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I’ve been spending many extra hours lately working in my office, partly because my husband’s absent so much during tax season, and also because--well, I said “yes” a time or two too often and am covered up with work. As a result, my sweet little kitty Seren(dipity) has reverted to some of her long-absent kitten antics.
She’s enjoying the stacks of paper. She likes to topple them off the desk and watch them scatter over the floor. And then she enjoys trying to dive underneath them, essentially stirring the mess into a blizzard of paper.
More than this, she adores playing the buttons on my fax machine. They make lovely noises, beep and hum and whine when she steps on the buttons in the kitty-correct order. Consequently she takes the fax machine off-line so that I can’t get any additional job orders.
D’ya think she’s got my best interest in mind? Or maybe it’s her version of an April Fool’s joke.
For more on co-existing with pets in a home office, check out Petside's article: Sharing Office Space with Pets
What is the official harbinger of the new season? When we lived in Michigan my Dad used to tell me to look for the “first Robin of spring” to mark the change of seasons. I see Robins in December around here, so that bit of folklore no longer applies. (Thanks, Global Warming.)
Is it the temperature? Nope. We had no-jackets-required weather in late January.
Is it the first bulbs claiming their sunshine?
Nah. Our bulbs start to sprout in late February, so they’re not reliable indicators.
In my household, Spring officially begins when Sumner strolls out to the back yard, pauses, then throws himself to the ground in a fit of bliss and flops around like a fish on dry land.
As of last week, he decreed that Spring has arrived in the DC metro area.
Welcome bask-able sunshine, nut-harvesting squirrels and new chipmunks to chase!
What does your dog do when Spring arrives? Leave a comment and tell me about it!
I had a great time with Italian Greyhounds Misters Mickey and Conan this morning … we did some off-leash work on the golf course:
Then we were set upon by rampaging beasties:
Hardly! The lovely pit on the right of the picture is a former client from four years ago, who just happens to live right around the corner from Conan and Mickey. I was so happy to see Zack the pit and his person. But would Zack remember me?
He approached me gingerly … “You look sort of familiar, but you smell really familiar. Is that eau de hot dogue you’re wearing?”
Then came the moment of clarity. “Hot Dog Lady! Is that really you?”
We had a joyful, hot dog-filled reunion, and then Zack and his person did a little training demo for me. Zack’s new sister Zoe the black lab was there as well, but I’ll guiltily admit I only had eyes for Zack.
Conan tried to horn in on the action:
I think Conan and Mickey resented my split affections … they were all, “Um, isn’t this our time? Why is he getting treats?”
We tried to get a family photo (they’re “cousins” – don’t you see the resemblance?) but that proved difficult:
We ended up with some good old-fashioned dog play:
And I said farewell to a favorite former student:
In Ancient Egypt, cats were revered as the earthly incarnation of a god. About 950 BC, a city on the Nile delta called Bubastis worshiped a cat-headed woman called Bast or Pasht. She was the favorite of the sun-god Ra, and was associated with happiness, pleasure, dancing, and the warmth of the sun. And oh yes…also fertility.
This statue now sits in my office. It’s a reproduction of a common rendering of feline figures associated with the cat cult of Bast. It reminds me that once humans set cats high on a pedestal and that whether we now consider them “holy” or simply “holy terrors” they deserve our admiration and consideration.
Cats seem to realize this and will accept no less.
Does your cat act like a goddess? Leave me a comment and tell me about it!
Dogs and airports don’t always make the friendliest of mixes. I’ve just returned on a flight from Heathrow, UK to read the news that a loose dog on a runway in India caused a plane accident. From all accounts, the incident was quite a scene, with some passengers inventing their own methods to evacuate the plane.
So far, I have not come across any update on what happened to the dog.
Cat lovers are taking over Houston, TX this weekend with the Annual World Cat Congress conference. This event is hosted by The Cat Fanciers’ Association, and boasts judges from around the world. This conference does not hold back on the fun activities, like costuming parades and trick, but it is also an important venue for breaking news for the science world and general information about the future of purebred cats.
Kudos to New Hampshire, where fire trucks are being equipped with oxygen masks specially designed for pets – in a variety of snout sizes.
Hopefully others will follow the good example!
And let’s give a special shout out to our friends at the Petco Foundation --launching its annual Spring A Pet fundraiser to benefit animal welfare groups nationwide. Starting Sunday, March 30, PETCO stores nationwide will collect donations on behalf of local animal shelters and rescue groups. The annual campaign will last through May 4.
Today I received a phone call from a lady planning a birthday party for her two children, ages nine and ten. All the kids are invited to come to a skating rink and have fun--but instead of bringing presents, she had an alternate idea and asked me what I thought.
“My children have enough stuff, they don’t need presents,” said Diane B. “I want their friends to bring cat and dog food, toys and treats instead. We’ll collect them and donate to the area shelter.”
Wow! I have a feeling that the staff and all the d*gs and kitties at the local shelter will be celebrating that birthday with big grins and lots of purrs.
Got any other great ideas to help out shelter animals? Leave a comment and share them!
I stopped by to visit my friends at a local vet office today and we got to chatting about patient do’s and don’ts. I asked them if they had any human client pet peeves, and wouldn’t you know it, the floodgates opened wide. My veterinarian friends and their vet techs offered up an impressive list of bothersome traits.
Think you might have peeved your vet? Here’s your chance to find out.
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present the Top Ten Vet Peeves List:
1. Letting your pet greet other pets in the waiting room without permission. The waiting area in most vet offices is typically small and filled with agitated animals. Sure, your pup is just there for a nail trim, but the dog two seats over is dealing with a serious case of diarrhea and the discomfort that comes with it. He doesn’t want a face full of puppy, and he’ll make that very clear. With his teeth.
2. Extendible leashes in the waiting room. Tight space + sick animals + 15 feet of freedom = a big mess. Flexible leashes turn an already stressful room into a potential battle zone. See number 1.
3. Laughing when your dog bites the veterinarian. Really? People actually do this? The vets assured me that it happens – often – and that the laughter is usually accompanied by the person saying “Oh, what did that big bad vet do to you, Fido?” Yeah, the vets ain’t laughing with you.
4. Praising your dog as he growls. The vet office is bound to evoke some unusual canine reactions, but growling and surliness are serious business and need to be treated as such. Telling Fido “It’s ok sweetie, it’s ok!” as he growls at the vet tech is not a sound strategy.
5. Mentioning your pet’s sensitive areas after the fact. “Fido bit you? Oh, I should have told you that he hates to have his feet examined.” Too late, and thanks for the bleeding wounds.
6. Giving your child a pet as a “gift”. We’ve covered this one too, folks. Pets aren’t presents.
7. New puppy, no money. New puppy parenthood comes with boatloads of responsibilities, and a yacht-load of bills. Vets can’t understand the sticker-shock expressed by their new puppy clients. Thorough research, that oft neglected step of getting a dog, would have left little doubt as to the high costs associated with puppyhood.
8. Forcing the vet to give you a breast exam as she examines your pet. Clingy pet parents, beware: if you can’t surrender your pet to the vet for examination, be prepared for accidental chest grazes and gropes. The exam table is there for a reason. Put your pet on it and let your vet do her job.
9. “Doctor, the treatment you suggested didn’t work …” “ …Um, no I didn’t finish the pain meds. Or the antibiotics. But why is he still sick?”
10. Not researching your breed. (Amen, my veterinarian brothers and sisters, I’m with you on this one.) You wanted a small dog so you got a Jack Russell. Any JRT owners care to comment on just how “small” the breed really is? You’re a starving college student and you got an English Bulldog because you like how they look. What happens when the breed’s far-too-common genetic defects start surfacing, and the vet bills pile up? When I meet with new clients I’ll often ask why they selected a certain breed. (The correct answer begins with “I did a ton of research and…”) When I hear “I just wanted a pretty dog,” I want to head for the hills.
