Keep Pets Calm Using Aromatherapy

As pawed by Sunny from Mission Pets, aromatherapy for your dogs can help with cold weather or storms, travel, unfamiliar house guests, parties, over excitement and too many treats – all these can wreak havoc on your dog, and on you. Aromatherapy can be a simple and effective tool to help you and your dog stay healthy during this hectic time and beyond.

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic inhalation and topical application of pure essential oils to restore or enhance health, beauty and well-being. Essential oils can be used singly or in formulations for specific purposes such as restlessness, upset tummies, respiratory illness and immune support.

Essential oils are volatile oils that are produced within the seed, flower, leaf, bark, root or resin of aromatic plants. They can be extracted by steam distillation, cold-pressing, and carbon dioxide or solvent extraction. Essential oils are highly concentrated – 200 pounds of lavender tops are distilled to make one pound of lavender essential oil – and so it is accepted practice to dilute essential oils before use to avoid problems such as skin irritation or overwhelming the sense of smell. This is especially important with remedies for dogs, because they have a more acute sense of smell than humans.

Diluting essential oils can be as simple as using a car or room diffuser, or placing one drop on a favorite bandana or blanket. Ready-to-use products are also available for purchase, but check all labels to be sure these products use pure essential oils, and not fragrance oils. Synthetic fragrances, such as peach, apple or strawberry, are not therapeutic, and can actually cause problems, such as headaches, agitation or allergic reactions.

Because dogs respond well to scent and touch, calming sprays and massage or grooming products containing pure essential oils, can be physically applied to create a bonding experience and potential behavior modification. This provides comfort for dogs that are fretful during storms, fireworks, travel, competition, adoption, veterinary or kennel visits, bath time and holidays. It is helpful to introduce aromatherapy during a nonthreatening time to help associate the scent with comfort.

Essential oils such as lavender and orange can have a calming effect, while tangerine can help relieve malaise. Bergamot has been used for anxiety, and ginger for stomach upset. Plants historically used for respiratory and immune system health include frankincense, bay leaf, ravensara, lemon and thyme.

Because dogs love to smell things, aromatherapy is ideal for use with them. As with any home remedy, it is important to know the use and safety guidelines, and to recognize when it is time for professional help from your veterinarian. |

For more information, visit: Earth Heart Inc website

Vicki Rae Thorne, certified aromatherapist and master herbalist, founded Earth Heart™ in 1996 to help others learn how to use herbs and aromatherapy as an integral part of everyday health. Earth Heart™ Inc. has a long-standing reputation for providing quality products using pure essential oils and other plant-based ingredients. Products are designed with the same loving care you give your family …including your dog.

About; Mission: P.E.T.S. (Passion, Education, Togetherness, Salvation) is a FREE online magazine for dedicated animal lovers. Created by Camille L. Adams, to fulfill a childhood dream, Mission: P.E.T.S. is dedicated and solely interested in enriching and saving the lives of animals, together, with YOU. Through passion and education, Mission: P.E.T.S. is sure that we can make a difference. Our mission is to provide knowledge, awareness and fun for our viewers and our readers. We are completely dedicated to the world of animals, bettering the lives of both animals and the people who love them. In our quarterly e-zine, you can get how-to tips from the experts on proper care, safety & training techniques. Learn how to deepen the bond with your companion animals, read about volunteer organizations & rescue efforts, (and find out how you can help). Open your eyes to unique & alternative wellness techniques and so much more! Best of all, this wealth of knowledge is absolutely, 100% FREE! We invite you to share your ideas, stories and photos with us! And check out our online shop. A % of all profits go to animal rescue and other worthy non-profits. For your FREE subscription, please go to our website here.

Betty Smook from nose to tail she is the TOP Dog Paw Blogger with Bark Buckle UP (with a little help from Christina "Pet Safety Lady"). Betty the Editor for Bark Buckle UP®Paw Blogger group work with the founder Christina Selter “Pet Safety Lady” and first responders nationwide teaching pet safety. Betty has appeared on TV morning shows throughout California with Pet Safety Lady showing how easy it is to just Buckle UP every time. Pet Safety Lady has buckled UP more then 10,000 pets. Education is the first step to show that pet safety is connected to human safety, which helps to save lives. Christina has been featured in more then 1200 TV, radio, segments including print and online takes it over tens of thousands, Bark Buckle UP received more then 100 MILLION in circulations and impressions the first year, she has directed and produced several pet safety PSA’s and created Be Smart Ride Safe-take the pledge Buckle UP the whole family.

Pet Safety Lady Pet Blogger Challenge

1. When did you begin your blog?

Formally began in 2005, however prior to 2005 was posting in different name .com from 2003.

2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog?

To educate the public the reasons to Buckle UP the whole family pets included, for the drivers safety, passenger safety, pet and our first responders plus other drivers on the road.

