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Animal Welfare
Last year alone 100,000 horses were killed in slaughterhouses throughout the United States and other countries.  Evidence has shown numerous accounts of horses not being feed, watered, and allowed to sleep how much is needed for a horse.

Do you feel hurt by this? Me too.  Congress has now mount a ban on the slaughtering of our horses.  Congress people would like to know your opinions and comments on the matter by reaching them at 202-224-3121, and reference the proposed legislation American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503/S. 311).

Current Trends
For Pet Owners Usually, we don't like to think of emergencies - they happen to someone else, right? Not always. Even the 'best' pet owners can experience an emergency situation. The more prepared you are, the better your pet's chances will be for a healthy outcome.

Traveling
If you travel with your pet or have just moved to a new location, do you know where a veterinarian's office is, and do they provide emergency care? Check the phone book, the web, ask for referrals, and get acquainted with the facilities and services in the area. If your pet stays home with a pet sitter, be sure to leave your veterinarian's phone number with your other contact information. It is also a good idea to let your veterinarian know that you will be gone, who is taking care of your pet, and that you pre-authorize any treatments that may become necessary.

First Aid
Dog and cat first aid kits can be made or purchased. The kits can be also be prepared for horses an birds. Pet owners should also be able to properly use the first aid kit - check for animal first aid and CPR classes at your veterinarian's office or local community college. In an emergency situation, if at all possible, call your veterinarian to let them know you are on your way - staff and equipment can be prepared and ready for your arrival.

Why do they eat grass?
There’s a lot of debate about why dogs eat grass.  Some dogs seem to act like mini lawnmowers, eating grass at every opportunity. Others dogs eat grass only occasionally, subsequently throwing it up.

So do dogs eat grass to throw up? This is a debatable issue. This wisegeek author has observed her dog fling himself at the door to get out to grass and eat a few mouthfuls, usually when his stomach is upset. He also appears to do it when he has something stuck in his throat. The end goal of the dog seems to be to throw up.

There actually appears to be two types of grass eating behavior in dogs. Some dogs take a few nibbles, while others eat quickly, barely chewing the grass. Unchewed grass often translates to near instant vomiting. Dogs that are careful grazers, on the other hand, may not get sick from grass.

The latter case suggests that some dogs eat grass because they enjoy it. Most dogs don’t need it to supplement their diets, but because dog diets are primarily made up of herbivores, that grassy taste may be reminiscent of the cattle or lamb product they had for dinner. Some dogs also enjoy green vegetables like broccolli.

If your dogsdogsdogs eat grass on a regular basis, this could suggest dietary imbalance, though many vets might dismiss it. You may want to consider giving the dogs some green vegetables if they appear to want “something green.” Cooking the vegetables first may make them more digestible, resulting in less vomiting.

It’s also important to be careful when your dogsdogsdogs eat grass regularly. Grass from manicured lawns can contain fertilizers and pesticides, which can be toxic to dogs. Instead of allowing “grazing” behavior on lawns, consider providing some doggy grass at home that is not treated with chemicals. Also, if your dogs eat grass all the time, don’t walk them on lawns that have been recently treated with chemicals. Most of these chemicals will break down in a few days, but during the first day or two after treatment, grass-eating behavior could translate to more than tummy upset.

If your dogsdogsdogs eat grass as a new behavior, and are exhibiting frequent vomiting, it’s also important to check with a vet. A dog that suddenly begins to have a taste for grass may be trying to compensate for gastrointestinal problems. This could signify viral or bacterial infections and might require veterinary treatment. On the other hand, when dogs eat grass only occasionally, you can chalk this up to normal canine behavior. A mouthful of grass or two may mean cleaning up some nasty dog messes, but it is unlikely to signify poor dietary health or illness.