Signs of aging are inevitable in older dogs. The body doesn’t snap to quite as readily as it used to, and perhaps it may take Rover a little longer when called. Aging can also predispose dogs to certain illnesses. By being aware of some concerns regarding older dogs, you can be a more educated and prepared guardian for your aging companion.

Routine veterinary care is particularly important now. The following is an outline of some of the most commonly diagnosed illnesses known to afflict older dogs.

Nutritional Concerns. A proper diet is very important in the care of a geriatric dog. Obesity is a very common and serious concern because it directly correlates to a decreased longevity, and may contribute to other problems. Proper nutritional

 

 

management is a very important part of the care for your geriatric dog, especially since it is something that you can control.

14 Common Disorders of Senior Dogs is a post from: Phoenix and Beyond Real Estate and Area Information

Lhasa Apso is a post from: Phoenix and Beyond Real Estate and Area Information

Advocates for Latin Arts and Culture

 http://www.alacaz.org/

 Aguila Youth Leadership

 http://aguilayouth.org/

 Arizona Citizen’s for the Arts

 http://www.azcitizensforthearts.org/

Actors Theatre                                                                    

http://www.actorstheatrephx.org/

Arizona Hispanic Chamber

 http://www.azhcc.com/

Alwun House                                                                    

http://alwunhouse.org/

Arizona Humane Society                                               Adopt a four legged friend

http://www.azhumane.org/

Arizona Opera                                                                   

http://www.azopera.com/

Arizona Theatre Company ATC                                                            

 http://www.aztheatreco.org/index.html?topbar.html&0

 ASU Gammage                                                                               

 http://www.asugammage.com/

 Ballet Arizona                                                                  

 http://www.balletaz.org/

 Black Theatre Troupe                                                    

 http://www.blacktheatretroupe.org/

 Center Dance Ensemble                                            

 http://www.centerdance.com/

 Childsplay                                                                     

 http://childsplayaz.org/

 Equaity Arizona

 http://www.equalityarizona.org/

 Free Arts of Arizona

 http://www.freeartsaz.org/

 Herberger Theatre

 http://www.herbergertheater.org/

 International Rescue Phoenix                                          

 http://www.theirc.org/where/united_states_phoenix_az/

 Mesa Center for the arts   2008-2009 season               

 http://www.mesaartslive.com/

 Mesa Encore Theatre                                              

 http://www.mesaencoretheatre.com/

 Neighborhood Housing Services Phx                     All about affordable housing

 http://www.nhsphoenix.org/

 Nearly Naked Theatre                                                                                                                      

 http://www.nearlynakedtheatre.org/

 Phoenix Art Museum – Comtemporary art Forum

 http://www.contemporaryforum.org/

 Phoenix Theatre                                                           

 http://www.phoenixtheatre.com/Home.aspx

  Phoenix Symphony                                                                                                   

 http://www.phoenixsymphony.org/

 Scorpius Dance Company                                                                  

 http://scorpiusdance.com/index.html

 Southwest Center for HIV/Aids               

http://swhiv.org/

A Stepping Stone Foundation                                

http://www.asteppingstone.org/

Stray Cat Theatre                                                                                                                                    

http://www.straycattheatre.org/

Teatro Bravo                                                               

http://www.teatrobravo.org/TeatroBravoSeason.html

Valley Leadership

http://www.valleyleadership.org/

Valley Youth Theatre                                                                                    

http://www.vyt.com/

Young Arts Arizona                                                  

http://www.youngartsaz.org/Welcome.html

Treat yourself! go out to the theatre is a post from: Phoenix and Beyond Real Estate and Area Information

Cat Tails

One of your cat’s most beautiful features is her tail. Long and graceful, it curls around her body softly when she sleeps or sits, or floats behind her when she walks. The tail is another marvelous part of your cat’s anatomy, and she uses it in various ways.

