Sale Stuff at the store

I guess we can put this under the law of unintended consequences, or maybe just late spring cleaning. Yesterday I mentioned on Facebook that we have some lovely new bamboo collars by Up Country. Fitting them in the store has displaced a few other collars which we now have on MARVELOUS SALE.

We have a cross section of patterns, sizes, and types for $5 and $6. Got some leashes as well also cool and at a great price. This is a dandy time to pick up a new or second collar.

Of course, one thing always leads to another in here, (you know how we are) and so lots of other stuff is ending up on the sale shelf as well.

Come by and check it out. Next to our cool new freezer.

Our training classes are filling up as well so please call the store to sign up for one of the classes starting this week or next week.

Our Recall Clinic (Come Back Little Sheba) and Leash Walking Clinic (Whoa! Big Fella) have some space left in them too.

Open House at The Pet Cabaret Saturday, June 2nd!

New Training Starting Soon

We've got lots of new training classes starting next week and the week after. We've got 
a "Wee Pup" Play class and "I Used to be a Good Dog" class starting on May 8th and 
"I Used to be a Good Dog" and "I'm a Big Dog Now" starting on May 10th. 

More training and play begins on Saturday, May 19th and we're also booking into June as well.

 
Some spaces are still available so please call the shop to sigh up for these marvelous classes.

Star of the Day returns to Side Show!

 STAR OF THE DAY - featuring Fenway and Big Papi

These lovely boys will be available to meet in person at Side Show at The Pet Cabaret 
on Saturday, April 28th, 2012 at 1:30 PM. This is a great opportunity to see if these wonderful dogs click with current pets and family members.

Fenway and Big Papi

 

Anyone interested in a pair of lovely hounds? We would LOVE to keep them together if possible (they sleep on top of each other, Fenway follows Big Papi around).

The pups are currently in foster care and were surrendered because their owner is having severe medical problems.

Fenway

Fenway is 7 months old, a Beagle Foxhound mix – 49 pounds – White with black/brown.All shots are current.Fenway loves to cuddle and likes to sleep with his head on your lap or shoulder.He is very calm for a puppy but loves to run and play with his rope toy or chew on bones when he is not napping.He is crate and house trained and knows commands like sit, down, and drop.He is very friendly with all people, and would do great around kids or other animals, and would thrive with someone who has a fenced in backyard since he loves to run.He does well on a leash but because he is a hound puppy he likes to check out everything on the ground.He doesn't love riding in the car, but is starting to get use to it/ tolerate it.

Big Papi is also 7 months old Beagle Foxhound mix – 44 pounds – Brown/black.All shots are current. Papi is very lovable and popular at the dog park - everyone seems to flock to him. He loves to run around and play with dogs of all sizes. He can chew on bones for hours and other times he just wants to take a nap next to you on the couch.Papi is very friendly and likes to be around people and other dogs.He is crate and house trained and knows commands like sit, down and drop. He would be a great family pet, especially with someone who has a fenced-in back yard, but does great on a leash for being a hound puppy.He also doesn't love riding in the car, but is starting to get use to it/tolerate it.

Big Papi

Interested parties can contact Biscuit Eater Rescue at cgsherm@yahoo.com 

or call 617 - 922 -7731.

Pet Poo Problems

This is  probably one of  the most common things we hear about in our store. We very much like the advice given by holistic vet, Dr. Karen Becker of Mercola Healthy Pets so wanted to share the whole article with you all.

Causes of Pet Diarrhea

The reasons your dog or cat gets diarrhea are numerous and varied.

• Most often the cause is dietary indiscretion, which is a fancy term for when your pet eats something she shouldn’t, causing GI upset.
• A sudden change in diet can also cause diarrhea.
• Parasites can cause intermittent GI upset and loose stools.
• Food allergies are another common cause. We typically think of food allergy symptoms as involving excessive itching and scratching. But actually, what most vets call inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are food allergies. Both IBD and IBS have intermittent loose stools or diarrhea as a side effect.
• Ingestion of foreign bodies. If your kitty swallows a rubber band, though it may not block his intestinal tract, it can still cause quite a bit of diarrhea. Similarly, if your dog eats sticks or tree bark, diarrhea or intermittent loose stools can be the result.
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and feline hyperthyroidism have diarrhea as a symptom.
• Stress. Stress-induced diarrhea occurs when peristalsis, which is the wave-like motion of the GI tract that moves food through the intestines, up-regulates due to secondary stress.
• Infection. Viral and bacterial infections in the GI tract can both cause diarrhea. These infections can range from mild to life threatening.