Did you recognize yourself on this list? It’s never too late to add a New Year resolution … why not vow to be a better patient and make your vet’s job a little easier?
Any "Vet Peeves" that happen at your animal hospital? Leave a comment and tell me about it!
My parents are visiting and my guys are thrilled.
There’s always a big crush at the door when they arrive. Zeke and Sumner are happy to see my Mom, but they’re over the moon about my Dad.
“He’s here! He’s here!”
Zeke immediately rounds up all of his toys for my Dad as if to say, “Welcome, and please do partake in my bounty.”
My Dad selects the toy du jour and the games begin immediately, as in, the poor man hasn’t even made it to the bathroom yet.
After some pant-inducing tug and fetch, they take a break.
Zeke then gives my Mom equal time.
Sumner waits until Zeke has burned off some of his initial excitement, then he moves in to collect his lovin’.
Any time my Dad leaves the room, the guys follow him. And wait.
And then rejoice. “He’s still here! Hooray!”
(Notice the ball in Zeke’s mouth. Just in case.)
After about an hour we descend into jealous Granddog syndrome. Zeke wants to play with my Dad, Sum just wants to cuddle with him.
Who will win?
Sum sits on the sidelines wearing his hopeful face. “Are you ready to pet me?”:
Zeke takes the used car salesman approach. 1. Drop ball in front of feet. 2. Give expectant look. 3. “What can I do to get you to play ball today?”
And Sumner is left dejected, waiting for equal time.
My Dad makes up for it and let’s Sumner do all of the naughty things that I forbid, like jumping up on him and begging at the table.
That’s what Grandfathers are for, right?
Does your pet have a favorite houseguest? Leave a comment and tell me about it!
My husband prepares taxes. Well, that’s terrific for me! But it means long-long (did I mention LONG) hours away from home, sometimes 12-14 at a time. So when I have to be away from home longer than six or eight hours--or gone overnight on business--we must make arrangements for the d*g and kitty to be left behind.
Seren does fine if she’s alone in the house for one day or even overnight. But the Magic-pup has his legs crossed and eyeballs turning yellow if he’s not walked regularly. We’ve thus far been extremely fortunate that his breeder lives in the same town and has had room for him to stay (and play!) when we can’t be there.
While Seren readily goes into her traveling crate, she doesn’t enjoy traveling. And truly, there are few places I could take her anyway. Besides, cats tend to really hate being in a strange place, so staying in their home offers a great option.
A pet sitter is the answer. You can go to Pet Sitters International or to the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters to find somebody near you. These folks typically are bonded, well prepared to care for your pet of choice, and offer you peace of mind.
To learn more about Petsitters and what to leave them, read petside's article, Pet Sitters: When you're Away, the Pets Should Play
Millions of Oprah fans join her in mourning today with the news that her dog, Sophie, passed away. Oprah had recently published an insightful article in her magazine on the topic of losing a pet...and so did we...
Condolences to Oprah, who suffered the loss of a golden retriever just last year.
Since I'm visiting ye olde country at the moment, I am getting a renewed perspective of the origins of cliches and language -- especially English -- as we know it.
How many times have we abused the cliche 'you look like your dog just died,' and how many times, as pet owners, have we known the reality of how that cliche came about.
Seeing a pet through illness, and learning to live again after the death of a pet is far more complex than many can comprehend.
This week on petside we are featuring an article about households that choose pets over kids, but there are also families that choose to have both. An interesting report comes to us from Israel today, stating that studies on kids with pets and on kids without them show a marked difference in health. So although your vet bills may be consistent, owning a pet may actually lower your trips to the pediatrician...
I was touched today by the local story of an overweight cat.
Obesity is life-threatening for humans and for pets alike. I got a rude awakening when our vet recently told me that Maxi, my Sheltie, had put on a few extra pounds and that we should cut back on portions.
I learned how to check through his double-layered coat -- nature's own idea of a beach cover-up -- and check for his rib cage. The formula is pretty simple, if I can feel the ribs, he's on the right track. If the ribs feel fleshy and plump, it's time to break out the Doggy SLIMFAST...hmmm, the similarities between human and pet life never end do they????
While the oft-recommended time to have your cat sterilized has been six-to-nine months of age, kittens also can be safely “fixed” as early as six WEEKS of age (or two pounds in weight). Shelters have done this for more than 20 years and countless studies have shown there are no adverse effects. In fact, the studies show that pediatric sterilization reduces the incidence of mammary cancer, asthma, gingivitis and lower urinary tract disorders.
The babies recover more quickly than older kitties, too. Safe anesthetics have been developed, so ask your local veterinarian about the procedure. We’re entering “kitten season” soon, and a female cat can become pregnant as early as four months of age…so please don’t wait.
I recently wrote an article for the Tufts publication Catnip (it will appear in the months ahead), and many professional breeders from around the world kindly sent to me pictures of their furry babies, and granted permission to share them here as well. Yes, indeed, many professional breeders have their pet-quality kittens sterilized before they go to new homes--what a deal! You can visit some of these folks’ websites to learn more about their catteries.
“Klarrrisa” is a Ragdoll, owned by Ken Staples (www.kasseldolls.com)
“Leo” is a Persian owned by Claudia Moore (www.geocities.com/connaught_persians)
Terri Reindl offered this picture of “Jack” a Sphynx kitty (www.nohairtheresphynx.com)
Daisy and Huggy are Burmese cats from Panthat Cattery bred by veterinarian Dr. Karen Thomas.
Here are some Oriental Shorthair cats courtesy of Laura Hanah (www.cats-rule.info)
Valerie J. Smith also breeds Oriental Shorthair cats http://www.winterfrost.net coming soon!)
Ragdolls rule for owner Mindy Ferreira (http://bellaPalazzo-Ragdollcats.com)
Susanna Downer breeds Birman cats (http://www.azuremist.net/)
Do you like the hairless beauties? Here’s a loving couple with their brood, courtesy of Jen Obal (www.LittleNudeDudes.com)
Marion Cooper provided this lovely Exotic picture (www.persianandexotics.com)
And Ellie Smith also breeds Exotics (http://geocities.com/milburypersians)
Remember Louie? Mr. Clumberlicious? We had our final session on Saturday and I was very sad to say goodbye to his sweet freckly face. He was really clever!
Louie’s young person, Zoe, made a picture of him for me … I think that she did an excellent job of capturing his likeness:
Notice that one ear is solid brown, and the other is spotted, just like Louie:
She missed my favorite part, though: the muzzle freckles!
I stopped by my favorite local dog boutique, Dogma Bakery in Arlington, to check out a local rescue organization’s adoption day on Saturday. It was dogapalooza up in that joint! So many sweet faces, so many intriguing stories …
Like Norma Jean, the 4-year old pit/bulldog/lab mix:
Her foster people told me that she’s an angel around the house, and is perfectly appropriate with their resident dachshund and foxhound. She’s even good with cats! Her only “problem”? An addiction to squirrels, which I think is so utterly forgivable in the book of dog sins.
Her foster people really seemed to dig her, and it looked like the feeling was mutual. Ah, the bittersweet relationship that is fostering.
3-yead old Rocky was rather overwhelmed by the human and canine traffic in the store:
His story is sad: he was an owned dog whose person didn’t want to treat him after he was diagnosed with heartworms. The owner wanted him put down, and when the vet refused, the owner said he’d just leave poor Rocky by the side of the road.
What?!
Thankfully, the rescue organization stepped in, and handsome, healthy, well-mannered Rocky is now seeking a home where routine vet care comes with the package.
Check out gorgeous Gilly. She’s a 2-year old Staffie/pit mix, and I’m absolutely in love with her ”Our Gang” Petey-esque looks. Here she is giving her “Please adopt me” face:
This gal is clever … she already knows how to speak, sit, down, and give her paw.
