Dog Costumes for Halloween

Most of us consider our pet dogs as part of our family and most of us would love to dress them up for Halloween too? If you are thinking of how to make your dog special in this special day then here are some great dog costumes ideas that you can try.

But remember that most animals will not be comfortable in a full Halloween costume and most pets will surely refuse to wear one. There are some dogs that will only enjoy wearing only a bandanna. If your do only wants to wear a bandana then maybe you can try orange and black bandanna or applique a pumpkin or skeleton on a bandanna to give it a feel of Halloween. Surely there’s a way for your dog to make his dog's Halloween costume a little more comfortable.

Here are 15 costume ideas for dog costumes.

Hot Dog Costume: Hot dog costume is one of the most popular dog costumes for the Halloween. You can use lightweight tan foam, body harness and felt for mustard or ketchup to make this dog Halloween costume. Cut out from the foam the 2 sides of the hot dog bun. Remember that the buns should be the length of your dog's back. Then Round off the edges of the foam buns with scissors. After that, you can attach the buns to each side of your dog's body by gluing it to the harness and add the felt mustard or ketchup you have cut out down your dog's back. You dog's harness will make this Halloween costume stay in place and not slip.

Bumble Bee Dog Costume: Measure your dog's back from neck to tail. Use a yellow fabric to make a cape and tie it at the neck of your dog. Instead of a cape you can use a small yellow short sleeve shirt that your dog's front legs will fit through.

Using black felt, cut out stripes and sew them on the yellow cape or shirt. Measure your dog's head and make a yellow felt cap that his ears will fit through. For the bee's antennae, use two black pipe cleaners and two small Styrofoam balls painted yellow or use yellow pom poms. Using glue, attach the balls to the top of the pipe cleaners and then attach the pipe cleaners to the yellow felt cap.

Boom Box Dog Costume: You will need a cardboard box that is no longer or wider than your dog's torso. Spray paint the box with metallic silver paint. Then draw the two round speakers, radio dial and knobs, using a sharpie and your imagination. Once you are done making the boom box, cut out the part of the box where your dog's legs go and attach the boom box to a dog harness. This also works for a cassette tape, toaster, school bus or anything with a box shape.

Tootsie Roll Dog Costume: Select a white pillow case that is about a foot longer than your dog. Using a tootsie roll as an example, sew brown and red fabric onto the center of the white pillow case. Out of white fabric cut out the words "Tootsie Roll Pup" and sew the words on the brown fabric. Cut out four holes for your dog's legs to go through leaving about 4 to 6 inches of pillow case on each end. Once you have placed the costume on your dog add white, light weight stuffing and tie off each end with string but keep it comfy... so not too tight.

Pretty Princess Dog Costume: This costume consists of only a cone shaped headdress made out of silk. Choose silk or some sort of shiny fabric in the color of your choice. Take construction paper and make a cone that will fit the top of your dog's head, then glue or staple it together. Now glue the fabric to the paper cone and leave a semi-long train that will float across your dog's back. Add a string or elastic band to go under your dog's chin and, voila! you have a little princess!

Quick and Easy Dog Costumes:

Cowboy Dog Costume: Tie a colorful bandanna around your dog's neck and place a small cowboy hat on the top of his head. Make sure the cowboy hat is small and light weight with a narrow elastic headband. You can stop here or also depending on your dog's size, add a child's play gun holster around his lower body and in front of the hind legs.

My Baby Dog Costume: Place a baby bonnet on your dog's head and dress him or her in baby clothes then place your dog baby in a baby carriage. Little girls love this one.

Super Hero Pet Costume: Capes are super easy to make for your pet or you could just purchase one and tie it around your dog's neck. Choose from Super Dog, Spider Dog or even the Green Hornet Dog. Get creative with this idea and add some of your own touches.

Football Player Dog Costume: Buy a large or small football jersey of your favorite team and put it on your dog with his or her front legs through the arm holes. Now you have a real team player!

Prisoner Dog Costume: Buy a white t-shirt that will fit your dog and with black spray paint add black stripes to the t-shirt. You might even be able to find a black and white striped shirt that would work. With a numerical stencil or just free hand using a sharpie, write your dog's inmate number on the back. Now place a white cap on his head with the words BAD DOG or PRISONER written on the brim.

Robin Hood Dog Costume: This is a cute outfit for your pooch. Using green felt, make a cape that is as long as your dog's back but doesn't touch the ground on the sides. Make sure the cape can be tied around the dog's neck. Measure your dog's head and with the same green felt make a sailor type hat that is folded up on the edges and glue or stitch a feather onto the hat.

Baseball Player Dog Costume: All you need to make this costume is to buy a baseball shirt in a boy's or men's size, depending on the size of your dog, and a baseball cap to match. You may want to attach elastic to the baseball cap so that it will stay on your dog's head. Place your dog's front legs through the arms of the shirt and button it up.

