Whew! We are having a horrid heat wave in New England. Here are a few tips to keep your dogs cool. Remember.. we are wearing fur so it is way hotter for us than you!
Stay Cool!
Quan Yin

Seven Tips to Cool off a Hot Dog

1. PLEASE! Never, ever leave your pets in a parked car in the summer, even if you crack the windows or park in the shade. A car temperature can rise to 150F or more in just a few minutes. This is the number one cause of canine heat stroke.

2. Always have plenty of fresh water handy for your pets. Carry a bottle of water and a bowl for your dog when walking him or her on a hot day. Add SmartWater to your dog’s bowl which has electrolytes and can help prevent dehydration.

3. Be on the look-out for signs of heatstroke. Symptoms include rapid breathing, a dazed look, very hot skin and twitching muscles. Wrap your pet in a cool, but NOT cold, wet towel. Get them to the vet as soon as possible as heatstroke can be fatal.

4. Be careful not to exercise dogs during the hottest part of the day. Also don’t worry if they are eating less on hot days as it is a normal canine reaction to heat.

5. Put a kiddie pool for dogs to cool off and play in on those hot summer days. They are inexpensive and can be found at most stores like Target.

6. Try to keep your pets indoors during the hottest part of the day, in a room with air conditioning or circulating fans if possible.

7. Short haired dogs or those who have just been shaved are prone to sunburn just like us. Especially early in the summer, try to limit your dog’s exposure to the sun.

I have found a most delightful hobby to pass the time whenever my pet human is remiss in taking me for a walk at a time that i am demanding one…. Books!

There is nothing more satisfying than devouring a good book. Now i understand why the pet humans go to the Salem Library so often. It is very rude they do not allow dogs in the library but that will be a post another time.

The first book i came across was a Frida Kahlo coffee table book from the library. One of those nice big pricey ones that Beta-chic went on and on about how she wished she owned it. … well thanks to me, now she does!

After chewing on the edges, consuming part of the cover we are now the proud owner of Finding Frida Kahlo by Barbara Levine. And the library now has a brand new copy. I see it as a win-win for all. Beta-chic was not happy that she had to shell out $50 to the library to replace it. Such a tasty colorful book. Not as nice as a juicy bone but i did enjoy it. Since then all the library books have been hidden from me. (That is also when the pet humans gave me the middle name, Kali after that cool Hindu goddess Kali the Destroyer.)

The other day when Beta-chic left the house, (once again promising me that when she returned we would go on a walk), i found a most delightful book, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. One of her favorites too. I can see why. Or shall i say i can taste why! It was delicious, sweet and aged. A nice worn soft paperback, easy on the teeth. Pages easy to consume. And i ate just enough to get my point across, up to when Mr Bingley arrives at Netherfield. I was hoping to get to the part when Mr Darcy begins acting all snooty and snarky, but Beta-chic returned home only to let out a very annoying shriek followed by a BAD GIRL!, and she took the book away.

Later that night i was forced to watch (again) the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice. I think the book was much better. DVDs just do not taste as good.

Until my next post,
Enjoy a good book,
Quan Yin Kali Wu

Wow! Thanks so much for noticing our blog. We try to think of it as a prayer flag for promoting acupuncture and TCM for both humans and animals. Below are the top 30 blogs. Enjoy!

30 Best Blogs to Learn More About Acupuncture

The practice of acupuncture has been around for thousands of years, and millions of people around the world believe it has helped them overcome everything from allergies to back pain. If you’re interested in learning more about the ancient practice of acupuncture, whether for an additional lesson in alternative medicine outside of medical training school or just for your own personal education, then check out these blogs. You’ll find general information on Chinese medicine, news about the benefits of acupuncture and a whole lot more that can lead to a happier, healthier, more well-informed you.” To read more of this article please visit : http://www.medicalcodingcertification.com/blog/2010/30-best-blogs-to-learn-more-about-acupuncture/

Meet Quan Yin, our latest staff member of Four Paws Acupuncture and PR dog in charge of Pawsitive Relations. She is also the administrator of this new blog, The Barking Oracle. So many titles for a 55 pound rescue dog.

Quan Yin has a very sweet disposition and an old soul. She is named after the Buddhist Goddess of Compassion Quan Yin, also spelled Kuan Yin or Guan Yin. Quan also means dog in Chinese. click here for more info on Quan Yin

Originally from TN, Quan Yin was abandoned during the floods and was fostered by very kind folks working with the SPCA of TN . Thanks to Sheila Duncan and her organization Trouble Says Be Tough we learned about this sweet girl and decided to adopt her. A month later she was transported up to New England via http://www.petsllc.net The sound of diesel engines still terrify her. She is still adjusting to the noises and smells of Salem with the aid of Bach Flower remedies, melatonin, and with lots and lots of love. Quan Yin is teaching us all to have patience.

This dear girl loves her new feline roomies, especially Nubi wan Kenobi, who is really a dog in a cat’s body (aka the puppy-cat). Our other two cats, Zevo Calamari and Luna miso Poosie tolerate Quan Yin but have yet to cuddle with her. More lessons in patience! Can a cat learn to have patience?

Soon Quan Yin will be writing the canine advice column Ask Quan Yin. If you have any dog related questions please email her at QuanYin at fourpawsacupuncture dot com. It is hard to type with paws so she will only be answering a few questions per month.

Thanks to Quan Yin i will be taking more time off to play and relax. We are working on our new summer schedule for house calls and hoping to have an office by fall of 2010 for all those patients who are out of our travel zone.

We are so grateful to have this new dear girl in our lives. There are so many dogs who need homes. Please consider adopting a rescue dog the next time you consider getting a dog.