Hank, a Boston Terrier, is getting ready to go kayaking in the Elkhorn Slough Reserve at Moss Landing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hank is bundled up in his Fido Float.

It’s time to get your pet ready for summer. Give Alison a call for a grooming appointment (760) 436-6619. Also remember to keep an eye out for hot spots on your dog’s skin.

Chip Pics

Here was Chip as I found him: curled up, cold, appearing to be dead, in the middle of a trail in the Olympics.

Over the next hour, as I held him in my hand, he warmed up and started to move. Here he is nestled in my fleece hat. He’s just a few weeks old … eyes still closed, very immature.
The life of Chip

Dogs absolutely love this recipe. What’s not to enjoy, you’ve got liver and garlic? You can vary the recipe by adding an egg, fresh garlic, different types of flour, etc. Feel free to play with the recipe. Your dog will love anything with that much liver.

• 1 pound of raw liver
• 1 cup flour—- (whole wheat works well)
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1 tsp. garlic powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Liquefy liver in blender, do not use a hand-held blender stick. I made that mistake and burned out the motor. Add dry ingredients to the liver. Grease cookie sheet. Drop teaspoonfuls of mixture onto cookie sheet and flatten with bottom of glass dipped in water and cornmeal.  Alternatively, you can spread the liver mixture over an entire cookie pan and cut them into cubes after the sheet has cooled.

Bake for 15-20 minutes. This makes a huge batch.

The aroma is better for the dogs than company, so don’t cook them the day of a big party. You’ll want to keep the finished cookies in the refrigerator.

These are also great for training your dog. Dog shows are filled with people carrying liver treats in their coat pockets.

The Jean Dobb’s vaccination schedule has been published many times on the internet. Alcala Pet Care requires the industry standard vaccinations, and rabies is required by law. However, we will honor the alternative vaccination schedule, with written notification from your veterinarian. Rabies, however, is always required. Your dog must have a current bordatella vaccination before visiting a kennel, play park, or daycare facility.

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The big box stores have lots of stuff, but haven’t you seen the same toys and outfits on a dozen other dogs?

The Alcala Pet Care shoppers have been keeping an eye out for the more unique boutiques and shops. The following is a growing list of places to find fun, unusual, healthy, and luxurious items for your dog.

Shop till you drop

We can’t guarantee the quality of these shops, just the selections. Please let us know if you have good/bad responses.

• Opulent Items
• Doggy Styles
• Rocco and Jezebel
• Generate – Modern Living
• 2b Mod – Modern Styles
• Bow Wow Haus
• Archie McPhee – Bizarre items

What are your favorite shops? Leave a comment below.

Balboa Park Animal Rescue Day, originally uploaded by Jim Lockwood.

This was St. Patrick’s Day in Balboa Park, San Diego where many rescue clubs and groups were there to educate the public and let their presence be known. While people were not able to adopt pets that day, they could file applications for later.

This booth is for Bichon Furkids Rescue. Alcala Pet Care highly recommends this rescue organization.

Your puppy also needs to continue socializing with other dogs; so it can build on the doggie skills it learned while part of its birth pack. Enrolling in a well-run puppy kindergarten class with a qualified trainer is the best way to ensure your puppy acquires doggie socialization in a safe and supervised environment. Not only will your puppy have a chance to play with other puppies; but will start to learn some basic obedience commands as well.

Time spent training and socializing your puppy is the best investment you can make in its future.

Often we would just take them to any grass area with lots of people. Because they were white fluffy dogs, people would come over to admire and pet them.

Socializing your puppies today

More people, cars, dogs and laws have added a new dimension. With the coming of coffee houses and outside seating  it is easier to find places to go and bring your dog. Still there are guidelines and common sense involved.

• Be prepared to clean up after your puppy. Small plastic grocery bags and paper towels are a good way to start.
• Stay away from aggressive dogs and those that are too big for your puppy. This must be a good experience for both of you. Start out slow and work up to more complex situations.
• Wait until your puppy is at least 3 months old before visiting dog parks. Your puppy’s immune system needs to develop and an early introduction to a wide variety of dogs will encourages the spread of bordatella and other common ailments.

Areas to socialize your puppy in Encinitas

The first two places that come to mind are Critter’s Corner where the Bichon Bash was held. It is located off Requeza at 389 Requeza St. (From Alcala Pet Care, take El Camino Real to Encinitas Blvd. Left on Westpark. Head towards the freeway and immediately before you would go over the freeway go left at the signs.) Critter’s Corner is immediately behind the Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

The second place is a park I have heard about but not gone to on Encinitas Blvd. west of the freeway and towards Vulcan Street and Pac. Coast Highway. I have forgotten the name but believe it is on the right hand side as you head west. Maybe someone can help us out here with more places, a good project for an adventurous pair.

Ben Hunkins, a friend, an up-and-coming golfer, and real estate person has
just met his new puppy. Ben selected him after making sure the breeder had taken all the
necessary precautions and tests before breeding her bitch. He will pickup the puppy at 8 weeks of age when it
is safe for a knowledgeable dog person to take a puppy home.

Ben’s Mother is a breeder of Bichon Frise and he has been around dogs all his life.

This will be a great home for this puppy. The puppy has no name as of yet.
When the puppy is in need of care Ben will bring him to Alcala Pet Care.