Part of the privilege of sharing our lives with a pet kid is the emotional bond we share with them. Even among these relationships, often there is one very special companion animal, whether a dog, cat, bird or even a reptile, who makes an indelible mark on our lives.

When we are faced with the loss of any pet kid, much less a truly exceptional companion, we may be surprised to find ourselves suffering from agonizing grief. Some people worry over the intensity of their feeling, doubting their right to grieve so acutely. Rest assured, beloved furry, feathery or scaly companions ARE NOT ‘just animals’. This sentiment, shared by some who have chosen not to share their lives with a pet kid, belittles your experience, so give it the credence it deserves … none. More...

In the 20th century, Americans were encouraged to guard against an ever-present Communist menace, even to go so far as to build underground fortifications to protect against an onslaught of nuclear weapons. Modern-day preppers face a much bigger adversary – Mother Nature. With brutal winters, tornadic springs, fiery summers and a hurricane season that lasts for months, calamity seems ubiquitous in the news. Before adversity strikes in your neighborhood, watch this episode of Pet Talk where Dr. Sarah offers her insights for how to avoid pandemonium in the wake of turmoil. Take this opportunity now to learn how to get your house in order, with helpful tips from our good doctor.

Dog racing is big business. Whether or not you condone the enterprise, there’s no denying that it can take a toll on the racers. Not content to sit on the sidelines, this month’s featured grant recipient addresses the sport’s collateral damage, working to heal the bodies and spirits broken by years of circling the track.

Located in Los Angeles County, FastFriends Greyhound Adoption of California maintains a wide foster-home network. When it comes to their rescue, FastFriends has a one-track mind - to help transition greyhounds from racing careers to lives of companionship with adoptive families. More...

It’s an unfortunate fact that our dogs and cats become sick and sustain injuries. And sometimes, getting to a vet quickly isn’t an option. Isn’t it comforting to know that you might be able to help simply by using items found in just about every home? Benefit from Dr. Sarah’s expertise as an emergency veterinary doctor, and watch this month’s episode of Pet Talk. You too can become a ‘Medical MacGyver’! Hopefully, you’ll learn something new that’ll help a companion animal in need until you can get to the vet.

If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you’ll know that we want you to be prepared. Being able to recognize an emergency situation as opposed from something that’ll ‘just pass’, is critical. To make these vital decisions, we offer the following documents: “Tips for Emergency Situations” and “Recognize the Signs of Shock (Requires Immediate Vet Care)”, PDF’s to print for future use. Consider posting each page in a central location, like the refrigerator, for quick reference, should an emergency arise.

People often ask me if cats can get asthma. Unfortunately, the answer is a definite, “Yes”. The signs of feline asthma can come on quite suddenly and can constitute a medical emergency, so let’s review this condition in some detail.

Just like in humans, the airways in cats with asthma become restricted and inflamed. Mucus forms in the respiratory tract and the airway walls spasm. This can lead to wheezing, coughing, tiredness and difficulty breathing. Some cats can also vomit or lose their appetite. A cat having an asthma attack may sit with his head extended and breathe with an open mouth. Open mouth breathing is abnormal in cats. If you see this, consider it a sign of emergency and contact your veterinarian immediately. More...

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The Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation is gratified to bring you news of our latest grant, awarded to Richardson Rescue, a medium-sized group in York, SC. Richardson Rescue has been rescuing pets since 2003. The mission of this Carolina rescue is to provide shelter and care for both dogs and cats, and ultimately to place them in forever homes. In addition to these vital services, they also provide a low-cost spay-and-neuter program for local families subsisting on low incomes. An ardent advocate on behalf of animal rights, founder Janet Richardson views her work as falling under the umbrella of “preserving the sanctity of animal life”. As goals go, it’s our opinion that her rescue agency has become a great success! Unlike many of our grant recipients, Richardson Rescue owns and operates a physical facility. The rescue center has a capacity of 130 animals, with nearly 40 dog runs, a medical facility with 15 crates and an observation area with 12 crates. And outdoors, there’s a dog park for exercise and play. More...

No matter how much we adore our companion animals, there’s no denying that they come with responsibilities. Keeping your dog’s coat clean not only helps to support skin health, a luxurious, odor-free coat can actually improve your quality of life, too.

Not all of us are able to get to our professional groomer every time we really need to, so this episode of Pet Talk is all about techniques to wash your dog’s coat at home … in between regular groomer visits.

With help from her beautiful, blond assistant, Alma, Dr. Sarah offers a quick overview of the basics of home bathing, to leave your dog’s coat lustrous, clean and smelling spectacular.

Could that growth on my dog’s back be a mast cell tumor? Is that cough really kennel cough, or perhaps something even worse? My pet is drinking more water – what does that mean? If you have ever gone online to try and diagnose what is wrong with your dog or cat, you have plenty of company.

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center indicated that 35% of U.S. adults say they have used the Internet to figure out what medical condition they or someone else might have. I imagine if this many people are using the Internet to figure out what is wrong with themselves, then they are most likely searching for what is wrong with their pets as well. More...

As the non-profit wing of Life’s Abundance, the Dr. Jane’s HealthyPetNet Foundation takes pride in the diligent and committed work of all of its grant recipients. Every month, we’re reminded that wherever caring people come together in the spirit of hope, and apply hard work, amazing things can be achieved.

This month, it gives us great pleasure to bring you the story of Spotted Dog Dalmatian Rescue, which represents the pure spirit of small rescue ventures. In operation since 2011, the founders of Spotted Dog embody the drive to make a positive difference in the world. The non-profit is comprised of a group of volunteers, all of whom are committed to the mission of saving and improving the lives of hearing-impaired Dalmatians. By educating people about the consequences of negative stereotypes regarding deaf Dals, they’re hopeful they can make significant inroads in the acceptance of all dogs with disabilities.

That deaf dogs are aggressive and untrainable is a myth perpetuated by some for many years. Even in their short time, Spotted Dog has already witnessed a change in thinking among some breeders. It would appear that few are immune to the heartwarming message that also serves as their credo: "Deaf dogs hear with their hearts, not their ears". More...

At Life’s Abundance, we are dedicated to the health of companion animals, especially when it comes to the safety of their food. Every serving is protected by strict quality control measures. Our foods are produced in small batches to ensure the freshness of the products delivered conveniently to your doorstep. We also maintain long-term relationships with our suppliers, who help us to ensure that only quality ingredients are used. Since we opened for business in 1999, we have always been committed to safety and this continues to be one of our primary objectives. Given recent competitor recalls, we think it's important to remind our consumers that every effort is made to preserve the well-being of their pet kids.