Fox in Sox? No, Dog in Sox!

Socks for dogs? Really?
Well, before you scoff, there are some practical reasons a pet parent might want to purchase canine socks for their pet. The kind folks at Woodrow Wear even provided Kelly a pair (well, two pairs!) of Power Paws™ to "test drive." Her review is below. But first, here's some info from Power Paws:

* Originally developed for dogs with hip dysplasia in mind, Power Paws™ have become the answer to everything from doggie allergies to injured paws.

* According to the company's press release, as dogs age, their movement may become restricted by aching bones. A pair of Power Paws on your dog’s back paws may be enough to gain traction and confidence he needs to walk on slippery floors.

* Power Paws give dogs with hip dysplasia and arthritis the power to stand, the power to go and the power to stop.

* Going outdoors? Protect your pup in “rocky” situations. Worn outside, Power Paws are just as effective as indoors. Hot pavements, salty sidewalks and rough terrain are a walk in the park with Power Paws.

* Power Paws function as an allergen blocker, keeping pollen off your puppy’s paws and preventing him from bringing the outdoors in.

* In some cases, veterinarians use Power Paws as an alternative to large, bulky e-collars. When wearing Power Paws, most dogs will leave their injured paws alone, helpful for a speedy recovery.

*Power Paws are the creation of Lorraine Walston, an avid animal lover and parent of Woodrow, an affectionate Rottweiler who developed hip dysplasia at age 14. Lorraine was initially inspired to stitch together a pair of socks after she despaired of finding more comfortable options than canine “army boots” to provide mobility and traction for Woodrow indoors. In honor of her beloved pet, she named the company Woodrow Wear. Socks are available in eight sizes to assure a proper fit for all dogs from 6-pound Chihuahuas to 240-pound St. Bernards. For more information or to find a retailer near you, visit http://Woodrowwear.com.

** Now, what about Kelly? When the socks arrived, they looked very well-made. The packaging also explained the many uses. When I pulled the socks over Kelly's paws, however, she looked a bit worried. But the funny part was when she stood up to walk on them--she lifted each paw high off the ground and walked as if she had just stepped in something sticky! I guess it would take some dogs a little time to get used to feeling something on their paws. But Kelly wasn't going to give it much time. She promptly laid down and tugged each sock off her paws. So, while I think that Power Paws is a cool idea, and great for the right dog, Kelly wasn't convinced.


***Since Kelly wouldn't keep these socks on her feet, I'm giving them away to someone who thinks their dog might benefit. Maybe you have a senior dog with traction problems, or a dog with hip dysplasia who could really enjoy Power Paws. Please leave me a comment if you are interested, and I will mail to the first person who responds with their contact information. These are size Medium (45-75 lb dog).
If you have a dog who might benefit from these socks, please leave a comment.
What do you think--in what instances would your dog wear Power Paws? Does he have trouble with slippery floors? Would she wear them outside? Has your dog tried them before?

Five Good Reasons to Adopt a Senior Pet

By Julia Williams

I think it’s great that the ASPCA and Petfinder.com celebrate November as Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month. So many older animals languish in shelters because potential adopters are typically more interested in a younger pet. I completely understand the allure of those cute kittens and puppies, but I still feel sad for all those older dogs and cats that would make wonderful family pets if given the chance.

Many people erroneously assume that the adult dogs and cats in shelters are there because of problem behavior or some other fault. The truth is, the majority of adult pets in shelters are not “bad” – they were given up by people who can’t care for them anymore or simply don’t want to, for various reasons. Unfortunately, if they are already “senior” age, their chances of being adopted are slim. What you may not realize, however, is that older pets can be a better choice than puppies and kittens, for many reasons.

Senior Pets are Not a Full-Time Job

Raising a kitten or puppy is hard work, and very time consuming. First time pet owners often have no idea what they’re getting themselves into with a kitten or puppy. These curious and energetic little beings view your home as their personal playground. Like human babies, kittens and puppies must be watched constantly, both to keep them safe and to minimize the accidental damage to your belongings. When you adopt a senior pet, you don’t have to deal with puppy potty breaks in the middle of the night, or need to clean up after a kitten that’s still learning good litter box habits. With senior pets, you can leave the house for a few hours and be reasonably certain it won’t be destroyed when you return.

What You See is What You Get

When you adopt a senior pet, you’ll know from the start what their personality is like and what they require in terms of grooming. Older pets are also better for households with children, because you’ll know if the animal’s temperament can tolerate a noisy environment. When you adopt a senior dog instead of a puppy, you will already know their full grown size – which means you won’t be surprised later when your wee pup grows up to become a much bigger dog than you anticipated. Knowing all of these things from the start can make it easier to pick the right animal for you and your family.