Symptoms of Diarrhea

It’s important to know that diarrhea symptoms can be quite diverse.
Frequency, urgency and loose, watery stools are the classic signs that your pet has diarrhea.
But, so is straining. Many of my Natural Pet clients bring their pets in for what they think is a problem with constipation. The symptoms they describe usually involve a bout of explosive, watery stool, after which their pet stays hunched over as if he still needs to go, but can’t.
What this looks like to some pet owners is constipation, but it’s really just another sign their dog or cat is having a bout of diarrhea. Diarrhea upsets the normal rhythmic contractions and sensations of the GI tract, causing your pet to feel the constant need to eliminate. Thus the longer episodes of hunching and straining.
If your indoor cat is having diarrhea, it’s easy to determine – just check the litter box. Outdoor cats and dogs can be a bit more difficult to diagnose, so if you see your dog or kitty hunched up outside, check around for loose, brown or watery stool. If you find it, your pet is more likely to have diarrhea than constipation.
Other symptoms that can go hand-in-hand with a case of diarrhea include:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Malaise
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration

How to Know When It’s Serious

Usually a young, healthy animal will have one episode of loose stool or diarrhea, and it’s done. It’s self-limiting and over quickly. However, your pet has the potential to become debilitated and ill from chronic bouts of diarrhea.
Puppies and kittens, adult pets that are small in size and geriatric animals are at special risk of becoming dehydrated from even a single episode of diarrhea.
If your dog or cat seems fine and healthy after a bout of diarrhea, it’s safe to simply monitor him. If you notice any lethargy developing, or a fever or change in behavior, you should call your veterinarian.
If your pet seems fine but has recurrent episodes of diarrhea that don’t seem to be resolving, it’s also time to call the vet for a non-emergency appointment.
If your pet is passing blood in his stools or if you notice any weakness or other signs of debilitation along with diarrhea, it’s important to get your dog or cat to the vet quickly, if not immediately.

What to Feed a Pet with Diarrhea

If your dog or cat is otherwise healthy and her behavior is normal, my recommendation is to withhold food – not water – for 12 hours.
After 12 hours, begin a bland diet that is fat-free. I recommend cooked, ground turkey, and canned 100 percent pumpkin. If canned pumpkin isn’t available, you can use cooked sweet potato.
Many vets still believe in a bland diet of ground beef and rice. I don’t agree.
Even the leanest ground beef is too high in fat, and while rice is indeed bland and contains fiber, it’s a complex carbohydrate that tends to ferment. This can make your pet gassy, and rice often passes right through the GI tract, exiting with the next bout of loose stool in exactly the same condition it entered.
Pumpkin or sweet potato, on the other hand, is usually digestible even for pets suffering with diarrhea, so there’s some absorption of nutrients from the fiber source.
Mix the turkey and pumpkin 50/50 and feed it to your pet until the diarrhea resolves. If it doesn’t clear up in about three days on a bland diet, it’s time to check in with your veterinarian.
I also recommend you keep some slippery elm on hand. Slippery elm is a neutral fiber source that works really well to ease episodes of diarrhea. It’s like nature’s Pepto-Bismol – it reduces GI inflammation and acts as a non-irritating source of fiber to bulk the stool and slow its transit through the GI tract.
Give your cat or dog about a half a teaspoon for each ten pounds of body weight with every bland meal.
In addition to slippery elm, many pet owners have good luck with herbs such as peppermint or chamomile. These are especially helpful for the cramps and other unpleasant GI symptoms that come with diarrhea.
Homeopathic podophyllum is also a good remedy to keep on hand to help reduce some of the side effects associated with intermittent diarrhea.

