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WOOF Patrol Luvables
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WOOF-LUVABLES
Dogs love us unconditionally. There's no pretense or agendas. No complaints. They never fail to greet us at the door with passionate exuberance-even if we just left the room for five minutes to take out the trash-and they simply put us in a better mood.

WOOF Moniker: Felix, known around town as The Happy One

Canine Informant: Kerstin Jaeger, Founder of Fifi Dog Models
www.fifidogmodels.com

Best dog run advice given or provided?
When I first got Felix, he was the only South Beach Vizsla around. At six months he developed a bad skin rash. There was nobody familiar with the breed for me to turn to for advice. Felix's body looked as though he had chicken pox. It was not a pretty sight and my veterinarian couldn't pinpoint the cause. He suggested taking him to a dermatologist, cautioning me that my dog would likely face a number of unpleasant tests. Worse yet, results were not even guaranteed.

The thought of Felix having to endure needle after needle didn't sit well with me. My maternal instincts pointed in an altogether different direction. I decided to cook for Felix. His meals were simple: chicken, broccoli, rice, carrots, and a touch of flax seed oil. I felt changing his diet was the best solution - attacking his condition from the inside out. Right away I began to see a difference.

WOOF Patrol: We did our own research regarding what is referred to as 'puppy acne'. It takes the form of a rash or pimples. Several general sites as well as sites specific to this breed discuss this skin condition that tends to surface on Vizsla pups around 6 months of age. Linda Durham, owner of the #1 Vizsla in the country and featured in our PUREBRED PASSION section has been fortunate in that none of her Vizslas ever had puppy acne. She offered another remedy.

Linda Durham: Vizslas have what is called an immature immune system. Puppy acne is not uncommon to the breed. It's not serious and can be attended to simply with a homegrown remedy such as applying over-the-counter Stri-Dex pads to the affected areas.

WOOF Patrol: Some Vizsla owners suggested adding supplements such as brewer's yeast or garlic to the pooch's diet. One owner took her dog to the vet where the dog was tested and found to have a secondary staph infection. The Vizsla was treated with antibiotics and is fine. But many owners cautioned against using steroids or antibiotics, instead recommending benadryl for a day to see if that produced a result. Our advice is to consider all the options including your veterinarian or a homeopathic specialist. It's also a good idea to build a passionate Vizsla community that can network with up-to-date first hand tips and support. Contact WOOF Patrol and let us know if something has worked for you. Exchanging dog run advice is beneficial for the health and well-being of our pets. It can help to ease your mind and be kind to your wallet.

What we learn from our dog? Patience.

Likely Quote from Felix: "Can we go now ... can we go now ... can we go now?"

Kerstin: Every morning Felix springs to life. He realizes that I have to get ready but with a cock of his head and a sing-song whine he seems to suggest: "Do you really have to brush your teeth? Can't we go now?" His expression and American Idol vocals precociously imply: "Do you really have to put shoes on to take me out? Come on can we go now?" Felix loves his first of the day romp.

Felix's Hobby: Felix enjoys rummaging through his toy box. When he is on a search for a particular toy he calmly and patiently paws until the right choice is made. He is also known for his singing, more so than barking, in what verges on a lounge act that Las Vegas isn't quite ready for.

Friends in the Hood: Maxie, a Toy Maltese and Zeke, a Rhodesian Ridgeback

Felix's Arfstrology Sign: Aries March 25, 2005

Felix's MUST-TELL arrival story into Kerstin Jaeger's life: Kerstin lost her sundress, then her heart, to her Felix.

Kerstin: I walked into a pet store to buy dog food for a friend. That's where I met Felix. For seven days I kept coming back to the store to play with him. He was so expensive. The owner of the store told me that many people were interested in him, maybe this was a technique. It didn't matter because I was in love with him. One day when they took him out of the crate so I could play with him, I stopped looking at him for second to talk to the store owner. That's when he pulled the string on my dress and suddenly I was standing there in a compromised way. Felix seemed pleased with himself. At that point, I made the decision to no longer be a visitor in his life but rather, his undressed owner.

Yvonne Conza, Founder of WOOF Patrol - ph: 917.847.2854 2007