Doctor Dog Costume: With a lab coat or white shirt without tails and kid's doctor kit, your dog can be a doctor for Halloween. Sew 2 or 3 pockets to the side of the shirt so that they are on both sides of your dog. In the pockets place items such as a stethoscope, band aids etc. Place your dog's doctor name on a name tag and attach it to the label of the lab coat or shirt.

Lady Bug Dog Costume: Using red felt, cut the felt into a lady bug shape and then add a tie at the top to go around your dog's neck. Now using black felt, cut out round dots and sew them to the red bug shaped cape. Make a little cap to fit your dogs head and add little bug eyes and antennae. Stitch a strip of thin elastic to the cap so that it will stay on your dog's head.

Ballerina Dog Costume: Just buy a tutu for your girl dog. Make sure it fits properly or sew it so it does. Even adding elastic to it might do the trick.

Dressing up your dog for Halloween is fun for you but not always fun for your dog. Here are some simple guidelines so dressing up your pet in dog Halloween costumes is more enjoyable for both of you.

The most important thing to remember is to always choose a pet costume that will in no way obstruct your dog's senses, such as breathing, seeing and hearing. Make sure the dog costume doesn't fit too tightly around the neck. Dog costumes shouldn't drag the floor or have any type of small objects which can be torn off.

Don't leave your pet alone while he's wearing a costume and watch for signs of discomfort. You know your dog better than anyone, so be sure he or she is happy with the costume experience.

How to Take a Pet's Pawprint

Most pet owners want to cherish their pets and their memories as much as they can. Some are contented with taking pictures of their pets while there are other people who are not satisfied with that and are looking for other ways to save those special memories with their pets. Here's one cool way on how to take your pet's pawprint which you can use in different projects.

Pawprints taken from our cherished dogs and cats can be used in artistic ways these days, from artwork on holiday cards to 14K gold pawprint keepsake charms. Capturing a pet's pawprints provides a sweet and memorable way to pay tribute to your dog or cat. In this article, I hope to help you learn how to take a good paw print, that can be used and cherished now, as well and perhaps even moreso after your 4-legged companion has passed away.

The shape, size, and angle of each pets toes or "pads" gives them some of their distinct personality. Interestingly, dogs and cats have different numbers of toes. Dogs have 4 toes on each foot, with a larger pad at the bottom which is called the "heel" pad. Cats have 5 toes on their front paws and 4 on their back, with one larger heel pad on each paw. To begin with, examine your pet's paws to look for any unique characteristics that you want to be sure to capture when taking the pawprint.

To take the print, first, prepare your workspace, having white or ivory paper available along with a standard ink pad (darker ink colors are best, like black, blue, or purple. You may wish to tape the paper or index card down onto the table or floor, so that it doesn't slip when you're making the print.

Second, clean your pet's paw or paws with a damp cloth. You may wish to have a 2nd damp cloth or paper towels on hand for cleaning your pet's pads after the session is over.

Third, if there is hair growing up between its toe pads, and if your pet will allow it, trim that hair. It's important that the hair between the pads isn't actually covering the pads or you won't get a clean, clear print!

Fourth, using the ink pad, gently tap the ink pad on to the paw 2 or 3 times, so that the ink is lightly covering the paw's pads.

Fifth, press your pet's paw gently on to the paper. You may want to try practicing by making a few prints on a piece of paper or index card. Once you're happy with the practice prints, re-ink the paw and make fresh prints on clean paper.

Lastly, gently clean the paw pads using a damp towel or cloth.

The variety of ways that paw prints can be used is growing with each passing month. I especially like framed pawprints, silver or gold pawprint charms, pet garden memorial stones, and pet scrapbooks, all widely available on-line.

Having captured your pet's pawprints truly helps keep their memory alive. Happy printing!

source: ezinearticles.com

12 Golden Rules for Dogs and their Humans

There are many pet owners that tend to forget that pet ownership comes with the responsibility to take care of them. Your responsible to a living and breathing creature that's why before you decide to get one you should know first the basic needs of your pet. Your responsibilities doesnt end in giving your pet food and shelter because they also need other stuff like health, attention and care.

Dogs are attentive, loyal, life-affirming, and understanding companions. But owning a dog means taking responsibility for him and making sure your relationship is built on a solid foundation. That's where these rules come into play: They can help you create a tighter bond with your pet by establishing roles, rules, and routines.

12 Golden Rules

1. Love, admire and respect your dog. Your dog is a wonderful, beautiful and intelligent member of the canine species. Be patient with him. Don't hurt, abandon, or ignore him. Get help before you give up on him.

