Canine Cancer Fund

Just heard about this wonderful organization working to raise money to cure cancer in dogs. Just had to post!

Canine cancer is a huge problem. Half of all dogs will face it and one in four will die of cancer. You can have to ask - WHY is this happening!

Morris Animal Foundation has developed a website and is promoting the organization of Walks for Canine Cancer across the country. They need our help. Please check out the site and think about starting a walk in your neighborhood. We are looking forward to the one in Los Gatos, CA in October!

The Power of Calendula

I am a huge fan of Calendula. We use it in just about every Juno's Garden product. But amazingly, very few people have heard of this amazing herb and what it can do.

Calendula comes from the Marigold family of flowers and has been used for years to heal minor cuts, burns, rashes and insect bites. I first used it in Europe years ago when I had chapped skin from a cold. Amazing - healed in hours!

One tip about using Calendula - always clean the wound first. It heals so fast that dirt and bacteria could get sealed in the wound. So be sure and clean before applying.

Calendula is sold in as an ointment, cream or oil in good natural food stores. I use the ointment and oil the most. In Juno's Garden products, we use the extract as well. Our popular Soothing Balm contains Calendula and one of its primary ingredients. This wonderful balm is perfect to use on dry, chapped skin.

Check it out - the power of Calendula!

Tails From the Tub Returns

Tails from the Tub is back from summer vacation! New upcoming postings include:

* Herbs and Our Pets
* Tips on Dog Washing
* Sophie's Training Tips

Stay tuned . . .

Bay Area Dog Lovers Site

Just wanted to throw some kudos over to our friends at In Circle Pets. This wonderful site is full of useful info for people in the Bay Area who love their pet and like to do fun things with them. Great articles on everything from training, traveling and living in the San Francisco Bay Area with Pets. I keep In Circle Pets on my frequent watch list and it's one our favorite websites.

Check it out!

Flea Season is here!

It's fourth of July and what better time to post a summer round up on fleas. Yes, those nasty little buggers that grab a ride on our pets and start a cycle of itching and biting that drives us all mad.

Fleas are a problem for just about everyone. They come out in late spring and stay until the first frost. If you see a flea or see your dog just up and bite it's back end, chances are you have fleas and probably not just one. Every flea lays 3000 eggs which hatch every 14 days. Yuck!! Therefore you have to jump on this right away.

Here are some things our vets recommend to keep fleas under control:

1) Start by bathing your pets with a naturally gentle shampoo. This should be a shampoo that is highly moisturizing, so it won't strip out too much oils. We recommend Pal Dog Calming Lavender Shampoo for this task. It's super gentle and can be used as often as needed. It can also be used on safely on cats.

* I'm not a big fan of flea shampoos as they tend to really strong. But if your pest has an infestation, it's important to wash off all the flea eggs and dirt and you may have to repeat this often until the problem is solved. So be sure and pick a shampoo that works well for your dogs skin type.

2) After bathing, apply a flea derrent product such as Frontline. I know that many people are not fans of these, but you need something like Frontline to get the problem under control.

* There is a new product on the market called Comfortis. We are getting ready to try this with Sophie. It's pill and works totally different than the application products. Many vets are seeing great results with this product. Ask your vet.


3) Before your dog goes on a walk or to the dog park, spray him with a natural deterrent. Our Pal Dog Outdoor Formula Spray is a great choice! Flease don't like essential oils like Citronella, Lavender, Cedarwood and Eucalyptus.

* These oils are strong and shouldn't be used on cats. Cats are quite sensitive to strong essential oils.

4) Treat your house with a good, safe product like Flea Busters. This product contains Boric Acid which is easy to use at home and quite effective.


5) Feed your dog the best diet possible, high in B vitamins.

Here's to helping your dog live a flea free life!

Backyard Chickens

Urban chicken raising is all the rage in Northern California these days. Try not to laugh. Seriously, there are people all over my neighborhood getting chickens and these really cool coops!

