Our dogs and cats are part of the family, so it is only natural to want to share the holidays with them. It is OK to treat your dog to a home-cooked turkey dinner. (see recipe below.) Just make sure it is free of bones which may splinter and get lodged in the intestines. Dogs can also choke on small bones.

Here are a few more tips to keep your pets safe and happy this Thanksgiving Day:

• If you are having guests, please ask them not to feed your dog table scraps, chocolate, grapes or raisins.

• Avoid feeding your pets turkey skin, mashed potatoes, heavy gravy and butter. These foods are very rich and fatty and may cause Bloat.

• Have a safe room where your pets can hide and relax away from children or obnoxious guests if needed!

• Take your dog for a walk if the excitement in the house is too loud. It will help you both digest your meal.

• Play relaxing music in the background to create a peaceful atmosphere for both pets and humans.

• Add 3-4 drops of Rescue Remedy in your pet’s water to keep them calm.

Here is an easy recipe from Maria, owner of Nikki, a feisty 8 year old schnauzer who is fortunate to eat a home-cooked meal everyday….not just on holidays!

Nikki’s Grateful Oats Recipe for Dogs

Boil two cups water, add one cup of quick cooking rolled oats, remove from heat, cover and passively cook for 45 min. Boil ground turkey or ground chicken about two cups drain and cool.

Steam either green beans, baby carrots or sweet potatoes with a couple cloves of fresh garlic so they are soft, let cool. Add a sprig of parsley for good breath and serve in your favorite holiday dog bowl.

From Adopt a Pet:

Dear Pet Lover,

The Presidential campaign may be over, but I’m asking you to
cast another quick vote… for pet adoption! As you may know,
President-Elect Barack Obama has promised his daughters a dog, and
he’s expressed his preference to adopt a shelter dog. Imagine the
kind of example that would set for millions of Americans who
might follow Obama’s lead and save lives of pets and their local
shelters! Unfortunately, Mr. Obama is hesitating because
he believes that the kind of “hypoallergenic” dog his daughter
Malia needs may not be found in an animal shelter. Here’s where
you can help!

Adopt-a-Pet.com is working with it’s 6,500 partner animal shelters to
announce the launch of PresidentialPoochPardon.com
http://savinglives.1-800-save-a-pet.com/site/R?i=1RyPou2IEdN7nDCEFwue2A.. ,

a fun campaign site where you can add your name to an open letter telling our next President, “Yes you can!” (adopt, that is). Animal shelters are full of poodles, schnauzers, and other purebreds and mixes that have low-dander hair. Please join the movement, sign the letter, and then forward a link to all your
friends! A copy of the letter and all the signatures will be delivered directly to the White House.

You can check out the YouTube video here:

http://savinglives.1-800-save-a-pet.com/site/R?i=zgAI1RBqiYFX4hlz7DcdNQ..

Thank you helping save lives,

Your Friends at Adopt-a-Pet.com (and PresidentialPoochPardon.com)

http://savinglives.1-800-save-a-pet.com/site/R?i=Whd-9_8saXMozZ7ZAr9wZA..

http://savinglives.1-800-save-a-pet.com/site/R?i=_Oo-iKcyqm1wfquBb4BPjQ..”

On behalf of the greyhounds of Massachusetts we send special thanks to all who voted YES ON 3! What a pawsitive victory. Thank you MA dog lovers.

To see the results of the election please visit www.boston.comFriends:

From the ProtectDogs.org e-letter today:
Greyhounds Win Landslide Victory!

We are proud to announce that Massachusetts voters have overwhelmingly passed Question 3, the Greyhound Protect Act, by a margin of 56% to 44%!!! This is the first time in history that dog tracks have been closed down by citizens vote.

Yesterday, the greyhounds won in 12 of 14 counties. From Boston to the Berkshires and Nantucket to North Adams, voters in nearly 290 towns said “yes” to ending 75 years of cruelty.

This is a fantastic win for dogs in Massachusetts and it marks the demise of an industry that exploits dogs for entertainment and profit.

Moving forward, GREY2K USA will work to place any and all available greyhounds from Wonderland and Raynham Parks. Stay tuned to learn how you can support this effort as the tracks begin winding down their operations.

As you know, dog racing still exists in 10 other states and we are committed to ending dog racing nationwide. We are grateful for your support of our work.

For the dogs,

Carey Theil & Christine Dorchak
GREY2K USA