2. Spay/neuter. Consult your veterinarian about spaying or neutering your dog if you know you will not breed him. These procedures help to control the severe pet population problem, and also have health benefits for both male and female dogs.

3. Routine health care. Provide regular veterinary care for your dog. Annual vaccinations, checkups, and dental exams are essential to good health.

4. Dog license and ID. Rabies vaccination and licensing are required by law in most states. In addition, you should identify your dog with a name tag, tattoo, or computer chip in case he gets lost.

5. Healthy diet. Feed your dog a balanced diet and provide fresh water at all times.

6. Train your dog. After all, good manners don't just happen. So be patient and follow a proper training routine. If you need help training your dog, there are many articles on this site that can help. And if you still need assistance, ask your vet to recommend a good trainer or dog obedience school in your area.

7. Keep your dog clean and groomed. Regular grooming keeps your dog looking his best and helps to detect and control skin parasites that could be passed to people.

8. Play with your dog. Playtime should last at 20–30 minutes a day. Avoid chase games, tug of war, and wrestling.

9. Exercise your dog. Depending on the age and breed of your dog, a good exercise session should last at least 30 minutes daily. And it's not just good for your dog—it's a great way for both of you to keep in shape.

10. Socialize your dog. Provide your dog with a chance to socialize with people and other dogs. Try not to keep him cooped up in the house or yard because it could lead to barking and aggressive behavior.

11. Know and obey local leash laws. When in doubt, keep him leashed when you're both out and about.

12. Scoop that poop. Always clean up after your dog in public places.

Information courtesy of Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates. All Rights Reserved 2011.

Therapy dogs bring smiles to people in need

Hospitalized for severe depression, Gayle F. looked forward to spending time with her "therapists," who coaxed her back to health with non-judgmental support, frisky good humor and occasional wet kisses.

For Rocket, bringing smiles to people in need is her job as a therapy dog.

Owned by Patricia DeMeo of Wellesley, the bright-eyed mini-pinscher is one of 37 dogs providing "therapy on a leash" in MetroWest Medical Center's pet therapy program.

Discharged from the hospital a week ago, Gayle F., a 30-ish MetroWest resident who asked not to be identified, described those several-times-a-week, half-hour sessions with Rocket, Katie Bear and a giant Great Dane nicknamed Libby as "bright spots that provided light during a really tough time."

"I was very sick. I felt I was fighting for my life. Just sitting on the floor playing with Rocket and the others was the highlight of my week. I can't describe how valuable it was to getting back on my feet. Spending time with therapy dogs was instrumental in my ability to pull through," she said.

About three years ago, DeMeo enrolled Rocket as as a therapy dog at the hospital as a way to return the kindness and support her late parents received at a cancer hospice.
She said therapy dogs must learn at least a dozen task-specific commands, such as leaving treats or potentially dangerous objects they might encounter in a hospital, and moving carefully around patients using walkers or wheelchairs without being startled by sharp noises like dropping bedpans.

Throughout about 200 visits to the hospital and area nursing homes, DeMeo said Rocket has demonstrated an intuitive understanding of patients' varied needs.

"Dogs sense things humans don't. One patient might want Rocket to sit in her lap. Someone else might want kisses. Someone else might just want to touch her or talk about the dogs they used to own. Everyone wants something different. But Rocket just seems to know what they need," she said.

Sherri Hebert, administrative assistant in the behavioral medicine department who coordinates the pet therapy program, said the hospital has been using therapy dogs since 2002 to boost patients' spirits, encourage interaction and reduce stress.

Accompanied by an owner, therapy dogs visit the hospital's child development unit and behavioral medicine department, which includes geriatric and adult units. A dog owner who's enrolled her Pembroke Welsh corgi, Katie Bear, in the program, Hebert said individual dogs might make 30-minute visits to different units four to eight times a week, including weekends and evenings.

Director of Behavioral Medicine Mary Mullany said anecdotal evidence suggests spending time with therapy dogs can elevate patients' moods, lower blood pressure and relieve stress among patients and staff.

"We've seen patients with dementia calm down, and a man, almost immobilized by depression for several years, begin to communicate. With geriatric patients, I think spending time with therapy dogs can promote verbal skills. When therapy dogs come into a hospital setting, it's a time patients can laugh and enjoy themselves," she said.

That's no surprise to Susan Piraino, whose 135-pound Great Dane Liberty - nicknamed Libby - visits several hospital units, cheering up children as well as older patients who have diminishing communication skills.

The Ashland resident is convinced Libby "absolutely senses" the different needs of children, elderly and emotionally troubled patients.

And while Libby reaches her waist, Piraino said her personality is so placid she never snaps with roughhousing children or gets startled by unexpected noises.

Like several other owners, she said Libby becomes excited by the prospect of a hospital visit, signified when a special bandanna is wrapped around her neck. "She's ecstatic when she gets in the car to come here," said Piraino.