Last weekend I attended a workshop at my favorite nursery in San Francisco - Flora Grubb Gardens. That's actually the real name of the wonderful talented lady who owns the place. It's a visual experience for those who love plants, color, texture and great coffee all in one place. Not only are the Gardens inspiring, but they have great workshops and a wonderful BLOG. It was there that I saw the Chicken Crib.

These wonderful, cool looking cribs are free-range at their best. You can move them around the yard, given your chicken more room and a clean area to nest. They are quick and easy to assemble and made in the USA.

I'm trying to figure out what Sophie will think of the chickens :).

Good Press!

It's always nice to get some good press! Our new Coat Care & Masage Lotion was picked by Modern Dog Magazine as one of their "Favorite Things" for the June issue. Yippee!

I have to say, I love reading Modern Dog Magazine so much. It's one of my simple indulgences. They have great articles and highlight wonderful products for dog lovers like myself. I think the design and photography of the magazine are top notch and you really get your money's worth. Check it out for a fun summertime read. You'll get hooked!

Itchy Dog - Part 2

Well, as it turns out my lovely Sophie has skin trouble! Being that her mom runs a skin care company that makes products for itchy dogs, (Juno's Garden) it makes sense that she would itch, right? Yes, but I thought maybe this dog would be different? Fat chance!

I find it so ironic that my cute little rescue dog mix of "whatever" has what is known as . . Atopic Dermatitis. What is this you ask?

Does your dog itch all over, chew or lick their paws a lot, do that face rubbing thing and exhibit redness under their arms, groin, etc? If so, Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is probably your culprit.

Let me start first by saying I was WRONG in my last posting about food allergies being the main cause of skin problems. While we have been told that for years, most Vets now believe that the environment and fleas play a larger role than we used to think. AD is common in animals and is triggered when they come in contact with or inhale the allergens. Common allergens include:

• House dust mites, pollens, molds, grasses, weeds and trees - Everything we have in Pacifica!
• Flea bites - they trigger the itching and biting and then it gets worst.
• Yeast in food can also be a culprit.

Solutions! Yes, we love that part. :)

• Bathing frequently with a gentle shampoo to remove bacteria and allergens. Weekly bathing may be needed. We recommend Juno's Garden Oatmeal & Honey Shampoo. This "bath therapy" is super gentle and was designed for frequent bathing. It's really quick and easy to use and seems to calm that redness right away.

• Antihistamines may be helpful for severe times. They are usually combined with one or two other treatments. Consult your vet for a prescription and proper dosages.

• Fatty Acids - add a combination of Omega 3 and 6 Fatthy acids to your dog's diet. I started with Fish Oil capsules, but you can use Flax Seed Oil as well.

• Fleas control - Keep the fleas in control as they are be a cause for the allergies as well as an irritant. Follow instructions from your vet on the right solution for your dog.

• Allergy shots - testing and shots has been effective in almost 80% of the cases. While this sounds like a pain, these shots are easy to give and you can be trained to do it yourself.

I am happy to report that my Sophie is showing marked improvement with the addition of weekly bathing, fish oil capsules and flea control meds. When she itches, we use our Juno's Garden Soothing Spot Spray until we can get her a bath. Bathing in the Oatmeal & Honey Shampoo seems to really do the trick.

My Sophie loves to run in the hills in Pacifica and now she can do so with her itching under control!

What makes my dog itch?

We get this question all the time at Juno's Garden. We make skin-care products for pets and itchy skin is one of the biggest dilemmas facing pet lovers today. Here's the inside scoop!

What causes my dog to itch?

Most skin problems in dogs are associated with food allergies. Common culprits are grains or redundant proteins in pet food (common ones are corn, wheat, chicken). Another common cause is flea dermatitis. Your dog gets bit, scratches at the bite, it gets irritated and he continues to scratch. The third common cause is environmental - grass, tree or mold allergies. No matter where you live, one of these three exist!

What is a hot spot?