That’s awesome, Gilly – you should be proud! But where’s your smile?
Ah, there we go!
Did you fall in love with one of these adoptable best friends? Are you in the DC-metro area? Check out www.gooddogrescueva.org and be a hero to a homeless pet!
Recently I received a note from a reader who has a seizure disorder--and believes that her kitten knows in advance and warns her of impending seizures. Wishful thinking? Or reality?
Certainly for years now people have found that some d*gs possess the ability to detect--and alert owners--to impending seizures, migraines, heart attacks, and other debilitating health events. Why wouldn’t cats also possess this ability?
In fact this isn’t the first time I’ve heard of a kitty warning an owner of seizures. Cats may do this much more often than we give them credit. For while a d*g might whine, cry, even jump up on the person, we’d be more likely to ignore a pestering cat and perhaps never connect the action to the event.
Pets that alert to such things first must recognize the SOMETHING that’s different. We still don’t know exactly how they do this, whether it’s a change in the way the person smells, subtle behavior changes, or even the electrical impulses in the body that change. But in addition to recognizing the change, the pet must have a strong bond with the human in order to feel impelled to act.
Not all pets seem able to recognize this “change” even if they share a very close bond. The ones who do have this special ability probably seem pretty ordinary--but that tabby cat resting on your living room chair might just have the heart of a hero.
Can your cat detect when something is wrong? Leave a comment and tell me about it, or email me at stories@petside.com
Did anyone take it seriously when a stray, female dog named Laika, was tucked into Sputnik 2 on the second Soviet spacecraft to reach orbit on November 3, 1957. That's orbit, as in outer space...Was the value of pets so prominent back then?
In other words, did anyone predict that as [wo]men on the moon increased in frequency and popularity, so too would the concept of taking our pets along for the ride in space
I happen to think that the only thing worse than having pitbulls fight as a sport, is having humans fighting over fighting dogs.
The stakes must have been high to get these dog owners to stoop this low. We'll be following this one closely.
Because I'm traveling this week, I'm getting an interesting perspective of news and views about pets from a global perspective. The Beijing Olympics will be soon upon us and I've noticed the foreign press is far more vocal when it comes to pointing out the differences in cultural attitudes towards dogs and cats in the host country of China. Looking forward to hearing from you on this topic. The controversies surrounding animal rights, pet status vs overpopulation. The road to the Olympics may be longer than we pet owners think!
When it comes to our pets, they can never cease to amaze us. The newest wave in blogging is, you guessed it, pet blogs. No, I don't mean blogs that are written by pet owners, pet lovers, pet enthusiasts or pet experts...I mean blogs that are written by the animals themselves.
OK, ok, I'm sure there are a few minor details, but get ready to share the blog space with your dog or cat. Should make for some interesting reading.
A question for cat lovers out there...How Japanese is a Japanese Bobtail?
And how much does a Persian really know about Iran?
Not much, so says a newly released study out of the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis. According to the study, despite early global migrations, cat breeds have undergone somewhat of a genetic watering down which may be cause for a health alarm for breeders.
I'm not exactly sure how one establishes an average of 1.77 Husky deaths each race since the 1994 Iditarod,
but the death toll rose with 3 [whole] Husky deaths in the 2008 race, and animal rights groups continue to fight for the rights of these elegant dog athletes.
Hope you’ve had a great Easter weekend, and remember to keep the chocolates away from your pets!
Cats are typically yoga specialists, and do not have back injuries as frequently as the long-bodied, short-legged d*g breeds like Dachshunds. But certain heart conditions, congenital spinal issues in some tailless kitties, or accidents can leave them without use of a limb.
Many times, these cats may otherwise be healthy and able to still lead happy, pain-free lives. It can take a bit more work to ensure their proper care, but companies like the K-9 Cart Company (shown above from the book “Complete Care for Your Aging Cat”) or Dewey’s Wheelchairs for Dogs offer some options for these special needs kitties.
And they’ll reach across the world to help, when asked. You can learn about the moving story of Alera, a paralyzed kitten in Asia, and how her veterinarian went the extra mile to help her by providing a wheelchair and teaching the cat how to use it.
For more information on special needs kitties, see petside's article on Pets with Disabilities: 2 or 3-legged pets
Lest you think that I torture my dogs into posing for my ridiculous holiday-themed photo shoots, here’s an outtake to prove that I use treats to coax their participation:
Zeke is all shiny eyes and happy attitude when he’s about to get “paid”, but seconds later he descends into his “I‘m too sexy for these ears” funk:
Sumner has turned out to be quite the poser during these sessions, which surprises me because he always shies away from the camera when I’m snapping candids. He just seems to “get it” when the backdrop comes out … he holds poses like a pro:
Of course, the treats help. Here he is, post-snack:
On this day Zeke saw me setting up the backdrop and immediately walked to the middle of it and sat down, as if ready for his close-up. I think he kinda digs the process, and those grumpy faces he makes are just a show.
I referenced the idea of a “potty phrase” a few weeks ago – do you have one in your household?
I don’t mean the typical “do you have to go out?” query you ask prior to a walk … a potty phrase is more of a request than a question. The phrase basically enables you to “ask” your dog to eliminate. It’s a way to help your dog remember why you’re both standing outside in the rain at 2AM, or convince your dog that the grass at the rest stop on I95 is just as good as the grass in your back yard.
The potty phrase is an often-overlooked cue that’s incredibly helpful … even though it’s really geared to puppies just learning the “grass = good, carpet = not good” potty concept, I still use “go ahead/hurry up” with my guys even through they’re eight and nine years old.
How do you teach it?
When your dog is outside exhibiting his pre-elimination behaviors, like sniffing the ground, moving very slowly or circling, quietly chant your potty phrase. You can get creative with your phrase, like one of my clients who used “zoom-zoom”, or stick with the standard “go potty.”
Continue to chant your phrase as your dog commences his tour of doody, and throw in some quiet praise and encouragement for good measure.
Once his lawn ornamentation is complete, celebrate! Break out a few treats and reward your dog for a job well done.
It’ll take a bunch of repetitions (that’s my scientific measurement: a bunch) before your dog makes the connection between your phrase and what he’s doing, but once he gets it you’re golden. I use it with my guys when we’re road tripping and they just can’t seem to figure out why we’ve stopped on this curious patch of Earth … a few “Go aheads” and they can’t resist the urge to squat.
For more on housebreaking, see petside's article A Quick Guide to Housetraining your Dog
The cat world was shocked to learn that a small town in Iowa decided to offer a $5 bounty on free-roaming cats, effective March 1st. The mayor of Randolph reported that the town was over-run with felines, and since they did not have a shelter, his solution was to pay the citizens to catch ‘em and (if not claimed), have a local veterinarian kill ‘em.
Outraged cat lovers expressed concern that better options for controlling stray and feral cats hadn’t been explored, such as a TNR (trap-neuter-return) program advocated by Alley Cat Allies (see petside's feral cats article for more info). They also felt that the bounty might encourage unscrupulous folks and cat-haters (who could hate a cat???) to catch pet felines, remove the collar and collect the money.
On March 12, the plan was repealed. It seems an investigation of Mayor Vance Triveily showed that he was illegally operating as a shelter when he agreed to hold the strays in his home, the City Council said.
What do you think? Was this plan cruel, or is offering a reward to control ferals ok? Leave a comment and let me know.
Meet Zeke...
No, not this Zeke:
This Zeke, my fabulous new client:
(Doesn’t it look like he’s grinning?)
In my eight years of training dogs, I’ve never met another Zeke. This gorgeous, clever and oh-so kissable young identity thief is a 16-week old Chocolate Lab:
I can’t say that my Zeke and this Zeke have much in common, other than the fact that they’re both dogs. I’m not too proud to admit that of the two Zeke’s, mine might not be the cutest.
