Blog

Mon 07.12.10

I attended Muttville’s 2nd Annual Moolah for Mutts fundraiser last night, and I was astounded by the turnout. Both the number of dog-lovers in attendance and the fabulous array of silent auction items so generously donated by spas, restaurants, hotels, wineries, artists, and vendors throughout the Bay Area tell me that the movement to rescue and find homes for senior dogs has finally taken San Francisco by storm. The heart and soul of Muttville is Sherri Franklin,... Read more

Fri 07.09.10

Summertime gives me plenty of reason to celebrate. Perhaps it's because I grew up overseas in the tropics that it’s never quite hot enough for me here in San Francisco. Frankly, it’s not even warm enough, let alone hot enough! Even though summer in San Francisco is much, much cooler than it is in other parts of the country, at least we do get that occasional, glorious burst of heat from time to time. Warmer weather brings us out of our homes and into our backyards... Read more

Sun 06.27.10

Lately, Little Miss Opal has been quite the rebel.  If we believe in the “dog age in human years” chart, she would probably be around 60 right now. This can typically be the age at which we humans may become a little rebellious ourselves, saying whatever we want to say when we want to say it, feeling it unnecessary to censor our words and actions because of how comfortable we’ve become in our own skin. My thinking, however, is that Opal is more teenager than 60-year-... Read more

Sat 06.26.10

Are you ready for your next outdoor excursion with your dog(s)?  Dogs are the perfect companions for jaunts through the wilderness, and often the perfect motivators to ensure that you keep up as you hit the trails! The trick is to tailor the trail to your dog’s capabilities rather than simply your own. Dixie, for instance has a bit more “go for it” than Opal, so we need to keep an eye on how comfortable and capable they are when we go on our adventures. We’re always... Read more

Sat 06.19.10

The reason I developed Opie & Dixie products (starting with Flax Fur Pets) in the first place was because of Opal’s flea allergy years ago. Ever since that one experience, none of our animals have ever had fleas. What a blessing, as I know from that experience that fleas make both us and our pets miserable.  The blood sucking insects feed on human and animal flesh and can cause hives and itching in the infected areas.  An alternative to medicated products for... Read more

Sun 06.13.10

An alarming number of dogs and cats go missing each year. Some wander away on their own accord while others are stolen from homes and yards. Of the 3 to 4 million shelter dogs and cats euthanized annually, a big percentage of "strays" wind up being lost pets that were never reunited with their owners.

You can prevent your precious companions from being destroyed by employing a few tactics that will help speed up the reunion of you and your lost dog or lost... Read more

Mon 05.24.10

New babies bring change into your household.  In an instant, your attention shifts from caring for your dog to caring for your newborn son or daughter.  The arrival of a new family member can cause a feeling of uneasiness in pets, but it doesn’t have to.  By preparing for your baby’s arrival prior to your due date, you can ensure that your beloved companion takes to the infant right away.

Here are a few of the ways to get your pets ready for change:

* ... Read more

Sun 05.16.10

Service animals come in a variety of sizes, breeds, and colors.  They provide physical and emotional assistance to people who are blind, or suffering from medical conditions or mental disorders.  Panda, a miniature horse, leads Ann Edie through the streets of her city, pausing to let cars pass by.  Through a verbal cue, the animal alerts her owner that they have reached an intersection.  Edie then is able to feel her way to the walk signal button, press it, and cross... Read more

Mon 05.10.10

We make choices every day that affect the world around us.  When we opt to boycott products, we are telling big corporations that we do not approve of their practices.  Sacrificing our values for the latest tube of lipstick or overpriced moisturizer is a thing of the past. 


Say hello to the wonderful world of cruelty-free, all natural and organic products!  Today, there are myriad all-natural, botanical options that have not been tested on animals and do not... Read more

Fri 04.30.10

God, how I hate to report on these types of stories... I don't even know where I get the courage to write about them given how gut-wrenched and in pain I am as I write. It may seem as though I'm preaching to the choir when I share these nightmares with my fellow protectors of and lovers of animals, but awareness breeds change, which is what we're fighting for. The Humane Society of the United States, The World Wildlife Fund... oh, so many of these organizations ... Read more

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