If You Need to Visit the Vet …

If your pet’s diarrhea isn’t resolving or keeps returning, or there are other troubling symptoms along with the loose stools, I recommend you bring a fecal sample with you to your appointment.
It’s not a fun chore to collect a quarter-size bit of poop on, for example, a stiff piece of cardboard and slip it into a plastic baggie, but think how much less fun it will be for your poor pet if the vet has to manually extract a sample.
Your dog’s or cat’s backside is probably a bit tender and sore, so do him a favor and bring along a sample that’s already left his body. He’ll thank you for it.
Your vet will probably do some blood work to determine if there’s any infection present. He or she might give your pet fluids to help with dehydration and check his temperature.
A fecal check will also be done to see if there’s a bacterial or viral agent in the mix.

Preventing Diarrhea in Your Pet

If your pet is a puppy, chances are he’s getting into grass, mulch, sticks, rocks, dirt and who knows what else every time you take him outside. Close supervision of very young dogs is important.
If you have a kitten or even an adult cat that is obsessed with your houseplants, again, supervision is essential.
Young animals are very inquisitive about their environment, and they investigate with their mouths.
Your puppy or kitten is the best incentive ever for keeping a clean house! Pick up those paper clips from the floor, those bits of paper towel, and anything else at eye level with a curious pup or kitty. This includes food dropped on the floor, especially if you have a pet with a sensitive stomach.
It’s also important to keep pets of any age out of the garbage. And don’t let Fluffy lick leftovers from the dinner plates on the counter or the pots and pans on the stove.

A Word on Changes to Your Pet’s Diet

If your dog or cat has a strong, resilient GI tract, which is my hope, he should be able to eat different foods and not have diarrhea.
Just as your body is designed to eat different foods every day and not have diarrhea, so is your pet’s.
I feed my dogs a different food every day in 14 day cycles. Their stools are firm and well-formed because I’ve conditioned them to have strong and resilient GI tracts.
If you feed your dog or cat the same food day after day, month after month, year in and year out, then suddenly switch to a new diet, a case of diarrhea is just about guaranteed.
It’s not the fault of the different food -- it’s because your pet’s gut has been conditioned to be ‘monotone.’
If you want to feed your pet a different food, you have to make the transition very slowly – for example, ten percent new food and ninety percent old food for several weeks. Then move to 80-20, 70-30, 60-40 and so on. The process should be slow enough that no bowel changes occur.

Super Bowl Fun for Dogs

Looking for a way to include your dog in this weekend's SuperBowl festivities? What better way than to throw a "Pizza and Beer" Party for him and a few canine pals. With "pizza" slices from our pals at Preppy Puppy and a big bag of Cohiba's Beer Bones for dogs, he will be every dog's best friend this Sunday. 

PARTY at ZIGGY"S HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!

"15 Will Get You 20"

One of the new things we're offering at Side Show is called "15 Will Get You 20". 


That means, for $15 you will get a 20 minute private consultation with one of our trainers. 


This "alone time" can help you determine what your particular pooch's issues are and how they can best be remedied. 


Maybe a class is best for your guy? Perhaps a little private training to start and some treadmill time to burn off that excess energy during the week? 


Come explore the options starting Saturday, Jan.28, from 10 am -12 pm. 
Please call the store for an appointment.