But are we comparing apples to apples here? “Cute” is subjective. (Although we can all probably agree that any puppy is cute, right?) Many people have told me that my Zeke is the homeliest dog they’ve ever met, but I find him completely adorable, crazy eyes and all:
Thoughts, people? Is this the definition of cute:
Or can a catfish-faced dog maintain his title as The Cutest Zeke I Know?
So is your cat a music lover? What sort of music does she like? Hip-hop, classical, country, rock and roll, or is he a jazz-cat?
Felines do tend to be very opinionated about music. Purr-haps it’s because certain frequencies mimic the sounds of cat-song. For instance, playing some pitches on a stringed instrument like a viola prompt some felines to react as they do to catnip.
My cat Seren doesn’t seem to mind when I play the p8iano. She’s a bit more reticent when I sing. But boy-howdy, when I get out my cello she starts “ack-ack-acking” like a miniature lion coughing her displeasure.
Everyone’s a critic!
Does your cat like a certain kind of music? Do they sing along? Leave a comment and tell me about it!
It's ironic that as editor of a webiste for pet owners, I still have trouble keeping my pet away from chocolate. Why I thought Maxi, my Sheltie, could be trusted not to jump onto the coffe table...I don't know? Or why I thought he could ignore the sight of us -- his family -- as we shamelessly gorged oursleves on the Easter goodies....I don't know. I do know that we turned our backs for only 15 minutes, and returned to one fatter Sheltie, a mound of empty wrappers, and Mr. Inccocent licking his mouth. Please be careful, the dangers of chocolate are serious for your pet
In other news, Chihuahua lovers have come out in full force - albeit wearing out their welcome - to Rescue Agencies in Arizona
Hoards of cats were rescued from crisis when a makeshift animal sanctuary was raided in Pennsylvania
My favorite pet news item today is the new bill about to be passed allowing pets in Tuscany to visit publics places. It gives new meaning to the image of a latte followed by a spin around the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum!
In earlier blog covered training cats to walk on a leash, and mentioned harnesses. There are a variety of halters available.
The H-harness modeled here by my cat Seren works well on small to medium size cats. The jumbo-size kitties often tend to be too big for the smallest size, and two small for the medium size found in pet products stores. And it must be fitted correctly or else your cat will wriggle out of it in no time. These harnesses have a band that circles the chest, and another band that goes over the head to fit around the base of the neck. These two bands make up the legs of the “H” and the connecting segment over the shoulders completes the “H” and typically holds the ring where the ring connects. Some of these harnesses also include a second crossbar that connects from the throat-band down the chest to the bellyband and are a bit more wiggle-proof.
The key is to fit both bands so that you can only get a single finger between the band and the cat’s body. That takes quite a bit of putting on and taking off, with adjustments in between, and cats can get quite fed up before you have it properly fit. They also can still pull the whole thing over their heads if they vigorously back away from the leash…keep them heading away from you, and you’ll be more secure.
I personally like the adjustable figure-8 harness better (shown here on the kitten) because whichever direction the cat pulls, the belly/neck bands tightened and do not slide off. This style leash also fits any size cat--from tiny kitten to gigantic adult. It’s a single line of cord, so it’s halter and leash in one.
One end of the line is the leash loop handle, and the other end has a metal butterfly connector creating a neck loop that goes over the cat’s head. The loose end from the neck loop goes behind the cat’s front legs, under the chest, and connects with a hook to the butterfly connector over the cat’s shoulders. I like this style because you can fit it once on the cat--you don’t necessarily have to take it on and off. Measure an approximate length for the belly loop around the cat’s chest before you put it on, making sure you have enough space for the loop to go over his head. You can then pull the cord through the shoulder connector to adjust a snug fit--a bit more snug around the torso and with some give about the neck.
What kind of halter do you prefer for your cat? Leave a comment and let me know why, or send me a picture of your cat on a walk to photos@petside.com
Do you ever take a close look at the dogs that are tied up outside stores and restaurants? Sure, they might look well mannered at first, but look again. Do you see it now? That unflinching gaze towards the doorway that swallowed their person. Furtive glances up and down the street. Panting and lip licking. Trembling. Agitation. Barking. “Don’t-touch-me-itis.”
Leaving your dog tied up while you run errands is not very nice, folks. You’re gambling with your dog’s safety by leaving him unattended in public (hello, dognapping?), and you’re certainly not making him happy fending for himself in the crowds.
Let’s check out some cases studies to illustrate my point. These photos were all taken during the heat of the summer on the island from that famous limerick that begins, ”There once was a man from ….”
This pup was tied up outside a popular newsstand on a very busy corner. He looks ok, right? Now take a look at how tight the leash is around his neck, and how it’s pulling at the collar. The dog is completely oriented towards the store where his person is shopping – if that leash broke he’d be in that store in a heartbeat. This dog wanted nothing to do with the people who stopped to pet him. He’d give a half-hearted wag and then tilt his head away from the person so he had a clear shot of the doorway again.
This next tying-up scenario wasn’t too awful because the dog’s people were right next to him at a restaurant, but I have to wonder why they didn’t just leave him at home while they ate? It was a hot, crowded day, and hanging out on the sidewalk probably wasn’t much fun for an overstimulated Basset.
This last scenario really made me really sad. This dog was tied up outside a restaurant in the blistering sun, and was desperately trying to find comfort in the tiny bit of shade next to the flower box. He looked stressed, overheated and generally miserable. Check out the drops of drool in front of his feet. I just don’t get it.
The next time you see a dog tied up outside a store, stop and watch for a bit and see if you can spot any stress signals.
If you’ve been reading Petside.com regularly, you probably saw this one coming.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
If humans are to wear green on this most festive day, why not our cats? In fact, in 1995 a green cat was born in Denmark and named “Miss Greeny.” The kitten’s fur and claws were green and the color couldn’t be washed out.
Initially thought to be a spontaneous mutation, later it was blamed on the local water supply that had a very high copper content and prompted the patina over the hair coat. Miss Greeny’s color faded as her new coat grew in, once she was removed from the source of the copper.
For fun, take a look at the “green genes” article to see how St. Paddy-festive kitties are possible. Is there a green cat in your future?
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh! Or, St. Patrick’s Day Blessing On You!
Gotta kick off the day with a little Gaelic, and I figure you must be “Topped of the Morning” enough by now? We had fun preparing our article on Irish dogs and folklore, but it led to a water cooler debate that I think warrants some clarification. The big debate: Irish Setter vs Irish Wolfhound. There’s no denying that the Setter holds it’s own in the categories of regal beauty – that rich red coat is a show stopper for sure. But in my book, when it comes to a day like St. Patrick’s Day, steeped in centuries of history,
the Wolfhound cannot be demoted.
Check this Irish Wolfhound history out…
While the streets of New York are buzzing today with the St. Patrick’s Day parade, there is also the aftermath of the tragic crane falling. So far, rescue crews have been working around the clock sifting through piles of rubble in search of survivors after a towering crane at a construction site on Manhattan's East Side toppled and destroyed buildings, and killing at least four people.
Eve Charlack get’s honorable mention for her weekend efforts to rescue dogs residing in the fallen apartment building, and helping to find them foster homes.
There’s no better way to acknowledge ST. Patrick’s life of community service, than with this special honor awarded to Planet Dog, recipient of the 2008 Maine Governor's Award for Business Excellence. Along with the Planet Dog Foundation, this company is dedicated to products that make the earth friendlier.
I’ve been testing out their earth-friendly zip lead, and yes, it’s true, I’ve become a friendlier person!
Sláinte chugat! Good health to you.
