Rain - in Las Vegas!?!

So, I live in a city that almost never has rain - which I love. It's so weird, because I love the water, I love to swim, I love to take baths - but I hate the rain!! My mommy did some research and found that dogs don't typically like the rain, not because it's wet outside, but because of the sound the rain drops make hitting the pavement! Because our hearing is amplified, we are just terrified of the horrible sounds the rain makes!! Go figure. We've been getting lots of rain lately, yesterday it rained all day - and it was too bad. Mommy had the day off from work, due to President's Day but we couldn't play outside. Darn. Next time!!

Last weekend was Valentine's Day - while daddy took mommy on a romantic day, mommy spoiled us with Valentine's Day treats. Yay!!! She had a doggy bake sale at the dog spaw, and she said lots of people were able to spoil their loved ones too. I'm glad she gets to share her goodies with other doggies. She's getting lots of requests for kitty treats now! I know my brother & sister (Gizmo and Quinn) would love that.

Anyway, it's bed time and Gizmo won't stop bugging me while I'm trying to blog. He always wants to play.

Till next time!

Paws & Kisses,

Bruno

Aromatherapy for dogs

So, my mom always tells me to get my nose out of things (I can’t help it, her baking smells so good!), so I’ve done some research on aromatherapy for dogs. I found an article on line that I passed along to her and would like to share with you…

Get Nosey About Aromatherapy For Dogs
The top five essential oils to have on hand for your dog and why.
Denise Flaim

Kristen Leigh Bell, the author of Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals (Findhorn Press, 2002) and founder of Aromaleigh, a Rochester, N.Y., company that makes essential-oil blends for animals, discovered the healing powers of aromatherapy more than a decade ago.

There are so many oils and so many different uses for them, she says and combining them is as much an art as a science. In that respect, selecting a handful of essential oils as an introduction to this healing modality is like trying to name the five best colors in an artist's palette — impossible. And as with colors, essential oils work best together, Bell says: "When they are combined in carefully prepared formulas, their total effect is much greater than the sum of their parts. "Here, then, are five popular essential oils that Bell uses frequently. But they are just the beginning of any exploration of canine aromatherapy. Be sure to consult a qualified aromatherapist, herbalist or a veterinarian familiar with essential oils to ensure you are diluting the oils properly and using them safely.

1. Lavender. This oil tops most aromatherapists' lists because it is so versatile and immensely safe for topical use. Lavender not only relieves itching, fights bacteria and prevents scarring, but it has a soothing effect, making it an important calming oil.

2. Peppermint. Bell rates this second only to lavender in terms of its overall usefulness. Peppermint oil stimulates circulation, repels insects, reduces motion sickness and zaps bad breath.

3. Niaouli. Bell recommends this as an alternative to tea-tree oil, which is a trendy but powerful healing agent. Both have Australian origins, but Niaouli is gentler, and while it is antibacterial and antihistaminic, it is less likely to irritate skin.

4. German chamomile. Like lavender, this oil is very gentle on the skin, which is where it does the most good. German chamomile can be used on burns, stings, allergic reactions and skin inflammations.

5. Helichrysum. In her book, Bell compares the smell of this essential oil to that of squashed bug. Still, its healing properties outweigh that olfactory assault: A powerful anti-inflammatory that is safe to use on the skin, helichrysum facilitates tissue regeneration.

Flaim, Denise. DogChannel.com. Natural Dog. Kristen Leigh Bell, the author of Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals (Findhorn Press, 2002) 23 Dec 2008

Welcoming the New Year with..... Allergies :(

Happy New Year!! It's officially the 2nd day of 2009 and I have to honestly say, we rang in the New Year in a lot of discomfort, ha ha. Ok, let me explain. Last week, I went to the vet to get my routine vaccinations. Mommy told the vet that my umm.... anal glands were a bit stinky and that my ears were a bit red and it concerned her a bit. Well, thank goodness there wasn't a lot of yucky stuff in my anal glands (I can't believe I'm blogging about this!), but that the tissue around it was swolen. My vet then told us that dogs show their allergies through the swelling of the tissue around their anal glands and the redness around their eyes. They also show their allergies by licking their paws (which I've been doing for the last couple of days). So with all that said, they've put me on allergy meds. They make me a bit sleepy, but at least I'm feeling better. Mommy also got her wisdom teeth extracted on Tuesday, so we spent New Year's together in bed. Daddy worked a long shift and checked up on us through out the night, but we rang in the New Year, in the comforts of our beds.

At least we had a good belated Christmas celebration in California! I love visiting Grandma & Grandpa! They let me do whatever I want! I jump on the furniture, I eat lots of treats, & get lots of attention. Bonnie got a new outfit. Grandma always tries to get me new outfits, but can never find anything that fits. Oh well.... I don't mind. We brought a foster dog, Berkley, with us this time and Uncle Joey loved him. He may even adopt him. We're waiting on the verdict... and don't worry, I'll keep you updated! Till next time....

Paws & Kisses,

Bruno

Bruno's very own blog!

Maybe I’ll introduce myself first, that’s probably a good way to start. My name is Bruno. I was adopted on May 7, 2006 by my mommy, Abby & my daddy, Eric. I was just sitting outside of a Petco with a local rescue organization and laid eyes on them. They were only coming into the store to get some food for my feline sister, Quinn, but knew I had to go home with them. I charmed them off their feet! They took one look at my big brown eyes, I gave them my best “please take me home look” and they sure enough went home with more than a bag of cat food. It’s been love ever since. In September, they adopted my sister, Bonnie (she was rescued from a local animal shelter), and in August of 2008, we had another addition to our family! We have a new brother, Gizmo, adopted from the NSPCA, who is as playful as they come.

Mommy has started her pet bakery business, and I have to say I am excited! You should visit her website - http://www.barkscottiandpupcakes.com/. You'll see pictures of me all over it (they say I'm a handsome boy!). Anyway, I'm very excited not only because I get to taste everything before it leaves the kitchen, but because she’s so passionate about it and enjoys doing it!! She’s also able to help other dogs & cats that were like me, dogs & cats that need some love and help. Fortunately, my story isn’t as tragic as many of the other ones I’ve seen come in and out of our house (mommy also fosters dogs without homes until they are adopted). My previous owner wasn’t able to take care of me any longer, so he gave me to a rescue organization to find a forever home. Thank goodness!!

I have so much to share with all of you, which is why I decided to start this blog! I hope you will be able to join me each week. Who knows what I’ll be blogging about! I have jokes, I find really interesting doggy facts on the internet, my vet tells me important facts I’d like to share. Other times, I may just want to share a funny story that happened at home! In any event, I hope you will be able to join me each week and look forward to your feedback! I will try my hardest to put a new blog up each week, so keep an eye out!

If you ever want to contact me directly, please email me. I would love to answer questions, share stories, receive comments & suggestion - just hear from you!! My email address is bruno@barkscottiandpupcakes.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon! See ya next week!

Before I forget.... Merry Christmas!!!! Hope you celebrate the holidays with loved ones, filled with joy, peace, & happiness (& lots of eating!) I look forward to sharing lots of good stuff with you in 2009!!!