Q: My dog was diagnosed with hepatitis in Feb. I have been cooking chicken and rice for him and recently started him on canidae. He also has been biting his feet due to allergies? Is the dream coat something that might help this? Would HALO be good for his liver failure? I am leery starting any new food, but your product seems to be a positive idea for Quinny.

He is a 6 yr old rotty lab who is a big mush!

Thanks much..
Cheryl

A: Hi Cheryl:

Allergies are a very common cause of foot biting in dogs (especially this time of year). However, just to make sure we aren’t overlooking anything in Quinny, I would also recommend you ask your veterinarian about “Hepatocutaneous Syndrome”. Although uncommon, it is a condition that affects the feet and skin in dogs with hepatitis and other significant liver or endocrine diseases. Sometimes the earliest signs we see are foot biting and itching. There are specific treatments that we recommend for Hepatocutaneous Syndrome that wouldn’t be the same as allergy treatment…so just ask your vet to be complete.

The Halo Dream Coat is a blend of 6 cold-pressed virgin oils that provides an excellent spectrum of essential fatty acids. Fatty acids have proven beneficial in many cases of allergies as well as other inflammatory conditions (such as hepatitis, kidney inflammation, intestinal inflammation, arthritis, etc). It is likely that Quinny may benefit from fatty acid supplementation for several reasons. Please review my article Supplements for Skin and Coat: How to Achieve a Dream Coat in Your Pet for more information on fatty acids and Dream Coat.

Halo dog foods are natural foods that lack synthetic chemicals, artificial dyes or preservatives. Almost all chemicals that dogs eat must be metabolized or broken down by the liver, so I definitely recommend a natural or balanced home-cooked diet for dogs with liver problems.

Hope this helps. Good luck with Quinny.
Dr. Donna Spector

At Noah’s Ark Animal Welfare Association, the dogs and cats don’t usually arrive or leave in pairs.

No, the name of this Ledgewood, NJ-based zero-kill rescue and shelter comes from the name of its first location — the basement of a thrift store called Noah’s Nook and Cranny. “We were started by a group of little old ladies in tennis shoes,” says Roger Messick, executive director of the 42-year-old Noah’s Ark.

From a small group of little old ladies in tennis shoes, the organization has grown significantly. In the late 1970’s, Noah’s Ark moved into a former breeding kennel, where it is still located today. Last year, it adopted out 700 dogs and cats, with an expected 800 to 1000 to be adopted this year. Says Messick: “All of the animals that have come in our door, we’ve never euthanized a cat or dog.”

Halo is certainly impressed with Noah’s Ark record, and donated 91 cases of Spot’s Stew for dogs earlier this year, which fed the approximately 30 to 35 dogs the rescue has at one time.

“We met a number of Noah’s Ark’s volunteers, staff, and four-legged guests – they are just the sort of exemplary, independent local shelter we like to support,” says Halo’s David Yaskulka, “doing inspirational work for animals and the people who love them.”

The dogs were happy that Halo chose Noah’s Ark for their Spot’s Stew. “All of them liked it. We had a few dogs who appeared to be finicky and we were able to get some of them to eat with the Halo,” says Messick, noting the Spot’s Stew lasted a month. “The food was very nutritious.”

The abandoned animals who land at Noah’s Ark sometimes include puppies from out of state. “There are not enough puppies in our area,” he says. “We’re working with places in Kentucky with an overabundance of puppies, who would be euthanized down there, and we’re adopting them out of our facility.”

Recently, 16 dogs ended up at Noah’s Ark who were rescued from horrendous conditions in the Midwest. One, a Min Pin (or miniature pinscher), just had four puppies who will be available for adoption in mid-August, along with their mom.

For more information on the many pets available visit Noah’s Ark, at www.noahsarknj.org

Hello, Halo Friends:

Take Your Pet To Work Day is Friday, June 26th, 2009. This is the perfect opportunity to get more quality time with your four-legged family members and have the chance to win a Halo prize package! Commemorate this fun and furry day by snapping a photo or taking a short video of your pup lending a helping hand in your workplace.

As Halo owner Ellen DeGeneres often says, “One of the things I really believe is that if you’re going to have pets you should treat them like you’d treat yourself.” This is your chance to show the world dogs bring love everywhere even in the workplace!