3. Is your current purpose the same?

Yes 100% education!

If so, how do you feel you’ve met your goals?

Yes in 2008 we exceeded over 100 million in circulations and impressions. We exceed 97,000 pages views per month with our .com and we have m

ore then 100,000 people that have requested our FREE pet safety kit with ID card and decal. Education is the first step to safety.

4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the spirit moves you? Try to sometimes I get a bit tied up with other things. Weekly or daily is my preference. If the former, how often — and what techniques do you use to stick to it? Help with guest bloggers. As if you stall out you will get less traffic.

5. Are you generating income from your blog?

NO, however I personally as Pet Safety Lady do guest speak, educate groups/events and make special paid appearances, plus have filmed four PSA's and one TV commercial.

6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular (bragging is good!)?

Education safes lives if you understand that a 60 pound pet (LAB) at only 35mph can cause a projectile of over 2,700 pounds then I have done my job. This test result was completed with Volvo Cars of No America and proved that even a small child/pet can be injured if not secured in a moving vehicle.

7. What do you like least?

There is nothing I don't like about it. My job is to safe lives with education

and work with pets in doing so --- I am happy and very content with my J-O-B.

8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2011?

We are in a re-design and re-launch of all our .coms to be contained under one umbrella and some fantastic partners coming on board. Plus we are hiring Pet Bloggers as guest writers and what more can you ask for 2011 we are HIRING woohooo!

Betty Smook from nose to tail she is the TOP Dog Paw Blogger with Bark Buckle UP (with a little help from Christina "Pet Safety Lady"). Betty the Editor for Bark Buckle UP®

Paw Blogger group work with the founder Christina Selter “Pet Safety Lady” and first responders nationwide teaching pet safety. Betty has appeared on TV morning shows throughout California with Pet Safety Lady showing how easy it is to just Buckle UP every time. Pet Safety Lady has buckled UP more then 10,000 pets. Education is the first step to show that pet safety is connected to human safety, which helps to save lives. Christina has been featured in more then 1200 TV, radio, segments including print and online takes it over tens of thousands, Bark Buckle UP received more then 100 MILLION in circulations and impressions the first year, she has directed and produced several pet safety PSA’s and created Be Smart Ride Safe-take the pledge Buckle UP the whole family.

Daisy Mae Paws at the Acura MDX

2011 Acura MDX as Pawed by Daisy Mae Hamel from Bark Buckle UP with two of her Paw friends. I am usually not very good at sharing. I don’t like it when other dogs try to take my owner’s attention away from me where it belongs. I guess you could say that I suffer from Miss Piggy Syndrome when it comes to getting all of the attention. I want it all focused on me all of the time!

But what if you want a luxury SUV that can even haul 7 humans (I don’t know why you’d want to) in total comfort yet doesn’t constantly scream for attention? Well, you don’t have many options besides the elegant yet sensible 2011 Acura MDX.

As a canine car reviewer I found it to be comfortable, easy to jump up into the back seat and that my owner didn’t have to stoop over to attach my safety restraint harness. If I was Goldilocks’ I would have to say that in the premium SUV segment the 2011 Acura MDX is “just right.” So which SUV’s are just wrong?

Perhaps this is just a Southern California phenomenon but I find the larger and more obnoxious the SUV, the higher the likelihood that a small, yipping Chihuahua will be found hanging out the driver’s window. That is unsafe as even the most annoying dog should be securely buckled into a restraint or crate in the back.

Some SUV owners need to be reminded that the whole chrome dub phenomenon is so last decade and that chrome detailing should be used with restraint. Case in point—The Cadillac Escalade and its ridiculous vehicular bling. The Cadillac Escalade is so desperate for attention that even I want to bark, “tone it down buddy!”

I realize that I don’t want to become as desperate and vulgar as an Escalade so that is why I asked my ex-boyfriend Peyton Manning (he came from Boxer Rescue too) and my owner Jim Hamel to contribute to this review.

Do understand that this does show sharing growth on my part but realize that this is a one-time only event—I am talking to you Peyton! Grrrr! Let go of the keyboard!

(Note: The Following is an exchange of howls and growls translated into a two-dog canine review of the 2011 Acura MDX.)

Peyton: HA! I finally got this keyboard away from you! Now it’s time for me to have all the glory! Too bad I don’t know how to spell.

Daisy Mae: Or how to read or stop drooling or stop being a mama’s boy! And if you can’t spell the words use spell check you big dummy! Am I the only dog who knows how to use a mouse and keyboard?

Peyton: Well you just kept typing then you flat faced butt sniffer! But I deserve to be a part of this review because I got rides in the MDX too, you know! Not with you, though, because you get annoyed sharing the back seat with me! I don’t know why. This Acura had enough width for even the two of us to stay separated. Or I could have ridden in the cargo area/third row.

