OK, years ago, I used to be against it. I mean, is Halloween a holiday or an excuse to expose other people's fantasies? I never really understood the idea behind placing tombstones or skulls on one's front lawn, but even I have come to enjoy a good gawk at the lengths people go through to ...decorate. Besides, it's a non-partisan kind of event where nobody takes a particular side.
So my Halloween question today is...now that I'm almost believing that there might actually be such a thing as ghosts, is it possible there is one living in my house? You see, for the life of me, I cannot understand that no matter how diligent we are, or how many times we verbalize the dangers of chocolate for dogs out loud, I keep finding empty candy wrappers in places they shouldn't be.
It must be a ghost...surely that doe-eyed, sweet Sheltie that lives with us wouldn't purposely wait until we've turned out all the lights and gone upstairs to bed to...raid the garbage? No -o-o-o-oo, it must be a ghost, because when I left the house yesterday, I could swear I left the Halloween candy jar on top of the kitchen counter, and yet when I returned Snickers and Twix wrappers were strewn over the kitchen floor.
I asked Maxi who would do such a thing, but he didn't seem to know. There were no signs of forced entry. I'm sure he would only tell me the truth, because like us, I'm certain he can read the labels and fully well knows that chocolate contains theobromine, an alkaloid that dogs can't metabolize quickly and could therefore poison him?
I know that you all love your pets, and I know you've been warned about the dangers for your pets on Halloween, but...the truth is, I don't believe in ghosts and as for Maxi...adorable, clever, and downright sneaky are all adjectives that can lovingly be used to describe him!
Be careful, be safe, and don't forget to send us your Halloween pet photos!
Last week, I offered some safety tips for Halloween, but now that the big day has arrived, here are a couple more--especially if you want them to wear costumes.
It’s best to gradually introduce them to it a little at a time. For instance, set the costume out on the floor for the first day. Let the pet sniff it thoroughly. The next day, drape it over his back for only a moment, and perhaps offer a treat. Associate GOOD THINGS with the costume. And please, don’t force your pet to wear something, especially if they feel uncomfortable or frightened. Some pets become quite upset, and that’s simply not fun for the pet and shouldn’t be funny for a caring owner, either.
There are some pets that enjoy or at least tolerate costumes. Just for fun, take a look at the YouTube examples of both dogs and cats strutting their stuff.
And some even more fun, with long-suffering canines:
Coco, a diminutive 13 year-old toy Poodle weighing in at about 6 pounds and her owner, Mary Pasko, is involved smack in the middle of a huge Hardship Pet Case. Mary Pasko, a spirited 90 year-old retired teacher and beauty parlor manager, is facing eviction from her co-op which has an iron-clad no pet’s policy.
When Coco was a small puppy, she was given to Mrs.Pasko by her younger daughter, Denise, as a gift shortly after the death of her husband, in hopes that Coco could help her mom through the grieving process. Coco became an integral part of her life.
Mrs. Pasko then moved in with Denise and another daughter, Alison. The living arrangements worked out beautifully, with Coco involved in daily routines, and who had become Mrs. Pasko's close companion, spending time enjoying their simple life's pleasures. 5 years later, however, Denise became critically ill, and Mrs. Pasko moved back to her home town to live with her other daughter, Joan, in a brick co-op with that strict no pet policy. Coco remained with Alison and Denise, but visited the co-op on a regular basis, and as such her presence was tolerated. When Denise passed away, both Mrs. Pasko and Coco were at her bedside.
Mrs. Pasko could not consider returning to the Co-op without Coco. With her double grief, the thought of living without Coco was intolerable. A request for a waiver of the rule was turned down by the co-op board, and a legal nightmare began to unfold.
Residents claim that property values would decline of the dog was allowed to stay. Mrs. Pasko on the other hand claims that Coco poses no safety threat, nor would she lower real estate value. Since she is not a rule-breaker, she wants to have Coco live with her legitimately. Coco, an extremely well behaved dog, would not in any way be a disturbance to any residents of the co-op. She doesn't shed, she doesn't bark, and, in fact, in dog years is about the same age as her owner. Mrs. Pasko just desperately needs her dog for the wonderful companionship which she provides.
During an interview, Mrs. Pasko said, “I think that by the time you’re 90, you deserve to have something of your very own that nobody can take away,” she says, tartly. “She’s my medicine. I don’t think I could make it without her.”
The eviction case began in 2007 when the co-op board refused to make an exception for Coco, claiming that she is not a service dog, but only an emotional support for Mrs. Pasko. The bitter fight continues as one of the co-op attorney's mother, aged 97 who refuses to back down in the suit, claiming that if she could give up her feline companionship to live at the co-op, that Mrs. Pasko must follow suit. The United States Department of Justice has agreed to prosecute the case in support of Coco and to fight the pending eviction of Mrs. Pasko actually at the request of the co-op board who claims that a federal jury hearing will be fairer to their side of the case.
The co-op board did successfully eject a feline from the building based on their rule, but they want to make certain that the rule is legitimate, and do not want to do anything wrong. In any case, due to the advanced age of both Mrs. Pasko and Coco, anything can happen to either of them while the case is under consideration and the conflict in the law is resolved.
I feel strongly that “No pet" rules can negatively impact the lives of people and their pets. Having a pet with whom one can share their heart and home, seems to me to be a basic need that animal lovers need to fulfill. These rules appear to be arbitrary and unfair to me.
What are your thoughts about "No Pet" rules? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
Preparing for Halloween is a lot of fun in our neighborhood. Watching carved pumpkins pop up on lawns, trees decorated with cobwebs, and scary statues appearing, all add to the anticipation of this annual event.
I get a kick out of watching parents with small children in tow, dressed as ballerinas, princesses, skeletons and ghosts. Those Trick or treat festivities are a delight, but as "pet parents," we need make plans for our animals' safety. At our house, we always keep our cats safely shut in our bedroom during trick or treat. This prevents potential escapes and any anxiety caused by all the strangers coming and going at the front door. We also play soothing music in the bedroom to cover up all the extra noise. We don't give out any chocolate treats, since they are highly toxic to cats and dogs. We are concerned not only for our own cats, but for our young costumed visitors' pets.
Lazarus in costume
Check out these excellent 10 Safety Tips for Pet Parents from the ASPCA. Following their suggestions will help to make your Halloween fun, safe and stress-free for you and your pets.
1. No tricks, no treats: That bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms can be very dangerous for dogs and cats, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed. If you suspect your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, yet they can produce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage could even occur if large pieces are ingested.
3. Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise extreme caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of being burned or singed by candle flames.
5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume can cause undue stress.
6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe or bark. Keep a look out for small, dangling, or easily chewed-off pieces on the costume that your pet could choke on.
7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not obstruct her vision in any way. Even the sweetest animals can get snappy when they can't see.
8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.
9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.
10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and become lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.
What do you think about including your pet in your Halloween festivities? Are you planning to dress them in costume? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
Some people are blessed with special gifts. And even fewer are offered the opportunity to share these gifts with others, and live their passion. I’ll admit to being very fortunate that my life’s work involves cats and dogs.
For the past twenty-something years, I’ve made my living writing about pets, and (I hope) helping cats and dogs--and their owners--live better as well. Wow, doing something I love--it doesn’t get any better than that! I’m doing my best to create a peaceable kingdom in my own small way…and yes, that’s one reason I treasure this particular piece of art, a gift from my father who’s a collector and artist himself.
Recently a colleague shared a story with me that made me smile, because I recognized myself. Michael Jurogue Johnson also lives his pet dream, sharing his gifts as an artist. Born with Down Syndrome, Michael has studied, practiced and refined his talents since being handed painting materials one fateful day. This young artist has combined his talent and love of beautiful things by creating paintings that often include cats and dogs.
(see http://www.loveandlearning.com/michaelorder.htm).
Do you have a special talent? Are you living your dream? Be inspired by your cats and dogs to live life fully each day, and celebrate your gifts like Michael and other pet lovers.
Last Tuesday, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas opened a new $15 million veterinary hospital--a “Walter Reed” for four-legged military personnel. It offers advanced medical treatment for combat-wounded dogs. There are currently about 2500 dogs working with the military.
Just like their human partners, dogs injured during wartime receive emergency treatment on the battlefield. Those injured in Iraq or Afghanstan usually are flown to Germany for further care, and now they also may be flown to San Antonio for more advanced treatment.
The new hospital has operating rooms, digital radiography, CT scanning equipment, an intensive care unit and rehab rooms with an underwater treadmill and exercise balls, among other features. A behavioral specialist is also available nearby.
For more on pet rehabilitation, check out this video.
We all are enchanted by those "get a long little doggie", the delightfully amusing Dachunds. They are those short-legged, elongated members found in the hound family of canines. The English translation for the name of the breed is "badger dog."
But did you know that it was recently reported by the London (PTI) that the Dachshund is one of the most aggressive breeds in the world, interestingly followed closely behind by the Chihuahua, with the Jack Russell trailing in third place. When researchers released the study published by the "Applied Animal Behavior Science Journal", this news was not well received by owners of small breeds who were quite upset with the results of the study.
The Dachshund
After all, the Dachshund is famous for being a playful dog with a wonderful sense of humor, who delights in chasing balls, small animals and toys, with an enormous canine passion.
Information included in the study revealed by researchers that one in five Dachunds have either attempted to bite a stranger, or have attacked other dogs and one in 12 have even snapped at their owners.
Dr James Serpell, lead researcher of the University of Pennsylvania postulated that smaller breeds may behave more aggressively than larger dogs, due to a genetic predisposition toward aggression. He said ""Reported levels of aggression in some cases are concerning, with rates of bites or bite attempts rising as high as 20 per cent towards strangers and 30 per cent towards unfamiliar dogs."
The Rottweiler, pit bull and Rhodesian Ridgeback scored average or below average marks for hostility towards strangers, the study found.
However, Chris Moore, Secretary of the Northern Dachshund Association in the United Kingdom remarked, "As far as breeders in the UK are concerned, this is rubbish. It is not in the dogs' nature. I have never been bitten in 25 years."
I wonder if there is a Nature/nurture component in the personality and behavioral traits in the small breeds. Folks I know who own small breeds often describe them to me as big dogs stuck in tiny bodies, who don't recognize differences in size. Or perhaps some smaller dogs can become more intimidated than the bigger breeds, so resort to aggressive behavior, defensively?
So, small dog owners out there, what are your thoughts? Please share with us and leave a comment.
It still amazes me when people who are not animal lovers, tell me that cats and dogs are like oil and water, not able to get along. Some people still think that cats and dogs are natural enemies. Of course, we pet lovers know this is just an urban legend of the highest magnitude.
This morning, while rummaging through my email box, I ran across an incredibly heartwarming story about a very brave dog, hailed as a hero in Melbourne, Australia. It moved me so deeply that I had to share it.
Leo, a Terrier cross risked his life to save a litter of kittens after a fire broke out overnight in the house in which he was guarding the kittens. Leo was given oxygen and heart massage to save his life.
Firefighters who saved this courageous canine, remarked that Leo would not leave the building even though the fire and smoke was overwhelming. Leo was discovered laying beside the kittens, in an attempt to save them. Fire service Commander Ken brown told reporters, “Leo wouldn't leave the kittens and it nearly cost him his life."
Leo is indeed a hero in my book as well. The four kittens survived the fire and are now doing well. The firefighters nicknamed Leo, Smokey, and has returned to the house.
Watch the heart-warming MSNBC news video, and share your thoughts with us by leaving a comment.
Have you ever had this happen? Kitty’s pestering you for attention, winding figure-8’s around your feet or pawing your leg. Maybe she leaps into your lap and twirls around, meowing for petting. So, like any well-trained kitty owner, you oblige and begin petting her.
Then she bites, leaps off your lap, and stalks away. What’s the deal?
Termed “petting aggression,” this behavior can be typical of a couple cat personality types. Kitties that tend to be pushy and want to control the interaction quickly learn that they can tell you when to pet, and when to stop, simply with a bite. They use this “leave me alone bite” to get their way in many situations. For instance, they may bite (or at least offer to bite) to maintain their position on a favorite piece of furniture, or in a doorway. These cats typically act up only with one or two people in the house--the ones they’ve learned will back down and that they can buffalo.
