Ah, the Chihuahua, such a misunderstood dog. Yappy, snappy, reminds us of a bad boss with a Napoleonic complex.

And to be completely honest, I have not always appreciated Chihuahuas.

But in the spirit of Cinco de Mayo and all things Mexican, let’s look at ten really good   reasons to love a Chihuahua:

1. They are built for speed. Check out Chandler’s annual Chihuahua races.
2. They are built for desert climates. They love being warm and burrowing under covers and sleeping flush up against you.
3. If you buy one big ol’ bag of dog food, it can last a year if you have a Chihuahua.
4. At two to six pounds, the Chihuahua is the smallest breed in the world. You have no upper body strength? No problem. You can still carry your Chihuahua around.
5. Learning how to spell Chihuahua correctly boosts your IQ.
6. Chihuahuas are one of the oldest registered breeds in America; they were recognized in 1904.
7. Chihuahuas, or dogs just like them, are believed to date back to 5^th century AD. They were bred as the forerunner of the doorbell.
8. They seem to be OK with wearing funny hats.
9. What we see as incredible unfriendliness bordering on psychosis is just a Chihuahua protecting their person.
10. Just like with any other dog, a Chihuahua’s behavior depends on how he was raised and the experiences he has encountered.

The sign at Phoenix’s North Mountain Visitor Center says it all: It’s bee season and with reports of dogs being stung to death in Scottsdale, it’s a good time to review how to prevent your dog from getting stung and what to do it Fido meets up with a bee.

Right now, bee-removal services say they are getting 30 to 60 calls a day for people with swarms and hive problems. Typically, bee season in Arizona runs from mid-March through late October, but it often depends on the weather.

The bad news for people with pets is that there is really no way to prevent your dog from coming in contact with a bee, short of house arrest. By their very endearing curious natures, dogs are going to investigate small flying insects zipping around in the air. In fact, dogs are at greater risk from bee stings than people. They are likely to get stung in the mouth or on the nose, face, or feet.

The good news is that dogs’ throats don’t swell up like humans. In most cases, dogs will have mild swelling and tenderness.

If you know that your dog has been stung, try to remove the stinger as quickly as possible to stop the venom from spreading. Use your credit card or fingernail to gently scrape it out.Use Be careful because you may rupture the venom sac, potentially causing more damage. And sometimes, the stinger can’t be found.

To be safe, contact your vet who will most likely advise you to give your pet Benadryl, an over-the-counter antihistamine, which dogs usually respond well to. Your vet can tell you the correct dosage based on your dog’s weight. You can also run a washcloth under some cool tap water and and press it onto the sting to help with swelling. Don’t use an ice pack as that can cause frost bite.

It’s time to see the vet immediately if your dog is vomiting, has difficulty breathing, trembling diarrhea, pale gums, weakness or unconsciousness. If any of these symptoms occur, take her to the vet ASAP. Your vet may have to administer antihistimines, steroids or other medications to help reverse the problem.

Another good practice: Have your vet’s number programmed into your speed dial and cell phone. You never know when the bees will show up!

What to take along on your next hike with the dog?

Pliers.

A good sturdy pair of pliers. Because if your dog is anything like the Beagle who gets her snout into cacti, you will need them.

Also, bring along some good friends. You will need them as well because it takes at least one person to hold the Beagle, one to do the pulling of the cacti and another kiss the dog’s boo-boo. True story.

Nonetheless, the weather is beautiful and the trails beckon for you and the dog. So here are some common-sense guidelines to follow on the trail with your dog. Of course, if you have a Beagle, then all bets are off.

• Keep your dog on a leash. Oh yes, it is just wonderful to have the dog roam free. Except of course when she gets attacked by a snake, coyote or anything else that thinks she is trespassing on their turf. Also your dog can get easily tangled up with other hikers and cause them to fall on the trail.
• Bring water. No, bring more water than what you are thinking. You just never know and plus you can help out some poor dog whose human didn’t bring enough water.
• Hike early in the day and select trails that offer some shade along the way.

Liz Illg, owner of Puff and Fluff Grooming and Pet Sitting in Phoenix, says a mini first-aid kit is also a must-have. “There are so many things that can happen on the trail and I like all pet people to be ready if anything were to happen, worse case,’’ she says.

Basic first-aid supplies:

• Absorbent gauze pads
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder or spray
• Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Gauze rolls
• Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting—do this only when directed by a veterinarian or a poison-control expert)
• Ice pack
• Non-latex disposable gloves
• Rectal thermometer (your pet’s temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
• Scissors (with blunt ends)
• Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
• Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
• Tweezers

And now that you are fully prepared, get out there! The weather won’t be cooler much longer!

