The Truth About The Dog Flu February 15, 2012

 Fatigue, runny nose and eye discharge… all symptoms of the Winter flu. Something most humans are all to familiar with! But, these symptoms can also be seen in dogs suffering from the Dog Flu. The form of flu found in dogs comes from horses and is passed along from one infected dog to another. Fortunately a dogs immune system automatically builds antibodies which can fight against the flu. The one big problem with the dog flu is that in some cases, the dogs develop pneumonia, which is considerably more dangerous.

 

Kennel cough is another symptom of the dog flu, and visa versa, if a dog catches kennel cough from a boarding situation, they will have flu-like symptons. Kennel cough will cause your dog to have stuffed up nose, runny eyes etc. In this case a trip to the vet is in order, and antibiotics will help to clear it up.

 

No humans have been found to get that strain of the flu virus, and similarly, dogs do not get the strains of flu that humans are susceptible to. Therefore, no need to worry about having your loyal companion hang out with you on your next sick day.

 

Like humans, dogs can also catch a flu when constantly changing from a comfortable indoor temperature, to the cold Winter chill of the great outdoors, and back into the warmth again. Humans & dogs have the ability to adapt to extreme environments, but only with consistent exposure as a means to survive. One way to ease the shock of extreme tempurature change, and prevent your dog from experiencing flu-like symptoms is with protection . A dog’s natural coat doesn’t always suffice when it comes to sudden and significant changes in temperature and bone chilling winds. As much as I hate to admit it – considered dog clothing a silly trend & fashion statement – canine coats, vest and sweaters are the perfect solution for protection from the elements. As a big dog owner, I never realized the importance of protecting your dog in the elements. But, both small and large dog breeds will benefit from dog clothing.

Tatum got her first piece of canine clothing in 2011, for her 9^th birthday. A waterproof, reflective fleece vest. We found that it comes in handy for all of our Winter activites, including evening runs through the city, snow shoeing in the back country, and hiking the foothills in chilly seasonal temps.

 

All in all, the Dog Flu does exsist, and as responsible dog owners we should all be aware of the symptoms, and know how to prevent cold-like symptons before they start.

 

“Trail to Bliss”, Denver Life Magazine February 6, 2012

Happy Holidays Across the Miles December 31, 2011

I recently returned from my holiday travel ritual of planes, trains and automobiles… Flight from Denver to NYC, cab to train station, train to Connecticut, arrival at the family home, priceless!

 

Greeted by my parent’s big lug for a yellow lab, Denver, I settle in for a few days of peace and quiet. Christmas eve at mom & dad’s house complete with a visit from my brother, Brad and his family… quite the entertaining scene watching my 2-year old nephew remove the dog toys from the toy box, one by one to give to Denver. Then return each and every toy to Denver’s toy box when he was told it was time to clean up. The day was a hit with ball tossing, dog chasing, gift opening, and lots of good eats.

 

             

        

After a couple of days of quality family time in CT and visits with childhood friends, it was time to head back to the city for part II visit with my brother, sister-in-law and nephew. Brad & I trekked across town to Soho to visit pet boutiques and check out the NYC doggie scene. I was amazed at the number of dog shops, pet stores, groomers, etc. Definitely a dog friendly city!

 

I was curious to learn more about dog friendly cities across the U.S. in order to put together a strategic plan for treat sample disbursement. Much to my surprise, Denver (or any other city in CO) was not mentioned on the list of the top ten dog friendly cities. Here’s the list…

1. Portland, OR
2. Chicago
3. San Diego
4. Seattle
5. Philadelphia
6. Minneapolis
7. Austin
8. Alexandria/Washington D.C.
9. New York
10. Indianapolis

 

Hope you and your four legged friend are lucky enough to live in a dog-friendly location. If you do have a favorite pet store in your neighborhood and would like us to send them treat samples, please let us know. We rely on our customers to help us grow and thank you for spreading the TDT word!

 

Wishing you & your furry ones a very happy new year!

 

Trail Dog Treats Gives Thanks November 22, 2011

Thanks for the enouragement from other small businesses.

 

Thanks for the ongoing community support.

 

Thanks to our Business Consultant, Keith Miller for your priceless advice and assistance.

 

Thanks to the rescue organizations who allow us to contribute and participate in
fundraising & adoption events.

 

Thanks to our wonderful new baker, Tara Branham at Stir Crazy Creations… you’ve made our life so much easier! 

 

Thanks to our loyal farmer’s market customers.

 

Thanks to our photographer friend, Aaron Hochstein for the recent photo session.

 

Thanks to the retailers who have taken a chance on us, carrying our treats in your stores.

 

Thanks to the dogs who love our treats and keep coming back for more.

 

Thanks to our Graphic Designer, Libby Smith for her creative label ideas.

 

Thanks to our Web Designer, Matthew Gillespie for building our online store.

 

Thanks to the many animal non-profit organizations who save dogs on a daily basis, and thanks to the people who give them forever homes.

 

Thanks to all of you, my customers, friends and family who have believed in me helped me to make Trail Dog Treats what it is today.

 

And, most of all, thanks to Tatum…  my best friend, inspiration, fellow outdoor enthusiast, running companion, taste tester, sales girl, and loving side kick who I adore with all of my heart!

 

                                                            

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Thanks for your continued support,
Nancy & Tatum

Fall-back Fido November 7, 2011

Most likely, your dog didn’t get the memo. The memo reminding us to turn back time by one hour and reset our clocks. Dog are creatures of habit, and since they don’t read clocks they read you to determine the pattern of their day. They also live by their own internal time clocks. The “extra hour” means nothing to your dog, as he/she remains on track with regularly scheduled bathroom outings and feeding times.

 

As most of you know, dogs rely on their human companions for daily routines. They are dependent on our own personal behaviors to determine their schedule. For example, when I pull out the dresser drawer that houses my workout clothes, or make my way to the coat closet where the running shoes live, Tatum reacts with a fiercely wagging tail. She follows my lead when I grab my car keys to go for a ride, and wiggles around in circles when I open the food bin. Our actions guide our dogs.

 

We can help our dogs adjust to the time change by manipulating our actions, and ultimately shifting his/her patterns. Use the power of your personal behavior to make it a slow & smooth transition. Move feeding times, walks and bathroom outings in increments of 15 minutes for the first week of the time change. This will help Fido to adjust properly and avoid a major shock to the system. Try a mid-morning snack (Trail Dog Treats work great for this!) or an afternoon nap. When Tatum started prancing around the house, whining for dinner (now an hour early) I got out the tennis ball. I kept busy for a bit so she wouldn’t fall asleep in her bowl waiting for dinner, and compromised feeding time by ½ hour to help her to adjust.

 

 

Whatever you decide to do to help Fido with the Fall-back, have fun and enjoy the season!