Beware the Claws!
The other situation occurs with cats that simply have a very low “petting threshold.” These kitties may be hypersensitive to touch. They want contact and love attention, but can only take it in very small doses. If you pay attention to cats that groom each other, you’ll notice they usually only target each other’s heads and back of the neck. But people often want to use their entire palm to repeatedly stroke the cat from head-to-tail. Think of it this way: A loved one gently scratches your back but the pleasant sensation becomes aggravating and eventually unbearable if it goes on and on and on…and on. Cats strike out in reflex to make it stop, but after the first success, they’ve learned that bites work and repeat it in the future.
What to do? Ideally, avoid situations that prompt a bite. This keeps the cat from practicing the behavior, and also protects you from dangerous injury. A cat bite gets infected very easily and requires medical attention immediately.
So when the cat wants attention, give it--but watch his ears and tail and only stroke once or maybe twice and stop before he’s ready to bite. Target only the back of the neck to help reduce aggravation levels. Count how many strokes he can tolerate and over time, you may be able to increase from two strokes to three, and later to four and so on. If the cat won’t get off your lap without biting, simply stand up to dump him off. And find a special treat that he loves to lure him out of doorways or off other furniture.
It’s time to give credit where it’s due… our resident pet bloggers, Amy Shojai and Jo Singer, have each been bestowed the honor of writing awards this month!
Amy will be honored by the Cat Writer’s Association in Atlanta, and Jo received the Marketplace Premier Writer Award from helium.com.
It’s not easy writing about pets. Often, the task is to write without bias on topics about living creatures for whom for passion one might easily consider laying down to die for.
Then, there is the task to discern what might make news to an animal lover vs what might be considered trivial to the general public. For example, is a tsunami more important than puppy mill violations? Does the battle over adoption versus purebreds supersede the Wall Street crash?
Despite the tough decisions, both Amy and Jo have provided petside with consistent, up-to-the-minute and fair reporting. Pets and good journalism share equal space in their hearts…and on top of that they are really nice people!
I thought I’d bring forward a news item that gives me the creeps. I know it’s Halloween, but I think the topic of killer bees (Africanized bees) is genuinely frightening.
Perhaps it’s because I recently saw a documentary that showed how these bees operate: In a nutshell, some temporary beekeeper in Brazil, in 1957, accidentally allowed a bunch of killer bees to escape. They went on to terrorize communities and currently there is real concern with uncontrollable populations which have spread to Mexico, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Florida and Southern California.
As someone who caries an extra can of Backyard Raid in my bag during summer, I really can’t fathom the idea of a gang of bees, who at the slightest disturbance…could be a small as a sneeze ten yards away…will compile a posse and chase you as far as 5 miles, smother your face and upper body until you …well…let’s just say, I managed to WALK 5 miles for a charity last week but run? From angry bees?
What does this have to do with pets? A 70-year-old woman was injured last week, and three dogs are dead after a swarm of bees terrorized a neighborhood in South Florida.
Rescue crews removed 50 pounds of honeycomb from the side of a home in Palm Beach County after the attack.
The bees swarmed Nancy Hill and her two dogs. Hill was treated at a hospital, but the dogs died. The bees also attacked two other dogs in the neighborhood. One of those died and the other was injured.
Lab tests should determine whether the bees were Africanized bees. Either way, if you go to seethe movie The Secret Life of Bees now in theaters, don’t be fooled into thinking beekeeping is risk-free, and please, watch out not only for yourselves, but for your pets.
Dog Miraculously Survives Machete Attack: Adoptable Today!
As an avid animal lover who spends a great deal of time on the Internet, of course I receive many heart-rending emails from Animal Shelters and adoption agencies. This morning, while going through my mail, the subject line “Dog Lost an Eye Because Of Severe Abuse" instantly got my attention.
Jack is a two year-old German shepherd mix, who miraculously found his way to the Bideawee shelter in New York, all the way from Mississippi. He is a small dog, puppy-sized in fact, who was brutally attacked with a machete that severely injured his eye. Someone took Jack to a shelter, who sent him to a veterinary hospital where his “doctors” worked hard to save his eye, but the injury was so severe that it had to be removed.
Jack
Since Jack only had one eye, the veterinarians were very concerned about his chances for adoption if he was sent back to the shelter. They were also extremely worried that he might have to be euthanized if not adopted. Jack's loving personality and his zest for life wove deep tendrils into their hearts and they began calling around to several adoption agencies, hoping that someone would get involved in rescuing him and saving his life.
Bideawee gave them the positive response to which they had been seeking. They arranged for his travel to New York and began caring for him. After extensive veterinary examinations, it turned out that Jack had many more medical problems than just losing his eye. He had a broken femur and possibly hip dysplasia due to this injury which was inflicted on him by his first human "family" who treated him cruelly. He is being treated for Heartworm as well.
The veterinarians at Bideawee also have fallen in love with Jack. They are working hard to restore his ability to walk normally, and to get him healthy again with necessary medications and a lot of tasty, excellent nutrition. Jack is very grateful that folks have gone out of their way to give him a chance to find a safe and loving forever home.
But the cost of providing the care that Bideawee is giving to Jack and to so many other needy dogs and cats is high. Bideawee needs help to be able to provide care for Jack and others like him. You can help by visiting https://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5205/t/2007/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=502 and you can write to Bideawee for more information or if you are interested in adopting Jack. Their contact email is: Bideawee@bideawee.org.
Adopting a special needs pet require a lot of additional care, patience and love, but the rewards are great. Sponsoring a special need pet is another way to give the love and care that they need.
Have you ever adopted a special needs pet, or know someone who has? Please share your experiences with us by leaving a comment.
It’s that time of year again. The time when ghosties and ghoulies and things that go BUMP! in the night drive our fur-kids nuts.
Do you dress up your pets in costumes? Dogs tend to be more accepting of the practice. There are some wonderfully imaginative outfits available for canines. Cats aren’t nearly as forgiving. Even if you’re able to catch and deck out Sheba, she’s liable to thank you later by leaving a hairball in your shoe.
Some safety tips apply to all pet situations. Remember that trick-or-treaters likely will be strangers to your pets. Even if a neighbor child shows up, that mask and cape could be scary and make him unrecognizable. Heck, just putting on a hat can make some dogs bark with fear at a beloved owner! It’s best to confine indoor pets in a safe room away from the doorbell and opening/closing of the door. Otherwise, they could dash out and be lost.
Outdoor pets probably do better if confined in a garage, to avoid the possibility of getting out of a fenced yard. There’s also the possibility of bad-guy “goblins” doing mean or clueless tricks on pets.
Keep candy out of reach. Cats don’t have a sweet tooth but dogs get themselves into all sorts of trouble if they overindulge.
For more Halloween safety tips, check out this Pet Talk segment:
A little over two weeks ago, The Pennsylvania Legislature passed HB2525, a landmark bill that will ensure a better life for thousands of puppies and dogs languishing in Pennsylvania's puppy mills.
The bill was introduced in May 2008. HB2525 requires that cages for dogs are doubled in size for Pennsylvania's commercial breeding establishments, prohibits stacking of cages and wire flooring. It also mandates twice-yearly veterinary examinations for all dogs, and that only licensed veterinarians humanely euthanize animals, when necessary.
This bill is one step closer to humane living enviroments for all dogs
For over three years, the ASPCA has been working closely with the Governor's Office and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to provide better enforcement of these rules and assure that higher standards of care are provided. The ASPCA lobbied for the passage of HB 2525 by spending many recent months in Harrisburg, educating and promoting this bill to legislators the State Capital and activating the Pennsylvania members of the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade. The day after the bill passed, Govenor Ed Rendell signed HB2525 into law.
HB 2525, "The puppy mill reform bill" passed in a landslide victory of 49-1. The euthanasia portion of the bill went into effect immediately; therefore, it is no longer legal in Pennsylvania for individuals to shoot their own dogs.
As an animal lover, I was thrilled to read how Pennsylvania took such a strong humane stand to improve the quality of care that dogs receive in their state. I just cannot imagine about what the one holdout legislator was thinking when he or she cast a negative vote.
Puppy mills thrive around the entire country. What would you do, as an animal lover, to help your state pass similar laws to protect both dogs and cats bred in mills? Leave a comment with your suggestions.
While we’re fretting over finances, cost of gas, health care, elections and the economy, pets offer stress-busting advantages. Health insurance companies should give pet owners a cost break on premiums! After all, studies show that people with pets get sick less often, and recover more quickly than those without animal friends.
People with a dog or cat experience only half as much blood pressure increase when stressed. You don’t even have to touch them, but petting is especially effective, especially when it’s your own animals. Petting your cat or dog also relieves pain.
PET scans show that touching a pet shuts down the pain-processing centers of the brain. In other words, a cat or dog on your lap can ease the pain in your ass-ets. Science can also measure the positive effects of the human/animal bond.
Our thoughts and attitudes are influenced by changes in brain chemicals. These chemicals prompt feelings of elation, safety, tranquility, happiness, satisfaction, even love. Blood tests that measure these chemicals reveal that the levels increase for people--AND for the pets!--when bonding takes place. There’s a reciprocal benefit to bonding with your fur-kid.
Treasure your pets, especially during these stressful times. They may be a “furry prescirption” you can afford, that offers untold mental and physical health benefits.
Last month, the news reported a Florida Keys carpenter named Greg LeNoir saved his dog from a shark attack. His 14-pound rat terrier, Jake, was grabbed by the five-foot fish until LeNoir dived in and pummeled the creature into letting go. Both man and dog survived with only minor injuries.
Back in July, when Brent Carey of Charlestown saw his girlfriend’s black lab Chance grabbed by a 10-foot alligator, he didn’t think--he reacted. Carey jumped onto the back of the gator, which rolled him several times before letting go of the dog. Both made it to shore with minor injuries and the gator later was killed by the Department of Natural Resources.
Would you wrestle with one of these to save your pet?
So--are these heroes, or what? If your cat or dog were in a burning building, would you rush in to save them? I’ve chased off coyotes in the heat of anger and outrage, and later chastised myself for acting in a less than intelligent way. What do you think? When our cats and dogs are considered family members, how can you NOT race to the rescue? Sometimes that knee-jerk response turns us into super-man/woman when we least expect it.
Of course, the urge may also turn us into a ‘gator or shark snack, if we ain’t careful!
Have you, or someone you know, risked their lives to save a pet? Leave a comment and tell us about it!
Jerry, our neighbor across the street is a good friend. A couple of weeks ago we noticed our lawn service had stopped mowing, without even the decency of notifying us about it. Our grass was growing out of control, and “going to the dogs.” The lawn appeared as if the house was deserted and my husband and I were quite upset. With no luck, after an extensive search to find a replacement, I tactfully approached Jerry to inquire if he would take over the job, since he is handy with green growing things.
Jerry agreed! We shook hands and off he went to get his riding lawn mower. What a relief! Within an hour, our property was once again neat and tidy thanks to his excellent work and tender loving lawn care.
Besides having green thumbs, Jerry and his wife are passionate dog lovers. A while ago, they adopted an abandoned little dog, saving his life. His name is Buddy and he follows Jerry everywhere, trotting close to his side, unless something of interest sparks his eye. . . but he does listen to Jerry, and returns quickly, I gotta say.
Buddy
As Jerry takes Buddy with him almost everywhere he goes, when Jerry comes over to mow our lawn, Buddy is right there with him, his canine “supervisor”, making certain that doesn’t miss a blade of grass that needs cutting.
While I was eating lunch yesterday, I spied Jerry mowing our lawn. I picked up half my sandwich and walked out the door to give Jerry his check for mowing. As Jerry paused to accept the check, in a flash, without any warning, Buddy grabbed the sandwich out of my hand with incredible skill and dogged determination. I stood with my mouth agape in disbelief that Jerry's "partner" had purloined my lunch. I wish you could have seen the expression on my face!
