Furbabies Need Birthday Parties Too!!

First things first – 

Sorry I’ve been sooooo MIA! 

Since my last post, my life has done a complete 180!

I’ve met and fell in love with the world’s most amazing man! 

He also happens to be a HUGE dog lover, 

which is pretty much a deal sealer in my book! 

Yeeeee!! 

So, I’ve acquired 2 more amazing furbabies! 

A 13 year old Yellow Lab, Dr. Chubbs 

and 

a 15 year old Yellow Lab, Mojo! 

I promise to be back writing more frequently. 

Now on to the post topic…

On September 5th, 2005 my first born was delivered 

– via a 4 legged, West Highland White Terrier surrogate. 

He's been the biggest blessing in my life, and has been with me through it all – 

The good, the bad and the UGLY! 

To me, and I’m sure to you as well, dogs are not pets. 

They are companions, fur-sons, fur-daughters, furbabies and grandpuppies. 

They have a very special place in our hearts, 

and should be celebrated as well! 

As with all of my furbabies, a birthday party was in order! 

Since Yahtzee isn’t as much of a social butterfly as my other pup, Aspen; 

I decided to opt for something a little more intimate. 

Just the family: Mama, Papa and brothers. 

It was perfect. 

We started the day getting Yahtzee a little trim, 

then shopping for a new toys and treats, 

and then home to make birthday cake! 

The day wouldn’t have been as perfect if

we didn’t have doggy meatloaf birthday cake!

The recipe is pretty simple for you to make yourself.

This recipe is for 4 individual cakes for 4 dogs. 

Obviously, it would need to be tweaked a little for smaller or larger pawties!

The ingredients that you will need are: 

2lbs of lean ground beef

12 eggs

2 cups of oatmeal

1 cup of bread crumbs

Instant mashed potatoes (used for the “icing”)

Using electric mixer, or your hands, 

blend all items together until completely blended. 

Pour into an oblong cake pan or 4 individual little loaf pans sprayed with non-stick spray. 

Bake in oven at 350 for 25- 35 minutes. Allow to cool. Carefully invert on to plate and frost with

non-fat sour cream or imitation potato topping. Store leftovers in refrigerator.

My pups absolutely go nuts for this recipe.

You can even get creative and throw in some veggies – ie: carrots, broccoli.

Live a little!

Go Crazy!

Also, if making a larger cake, 

you can cut letters out of cheese slices and

add a little special message on your pup’s cake. 

All puppies deserve a birthday celebration!! If you don't know your pups actual birth date, use the day of adoption as the day!

Xo.

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Canine Influenza On The Rise In WeHo!

It started off as 

one dog owner 

from our local park 

complaining about his dog 

having a cough. 

He brought the dog into the vet, 

and it turned out the dog had

Pneumonia. 

The next day at the dog park,

another owner complained 

of their dog having a cough. 

She brought her dog into the vet the same day 

and turned out the dog had the dog flu 

(Canine influenza). 

Two other dogs at our park since then, 

have also come down with the illness. 

2 of the dogs are Aspen’s

best friends 

and luckily neither he nor Yahtzee 

have contracted it! 

YEEEEEEE!

I’m no psychic, 

but I bet you have 

many questions

running through 

your mind right now....

Here are some answers! 

How did canine influenza develop? 

Canine influenza appears to be related to an influenza strain that affects horses. At some point, the virus mutated and the new strain made the leap from horses to dogs. 

Is canine influenza a new disease?

No, canine influenza was diagnosed initially in 2004. According to a September 26, 2005, CDC media briefing, the first evidence of canine influenza in companion dogs was documented in spring 2005 when shelters, boarding facilities, humane societies and veterinarians submitted samples from dogs suspected of carrying the disease. 

Is my dog at risk?

Yes. All dogs are at risk and are susceptible to infection. There is a canine influenza vaccine. However, the vaccine doesn’t prevent the disease, it just decreases the disease’s severity. I know for certain, as of July 17th, 2012, the Banfield Hospital located inside the Petsmart on La Cienega and 3rd carries it.

Is canine influenza fatal?

Usually not. Most dogs diagnosed with canine influenza experience a mild form of the disease. They usually suffer from a persistent cough that may last for as long as three weeks and may experience a yellowish nasal discharge that can be treated effectively with antibiotics. Dogs that experience a stronger version of canine influenza frequently have a high fever and exhibit increased respiratory rates and other indications of pneumonia. Currently, antibiotics treat this form of the disease successfully in about 95 percent of the cases. 

How is canine influenza spread?

At present, canine influenza appears to be an airborne disease, much like kennel cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica). Physical contact between dogs does not seem to be required. 

Can I catch canine influenza from my dog?

To date, there are no documented cases of humans contracting canine influenza from dogs.

How do I protect my dog?