National Poison Prevention Week runs March 16-22, and is a wonderful time to learn how to protect pets from household dangers. With Easter just around the corner, your home may be filled with holiday treats that could prove dangerous for your cats--like chocolate bunnies or lilies.
Cats are more discriminating than d*gs about what they eat, but contact poison can affect any pet if they walk through something toxic or it spills on fur and is absorbed through the skin. Cats can be poisoned when they lick off something that’s on their fur or claws.
Symptoms vary depending on the poison, amount of exposure, and the individual animal. You may see anything from drunken staggers and collapse, to salivation, seizures, or hyperactivity.
Accidental poisonings from people medications are one of the most common scenarious. Pets don’t metabolize Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen or neproxin (Aleve) the same way people do, and can die from taking them. A single extra-strength Tylenol can kill a cat!
In 2007, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) dealt with 136,000 cases of pet poisoning and fielded 227,000 phone calls. If you suspect that your pet has been poisoned call your veterinarian or the APCC’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.
Details on specific signs and treatments of various poisons are listed in my book, “The First-Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats.” You can also listen to the online radio podcast Pet Peeves (at www.petliferadio.com) for more insight on the show titled “Deadly Temptations.”
To see a full list of dangerous household products, see petside's article Pet Posions in Your Home
Hubby and I recently altered our insurance policy, and during the meeting our agent asked us what dog breeds we have. I joked that Zeke is a pit bull and Sumner is a Rottweiler. We all had a good laugh – a dog trainer who owns two “dangerous” dogs. Funny!
I didn’t think about the reality of that joke until later in the day.
I laughed about owning “dangerous” dog breeds because I know that profiling by breed alone is a questionable practice (“punish the deed, not the breed”), but the sad reality is that many insurance companies jack up their rates, or even deny coverage, for people who own breeds considered “high risk.”
Can you guess those top risky breeds? In my state my insurance provider won’t cover households with*:
• Pits (So just what is a pit bull?)
• Presa Canario
• Dobermans
• Chow chows
• Rottweilers
(Many states also consider Great Danes and German Shepherds uninsurable.)
Scary stuff, and I’m not talking about scary breeds … what’s frightening to me is that I’ve worked with each and every dog on that list, and they’ve all been perfectly wonderful, well-behaved dogs. Good, solid canine citizens, all.
Do you think insurance companies have made an accurate assessment of the risk factors attributed to those specific breeds? Or are they unfairly targeting the usual suspects?
* There is a loophole in my state: coverage can be provided if the breed in question has passed the Canine Good Citizen test. That’s a start.
It’s not new news that 752 dogs — mostly Chihuahuas — were taken Thursday from what officials called a "puppy mill" just outside of Tuscon, Arizona, but the deeper issues of this situation may never be fully unraveled.
How do you stash 800 animals in one homestead, even if they are the size of toy breeds? How is it that the homeowners have not been charged with a crime? And what about the neighbors? Was there some secret code of silence? I can’t imagine my neighbor sneaking that many animals in or out without me noticing.
And since Wanda and Billy Jones were known to advertise their pups for sale on the Internet, surely people saw ‘strangers’ driving up and pulling out with something in a bundle or a small cage?
So, when is the right time to take action? Our friends over at The Pet Blog offer some tips on what to do if you smell a rat in your neighborhood.
The local Arizona Humane Society faces huge financial challenges for the intake, care, and adoption of these new residents. Screening of the well-meaning new parents is also an arduous task.
And guess what, those stray cats I mentioned the other day in Randolph, Iowa have been given a reprieve. The city council voted to stop the $5 bounty after groups convinced them there were other options – mainly to focus on cutting down reproduction instead of roaming.
Indulge me in another ‘I told you so’ moment – as a matter of fact, elsewhere in Iowa – the pets being orphaned from foreclosures strikes again.
West Michigan is also taking a hard hit, as pet owners suffering foreclosure often end up downsizing to apartment buildings that don’t accept pets.
Just to brighten things up a bit for the weekend, let’s not forget St. Patrick’s Day.
Our good friends at Polka Dot Pup have some great suggestions as to the original meaning of going green!
Send us your news items from you town at stories@petside.com
Like it or not, American Idol is pulling 29 million voters, which means at least 3 times that many people are watching. I will never forget watching it on TV in the UK, where they string the entire week's programs into one 4-hour show without commercial breaks....how do you spell B-O-R-I-N-G.
But with 11 contestants still bravely standing, the Simon Cowell hammer still looms for the ten that won’t make it through the end of April and they always seem to come up with an attention-grabber for all ages.
No news yet on which contestants own pets, but we do know that former winner Carrie Underwood is the proud owner of two cats and a dog.
Global warming has not yet been able to fool flu season, which is still shadowing those of us prematurely shedding winter coats. But worse is the latest find from The New England Journal of Medicine that people and cats can share the dreaded MRSA.
I had a personal pet scare the other day, which makes this news item stand out for me…took my 2-year-old Sheltie to the vet for what I thought was a simple weigh-in to replenish heartworm pills. Two hours, 3 needles, and a stool sample I was pleasantly presented with a $400 bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course my little Maxi is “worth it,” but it did get me thinking about the new buzz on employers offering pet health insurance.
At 2, Maxi’s in great shape, but heck, let’s face it, he’s got gingivitis and he gets winded after a 15-minute exercise run.
Many schools of thought on the insurance issue, especially this just out from the Wall Street Journal
What do you think? Write and let us know if you've purchased pet health insurance? And if you have any news items from your town, sdn them in to us at stories@petside.com
I showed up for my lesson with young Wink this morning and as I was chatting with his people I noticed a messy stack of papers sitting on the edge of their counter. A messy, familiar stack of papers …
Wink …. you didn’t. You really made that old cliché come true?
Yes, indeedy, Wink ate his homework.
Have your pets ever made a cliche come true? I want to hear about it! Tell me your story and send pictures to stories@petside.com
The March issue of the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association includes a study that looked at relieving the loneliness of nursing home residents. Previous findings indicated that frequent pet visits (by d*gs, cats, other critters) decreased the loneliness compared to nursing home residents that had no visits at all.
Makes sense to me. In particular, people who once shared their lives with special furry companions would appreciate visits from kitties or the occasional pooch. That offers an opportunity for cuddling, unconditional love and attention, and maybe even normalizes the environment a bit.
So this most recent study decided to see how the nursing home residents reacted to a ROBOT dog compared to a real-live-furry-panting-wagging pooch. The results? Visits from a sweet doggy and from a robotic dog made by Sony (AIBO) were about equally effective at relieving the loneliness.
The Artificial Intelligence roBOt (AIBO)
Yikes! Sure, the shiny lil’ guy might relieve the boredom, maybe even could be programmed to wag, sit up and beg, or bark on cue. Maybe the researchers like the idea of not having to feed, walk, or scoop up any accidents. I’ve no doubt that plans for a robotic CAT must be in the works (shudder!).
But c’mon, guys. There ain’t no machine can equal the lap-snuggling purr-power of a real-live cat, no matter how many official studies push the notion.
Do you have a robot pet? How do you think he compares with a real pet? Let me know about it by writing me at stories@petside.com
In North Texas, we rarely get snow. Over the past couple of years, we’ve been shortchanged on any sort of precipitation. Seems we’re either in the midst of a drought, or hit with a deluge--last August, flooding nearly swept us away.
So imagine my surprise this past week when we played host not just to flurries, and not just a single day, but TWO major snowstorms! The first blew in at least six inches, and closed schools early and delayed classes the following day. Of course, the 50-degree weather the next day melted everything. After one day of sunny weather (and wading mud) the snow returned and dumped another 8-10 inches of white on everything.
I must admit, the stuff is pretty. The d*gs are confused, but love the cold wet. Cats, on the other paw, have the good sense to stay inside and watch from a safe warm dry perch.