About 10 percent of your cat’s bones are in the tail – up to 20 vertebrae.These small bones are encased in muscles that allow finely graded movements, such as elevation of the tail, its movement from side to side , and the lowering or curving of it around the body. Interestingly, the domestic cat is the only feline species able to hold the tail vertically while walking.

Many animals, including cats, use their tails to communicate with other animals. For example, the position of a wolf;s tail can tell another wolf what mood he’s in. A confident wolf holds her tail up high, whereas a frightened wolf holds her tail between her legs; a white-tailed deer shows alarm by flicking her tail; horses flatten their tails between their legs when frightened and lash them back and forth when they are irritated or annoyed.

Likewise, your cat’s tail is a barometer of her feelings. A high vertical tail is a sign of happiness. If that high tail quivers from the base up, it indicates that she is really happy and excited. If that tail goes in the opposite direction and is tucked between the legs, your cat is afraid or trying to avoid a confrontation.

A cat’s wagging tail means various things, each wag is slightly different. Broad wagging, even whopping, indicates annoyance. Your kitty may be curled up next to you enjoying a nice petting session when suddenly she decides that she’s had enough. She will signal this to you by swishing her tail up and down or its tip from side-to-side. If you miss the signal, she may bat at you with her paw, or worse, to make her point.

If she’s really agitated, she will wag her tail rapidly back and forth from the base. This is a threatening signal to warn other cats (and you) to back off. On the other hand, a tail that waves back and forth slowly and gently indicates that your cat is relaxed and happy.

Your cat may swish her tail when she’s in her hunting mode. By swishing her tail, she mesmerizes her prey. Since your cat can’t see her prey if it becomes still, she moves her tail to initiate the slightest movement of her target, which she can then see. Mother cats train their kittens in the fine art of hunting by twitching the tips of their tails to provoke playful attacks.

Then there’s that little tail flick, which involves just a quick movement of the tail. Your kitty may be resting at the foot of the bed and you say her name and there it is – a little flick. Her eyes are closed and she appears to be sleeping, but you say her name again, and there it is again -a little flick. You know she hears you, even though she’s pretending she doesn’t. This is a movement of happiness and contentment. Your cat trusts you enough to remain sleeping in you presence – and in her own way, she’s letting you know that she hears you and all is well.

Cat Tails is a post from: Phoenix and Beyond Real Estate and Area Information

Did you know that in ancient Egypt cats were held in such high regard that laws were created to protect them? As a matter of fact, because of the cat’s exalted status, a religious order of cat worshipers developed that lasted for more than 2,000 years. The relationship between the Egyptians and their cats was unique. One the reason is that Egyptians lived from the land and the crops they produced. Over time, Egyptians noticed that cats ate the rats that ate their grain. So the Egyptians welcomed cats into their communities with open arms. Yes, cats are born to stalk and hunt. And nothing consumes them more than the chase! There are hundreds of reasons why we love our cats so much – but their skills are probably not tops on the list. Today, most of us do not have farms. We do not harvest crops for a living or have mice in our homes. Our lives have changed significantly, so we no longer prize our cats for their keen hunting ability. But our cats’ nature has not changed, which begs the question … How can we satisfy our cats’ natural instinct to hunt? What can we do to provide our indoor cats with some sort of “prey” that they can instinctively stalk and track?  It has to be something that they can bat around with her paws, throw up in the air and pounce on.  Dr. Debra Primovic, our Managing Editor and one of our resident cat lovers, recently found a very, very cool interactive toy that was designed to satisfy the soul of your cat’s “Inner Hunter”. It is a cleverly disguised mechanical mouse that darts frantically back and forth in perpetual motion – just out of full sight – tempting, teasing and enticing your kitty to stalk and chase. This toy really knows how to get a cat’s attention!  With Undercover Mouse as their prey, cats will indulge themselves in the hunt for hours on end. And they’ll love every minute of it! Just watch this video of the Undercover Mouse in action. These kitties are playing with the Undercover Mouse and it’s a riot! www.Petplace.com

Over 2,000 Years of Cat WORSHIP is a post from: Phoenix and Beyond Real Estate and Area Information