Help Keep Golden Retrievers (and Other Dogs) Happy, Healthy and Cancer-Free!

Cancer is something no one wants to talk about, but it is the number one cause of death for dogs older than two years of age.  Morris Animal Foundation has launched the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study to find out more about how to stop the cancer epidemic.  

This study will focus on Golden Retrievers, but its findings should apply to other dog breeds.  Additional major diseases will also be looked at through this study.  Questionnaires and annual exams will make up a large part of the discovery process of what causes cancer and other diseases in dogs.   

Morris needs dogs and their owners to sign up to be a part of this initiative.  We would really appreciate any help along the way in this quest to prevent cancer!

Qualifications to Sign up for the Study:

•  Golden Retriever owners must be over 18 years old and reside in the contiguous United States in order to participate.
•  Golden Retrievers must be healthy and less than two years old. 
•  Golden Retrievers also must have a three-generation pedigree.

For more information about this study, visit the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study.

Author Bio: This is a guest post by Katie F. on behalf of Morris Animal Foundation. Visit morrisanimalfoundation.org/ to learn more about the animal health research that Morris Animal Foundation participates in.

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Rosie is a Thankful Dog | Wordless Wednesday

Rosie is thankful for Jeffie.

A Puppy Meant For Me | Monday Mischief

On the morning of January 3, 2013, I was surfing Petfinder for my next adoptable dog to feature here on Talking Dogs.  

I was inexplicably drawn to a listing for a Golden Retriever puppy at the same animal shelter where we adopted Jeffie.

There was no picture for this puppy, just a brief description:

Golden Retriever * Baby * Female * Large
Dogwood Animal Shelter, Osage Beach, MO
Puppy about 7 weeks old; black 

I moved on.  I selected the dog to feature and wrote the blog post.   Then I checked; still no picture of the puppy.  Before I shut down the computer for the evening, I checked again.  Still no picture.

Ditto the next morning.   No picture and no more information.

I could feel it in my gut:  this puppy was meant for me.  I could no longer ignore the powerful feeling I had.

A consultation with the dog daddy and we called the shelter for more  information.  The puppy was a recent intake and no photos had been taken yet.  No siblings, the puppy was a solo rescue whose mother was a Golden Retriever.

Three hours later, we were at the shelter, the puppy in my arms.  The puppy was mine... and I named her Rosie.
 

Puppy Rosie

We weren't planning to add another dog to our family;  we hadn't even discussed it.   

I followed my gut and the little whisper in my heart and soul.

Rosie, my mischief girl

Rosie is celebrating her first birthday later this week.  And we're celebrating National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week (November 3 - 9.)

Thank you to Snoopy’s Dog Blog, Alfie’s Blog, and My Brown Newfies for hosting Monday Mischief!   

Dog Breed Christmas Ornaments on Sale Now at For Love of a Dog

Golden Retriever Christmas Ornament

I know, it's only August 1 and I'm already talking about Christmas!  However, I want to make sure you know that my dog breed Christmas ornaments are on sale this week.
 

English Cocker Spaniel Ornament

Every year, no matter how many of these ornaments I add to the shop, they seem to sell just as fast as I can type the listings.
 

Brittany Spaniel Ornament

Quantities are very limited!

Shop now before your favorite dog breed is sold out.

English Bulldog Ornament

Fabulous on a Christmas tree or displayed year round!  
 

Landseer Newfoundland Ornament

These make barking good Christmas gifts and will arrive in our For Love of a Dog signature gift box, complete with red satin ribbon.
 

Sheltie Ornament

These handmade ornaments are not flat cut outs.  They're two dimensional (flat on back) and generous in size.  Hand cast in resin from original carving molds, the ornaments are hand finished, airbrush painted, and sprayed with a clear protective coating to preserve them for years to come.
 

Keeshond Ornament

Prices at For Love of a Dog all include our free standard shipping (to US addresses) and you can save an extra 10% with this discount code:FLDNEW

 

Tri Color Border Collie Ornament

Dog Breeds include:  Afghan, Airedale, American Eskimo, Australian Shepherd, Basenji, Basset Hound, Beagle, Bearded Collie, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bichon Frise,  Border Collie, Borzoi, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brittany Spaniel, Brussels Griffon, Corgi, Cocker Spaniel, Chow Chow, Collie, Dachshund, Doberman Pinscher, English Bulldog, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greyhound, Irish Setter, Keeshond, Labrador Retriever, Maltese, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia Duck Toller, Papillon, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Pug, Rottweiler, Samoyed, Schnauzer, Sheltie, Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Siberian Husky, Visla, Weimaraner, West Highland Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier

Yellow Labrador Retriever Ornament

What are you waiting for?   

Find your favorite dog breed and shop now!

Fighting Canine Cancer: Golden Retriever Lifetime Study

The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is an effort to learn how to prevent cancer and other diseases.  Conducted by the Morris Animal Foundation, it is the largest and longest observational study ever undertaken to improve the health of dogs.  

The study will enroll up to 3,000 Golden Retriever dogs and will last 10 - 14 years.

The study is based out of Colorado with the assistance of the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University.  

They're looking for Golden Retriever dogs under two years of age.  So far approximately 500 dogs are participating in the study.  The goal is 3,000.

The Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invest in science that advances veterinary care for companion animals, horses, and wildlife.  

 Here's what the Morris Animal Foundation says about the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study:

Why Should Your Dog Participate?

More than half of Golden Retrievers die from cancer, and it is the leading cause of death in all dogs over the age of 2. By participating, you will help scientists:

• Identify ways in which genetics, environment and diet may affect a dog's risk for cancer
• Determine risk factors for other major health disorders in Golden Retrievers
• Learn how to better prevent, diagnose and treat cancer and other canine diseases
• Improve the health of future generations of Golden Retrievers and help create a healthier tomorrow for all dogs

Who Can Participate?

• Golden Retriever owners over 18 years of age and living in the contiguous United States.
• Dogs that are healthy and under 2 years of age at the time of application.
• Dogs that have a three-generation pedigree.

What Is Expected of You?

• Agree to participate for the life of your dog
• Select a veterinarian who agrees to participate with you
• Complete online questionnaires regarding your dog's food type and feeding habits, environmental exposures, behavior/temperament, disease events, etc.
• Visit your dog's veterinarian for annual exams and sample collection (blood, urine, feces, hair, and toenail clippings)
• When applicable, allow collection of tumor samples for evaluation
• Be willing to consider a necropsy (post mortem examination) when your dog's life ends

Study Participants are responsible for all costs associated with the annual exam, sample collection and laboratory test results. Morris Animal Foundation will reimburse up to $75 of these costs per year after verification that the exam and sample collection has been completed.

For more information about the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, click here to fetch the fine print on participation.