The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is crying foul.  The organization's tests have revealed that much of the “faux fur” sold by many retailers is actually anything but synthetic.  Tests have proven that the material often comes from fur-bearing animals including dogs, cats, and raccoon dogs that were raised in deplorable conditions in China. 

You might ask yourself how this is possible.  It’s simple, really.  Due to a loophole in the Federal Fur Products Labeling Act, one in seven fur coats are not labeled accurately as containing fur.

Clothing label Sean Jean went under fire recently for offering its Hooded Snorkel Jacket with “imitation rabbit fur collar” for sale on Macys.com.  A spectrometry test conducted by the HSUS determined that the fur came from a canine species known as a “raccoon dog”.  Other retailers’ furs failed the test which led the HSUS to urge Congress to make an amendment of the Dog and Cat Protection Act-which bans the sale of dog or cat fur in the United States-to include “raccoon dogs” that are tortured and killed regularly in China.

Fifty million animals worldwide are exploited for their coats.  The HSUS works hard to educate the public about fur-free, fashionable alternatives.  You can learn more about them by visiting http://www.furfree.hsus.org.

Stella McCartney, the daughter of Beatle Paul McCartney and the late Linda McCartney, is a fashion designer who refuses to use fur or leather in her clothing lines.  A lacto-ovo vegetarian who has worked with celebrities like Madonna and Liv Tyler, McCartney has been applauded worldwide for her cruelty-free designs. 

Activist Ashley Paige put herself through college by designing handmade knit bikinis and selling them to her friends.  In one year’s time, her work was featured on the cover of eight nationally known magazines including the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.  Her designs have been scooped up by celebrities and featured in television shows.  She has authored a book and founded a non-profit organization named RuffHouZen Rescue which has helped thousands of animals.  She uses the press to her advantage by wearing animal friendly slogans on t-shirts and hosts weekly pet adoptions in her boutique-studio in Hollywood.

The fashion industry does not have to exploit sentient beings for profit.  You can do your part by educating those around you about the risks of “faux fur”.  You can also launch a letter campaign and write retailers who willingly sell these items despite concerns from the public. 

Be conscientious and well-informed.  Know where products come from and what items are deemed “organic” and “cruelty-free” before purchasing them.  A little bit of preparation can go a long way in protecting our furry friends.  Sign a petition and get the word out about China’s treatment of animals.  The greatest weapon against injustice that we have is our voice.

He’s been your devoted sidekick for as long as you can remember.  You’ve taken long walks on the beach together and have calmed each other’s anxieties during the toughest of times.  You provided physical, emotional, and financial support to him after he had his leg operated on and he showed you gratitude by meeting you at the door and planting a dozen wet kisses on your face. 

Up until this point, he has been your greatest source of comfort and the best friend that you always wished for.  With that in mind, it just wouldn’t feel right to plan your wedding without him.  In fact, following traditions has never been your thing so why not plan your ceremony the way that you want it and include your beloved pal as a best man, or ring bearer?

A number of pet lovers around the world opt to include their furry friends in their nuptials.  Pet-friendly hotels and banquet halls around the country work hard to accommodate every member of your wedding party (even those with four legs!).  With that in mind, here are a few ways to prepare your dog for what is yet to come:

1.  Decide what role you want your pal to play.  Base this decision on your pet’s breed, age, and temperament.  Some dogs are better suited for minor roles while others can play a bigger part in the ceremony.

2.  Give your pooch the pampering he or she deserves.  A day or two before the ceremony, make a visit to your groomer.  Have the dog shampooed (Opie & Dixie's Herbal Shampoo is a great choice, if I may say so myself!) and his or her coat spruced up.  Brush the dog thoroughly pre-ceremony to remove dander.

3.  Choose what duds your doggie will don.  Will a tiny tux or tiara do the trick or something as simple as a bow be more appropriate?  Doggie Clothesline offers affordable options to fit any budget.

4.  Designate a peacekeeper that can quietly intervene if your pup is being uncooperative.  Plan a discreet exit strategy for that person.  Give them instructions on how to deal with your misbehaving canine.

5.  Do not feed your pet or give him or her access to water before the ceremony.  A little accident can do a lot to ruin your big day.  No one likes poo on the bottom of their dress shoes... or any other shoes, for that matter!

6.  Allow ample time for photographs.  Your pet may grow restless and bored prior to meeting up with the photographer.  Be patient and allow plenty of time for your wedding party to get filmed.  Adjust your doggie’s clothing and find a guest who is willing to sit with your pet if he or she becomes unruly.

Marital bliss is one goal you will want to achieve as a couple.  Make the transition as smooth as possible for your dog by including him or her in your activities prior to your big day.  No matter how large or small the breed, your pet can play a big role in your wedding ceremony or reception as long as you plan for it ahead of time.