Does your cat like the snow? Or prefer to stay inside away from the stuff? Send me pictures or stories about your cat in the snow to stories@petside.com
Remember little Ellie? My super-shy, freaked out, don’t-move-too-fast-don’t-laugh-don’t-look-at-me canine client? What progress we’ve made over the past few weeks!
Lesson number two was much like the first (“I don’t like you! Go away!”), but then something magical happened between weeks two and three, and Ellie decided that the lady with the bag chock-full o’ hot dogs was ok in her book.
Not that you’d know it from the photos I took today … the girl just hates my camera.
Ellie now allows me to walk around her house without ferociously barking at me (that’s major), and she performs simple obedience exercises, including a basic sit-stay, a beginner “down”, “go to your crate” (she rocks at that one), and a surprisingly cheerful recall. Her person told me that Ellie has been gracefully accepting visitors to her home over the past week … I’d say that things are lookin’ up.
So is Ellie “done”? Is she cured? Pat yourself on the back, Victoria, mission accomplished?
Hardly. We’ve made lovely progress thus far, but training and behavior modification are lifetime careers (particularly with shy dogs). Ellie has a long road ahead of her, and setbacks will be inevitable.
The good news is that Ellie loves learning, and is willing to try new tricks.
I just wish she’d learn to love my camera so I could get a decent shot of her!
Would you turn in a stray cat for $100? How about $50? What about $5?
Apparently a lot of people in Randolph, Iowa would. Although statistics are sketchy on the actual number of strays, the town council has introduced a cash reward for any cats found strolling down the boulevard without a collar.
Residents claim the roaming population has become a public nuisance, and cats (and dogs) can be snatched and held without bail.
And that’s not all...
after being rounded up by the bounty hunters and handed over to the establishment, if they’re not claimed by anyone, I hate to use the E-word…
euthanized.
Hands down the prize for coolest rescue story of the decade goes to Rabbit Islanders Pilar Gosselin and Dave Brace. This vet and her partner bought an island to allow Katrina trauma-laden canines a place to relax.But don't worry, although the dogs run free, there are not actually any rabbits on the island."
Oh, that Alaskan sled race can’t win for losing. A press release issued by the Iditarod states that, "at approximately 10 p.m. (Sunday) evening, a snowmachiner ran into Jennifer Freking's team on the Yukon River near Koyukuk (upriver from Nulato). Unfortunately, the incident caused the death of a 3-year-old female named 'Lorne.' "
Although Freking is quoted as saying that this was the “worst nightmare that has ever happened,” she and her team runner husband decided to continue on in the race – which is scheduled to end late Tuesday or early Wednesday depending on who crosses the finish line first.
Shout out today to Melissa, who wrote in to tell petsiders that her cat Socks, chases his tail like a dog! Socks rocks! Here's another feline tail chaser...
Send us your pet news items at stories@petside.com
Zeke has had a stalactite-like drooling problem for the past two days, and this morning he started shaking his head every so often as if something was annoying him, so we hit the vet today to check it out. He’s always very happy to get in the car for a ride, but he gets a bad case of the shivers when he realizes that we’re heading to the vet office right around the corner.
He’s actually really good at the vet. A little over-excited, but still “with it” enough to do down-stays for me when I ask.
He shoots me looks every so often as if to say “Ok, can we go now? I feel great! No rectal thermometer needed!”
As always, he let the vet do a variety of uncomfortable exams without a making a peep:
Zeke’s cranial nerves checked out ok, his neck-flexion test went fine, his facial symmetry looked good, his ears were clean and his teeth and salivary glands checked out ok as well. I have no idea what was going on in his grill over the past two days (the drooling was constant), but whatever it was, it’s gone now.
He’s all, “Dude, I told you I was fine!”
How does your dog do at the vet? Any great stories? Tell me about them by writing me at stories@petside.com
While four-time Iditarod winner Jeff King caught news headlines over the weekend news by surging ahead of defending champion Lance Mackey, the Iditarod fell true to animal rights defenders with the death of a dog. The seven-year-old Huskie succumbed to pneumonia, and with several other team dogs showing signs of fatigue and illness, musher John Stetson decided to pull out from the grueling race.
Over in Utah, the pit bulls rescued from the Michael Vick dog-fighting camp are facing the challenges of rehab. It’s not surprising they might be a bit skeptical of their new human companions. Hopefully time will heal.
If you’re living in Boulder, CO, coming home from the alley party by 8pm may not cut it for the owners of ‘other’ pets. A new rule to keep your cats indoors is rising high on for popular vote! Do these folks know what it’s like living with a cat with cabin fever?
Confined cats met a sad fate when the home of a zealous New York animal lover caught fire, killing a complete menagerie.
Across the pond, the Giant Schnauzer takes the Best of Show prize at Crufts…
Yay, Philippe!
Send us your news stories at stories@petside.com
In the old days, we didn’t think too much about pets suffering pain. Even veterinarians suggested that discomfort might be a good thing that kept kitties from over-doing after surgery. With our cat companions, we may not realize they hurt because kitties are such masters at hiding problems.
A great deal of research has since shown that our pets suffer just as much pain as people do--whether they show it or not. Relieving the discomfort not only is the humane thing to do, it can also speed healing. Today, veterinary pain management has become a specialty.
Dr. Robin Downing is one of the world’s leading experts on pain in animals, and she’s a founder and past president of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. Dr. Downing also is a trustee of the Morris Animal Foundation which funds research that aids our cats (and d*gs, llamas, gorillas and all sorts of other critters).
Morris Animal Foundation will sponsor a live webcast, lead by Dr. Downing, on pain management for pets on March 13, 2008, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time). Contributing to the discussion will be Patricia Olson, DVM, Ph.D., president and CEO of Morris Animal Foundation.
The live webcast will cover all aspects of pain management, including common causes of pain, overlooked hidden causes of pain, anticipating and avoiding pain in your pets, communicating with your veterinarian and how to ask the right questions. Participate in the webcast at: www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/livechat. The webcast will be available indefinitely for global audiences on a non-live basis at the webcast address.
If you join in on the webcast, let me know what you thought by writing me at stories@petside.com
I have two canine helpers that live in the trunk of my car. Rex is a handsome young Husky, and Maxine (named for a certain neighbor dog) is an affable Golden mix. Before you report me the ASPCA, have a look at my TAs:
These life-sized stuffed dogs come in handy when I work on polite leash walking with my canine students. How? It’s an exercise I call “walking towards a goal.” When most dogs see something intriguing on the horizon they gun their engines and pull full tilt until they reach their prize, whether it’s another dog or a tipped over garbage can. Unfortunately, that strategy usually works for dogs: they pull, we follow.
The object of my “walking towards a goal” exercise is to teach dogs that pulling towards a very obvious and intriguing goal (Rex and Maxine, set up a distance down the road) no longer works, and the only way to get closer to those bizarre statue-like dogs is to walk politely without tugging.
The reactions from my canine students are hysterical. Most of them don’t realize that Rex and Maxine are stuffed when they first see them, and a few never realize that they’re fake dogs! (These tend to be the more nervous, cautious dogs that can’t understand why Rex and Maxine aren’t acknowledging their various appeasement gestures.)
After we’ve worked through the lesson and politely bridged the gap between student dog and fake dogs, the hilarity continues. Most of my student dogs approach the stuffed dogs with standard ritualistic dog postures. Cautious sniffs are common:
Then we get the takedown for crotch sniffing. “Who are you? WHAT are you?”:
After they determine that Rex and Maxine smell and taste suspiciously like their squirrel toy from inside the house, the play begins:
To be honest, the exercise is really geared more towards the owner, so that he or she can better understand the mechanics and timing of polite leash walking. It’s a silly way to work on a very common training challenge.
