PennyeJN
I have been the co-owner of The Big Bad Woof for the past 18 years, and am an avid animal lover, Aikidokai, and kayaker. I also love good food, long walks and fitness which has kept me years young!
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What Big White Teeth You Have!
It’s February and a great time to think about dental health! February is not just the month of love and friendship; it’s also Pet Dental Month. Those who closely follow pet blogs, vlogs, or social media platforms are likely familiar with this event, which highlights the critical role that dental health plays in the overall well-being of our furry friends. As pet owners, it’s our responsibility to extend the same care we take of our own teeth to our pets. Routine dental care is essential, yet it’s often an overlooked aspect of pet health. Poor dental hygiene can lead to various health issues in pets, including gum disease, tooth loss,…
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What You Need to Know About Animal Blood Banks
Every once in a while I am reminded of how critical animal blood banks are and why we should also spread the word on what they are and how they work. Have a healthy animal that could donate blood? Ask your vet or contact a local blood bank in your area. Here is a great article from Animal Wellness Magazine with more details. “Dogs and cats in emergencies, after surgeries, or with certain diseases might have to rely on blood products from an animal blood bank. If you’ve never heard of these life-saving organizations or are considering volunteering your fur baby as a donor, here’s what you need to know!…
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Respiratory Virus Update from Palisades Veterinary Clinic
Dr. Shillito is one of our favorite veterinarians, and we appreciate his updates on this mystery disease that is spreading across the country. In response we are not leaving out communal dog bowls, so please ask us if your pup needs a drink and we will serve one up just for them! Stay healthy and well this holiday season!
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The Right and Wrong Ways to Bring Home a New Dog
You only get one chance to do it right – and if you make this mistake, you can set the stage for a rocky relationship between your current dog and your new one. Dogs are social animals and their social units have hierarchy, so to minimize disruption and unrest, be sure to follow these steps. Adding a dog to your family is an exciting time, but one that must be given careful consideration. As the old saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and you want to be sure that the introduction goes well. While you may be tempted to throw open your front door…
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Global Cat Day 2023
Recognizing the role felines play in our lives today and historically The Global Cat Day 2023 theme, Cats Are CommunityTM, is a rallying call of this global truth: Cats have lived alongside people for thousands of years, have a place in our communities, and are beings of inherent value who deserve to be protected. Cats are our family, our friends, and our neighbors who live indoors with us and outdoors among us. Our unique relationships with them span thousands of years and cross every border. Love for cats is a universal language in itself. But even with so much history together, cats still face cruel threats to their lives every…
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Sanctuary
Sanctuary is one of my favorite words. To me it signifies so many things, shelter from the storm, safety, respite, time to heal. For animals it can be a multitude of those things as well, but with any hardship, the road there can be daunting and fraught with trials. Recently, I visited a small animal sanctuary in Dickerson, MD near the much larger and more well-known Poplar Springs Animal Sanctuary. Barking Holler Animal Sanctuary is a working farm with approx 30+ acres and is home to a multitude of livestock, including horses (and mini-horses), cows, goats, sheep, pot-bellied pigs and poultry. Rudy, the head of the rescue also takes in…
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The Hidden Beauty of Radio Silence
We recently adopted a new younger dog who is very athletic, and the upside is that a dedicated portion the day needs to be spent walking him in the neighborhood. Even better are the days when scheduling allows exploring the local parks available in the area. As a person who has had dogs for years I thought I know many of the cool places to walk and hike nearby, but I have found that I am now searching for new places to visit with him, and not only allow him plenty of time to absorb new sounds and smell, but to also allow me to have a bit of Radio…
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Our New Local, Non-GMO Chicken Feed
My maternal Grandmother supplied chicken eggs and dairy to her small rural community of approx 1000 people for many years, and when visiting her as a child in West Texas I learned about candling and sorting eggs to get ready for sale. I know that is part of my love for and fascination with Urban chickens, and why we sell chicken feed and supplements at The Big Bad Woof. We have been supporting local chickens and their guardians for a number of years, and at the beginning this was easy, but when the Pandemic hit a lot changed, including our challenges with getting the feed to the store at a…
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Summer PetCare Safety Tips
The Summer is great time to enjoy the outdoors but can present challenges in terms of high heat, smoke from wildfires, and how to protect special categories like seniors, and animals with short snouts. In general, temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit can quickly get extra risky, so try to avoid going outdoors if it’s anything hotter than that. Walking in the Summer should be planned for early morning or evening when the sun is not so intense. If you live in an area with a park, that is ideal and the trees can provide welcome relief from direct sunlight. This is especially important if you are exercising as heat stroke can occur…
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Suncare for Pups
Several years ago I spoke to Rita Hogan about developing a suncare product for dogs that would be safe, effective and all natural. I am so pleased that she published this recipe in Dogs Naturally Magazine as a wonderful DIY solution for pups that have very short hair or are all white in color, like our failed foster pup, Pooka. Natural SPF For Dogs “Carrot Seed Oil: Carrot seed oil has an average SPF of 35. Note: I’m not referring to carrot seed essential oil – don’t use this. Make sure you buy a cold-pressed carrot seed oil made from carrot seeds. Red Raspberry Seed Oil: Yes, another reason to love raspberries. This oil has a…