For several years, Pat Gipp has been bringing Penny, an alert Australian shepherd, to the hospital and hospice where patients nearing the ends of their lives seem comforted by stroking her coat.

The Holliston resident said Penny has entertained young patients by accepting high-fives and playing soccer with them.

Her voice turning serious, she recalled being asked to bring Penny to an area hospice where a dying patient had slipped into a coma. Without prompting, Penny laid next to him.

Three other dog owners nodded.

Stroking her Great Dane, Piraino said, "Love is the best medicine you can give."

Accountant follows her passion for animals

Like many people who love animals, Sue James' childhood dream was to become a veterinarian.

"I looked into going to vet school but my parents, they wanted me to pursue a more traditional career," said James, a Danville resident who grew up in a house in New York state where the family pets included dogs, rabbits -- even a monkey.

After a long stint in the corporate world at accounting giant Ernst & Young, working with some of Silicon Valley's leading high-tech companies, James found an outlet for her lifelong love of animals at Tri-Valley Animal Rescue, an all-volunteer group founded in 1992 whose mission is to prevent the unnecessary euthanasia of shelter animals.

The group finds foster homes for adoptable dogs and cats at the East County Animal Shelter in Dublin and other area shelters until permanent homes can be found at adoption events. Last year, the group found homes for 980 cats and dogs through its foster programs.

Besides her love for animals, James found she had a penchant for numbers. After teaching math and science in New York, she decided to make a career change and moved to California in 1969.

"Accounting is a natural adjunct to math, so I went back to school and got my degree in accounting, and then I went into public accounting," she said.
She started volunteering in 2005 as she was winding down a long and successful career as a partner at Ernst & Young.

Working at the firm, she learned the importance of teamwork to meet the needs of clients. That focus also carries over to her volunteer work. "It's about the cats and dogs," she said. "But also, for me, it's how can we work effectively as a team."

Tony Owens, animal control supervisor at the East County shelter, which is run by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, praised James. "She's here all the time, almost every day, doing anything from helping to facilitate adoptions to coordinating fostering. She's definitely an instrumental volunteer and a great coordinator between us and Tri-Valley Animal Rescue."

Aside from her volunteer work, she also serves on the boards of Yahoo (YHOO), Applied Materials and Coherent.

"For a corporate board, our goal obviously is to represent the shareholders and to get the returns for the shareholders. With a nonprofit board, it's to further the mission, which in our case is rescuing adoptable animals," she said. "Most of the people on the TVAR board are actively involved in managing TVAR operations. On a corporate board, that's not the case, you are not managing, you're there for oversight."

While some nonprofit boards are more advisory in nature, TVAR is a hands-on board, she said.

James' first assignment as a volunteer with the rescue group was to walk dogs at the East County shelter.

While a few volunteers such as herself were providing a needed service to get the restless shelter dogs out for walks, James decided she wanted to do more. So, she started the shelter dog program. The idea was to encourage more adoptions of shelter dogs by providing incentives such as free dog training lessons and pet supplies with each paid adoption fee.

"The dog walkers were dedicated people, but it was not an organized endeavor," she said.

After the program was launched, the rescue group began hosting occasional adoption fairs for the dogs at the shelter and brought in dog trainers to work with volunteers.

"We thought if we hook a trainer up with the new adopters, it would help the dogs and help the adopters. We found that adoption returns went way down," James said. "So the dogs learned, and the volunteers learned to be better handlers. I used to tell volunteers that while correcting them or trying to get them to behave sounds like tough love, euthanasia is a lot tougher."

Of course, not all of the animals can be saved, she said.

"One of the things about volunteering that is critical is that you need to be realistic. There are some you will save, and without that effort none would be saved," said James, who became president of the group's board of directors this year. "Without the volunteers, we can't save any animals. It's just that simple."

It's always hard to find enough people who will provide foster homes.

"It is a big commitment," said James, who has taken in several foster dogs. "That dog or cat is in your home 24 hours a day, and we ask the fosterer to show the dog or cat at adoption events. We supply everything a fosterer needs, including telephone help, but it is still opening your house to a new animal. But it's how we save lives."

Cindy Churchill is a fellow volunteer and rescue board member who runs the shelter dog program that James helped launch.

"Sue does not ask any volunteer to do anything she wouldn't do. She takes the time to let them know how much their work helps the animals," Churchill said.
While James is fond of cats, she is allergic to them. When she met the man she later married, he happened to have a cat. So James ended up getting allergy shots.

The couple now have a dog named Ozzie, an 18-month-old Spaniel-pit bull mix adopted from the East County Animal Shelter last year.

"He's very, very cute but he's a handful," she said.

By Eve Mitchell
Contra Costa Times