Jerry and I laughed 'til our sides hurt, while Buddy, wearing an innocent yet satisfied grin, sat a few feet away, licking his lips.
After considering the entire situation however, I suspect, Buddy was celebrating "Bring Your Human to Work Day" and had only collected his due payment for his supervisory skill.
The last thing I heard Jerry say as he crossed the street back to his house was, "Baloney isn't good for you, anyway." While our lawn was beautiful, I was still hungry!
Do your pets “grab a bite” and run? Leave a comment and tell us all about it.
Last month, we dropped our own health insurance when the rates (again!) went up. Like many self-employed folks, we simply can no longer afford the rates. And after putting the pencil to it, I was amazed to see the amount of money we’d paid over the past decade compared to what the insurance had given back.
Granted, my family has been fortunate to not have major health issues but even if we had--the coverage would not have offered commensurate funding. So, we’re self-insuring and putting that same amount back into an accessible savings.
We’re currently doing the same thing for Magic and Seren. But I’m looking closer at health care coverage for my pets. There are some great companies out there, and they continue to get better and better. For instance, Veterinary Pet Insurance (www.petinsurance.com) has been around since 1982 and is the oldest company of its kind. In fact, VPI lists German Shepherds as having the highest annual medical costs per year, and Magic certainly runs true to form! He’s a roughneck, dives after toys and has managed to slice up his paw twice and tear a nail once. The German Shepherd Dog also ranks #6 on most commonly insured breeds with VPI. Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Yorkie, Shih Tzu and Boxer are the top five, with Chihuahua, Maltese, Pug and Cocker rounding out the top ten.
VPI also calculated the average amount its policyholders spent on non-routine veterinary care for each of the top insured breeds in 2007. The medical care costs (the average annual submitted claim amount) appear directly related to the size of the breed, with larger breeds costing more than smaller ones.
I suspect that increased cost has to do with larger, more athletic breeds having the potential for more frequent injury. While diagnostic costs for ultrasounds or surgical treatments like hip replacements cost far less than the equivalent for humans, they still put a dent in the pocketbook. Pet insurance is a way to hedge against the potential for health costs.
Choosing between funding care for a pet or resorting to euthanasia is a scenario I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. But according to surveys, less than 2 percent of pet owners in Canada and the United States are covered by pet insurance.
Four companies recently launched the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (www.naphia.org) to dispel misconceptions, educate pet owners about the true value of coverage, and set standards to ensure that pet owners are protected. NAPHIA members are committed to these standards:
Members do not dictate veterinary fees
Pet owners choose the veterinarian
Veterinarians need not participate in NAPHIA member programs; they also aren’t exempt if they participate in non-member pet insurance programs
All members agree to an objective third-party to resolve any claims disputes
Regular claims must be processed within 10 business days and no longer than 20 days once all information has been received for more complex claims
Pet owners can use a link provided on every claim paid or in a denial letter that invites the client to rate the company on NAPHIA’s Website.
To be quite honest, NAPHIA is new to me but seems like a wonderful paw-step in the right direction. What do you think?
Please share with me and other blog readers your own experiences with pet insurance. I understand that Seren and especially the roughneck Magic would benefit from coverage. But I’m struggling--as are others in these economically challenging times--to make informed, responsible choices for my whole family.
I wonder if any of these companies cover two-legged roughnecks?
Cat people really love to talk about their cats. However, after the obligatory kitty "brags" have run their course, I find it interesting that most of the time the conversation turns to those two hot and often controversial topics; litter and litter boxes.
Discussing the size, shape, covered or uncovered, big or small, clumping, and non- clumping, scented or odorless, cat people really get into it. With the huge variety of these most essential sanitary necessities available to keep their felines happy, cat servants are always ready to engage in a heated discussion.
Hush Puppy atop One of his Three Litter Box Choices
Now our cats have made abundantly clear about their preferences and about which boxes they approve. Preferring high-sided boxes with covers, they do seem to choose one over the other, depending on which bodily function with which they are involved. At one time, I thought my cats were unique in this regard, but over the years, I learned that this is common feline behavior. Having been educated about our cats' preferential toilet "habits" has been very helpful so we are able to accommodate their needs, to their liking.
Some folks complain they get tired of cleaning their cat boxes several times a day. Others are not that "on top of things" litter box-wise, which frequently result in unfortunate” accidents" around the house, while others consider using automatic litter boxes which are geared to reducing the amount of work required to keep them tidy.
While self-cleaning litter boxes have gained popularity, I am not convinced that this is the most efficient way to keep on top of our cats' health. Most of the cat loving folks I know agree that while these "power" boxes may offer some convenience, in the long run they prevent us from really knowing what issues may be lurking.
So, I purrsonally prefer to manually scoop our cat boxes several times a day, which gives me the opportunity to more easily observe our kitties' bathroom habits. Since I have more of a "hands on" process. I am much more likely to become more aware, in a timely manner, of any problems occurring that are indicative of a medical condition that needs my attention.
We have two cats and three high sided, covered plastic litter boxes. While it may be a little more work than an automatic box would require, three boxes actually reduces the frequency of scooping and my litter box cleaning time.. My cats are happy, and I feel more in control being able to monitor their health. As far as I am concerned, I give a thumb's down to those costly automatic litter boxes.
Have you had experience with automatic litter boxes? Do your cats like them? Give us a review by leaving a comment.
Scarlett, the cat, whose story of bravery, uncompromising love and triumph over all odds, passed on last week. The heroine calico, who in 1996 made headlines around the world for pulling her five kittens to safety from a raging fire, lost her battle with multiple illnesses this week after living with her adoptive family in Brooklyn, New York for over 12 years.
Back in 1996, Scarlett was tending to her kittens in an abandoned Brooklyn garage when a fire broke out. Having extinguished the blaze, firefighters sighted the mother cat, slowly carrying her four-week old kittens from the building.
Badly scorched, her ears radically burned, she lined up her babies. With her eyes blistered from the inferno, she was seen touching each with her nose, to reassure herself that her litter of five had made it to safety.
She then collapsed unconscious.
Firefighter David Giannelli transported the little feline family to North Shore Animal League America where the mother, who was named Scarlett, and her kittens, were treated. The weakest of the kittens died of a virus one month after the blaze. However, after three months of treatment and recovery, Scarlett and her surviving babies were ready for adoption.
In the flurry of worldwide media attention to the heroic feline mother and her family, the Animal League received more than 7,000 inquiries about adopting Scarlett and her brood. Ultimately, the kittens were adopted in pairs and Scarlett herself was adopted out to Karen Wellen, whose story of losing her own cat, shortly after an accident in which she herself was injured, struck a chord at the Animal League. Wellen said her experience made her a more compassionate individual, and, if ever she was to adopt another cat, she wanted to devote herself to one with special needs.
Once in Wellen's care, Scarlett continued to be a media darling, capturing the attention of regional, national and international outlets as far away as Japan, and including the most powerful voices of CNN and Oprah Winfrey. She was the subject of numerous books and articles and appeared in the first aired segment of Animal Planet. She was even honored by Great Britain's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Living in Wellen's Brooklyn home, Scarlett was a cherished family member, given run of the house and abundant love. "She was the most precious and loving cat, and in our household, it was all about Scarlett," said Wellen.
Scarlett, who required ongoing care as a result of her injuries, and who was diagnosed with a heart murmur during her recovery at the Animal League Veterinary Medical Center, became a Sponsor Pet, and the symbol of all the real and wonderful pets in the Animal League's care. She was the guest of honor at the Animal League's Christmas Tree Lighting and was a surprise for a little boy whose birthday wish was to meet her. The Animal League created an animal heroism award in her name and recently unveiled The Scarlett Room, an online site showcasing the animals in the organization's Sponsor Program. This month, National Geographic Kids' Magazine, circulated around the globe, honored Scarlett as one of its Ten Cool Cats.
Do you know of a heroic pet? Post your comments and tell us.
Last week, a compelling and heart-rending story was circulated widely on the Internet, asking animal lovers to get involved by taking action and signing a petition. The story was about Ratchet, a wild puppy indigenous to Iraq, rescued from a burning pile of trash by Army Spc. Gwen Beberg and a fellow solider.
Denied permission to leave the country by the US Military, since US Defense Department rules prohibit deployed troops from caring for or taking home pets "adopted" in Iraq, Ratchet's future seemed grim. Baghdad Pups immediately came to the rescue and attempted to ship the puppy to the United States. Their effort was thwarted by the military, however.
Ratchet and Army Spc. Gwen Beberg
Thousands of animal lovers, shocked and dismayed by Ratchet’s plight took immediate action, signing an online petition, initiated by The Petition Site.
Apparently public opinion weighed heavily as the military responded that they had not issued orders to keep the dog at a US military base, or that they were not holding the dog. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International issued an update that the military had finally agreed to allow Ratchet to leave the country, but unfortunately that decision arrived only a half an hour before the scheduled flight was to depart, leaving Ratchet out in the cold.
The good news is that Army Spc. Beberg is scheduled to leave Iraq next month, and is thrilled that Ratchet now has clearance so he will be able to return home with her. ""I am thrilled that Ratchet is going home!!" she wrote in an email to the SPCA and others last Wednesday, adding that she planned to do a "victory dance" on Sunday."
I am sure that Ratchet doesn't care either way, whether it was the widely spread publicity or the overwhelming response on the petition site that made the difference in his life. However, I am positive if he were able to talk, I betcha anything, that this lucky pooch would “bark” his joy about the loving forever home to which he is looking forward.
Do you think that in reality Internet petitions do make a positive impact for a desired outcome? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
How often do you trim your dog or cat’s nails? And now do you do it? With Seren, I use regular “people” nail trimmers every week or so to take the needle points off her claws. I’ve been doing this since she was tiny, and she’s very good about putting up with the procedure.
Magic takes a bit more work. He wants to get “paid” to have his nails trimmed. And because his German shepherd claws are black (not white or clear like Seren’s), the danger of cutting too much poses a greater risk. Of course, Seren only weighs seven pounds and I can easily corral her on a counter top. At ninety-plus pounds, if Magic doesn’t want a pedicure, I can’t force him!
So how do you manage with claw care? It’s really best to start the fur-kids off early when they’re pups or kittens. That’s because at that age they really don’t know any better--AND chances are, you’re bigger than they are! If you can teach them as babies that nail trims aren’t scary or painful and there’s a benefit to them, you stand a much better chance of maintaining claw health throughout their life. You’ll also save on grooming or veterinary care visits if you learn to do it yourself.
Start by handling the paws every single day. Make this part of the petting process. Don’t force it--simply stroke or handle each paw a short time, and if they struggle, associate with a favorite treat or toy. Small pets like cats and pups or little dogs can be trimmed on your lap. You can even kneel on the floor, put the pet between your legs facing outwards, and they can’t “back away.” That’s a simple way to contain them in one place.
With Magic, I use a scissor-action clipper that has a guard so only a small portion is cut each time. That helps prevent cutting too much and making the claws bleed. We’ve also practiced the “wait” command, so he knows to stay still. Originally, he got a treat after every nail cut, but these days, it’s after each paw (see, he IS getting better about this!). Find a tasty, smelly treat that your dog gets ONLY during these times, and you’ll have more success.
There’s a new product called Pedi Paws that looks intriguing, too. I’ve seen Dremel-type grinding wheels for dog nails advertised in professional grooming catalogues for years. This home-care product seems a great answer for pet owners, and even has a cat version. As with any new experience, slow introduction helps encourage pets to accept the tool. While I’ve not tested this product myself, it does appear to be an option for keeping nails a healthy length while reducing the risk of injury to the pet and improving the animal’s acceptance of the procedure.
Have any secrets to nail-trimming success? Leave a comment and share!
Greyhound racing in Massachusetts thankfully may be phased out by 2010, if laws are passed which will end this cruel practice. This is great news for dog lovers, especially those folks involved in Greyhound rescue and adoption. Thousands of these remarkable dogs suffer needless injury and even death, in a "sport" designed simply for entertainment and wagering.
