A Dog's Garden Playground

It's been more than a month since my last update. I've been having some great time now that's Jewel stays inside the house. She's well trained and we give her bath twice a week. One thing I so like about my pet spitz is that she's so finesse for a dog. She sure barks from time to time especially if she sees cats lurking near the gate. As much as we enjoy cuddling with her, we see to it that she gets her time outside the garden for some good doggie exercise. She runs, she sniffs, she loves lying on the grass like it's her personal comfort bed.

Frontline for a Japanese Spitz

Fly away you pesky fleas!

The young spitz has been scratching her head (and body) for months. We've already tried a lot of home remedies and cheap dog flea treatments but to no effect. I bought a 200ml Bayopet Flea Shampoo worth about Php160 from Savemore. I also tried sprinkling some lavender oils in some particular outdoor spots she used to hang out. 

It was because of this infection that we have to put her outside the house until she's completely cured.

Thankfully, my cousin, a fellow dog lover herself sent me a package - Frontline Plus for dogs. 

How to Use Frontline

1. Remove the Applicator from Child-Resistant Package. Use scissors or lift and remove plastic tab to expose foil, then peel down.

2. Open Applicator. Hold upright and snap applicator tip away from face and body.

3. Apply Fronline Plus For Dogs. Place Applicator tip through animal's hair to the skin level between the shoulder blades. Squeeze applicator, applying entire contents in a single spot to the animal's skin.

Spotless and a cleaner spitz ^-^

It works! Frontline works! We didn't bath her 2 weeks before and after the application to release more of her body oil and now she happily strolls around the house. I so missed our cuddle moments and it feels to great to see her looking a lot cleaner and healthier.

A Sleepy Dog Finds an Alternative Bed

Jewel is sleepy and this is how she thinks when tired and in need of a much comfortable place to sleep ^_^

Haven't purchased a good dog bed for her just yet. I have been window shopping some local pet stores and the nearest malls in our area and still couldn't find one for my dear dog. Heard there are waterproof dog beds out there, sounds great for Jewel. I wonder how much dog beds today cost. Meantime, she likes lounging at her newly discovered makeshift crib :)

Babies in dog-owning families may be healthier

Let me share a recent article I found online. The article below reports a recent study showing that babies who has some contact with pet dogs are less likely to get sick probably because of the outside dirt brought by dogs, making  the child's immune system to mature faster.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Dogs are no longer just man's best friend: The furry family members may also protect infants against breathing problems and infections, a new study suggests. 

Researchers found that Finnish babies who lived with a dog or - to a lesser extent - a cat spent fewer weeks with ear infections, coughs or running noses. They were also less likely to need antibiotics than infants in pet-free homes. 

Dr. Eija Bergroth from Kuopio University Hospital in Finland and colleagues said one possible explanation for that finding is that dirt and allergens brought in by animals are good for babies' immune systems. 

Big Splash is World's Most Expensive Dog

Aside from jewelries, gadgets and fancy cars, rare dog breeds have also become a status symbol signifying  a pet owner's whopping bank account. But to some, it may be more about the good ol' feng shui belief just like when a coal baron from North China purchased a very rare Red Tibetan Mastiff named Big Splash (Hong Dong in Chinese) for an expensive price tag of $1.5 Million, making this red gem the world's most expensive dog.

Red Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetans believe the dogs to be holy, possessing the souls of monks and nuns who failed to be reincarnated or did not enter the heavenly realm. Many believe that Tibetan Mastiffs provide their owners with blessings of health and security. And with red to be considered a lucky colour, the new owner could easily earn a handsome sum by using Big Splash as a stud dog.

Dog Vs. Cat

Dogs and cats were always known to be enemies. Two of the world's most lovable pets can get into a cutie lover's quarrel to hardcore knock out fights. Check out this video I saw on youtube of a dog that bites and cat that boxes.

Just for laugh! If you ever wonder what goes into the minds of these two pet enemies, read their diaries below ^-^

It's Playtime with my Squeaking Purple Pet Toy Bone

The playing puppy!

Here's a video of Jewel playing with her favorite bone-shaped pet toy. And yes it squeezes!

