Happy Holidays

We at JasperandZoe.com want to wish you and your family a very happy and peaceful holiday season.  We have greatly appreciated your business over the past year and look forward to bringing you new and more exciting new products in the year ahead.   We will send another note at the beginning of the new year with announcements for new products and plans for 2013.  Meanwhile, we wish a wonderful holiday season!

From your family at JasperandZoe.com

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Filed under: Dogs, happiness, health, lifestyle, pets, christmas, dog happiness, Dog Health, Dogs, happiness, health, holiday, holiday season, holidays, new york, pets

It’s Pet Appreciation Week through June 16!

This week through June 16 is pet appreciation week! How do you show your pet you appreciate him/her?  Let us know!  To show our appreciation for you and your pets for simply being wonderful, we are offering 10% off all purchases on JasperandZoe.com through June 16.  Use code “TEN” at checkout!  Have a woofy, happy week!

Filed under: Dogs, happiness, health, pets, dog product discounts, dog product sale, Dogs, Pet appreciation week

JasperandZoe.com Adds Merrick to its Product Lines!

JasperandZoe.com is thrilled to now offer Merrick treats in our online store!

We decided to add Merrick to our products, because it fits with our philosophy of providing high quality, all natural treats to our four-legged best friends. Merrick’s innovative and unique treats have been given to pets by the owners that love them for over 10 years now. Merrick prides itself on being a leader in the treat industry, starting with the highest quality cattle, and a lot of imagination.

One of many Merrick treats our Jasper loves, which we are confident your dogs will love too, is Merrick’s bones and bully stix.  They are smoked, cooked, natural, stuffed, wrapped, plain and meaty.  They come in all shapes and sizes, just like our four legged friends.

  
And ears.  Really?  Yes, ears!  They are a favorite among many dogs.  Jasper can’t get enough of them.  Dogs of all sizes and ages enjoy packing these things around the yard.  Merrick ears come in smoked or natural flavors and are available in lamb, beef, and even pork.  Merrick’s natural ears will keep your dog entertained for hours on end.  you will keep them out of trouble as long as you keep these original Texas treats on hand!

The Flossies Spiral Chews still turn dog’s heads.  These are the bestsellers.  This is the one treat Jasper always treasures.  The Flossies help fight plague build up as well.  This is just one example of many of Merrick’s all natural products that are fun for the dog while being healthy at the same time.

We hope you will enjoy the Merrick treats as much as we have, especially Jasper!

From your family at JasperandZoe.com

Filed under: Dogs, happiness, health, lifestyle, pets, bully sticks, bully stix, dog treats, Merrick bones, Merrick bully sticks, Merrick ears, Merrick Flossies spiral chews, natural dog bones, natural dog chews, natural dog treats

Wanted: Your dog tips and stories!

We are looking for stories and experiences to share with the JasperandZoe.com community on this blog.  If you have something that could help other dog lovers or simply have a funny story or a question, please feel free to post or email us at info@jasperandzoe.com, and we will be happy to post for you for community feedback!  All posts will receive 10% off your next order on JasperandZoe.com!

Filed under: business, Dogs, entrepreneurship, green, happiness, health, lifestyle, pets, dog blog, dog experience, dog stories, dog tips, Dogs

Understanding your dog’s body language and verbal cues

Have you ever wondered why your dog makes those strange muttering sounds at the dinner table? Or why he lays his ears back when confronted with a stranger?  Dogs speak to us, but in a different language. Unfortunately, there’s no Rosetta Stone DVD to help us learn “dog talk.” So, instead, we must analyze it ourselves, keeping it in context, avoiding asserting our own interpretations, and remembering that dogs were once wild animals.

The best way to start is to look to the dog’s ancestor, the wolf. Wolves live in packs and dogs do the same with other pets in the household and their humans. There must be a leader of the pack and that leader should be you. And to be an effective canine leader, you need to know what your dog is trying to tell you.

Dogs communicate in many ways with each other, using verbal cues, body language and facial expressions. They also try to communicate with humans using these methods. Humans, of course, communicate with dogs with commands and phrases. Dogs can learn hundreds of human sounds but they can’t string them together. Thus, the need for short commands such as “Sit!” and “Come!” Many of our communication tools are lost on dogs, such as sarcasm (to indicate frustration) or closed body language (to indicate you’re uncomfortable) or a look of surprise. So, to enhance our communication with our canines, we must learn to get back to the basics and speak “dog.”

