Like children, pet kids are susceptible to changes in family dynamics. Sometimes, stress can cause them to act out in unexpected ways. Changes in the household, such as separation and ‘empty nest syndrome’, can be particularly painful for companion animals. A dog has every reason to believe that their pack (humans and canines alike) will remain intact. When one member essentially ‘disappears’, it can lead to significant pet stress. More...

A relationship with a companion animal can be one of the most rewarding experiences we encounter in our lifetimes. If you are a pet parent for the first time, or if you just want to do more to improve your pet kid’s quality of life, this month’s episode of Pet Talk was made just for you.

In this video, Dr. Sarah reveals the top five do-it-yourself tasks to ensure the health, longevity and happiness of dogs and cats. Our staff veterinarian covers record-keeping, grooming, dental care, nail trimming and even evidence collection (you’ll see). Given that dogs and cats are living longer than ever before, these are definitely things you should add to your regular routine. Plus, you’ll be setting a fantastic example for your pet-friendly friends!

Be sure to check out the two tutorials referenced in this month’s episode …

Maintaining Your Dog’s Dental Health
http://blog.lifesabundance.com/post/2013/03/26/Oral-Health.aspx

Tips for Better Nail Care
http://blog.lifesabundance.com/post/2010/06/17/Tips-for-Better-Nail-Care.aspx

Also, be sure to submit your comments below. We want to know if you have something to add to our top five list!

Thank you so much for watching and check back next month for a new episode of Pet Talk with Dr. Sarah.

It’s time once again for an update from our non-profit charity, The Dr. Jane Foundation. This month, we’re excited to share news of another financial award to an amazing group of rescuers based in Ohio. A breed-specific rescue group, this organization places abandoned coonhounds with foster homes until appropriate adoptive families can be located.

American Black & Tan Coonhound Rescue (ABTCR) is a not-for-profit association that’s been in continuous operation for a decade, and we congratulate them on celebrating their 10th anniversary this year! In their many years of operation, ABTCR has helped to rescue and find forever homes for untold numbers of hounds, not just locally but all across the nation. More...

Many pet parents report that problem leash behavior is the main reason they avoid outdoor time with their companion animal. If you’ve experienced these explosive bouts of unruly behavior, stemming from aggression or fear, you know it’s no fun at all. But, take heart, because this episode of Pet Talk addresses these very issues.

In this short video, Dr. Sarah will help you to gain a basic understanding asserting leash control. If your dog can trust that you’re able to handle any oncoming ‘threat’, both of you just might be able to start enjoying the outdoors together … possibly for the first time. Wouldn’t that be lovely!

Be sure to share this video with friends and family, especially if you know that leash reactivity is a pressing problem for them. And, please leave your comments if this Pet Talk episode is helpful to you!

Fish oil supplements are an ideal complement to your pet’s diet because they supply omega-3 fatty acids, which your dog or cat’s body cannot sufficiently produce on its own. Still in doubt? Here are the top 10 reasons why it’s important to supplement your dog or cat’s daily intake with a quality fish oil supplement. More...

Most of the rescue organizations who receive funding from our non-profit spend the majority of their energies trying to find loving homes for the animals they've saved. The harsh reality is, despite these heroic efforts, some animals will never be adopted.

In the last couple of decades, there’s been a dramatic drop in the rates of euthanasia. One of the consequences of more humane treatment by shelters is that the same animals who would’ve been put down are now living long lives, thanks to significant advances in veterinary medicine. Providing for their physical and emotional care can be costly, and divert resources from homing efforts. More...

As long as people have shared their homes with pets, dog and cat lovers have debated which animal is more intelligent. Canine enthusiasts tout that dogs have been trained and bred for thousands of years to herd, hunt, assist, protect, perform tricks and obey verbal commands. Cat aficionados, on the other hand, say that cats are simply too smart to do the sort of tricks that dogs eagerly perform. Whereas dogs have been bred for utility, cats have been bred mostly for appearance, leading many to believe that dogs have superior intellectual capabilities. But, really, is it feasible to accurately compare the intelligence of these two species? More...

Are you convinced your pup is smarter than the average canine, but weren’t sure how to prove it? Well, now there’s an easy way to estimate your dog’s cognitive powers.

In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah reveals exactly how to conduct this test at home, with help from her canine assistant.

Download our free doggie IQ test to keep score- Simple 10-Minute IQ Test for Dogs. Afterwards, you’ll have a ‘report card’ to post on your fridge.

It’s so much fun you’ll be asking yourself if it’s a test or a game. [Spoiler alert: it’s both!]

We encourage you to share this video with your pet-parent friends, so they can do the doggie IQ test, too! And check back next month for another brand new episode of Pet Talk with Dr. Sarah.

We’re delighted to share news of another grant awarded by The Dr. Jane Foundation. This month’s featured recipient is the Dahlonega Lumpkin County Humane Society (aka, TLC Humane Society), a devoted group of rescuers wholly committed to saving the lives of dogs and cats in Georgia.

Based in the town of Dahlonega, the TLC Humane Society is the only no-kill, non-profit shelter in town. They maintain both a physical shelter facility and a foster-care program. The shelter is nestled on six beautiful acres and features a ‘Puppy Palace’ with room for pups to roam and rest. More...

Tree and lights on display? Check.

Stockings hung on the mantle with care? Check.

Clear about the common dangers posed by the holidays to your pets? Uh-oh.

Don’t despair, be prepared! Watch this month’s yuletide episode of Pet Talk and find out what holiday trimmings are on the nice list and which ones are on the naughty. Your heightened awareness could help prevent everything from unintentional fire hazards to unwanted ingestion of plants that are safe for humans but poisonous to pets. Simply by following these helpful guidelines, your pet kid could avoid gastric upset and serious injury.

With a little help from Dr. Sarah, you can make sure your pet’s holidays are safe as well as jolly. Be sure to share this video with friends and family, or anyone fortunate enough to share their home with a companion animal.

From everyone here at Life's Abundance, have a very happy holiday season!