Prior to 2001,when the Legislature passed a sunshine law requiring Greyhound Racing tracks to publicly reveal the numbers and type of injuries these dogs suffered, the state's two Greyhound racing tracks were able to hide the truth from the public. However, under penalty of perjury, they are no longer able to sweep this information under the rug, completely. Under penalty of perjury, these tracks reported that more than 800 racing Greyhounds were injured since 2002.
Approximately 80 percent of these reported injuries are broken legs, which prevent the dogs from racing for extended periods, or completely end their career on the track. Other injuries include seizures, paralysis, head trauma and cardiac arrest, the latter two frequently resulting in the dog's death. A shocking statistic for these racing dogs is that one dog is injured every three to four days in the state. Track reporting continues to water down the actual numbers of injuries by emphasizing "starts" only. The dogs are considered racing "units", completely dismissing them for what they really are; individual dogs with emotions, physical needs and who long for companionship.
The tracks continue buttering up their reports by stating that the dogs are well cared for, but in reality, according to photographs taken at the Wonderland Kennel Compound, the dogs are kept in small, stacked cages, which gives them no room in which to turn around or stand. The Massachusetts State Racing Commission sets standards for the cages to be 34 inches high by 32 inches wide. Since a large greyhound can stand 30 inches at the shoulder, they are unable to raise its head while standing in their cage. Not approved by the Massachusetts’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (MSPCA) the tracks continue to claim they are using approved cages. Dogs are kept in tiny cages up to 20 hours a day, with little social interaction with humans. They endure a miserable existence.
Dogs are highly social animals, who require contact with humans and other dogs with whom to play. Racing greyhounds are denied even these basic needs, which include interacting with other dogs, running free and allowed to be "just a dog."
Therefore, anyone who loves animals has to wonder why the industry is permitted to continue ignoring the rules, with little or no penalties levied at these tracks.
According to the "Boston Herald, "Gambling declined by 65 percent at Wonderland and 37 percent at Raynham from 2002-2007. The tracks’ claims that they pay hefty tax dollars to the state are overshadowed by the foreclosure proceedings that were begun against Wonderland for failure to pay over $800,000 in taxes. Even track owners admit that dog racing cannot continue without further handouts. However while they linger, thousands of dogs will continue to lead miserable existences, caged and put at risk of serious injury"
The MSPCA, The Humane Society of the United States, statewide animal shelters, more than 60 local veterinarians and dozens of lawmakers urge Massachusetts Voters to vote "Yes on Question 3"on November 4, "The Greyhound Protection Act."
How do you feel about dog racing? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (www.apdt.com) is a professional organization of individual trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through education. This past weekend APDT held its annual conference and trade show in Louisville, Kentucky. More than 25 training and behavior experts offered seminars, demonstrations and advice that attracted up to 1500 new and experienced trainers from around the world.
The organization, founded in 1993 by Ian Dunbar DVM, Ph.D., has become a member-driven organization that produces educational conferences and provides resources to trainers throughout the world. APDT boasts nearly 6000 members, and promotes itself as a “voice for pet dog trainers.” The organization’s website provides a listing of member trainers so that dog owners can find an experienced trainer to help with their specific needs. You can also find good information--even videos--of helpful training tips.
Does your dog pull on the leash? Who walks who? If you want to rest your shoulder, and learn how to teach him leash manners, take a look at this excellent video:
We’re living in an age when electrics are growing by leaps and bounds every day. Just yesterday, I was wondering how or on what I would play a cassette tape containing the last recording of my beloved grandfather, singing and playing his guitar.
Granted, in addition to GPS navigation, a multi-disc CD player, and satellite radio, my car actually does have a casstte player built in -- but to tell you the truth, my grandad’s cassette was recorded about 25 years ago, and I get the feeling if I stick it into this modern equipment it might never come back out.
Surely you remember trying to rewind that brown, shiny ‘tape’ that sometimes used to slip off from it’s reel and gets all curled up??
Speaking of things you may or may not remember from back in the day, my daughter gave me the “what planet are you from” look when I remarked at how quickly the pharmacy processed and returned my ‘film’ from one of those disposable cameras. Never mind the fact that ‘disposable” cameras were invented, but when my developed photos were returned, my daughter looked at the ‘film” and asked me “What is a negative.”
How do you explain something that is so basic to the process of printing a photo…so, back to my point…
electronics have been creeping up on us for the past few years, and …
Did you know that the Nintendo Wii and the iPod are among the modern gadgets most likely cause injury to pets? In a recent survey issued by Pet Insurance firm Petplan, computer laptops, remote controls and plasma screen televisions are also high on the gadget danger list.
The survey of 3,000 animal owners revealed a number of freak accidents thanks to some basic household electronics that could be laying around your home too! . Here’s the Top 10 gadgets in order of most likely…
1) iPod
2) Laptop
3) Remote Control
4) Plasma TV
5) Wii
6) DVD Player
7) Playstation
8) Nintendo DS
9) Mobile phone
10) Karaoke machine
Go figure. Has your pet ever been in a small electronic-related injury?
Years ago, as a graduate student, I spent hours at the University library researching for projects on which I was working. Trudging back and forth gathering information from the thousands of books lining the shelves was a frequent chore to which I hardly looked forward.
Today, the Internet replaces or augments tedious library trips, reduces time, effort and travel. We have at our fingertips, information from a wide variety of sources from which to choose from the comfort of home.
Additionally, the Internet provides a remarkable medium where we may connect quickly with like-minded people, make friends and share stories about our lives and our pets. While we may never meet these folks in real life, close friendships often develop.
Many years ago, I had the pleasure of encountering a woman with whom I have developed an online relationship. We regularly exchange email, sharing stories about our pets sharing our deep love for them. It is now commonplace, should one of our pets develop a serious illness, to ask for prayers and "glow" for them, keeping our internet pals current with their progress, and often-offering deep condolences if one of our beloved pets dies.
One of my Internet "buddies", Amy, with whom I have been acquainted over the years, frequently emails me about her adopted fur family. Her love runs deeply for the pets she has adopted, opening her heart and home to many. Had it not been for her interventions, many of these neglected or abandoned dogs and cats would never have had the opportunity to feel the joy and love of a human companion.
Molly, now close to 13 years old, is a Shepherd mix. When she was just a small puppy, someone thoughtlessly tossed her into a snow bank. Thankfully, there must have been an angel watching over Molly, as a city snowplow driver discovered her, quickly bringing her to his buddy's garage to feed her and keep her warm. The miracle continued when Amy's' husband coincidentally happened to drop by the garage to pass the time talking with his friends. They were instantly drawn to one another. Amy's husband decided he had to take Molly home to have the "missus" take a look.
The minute he arrived home, Amy heard a strange dog barking from inside their van. There was Molly, bravely protecting the "stranger" to whom she had already become attached. After their laughter subsided watching this young puppy in action, the couple headed out to the vet to have Molly checked out.
Molly and Patches
It turned out that Molly was about 6 months old, was at least 15 pounds underweight, and was in need of some tender loving care. Her fate was sealed at that very moment. Molly was a “keeper.”
Losing her beloved dog Lobo was heartbreaking. But after time passed, Amy began longing for another dog. Upon hearing that a young Rottweiler puppy, languishing in a shelter, needed a home with tender loving care, Amy had to investigate. Lugging Molly along to help her make decisions, off to the shelter, they went. Within 30 minutes, Molly and the puppy were playing together as if they had known each other from a previous lifetime. There was no hesitation about this adoption.
Ginger and Lugar Napping
Molly and Luger, the Rottie, play, eat and sleep together. Molly and Patches, one of her favorite felines frequently hang out. Amy’s assorted clowder of kitties gets along famously with the canines in their happy family menagerie.
My hat is off to Amy, who has been adopting animals for over 40 years now. She tells me that they "give her the greatest pleasure, and that as part of the family, their pets give them joy beyond measure."
I love meeting people like Amy through the Internet. Their stories warm my heart and reassure me that many folks out here go out of their way to ensure the safety and protection of needy animals. They honor them with their love.
So, if you are thinking of getting a pet, please consider adopting one from your local shelter or breed rescue. The rewards that come from this act of love will enhance your life a million fold.
Tell us how the Internet has affected your life by leaving a comment.
Natural health care for pets has become quite fashionable. In fact, there are holistic veterinarians who specialize in many of these treatment options, which may include herbal remedies, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, supplements and more.
However, “natural” does not mean the treatment is automatically “safe” and most of these require a veterinarian’s expert advice to use safely. After all, if you expect an herbal remedy to act in a positive manner for health--if it’s used incorrectly, it also has the potential for causing harm. Herbs are medicines that can interact with “regular” prescriptions and potentially cause overdoses or even counteract and nullify other treatments.
Bach Flower Remedies are unique, though. They are considered a type of “vibrational” healing that affects the emotions of the pet. What’s more, if you choose the wrong treatment, it won’t cause any harm--it simply won’t do anything. Choosing the right one can have incredibly positive benefits…or in some cases, not help at all. Every pet is different so what works for one may not be as helpful for another.
There are 38 individual Bach Flower Remedies. Each benefits a different emotional state. Sometimes combinations are used for greater effect--and the pre-mixed “Rescue Remedy” often is available alongside the other 38 individual essences.
Rescue Remedy is recommended for any kind of acute (sudden) stress. Gentian is said to help general depression, Gorse for severe depression and Star of Bethlehem for grief. Centaury helps with excessive submission while Vine works for aggression.
You can find these at health food stores. They can be a bit pricy, but the bottles last a long time. They’re used by mixing only 1-2 drops of the undiluted remedy in a one-ounce glass dropper bottle, adding spring water, and shaking at least 100 times. Refrigerate and the bottle will last two weeks. You give the pet four drops four times a day until the behavior changes--it may take a few days to two weeks to see a difference. You can also add to yogurt and offer as a treat.
Looking to add a pet to your life? Consider adopting - whether you want a puppy or a more mature dog, a purebred or a one-of-a-kind mixed breed, even a rabbit or hamster… your local shelter will have the best selection of animals anywhere—all screened for good health and behavior.
Pets in rescue are not broken, they don’t need fixing. They just need a home.
Most shelters will even help you with the cost of spaying and neutering, and we all know that’s important.
Fortunately there are some shelters with no-kill policies, but…what happens if people don’t adopt? National figures indicate that about half of the animals in shelters must be euthanized for lack of homes.
If you’re worried about health and wellness…you can depend on responsible shelters to assess the animals' health and temperament in order to make the best adoption matches possible. Bottom line…most shelters hope to make the right match in the beginning…they would rather not see the same animal returned again.
If a purebred is a must have for you…on average, purebreds account for about 25 to 30 percent of a shelter's dog population.
Another great way to adopt a purebred is to go to a purebred rescue groups -- usually run by people with in-depth knowledge of a specific breed. Rescue groups keep adoptable animals until they can be placed in loving, permanent homes.
These animals may come from failed breeding operations; arrive from boarding kennels and veterinarians, where they were abandoned; be rescued as strays living on the streets; or be obtained through the cooperation of local animal shelters.
Whichever way you choose to…the key word is adopt. Check out our special PetNet hub on adoption to find out what bloggers all over the country have to say about adopting a pet…
Jo Deibel, co-founder and president of Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, never gets to sleep in. With her sizable crew of resident horses demanding breakfast served and their stalls, cleaned. Jo's day begins at the crack of dawn. Her telephone rings off the hook with calls about horses needing rescue, setting up meetings, planning for media coverage, events and fund raising. When it comes to raising those funds, rescue money “just ain’t hay.”
In her "spare" time, Jo works on their fabulous new Horse blog, http://angelacreshorsehavenrescue.blogspot.com/ that is full of news about the entire goings on at the rescue center. Shifting gears, she then involves herself with the vast amount of paperwork that accompanies her passion; rescuing those horses abandoned or broken down, that would most likely ended their lives in the kill pen.
