The famous Taco Bell Chihuahua passed today. The pooch famous for it's role in the 90's for the Taco Bell commercial has died of a stroke.

According to most on-line health sites, when a dog suffers a stroke there is no specific treatment, however, most dogs recover better than humans do.

Symptoms may include the following:

* Head tilt
* Turning the wrong way when called
* Eating out of one side of his food bowl
* Loss of balance
* Lethargy* Blindness
* Loss of bladder and bowel control
* Sudden behavioral changes

There are two types of canine stroke. An ischemic stroke is when blood flow to the brain is disrupted due to a blocked artery.

A hemorrhagic stroke is blood flow to the brain is disrupted due to actual bleeding in the brain.

R.I.P to Taco Bell dog

The recession is not only affected us as people, however, they're also affecting the pets we love.

The new average annual cost to take care of both cats and dogs is approx $1,200 to $1,500 annually for basic needs as food, training, grooming etc. If your pet becomes ill, the vet bills plus medication certainly add up to that as well.

To be honest, in retrospect, considering how much we spend on cable, entertainment, dinning out etc., the average cost, sans vet treatment is really peanuts, however, in this economic times if the money isn't there, it just isn't there.

Humane societies have been having to turn dogs and cats away 'cause owners cannot afford to take care of them anymore, there simply just isn't any more room. Sadly a lot of pet owners whom are giving their pets away is 'cause they have a medical condition and simply cannot afford the vet bills.

Although I sympathize and understand, I don't get it. You wouldn't give your sick child to the orphanage, therefore, why would you do this to your pet? To me Freedom, my black lab, is like my child with four feet. I couldn't imagine if he were sick to do this. When I bought him, I understood the life long financial commitment, something most are either unaware of or aren't prepared to accept 'cause they're taking away by the cuteness and not the logic.

On the other hand some people are forced to give their pets up simply 'cause they've lost their home and shelters will not take pets. Pets are viewed in most shelters as just that, as pets and not like part of children and or family. For the health and well being of the other residents, I can understand where shelter workers and owners are coming from with this. Policy. I'm allergic to cats and would be upset if there were cats running around while residing in a shelter.

Don't cut back on regular care. Prevention is always cheaper than the cure.

Firstly happy Canada Day to our Canadian Customers and happy advance Independence Day to our friends in the US.

The following are holiday safety tips for both cats and dogs. Although most of this was expressed in my Halloween safety article last year, it is worth repeating for this weekend.

Cats and Dogs can get startled with fireworks. If your pet is known to have noise phobia's such as thunderstorms and loud appliances like my black lab Freedom (he hates the vacuum) than fire works will/may raise their anxiety level.

There are a few solutions: Find a Kennel that can house the pet overnight, preferably of course opened during the holiday or simply keep the pet(s) at home.

If you're going to keep the pet indoors, keep it in a room with no windows and a radio or TV in the background as a distraction.

If you must take your pet outside, which is not recommended as some pets can get defensive and agitated due to the noise, keep it on a leash and or kennel if possible.

You can if need be use prescribed tranquillizers or mild sedatives. We offer a natural anti-anxiety supplement called Lessstress which can also be used in such cases, however, these do have limitations and should not be used on a regular basis.

Please note that you should never punish your pet for fearful behavior, this is a natural occurrence to be frightened with fireworks. On the same note, don't reinforce the behavior with "it's Okay" and paying positive attention.

Another important holiday ritual is the all American BBQ. The same rule about keeping pets indoor applies, especially since certain foods are toxic to cats, dogs and or both. Chocolate is the biggest culprit for dogs. Chocolate desserts are the major staple on the dessert table at any 4th of July BBQ.

If pets are outside, please have them tied or kept behind the fence at a BBQ and please educate the guests not to feed the pets. Their intentions are good, however, at potluck BBQ'S, not everyone knows the ingredients of certain foods, therefore, to be careful, preparing a home made pet food recipe from a book is encouraged or feed their regular food to minimize "begging" when the guests arrive.

Happy Canada Day and Happy 4th of July from petwellbeing.com