For anyone in Colorado Springs (CO), there is an  outbreak of dog flu in the area.  Two dog daycare centers have voluntarily closed their doors while the situation is being dealt with.

Dr. Susan Bloss of Cheyenne Mountain Animal Hospital says the current string is extremely contagious.

“If they’re (dogs) around a dog who’s in the contagious period, which is usually the first two to five days of the infection, they can definitely contract it,” Dr. Bloss says.

Dr. Bloss says the dog flu is a respiratory virus with no vaccine. Although it’s rarely fatal, she says your dog can still get very sick. All it takes is a sneeze from one dog, and a sniff from another to contract it.

The dog flu can be very dangerous, and potentially fatal if not treated with antibiotics.  If you notice your dog is coughing, not eating, or just not feeling well, you should  go to vet for a check-up.

* If you are sick you need to get plenty of rest like Ernie.

Marley & Me has been at the box office number one spot for two weeks in a row, proving who the top dog is.

According to Box Office Mojo, it’s “the third-highest grossing dog movie on record,” a coveted position, as we all know. It falls behind only Scooby-Doo (really? That movie?) and 101 Dalmatians, and is fast approaching the top of that list.

Remember the success of Beverly Hill Chihuahua in 2008? Even with mixed reviews it proved to be a commercial success, hitting the number one spot a few weekends in a row.  With the recent release of Beethoven’s Big Break (made for DVD) and the upcoming film Hotel for Dogs it shows that dog movies aren’t a phase, they’re here to stay.

The movie industry has finally picked up on what dog lovers knew all along, there is a big market out there.  As long as the movies are a commercial success, even if panned by the critics, there will be more to come.

Marley & Me has had its share of mixed reviews.  Have any Dogsters seen it?  Give me a bark and let me know what you thought, did it get a paws up or down?

* That oh so cute puppy above is Sophia.

To get the New Year started right,  on Monday we kicked off the “For The Love Of Dog” blog 5 Days Of Pet Giveaways contest.

Our second winner is Mudge, she won the cool feeding bowl. Today’s prize is the Pig In A Blanket, he’s all wrapped up and ready to go “hog-wild” with your doggy.

Go to the ORIGINAL POST for the details and to enter.

Sometimes taking on the challenge of a new year requires the brazen, straightforward attitude of one of our four-legged friends. Put your words in the mouth of this Chihuahua as he thinks back to 2008 Dogsters, and let us know how you plan on facing 2009.

The winner gets 50 Zealies in honor of the new year. Champion to be announced next Monday, January 5th.

Chi was I thinking

There’s a movement of citizens inspired by the presidential campaign who are now submitting ideas for how they think the Obama administration should change America. It’s called “Ideas for Change in America.”

The top 10 ideas are going to be presented on Inauguration Day and will be supported by a national lobbying campaign.

Ban Breed Specific Legislation

It is unfair legislation and stereotypes these breeds as violent and vicious animals. Being an owner of 3 American Pit Bull Terriers, this infuriates me. Any dog can be vicious if the owners aren’t responsible. We should crack down on negligent and cruel owners and try to get to the real root of the problem– the humans, and stop punishing innocent animals who have no voice and the owners that love them.

Whitney Fisher

If you would like to make your voice heard go to Ideas for Changing America to vote.  Over 800 votes are still needed to get this topic into the top 10 which would allow it to be presented in Washington, DC.

There are also other animal welfare issues so take a look around the site while you’re there.

* The adorable pup above is Zeus.

Or in this case, the backyard. This is a rather bizarre story about a man whose dogs brought home some bones and solved a murder.

A Dayton man has been arrested for homicide in connection with skeletal remains found in the woods near his mother’s home. Some neighborhood dogs brought the bones into one man’s yard, who called police.

The remains are believed to be the mother of Jimmy Lee Kight, he was arrested and charged with criminal homicide.

* Dolly, pictured above, is recreating the scene.