We often use this toy when playing fetch at the garden or garage. But she's not consistent though, she sometimes likes having this toy all to herself and wouldn't return it to me. The toy also acts as our alarm clock of sort. Jewel would start squeezing the toy at around 5am that would eventually wake us up...that made me force to hide her toy before going to sleep ^-^ 

3 Surprising Health Benefits of Owning a Pet

Here are some surprising perks of owning a pet I compiled. It helps to know that owning and taking care of pet dogs today can bring a couple of helpful health benefits to us pet owners. Check out these 3 surprising health benefits of owning a pet.

1. They help fight stress

People in stress mode get into a "state of dis-ease," in which harmful chemicals like cortisol and norepinephrine can negatively affect the immune system, says Blair Justice, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health and author of Who Gets Sick: How Beliefs, Moods, and Thoughts Affect Your Health.

Studies show a link between these chemicals and plaque buildup in arteries, the red flag for heart disease, says Justice. Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine -- nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties, he tells WebMD.

How much is that doggie in the window?

Nope, I won't sell my precious Jewel....well, maybe if I can sell her as much as Big Splash which is said to be the world's most expensive dog :)

This sneaky pup just likes going to the window and stare at the outside world as if waiting for her Snoopy or Scooby Doo perhaps? Lol!  Jewel loves to spend time watching over the window most especially if she hears one of our notorious neighborhood cats, as if thinking 'Let's if you can get anywhere near the house.' But most often, she would just bend over the window and simply check out the happenings outdoor. Pictures here were taken in 3 different areas of our house.

Nearly 2 years after, she still loves hanging out bu the window. Waiting for Mr. Right? 

Petting the Japanese Spitz

Today I'll share with you how Jewel looks when I stroke her neck just under the jaw. It's her most favorite body part to pet. Just take at those twinkling eyes, geez, this dog's in heaven!

I remember the first few weeks she's with us, I couldn't pet her like this. I couldn't even let my hands near her mouth, scared since this Japanese Spitz bit me weeks after we adopted her. Surprisingly, in time, I ended up the one petting her the most. I couldn't help the calling of her sweet eyes and fluffy satiny fur - cutie!      

Silent Moments

Friends are more important than money - and men ^-^

Doggie Language

Here's a cool simple diagram illustrating our dog's body language means. Fellow dog owners, this post helps us understands our cute canine companions much better! If we can learn to interpret how our dog is feeling by observing its posture and expression and listening to it, we'll be well on the way to successful communication with our pet and better equipped to solve any behavior problems that arise. Oh, I love it when Jewel stretches out and greets me every morning. 

illustration from doggiedrawings.net

Vet Clinic - Eye Check Up

Jewel's Vet visit for eye check up

This was the second time our pet dog Jewel visited the vet clinic, the first was for the usual vaccination given to young dogs and now for her eye check up. As you can see below, her left eye shrank a bit and it became reddish so mom and I decided to seek professional help and drop a visit at her nearby vet doctor, Dr. Jose P. Cepeda of the Laguna Veterinary Clinic and Wellness Center.

Jewel's First Playtime Moments

After so many years, seeing a small white four legged animal jumping and running around the house gave all the house members a reason to get active as well. We have never really played with pets although we owned two guard dogs when we were kids, I couldn't remember any petting that happened between me and our dogs. So it was definitely exciting to see this one kido jumping all over her new house. She better behave herself, the last thing we wanted to see is a living room filled with thorn cushion sitting!

The Arrival of a New Puppy

the 2 months old sleeping spitz 

As soon as my uncle parked the car, I saw this little white dog inside a dog's cage at the back of the pick up car. Uncle opened the cage and I excitedly placed her unto my arms like a new proud pet owner. Finally a much needed dog in the house!

A Dog's Diary At Last!

Welcome to a doggie diary! Hi guys, my name is Sarah and this is my first ever pet dog named Jewel (I sometimes call her Jewelski, thus the blog's web address), a female breed of half sphitz - half Aspin. We met when she was just 2 months old, on a sunny morning of February 1st 2011, yes the month of hearts, a hearty gift to mom by her long time friend tita Elreca. Jewel and I have bonded since day one and have ultimately become bestfriends. This blog is my attempt to journal Jewel's growth, doggie adventures as well as misadventures and share stories about our bonding escapades (alas, no baby photos to start with).

So if you're a pet owner like me, you'll probably understand the feeling - of loving a dog like she's an extension of you, all the while developing your sense of becoming a good pack leader, Cesar Millan style!

Again, welcome to Jewel's Diary! Woof!