This page is dedicated to little tidbits of information that I have found useful over the years.  I will provide links to sites that will provide more information as I go along.  Through the years I have discovered that I don't typically do things by the book but, by what I find to work. 

HEAT  

As we are in one of the hottest summers we have had in a LOOOOOOOONG time we need to be really careful with our dogs that are outside.  Make sure they have plenty of water, maybe even a way to get in water to cool off,  and shade.  Remember, the temperatures in Texas right now are record highs.  In the Austin area it is not unusual for it to get to 106 or higher.  Depending on where you are as to how hot it is in your area.  A few ice cubes in the water does not hurt either.

Foods

http://www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com/

http://www.diamondpet.com/products/diamond_naturals/

Beef hearts  When Mitzi and Lil Ann are either in heat, pregnant, or nursing babies I give them raw beef hearts on a fairly consistent basis.  Of course, Skip benefits from this also.

Fleas

Through the years I have discovered that I just do not like the normal methods of flea control.  First I have found that they do not work as well as they should or at all.  The exception to this is that if our Lacy's have been out hunting and gotten a fresh crop of fleas or ticks we give them Capstar.  
http://www.capstar.novartis.us/
The other thing I have found to be really effective in control of fleas is to spray my yard on a regular basis (every 2 weeks or so) with orange oil, Listerine,  and baby soap.  Instead of using Frontline or Advantage I mix a natural spray. In doing this I may have to spray them every day or so but, it works.  I use 10-15 drops of essential oil in a quart of water. The oils I have found to be really effective are Tea Tree, Lavender, Rosemary, and Eucalyptus.  Sometimes I will use a combination of any of these.  I am sure there are others that will work but, these I actually have used and know to work. 

http://www.grandmashomeremedies.com/fleas.html

http://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/home-remedies-for-dogs-ga2.htm

General Health

http://www.carefreepet.com/

http://stayhealthyandwell.com/category/pets/

Fungal Issues

I have found adding garlic to their food helps.  If I can't correct it using this I will put a couple of drops of Marjoram essential oil on it.  I use Young Living Essential Oils and can order for you as a distributor.  For any questions please contact us.

Tidbits