How do your cats play? Are they solo-performers attacking sparkle balls like my cat Seren? Or do they mob-play as a group? Chase each other? Play tag? Grab ankles?
Cat play makes me smile, and reminds me that nothing in life is so important that we can’t let down our guard a bit and feel/act goofy. It makes you feel good.
And if anyone objects, simply say, “The cat made me do it.”
Write and tell me about your cat's funniest playtime story! Send an email to me at: Stories@petside.com
I work in many multi-dog homes and the big question my clients always ask before we begin our lessons is, “How are we going to train two dogs at one time?”
My preferred method is to work with each dog individually for the first four weeks, then bring the dogs together for the final two sessions. This allows each dog to learn the basics at his own pace. Sounds reasonable, right? The challenge in working with the dogs individually is that the dog not in school usually spends his time outside the classroom complaining, volubly. The owner, stricken by the noise, then admits that the two dogs are rarely separated.
And there’s the problem.
Most of us tend to consider our multiple dogs as one unit. We feed them, walk them and play with them together. It makes life easier on us, but it sets a precedent that’s hard to undo. When the dogs need to be separated, because of illness or some unplanned for household emergency, the never-alone sibling dogs can’t cope.
In addition to the worst-case scenario planning, it’s a good idea to have solo time with your dogs because it allows them to have your total focus. What dog doesn’t want to be the star of the show every now and then? You might be amazed to discover behavioral traits in your dogs that you never noticed before.
My dogs have vastly differing play styles, so much so that Sumner won’t even try to play when Zeke is around. (Zeke is a bully.) Rather than let Sum watch from the sidelines, I’ll take turns locking one dog out of the room and have individual playtime with the other.
Zeke enjoys rough-and-tumble fetch and tug:
While Sumner likes low-key nibbling and hugging his realistic stuffed Kitty Cat:
Sure, it would be easier to play with them together, but it’s clear to me that they both enjoy being my “one and only” every so often.
In another lifetime, I worked as a vet tech. We dispensed quite a large number of hard cardboard Elizabethan Collars that we laced up around the pet’s neck to encase them in a cone, sometimes referred to as “the bucket” or “the lampshade.” I can’t remember a single cat or d*g that enjoyed the experience, and kitties in particular detested wearing these things.
Shy cats simply crouched in place and refused to move. More outgoing kitties banged the collar or scraped it against walls. I suppose the cats decided, “If I’m gonna be aggravated by this @#$%^ thing, then my humans are, too!”
They needed to wear them, of course, to prevent nibbling or clawing at a wound. The collars help injuries heal. And these days, many veterinary clinics continue to dispense Elizabethan collars. They’re no longer cardboard, and instead usually are made of bulky plastic, and they fit much better than in the old days.
But cats still hate them. Cats still refuse to move too much. Even worse, wearing these makes many cats reluctant to eat.
Enter the “recovery collar.” It’s still a lampshade of sorts, but rather than hard plastic, the soft vinyl is lightweight. Softer means more comfort for the patient, and easier to maneuver means cats are more likely to eat during their recovery period. This new product comes in five sizes--even for tiny kittens! You can learn more here.
There are 16,000 pets sharing their final resting place at the Bluebonnet Pet Cemetery in Mansfield, Texas--but now that final rest seems up for debate. The property may be sold out from under them, and leave their grieving owners wondering what to do.
The owner, David Stafford, owes unpaid property taxes for 2006 and 2007, which prompted the Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office to place a lien against the property. According to news reports, an attorney for the county is considering a lawsuit, and if Stafford can’t pay, the land could be sold.
Stafford purchased the property in 2002, and still owes payments to the estate of the former owner. Owners of the buried pets are concerned if a new owner could use the land for something else--and if so, they worry what might happen to the graves. Texas has no laws governing pet cemeteries, and the industry trends these days indicate most deceased pets are cremated.
The unpaid property taxes amount to about $10,000, according to county records. Stafford says the burial plots and services range from $65 to $185, but he gives discounts to most of his clients who tend to be low-income. He has coffins and granite markers available, but clients are not required to purchase them.
Every now and then I’ll get a “remember me?” e-mail from a former client. Thankfully, most of them don’t say something like, “Remember my dog Fido? We worked with you three years ago? Fido just bit the mailman’s leg off.” No, most of the follow-up e-mails I receive are happy tails about how Fido is faring post-training.
One of my clients from’06 recently checked in with an update on her charming 2-year-old Labradoodle (Labrador and Poodle Mix), Winfrey. And she sent pictures!
Isn’t he gorgeous?
Winfrey’s person told me that she regularly gets compliments about how well behaved he is in public. She gave me the credit for his good manners, but I humbly declined it. I might have started her off with the basic training tools, but she’s been putting them to good use every day for the past two years. And then some. Winfrey’s got mad skilz.
Here he is showing off either “roll over” or “play dead” (or if he’s like Zeke, both at the same time):
He knows his left paw from his right:
And spin in either direction:
He’s also getting started with agility training, dance lessons and he’s working on becoming a therapy dog.
Whew. I think Winfrey could teach me a few new tricks at this point!
The sport of fighting dogs appears to be an addiction worse than nicotine or alcohol. Sad news out of Yonkers, NY last night reports the discovery of another drug/dogfighting ring where police rescued fifteen pit bulls. Two maimed pit bulls were found in a trash bin in the same area, just in January.
On a positive note, the state of Wyoming has joined the other 49 states making dog-fighting a felony.
But shelters all over the country are having difficulty keeping up with added intake...
...as dog fighting rings are shut down.
Pitbulls got a different kind of attention yesterday as One Tree Hill star, Sophia Bush, was spotted at LAX with her companion Patch.
Hollywood pet news is still buzzing around Ellen Degeneres and her new Partnering with Halo, Purely For Pets®. According to reports, Halo is expanding its product line and retail presence for its entire line of all-natural pet food and pet care products in the U.S. market, and Ellen swears the food is good enough for humans to eat!
And while dogs in the UK appear to be living a happier day with the opening of the Cruft’s Dog Show, a behind-the-scenes scandal has erupted with accusations of illegal bets setting up the grand prize winner.
Can you believe anything you see on TV any more?
Send us your news stories at stories@petside.com
Things that make you go hmmm…released at the same time as the Ohio primary results taken by Hillary Clinton, a report citing the Humane Society of the United States says that it’s harder to place dogs with black coats for adoption.
On the east coast, coats were not the issue. The Ringling Brothers are in for some heat from the attention brought on by this near-naked protestor making a statement about animal cruelty ...at the circus.
Scientifically speaking, studies now show that dogs and humans share the same genetic basis for certain types of cancer.
And scientists at the University of Iowa have identified a brand new eye disease.
Making a big comeback in today’s news is the Nigerian Puppy Scam. Beware, believe it or not, people are still falling for it.
Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Send your local pet news items to stories@petside.com
People often ask me if I train anything other than dogs, then offer up their spouses or children as potential subjects. (And by “spouses” I mean to say “husbands.” I’ve yet to have a husband ask me to train his wife.) Dogs are my mainstay, but years ago I spent a week learning how to train a very unlikely subject: a chicken named Elvis.
“Chicken Camp” is a rite of passage for many positive dog trainers. Run by renowned animal trainer Bob Bailey, the camp is a wonderful opportunity for dog trainers to hone their training skills in a most unusual fashion, with a most unusual subject.
Why chickens? It turns out they’re smarter than you might realize. (Step away from the KFC.) Chickens are hearty, they learn quickly, and the trainer is rarely tempted to second-guess the chicken’s motives. The chicken isn’t refraining from performing an action because he’s “mad at you” or because he’s “willful.” He’s not doing what you want him to because you, the trainer, are doing something wrong! If you make a mistake during the chicken training process, you’ll know it within a few repetitions.
