Greatest American Dog

The Greatest American Dog, a new reality show premiering July 10 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS, will showcase 12 teams of dogs and their proud human parents in a weekly elimination format. The show aims to challenge the petestants' ability to train their pooches—and meet the judges’ challenges—to the test. Each week, one pooch and his person will be eliminated until only one team is left. The surviving duo will win $250,000, and the top pooch will claim the title Greatest American Dog. Pet expert Jarod Miller will host the show, and judges will include Wendy Diamond, Allan Reznik, and Victoria Stilwell.

For more information, visit CBS.com.

Lyme disease: A growing problem for Pets and people

Just being out in the woods, on the banks of streams, playing in the local park, or even in your own backyard, you and your Pet can come into contact with ticks which house Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial disease that can cause arthritis, kidney damage and death in people and dogs. Lyme disease is zoonotic, which means it can spread from Pets to people, so you could get sick from your dog. Since its discovery in 1975, Lyme disease has spread rapidly and cases have been reported in 48 states, with the highest number along the Eastern seaboard, the Great Lakes region and in the West.

Your Pet is at risk for Lyme disease if:

Lyme disease has been found in people and dogs in your area.
You live in wooded or densely brushed areas.
Your dog accompanies you while walking, hiking, camping, picnicking, hunting or fishing.
You have found a tick on your dog or on any other Pet or person in your household.
You travel with your dog to high risk areas for Lyme disease.

The best way to protect your Pet from Lyme disease is with proper vaccine protection and consistent use of tick control products to prevent tick bites in outdoor environments.

Take these steps now to protect your Pet:

Talk to your Banfield veterinarian about protecting your Pet with LymeVax®, an annual vaccine that protects dogs against Lyme disease which is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. This type of bacteria is transmitted when an infected tick feeds on a dog. These bacteria can damage many different organs including: the liver, heart and kidneys. A dog's nervous system and joints may also be damaged.
Use continuous tick control products such as K9 Advantix® which are sold at your local Banfield.
Brush your dog's entire coat after each outing.
Do daily "tick checks" when the temperature rises above 40 degrees F by examining your dog's entire body.

Dog Owner's Prayer

O Lord don't let me once forget
how I love my trusty pet.

Help me learn to disregard
canine craters in my yard.

Show me how to be a buddy
even when my sofa's muddy.

Don't allow my pooch to munch
postal carriers for lunch.

Shield my neighbor's cat from view—
guide my steps around the dodo.

Train me not to curse and scowl
when it's puppy's night to howl.

Grant I shan't awake in fear
with a cold nose in my ear.

Give me patience without end—
Help me be 'A Dog's Best Friend'!

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