A Horse Saved by Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue
Jo began her love affair with horses as a young girl. She first learned to ride Western style. Then, as an adult, she renewed her passion for horses when she adopted Madison, a horse destined for slaughter. Based on this experience, Jo quickly decided that her mission in life would be to continue rescuing those needy horses, by attending horse sales, carefully outbidding the killer buyers. It was then that Angels Acres Horse Rescue Haven became a reality.
I became acquainted with Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue while watching the Preakness race two years ago. During an interview with Jo, scheduled as part of the coverage of the event, her special needs horse. Mattsbrotherrobert, (a former racehorse, whom she rescued on January 29, 2007 - the day that Barbaro was euthanized), was featured. Jo related the compelling story how terribly laminitis had affected Mattie's hooves so that he could barely walk. Yet through all his pain, he was a responsive and gentle horse. She purchased him on the spot, transporting him home to render him the medical care that he desperately needed and deserved.
With the help of contributions from the Friends of Twilight organization, Ms. Deibel also rescued a sweet horse named Jack at the same time she rescued Mattie. He also was terribly neglected, suffering with a severe case of rain rot. Jack and Mattie are great pals, spending most of their time hanging out together.
Mattie's story touched me deeply. Surfing over to her website, http://www.angelacreshorsehavenrescue.com/, I learned more about Mattie, and once again seeing his beautiful face and his trusting eyes, which spoke of his horrendous neglect, I somehow knew that he would become part of my life. I contacted Jo several days later and after a long phone call, I could feel the depth of love she felt for her horses.
During our conversation, she told how she and supporters have rescued over 150 horses. Many of these “unwanted” horses have already been placed in forever homes and her tireless work continues every day.
As a direct result of our phone call, I became a part-"virtual" sponsor for this magnificent horse. He has made excellent progress over time, and with the constant care of his fabulous farrier, he is doing well.
Becoming a “virtual” adopter provides an alternative means to become involved in the future of a needy horse. It gives one the opportunity to form an actual relationship with a horse, for folks who personally do not have the space or time to care for a horse in “real life.”
Angel Acres was incorporated four and a half years ago. Their sole purpose is to find loving homes for these horses abandoned for a variety of reasons. Her tireless work continues to provide homes for these rescued horses to give them a second chance for a life of peace, freedom and love.
Jo and Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue is presently involved in a contest to raise much needed capitol to continue their vital work and assist them in moving to a new location. This is a great opportunity for this rescue facility, as they are entered into a million dollar makeover contest. Their present space is swiftly becoming limited. Folks who wish to help them reach this goal can help by visiting: ZooToo’s Contest site and subscribe at: http://www.zootoo.com/results.php?index=all&squery=Angel+acres+Horse+Haven+Rescue
Back in June I wrote about my friend Yasmine Galenorn’s cat Luna and the tortoiseshell’s brush with death. Although Luna rallied for a short time, she wasn’t able to recover from the surgery. Even more tragically, Yasmine lost a second cat (Keeter) not long after Luna died, reducing her cat family from four to two felines. Yasmine said she’d know when the time was right to adopt another needy cat. But she wasn’t in any hurry.
According to surveys, about 60 percent of owners in the US share their lives with more than one pet. That’s a lot of furry love! But when you bring a new cat or dog into your home, how do you keep the resident pets from getting their tails in a twist?
Although there are exceptions, a good rule of paw is to choose a pet that’s of the opposite gender and younger than resident pets. That’s less intimidating to your existing pet family. A youngster won’t challenge social status quite as much as a pet of the same age. You’ll still need to supervise interactions. And in most cases, careful introductions work best rather than just throwing the animals together.
For dog-to-dog introductions, the resident pet more easily accepts the newcomer if they first meet on neutral territory. When on his own turf, dogs feel defensive. So schedule a trip to a local park, for example, or the neighbor’s yard down the street. A first meeting through a fence is ideal, so they can sniff safely but be easily separated. Only then should they be moved to your home territory.
When not under your watchful eyes, the new cat or dog should be segregated in a safe area with a baby gate or behind a solid door. That tells your resident pet that only part of his territory has been invaded.
Indoor only cats, of course, can’t safely be introduced in an outdoor area. Instead confine your new kitty in a safe room. Stock it with toys, bed, litter box, food bowls and all the essentials, and shut the door. Meanwhile the resident felines still get to run around the rest of the house. The pets meet via paw-pats under the door, and get used to each other gradually…smells and sounds first, before a nose-to-nose intro. You can make them feel good about each others’ presence by feeding them on opposite sides of this closed door.
A new cat or kitten won’t feel inclined to meet any new critter (dog or cat) until she feels comfortable with her territory. So after several days or—more likely—a week or more of meeting under the door, swap out the critters. Let the resident pets sniff around the safe-room while the new kitten/cat gets to cheek rub and explore the rest of the house and find all the good hiding spots. Only then should the door be opened for the cats to meet face to face.
It can be love at first sight, or tolerance that grows into affection. Or not. Some pets simply won’t like each other—it happens with both humans and pets.
Expect some hisses, or even swats, and supervise to interrupt any dangerous interactions.
Meanwhile, make sure that ALL your cats and dogs have enough territory (cat trees), toys, and food bowls/litter boxes to go around, to reduce the chance of arguments. Start them off on the right paw and your newly adopted shelter pet will bring joy for years to come.
Yasmine feels she was led to find her newly adopted kitten—a dark tortie similar to Luna. In fact, she had a premonition, a vision of an adult tortie walking through her house over a week before, but dismissed it. Before long, she was drawn to look at the petfinder site, which posts pictures and information about adoptable shelter pets.
“And there I saw a girl who instantly won my heart with the look in her eyes,” says Yasmine. “I knew it was the tortie girl I’d seen in the hallway, only she was a baby.” She quickly called the shelter, and visited the kitten. “It was that gut feeling of You need to come home with me.”
Calypso
So meet Calypso, the newest member of Yasmine’s cat family. The little kitten seems determined to buddy up with Tara and follows the older cat whenever allowed out of her safe crate confinement. Meerclar, the third Galenorn feline, isn’t yet convinced about the newcomer’s intentions. But if Calypso has anything to do with it, the three cats will be purring buddies in no time.
The AKC Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) awards, announced last month, honored outstanding dogs in Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service and Exemplary Companion Dog. The winners are:
Service Dog: “Cary” owned by Sara Elizabeth Solomon of Nashville, TN
The 10-year-old Labrador has been 14-year-old Lizzy’s helper for eight years. Cary was trained by Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) to help his owner with such things as opening doors, turning lights on and off, and helping her get dressed.
Therapy Dog: “Zadok” owned by Julie Burk of Damascus, OR
Julie and her 6-year-old Akita Zadok visits hospitals, children’s healthcare facilities, and prison inmates. They also consoled students after the Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University shootings.
Law Enforcement: “Lex” owned by Jerome and Rachel Lee of Quitman, MS
Lex, a retired military dog, is a seven-year-old German shepherd who served in Iraq with Corporal Dustin Jerome Lee as an explosives detection dog and narcotics detection dog simultaneously. When Cpl. Lee was killed in a mortar attack, the injured Lex remained by Lee’s side until forcibly removed. Jerome and Rachel petitioned to adopt the dog that served with their son. Lex now visits veterans at VA hospitals.
Exemplary Companion Dog: “Annie” owned by Donna Rock of Lacombe, LA
Donna Rock, who was born without arms, adopted Annie as a companion, but the 8-year-old Doberman Pinscher became her assistance dog as well as competing with her in obedience trials.
Search and Rescue Dog: “Taffy” owned by Lt. Douglas Williams of Laguna Niguel, CA
Taffy and her owner volunteer for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department near Los Angeles, where Lt. Williams is the Supervisor of the Search and Rescue K9 Operations Unit. The eight-year-old Bloodhound helped to find lost people, hiding criminals, and worked on over 115 documented cases for the police.
The ACE recipients in each category will receive $1,000 and an engraved sterling-silver collar medallion at the nationally televised AKC/Eukanuba National Championship in Long Beach, California on December 13, 2008. In addition they will be honored individually at local dog shows this fall. Read more about these incredible dogs and their partners at www.akc.org
The month of October is set aside by the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) as National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.
The ASPCA suggests that folks are considering the addition of a canine companion into their hearts and homes, to first visit their local shelters to check out the many dogs languishing there, longing for the tender touch of a human hand, and an owner who will become their "best friend."
A life-long commitment to their care and welfare is essential. Adoption should never be made on a whim. The potential adopter must be ready to make that commitment and be able to provide not only the basics of pet care, such as food, shelter, veterinary care, but be certain that a dog is what they really want and the type of dog will fit in easily with their lifestyle.
According to the ASPCA there are nearly 10 million animals surrendored or picked up by local shelter throughout the country. Adopt a Shelter Dog Month's focus is to educate the public about the plight of these unwanted dogs and their need for homes.
Joel Silverman, a renowned dog trainer says, “shelter animals make good pets, and that proper training is the key." Many of his canine pupils are starring in commercials, TV shows and feature films were often found in shelters. He adds, “Most people don't realize that training is not as difficult as they think. Training should be fun for both the pet owner and the dog and, in fact, usually strengthens the bond between them"
Let's explore some reasons why people give their dogs up for adoption. The National Council on Pet Population, Study and Policy obtained answers provided through a survey conducted of people turning in their animals to 12 shelters around the country. The results, published in the current issue of “The Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science" are:
29 percent surrendered their dogs due to behavior problems
29 percent surrendered their dogs because of the family's housing situation
25 percent surrendered their dogs citing incompatibility with the family's lifestyle
15 percent surrendering their dogs due to the family's preparation and/or expectations.
Ask yourself if you are ready for that long-term commitment. Learn the specifics about the pure breed dogs up for adoption, and how your home and lifestyle match. If you have, children inquire if the breed is recommended as a family dog, based on temperament and behavioral traits. Perhaps a mixed- breed dog would be more appropriate. Consider who will be the primary care-taker, as often children will volunteer but may not be ready to assume all of the care required.
With the economy the way it is today, take some time to consider the extra expense of a pet. Can you easily afford the expenses in which a pet will engender? Aside from the adoption fee, good quality pet food, extra training and veterinary care can be costly. Dogs can live a long and healthy life if provided for appropriately.
If you are able to say "yes" to the all the considerations outlined above, adopting a shelter dog can bring you and your family years of joy. Do consider a Shelter dog during Adopt a Shelter Dog month.
Have you ever adopted a shelter dog? Leave a comment and share your experience.
If you want to adopt a pet, but are not sure exactly how to begin your search, the Internet may offer an excellent opportunity from which to begin your journey.
With the increasing accessibility and popularity of the Internet today, folks are able to find information on almost every topic imaginable. Students do research for projects, homemakers can find that perfect recipe to plan for a perfect dinner party, and most of us now let our fingers walk over to eBay or other online outlets to buy a wide variety of products. I purrsonally do all my cat food and litter purchases online as it is far more convenient and with their huge discounts, shipping costs are often defrayed.
However, are we actually able to adopt a pet on the Internet? You bet we can! http://www.petfinder.com/ is one of the most popular adoption sites, where people can locate, by geographical areas and species, an appealing furry companion. http://www.pet4you.org/adopt-a-pet.htm is another source to find pets needing homes. Animal Shelters often list daily reaching out to people who want to adopt. http://www.animalshelter.org/
While there is generally a fee associated with these adoption sites, they are reasonable and help protect pets available for adoption.
Responsible and knowledgeable breeders often advertise dogs and cats for sale, as well as retired breeding stock and show pets for adoption at a reasonable cost. They can easily be found using popular search engines such as Google.com. One can even find purebred pets needing homes through online purebred rescue websites, by searching by "breed". For purebred dog rescue visit: http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm and for purebred cat rescue, visit:http://www.purebredcatrescue.org/
Word of "mouth" between online friends is another popular resource for folks wanting to adopt a pet. One of my online friends, Pam, needed a home for her mother's Persian cat, Benny. Her mom's failing health resulted in her inability to provide the quality of care, which he needed. My friend lived in the Northeast; her mom lived in Florida, which presented a logistical problem. I emailed a friend who was an active volunteer in a breed rescue group, who quickly was able to facilitate Benny's adoption. Benny not only found his new human fur parents, but he also found a playmate named Jewels. After a short period of adjustment, they are inseparable.