Dear Girl Scouts of America:

Well, Girl Scout cookie time has rolled around and once again, us dogs are being left out.

Oh sure, we can snag a box from a countertop and snarf some down but we all know that is going to lead to a lot of midnight hurling and expensive vet bills. Thin Mints, they are delicious but that chocolate can play havoc on our stomachs. As can all the sugar in the Savannahs. And Samoas, (Samoas? We don’t mind if we do) but sugar and chocolate…woo boy! Express Train to Tummy Trouble.

So, why not do us all a favor and make some dog cookies in your next big batch? “Scouts for Scout’’? Or “Campers’ Canine Cookies’’? “Spot’s Sunshines’’? “Bowser Brownies’’? We’re dogs. Not marketing geniuses. Come up with your own names.

From what we understand, you have had less-than-successful cookie attempts in the past. The Kookaburras, a cross between a Rice Krispies treat and a candy bar. Or the Ole Oles, which were –reduced fat and a complete bust. We aren’t so sure people want nutritious cookies from you. Let us know how sales for those Rah-Rah Raisins go over –and raisins, BTW, bad for dogs!

We are all behind your mission to support the development of girls but we think you are missing out on a huge, huge opportunity. With our endless appetites for cookies and your cute-as-a button mercenary sales force, the sky is the limit.

Signed,

Your Loving Dogs

Via Flickr – by John Liu

Well, realistically speaking, we are halfway in the summer season in metro Phoenix. Let’s be honest, the thermometer doesn’t budge until October in Phoenix. Guest blogger Vee Cecil does a great job in reminding us to keep safe out there.

You may be thinking about how to squeeze in another vacation before you have to get back to the daily grind of the rest of the year. And if you have a pet, you may be among the 53 percent of pet owners, who according to TripAdvisor.com, bring their pets along with them when they travel.

While traveling with the family is certainly enjoyable for you and your pet, it’s important to remember that they are vulnerable to many other dangers once they leave the safety of your home. Here’s some advice on how to keep your four-legged family members safe when you travel:         

At the pool. Many dogs love to swim and it truly is great exercise for them. That said if your vacation destination allows dogs to swim, it’s important to use caution when they’re in an unfamiliar pool.

First, be sure your pet knows how to get out of the pool. On his first swim, train him to find the stairs. Second, be sure the pool’s chemicals and other cleaning supplies are kept where you pet can’t get to them. This list of pool chemicals shows what chemicals are needed to clean a pool and how they’re used. It also gives a good indication of just how toxic they are. If your dog comes into contact with these chemicals or ingests them it can be very dangerous. You’ll also want to make sure the chemical levels in the pool aren’t so high that they harm your pet. Be on the look out for red eyes, which can be an indication of over-chlorination, and rinse your pet off with fresh water when he’s done swimming.

At the beach. Dogs enjoy a day at the beach as much as humans, but if you’re bringing yours along with you be sure to take a few precautions. Dogster.com provides several great tips about beach safety for dogs. For example, it stresses the importance of always keeping an eye on your dog. It would only take a split second for you to lose track of them on a crowded beach. And be aware of the dangers associated with swimming in the ocean. If your dog isn’t a good swimmer, it’s best to not let them go in too far, to have them wear a doggie swim vest, and to be on the lookout for ocean creatures, such as jellyfish and stingrays.

On the trails. If you’ll be camping or hiking in the great outdoors with your dog in tow, it’s important to know how to keep them and other hikers safe on the trails. Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) offers some do’s and don’ts for hiking with your dog. AMC notes that the weather should always be a consideration. If it’s hot and humid, don’t over do it. Choose an easier trail, and preferably one that ends with a pond or lake where your dog can cool off. Another great tip: keep your leash handy. AMC explains that you’ll want to have your dog on a leash when you encounter other hikers or if you happen to run into a loose dog on the trail.

At the dog park. If you’re opting for a staycation, there are still plenty of opportunities to get out and about and play with your dog. For example, you might try one of these dog parks in Phoenix. Just be sure to follow dog park safety and etiquette as set out by the ASPCA. In this article on dog parks, in addition to other helpful information, the organization advises that upon arrival you always check to make sure fencing and gates are secure, make sure there’s plenty of shade and access to fresh water, and always, always watch your dog so that you can quickly step in if their play with another dog takes a bad turn.

There’s no reason every member of the family (even the furry ones!) can’t enjoy a great vacation. If you do plan to bring your dog with you on your end-of-summer travels, just be sure to take the necessary steps to keep them out of harm’s way.

 Vee Cecil is passionate about wellness. She often studies the topic and shares her findings on her recently-launched blog. She is also a Kentucky-based wellness coach, personal trainer, and bootcamp instructor.