Dog Body Language/Facial “Expressions”

Confident and Relaxed

• Stance – erect
• Tail – wagging slowly
• Ears – pricked up but with a relaxed look
• Eyes – small pupils
• Mouth – closed or slight parting of lips

Fearful or Anxious

• Stance – lowered
• Tail – tucked under
• Ears – down
• Eyes – a wide-eyed look with the whites showing
• Mouth – panting

Aggressive

• Stance – rigid
• Tail – straight up or out behind, very rigid
• Ears – pricked up
• Eyes – intense, focused stare
• Mouth – lips are pulled back and some teeth show
• Hackles – this is a line of hair that starts at the base of the neck and runs down the shoulders. It is raised if a dog is feeling aggressive and lowered if he is relaxed.

Fear-Aggressive

• Stance – dog is pulled into himself
• Tail – tucked completely under
• Ears – lying down
• Eyes – wide-eyed and trouble focusing
• Mouth – lips pulled back slightly or heavy panting

Relaxed

• Stance – lying down or standing without any alertness
• Tail – up and wagging or lying naturally
• Ears – at their normal state, depending on the breed (A Terrier’s would be up but relaxed, a Hound’s would be down)
• Eyes – normal pupil dilation, focused but not staring
• Mouth – open and lightly panting or closed

Dog Verbal Cues

The Howl
This is an attempt to locate someone, perhaps you or the dog down the street. When you leave for work, it’s very possible your dog howls in an effort to get you back. When one dog starts howling in the neighborhood, usually many others join in – it’s sort of like a conference call.

The Growl
This means “back off.” You’ll see a dog growl when another dog gets interested in his food. Your dog may growl at a stranger he doesn’t like or he may growl at you when you try to take his toy away. It’s actually a very effective way of communicating and actually signals that you can probably negotiate that toy away. When a dog is in an aggressive stance and silent, there is the most danger.

The Grunt or Mutter
This is usually to indicate that your dog wants something. It’s an interesting sound because it’s almost manipulative – your dog knows if he barks, he’ll get into trouble but the more subtle “grunt” might get him wants he wants. It is also heard when dogs greet other dogs or humans.

The Whimper
Dogs whimper when they’re anxious or hurt. Sometimes they figure out that they get attention when they whimper and use this to their advantage.

The Whine
This indicates frustration. They are in a sense “complaining” about something.

The Bark
There are many different types of barks. A high pitched bark indicates excitement and happiness. A low pitched bark indicates aggression and is possibly a threat. Dogs bark to get attention, to respond to other dogs, to indicate that they’re happy, and to alert their human to a problem. Unfortunately, your dog may detect a “problem” that you can’t see or hear, such as a siren miles away or the neighbor’s cat hiding in the tree outside the window.

Remember when Lassie sprinted off down the road to find help because Timmy had fallen into a well? Through her verbal cues and body language she was able to lead the rescuers back to the disaster scene. By understanding our dogs’ language, we can better communicate with them and avoid common misunderstandings. And you can be assured that your dog isn’t going crazy when he’s muttering to himself all the time.

(Source: Dogster.com)

Filed under: Dogs, green, happiness, health, lifestyle, pets, dog body language, dog training, dog verbal cues, Dogs, understanding dogs

Can Dogs Get Colds?

Can dogs get colds? They sure can! Colds in dogs are pretty common and are often caused by the various germs and viruses. Symptoms of a cold include: cough, runny eyes, yellowish green discharge from the nose, and frequent sneezes.

Can dogs get colds from humans though?  No.  While dogs suffer from a number of respiratory illnesses which may seem quite similar to the common cold symptoms in humans, there is no way humans can infect dogs.  Dogs can, however, contract a cold by being in close contact with an already infected dog.  So if you suspect your dog of suffering from a cold, keep him away from other dogs to avoid any kind of further infection spread.  Give him plenty of time to rest and recover.  Please consult your vet for cold remedies.

We wish you and dogs good health!

Filed under: Dogs, health, common cold, Dogs, health

Health Tip – Exercise your dog!