Since our own two cats were adopted through an Internet connection, using online connections has been a positive experience. While thorough research and careful thought are necessary ingredients in any pet adoption search, whether in real life or through the Internet, I feel that it has great potential to increase the chances of a successfully be able to adopt of the pet for which you have been searching.
Would you consider adopting a pet via Internet connections? Leave us a comment and share your thoughts.
Cats may develop virtually any kind of cancer that humans face. Thank you, one and all, for responding to my 9-30 blog about Kiwi the cat. I heard from Linda that the organization received enough funds for the cancer treatment, yay!
Here’s another resource for owners with cats needing medical help. The North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine offers a funded clinical trial for cats suffering from abdominal cavity lymphoma.
Your primary care veterinarian needs to evaluate if your kitty qualifies for the study, and then enroll the cat. Several of the tests at the beginning and end of the treatment period are covered. Enrolled patients also receive a $1320 credit towards the cost of radiation treatment.
If you have a cat diagnosed with lymphoma, check out this website, print out the information and take it to your veterinarian. And be aware that veterinary teaching hospitals around the country often conduct trials that may offer reduced or low cost treatments for your cats or dogs. http://www.catvets.com/professionals/research/clinical/?Id=290
I’ve had several vacuum cleaners, and all purported to be ideal for cleaning the house. Even for pet hair.
Because Seren’s cream coat matches the carpet in our house, I didn’t realize the extent of the hairy problem in my house. Then Magic arrived—black puppy and cream carpet, uh-oh! Even then, the carpet stayed relatively unscathed because he mostly stayed in the kitchen on the slate floor.
Once Magic became reliable as far as no potty accidents, he got to spend more time with us in the living room. Black adolescent doggy on cream carpet, major uh-oh. And when spring shedding season arrived, I could really see we needed help. Those tufts of black turned the floor into a Dalmatian carpet.
Magic and the Vacuum
One of the professional pet email lists happened to discuss the pros and cons of various vacuum cleaners. Those with water filters got good reviews. Even the Roomba robotic vacuum (iRobot.com) received positive comments. But in my house, a roving robot wouldn’t be safe from Magic-teeth.
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser (www.bissell.com) also got high marks. But the Dyson (www.dyson.com) got raves from the greatest number of pet owners. When it comes to pet hair and vacuums, the phrase, “It really sucks!” is high praise, indeed!
My carpets are cream again. I wish you good luck dealing with your own hairy situations.
I just cannot keep up with Medical science these days. New discoveries are announced almost every day, about the outstanding progress in medicine, which relate to ways in which our lives may be enriched and prolonged. Most of these stupendous advances are made for humans, however. We are often deluged with news via television and internet media. Plastic surgery can now enhance our appearance, keeping us youthful and even can slim us down through the miracles of modern medicine. These advances seem commonplace now in our daily lives.
But what about our pets? Don't they have the same rights as we do? Isn't there some medical miracle, which can also give them that "face lift" and spiff up their sagging skin tone and flaccid muscles? Purrhaps our aging pets might also wish to appear more attractive.
While cosmetic surgery designed as the "fountain of youth" is not yet on the hit parade of veterinary plastic surgery, I am happy to report that our cats may now take advantage of what veterinary medicine now offers our neutered males. Never again will our male cats have to endure the embarrassment of being seen in public after their drastic profile change. As cat lovers, we all know how sensitive our felines really are, and how they love to strut their stuff. I have to wonder how our male kitties ever show their faces again after being neutered.
Grand Champion Felitan Frodo of Petmark (above) sure seems macho in this photograph taken in 1969.
Moreover, as cat lovers we do not want them to feel jittery and self-conscious about their masculinity. Therefore, it gives me great pleasure to announce a relatively new product available on market created which answers the demand that male cat owners have voiced: NEUTICLES! A relatively simple surgical procedure, which your vet can perform, will put an end to any insecurity your neutered cat may be experiencing.
For just the price of dinner, a movie, and a couple of gallons of gasoline, your neutered cat may now feel "whole" once more!
While this writer has seen a wide variety of products offered for our furry friends, some excellent and some a tad less than terrific. But seeing how often we are guilty of anthropomorphizing our pets, I have to give this product ten stars in the unique pet product division.
This being said, my neutered Oriental Shorthair cat, Hubble doesn't appear too unhappy in this photograph. Do you think your cats are embarrassed . . . that something is missing?
Lately I have been finding spectacular stories on the Internet, pertaining to unique animals. Frequently I am sufficiently excited and intrigued which inspires me to share them with our readers.
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the curious cat, living in China that appeared to have sprouted wings.
The other day, I discovered another fascinating feline while reading the “Daily Mail Reporter.” Ted and Valerie, a couple spending the evening with a group of friends, were visiting their local pub on the South side of Chicago. They noticed a small cage on the bar, and folks passing around a small kitten. Cat lovers, they were quite eager to hold the little one. This kitty however was more than likely destined to be a good listener. He had four ears.
The couple, smitten by the friendly and outgoing kitten, asked the bar owner if they could adopt him. The kitten, part of a large litter, needed a home. Their request was granted, immediately. The kitten instantly fell in love with Ted, curling into the crook of his neck, falling asleep, purring his heart out. Ted, of course was a "goner."
Having recently lost a cat that shared their home and heart for 20 years, Ted and Valerie thought that their cat-servant days were over. Apparently, this kitten had different plans for this couple. He was named Yoda, after the famous character from "Star Wars", who got his name based on George Lucas' cat!
After a visit to their veterinarian, who was fascinated by Yoda's supernumery ears, Yoda received a clean bill of health. Their veterinarian did extensive research on the Internet, and found another four-eared cat in Germany. Additionally, other veterinarians with whom the couple contacted had never witnessed this genetic oddity in their practices. The couple soon realized that they had a very unusual and precious cat, now an indoor only kitty. He was microchipped just in case he gets lost or is "catnapped."
Yoda the Cat's Namesake
Yoda's second set of ears, placed slightly behind his normal ears, are separate to the base of the skull. According to Valerie, Yoda's hearing appears to be completely normal, but people who see him always do a double take. He is a joy to have around, with a delightful disposition and a purrfect purrsonality. He is more affectionate than many cats the couple met, but his purr is inaudible. The only way they know he is purring is to feel the vibrations through his throat.
While genetic mutations can often be lethal, apparently these genes have not affected this feline adversely.
However, Yoda has one amazing obsession. He is passionate about bread. Valerie cannot leave a loaf on the counter for a moment, without their beloved kitty grabbing a bite. I bet my bottom dollar that Yoda totally knows on which side his bread is buttered.
I love these happy conclusions when cat lovers adopt “special” kitties, don’t you? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.
More people are able to identify a variety of dog breeds, even those who don’t have a dog of their own. Everyday folks are less likely to be able to name more than a couple of cat breeds. One of the most identifiable cat breeds is the distinctive Siamese.
These cats, with the gorgeous blue eyes, silky short light fur and darker “points” are the epitome of elegance. What can I say? I’m the owner of a “Meezer” and she’d disown me if I said anything unflattering. Seren(dipity) simply showed up one day, asleep in a flower pot on my friend’s back porch. And she’s the kitty-light of my life!
But Siamese aren’t for everyone. They’re opinionated, talk a lot, bond closely with a limited number of people, and are so darn smart they’ll train owners very quickly to their whims. And sometimes, sadly, they lose their homes.
How neat that people love Siamese so much, that some very special people make it their mission to rescue needy Meezers and find them new homes. Siri Zwemke and her husband Darrel founded the Siamese Cat Rescue Center in Virginia . According to the website, this Center has to date rescued more than 5700 cats.
The Siamese Cat Rescue Center site links other Siamese rescue organizations around the country, to help rescue, rehab and rehome needy cats. You may even have an affiliated group in your neck of the woods.
It’s not just Siamese lovers that provide rescue services. Virtually every cat breed you can imagine has a support system of rescue services, to ensure pedigreed cats get help. In fact, if you’ve a yen for a particular cat breed, you may find the kitty of your heart in a rescue. The Cat Fanciers Association, a registry of pedigree cats, also offers a list of these resources at http://fanciers.com/rescue.html
Update on breeding …A review of breeding standards for every pedigree dog species in Britain is under way by The Kennel Club in an attempt to introduce more humane rearing for pets and showdogs.
The tough approach was signalled when Pekinese breeders were told yesterday that the dogs’ flat faces were no longer acceptable because they cause breathing problems. The problem has arisen because the muzzle has become obsolete through breeding, and the flesh that would have naturally covered the dog’s muzzle is instead… in its throat.
Other breeds to face scrutiny will include the Clumber spaniel, bloodhound, bulldog, mastiff, German shepherd, basset hound and St Bernard.
Inbreeding of dogs – sons with their mothers and half siblings with each other – is also to be tackled.
As a result, The Dog Trust, Britain's largest dog charity has withdrawn all support for the Crufts Show over controversial breeding techniques for show animals.
The Dogs Trust had decided to follow the lead of the RSPCA, as reported by The Times yesterday, and cut all links with the Kennel Club, which organises the show.
Whew…this is obviously going to make big waves in the US. What do you think about the pressure? Is it necessary?
In the best of all possible worlds, mealtime should be a relaxing one for our cats. Unfortunately, there are cats that just become overly anxious in the presence of other cats and simply refuse to eat. Some even act out aggressively, which can result in food avoidance by "underling" cats in the household. While most cats feed comfortably in close proximity with one another, there are those occasional ones that due to their rank in the hierarchy of the cat family, become intimidated, and abdicate their place.
This unwillingness to feed may be the result of a "bully" cat who exhibits food aggression whose behavior is designed to run other cats away from the feeding area. The victims of these bullies may exhibit fearful behavior, and while they appear hungry as evidenced by their approach to the feeding area, their timidity results in withdrawal.
This is frustrating for both our "timid" felines and for us as cat caretakers, as these small predators cannot go without eating without serious implications for their health.
My lilac point Oriental Shorthair neuter, Hush Puppy, pictured above, is one of these cats. He will run to his food dish, carefully watching for any signs of less than inviting behavior from Hubble, his brother. If Hubble raises even an eyebrow in protest, he will immediately dash into the bedroom, jumping onto the bed, obviously agitated and frustrated.
So I "thought like a cat," by observing Hush Puppy's behavior, discovering that he felt quite safe in his own space on our bed. When I offered food to him in that location, he immediately began eating, therefore Hush Puppy gets his breakfast "in bed" without any further disruptions.
However, Puppy is one shrewd kitty. He scoped out the room thoroughly for an attractive alternative spot in which to dine in comfort, just in case Hubble changes his mind and wants to claim the bed as well. He has staked out the top shelf of one of our cat trees for which he is the sole user. I think he feels safe as he has a great view of the room and can monitor his brother's behavior for any signs of approaching conflict, quite easily.
Even though Hush Puppy appears to feel much safer and less threatened, he has developed a peculiar habit. He consistently leaves a small amount of food in his dish, which I wonder if he considers an offering for Hubble, our macho cat, as a peace offering or a feline "thank you" for leaving him alone.
Do you have any further suggestions to assist a nervous feeder? If you do, purrhaps other cats with a similar disposition to Hush Puppy's will find their feeding times more peaceful.
Does your dog enjoy games of fetch? I think Magic would run himself into the ground playing the game. We can run him up and down the field, tossing the ball, until he looks ready to collapse. And as soon as we come back inside, he’s at it again…bringing his “indoor toys” (soft balls) and dumping into my lap for more fun.
A friend sent me this video, and wowee! If I got one of these things for Magic, it’d make me obsolete. He’d never pay attention to me again. . . but sure is fun to watch!
Many of my canine loving friends who share their hearts and homes with small dog breeds have inquired about tear staining. It seems that this is a rather common condition in many of these smaller breeds. It is more noticeable in light colored dogs and appears as a rust-colored stain caused by tear pigments, between the eye and nose, on the hair.