Daisy Mae: I don’t like riding with you because you drool like a teenage girl at a Justin Bieber concert. You get drool on the leather, on the windows and on me! Luckily when Jim came back from taking you for a ride in the MDX in your new harness everything proved easy to clean.

Peyton: I have a glandular problem and a deviated septum so I can’t help the drooling! Can I continue without your interrupting? This is why we broke up and, no, you can’t have half of my toys and bones. I don’t care what your lawyer says or that we live in a community property state.

Daisy Mae: Just try and stop me, Mr. Snort and Sniff.

Peyton: Well, here goes. I really liked sitting up high in the back seat of the 2011 Acura MDX. I usually ride around in a Mini Clubman and there is no back window. Sometimes I limp and have a hard time getting into and out of cars but I found it easy to leap into the back seat of the MDX. Let me think, is there anything else I noticed?

Daisy Mae: Drop the keyboard or I’ll have you fixed…again!

Peyton: See you around guys! I guess this is what they call “irreconcilable differences.”

What Daisy Mae’s Owner Jim Hamel Said About the 2011 Acura MDX: In testing the 2011 Acura MDX both my dog Daisy Mae and my parent’s dog Peyton Manning (so named after the famous quarterback) absolutely loved riding buckled in the back seat. The ride height is low enough that even Peyton found it easy to get in without straining his arthritic joints.

As it was absolutely pouring down rain during my week with the MDX it was amazing how easy it was to wipe muddy paw prints from the interior plastics and leather. The interior of the 2011 Acura MDX may not have the flashiness or a Cadillac’s interior or the overall squishy feeling of a Lexus but it is the one that feels best equipped to withstand canine abuse.

Last year when I tested a 2010 MDX with Todd M. Allen, his wife Ann and their 3 kids I learned that this Acura easily accommodated the six of us and a rather large baby stroller. The optional rear seat DVD entertainment system was also a big hit with the kids as its screen can be adjusted for angle so everyone in every seat can see the movie.

You see, big families don’t need to buy a minivan. Unless there are 8 of you in which case I recommend you look into a Honda Odyssey and the possibility of a vasectomy. Lord knows we don’t need any more TV shows like “Jon and Kate Plus Eight.”

Vehicle Tested: 2011 Acura MDX with Tech Package

Base Price: $42,580

Price as Tested: $46,255

Options on Test Vehicle: Tech Package—(Acura voice activated navigation with Real Time Weather, Traffic and Built in Zagat Restaurant Guide, Multi-View Back-up Camera, Sport seats with Premium Leather, USB/iPod interface, GPS-Linked Tri-Zone Climate Control, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for Song Storage, Acura/ELS 10-speaker Surround Sound Audio System)

Engine: 3.7 liter V6 with VTEC

Power: 300 horsepower/270 lb. feet of torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic with SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive)

0-60: 7.5 seconds (estimated)

EPA Fuel Economy: 16 city/21 highway

Economy as Tested: 16.4 miles per gallon

Gas Tank Size: 21 gallons

Runs on: Premium Unleaded

Cargo Space (Behind 3rd Row)—15 cubic feet

(Behind 2nd Row)—42.9 cubic feet

Behind 1st Row)—83.5 cubic feet

Turning Radius—37.6 Cubic Feet

Curb Weight—4,550 lbs.

Tow Capacity—5,000 lbs.

Warranty—4 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper coverage

6 years/70,000 mile powertrain coverage

Crash Test Ratings—IIHS “Top Safety Pick”

Vehicle Built in—Alliston, Ontario (Canada)

North American Parts Content—65%

Vehicle Provided by: Acura North America

Who is Daisy Mae, she is the new PAW investigative automotive writer for Bark Buckle UP. She is an 8 year old Boxer who, until recently, called Boxer Rescue Los Angeles her only home. As a senior citizen among many adorable Boxer pups, her chances of being adopted seemed pretty dim. But James Hamel, a freelance auto journalist who works from home, adopted little Miss Daisy Mae and has put her to work helping him write reviews. She now travels with him in every vehicle that he tests and offers up her unique take on what makes a vehicle or product truly “Pet Safe.”

About: Betty Smook from nose to tail she is the TOP Dog Paw Blogger with Bark Buckle UP (with a little help

from Christina "Pet Safety Lady"). Christina Selter “Pet Safety Lady” founder of Bark Buckle UP® works with first responders nationwide teaching pet safety and has buckled UP more then 10,000 pets. Education is the first step to show that pet safety is connected to human safety, which helps to save lives. Christina has been featured in more then 1200 TV, radio, segments including print and online takes media it over tens of thousands. Bark Buckle UP received more then 100 MILLION in circulations and impressions the first year and she has directed, produced several pet safety PSA’s, created Be Smart Ride Safe-take the pledge Buckle Up the whole family and currently launching the Pet Travel Airport tour to teach safe pet air travel to the public.