The other common side-effect of itching is Hot Spots. These are usually wounds or lumpy looking things (granulos they call them) that are caused by repetitive itching. Some dogs will bite themselves until they bleed. Some will get a rash and others get hot spots. These are all symptoms of the same problem. This can be allergy related or can also be caused by yeast issues. Ear infections tend to re-occur in these dogs.

How do I stop this problem?

The best solution is multi-pronged: 1) Eliminate grain from your dog's food. Does the itching get better? 2) Put your dog on a vet recommended flea preventive routine. 3) Talk to your vet. There may be something more serious at the heart of the itching.

Vets will usually recommend a topical solution that will stop the itching, but contains steroids. This is good to use for awhile, but not recommended for long-term use. They might also suggest an Oatmeal based or gentle Shampoo.

Here's where Juno's Garden comes in! Our company was founded when we saw the need for safe, gentle products to stop dogs from scratching. The products below can be found on our website - www.paldog.com.

• Pal Dog Soothing Spot Spray is a natural spray designed to combat the effects of hot spots, and itching. No steroids or chemicals and safe if licked. The Spray cools and soothes the itchy area and keeps the dog from itching more.
• Pal Dog Oatmeal & Honey Shampoo is a "bath therapy" shampoo for dogs with severe itchy skin. It is our most gentle shampoo and can be used as often as needed.
  
• Pal Dog Daily Formula Freshen-Up Spray will help keep the coat clean and free of pollen and grasses picked up in the environment.
  
• Pal Dog Outdoor Formula Freshen- Up Spray keeps the bugs at bay. This spray contains essential oils that aren't attractive to fleas and other small bugs.
  

Need Some Pal Dog?

Here's a tip! Our friends at Onlynaturalpet.com are celebrating Earth Day with some special deals on our Pal Dog products. You can get our best sellers on sale and with FREE Shipping. Yippee!

Only Natural Pet Store has been one of our favorite internet partners. They have carried our Juno's Garden products since the beginning and their site has some many wonderful finds. Organic treats, supplements, natural foods, toys and even dog bed made with eco-friendly ingredients! It was on this site I discovered Flower Essence blends for my senior dog Soleil.

Celebrate Earthday with a little savings on Pal Dog!

Earthday is Coming!

To celebrate Earth Day, Juno's Garden would like to encourage our customers and our stores to reduce their carbon "Pawprint". Here's some good ways to start:

Customers Can . . .
* Choose pet products that are biodegradable, organic, recyclable, re-usable and refillable.
* Bring your own bags when shopping at your local pet store.
* Use biodegradable "poop" bags when disposing of waste.
* Be a clean neighbor by picking up street litter when walking your pet.
* Buy products made in the USA. These items use less resources getting to the marketplace.

Retailers Can . . .
* Give customers a discount or raffle ticket when they bring their own bag.
* Provide a "Green" section in your store so that customers can easily pick eco-friendly products.
* Carry bulk items so customers can refill and save on packaging.
* Use email to contact customers about sales and events - save paper!
* Reuse packaging materials - boxes, bubble-wrap, plastic bags - whenever possible.

In 2008, Juno's Garden launched the "Clean and Green Living" Campaign, using our unique perspective as an organic manufacture to share eco-friendly ideas and tips with those who use and sell our products. The following is our suggested list. Remember- a little bit goes a long way!

Save the earth . . plant a garden!

Spring has arrived in Northern California and this weekend I planted my spring garden. It’s a right of passage for me. A signal that its safe to go outside again!

This is the first garden I have planted since we got our new puppy Sophie. My dogs always oversee the garden . . they own it, rule it and basically define its perimeters. For 11 month old Sophie, it's a giant sandbox!

Keeping Sophie out of my garden boxes has become a priority. I discovered that bamboo skewers (placed with pointed side down in the dirt) work really well. I scatter then all over and leave them up until the plants are big enough to create a barrier. It also works for cats who love to dig up the new soil. We'll see how it works for Sophie - I'm dubious.