Is this something with which to be concerned? Since there are a wide variety of reasons that cause this condition, a visit to your veterinarian is important. Excessive tear production, (epiphora), eye irritation from eyelashes, or an in-folding of the lower eyelid,(entropion). When the eyelid is folded in, the hair surrounding it causes this irritation, and acts like a wick, which draws fluid down the face. Another cause is a blocked tear duct that prevents the normal passage of fluids into the nasal passage.
Example of Tear Staining
Dog breeders who are aiming for that extreme "typiness" in their lines may be contributing to changes in the dog’s facial structure making it difficult for tears to drain normally. We also see this frequently in some of the more extreme "pushed in" faces of some Persian Cats, as well.
While there are stain-removal products on the market, great care must be taken in using them around your dog's eyes. If you plan to use these products, it is essential to read and follow package directions carefully.
Prudent grooming trimming the hair around the nose, in conjunction with protective products such as petroleum jelly can help cosmetically and may prevent staining. However, depending on the cause of the staining, veterinary intervention may be needed.
Treatments may include freezing or laser removal of excessive hair around the eyes and nose. Blocked tear ducts may require surgery or "flushing" the blocked tear duct.
Of course, as always, your veterinarian is the best person to diagnose and prescribe any necessary treatment for tear staining. Keeping our pets happy and healthy is our top priority. Their beautiful faces and those adoring eyes remind us how much they rely on us.
Have you had experience with tear staining? Please share your suggestions by leaving a comment.
Next Thursday is National Feral Cat Day. What are you doing on October 16?
Have you ever seen a cat or two hanging out at a restaurant’s dumpster? You’ll find them everywhere, from the suburbs of the Midwest to New York City. These are not stray cats lost from a loving home. They’re ferals--cats born without the benefit of a loving home, raising their kittens on a lick and a promise.
Because they have no positive contact with people, feral cats are in fact wild creatures. They’re no more pets than the bobcat that roams my back acreage. Groups of feral cats form colonies to raise young, and gather where there’s ready shelter and food. They can quickly become nuisances and potential reservoirs of disease.
In the past communities have tried to deal with the issue by—dare I say it?—extermination. *gulp* These days most Americans object to treating cats as vermin, though.
Actually, getting rid of a group of ferals isn’t as easy as some would think. Whether they’re destroyed, or simply rounded up and relocated, new ferals simply move in to fill the vacuum. Unless the food and shelter attraction are eliminated, this “vacuum effect” keeps drawing cats to the area to breed a never-ending supply of more kitties. Feral cats also rarely can be rehabilitated into pets, so filling up shelters usually isn’t a good option. Most would need to be euthanized.
The answer is TNR, which stands for Trap-Neuter-Return. This not only is a humane option, it’s effective. I’ve written about this before, but National Feral Cat Day is a good time for a reminder.
Alley Cat Allies (www.alleycat.org) offers information how to set up a program. Basically, you trap the cats, euthanize the sick felines that can’t be saved, and spay or neuter the healthy ones. The kittens that are young enough to be socialized to people are adopted, and the healthy adults once “fixed” and vaccinated, are returned to the colony. These healthy felines no longer reproduce, but they keep other cats out, and are managed by volunteer caretakers who supervise and provide food so they don’t leave and pester in other areas. This has become a more economical system than mass extermination or relocation efforts that rely on city funding.
On October 16, when you pet your family felines or adopt a new fur-kid, think about the feral kitties and how you can help them.
Expecting a new baby, while exciting can be stressful for everyone concerned. While this period is filled with joy, of course, new parents are concerned about the safety of their baby at the forefront of their minds.
Being owned by a beloved cat may cause further anxiety. Some new parents may struggle about whether to keep kitty or find it a new home. Keeping a beloved cat for many first time parents is a priority, yet nagging questions often arise about safety for the baby. This being said, giving your cat away is not a requirement. Learning the language of cats, and how they think, is. Being cat “fluent” prevents many problems and surprises.
A new baby does not mean you have to give away your cat
Cats are definitely creatures of habit. The arrival of new and unfamiliar objects into their "territory" will arouse their curiosity. Since cats thrive on schedules, even redecorating a familiar and comfortable room into a nursery can drive the calmest of cats batty at first. They do not enjoy changes in routine. Therefore setting up the nursery way ahead of time so kitty can become familiar with all its nooks and crannies, and the new furniture will reap untold benefits for both cat and caretaker.
That "old wives’ tale" about cats sucking babies' breath is, just that. Sadly, to say many cats have been tried and convicted for this behavior attributed to felines. In fact, Pediatricians are now attributing those deaths to Sudden Death Syndrome as the root of this unfounded belief.
Having to make a decision to find a home for one's kitty due to anxiety about the infant's safety is probably one of the most difficult ones to consider. Happily, though, there are many ways to insure your baby's safety and cat's sanity.
In preparing to bring that blessed arrival into your home, take your time. Do things slowly and gradually, thinking carefully about where you want to place new items. Your cat can then become accustomed to these changes. Let your kitty sniff the new furniture and items, as they take on your environmental scents. Within a short time, your cat will become blasé about these changes, and they will no longer pose any threat to their survival. They will probably get bored and stop paying attention to the new items, or, they may find a comfy spot in a crib in which to curl up, if access is provided to the nursery.
If you decide that the crib is "off limits”, you will want to make it as unattractive to your cat as possible Drape a sheet of aluminum foil on the mattress. Cats hate the texture of foil and find it most unappealing. You can also fill the crib with cans filled with small stones or coins, with the opening taped shut. Shake the can vigorously if the cat shows a proclivity to hang out in the crib. They will soon associate the sound with the crib and avoid it. Always be methodical and consistent with this method of dissuading your cat from the crib.
If you are uncomfortable with your cat having access to the nursery, keep the door closed when you are away. There may be times when this room is off limits to your kitty. Soon, even this restriction will become commonplace for your cat, and it will be no big deal.
Play with your cat in the new room so that he or she will associate pleasant activity with the area. This lessens the chance that kitty will feel insecure. Folks often mistake changes in their cat's behavior as jealousy. It is really anxiety that causes these changes. The more comfortable your cat is with the new environment, the less kitty will become anxious. Rewarding your cat and reinforcing pleasure aspects with changes in the home will alleviate and more than likely prevent any "antisocial" reactions to anything associated with the new baby.
Initially cats may find the sound of an infant's cry distressing. They sure don't understand what this small hairless creature is trying to communicate. One way to get your cat accustomed to the sound is to play a tape of an infant crying, while you stroke and emotionally support your cat. If you have a friend with a baby, invite them to visit, so your cat may get a first-hand preview.
Purchase your baby powders, lotions and other baby products ahead of time. Let your cat become familiar with these scents. Product test them personally and let your cat get a whiff of you. Within no time at all, these aromas will become associated with humans that your cat loves.
When the baby does arrive, of course monitor the interaction carefully between them. Keep your cat's nails trimmed as well. Aggression toward babies by cats is extremely rare behavior, but accidents can happen.
Cats and babies can and do become friends. We are responsible to ensure that both are safe and in no danger. With common sense and care, a happy and harmonious union is a certainty.
Would you trust your cat with a new infant? Leave a comment and share your feelings, either way.
Yesterday’s blog discussed a great containment system for felines. Our dogs, though, also require safe places to play when in the great outdoors.
Leash laws and licensing ordinances may require that you keep your dog confined, and as responsible dog owners, it’s only the right thing to do. There also are safety issues: cars, stray animals, wild critters, disease and injury.
I highly recommend the good old-fashioned barrier fence. You can find chainlink fencing at local hardware stores, and some of these stores have modular pre-fab products for your easy installation. In my part of the country, “privacy fences” are quite popular in subdivisions. These usually wood fences are stained or painted, and most typically enclose the back yard area. More expensive fencing includes decorative metal products.
You’ll need to choose the product to fit the dog’s needs. Some canines become adept at digging out from under. You can foil this effort by placing two or three feet of chainlink flat on the ground as the foot of an “L” against the perpendicular fencing of your choice. Grass grows through to hide it, and you can easily mow, but Rex can’t excavate past the barrier. Other dogs may be jumpers, so your fence must be a foot higher than his best leap. Be aware, too, that some clever canines learn to climb the corners.
Now, before y’all say, “Amy’s forgetting about those electronic containment systems.” Nope, I’m not. I just don’t consider them to be good options, and certainly not the best or first solution. Here’s why.
I flat hate the idea of shocking a dog to train him. Would you shock your toddler to teach her to stay in the yard? Of course not!
Ethics aside, though, the studies have shown that training with electric shock is not as effective as other methods. In fact, it can slow down the dog’s ability to learn. Also, many of these containment systems are touted as plug-and-play do-it-yourself for every dog owner--and is every dog owner an outstanding trainer? Some of the better companies do offer access to professional trainers to help in the process because using shock collars incorrectly not only can hurt the dog, it can potentially cause aggression. Don’t take my word for it—read what the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has to say about shock training, here: http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=117
Even if you’re sure your dog can be trained humanely with one of these products, I believe such systems give a false sense of security. Even if the dog stays within the proscribed boundaries, the containment does nothing to keep other people or critters out.
What happens when an animal wanders through the yard, and King “forgets” and gives chase? Well, after a correcting shock that reminds him, he may find himself outside the boundary with the collar preventing him from coming home.
Last week, while walking Magic outside our fence line (luckily on leash!) we were approached by three coyotes. My doggy lost all focus, his training went out the window, and had he not been leashed, I hate to think what would have happened.
Wildlife is the least of potential problems. I recently was sent a heartbreaking story about an e-collar failure. Oh, the dog didn’t leave the yard. He stayed just where he’d been trained to stay. But that virtual fence didn’t keep a neighbor child from coming into the yard to him, and trying to smooch him. He bit her, the child’s mother called the police. The dog, still in his yard, barked at the police when they came--so they shot and killed him.
Find a way to safely and ethically contain your pet—and keep dangers out as well. Be aware of the positives and negatives of your options and choose the one that best suits you and your pets.
Over the weekend I watched an interesting program showing the evolution of purebreds and the business of human selfishness. Low and behold, this morning, the breaking news out of London -- after an update on the LSE (London Stock exchange) -- says that The Kennel Club announced it would be reviewing every pedigree breed in the UK amid concerns about genetic diseases.
As Britain's main governing body for dogs, this means serious business and will undoubtedly have a ripple effect throughout the world.
Representative's from The Club, (which organizes The Crufts Dog Show), decided to act after the program showed a prize-winning Cavalier King Charles spaniel which was suffering from syringomyelia, a condition which occurs when a dog's skull is too small for its brain.
Having watched the program myself, I was particularly appalled when they explained the history of the Char Pei. Due to targeted breeding over the years to get the perfect 'look,' the Char Pei is known for it's excessive facial skin, but, according to the program, this skin commonly becomes so weighty they suffer with nasal infections, and worse...because of the weight of the skin on the eyes, may go blind.
It also showed Boxers suffering from epilepsy, Pugs with breathing problems and Bulldogs who were unable to mate or give birth unassisted.
The Kennel Club hopes to extend new and extended initiatives that will help to safeguard the health of our pedigree dogs.
Having adopted many dogs from shelters in the past, I abhor puppy mills, but as you all know, the love of my life at the moment is my purebred Sheltie purchased from a well-known show breeder.
Weighing now at 46lbs, Maxi didn’t make the cut for being a perfect show dog, but that just means he gives us twice as much unconditional love!
Fortunately Shelties have not had their genetics tampered anywhere near as much as other breeds...no, he looks just like his Old Great Grandpa from those chilly northern ranges of the Shetlands.
What do you think? Has pure-breeding gone too far? Have they crossed the line? Post a comment and tell us what you think.
Snowball, a multi-toed kitten, apparently was given to Hemingway as a gift. The writer was a great cat lover, and he attempted to create a new breed. Even today, the historic Key West “Hemingway Home and Museum” is home to 50+ polydactyl cats, descendants of the original Snowball. The staff cares for the cats, makes pets of them, and the felines receive weekly visits from a veterinarian.