Nearly 40 percent of the dogs in the U.S. are overweight. Being overweight puts your dog at risk for serious health problems. One of the main reasons dogs are overweight is because they simply eat too much and don’t get enough exercise. Take your dog for walks. Find some fun dog sports that the two of you can enjoy together. What do you do to ensure your dog gets exercise?

Filed under: Dogs, health, lifestyle, pets, Dog Health, dog weight, Dogs, exercise, obesity

JasperandZoe.com Offers Free Shipping and New 365 Day Return Policy

In celebration of JasperandZoe.com’s one year anniversary, the company has permanently changed its shipping and return/exchange policy to enhance customer service. To top things off for a limited time as an anniversary special, get 50% off everything by entering code BDAY50 at checkout.

JasperandZoe.com believes strongly in making the customer experience as positive and easy as possible. So if a customer is not 100% satisfied with a purchase, for whatever reason, she can return it for either a full refund, exchange, store credit, or have a donation made to the ASPCA.org, which is an option that is unique to JasperandZoe.com. The donation to help fight against animal cruelty can be made in the customer’s name in the amount of the items being returned. Time frame for return? 365 days. The company understands that life happens, and you may need more than the two weeks or 30 days that traditional retailers offer for returns and exchanges. All they ask is that the items are returned in the same condition in their original packaging.

The company also appreciates the fact that the economy is challenging, but dog care and service do not need to be compromised in today’s environment, so they are also offering free shipping all orders – regardless of order size. Unlike many other online retailers, there is no fine print or exceptions. What is free at JasperandZoe.com is indeed free.

In addition to the generous new shipping and return policy, customers can feel good about their purchases – 10% of profits goes to support ASPCA to fight against animal cruelty. Happy shopping, and keep your dogs happy and safe!

Filed under: business, Dogs, entrepreneurship, happiness, health, lifestyle, pets, 365 day return policy, best business practices, dog business, Dogs, free shipping

Celebrating Fourth of July with Dogs

Fourth of July is about celebrating and appreciating the freedom we have today.  We usually celebrate with our family, friends, food and fun.  Of course, we want our dog to be around for the festivities.  But like any other summer celebration, the 4^th of July holiday comes with some potential hazards.  Here is what you can do to keep your dog safe.

Fireworks. Fireworks and dogs do not agree with each other.  Even the bravest dogs can be terrified by their sound.  Keep your dog away from fireworks displays, and if you plan to go see fireworks, leave your dog at home.  If fireworks can be heard near your home, keep your dog indoors, and give him/her a safe place to curl up.

Heat. The heat of the day can be detrimental to your dog’s health.  Exercise your dog during the cooler times of the day, and keep him/her in a cool environment during hot times of the day.  Make sure to keep your dog hydrated.  Always carry dog-dedicated water and foldable water bowl on walks and hikes.  At JasperandZoe.com, we love the Water Rover bottle.  You unplug, lay it flat, and the water automatically flows into the round bowl, then you tip the extra water back into the bottle, and close the bottle – very easy and convenient.  We carry the Water Rover with us when we are out with Jasper with ice cubes inside, and he is cool and happy.

Check out the different sizes and colors.

Water Rover Bottle

At JasperandZoe.com we wish you and your dog a very happy and safe 4^th of July holiday.  To help you celebrate, we are offering you and your family and friends 35% off all orders from now through July 5, 2010.  Enter code “JULY4” at checkout.  As always 10% of our profits supports ASPCA to fight against animal cruelty.  Happy Independence Day!

Filed under: 4th of July, Dogs, Fourth of July, happiness, health, July 4th, lifestyle, pets, 4th of July, Dog Health, Dog Safety, Dogs, Fourth of July, July 4th

Dog Eye Infection and Proper Eye Care

Your dog’s eyes are delicate organs and require adequate attention to cleaning and caring for his eyes.  Always consult with a veterinarian if you suspect your dog of having an eye issue.

Infection and Diseases

Dogs can be susceptible to conjunctivitis, a bacterial infection which affects the thin membrane covering the front of the eye called the conjunctiva.  It causes redness and dryness in the eye or eyes.  When your dog’s eye is inflamed, it will tend to result in a thick fluid which clogs up the front of the eye and makes it hard for your dog to open his eyes.   Treatment is very quick and effective and is usually cleared up with a short course of ointment which can be prescribed by your vet.