I have found that dogs pretty much don’t care about vegetables and leave them alone. Flowers and herbs were always favorites for my other dogs. Guinness loved Sunflowers and would peel the leaves off the trunk like a Giraffe. Soleil loved Strawberries. When the first berries came on, she would smell them to pick the ripe ones and then she would snag them when I wasn't looking!

Each of my departed dogs has a rose planted in their honor. The roses are strong and full of new leaves and buds. Soon they will bloom and remind me that my dearly beloved dogs are still in the garden with me.

But this year’s garden celebrates new life in the form of our Sophie puppy. Eventually she will learn where to walk, run, dig and rest in the garden. Creating a dog friendly green space . . that’s the core of Juno's Garden.

New Home for Maggie

I will apologize for the delay in postings by sharing a great experience I was part of the last couple of weeks. Maggie, a lovely German Shepherd Boxer mix has found a home and it has a nice story!

Maggie was a rescue dog adopted by my friends Kim and Kevin. They had never had a dog growing up and both were totally ready. They did all the right things and read all the right books and Maggie was the joy of their life. And then the allergies hit. I wonder how many people adopt dogs only to discover that someone in the household is allergic. I bet a lot. Never having lived with dogs, Kim and Kevin had no idea how bad it could be. It was bad!

So Sophie and I embarked on a mission to "re-home Maggie". I contacted all my friends in the "doggie network" - trainers, dog walkers and everyone who had dogs! Two couples later, this wonderful dog has a new home with a 13-year old Lab mix named Ginger and some more friends of mine - Laura and Casey. Ginger took to Maggie right away and now they are sleeping together and the best of friends.

What I learned: Dog people help dog people. We love our animals and we want them to have the best life possible. When all hands are on deck, good things happen. Yeah for Maggie!

Shopping - Earth Day 2010

To celebrate Earth Day, why not get your favorite pet a great organic toy, a natural cotton leash or . . my favorite . . an eco-friendly way to deal with pet waste! This new website has it all - www.ourorganicpet.com.

Developed by the folks at Our Green House (my favorite site for organic and natural home supplies), this new pet site is easy to navigate and features only the best in products that are made in the USA, are safe for your pets and safe to have around your children too. And www.ourorganicpet.com has cat products too!

The creator of this site, Pam Davis, has a great eye for finding things that are unusual and totally useful. I love the Organic Bumper Beds made from plastic bottles. Sophie needs one of these! This is a new site, so more goodies are bound to come. Check it out and celebrate Earth Day with some eco-friendly ecommerce!

Wintergreen Anyone?

Sophie smelled like gum and it's no wonder. It was stuck to her elbows and paws and looked like she had gotten tangled up in it. I have no idea how! She was rubbing on the carpet and looking at me like . . Mommy get it off!

So what is the solution to gum on a dog? Well, you can use any type of vegetable oil (canola in our case) and massage it into the gum, let it sit a little and then gently pull out the gum. You can also use peanut butter, which Sophie found particularily enjoyable. This worked great and she licking her elbow for hours :).

Now, if I had only known about these remedies when my aussie Guinness stepped on a glue trap a couple years back. Another story . . .

And the Winner Is . . . .

Announcing two new Pal Dog Shampoos! Available for shipment starting May 1st . . .just in time for a Mother's Day bath!


Oatmeal & Honey Shampoo & Massage Bath
Gentle Bath Therapy for Puppies and Itchy Dogs

Love your “honey” with our ultra-rich, luxurious Oatmeal & Honey Shampoo. This gentle formula is a soothing bath treatment for puppies and dogs with itchy, irritated skin. A unique blend of colloidal oatmeal, organic aloe vera, green tea, apple extract and wildflower blossom honey, this special formula is low-suds and rinses quickly. Our naturally gentle shampoo is perfect for frequently bathing and quick clean-ups without over drying the skin.