Move over Lassie, there’s a more heroic dog in town!  A five year old paralyzed dachshund recently made headlines because of the role that he plays as a pet therapy dog.  Once a week, Super Lance, a nickname given to him by adoring fans, visits Miami Children’s Hospital and serves as inspiration to the youngsters who spend their days recovering from serious illnesses and lifesaving surgeries.  The pint sized pooch had his spinal cord damaged by two herniated discs which made it possible to get around without assistance.  Caio Stinchi, Lance’s owner ordered a custom-made wheelchair for the dog and he rediscovered the pleasure of gaining his mobility back.  That gave Stinchi an idea.  She and her husband registered Lance as a therapy dog and make weekly visits on Tuesdays.  The children and nurses look forward to his visits where each patient receives a sticker with a picture of Super Lance and a booklet containing the dog’s courageous story.  A mural in the hospital’s main lobby is testimony to the success of the program.  Lance is included in the scene.

Therapy Dogs Inc., based in Wyoming, helped the couple train, test, and register Lance.  As part of the therapeutic process, the dog is not allowed to bark because it can startle and scare the children.  He also is not allowed to lick the patients or their families because of strict hospital guidelines.

Children love to take Lance for a walk.  His unique condition makes it easier for young people to sympathize with him.  The patients and staff at the hospital are all smiles the minute the dog walks through the door.

To find out how you can register your pet as a therapy animal, visit Therapy Dogs Inc.  There you will find the forms that you need to fill out to have your dog tested for the program. 

Wendy Nan Rees and Kristen Hampshire, authors of the Dog Lover’s Daily Companion: 365 Days of Tips, Tricks, and Techniques for Living a Rich Life with Your Dog offer this recipe for a basic doggie deodorant:

MATERIALS

2 bowls

1 cup (110 g) arrowroot flour, sifted

1 cup (110 g) cornstarch, sifted

¼ cup (18.4 g) baking soda

10 drops of tea tree oil

10 drops of sage, bergamot, grapefruit, lemongrass, or eucalyptus essential oil (from a natural foods store)

Empty shaker bottle

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Add the oils and stir gently.
3. Sift the mixture into another bowl.  Resift, if necessary, to distribute the oils well.
4. Put the mixture into a jar with a shaker top.
5. To use, shake over dog’s fur and brush.

Pampering your pooch has never been easier.  Websites like Frugal Living and Rover’s Recipes offer homemade recipes for Flea Repellent and Spray.  Here at Opie & Dixie, we offer herbal shampoos and soothing balms for your pet’s paws.  Peruse our store and choose the right type of product to spoil your canine or feline with.

When whipping up a batch of treats, don’t forget to sew up a catnip toy or two for your kitty.  Also check out some natural litter box deodorizers recipes.   You’ll be thanking yourself later for thinking ahead.  Cats can be very finicky.  You don’t want Tabby to turn her back on you completely because you forgot to freshen up her litter box!   A clean kitty is a happy kitty.

Caring for your pet takes time and energy.  After treating your dog or cat to a day of luxury, spend a moment pampering you.  Draw a hot bath, light a few candles, and soak up some much needed rest and relaxation.  Play soft music in the background and reflect upon the moments that make you the happiest.  More often than not, these memories will include your four legged, feathered, and finned friends.

Pet lovers are special people.  To open up your heart and home to an animal in need is remarkable.  Nurturing, caring for, and building a relationship with a pet takes time but is certainly worth the effort.  A little TLC goes a long way.

Grab that empty shaker bottle and get busy deodorizing your doggie and freshening up after kitty.  Your pet will appreciate the gesture and show their gratitude to you by nuzzling your hand or giving you some well-deserved kisses.

Women around the world inherit items from loved ones that they do not want or need.  Many of these items include fur coats and stoles.  Rather than toss these articles out, opt instead to make a tax-deductible donation to PETA. 

In addition to using them in their educational programs and displays, PETA also gives them to impoverished people in bitterly cold climates like Afghanistan.  The coats are then cut into blanket sized pieces and given to refugees who put the fur to good use.

Clean out your closet and send the contents along with your name, address, and an appraisal if you have one to:

PETA Development Department

501 Front Street

Norfolk, Virginia 23510

To learn more about the program and the people of Afghanistan visit PETA’s campaign, Fur is Dead.

In addition to helping people, fur coats are actually used in shelters and zoos to keep their animals warm.  The Humane Society of the United States runs a Coats for Cubs Program.  Wildlife rehabilitators use the coats and stoles with their animal patients.  Raccoons, rabbits, foxes, squirrels, and bobcats respond better to treatment when snuggled up to a fur blanket.  It reminds them of the comfort they received when being nurtured by their mothers.

There is no need to waste a thing in today’s society.  Do a web search and find the type of organization that accepts the types of items that you want to give away.  In addition to receiving a tax deduction, you also get to help people and animals in need.  In my opinion, there is no better gift to give than a gift from the heart. 

You don’t have to be financially privileged to make a charitable donation.  In fact, Nicole Bochard Boles’ book, How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist: 330 Ways to Make a Difference In Your Home, Community, and World—At No Cost provides numerous pages on ways that you can help the animals in your community with your time and unwanted belongings.  In fact, page 67 of the book mentions the Cage Comforter Program which accepts donations of handmade comforters that are in return used to replace the newspaper that lines cages in animal shelters.  A small way to help traumatized animals adjust better to their conditions, the program’s website has instructions on how to start your own group in the city that you live in.

