Embrace Pet Community blog

Show us the Love: Good Cat Giveaway!

My cats caused as much trouble around the house as my dogs ever did.  I'll never forget waking up to find my birthday cake half eaten by my childhood cat, George.  Our Russian Blue was food aggressive--he'd growl and stash his canned food in a room off of the kitchen. I won't even go into the stories I hear about litterbox issues and cats scavenging on the counter tops.

Feline behavioral problems are far from rare--quite the opposite.  While we seem to hear so much about canine training, it's refreshing to see that nationally renowned animal behaviorist Steve Dale is here to help cat folks too.  His new e-book, "Good Cat" tackles all of the pesky issues I just mentioned, plus:

• Feline aggression toward people and other pets
• Feline anxiety
• destructive scratching behaviors

The book offers practical advice and insight into your cat's logic, helping you to train your cat through reinforcement and enrichment.

Our giveaway copy of "Good Dog" was a hit, so now's your chance to get a free e-copy of "Good Cat". 

We want to see how you "show the love" to your "good cat".  Post photos of you and your cat snuggling, snoozing and sunbathing to our Facebook wall.  We'll pick one cat photo at random to win the e-book. 

We're anxiously awaiting your photos!  (Don't worry dog people--your turn is coming tomorrow!)

Contest details: Photos submitted to Embrace's Facebook wall during February 2012 will be considered for entry. Winner will be contacted by Embrace Pet Insurance for prize fulfillment via sponsor. Embrace staff and families not eligible to win. Must not have won within last 90 days. Good luck!

 

 

What We're Reading: Good Dog, Practical Answers to Behavior Questions

Every dog has their quirks.  You might be aware of your dog's leash pulling or growling at strangers.  Perhaps you think it's cute, just ignore it, or don't even realize that it's rude and even dangerous behavior.

Certified Animal Behavior Consultant Steve Dale bring us Good Dog, Practical Answers to Behavior Questions, an e-book in Q&A format to discuss everything from introducing a new baby to your Yorkie to problem solving your Lab's inappropriate chewing.  Dale works with other Canine Behaviorists and Trainers to solve problems that many of us think are just part of living with a dog.  Do any of these behaviors sound familiar?

• leash pulling
• excessive barking
• exhuberant greetings and jumping up
• sharing issues with toys
• separation anxiety 

Don't feel bad.  My dogs have all of these problems.  That doesn't mean we can just ignore them.  Dale's e-book is just $2.99 available for most e-readers here, and the articles are straight to the point and written with practical pet parents in mind.  (You can also check out the weekly free excerpt on Facebook.)  It's a nice price for some good advice and improved canine-human balance in your home. 

Steve Dale is offering up one free e-copy of this book.  To enter,

Step 1: Visit author Steve Dale on Facebook and tell him Embrace sent you.

Step 2: Go to Embrace's Facebook and tell us what bad behaviors your dog has.  (Photos of your Good Dog gone bad are a definite bonus!)

Comments submitted to Embrace's Facebook wall during January 2012 will be considered for entry. Winner will be contacted by Embrace Pet Insurance for prize fulfillment via sponsor. Embrace staff and families not eligible to win. Must not have won within last 90 days. Good luck!

 

Happy Tails Books

Kyla over at HappytailsBooks.com is putting out the APB for story submissions for her next series of books on adopted and rescued pets.  Your short story about your rescue pet could be published in an upcoming anthology of Lost Souls Found.

Cat parents!  They need your stories in within the next two weeks to be considered.

Interested in the books?  Check out some of the recent publications including Inspiring Stories about Pugs, Boxers, or Great Danes.  We'd also recommend the Boston Terrieredition, featuring stories about happy Bostons like "William Shatner". (Sneak previews are available.)

The books are small novella sized, perfect gift idea for stocking stuffers or your dog-enthusiast friends.  A portion of the profits go toward rescue efforts, and promote various breed rescues.

Portraits of Greatness

I knew I was going to like this book when I saw the title, "Portraits of Greatness".  A tribute to a beautiful breed, photographer Claire Bow has captured the charming faces of some of the "great" dogs of Great Dane Rescue Inc.  70 bright and colorful pages of beautiful Harlequins and Merles.  You'll "ooooh" and "ahhhh" over those soft eyes and sweet ears.
 
