K95K Color Run - Temecula, CA

Man, oh man, I'm so excited for this!

I'm constantly on the look out for activities that I can do with Gigi, so when I heard a 5K was being held for dogs I was uber excited.

We'll probably register next Friday (payday) and I'll definitely be ordering G some doggles from Amazon that same day so the colored cornstarch doesn't get into her eyeballs.

There are lots of options in regards to what package to register under...I think we'll opt for the VIP, since it includes a visit to one of the onsite spa's after the race. A clean dog, yes please!

Hope you guys will join the color fun. Let me know if you'll be there and maybe we can run/walk together. Dog lovers unite!

For more info visit k95kcolorrun.com

DIY Pet First Aid Kit

You probably have a first aid kit for the humans in your household so why not have one for your furry family member? Seriously, it's important.

Whether you're going on a road trip or just taking a trip to the beach, it's important to be ready for emergencies. My advice? Buy a little extra and make two; one can stay at home and the other (maybe a bit smaller) can be stashed away in your trunk.

Remember, your first aid supplies don't have to be placed in anything special, an old backpack or small lunch box will do...however, waterproof is definitely preferable (hint hint: Ziploc bag).

Here's a list of the basics needed* for a doggy first aid kit:

• Dog first aid book (The First Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats is a pretty good one, even if it is a bit large.)
• Disposable gloves (latex or non-latex)
• Emergency documents/contact numbers (vet info, closest animal hospital, poison control number, emergency family contact info, copy of pet medical records and registration).
• Tweezers (flat slant clamp & tick removal tweezers)
• Scissors (dull ended)
• Cotton Balls
• Gauze pad, squares and roll (PawFlex bandages are great!)
• Disinfectant (such as Hibitane)
• Wound Spray - Simply spray it on to help clean and heal hot spots, bites, scratches, cuts, burns, ulcered skin and more. (such as Vetericyn)
• Saline solution (fyi - contact solution can work too, in a real emergency)
• Antihistamine - May be used to calm itchiness, swelling, and hives caused by bee stings or insect bites. (ask your vet for dosage based on your dogs size)
• Hydrogen Peroxide - while not recommended for wounds, it can be used to induce vomiting in case of accidental ingestion.
• Bulb syringe or small Turkey Baster - to flush wounds or eyes or for administering medicine.
• Antibacterial wipes or Skin soap (dish soap is also helpful in removing oil & such from dog fur)
• Skin & Paw Cream
• Rectal thermometer (a dog's average temperature is 101°F)
• Petroleum Jelly (when using the above...it's just considerate)
• Muzzle (fitted to your dog; so they don't hurt themselves or others)
• Sugar packets - For diabetic emergencies
• Small container of flour or cornstarch - To stop bleeding of nails that have been broken or cut to the quick.
• Dry dog food
• Dog treats and rawhide bones
• Blanket - Can be an old one you have laying around the house or foil emergency blanket
• Ice pack
• Pen light or flashlight
• Splints or tongue depressor
• Extra dog tag (with your contact info)
• Extra leash & harness
• Prescribed medicine
• Bach's Rescue Remedy - provides natural stress relief and works wonders for dogs that have been through a traumatic situation.

*feel free to add anything that may be specific to your dogs needs. And remember, never give your dog any human drugs or prescriptions without talking to vet first.

America's Family PET EXPO at OC Fair [GIVEAWAY]

(originally posted on our sister-blog, socalblog)

Calling all animal lovers; we have the perfect event for you!

A few days ago I posted about America's Family Pet Expo making it's way to the OC Fair Grounds in Costa Mesa on April 25 - 27 and now you have a chance to attend for FREE.

A whole day of fun with reptiles, dogs, cats, birds, etc. It's definitely a good way to tire out the kids while allowing them to learn a few things about different animals.

Here are some of the events you can look forward to:

• Extreme Canines Dog Stunt Show - a high energy, fur-flying show with stunt dogs soaring for Frisbees, high jump flying through the air, jump roping, and running through obstacle courses.

•  Dog Training with Renee -  Renee Jones comes from Alabama to teach show guests how to train their four-legged friends basic and complex commands.

• Splash Dogs - take to the dock, offering a wet-and-wild canine competition as participating pups compete for the longest jump into the pool!

• Police and Protection Dog Demonstrations - watch and learn how these K9 Officers and their pup-partners work and play while gaining a deeper appreciation for these canine protectors in our community.

• TICA Cat Show & Presentations - allows you to learn about the many breeds of cats and their unique personalities.

• The Birdman of Las Vegas

• The Great American Petting Zoo - offers several different animals for kids to touch, brush and feed.

• Tucker’s Pony Rides, Human Hamster Wheel, Scooter the Mini Horse and Pet Adoptions!

For more information on event visit PetExpoOC.org

GIVEAWAY

One lucky person will win a Family 4-pack of tickets to the Pet Expo.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway will end on Wednesday, April 16 @ 11:59 pm (pst). One winner will be chosen at random, using the above rafflecopter widget that has been posted on both this blog and SoCal Blog. Winner will be notified via email and must respond within 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: SoCal Blog was provided with tickets to the Pet Expo in exchange for posting event information & ticket giveaway. Giveaway tickets will be mailed to winner via USPS. SoCal Blog, SoCal Dog Blog or Pet Expo is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets.

Dog Drool = Anxiety...Who Knew?

Gigi isn't a drooler. At least not while she's awake, haha.

However, a few weeks ago while at the dog park we noticed she was creating quiet a little puddle in the spot she hadn't moved from in the last 20 minutes. It was a pretty windy day, the grass had just been cut, and us being the newb dog owners that we are we thought maybe it was just "doggy allergies" or something of that sort. We cleaned her up, tried to get her to interact with the other dogs but instead she chose to just sit next to us and observe...while continuing to drool.

This happened at least 3 more times. Totally strange.

I finally Googled it (cause Google is a lot cheaper than a Vet visit) and it turns out this is actually pretty common in dogs. What had been happening is that she'd begin to drool like a fat kid in a candy shop when she was feeling stressed out or anxious - which was usually caused by being around 4 or more dogs (her size, btw).

Seems our girl is a bit bashful and doesn't care for large crowds, much like her owners.

I wish I could say it no longer happens but that's not the case. G still drools every now and then at the dog park but when it starts to get excessive we turn her attention back to us and show her there isn't anything to be anxious about, they're just friends trying to play with her. We usually end up taking her aside and playing with just her and one other dog and then slowly begin to introduce more into our playing. It's not perfect but it seems to work for us.

This pretty much sums up what G was exhibiting to show us she was "anxious/stressed out":

• excessive drooling
• lack of eye contact with other dogs
• calming behavior, such as licking lips and/or blinking more than usual with slightly squinted eyes.
• not moving in a straight line to any dog
• not laying down, showing belly to dogs
• sweaty paw pads
• sometimes - excessive shedding