Clean out your closet and take pride in knowing that something that is no longer useful to you is extremely valuable to someone else.  In the spirit of the new year, make 2010 one that you are proud of.  Make giving a part of every facet of your life and see how different your life becomes.  “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Sit.  Heel. Stay.  These are commands that most well-trained dogs learn.  If Fido passed obedience classes with flying colors and responds well to direction, then you might consider letting him go off-leash.  If he is prone to chasing cars and can’t be tempted by treats, he might not be the ideal candidate when it comes to roaming free.

Here’s how you can be absolutely sure that your pooch is ready to lose the leash.  Ask yourself:

• Does my dog know how to heel when asked?
• Does he or she stay put until given the signal to get up?
• Do treats work as an incentive in getting him or her to comply with orders?

Training doesn’t always come easy.  It requires patience on your behalf.  You must be willing to shower your pooch with praise when he or she follows your command.  Having a tasty snack or two on hand as a source of encouragement is ideal.  A pat on the head or scratch of the ear will not always be enough to get your dog to repeat his or her past good behavior.

Positive reinforcement is necessary, especially when training younger dogs.  Their playful nature may cause them to be rambunctious and rebellious at times.  If this behavior isn’t nipped in the bud, you may have no choice but to keep your pup on a leash.

Leash free dog parks are popping up around the nation, and California just may lead the pack, with Carmel being possibly one of the most dog friendly cities in the entire country. Opal, Dixie and I love living in San Francisco, where we have many leash-free areas. Their favorite is their "beach by the bay," Crissy Field, where on any given day you can find an array of happy pups romping around. No matter where you live, DogPark.com offers a complete listing of leash free parks in the United States and Canada. There is no price to join the site, and if you register your dog’s birthdate, they'll receive a special greeting on their big day. A dog can never get too many birthday greetings!

Allowing your pet to go leash free is a big decision.  It is not only a matter of preference, but of safety. Running free should never, EVER lead to running away. Any questions or concerns that you might have can be best addressed by conducting a simple web search or consulting a good obedience trainer.

Every dog is The Best Dog Ever, and Flyer was no exception. A dear friend of mine sent me a link to her friend, Lon Lawrence’s tribute to his little girl, Flyer. As expected, the story and photographs of Flyer moved me to tears, but they also warmed my heart, as Flyer the Basenji is now over the Rainbow Bridge keeping good company with Beau, Bijou, Poindexter, Nini, Lula, Sammy, Shana, Tigger, Cyrus, Lincoln, Charlie, Jackson, Fred and all of my long and not-so-long gone family and friends. I keep going back to the site to visit Flyer. The home movies crack me up, and the photographs remind me of the unique, special and irreplaceable part of our lives that our animals are.

What a wonderful life this sweetheart of a dog had. No regrets for little Miss Flyer.  I'd like to invite you to visit her. You’ll be glad you had a chance to meet her.

One medical emergency can really put you in the “doghouse,” so to speak.  Aging pets require extra care, and that can lead you to shell out extra bucks if you’re not prepared.  Rather than sit around and wait for the proverbial shoe to drop, smart pet owners are taking matters into their own hands by electing to insure their dogs or cats.

Premiums are based on your pet’s age, breed, and location.  Pre-existing, congenital, and hereditary conditions may deem your pet ineligible for coverage with certain providers.  A few of the more reputable insurance companies that deal with our four legged friends include:

• Pets Best Insurance.  Policies as low as $19 per month.  80% reimbursement after deductible.  Choose the vet you want anywhere in the world.  No annual limits or age restrictions.  A simpler way to file claims.

•  Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI).  Choose according to the type of pet that you have—canine, feline, avian, or amphibian.  Free quotes via their website.  Affordable rates and plans that allow you to visit the veterinarian of your choice.  Reimbursement occurs after a claim is filed.

• PurinaCare.  A name you can trust.  Hereditary conditions not excluded.  80% of eligible expenses are reimbursed after meeting deductible.  Preventive care policy covers annual exams, heartworm and flea prevention, and vaccinations.

• PetPlan USA.  Lifelong coverage.  Reimbursement of veterinary and boarding fees.   Covers the price of advertising and offering a reward for a lost or stolen pet.  Covers the price of the pet in the case that he or she dies during the time that the policy is active.  Reimbursement of vacation costs if your pet becomes ill and you had to cancel you plans to be with the sick animal.

• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance.  Choose from four levels of protection.  Get a free quote and enroll online within minutes.  Get professional advice concerning animal welfare.  Go with any licensed vet in the nation.  Pays up to 80% of allowable covered charges after deductible is paid.

Paying out of pocket for medication or surgeries will put a strain on your bank account and may force you to sacrifice the level of care that you pet receives for the sake of saving a buck or two.  By researching insurance companies and their variety of plans and services, you can avoid the inevitable and give your dog or cat the type of care he or she deserves.

The right type of insurance can be a lifesaver in troubling times.  Rest assured that as long as you carry coverage on your pet, he or she will stand a fighting chance despite tough economic times.  Despite the added expense, pet insurance offers much more than a break in expenses.  It also offers you peace of mind.