Senior Pets are More Laid Back

Older dogs and cats are much calmer than their younger counterparts. They don’t bounce off the walls or tear around the house like they’re training for a marathon. Your warm lap or that comfy spot on the couch is much more appealing to a senior pet. A rambunctious puppy or younger adult dog can run you ragged with their seemingly endless reservoir of energy and need for speed. Senior dogs still need to get daily exercise, of course, but they’ll enjoy a nice slow ramble around the block with you instead of a five-mile run or two hours at the dog park. Many senior cats still enjoy playtime, but they’re a lot more relaxed than mischief -making kittens and young cats. If your free time is limited and you’re more “couch potato” than “go getter,” then a senior pet is a better fit for your lifestyle.

Senior Pets are Easier to Train

Contrary to that old saying, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Old cats can learn tricks too! In fact, senior pets can be easier to train and learn faster because they’re calmer, not as easily distracted and thus, are better able to focus on you and what you’re trying to teach them.

Saving a Life Feels Good

The puppies and kittens at your local shelter find their forever homes quickly, sometimes in a few short hours or days of being put up for adoption. The senior dogs and cats aren’t so lucky. It’s true that a senior pet’s time with you will likely be much too short, yet the indelible mark they leave upon your heart is no less poignant. I think the feeling of knowing you gave a senior pet the precious gift of a loving home is priceless. The quality of the time you spend with an animal matters so much more than quantity anyway. Cherish every single day with a senior pet, and when it comes time for them to cross the Rainbow Bridge, you will be forever grateful for their love.

Read more articles by Julia Williams

Midge the Lab and Monsieur the Poodle

In honor of Senior Dog Month, I just had to share this sweet story about Midge. Diane Komp writes for Daily Guideposts and this story was posted on the Our Prayer website.

Blessings Shared
by Diane Komp

For years, some friends of mine have had a wonderful Labrador retriever named Midge. One evening I was in their home for dinner and found that they had added a young toy poodle to their household. I was surprised to find how affectionate the relationship between the old dog and the new one was. Wherever they went, Midge was following the younger Monsieur. They almost seemed to be touching, they stayed so close to each other.

Then I looked at Midge’s venerable old eyes. They were clouded with cataracts. She was blind, and Monsieur was her Seeing Eye dog!

The image of those two dogs has never left my heart. We were put in the world to share our gifts, to know when to give and when to receive. And I need to remember to be able to be both—giver and receiver.

*Thank you to Diane for this story. This story originally appeared in Daily Guideposts. You will find the story and more on Our Prayer website.

Wednesday Pet Round Up

Hi and Welcome to Wednesday Pet Roundup! (Read on to discover 3 great contests too!) Here's Kelly exercising her civic responsibilities yesterday.

* November is Senior Pet Month. This news report from Bloomberg Businessweek tells us what we all surely know...senior pets may have a few more health needs, but a little TLC can go a long way in taking care of them.

* From senior pets to puppies...hop over the Life with Dogs to learn about new documentary, Madonna of the Mills, about one woman's fight against puppy mills. Her story will inspire you.

* BuffaloNews.com brings us good news of 36 puppies rescued from a Missouri puppy mill. The puppy mill was listed on the U.S. Humane Society's "Dirty Dozen" of the most deplorable facilities. Among the dogs rescued and brought to foster homes near Buffalo NY are cocker spaniel, miniature schnauzer, yorkie, lhasa apso, American eskimo, papillon, and puggle.

* Here's a great contest for you. First of all, check out this wonderful new site for dog lovers, Pet Blogs United! Then enter to win a beautiful collar from Doggie Stylish! Entries close Saturday.

* Another contest, from FIDO Friendly blog, enter to win a free Buddy Belt. Buddy Belt is a harness designed to minimize pressure on your dog's neck and spine.

* And another contest! Enter Doggies and Stuff contest for a $30 gift certificate to Equal Exchange, specializing in fair trade coffee, chocolate, nuts and snacks.

Senior Pet Products website

Just wanted to share some great news with you about a website that carries products for those of us with senior pets. Senior Pet Products specializes in items pet owners need to make caring for elderly pets easier. They carry all kinds of products designed to keep senior pets comfortable and pain free. Recently, they asked me if I would be willing to serve as one of their Pet Experts and write a monthly column. What an honor and what a wonderful experience that has been so far! This week, my first column has been posted on the website,

When Is It Time to Let Go: Dealing with your Dying Pet

. You can click here to check it out. While you are there, look around the website. There's a ton of useful information and some great products for senior animals.