New Training Classes at Side Show

New Training Classes at Side Show

Thanks kids for being so patient about our new training schedule at Side Show. We will be rolling out a new group of classes starting the week of Tuesday, January 31st, with more classes to follow. As always, we are terrifically interested in what you have to say so please feel free to tell us what you are looking for in the way of training and training seminars. We'll do our best to make you all happy. Here's what to expect from our initial group of classes: Tuesdays, 6:15 - 7:15 PM "Puppy Learn A Lot" Introductory puppy class for pups up to 6 months of age. Emphasizes socialization, new experiences, and new puppy skills. Tuesdays, 7:30 - 8:30 PM, "I'm a Big Dog Now"  A secondary puppy class teaching further socialization and correct behavior to puppies.Also for older dogs. Basic obedience will be emphasized in this course. We'll introduce focus and control. A definite building block class. Pups 6 months and older, older dogs, as we said as well. (Will include one class of "human only" orientation for a total class length of 7 weeks.) Wednesdays, 6:15 - 7:15 PM, "Puppy Learn A Lot - Small Puppy" Introductory puppy class for smaller pups up to 6 months of age. Emphasizing socialization, new experiences, and new puppy skills in a size appropriate atmosphere. Wednesdays, 7:30 - 8:30 PM, "Puppy Learn A Lot - Large Puppy" Introductory puppy class for larger pups up to 6 months in a size appropriate atmosphere. Note that this class is offered twice on Thursday evening. Thursdays, 6:15 - 7:15 PM, "I Used to be a Good Dog" For the adolescent or older dog who just isn't what s/he used to be. Maybe she's stopped listening to you or perhaps he gets back to you at some point when you call him. Focus, control, discipline, and fun will be emphasized in this class. (Will include one class of "human only" orientation for a total class length of 7 weeks.) Thursdays, 7:30 - 8:30 PM, "I Used to be a Good Dog" For the adolescent or older dog who just isn't what s/he used to be. Maybe she's stopped listening to you or perhaps he gets back to you at some point when you call him. Focus, control, discipline, and fun will be emphasized in this class. (Will include one class of "human only" orientation for a total class length of 7 weeks.) All classes will be 6 weeks in length and all will cost $200. Call The Pet Cabaret at 617-323-7387 to sign up for or ask about any of these classes. We'll be expanding our training and exercise options a great deal as we move into 2012. Keep an eye on us to as we begin to expand our offerings.

Wyatt will be in da house!

Please come on by to visit us if you can today and meet Wyatt, our Star of the Day. Wyatt is a one year old German Short Haired Pointer looking for his forever home. 

Maybe it's YOU....

Today at Side Show at The Pet Cabaret, 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM.

Star of the Day Adoption Event

In our continuing effort to find homes for local animals, we will be having another "Star of the Day" Adoption Event at Side Show at The Pet Cabaret. The event, featuring Wyatt the German Short Haired Pointer will take place this Saturday, January 7th 2012 from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM. 

A bit about Wyatt, our "Star" - Wyatt is a one year old pure breed German Short Haired Pointer. He has a wonderful temperament and is good with other dogs of all sizes, grown people, and children. He was recently altered and is up to date on all his shots.

Wyatt is a VERY high energy dog, as are all German Short Haired Pointers. The family or individual that adopts Wyatt should be well aware of the fact that he will need a great deal of exercise and stimulation over the course of his life. He will make someone a terrific active companion.

Wyatt will also need some basic training but he is extremely smart and willing to learn. He just needs the right situation to blossom and thrive.

The Pet Cabaret is co-sponsoring this event with Biscuit Eater Rescue. An adoption application can obtained from Biscuit Eater by emailing Cindy at cgsherm@yahoo.com. Please indicate that you are interested in Wyatt.

Changes at Side Show

We want to wish all the best to trainer Dot Baisly of Dot's Doggie Dojo. She has just landed a new position in New York City working, of course, with dogs. This is a great move for Dot and we are sure she'll do beautifully in her new position. Good luck Dot!!!!

In the meantime, we are working on putting together a comprehensive group of training classes at Side Show that we are sure you'll enjoy and want to participate in. We're preparing those classes for early in 2012 as well as some other events at Side Show.

Keep your eyes on this blog and our our Facebook and Web sites for updated information.

Odds and Ends

Training continues on at Side Show and we'll be starting a new Mastering Adolescence class on Sunday, Oct. 30. This is a 4 week class running from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. The class is designed to help you and your adolescent dog communicate and FOCUS. We have a couple of spaces left for the class.

Speaking of a couple of spaces left, we have just a couple of spaces left for our ever popular Holiday Pet Photo Shoot with photographer Carol Lundeen. 

The shooting days are Sat. Nov.5th and Sat.Nov. 19th. 

This is a wonderful chance to get a professional portrait of your pet for the very reasonable price of $30. Always a fun and enjoyable event.

While we're on the subject of both the holidays and training, we'd like to let you know about a short class that trainer Dot Baisly will be offering a Side Show. 

It is called Holiday Prep School and is designed to help you and your perhaps not always perfectly behaved pet how to get ready for the parties, dinners, and in-laws. 

