The following post comes to us from guest blogger, Hyde, a kennel lead who has worked with animals for much of her life.

I’d like to thank Halo Pets for offering me the chance to write this guest blog. I’ve been working with dogs for the past 15 years. Currently, I work as a kennel lead at a busy veterinary hospital in Seattle. I have rescued 150 dogs directly off the streets in three major cities over the years, and I have had a great ending to all my rescue stories, which is very rare indeed in rescue.

Today, I would like to share some tips on what your dog may be trying to tell you when it barks. Different barks have different meanings, and knowing what your dog is trying to say can help you to have a better connection with your pet.

High-pitched barking in clusters: Play with me! Your dog wants to chase a ball or play fetch.

Rising pitch and rapid-fire barks: Pay attention to me. I want to be petted.

Loud barking in a steady pitch: Don’t come near me! The dog is scared.

High-pitched single yelp: I’m lonely! Where is everybody?

Low-pitched gruff continuous barking: Beat it! Now! The dog is defensive. This is usually heard when there is a stranger at the door.

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We really didn’t have any choice for this week’s winner. This adorable photo of baby Pudge received the most photo comments that have ever been posted on the Halo MySpace page – and can anyone say that they’re surprised? From what we hear, this now six-month-old girl is quite the spoiled pooch, and judging by all the love her photo received, we don’t think that’s going to be changing any time soon!

Pudge’s mom assures us that she appreciates all the attention and loves meeting new people. Pudge is a very friendly girl, who gives plenty of kisses and likes playing with other dogs and visiting the beach. She enjoys spending time with the felines too, as her family includes several cat friends.

This summer, Pudge was lucky enough to enjoy her own pool lounge. Her mom tells us she loved spending all day just floating around and sunning herself. Sounds like it’s not such a “ruff” life for this little girl!

Think your pet should be next week’s winner? Just head over to the Halo Pets MySpace Page and send us a picture of your favorite furry friend!

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One of our favorite things about the Pet of the Week contest is getting to see photos of our adorable winners with their prizes. We thought our blog readers would like to see the cute pet pictures too; so, today we’re going to share with everyone!

Here’s Maggie May investigating her Halo goodie bag. We’re very happy to report that Maggie is doing well after her knee surgery.

Our little pug cutie, Rocky Bo, says, “Is all this for me?” We hear his sister, Babycat, was pretty interested in his prize as well!

We love Kilala, and think her mom’s pretty great too – after all, she made us this wonderful picture! We think Kilala makes a great spokescat for Halo natural pet food!

Think your pet should be our next Pet of the Week? Just head over to the Halo Pets MySpace Page and send us a picture of your favorite furry friend!

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Q: We brought our five-year-old cat Sterling to our vet due to constipation and poor appetite (He always ate dry food and generally wouldn’t touch wet). He was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, high calcium, and kidney failure — and the prognosis of living about a year more at best. After enemas and flushing, she prescribed a special diet of food with the ingredients below. Can you share your opinion about if that diet seems on the right track, or what diet we should be seeking?

Ingredients from the prescribed food (dry):
Rice, ground corn, chicken fat, corn gluten meal, chicken meal, natural flavors, cellulose powder, dried egg powder, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, brewers yeast…etc.

A: I am always hesitant to recommend a diet with rice, corn and corn meal as the main ingredients for cats. Cats are carnivores, and their metabolism is best suited to a high quality meat-based diet. However, the kidney failure that Sterling is experiencing may require that he eat a lower protein diet. Ask your veterinarian if there is another diet they recommend that could provide higher quality meat ingredients, even if in lesser quantities. Good luck with Sterling.

Dr. Donna Spector, DVM, DACVIM

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.

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I was raised by a family who taught me that to vote is to be an American, and to this day I still believe that. I like to vote because it allows me to voice my opinion about who is elected to office in this country.

There is also another great reason to vote: you get an opportunity to vote on your own state’s ballot questions. There are about 150 state questions being voted on this November. And while some of the states vote on controversial issues including immigration (AZ, CA, MO, OR), tax limitations (AZ, MA, ND, OR) and abortion (CA, CO, SD), there will be a handful of other states who will be voting on animal rights issues (CA, MA, OK).

This isn’t a blog telling you which way to vote; I am just talking about one of the many reasons to vote. Like every other American you have the ability to make your own decision. The most important thing you can do is to go out and vote on November 4th. Since the animals cannot vote, then we humans hold their future in our hands, and that is why it is so important. There are many state animal issues that did not make it to the ballots, but the three that did are listed below. Read the rest of this entry »