But don’t forget to upload it to the Halo page on Facebook! The photo or movie that gets the most “likes” (that you determine by clicking on the “thumbs up” icon underneath each photo) by 11:00 pm EDT on Monday, June 29th, will win a prize pack of Halo goodies, worth $250. In addition, a panel of Halo judges will pick its favorite video to win the Judge’s Prize of $100 worth of Halo products plus a KODAK Zi6 HD pocket/flip video camera!

Here’s how you can participate:

1. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

2. ELIGIBILITY: Sweepstakes entrants and prize recipients must be legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia, age 18 or older. Void outside the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia and where prohibited. Employees of Halo, Purely for Pets, Inc. (”HALO”), and its respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, advertising and promotion, fulfillment and/or judging agencies (“Related Entities”), and their immediate families are not eligible. Sweepstakes subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

3. HOW TO ENTER:
(a) Bring your dog to work with you on Friday, June 26th;

(b) Take a photo or video of your dog at the workplace;

(c) Become a fan of HALO at (”HALO’s Facebook Fan Page“) on Facebook and join the TYPTWD event; and,

(d) Submit your photo and/or video to the Take Your Pet to Work Day event on HALO’s Facebook Fan Page. Each individual may submit only one (1) photograph and only one (1) video.

4. SELECTION OF WINNER:
(a) Throughout this submission period, remember to check HALO’s Facebook Fan Page for newly uploaded photos and videos. We encourage you, your friends and co-workers to comment on them and vote for your favorites by clicking on the “thumbs up” icon underneath each photo. The submission with the most “likes” by 11:00 pm EDT on Monday, June 29th, is the Audience Prize Winner. In the event of a tie, HALO will select the Audience Prize Winner at its sole discretion.

(b) In addition, HALO will pick its favorite video from all those entered during the open submission period, the “Judge’s Prize Winner.”

(c) HALO will announce the Judge’s Prize Winner and Audience Prize Winner on HALO’s Facebook Fan Page and HALO blog on July 6, 2009, and will contact the winners to arrange for delivery of their prize.

5. CONTEST PERIOD: The open submission period runs from 12:01 am EDT on June 26, 2009 until 11:00 PM EDT June 29, 2009.

6. PRIZES:
(a) One (1) Judge’s Prize – HALO will award a selection, determined by HALO, of HALO products valued at $100 (USD), and a KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera (approximate value $140 (USD)), to the Facebook video submission selected by HALO.

(b) One (1) Audience Prize – HALO will award a selection, determined by HALO, of HALO products valued at $250 (USD) to the Facebook submission that wins based on the most “likes” obtained.

7. PRIZES, GENERAL: Limit one prize per household. Prizes are non-transferable and must be accepted as awarded. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by HALO in the event that a prize (or part thereof) cannot be awarded, in which case HALO will at its sole discretion award a prize (or part thereof) of equal or greater value. Subject to sufficient eligible entries, all prizes will be awarded. All federal, state and local taxes, where applicable, and delivery charges are the sole responsibility of the winner. Each winner is also responsible for all fees, surcharges, and expenses not mentioned herein and associated with acceptance, award, enjoyment, and/or use of a prize. HALO is not responsible for winner limitations that prevent acceptance or use of any prize.

8. ODDS OF WINNING: Odds of winning any prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received.

9. JUDGING: HALO representatives will select, at their sole discretion, the Judge’s Prize winner. HALO’s decisions are final.

10. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: By participating, entrants agree to abide by and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of HALO, which shall be final and legally binding in all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. HALO may rescind the Sweepstakes, without liability, in the event of printing or production errors, or electronic failures of any kind. By participating, where permitted by law, entrants grant to HALO and the Related Entities associated with this Sweepstakes, the right to print, publish, alter, display, broadcast and use, worldwide in any media now known or hereafter developed, discovered or devised, including but not limited to the World Wide Web, at any time or times, their full name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, and biographical information for advertising, trade, and promotional purposes without further payment or consideration, and without review, approval, or notification. Entrants represent and warrant that any submitted photograph or video has been created by and is owned by the Entrant, and that Entrant has not previously assigned rights to the photograph or video. The submission of an entry by an entrant shall constitute and be deemed entrant’s irrevocable transfer and assignment of all right, title and interest in and to any and all original creative works or other materials submitted to HALO in connection with the Sweepstakes, including but not limited to copyrights. Entrant represents and warrants that the pet displayed in the submitted photograph or video is owned by the Entrant, and that any person appearing in the photograph or video has agreed to appear in the photograph or video and has waived any rights to publicity, privacy, or compensation.