A good rule of thumb is to assume that the greater the exposure your dog has to other dogs, the greater the chance of infection. If your dog socializes frequently with other dogs or is boarded at a kennel, the odds of exposure are greater than if your dog remains at home. Contact your veterinarian to see if a canine influenza vaccination is necessary. 

Does this mean I shouldn’t take my dog to the groomer, doggie day care, the dog park, or a boarding facility?

That is a decision you need to make individually, balancing your needs and those of your animal with the potential risk. If your pet exhibits signs of a respiratory illness, be sure to contact your veterinarian. 

Also, use groomers, day care sites and boarders with which you are familiar and at which you feel comfortable. You are entitled to ask about steps operators take to isolate any dogs that appear to be ill. 

What are the symptoms of canine influenza?

The symptoms are very similar to kennel cough. The first indication is a cough that may last for as long as three weeks in spite of treatment with antibiotics. According to an advisory issued by the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Most dogs have a soft, moist cough, while others have a dry cough similar to that induced by Bordetella bronchiseptica/parainfluenza virus infection. Many dogs have purulent nasal discharge and a low-grade fever. The nasal discharge likely represents a secondary bacterial infection that quickly resolves with treatment with a broad-spectrum, bactericidal antibiotic. 

What should I do if I suspect my dog has canine influenza?

Contact your veterinarian immediately. Be sure to tell your veterinarian if your dog has been boarded, sent to the groomer or involved in any social activities (dog park, doggy day care, etc.) within the last month. 

Remember, coughing may be an indication of any of a variety of diseases. Your veterinarian is best qualified to make the diagnosis. 

What is the incubation period for canine influenza?

The incubation is approximately 2-5 days. 

What should I do if I have more than one dog and one of them contracts canine influenza?

Contact your veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian can treat the pet that is ill and give you advice on caring for the pet that is symptom-free.

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." - Roger Caras

Cheers to keeping our furbabies healthy! 

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Knock-Knock! Who’s There? Diarrhea. Diarrhea Who?!

It's gotta be

the WORST 

wake up call ever 

when your nose wakes up 

BEFORE 

your eyes 

to some God-Awful smell, 

and then once you come to your senses 

you hear your 100lb dog having 

explosive diarrhea on your living room floor! 

WTF?! 

So there I was, 

outside, 

in the middle of West Hollywood 

at 5:30 AM 

with my ex boyfriend’s t-shirt - sans a bra and panties, 

flip flops, bed head, and a freaking beauty mask on my face! 

Ah, the fabulous life of a dog owner. 

Thanks Aspen! 

Fortunately or unfortunately 

depending upon if 

you’re a glass half empty 

or a glass half full kind of person, 

the dog that I had before Aspen had 

a bad bout with diarrhea and vomiting. 

I remember thinking it was the end of the world!

I rushed him into the vet. 

Hundreds of dollars later and 

after a few negative test results, the vet told me 

to put him on a bland diet of

 just boiled chicken and rice, 

and to also give him an Imodium. 

REALLY? 

I just spent hundreds of dollars 

for you to tell me to go 

buy some chicken breast and Imodium!? 

Sweet! (Not Really). 

So for about a week straight, 

I fed him a diet 

that consisted only 

of boiled chicken and rice. 

I also gave him 1 Imodium a day

 for the first 2 days. 

After the 2nd day, 

his poo was back to normal. 

But I just kept up with the chicken and rice 

for piece of mind, I guess. 

So for Aspen, 

I did the same. 

I immediately gave him an Imodium, 

took away his kibble 

and fed him

a big bowl (About 4 cups) 

of chicken and rice – twice a day.  

We are now at day 2 since the “episode”,

and his poo is pretty much

 back to normal.

It’s a little soft, 

but I expect by tomorrow, it’ll be 

100% solid! 

Yay! 

So what you’ll need is: 

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast. 

I suppose you can buy any kind of chicken, 

as long as it’s boneless and skinless. 

And… White rice 

( I just used minute rice – Shame on me, I know!) 

And then….

Follow these steps:

1. Boil the chicken in a pot until it’s cooked.

2. Use the same water (which is now broth) that you boiled the chicken in and measure out the amount needed for your rice. 

3. Bring to a boil and add the rice.

4. Cut up your chicken into little pieces.

5. Once the rice is done, mix in the bits of chicken into the rice. 

6. Place in fridge for about 5 or so minutes to cool down. 

7. Serve!

Here is a photo 

of the finished product, 

and the Imodium.

If you have a small dog, 

I would only use ½ the pill. 

But please do some research online

to find the correct amount for your dogs' size!

GOOD LUCK!

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Life is a Beach!

We all need to

pinch ourselves

just for the simple fact 

that we are blessed, 

BLESSED 

with the opportunity

to live in such an 

insanely BEAUTIFUL place! 