The book is dedicated to the volunteers of the rescue.  Read more about the Portraits of Greatness Project and the rescue at www.TheDaneCampaign.com.

Paws to Save Pets Giveaway

Paws to Save Pets has raised over $3 Million and helped to save the lives of thousands of pets in just 3 short years.  From their website:

Through educational campaigns, online initiatives, charitable drives and donations, and, most importantly, the time and dedication of volunteers, Paws to Save Pets™ can reach out across America to help make a difference in the lives of companion animals.

(read more)

In celebration of their successful fund raising, Merial is giving away some of their Paws to Save Pets ribbon dog collars  (medium-large size) and a copy of their book, Merck/Merial Manual for Pet Health to our readers.  So here's our first Embrace Pet Community Giveaway! 

To enter, just submit a photo of your rescued pet to hello@embracepetcommunity.com, with the e-mail subject "PAWS" and your name and address in the body of the e-mail.  The first three submissions will be awarded the prizes, and have your pet's photo featured in an upcoming blog post.

We can't wait to see the cute pet pictures!

Handmade 4 Hounds at Etsy

When you shop at the Handmade4Hounds Etsy shop every purchase supports greyhound adoption groups and other sight hound rescue programs.  Handmade items are donated from other Etsy sellers, to support Greyhound adoption.  There's products for people (like the Hound Cup Collar shown right) and their hounds (like the King of the Couch hand stamped tag).

It's fun to get handmade stuff that's supports artists and homeless Greyhounds!

Oy Vey! Yiddish for Dogs

This book will have you in stitches!  Yiddish for Dogs from author Janet Perr defines every word your canine needs to know.  The illustrations are a riot, and demonstrate real chutzpah!  Don't believe me?  You will once you read page 125 and see how a Pug might use the word Shvitz in a sentence.

Available at your popular online retailers, so you won't have to shlep to the bookstore.

Manuals and Maitenance logs now available

Every pet has a quirky habit or behavior that makes you wonder "why do they do that?" or more importantly "how do I get them to stop?".  Whether its your dog's insatiable appetite for the disgusting or your cat's knack for hiding mice in the laundry basket, your pet's behavior can make you wish your pet came with an instruction manual.

Well, Dr. David Brunner and Sam Stall have just the guidebooks you need to get past your pet's quirks.  The Cat Owners Manual and The Dog Owners Manual ($15.95 ea) include 'operating instructions', 'troubleshooting tips' and 'advice on lifetime maintenance'.

These books are not only extremely helpful, but the illustrations and 'diagrams' are a riot!  When you stop by QuirkBooks.com to pick up your copy, check out the maintenance logs ($12.95 ea.) they've made for you to log 'unit specs' 'medications and vaccinations' 'service provider visits' and 'financial expenditures'. You can also pick up the Dog or Cat Lover's Giftpack to get both books, plus 100 Dogs Who Changed Civilization or 100 Cats Who Changed Civilization and save 30% on all 3.

Found Dogs A Great Find

A friend once gave me a copy of Found Dogs by Elise Lufkin , and it's been a great book to read and re-read over the years. As the parent of any stray or rescued dog knows, there is a special bond between a human and an adopted pet, and this book chronicles just a few of those stories. 

Whether its a small terrier that finds a new home or a large mixed breed rescued from animal control, any adoptive pet parent is sure to find a touching story or photo in this book.

Already had the pleasure of reading Found Dogs? Try Second Chances: More Tales of Found Dogs. Both books are available at Amazon.com

The Ultimate Thanksgiving

Your pets are sure to be high on your "things to be thankful for" list again this year.  Who else brings you smiles every day of the year? 

And while you're gearing up to bake Christmas cookies and gingerbread men you wouldn't dare leave your best friend off the cookie exchange list. You need the The Ultimate Dog Treat ($10.19) and The Ultimate Cat Treat ($11.69) cookbooks, sure to keep your pet's happy this holiday season.  You'll be having so much fun using this set of dog cookie cutters (or perhaps a Mouse cookie for your kitty) that you'll make a treat for all the pets on your list.   

If you're not one to spend the day in the kitchen slaving over the oven, then you're in luck-Robbie Dawg already did the treat baking for you.  Thank your good dog for another good year with a Little Red Gift Basket, just $16.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Embrace Pet Community.