11. RELEASE: Winner(s) will be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and release of liability and publicity for the specific prize before prize will be awarded. Winner(s) will be required to return documents within fourteen (14) days of prize notification. Failure to comply with this requirement, or return of prize notification as undeliverable, or if winner is found ineligible or not in compliance with these Official Rules, will result in forfeiture of prize. By participating, entrants waive any and all claims against HALO and the Related Entities associated with this Sweepstakes, and release and agree to hold harmless HALO and the Related Entities from any and all liability for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons, pets, or property, and all related cost or expenses, which may occur in connection with the Sweepstakes, or from acceptance, possession, or use/misuse of the prize. Further, entrants acknowledge that HALO and the Related Entities associated with this Sweepstakes have neither made nor are responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to any prize.

12. INTERNET: If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned due to an infection by a computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of HALO, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, HALO reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any suspect entry or entrant, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. In the event of such cancellation, termination, modification or suspension, notice thereof will be posted at HALO’s Facebook Fan Page. In such event, HALO and the Related Entities associated with this Sweepstakes shall have no liability to any participant who is disqualified or related to any termination of the Sweepstakes due to such an action. Failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

13. LIST OF WINNERS: Winners will be posted on HALO’s Facebook Fan Page on July 6, 2009.

Hello, Halo Friends:

Take Your Pet To Work Day is Friday, June 26th, 2009. This is the perfect opportunity to get more quality time with your four-legged family members and have the chance to win a Halo prize package! Commemorate this fun and furry day by snapping a photo or taking a short video of your pup lending a helping hand in your workplace.

As Halo owner Ellen DeGeneres often says, “One of the things I really believe is that if you’re going to have pets you should treat them like you’d treat yourself.” This is your chance to show the world dogs bring love everywhere even in the workplace!

But don’t forget to upload it to the Halo page on Facebook! The photo or movie that gets the most “likes” (that you determine by clicking on the “thumbs up” icon underneath each photo) by 11:00 pm EDT on Monday, June 29th, will win a prize pack of Halo goodies, worth $250. In addition, a panel of Halo judges will pick its favorite video to win the Judge’s Prize of $100 worth of Halo products plus a KODAK Zi6 HD pocket/flip video camera!

Here’s how you can participate:

1. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

2. ELIGIBILITY: Sweepstakes entrants and prize recipients must be legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia, age 18 or older. Void outside the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia and where prohibited. Employees of Halo, Purely for Pets, Inc. (”HALO”), and its respective parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, advertising and promotion, fulfillment and/or judging agencies (“Related Entities”), and their immediate families are not eligible. Sweepstakes subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

3. HOW TO ENTER:
(a) Bring your dog to work with you on Friday, June 26th;

(b) Take a photo or video of your dog at the workplace;

(c) Become a fan of HALO at (”HALO’s Facebook Fan Page“) on Facebook and join the TYPTWD event; and,

(d) Submit your photo and/or video to the Take Your Pet to Work Day event on HALO’s Facebook Fan Page. Each individual may submit only one (1) photograph and only one (1) video.

4. SELECTION OF WINNER:
(a) Throughout this submission period, remember to check HALO’s Facebook Fan Page for newly uploaded photos and videos. We encourage you, your friends and co-workers to comment on them and vote for your favorites by clicking on the “thumbs up” icon underneath each photo. The submission with the most “likes” by 11:00 pm EDT on Monday, June 29th, is the Audience Prize Winner. In the event of a tie, HALO will select the Audience Prize Winner at its sole discretion.

(b) In addition, HALO will pick its favorite video from all those entered during the open submission period, the “Judge’s Prize Winner.”

(c) HALO will announce the Judge’s Prize Winner and Audience Prize Winner on HALO’s Facebook Fan Page and HALO blog on July 6, 2009, and will contact the winners to arrange for delivery of their prize.