Oatmeal & Almond Shampoo & Massage Bath
Coat Enhancing Formula for Brightening & Shine

Wash away those dingy dog blues with our enhancing Oatmeal & Almond Shampoo. Created for light-colored dogs, our brightening formula brings out highlights, sparkle and shine for a whiter, cleaner looking dog. This special blend is free of bleach and harsh, chemical dyes used by most shampoos. Organic aloe vera and chamomile extract combine with sweet almond oil, enhancing brilliance and shine for a healthy looking coat.

Oatmeal Shampoo . . Why?

It's official! Juno's Garden is introducing two new shampoos with a very special ingredient . . . Oatmeal! Not the kind you eat for breakfast, while very nutrious, these old time breakfast oats are not quite what we had in mind. Colloidal Oatmeal (avena sativa) helps smooth and comfort itchy, dry skin. It is not a breakfast oatmeal and shouldn't be eaten :).

Colloidal Oatmeal is simply oats ground into an extremely fine powder. It works great to help relieve dry, skin patches (Eczema), psoriasis, acne, bug bites, sunburns, and other minor skin irritations. It also helps relieve chicken pox, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and other itching and scratching rashes. When your skin is itchy and irritated, its pH level may be higher. Colloidal Oatmeal helps bring the pH back to normal levels, taming "the need to itch."

Why do we use Colloidal Oatmeal in pet shampoos? Our dogs are having more problems with dry itchy skin. This is a result of environmental conditions and food allergies that plague our canine friends. Bathing a dog is naturally a bit drying, as natural oils are stripped from your dogs coat. Oatmeal shampoo add moisture as you use them. They tend to be heavier and less sudsy and sometimes it seems like they aren't even a shampoo.

We like to call our new shampoos Bath Therapy. They are SO very soothing :).

Teaching New Tricks

Sophie is a lucky dog. She lives near the ocean AND the newest Canine Aquatic Center facility in the San Francisco Bay Area - The Rex Center. This wonderful facility, is like a spa and healthy club for dogs, offering warm water swimming, aquatic water therapy, Reiki, massage, puppy classes and even canine freestyle classes.

Our Pal Dog Sophie had her first swimming lesson with creator Cathy Chen-Rennie, head swim coach and trained canine massage therapist and dog trainer. Cathy studied at the La Paw Spa in Colorado and has a great way of getting animals relaxed, used to the water and confident in the pool. As a 10-month old puppy, I thought it was time that Sophie learned to like the water and develop a good stroke. She had a blast!

Sophie Surfs Mavericks

The Mavericks Surf Competition was held last Saturday in Half Moon Bay, CA, just 10 miles south of Pacifica - home to Juno's Garden. The waves set records and the events drew crowds from all over. Sophie and I missed the crowds and viewed the waves from our favorite Pacifica vantage point. WOW - they were huge! But Sophie and I kept a good distance away and enjoy the view :).

Stores We Love - February 2010

Two Paws Up - Frederick, Maryland

When I started my business almost 6 years ago I met Allison Levitt and visited her store, Two Paws Up in historic downtown Frederick, Maryland. Having family in Maryland, I stopped in with my samples and tons of enthusiasm for my new business. Allison was a pro and questioned me about everything . . what's the ingredient list, what makes you special and why should I carry your products? These tough questions were exactly what I needed in those early years and Allison and I became good friends.

Frederick is in the heart of historic northern Maryland, on the road to Gettysburg and full of amazing architecture that dates to the revolutionary war. Antiques are the name of the game here and Frederick prides itself on a beautiful downtown with lots of stores.

Two Paws Up is an established part of the Frederick community and Allison's customers depend on her store to provide natural, practical and economical solutions for their pets. Her store is small and yet she always has ALL the cool stuff. She is constantly on the cutting edge of what is new and what her customers want. Check out her website and see what I mean: www.twopawsup.biz.

I visited Allison in her store last week before the great SNOW of 2010 set upon the Mid-Atlantic. It was wonderful to see her again and I know her customers will be digging their way to her doorstep very soon. They HAVE to get their cool doggie stuff!