There are a number of diseases and conditions which can affect your dog’s eyes – the main being cataracts.  Over time, this could lead to total blindness in the affected eye.  Glaucoma occurs when there is an increase in the pressure within the eye.  When there are irritants or foreign bodies in the eye tissues, the constant irritation can lead to corneal ulceration and a change in the surrounding tissues.

Common Eye Disorders in Puppies

If you are about to acquire a new puppy be sure to become informed about common eye disorders for the breed of interest.  For examine, cocker spaniels develop dry eye and glaucoma.  Bichon Frise, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, and Boston Terriers among other breeds often develop cataracts.  Be sure to educate yourself about what to look for in your particular breed.   Below are common eye disorders in puppies:

1. Entropion:  inward folding of an eyelid where lid hairs contact the cornea (Shar Pei, Cocker Spaniel, Rottweiler, Labrador Retriever, etc.)
2. Cherry Eye:  prolapsed gland of the third eyelid. (Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, etc.)
3. Ectopic Cilia: an abnormal eyelash that grows through the conjunctiva and is usually very painful and almost always causes an ulcer.
4. Distichiasis:  abnormal position of eyelashes on a lid margin that result in irritation of the eye.
5. Dermoid:  congenital defect where haired skin is located in an abnormal place on an eye and will often irritate the cornea and can cause ulcers.
6. Cataracts:  opacity of the lens. Inherited cataracts can often appear in young dogs, in most cases a veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist will have to make this diagnosis; owners are often unaware of small focal cataracts. There are also late onset cataracts that may not show up until middle or older age.
7. Follicular Conjunctivitis:  itchy, reddened conjunctival tissues, tearing, squinting, often related to allergies.
8. Puppy Pyoderma or Puppy Strangles:  eyelid abscesses associated with generalized skin pustules.
9. Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS):  lack of or inadequate production of tears. Sometimes this can be congenital in which case it is often very serious. Pug, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu are some of the breeds that may be born with dry eyes.

Symptoms

On many light colored dogs, especially miniature and toy breeds, you may see a brown or pink stain on the skin and hair below the inside corner of the eye.  This is a common problem caused by an overflow of tears.  The color change of the hair and skin occurs when the normal bacteria on the hair and skin react with the clear tears.

There are many causes of the overflow of tears.  Miniature breeds and Persians often have more prominent eyes.  This stretches the eyelid and may cut off the drainage system.  This is the most common cause, and there is little we can do to correct it.   Other causes could be an irritant in the eye, an allergy, or an abnormal eyelid or eyelash.

Proper Care

Besides being alert to dirt that could irritate your dog’s eyes on a daily basis, a thorough check on your dog’s eyes should be incorporated into your routine when you do your weekly checkups on him.  This will allow you to pick up any problems with his eyes as soon as possible.

Making sure his eyes are clean is the first step to good eye care.  The more you can reduce the possibility of infection and disease the healthier your dog will be and the happier you both will be.

For wiping the eyes, JasperandZoe.com recommends Happytails EyePads, and we have been using them on our puppy Jasper to reinforce his healthy eyes.

Happytails EyePads

The EyePads are pre-moistened to remove the tearing residue from around a dog’s eyes.  Rub with and against the grain of the fur for maximum effectiveness.  The pads are infused with eyebright that helps clean away the discoloration and all natural colloidal silver that inhibits the growth of the bacteria that cause it.   Jasper loves it, because it is alcohol free, gentle, and tearless.  It contains no pharmaceuticals or chemicals.

The EyePads are especially effective when used together with Eyemunity to boost your best friend’s immunity.

Happytails EyeMunity

Eyemunity is a nutrient-rich, high-metabolite immunogen that helps to strengthen your dog’s resistance and maintain wellness.  Sprinkle power on your dog’s food everyday.  The unique formula contains Epicor, an ingredient which has been clinically proven to boost immunity in both animals and humans.  Eyemunity will support your best friend’s fight against stain-causing bacteria while also improving his overall health.

Happytails EyePads and EyeMunity can be purchased individually or as a package on www.JasperandZoe.com.

Happytails EyePack

For a limited time, get 10% off Happytails EyePads, EyeMunity, EyePack and other Happytails products.  Enter code HAPPYTAILS at checkout.

Filed under: Dogs, health, pets