5. CONTEST PERIOD: The open submission period runs from 12:01 am EDT on June 26, 2009 until 11:00 PM EDT June 29, 2009.

6. PRIZES:
(a) One (1) Judge’s Prize – HALO will award a selection, determined by HALO, of HALO products valued at $100 (USD), and a KODAK Zi6 Pocket Video Camera (approximate value $140 (USD)), to the Facebook video submission selected by HALO.

(b) One (1) Audience Prize – HALO will award a selection, determined by HALO, of HALO products valued at $250 (USD) to the Facebook submission that wins based on the most “likes” obtained.

7. PRIZES, GENERAL: Limit one prize per household. Prizes are non-transferable and must be accepted as awarded. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by HALO in the event that a prize (or part thereof) cannot be awarded, in which case HALO will at its sole discretion award a prize (or part thereof) of equal or greater value. Subject to sufficient eligible entries, all prizes will be awarded. All federal, state and local taxes, where applicable, and delivery charges are the sole responsibility of the winner. Each winner is also responsible for all fees, surcharges, and expenses not mentioned herein and associated with acceptance, award, enjoyment, and/or use of a prize. HALO is not responsible for winner limitations that prevent acceptance or use of any prize.

8. ODDS OF WINNING: Odds of winning any prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received.

9. JUDGING: HALO representatives will select, at their sole discretion, the Judge’s Prize winner. HALO’s decisions are final.

10. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: By participating, entrants agree to abide by and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of HALO, which shall be final and legally binding in all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. HALO may rescind the Sweepstakes, without liability, in the event of printing or production errors, or electronic failures of any kind. By participating, where permitted by law, entrants grant to HALO and the Related Entities associated with this Sweepstakes, the right to print, publish, alter, display, broadcast and use, worldwide in any media now known or hereafter developed, discovered or devised, including but not limited to the World Wide Web, at any time or times, their full name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, and biographical information for advertising, trade, and promotional purposes without further payment or consideration, and without review, approval, or notification. Entrants represent and warrant that any submitted photograph or video has been created by and is owned by the Entrant, and that Entrant has not previously assigned rights to the photograph or video. The submission of an entry by an entrant shall constitute and be deemed entrant’s irrevocable transfer and assignment of all right, title and interest in and to any and all original creative works or other materials submitted to HALO in connection with the Sweepstakes, including but not limited to copyrights. Entrant represents and warrants that the pet displayed in the submitted photograph or video is owned by the Entrant, and that any person appearing in the photograph or video has agreed to appear in the photograph or video and has waived any rights to publicity, privacy, or compensation.

11. RELEASE: Winner(s) will be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and release of liability and publicity for the specific prize before prize will be awarded. Winner(s) will be required to return documents within fourteen (14) days of prize notification. Failure to comply with this requirement, or return of prize notification as undeliverable, or if winner is found ineligible or not in compliance with these Official Rules, will result in forfeiture of prize. By participating, entrants waive any and all claims against HALO and the Related Entities associated with this Sweepstakes, and release and agree to hold harmless HALO and the Related Entities from any and all liability for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons, pets, or property, and all related cost or expenses, which may occur in connection with the Sweepstakes, or from acceptance, possession, or use/misuse of the prize. Further, entrants acknowledge that HALO and the Related Entities associated with this Sweepstakes have neither made nor are responsible or liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to any prize.

12. INTERNET: If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned due to an infection by a computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of HALO, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, HALO reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any suspect entry or entrant, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. In the event of such cancellation, termination, modification or suspension, notice thereof will be posted at HALO’s Facebook Fan Page. In such event, HALO and the Related Entities associated with this Sweepstakes shall have no liability to any participant who is disqualified or related to any termination of the Sweepstakes due to such an action. Failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

13. LIST OF WINNERS: Winners will be posted on HALO’s Facebook Fan Page on July 6, 2009.

Join Halo’s own Dr. Donna Spector and host Jeff Marginean on the My Buddy Butch Radio Show on Thursday June 25, 2009 at 7:40pm ET. Dr. Spector will continue this week with first-aid tips for pets and how to avoid common summertime troubles. Tune in every Thursday night to get great vet tips at Jeff and Butch on Blog Talk Radio!

Click here to tune in tonight!