Here’s another guest blog post from one of our favorite organizations, Green Chimneys. This one is from Michael Kaufmann, who was kind enough to give some of us from Halo a special tour of the Green Chimneys farm. Michael directs the farm and wildlife center, so is responsible for the welfare of all of GC’s animals. Be sure to see our previous blog posts about GC too!

They came from Germany and Japan, Belgium and Brewster, N.Y., Alberta and Australia. In fact, this year’s Humane Education Conference, co-hosted by Green Chimneys – a non-profit organization that brings together special needs children and animals – and the ASPCA, attracted more than 100 people from 10 countries committed to a single purpose: to improve long-term prospects for animals and their caregivers. Guests, including educators, animal welfare professionals and others interested in the humane-animal bond, heard from animated speakers with impeccable credentials. Presentations ranged from a dynamic demonstration of how to establish a supportive relationship with animals by Linda Tellington-Jones, inspirational founder of The Tellington TTouch, to “Euthanasia from a Veterinarian’s Perspective” by Lila Miller, DVM, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach and Veterinary Advisor. Across perspectives, speakers and visitors shared a common desire: to celebrate, embrace and encourage more adults and children to connect with animals.

The staff, students and residents of Green Chimneys are very fortunate since animals are a core part of our everyday life. Our goats, horses, Labrador pups, injured birds, bunnies and sheep are among the 200 animals that frequently become our children’s most valuable co-therapist, teacher and friend. Our children gain self-esteem, learn responsible animal care and become nurturing caretakers concerned about others.

But, be assured, our animals are as well taken care of as our children. Their habitats are kept clean. They are tended to by professional animal experts and loving youngsters. And, like other animal lovers, we provide healthy food. Recently, hundreds of our employees’ pets and area shelters also got a special treat. Halo, Purely for Pets donated cans of its all natural dog food. And, boy, were our pups happy! Colleagues exchanged funny stories about how their dogs looked up “asking for more”. Count a couple dozen of us among Halo’s new loyal customers!!! Visit www.greenchimneys.org

If you haven’t joined the conversation yet on Twitter, you’re missing a lot of fun – and some great information distributed in easy-to-digest form via text message or online.

Here’s a recent conversation I really enjoyed.

Nightline — yes, the TV show — asked its Twitter followers, “What is the craziest thing you’ve seen for sale on QVC?”

Juaus4me (a woman named Jennifer Ann who follows Nightline on Twitter) responded, “craziest thing on QVC Ellen D selling Halo food and her co host was eating it ….OH YUMMIE.”

If you didn’t catch that on QVC, it made for great television! You can see a clip of QVC host Carolyn Gracie eating Halo here. This was a bit controversial when it happened – until QVC watchers started defending Carolyn because, in fact, she didn’t eat anything they wouldn’t eat!

I couldn’t help but join the conversation. So my Tweet was, “Hey @juaus4me and @Nightline – eating Halo’s not all that crazy; Read the ingredients (vs. human soup) http://www.halopets.com/soupwars.”

Next, Zissy4PetTalez sent my message to her 848 followers (know as a “re-Tweet” or “RT”).

FurandFeathers, an animal lover named Sue Giannosa, chimed in saying, “Crazy, no way. My dogs love that food. They lick the spoon when I put the Dream coat on their food also. Ingred. Are all natural.”

Rachelle Caruso, Twitter ID rlcaruso, responded, “my dogs LOVE Halo! I think they eat better than Me! Halo stew is way better than anything in the human aisle based on ingredients.”

If you’re reading this, you probably sacrifice to make sure your pet is well taken care of, and know where Rachelle is coming from!

Here’s a wonderful video sent in by a good friend. Enjoy!

To help us all get in the spirit, here’s a 25% off coupon code for Halo’s all natural herbal shampoo (but hurry, it expires at the end of May)!

Coupon code:

DOGWASH
(enter coupon code AFTER you enter your credit card information on our site).

Of course we use the shampoo on our boxer boy Bert at home. It smells GREAT and rinses super-fast. We especially like the ingredients, which are:

Ingredients: Saponified Oils of Coconut, Olive and Jojoba, Tea Tree Oil, Rosemary Oil, Sage Oil Cedarwood Oil, Peppermint Oil, Sweet Orange Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Pine Needle Oil, Aloe Vera, Rosemary Extract (as a preservative)

Here’s where you can buy Halo’s herbal shampoo. Or even better than this 25% discount: just go to your local halo retailer, save the shipping charges, and print and bring this $2 coupon!

Enjoy – and get a towel!

If you have ever worried about putting your older pet under anesthesia, you are not alone. Board-certified veterinary anesthesia specialists all agree, however, that age is not a reason to avoid anesthesia; especially if it is for a procedure or therapy that might improve your pet’s life. One of the most common procedures veterinarians recommend for older pets are dental cleanings. Dental health should not be neglected in older pets because dental disease often results in tooth and gum infections, pain, loss of teeth and even organ damage. Click here to read more about dental disease in dogs and cats.

Request the following to insure a safe anesthesia for your senior pet:
• A thorough physical examination and pre-anesthetic blood work can help your veterinarian detect problems with infection or malfunctioning organs. If problems are detected, your vet may postpone a procedure or request further testing.
• Your veterinarian should select anesthesia drugs based on your pet’s age, breed, health status and the procedure being performed. Quick-acting IV anesthetics (e.g. propofol) and certain anesthetic gases (e.g. isoflurane, sevoflurane) are often preferred in older pets.
• Intravenous catheters should be used in older pets during anesthesia to provide IV fluids to prevent dehydration and support blood pressure. Pain medications can also be provided through the catheter if necessary for your pets comfort.
• Your pet should have a soft tube placed in his or her windpipe during anesthesia to prevent any fluid or secretions from blocking their airway.
• Your veterinarian should use special equipment to monitor your pet’s blood pressure, temperature, pulse, breathing, oxygenation, heart rate and heart rhythm.
• Your pet should be monitored for several hours after anesthesia to insure adequate recovery.

Don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian who will be monitoring your pet during anesthesia and how much experience they have. Finding a knowledgeable veterinarian and staff will help ease your anxiety and help you provide your pet with the best possible care.

Click on the title to read the entire article, “Getting To The “Root” of Bad Breath In Dogs And Cats“.

Pet Airways is the world’s first pet-only airline offering travel for your best friends! Flights are scheduled to begin on July 14, 2009 from New York, Chicago and Los Angeles for a special introductory one-way price of $149. After being dropped off at the Pet Lounge in select airports, pets travel in style within the main cabin of special pet-designed turbo-prop airplanes. They are tended to every 15 minutes throughout the duration of the flight and allowed a potty break upon landing and before being delivered to their owners. For peace of mind, pet owners can track their pet’s course right on the Pet Airways website.

While most pets are considered family members, they are often excluded from family vacations because of the challenging logistics of travel. There are very few ways to safely and comfortably fly pets with commercial airlines. Traveling in cargo can be very dangerous and has caused many pet deaths. It is great to have an alternative for including your pet in family travel. Way to go Pet Airways!

Pet Airways founders give their Jack Russell Terrier, Zoe, credit as the master-mind behind the exclusive airline idea. Visit the site at www.petairways.com for more information and to make reservations for your pet.