My pups and I

LIVE for the beach. 

Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses! 

We have “Beach Day” once a week. 

If I said the word “beach” right now, 

my dogs would

LITERALLY go bananas! 

They love it, I love it

WIN-WIN! 

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe there are 7 off-leash dog beaches in SoCal. 

Our favorite is Huntington Beach Dog Beach. 

Huntington Beach Dog Beach is located at 100 Goldenwest St Huntington Beach, CA 

Ah, we LOVE this beach!! It seems many people love this beach as well! As stated in the Orange County Registrar, FIDO-Friendly magazine published the top 10 dog beaches and listed Huntington at #1 not only in CA, but in the nation!! 

Right on! 

Hungtington Dog Beach stretches about 3 miles. Beware though - if you go during peak hours, parking is a NIGHTMARE and a half! They have 2 parking lots. The very first one (closest to the dog beach entrance) is right after a street called Seapoint. The 2nd lot is located before Goldenwest. There are not many spaces in these lots, so be prepared to find parking on some of the residential streets surrounding the beach – if need be. This is usually only the case during peak weekend hours. During off-peak weekend hours and on weekdays, parking is fine. Mind you, if you park in the 2nd lot or the residential streets, you will run into a ramp (located just past the 1st parking lot) which is the entrance to the dog beach. There is also another ramp, which is the entrance to the regular beach, you can take that ramp, take a right and keep walking til you see all the dogs running around. Don’t try to be wonder-woman like me and take the rocks down to the beach! LOL! During our very first couple of visits, I didn’t know there was a ramp – EMBARRASSING!

Aspen And His Friend Kyro Playing In The Sand!

Aspen And His Friend  Kyro @ Huntington Beach.

Airborne Yahtzee Loving Huntington Beach!

Aspen And His Friend Zac Having A Blast!

Aspen And Kyro!

Aspen Taking It All In!

Aspen w/the Beautiful Sunset!

We usually head out

in the late morning/early afternoon

and make a day of it.

I pack:

my beach bag with 2 towels, 2 water bowls, a blanket, dog and human water and treats!

On our way home,

we always stop and eat at

our favorite dog friendly restaurant

in Orange County

called:

The Seafood Zone.

The Seafood Zone is located at: 6441 McFadden Avenue Huntington Beach, CA 92647 The cross street is Edwards. Phone number is: (714) 891-1981. From the dog beach, head to Goldenwest St and turn left. Drive down to McFadden and turn left. Cross over Edwards and The Seafood Zone will be on your right hand side. There is a Chuck-E-Cheese across the street. Carlos – the owner is such a beautiful person. He takes pride in his food, and it shows! This place has THE best, authentic, Mexican food that you can find this side of the border! I mean, it’s TO DIE!

Check out my yelp review of the The Seafood Zone here:

The Seafood Zone Yelp Review

Miliani @ The Seafood Zone!

Here is the list of 6 remaining off-leash SoCal dog beaches: 

Arroyo Burro Dog Beach - Santa Barbara: 

The address is: 2981 Cliff Drive Santa Barbara, CA

The dog beach begins east of the slough at Arroyo Burro (Hendry's) Beach, and stretches almost to the steps at Mesa Lane. The fallen eucalyptus trees are considered the eastern boundary. From the parking lot at Arroyo Burro, walk to the beach, turn left, and cross the slough -- this will bring you to the off-leash area. They ask that you be sure your dog is leashed in the parking lot and on the beach until you cross the slough. The nice thing about this beach is that there’s dog washing stations for afterwards! Score!

Rosie's Dog Beach – Long Beach: 

The address is: 4800 E Ocean Blvd Long Beach, CA 

Rosie’s Dog Beach is about 2.9 acres and is the ONLY off-leash dog beach in Los Angeles County. 

Del Mar Dog Beach – Del Mar: 

The address is: 3006 Sandy Lane Del Mar, CA 

At the border of the south end of Solana Beach and the north end of Del Mar, or North Beach. During certain times of the year (day after Labor Day), dogs are allowed to run free off-leash. Here are the rules regarding the times:
North Beach area (29th Street to Solana Beach border) 
Dogs must be leashed June 15th through Labor Day
Dogs able to run under voice control of owner from the day after Labor Day through June 14th
Main Beach area (northern end of Powerhouse Park to 29th Street) 
Dogs not allowed June 15th through Labor Day
Dogs allowed leashed from the day after Labor Day through June 14th
South Beach area (Powerhouse Park south to Torrey Pines border at 6th Street)
Dogs must be leashed year-round
There is a natural boundary at the south end of dog beach - the San Dieguito river mouth flows into the sea and usually it is anywhere from 25 to 50 feet across, depending on the season and rainfall, so it’s fairly easy for the City to contain the dogs.

