Pet Stress and Pet Behavior Problems

I couldn’t resist this adorable corgi, Cooper, doing the flop again and again while keeping cool this summer.

Safety first, so we’re glad to see he’s outfitted with a lifejacket! Does your dog enjoy being in the water? Share your summer photos on our PetStress.com Photo Contest for August.

Although “Race Car” Ralph may not stand a chance racing against the competitive drivers in the Indy 500, this 12-year-old Indianapolis pug sure can outpace the Petstress competition! In July, Ralph blew by all the other participants to the finish line to gain the title of the $50 Petstress Picture Perfect Pet Photo Contest Winner. The secret to his success? A halloween costume he wore to this year’s Indy 500 and a big grin.

“We’ve had Ralphie since he was 7 weeks old and he was so small, he could fit in the palm of your hand!” Ralph’s owner Jana says. “However, he was one of the last left in the litter because he was the biggest. Everyone who meets Ralph for the first time say he’s the biggest pug they’ve ever seen and some think he looks like a pot-bellied pig. I just say he’s big-boned!”

This big-boned speedster enjoys going to the lake house where he still likes to ride on the wave runners and pontoon boat. Ralph turned 12 on August 1st 2010 and in regards to Ralph’s speed, Jana says, “He has begun to slow down now in his later years and enjoys his long afternoon naps, the homemade treats I make him, and of course mealtime!” Ralph also enjoys sporting his many costumes, shown here.

With the $50 prize, Jana plans to make a donation to the local animal shelter and even take Ralph on a shopping spree at the local pet store where he loves to visit the treat bar! “His favorites are the sandwich cremes and carob chip cookies,” Jana says. “And I might even find him this year’s Halloween outfit!”

If you have a photo of your pet dressed up in costumes like Ralph, or just have a snapshot of them sitting pretty, enter the Petstress Picture Perfect Pet Photo Contest today for your pet’s chance to become our next big winner!

With her toes in the sand and fur blowing in the breeze, California chihuahua Sophie celebrates her title as our $50 Picture Perfect Pet Photo June Contest Winner. All she had to do was pose on her favorite place in the world–the beach–to quickly become the Petstress favorite this month.

Sophie loves the beaches of San Francisco and is fortunate to take strolls there with her owner and best friend, Sean. She also can fetch sticks for hours and enjoys playing with other dogs. To quote Sean, “She has the life any dog would dream of.”

Sophie has yet another cause for celebration; she just turned one year old on Thursday, July 15th, 2010! Her birthday was shared with her sister, who was born in her litter, and her older brother, who was born in the previous litter, Sean says. Having the family together is always a great way to celebrate.

With the prize money she has earned for being such a photogenic beach bum, Sophie would like to buy a traveling bag so she can voyage with Sean to explore the rest of the world’s beaches.

Would you like to see your pet win a Picture Perfect Pet Photo Contest title? Enter today!

Ever wonder what happens to the runt of the litter? Well, sometimes stardom, and appearances in film festivals. Moses, our January Photo Contest Winner, was a runt, and is now a happy adult dog who has had more than 15 minutes of fame. His owners, Paul and Helene, adopted Moses (endearingly called “Mo” for short) about 4 years ago. We were lucky enough to receive more of Moses’ history from his owners last month.

“On Passover four years ago Mo was born the runt of a litter. After aptly becoming one of the coolest and most resilient of the pups he was named Moses,” Paul told us.

“At 6 months Mo was recruited to appear with Martin Landau in the shooting of an independent film named Harrison Montgomery shot in San Francisco, and has since appeared in several film festivals.”

“Mo was the only one of the litter to stay with us and his mom Roxie. Roxie was a Salt & Pepper Mini Schnauzer, and wonderful mom of two incredible litters. Sadly and tragically we lost Roxie last year when she was struck by a car.”

“We were worried as Mo had never been separated from Roxie. He has adapted well since and now lives happily with is other buddies, 15 year old Oliver, Aussie Shepherd / Blue healer mix, and Toonie, our newly adopted 8 year old Giant Schnauzer.

“Mo  is fearless, and when not hunting gophers or alerting us to would be intruders he spends his time  endlessly harassing the two older dogs. We love our Mo and are delighted that he not only has won the contest but that his prize could be donated to The Petaluma Humane society.” 

Moses' character shines through

Moses is leading a full life, and we are happy to share a tiny piece of it here.

Is your pet also a star in his/her own way? Any picture will do – enter the Picture Perfect Photo Contest  today!

Last night Sadie, the Scottish Terrier took best in show at the 2010 Westminster Kennel Club Dog show. This top dog reminded me of Henry Selick’s stop motion animation film Coraline. If you haven’t seen it, Scotties figure into the film and Coraline’s imaginary ‘other’ world.

In case you missed it, last year Cynthia went behinds the scenes at Westminster!