The paramount trick at my chicken camp was to teach the feathered students to peck a ping-pong ball on a string (it was set up kind of like a horizontal tether ball) hard enough so that the ball flipped over the bar. Yikes. Oh, and the chicken had to perform the behavior three times in a row. Difficult? You bet. But my team and I managed to do it.
(Yes, I’m wearing Mom jeans, but the photo was taken seven years ago!)
I have a yard filled with potential training subjects up at my parents’ house, but so far I’ve only been tempted to try to train them once. As valuable as the chicken camp experience was for me, I think I’ll stick to my furry friends.
Some years ago, I had the treat of spending time in England and was amazed--and delighted--at the number of d*gs out and about, even in restaurants. They all behaved impeccably, as well.
Of course, back home in the USA, there may be a few places here and there that turn a blind eye to d*ggy dining, but for the most part, health departments make it difficult. Certainly service animals are exempt from such restrictions, but otherwise, we’re instructed to leave our pets at home.
Dallas passed a variance in state law to allow d*ggy dining on patios, if the establishment acquired the necessary permits. But then they made gaining those permits so restrictive that few restaurants could afford either the funds or time to welcome four-footed patrons. Restrictions included installing “air curtains” to separate the patio from the interior (noisy and expensive), and cleaning the outdoor area every 30 minutes. So now they’re revisiting the variance, to loosen the leash a bit.
Any day now, they’ll come to their senses and include cats! After all, our felines wash themselves before, during, and after meals.
Alley Cat Allies seeks to protect the lives and promote the wellbeing of stray and feral cats, and their Trap-Neuter-Return program has gained ground across the United States. After 12 years using the program, Cape May, NJ is one of the success stories.
Cape May’s stray and feral cat population has dropped 80 percent since the program’s inception in the mid-1990s, from around 450 cats to under 100 today. The population continues to decline.
But this historic beach community also shelters the endangered piping plover, a small brown and white fuzzy bird that the US Fish and Wildlife Service believe to be targeted by the cats. The cat protectors argue that people playing Frisbee or riding bikes in restricted areas are as much or more to blame.
Removing the cats to another location historically leaves a vacuum that’s soon filled with new strays--a stable, healthy population of cats keeps sick interlopers away, as well as controlling vermin and potentially keeping other predators of the birds at bay.
Although the city’s mayor, several council members and many residents support the TNR program and want it to continue, the US Fish and Wildlife Service has pressured that the cats be removed. “If the federal government is allowed to overrule local support for Trap-Neuter-Return, most of the cats in Cape May will be caught and killed,” warned Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies.
”The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is threatening to pull the plug on the beach-sand replenishment program for 2008 if the city will not agree to end its groundbreaking and progressive Trap-Neuter-Return program,” said Robinson, “Such a move would be devastating for the Cape May community, which relies on its beaches to draw tourists each year.”
They’re voting today, March 4, on the decision. Visit www.alleycat.org to sign the online petition to save the cats of Cape May.
For more information, see Petside's articles Feral Cats and When Cats Kill
Cody the 5-year old beagle is soon going to be representing the American canine population overseas: he’s moving to London!
Cody needs to polish up his manners before he leaves. He’s a great dog, but he has a few etiquette shortcomings that simply must be addressed. After all, he doesn’t want his new neighbors to think that American dogs are barbarians.
In addition to curbing his jumpy greetings and solidifying his stay, we plan to tackle his less-than-polite leash behavior. Yes, Cody is yet another tough guy.
He’s got a few months to bone up on his social graces before he heads across the pond to become a canine ambassador.
Hopefully he’ll leave the declaration of war stateside and greet the neighborhood dogs with good old-fashioned American charm.
Will Texas and Ohio decide the Democratic nominee in the March 4th Primaries? We’ll see, but in the meantime, how are the two candidates doing on the pet side? Perhaps a presidential cat will make a comeback? Everyone knows Hillary Clinton’s cat Socks knows every nook and cranny of the White House. He even comes with a ready made tuxedo.
But, did you know, Barack Obama’s scoring pretty well with the D-O-G-S…
Elsewhere in middle America...alerting all wolves in the Rocky Mountains…they’ve been taken OFF the Endangered Species list which means these fathers of all dogs can be hunted again.
Will we ever learn?
The honeymoon is over for our man Uno, the Best in Show winner of the 2008 Westminster Dog Show.
Uno was recently spotted visiting 91-year-old Rosemary "Rosie" Kramm of Peoria, IL, who claims herself to be one of his biggest fans!
Write to us at stories@petside.com with news from your town, especially if you live in Texas or Ohio today.
I don’t like walking my dogs.
It’s true. For me, it’s a chore, not a pleasure. (Oh, do I feel like a crappy dog owner for admitting that. Let the backlash begin!)
Think about it – I spend a good part of my days taking walks with my canine clients, so by the time I get home I’m not overly excited to put the heavy coat back on and walk my own dogs. I guess this is how a married prostitute feels.
We have a fenced-in yard, so I could take the easy way out and just dump them in the back and forget about the walk, but the combination of my guilt and their pleading looks overwhelm me. So we walk.
I guess if I’m confessing I might as well admit to another reason why I don’t love walking my dogs. That other reason is Sumner. AKA “Freak Boy.”
He was severely undersocialized for the first year of his life (we got him when he was a year old), and that early social vacuum made him a very nervous guy. He’s come a long way, baby, but he still gets a tad worried when he sees other dogs.
What does that mean? That means that I’m training him every single time we step out the door. I’m back on the job, even during my off hours.
No rest for the weary, I tell you.
Ewwwww…with the weather lately (warm, rainy) the ants have decided to come indoors. Of course they target the pet food. That hasn’t been a problem so much with Seren’s feeding station, which is in my upstairs office on the guest bathroom counter. No, it’s the d*g’s area they’ve targeted because, well--no easy way to say this--he’s a slob.
Magic doesn’t always clean up all his kibble, and some drops out onto the floor. I even have a “talk-to-me-treat-ball” for him and it dribbles kibble around the living room for him to snarf up as he plays with it. Again, sometimes he misses a morsel.
The ants find it.
So, for the time being, no more treat ball, and no more free feeding. He eats what’s there immediately or it gets picked up. And meanwhile, I’ve found some terrific ant-deterrent tips for any d*g or cat purrson having difficulties. As you know, kitties are very sensitive to insecticides so care must be taken.
Some of the professional cat breeders suggested protecting food sources or even kitten beds with a line of sprinkled talcum powder. Apparently ants won’t cross this line. Another good option is the food-grade diatomaceous earth. It’s dusty but works as a natural and safe insecticide for ants and even fleas.
You can also use a cat-safe flea spray that contains pyrethrin. It kills ants, too. Be sure to mop up around the food source to get rid of the invisible ant “trail” that the bugs follow.
There also are some excellent ant barrier bowls available at pet products stores. I’m currently using one called the Ant Barrier II from www.sani-moat.com, which basically puts a dish of water under/around the pet dish so ants won’t cross. So far, great success! No more ants since the “barrier” was installed.
But I do need to work on Magic’s munching manners.
The world-famous dog sled race across Alaska kicked off over the weekend. Dogs and owners are fighting the cold and no doubt fighting each other to race 1,000 miles across the desolate tundra and two mountain ranges to pass the Bering Sea and cross the finish line first.
Things are just as icey for homeowners facing foreclosure, as the news gets worse and worse for pets left without homes.
Across the pond, the Brits are throwing down the gauntlet with the Cruft's Dog Show. Before you write me off as biased towards my UK homeland, this dog show is officially recognized as the world’s largest dog show by the Guinness Book of Records.
Crufts 2008 expects to have 23,000 dogs, including 1,165 dogs from overseas.
Competition still wins viewership, as American Idol spins off into the pet world. Does your town host an Animal Idol? Write to us and tell us about it at stories@petside.com.
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