Fiesta Island Dog Beach – San Diego 

The address is: Fiesta Island Road San Diego, CA 

Most of this large sandy island in Mission Bay is designated leash-free for dogs. Lots of sandy dunes to romp in. There is a designated off leash location on the backside of the island as Sea World will be on your left, fenced in front with signs. The beach is very private with endless shores to run.

Ocean Dog Beach – Ocean Beach 

The address is: End of Voltaire St Ocean Beach, CA 

Ocean Beach is located in the community of Ocean Beach. This is a wide beach, approximately one mile long, broken up by several rock jetties. I’m pretty sure it’s the ONLY dog beach where alcohol is permitted (from 12pm – 8pm)! I mean, I sneak the occasional drink into Huntington every so often, but it’s nice that you are actually allowed to do it at Ocean Beach! YES!

Coronado Dog Beach – Coronado 

The address is: 100 Ocean Blvd Coronado, CA 92118 

Coronado Dog Beach is marked by signs that run along Ocean Blvd. from Sunset Park on Ocean Drive to the border of the U.S. Naval Station. For scenery, it doesn't get much better than this. On one side there's the beautiful Hotel del Coronado; the Point Loma skyline fills the view to the north. Parking is available along Ocean Boulevard, but it is a rather long walk to the beach from there, so be sure to keep your dog leashed until you reach the beach. Coronado Animal Patrol maintains a zero-tolerance policy with fines up to $500 for unleashed dogs. Excessive barking and aggressive behavior are not permitted by dogs or humans! No food or pet treats allowed. There are no restrooms, but there is a foot shower south of the entrance on Ocean Blvd. The city provides free dog litter bags at the entrance to the run too.

So there you have it! A list of the 7 SoCal Off-Leash Dog Beaches!

If you haven’t checked one out yet….

you haven’t lived!

What are you waiting for?!

Goooo!

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No More Fleas? Yes, Please!!

If you live in SoCal,

and you socialize

your dogs,

I’m sure you’ve encountered

a flea

at some point.

Before moving to West Hollywood,

I lived in Minnesota, as well as Arizona and

NEVER

saw a flea!

In fact, I didn’t even know what they looked like.

Boy was I in for a

SURPRISE-A-ROO!

Little Aspen was just

8 weeks old when I saw

the FIRST flea.

I spent MONTHS

and hundreds upon HUNDREDS

of dollars trying to

rid Aspen and Yahtzee of

those little devils!

TEARS….LITERALLY.

We tried Frontline –

NO LUCK!

Advantage –

NADA!

K9 Advantix –

NOPE!

Program and Capstar –

I must admit, Capstar worked!

But it only lasts 24 hours per pill,

and at $18 a pop…

PRICEY!

We also tried

Organic, home remedies like:

Garlic, Neem Oil & Spray, Apple Cider Vinegar,

3 Mule Borax, Salt and More.

NOTHING WORKED!

We got at max maybe 2 weeks

of solace

on some of the medications.

So I headed

back to Google.   

I was at my whit’s end.

Didn’t know what to do

AND

even contemplated moving away from CA!

That’s how bad it was.

I came across a pill called

Comfortis!

Didn’t want to get my hopes up,

but was more than ready

to try

something new!

I spent the day trying to find

a vet that carried it.

of ALL places….

Vetco Burbank

(The very affordable vet located in or next door to Petco)

had it!

The pups and I quickly

went in for an office visit.

At this point,

Aspen was 5 months old =(

and poor Yahtzee

was allergic to flea bites =( =(

We were BEYOND ready.

I gave them the pills

and

ABRACADABRA – HOCUS POCUS PIE!

Within 30 minutes

Fleas were dropping

DEAD!

I call Comfortis our

magic pill!

I don’t know where we’d be today,

without it.

So here we are,

Aspen almost 2, and Yahtzee almost 7.

Flea-Free for over a year

and a half!

I swear by this pill

and thank God every month for

bringing it into our lives!

Here’s a link to

Comfortis

With Summer here and

in full swing,

make sure your furbaby

is protected.

PROPERLY!

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Finally Up and Running....!!!

Thanks for taking the time to actually visit WeHo Dog Blog and read my posts! Just as a quick introduction - My name is Miliani. I'm a resident of West Hollywood and own 2 absolutely amazing furbabies. Yahtzee is my 7 year old Westie, and Aspen is my 2 year old Malamute. They are the apple of my eye, the cream of my coffee! Haha. But in all seriousness, they are my world and I created this blog for them. I spend a lot of time with my babies. We're constantly on the prowl in search of anything and everything dog related. With that being said, I have a lot of valuable information simply based off of trial and error that I'd love to share 

with you! Please be sure to subscribe so that you and fido don't miss out on any of the awesomeness that I'll be posting!

XoXoXo

Miliani, Aspen & Yahtzee

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