Starts 11/20 -12/4 for 3 wks. Sundays, 2:30-3:30pm. 

Call The Pet Cabaret at 617-323-7387 to sign up for any or all of these fabulous happenings.

Occupy Main Street

"Star of the Day" Adoptions at The Pet Cabaret

In our ongoing efforts to try and help some animals find forever homes, we are starting an adoption event at Side Show at The Pet Cabaret. It's called "Star of the Day" and at least initially, we'll be focusing some of our efforts on animals that have had a bit of a tough time finding a permanent placement. Often through no fault of their own, these pets find themselves homeless. Their own may have died or lost their home. Some owners decide that they "just don't have time" for their pets anymore. 

Such is the case with our first "Star of the Day", Cooper. After a rough start in Tennessee where he was found abandoned, starved, and full of fleas Cooper was adopted by a family in Boston. There he quickly bonded with the children and adults of the home. Up for anything, he loved to hang out with other dogs and go on hikes. He also loved to snuggle and sleep for hours on his bed. Sadly, this family that used to love him no longer feels that they have time for him.


Cooper is between 4-5 years old and weighs about 55 pounds. He is healthy, house trained, and knows basic obedience. He is friendly with adults, children of all ages, other dogs, and cats. He displays no food or toy aggression and is generally quiet unless a squirrel runs across his path. Overall his foster home considers Cooper a "low maintenance guy" and feels he would do well as a single dog in a home or with other dogs/cats. This is one really great dog that deserves another chance.

Our first "Star of the Day" event will be held this coming Saturday, October 29th, from 

1:00 pm to 2:45 pm. It will be held at Side Show at The Pet Cabaret,4404 Washington St., Roslindale, MA. Come and meet Cooper for yourself!

Training at Side Show

Trainer Dot Baisly is out of town this weekend for a little R and R so there will be

NO training classes at Side Show on Sunday, September 18. Dot will be back and the schedule will resume as normal the following week, Sunday, September 25. Keep practicing!

Also remember, a new Mastering Adolescence class begins on 

Sunday, October 2 so sign up now to get a hold on your pup’s, not always proper, 

teenage behavior.

Training Classes

In case you were wondering, all training classes will be happening as scheduled this 
Labor Day weekend at our training facility Side Show. 


All classes will be taught by trainer Dot Baisly at their regularly scheduled times 
on Sunday, September 4. 


See you then!

Have a safe and pleasant holiday.

Micro Chipping Clinic in October

We are going to be having a micro chipping clinic for cats and dogs on Saturday, October 1, 2011, from 10 am to 12 pm in Side Show at The Pet Cabaret.  Harbor Veterinary House Calls will be doing the chipping and $50 will be the cost. Pre-registration for this chipping clinic will be necessary so call the store to sign up.

Also in October, on Sat.22, from 12-2 pm, Dr Bruce Indek of Indek Chiropractic holds an animal chiropractic clinic.

Nail Trimming at The Pet Cabaret and Side Show!

Remember kids, tomorrow is Nail Trimming Day at the store. 

Kitties are asked to arrive between 11 am and 12 pm, dogs from 12 pm to 1 pm. 

Small animals, such as guinea pigs and rabbits should show up for the 11 am to 12 pm block too.
 
$15.00 will take care of the pedicures. Yo can walk in or call 617-323-7387 for an appointment.

The Pet Cabaret Voted Best Pet Supply Store in Boston 2011

Thanks kids for voting us the Best Pet Supply Store in Boston for 2011.

The voting took place at Boston City Voter and we thank you kindly for bestowing this honor upon us for the second year in a row.

We will do our best to keep working hard for you and your pets.

Thanks again!

Letting you know what's going on

A couple of quick notes about tomorrow, Sat. July 16th. 

The lecture on Feeding Raw Food to Pets by Bette Schubert of Bravo Raw Diets has been postponed. We will get to you with a new date as soon as we have it.

Don't forget that there will be cat and dog nail trims tomorrow starting at 11am - 1pm. Trainer/Vet Tech Dot Baisly provides the pedicures for $15.
Drop by and get set for date night.