To get the New Year started right yesterday we kicked off  the “For The Love Of Dog” blog 5 Days Of Pet Giveaways contest.

Our first winner is Roxy, she won the FurBuster.  Today’s prize is the feeding bowl, it will bring style and function to your pup’s meal.

Go to the original post for the details and to enter.

Well, Dogsters, we started the new year off right with an amazing turn out for the first caption contest of 2009. Over 100 of you entered and there were some seriously funny ones in the mix. However, in the end there can be only one and this time it’s Beth with her dead-on contribution. Excellent job!!!

The next contest will be up and ready for you tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Make Mine a Decaf

To get the New Year started right at “The For Love Of Dog” blog we’re having a 5 Days Of Pet Giveaways contest.

Thanks to  Bamboo Pet we have five great prizes up for grabs. They’re the company that have given us all those wonderful Fat Cat toys that the dogs go crazy for.

This go around we have toys plus some of their other great products.

FurBuster - A must have for all pet owners! Pets shed hair every day - you see it on the carpet, on the couch and all over your clothes. The FurBuster De-Shedding System reduces shedding with minimal effort and without busting your wallet! The stainless steel blade removes loose hair and undercoat, replaceable and interchangeable blades (3 sizes available) snap securely into a universal handle and the sleek, angled design helps reduce wrist strain.

Feeding Bowls - Bamboo’s feeding bowls bring style and function to your pet’s meals. The decorative, heavyweight, dishwasher safe bowl features a bone design for dogs and a fish design for cats, available in pink or blue. They are ideal for dry or wet food as well as water. The non-skid base keeps the bowl in place while the unique shape allows for easy pick-up.

Pigs in a Blanket - He’s all wrapped up and ready to go “hog-wild” with your doggy. This tough rubber treat dispenser is designed to contain your dog’s favorite snacks, while providing a most excellent chew toy experience. What’s more, the supreme scent of bacon is just too much to resist! Oink, Oink!

QuadBrush - Makes brushing your pet’s teeth fast, easy and safe! Uniquely designed toothbrush makes brushing safer, faster, more thorough and more comfortable. It features four bristle heads for a complete cleaning. Three bristle heads surround teeth to clean all tooth surface areas in one motion while a patented fourth head helps “prop” mouth open, softens the bite and cleans the opposing tooth. Comfort handle with grip reduces slipping during brushing. Includes brush cover to keep toothbrush clean between uses.

Flip-Flop Yankers - The Incredible Strapping Flip-Flop Yankers are mighty strong and fabulous fun for you and your dog. The heavy canvas toy is fortified with a nylon belt inside making this the ultimate tug’o war toy.

You can show your love to this very generous company by keeping them in mind if you’re in need of a toy for yourself or a gift. The stuff is great and made to last.

Now…back to the contest.  To get the New Year off to a fun start enter the contest by sharing one of your New Year’s resolutions or just something you plan on doing in 2009, anything at all.

Each day, for the next five days, I will give away a different prize. You can enter once a day to win one of the prizes  by leaving a comment in the comment section.  Each night I will pick one winner, at random, from the day’s entries. The prizes will be given away in the order they are listed.

* Pictured above are the Flip-Flop Yankers.

Here’s a cute story about two unlikely pals, opposites really do attract.

Beryl the Basset Hound, who is a grand old dame at 16 years old, and four-year-old tawny owl Wol struck up a friendship when their owner realised they both loved watching television in the evenings.

Sara Ross, who shares her home in Tenterden, Kent, with the animals said: “They are both rescue animals and they’re like best buddies. Wol needs full-time care and one day I was giving him a bit of exercise and he just plonked down on Beryl’s back. She doesn’t mind, she’s really laid back and a bit of a pussycat really.

These two even hang out and watch television together, they love nature documentaries.  Could they be any cuter?

* Photo courtesy : KATHARYN BOUDET/KNP