases in England and Wales but the level of under-reporting is likely to be considerable.

To obtain a clearer picture of the prevalence of infected ticks, Faith Smith of Bristol’s School of Biological Sciences and colleagues recruited vets across England, Scotland and Wales to examine dogs selected at random as they visited veterinary practices. Since pet dogs largely share the same environment and visit the same outdoor areas as their owners, exposure to infected ticks in dogs is likely to provide an index for corresponding risks to humans.

Of 3,534 dogs inspected between March and October 2009, 14.9 per cent had ticks. Of the samples that could be tested, 17 were positive for the Borrelia bacteria. Hence, 2.3 per cent of ticks were infected. The expected prevalence of infected ticks on dogs is 0.5 per cent, or 481 infected ticks per 100,000 dogs. This suggests that the prevalence of Borrelia in the UK tick population is considerably higher than previously thought.

Faith Smith said: “Lyme disease appears to be a rapidly growing problem in the UK with important health and economic impacts in terms of loss of working hours and potential decrease in tourism to tick hotspots.

“Without considerably better surveillance and routine diagnostic testing, Lyme disease is only likely to become more prevalent. In particular, future warmer winters might well extend the period over which ticks are active seasonally, while growing wild reservoir host populations, such as deer, will allow the tick population to expand.”

Canine Parasite Resources

• Dog worms
• Dog fleas
• Dog allergies

Increased Lyme Disease Risk For Dogs (Please Read) is a post from: My Dog Magazine