But for nearly five years, the USDA has argued that the property boundaries don’t keep the cats from roaming. Many of their suggested fixes weren’t practical, or were potentially cruel to the cats or dangerous to visitors. Hemingway Home offered to attach chicken wire top to the walls surrounding the Property, but the USDA said it wouldn’t work.
The Hemingway House in Key West, FL
Finally the USDA contracted with University of Florida veterinary behaviorist Dr. Terry Curtis. She recommended using Purr…fect Fence product (www.PurrfectFence.com), a netting system that attaches to the top of existing structures like fences, trees and buildings. After testing the product on a small section of the property, everyone liked the result.
A multi-toed resident of the Hemingway House
Purr…fect Fence donated the balance of the fence needed to complete the project (800 linear feet and several gates). They also sent the company VP, Matt Hough, to inspect the installation and handle some challenging aspects of the historic property. Upon the completion of a required inspection, Hemingway Home and Museum was deemed in complete compliance the Animal Welfare Act and after five years of angst, was granted a license. The Hemingway kitties are now legal--and safe from roaming.
One of the 1995 best selling books, "The Horse Whisperer" by Nicholas Evans, tells the story of a horse so severely traumatized after a horrifying accident with his rider aboard, that he lost all trust of humans. As a parallel to his devastating experience, his rider, a young girl who lost a leg from her own injuries, was frightened so badly that her fear of horses overrode her great love for them.
Both the girl and the horse were locked into their individual nightmares, haunted by their unconscious demons. The girl's mother, determined to restore her daughter's physical and emotional balance, and the almost identical issues for her daughter’s horse, found a "horse whisperer" who brought both of them back to physical and emotional health by patient, firm and compassionate direction.
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, (EAP), reminiscent of the "Horse Whisperer", utilizes the relationship between horse and client as the springboard from which healing can occur.
While Therapeutic Horseback Riding has gained major popularity as a treatment modality for people, who may be physically or developmentally disabled, equine assisted psychotherapy is somewhat different from the more traditional therapeutic horseback riding protocol. Although there are significant psychological benefits from therapeutic horseback riding, it was basically designed as a form of physical therapy. EAP, on the other hand is designed to treat psychological and emotional conditions such as eating disorders, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, depression, anger management and anxiety.
Most animals accept us unconditionally. A client, fearful of rejection or lacking trust in more traditional psychotherapists is able to form a meaningful and "safer" relationship with a non-threatening animal, like a horse. Since we are often prone to projecting our own feelings and emotions onto animals, observing the interaction between client and the horse, and the client's interpretation of the interaction, gives the EAP-trained psychotherapist insight into their client's feelings and behavior patterns that may be standing in the way of the client's recovery.
Just touching a gentle horse and being safely in its presence can be a powerful experience for many people. Being able to interact with a horse under the guidance of a skilled and trusted professional psychotherapist can develop into deep self-awareness, which is the cornerstone for recovery.
Watch this excellent video uploaded to YouTube by TheBennyZone, which demonstrates how these programs work.
Winston Churchill once said, "There's something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man." I am sure that if he made that statement today, Winston Churchill would have ended it with the word, "person".
Leave a comment and let us know the psychological or emotional benefits you feel you have received from being around horses, or if you have had any involvement with equine assisted psychotherapy.
Just a few weeks a way from the Election and the word 'poll' has taken on a new popularity. I don't always base my opinions on surveys, but they can be fun.
This recently-released survey peaked my attention.
According to the market research firm TNS Retail Forward, "Nearly one out of three pets can expect fewer presents from their owners this coming holiday season."
As reported on dogchannel.com, the marketing firm "gleaned from the group’s ShopperScape September consumer survey, found that 18 percent of pet owners planned to spend much less on their pets this holiday season and 14 percent planned to spend somewhat less on their pets, compared to 2 percent that planned to spend much more and 6 percent that planned to spend somewhat more"
I did a quick personal survey -- emailed a few pet owners I know - who were largely ambivalent. On the other hand, the luxury products for pets seem to be in a constant state of growth, but we’ll have to wait and watch for holiday numbers on that.
One cat lover said she wasn't going to stop buying gifts, but that the gift might be more practical than ...well..."gifty."
Some ideas that came out in my home survey included rain boots to avoid muddy paws. I think that's a neat idea because, with all this rain, clean paws would be a gift to the home!
What are your thoughts on gifts for your pet? Write to us at stories@petside.com with ideas.
I always thought that "Faux Fur" meant "false fur", designed to mimic the "real thing". I applauded the industries, which manufactured this synthetic material as it potentially saved the lives of many animals raised or hunted for their hides and pelts.
It seemed to me to be environmentally sound and animal friendly, while at the same time offered an excellent alternative for consumers. However, an email arrived in my mailbox this morning, which startled me and made my blood boil.
After an investigation into the Chinese fur trade initiated in 2004 and 2005, by three animal protection groups, it was learned that 70% of fur jackets are mislabeled as "faux fur" and contain Raccoon Dog fur. MSNBC reported, late in 2006 that because of these investigations Macy's pulled from its stores and website, two styles of hooded jackets, which had been, advertised as faux fur. The manufacturer of the jackets claimed not to be aware of the material, and immediately removed it from their clothing line.
Raccoon Dog
The Humane Society of the United States, in April 2008, filed a false advertising complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission, alleging that at least 20 United States retailers were mislabeling their products as faux fur, when in fact they were manufactured with Raccoon Dog fur. Additionally, HSUS alleged that 70% of all fur garments were mislabeled as faux fur, but contained not only Raccoon Dog fur, but coyote, rabbit or other animal skins.
Laboratory testing revealed Raccoon Dog as the species, which were used on fur-trimmed jackets that each contained at least one violation of the federal Fur Products Labeling Act, in their advertising or labeling. Several of these products were misnamed as faux fur and Ecological fur,
Kristin Leppert, director of the HSUS fur-free campaign said, "To our knowledge, no single furbearing animal has ever before been so mistreated and completely misrepresented to the public. Banning Raccoon Dog fur is the only way to protect American consumers and these animals from the systematic and horrific abuse—including being skinned alive—they undergo in China and other countries."
Moreover, while the United States prohibits the import of dog and cat fur products, the law does not protect the Raccoon Dog, and presently there is no law requiring the industry to label products containing fur valued under $150.00
Raccoon Dogs are members of the canine family native to the dense woodlands and forests of Asia. While they are not very aggressive, they are secretive, and prefer to play dead when cornered. They are a monogamous species and mate for life, in the wild. A silent canid, they do not bark, but curl their tails into an inverted U to express dominance.
What you can do to help: Urge your representative to close this loophole. A convenient petition is available online through Care2's Campaign site where your signature counts.
Yesterday I talked about the idea of using canine DNA to identify who’s not keeping their noses (and yards) clean. We’re all about keeping our environment and world “green” so how does that translate in terms of the cat’s toilet?
Cat box filler may be from nature, but once used, it’s certainly no longer eco-friendly. Because of the risk of transmitting parasites or other organisms, used litter is not recommended for composting or otherwise returning to the ground. Clay doesn’t go away—and is the most popular type of filler. Paper, corn and wheat litter products may be biodegradable but also have drawbacks with disposal. So cat owners interested in reducing the amount of debris are looking for alternatives.
The Litter Robot
The Litter-Robot claims to be designed to answer some of these questions, with a new “ECO” model to make it even more green. It uses less litter than some other automatic or standard boxes, can use a variety of clumping type products, sifts rather than rakes to remove waste, and dumps the nasties in a standard kitchen-type garbage bag for removal each week. The ECO Litter-Robot will be introduced October 3-5 at the Backer's 42nd Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show and Educational Conference.
I’ve not used the Litter-Robot product, but Seren happily used her Littermaid automatic box for many years. I did have some problems with cleaning the rake, and with dumping the receptacle, and ultimately returned to low-tech scooping each day. Even when using an automatic box, I examined Seren’s output each day--it’s way too easy to neglect that with one of these boxes.
Automatic boxes make potty duty almost too easy. When you don’t have to pay attention on a daily basis, a health issue indicated by your cat’s litter-ary creativity may be overlooked until the health or behavior issue becomes dangerous. So by all means, make the task simple for you and your cat, but not at the expense of kitty well being.
As we all know, Tuesday, November 4, Election Day is just around the corner. We are constantly beseiged with political advertising on radio and TV, giving our candidates the opportunity to reach out to those "undecided" voters and to solidify support from those who have already made up their minds.
While of course, I will be casting my ballot, sometimes these political “commercials" can be a bit overwhelming.. Additionally with the many polls rising and falling with the speed of an Otis Elevator, I sometimes even catch my kitties scratching their heads in bewilderment.
First, let me say that my cat Hush Puppy is truly a bodhisattva, having nearly achieved feline enlightenment. He is indeed a serene and wise being who has the qualities of a highly spiritually developed cat. He rarely gets upset or ensnared in the mischief to which his brother, Hubble, is prone. He rises to the occasion, sneering visibly at Hubble's behavior, being the easy-going and tranquil kitty in our household.
This being said, this morning as my husband and I were busily involved in our daily ritual watching the morning news, one of the polls was so startling that Hush Puppy turned to us with an expression on his face that could only be inpurrpreted as disgust and dismay.
It was at that moment that he shared with us his frustration concerning the plight of the world. He poured out his heart to us explaining he is compelled to take action by putting his paw into the ring. He has decided to put his moniker on the ticket and to run on the Democatic ticket for the highest position in the country. I fur one will be his campaign manager. Running for purrsident is a very demanding activity. It broke my heart to inform him that time was running out like sands in an hourglass.
You will be thrilled, however, to learn that his platform includes; a cat in every household, loving laps for all felines and free high-quality catnip at every supermarket. MEDICAT, one of his pet programs, will ensure that all cats get proper veterinary care. Amnesty for mice is included in his plan, and peace between dogs and cats is a high priority. "No war no more" is his campaign slogan.
I tried to tell him that the cost of running for purrsident is extremely high. He shrugged his shoulders and informed me that he is looking for a fundraiser. He decided to join "Cats for Obama" in order to raise money more expeditiously.
If you are interested in applying for the pawsition of chief fundraiser, leave a comment and he will get back to you.
A six-month trial program in an Israeli city will put owners in the doghouse if they don’t clean up after Fido. They’re using doggy DNA to identify who left the—ahem—evidence in public places.
A suburb of Tel Aviv asked owners to take their dogs to a city veterinarian to collect cheek swabs that collect DNA. A database of canine DNA will be used to match any poo left illegally to a registered dog, and identify the owner who’d be slapped with a fine. The idea is the brainchild of Tika Bar-On, the city’s chief veterinarian, who says the experiment also could help research canine genetic diseases, identify stray animals, and offer an alternative to microchip identification.
Owners who pick up their dog’s droppings are eligible for pet food coupons and dog toys. So far, residents are cooperating in the interest of keeping areas clean. If the program proves successful, they may make it mandatory for pet owners to provide DNA samples.
Now, I’m all for being responsible and picking up after the pooch potties. But DNA? What do you think? Is that an idea that stinks or a high-tech solution that wins in the end?
Most everybody knows about dogs that partner with and serve as eyes for blind people. But today, some folks instead partner with miniature horses.
The Guide Horse Foundation (www.guidehorse.com) was founded in 1999. These friendly horses are about the same size as large guide dogs, train easily, and live much longer than dogs—30 to 50 years!
Guide Horse in Training
Just think about being so close to your furry partner, living and loving this dog for a decade that serves as your window on the world, only to lose him. A mini-horse, properly trained, could partner with the human virtually for life. While these little guys aren’t for everyone, they make excellent options for some people.
Dog lovers heartily agree that the canine species is a delightful pet and our best friends. In fact, dogs are considered one of the top domesticated animals with which we share our hearth and heart.
We are greeted daily with wagging tails, kisses and joy when we return home after being away for even only a few hours. As furry friends who share their abundance of unconditional love, they are always glad to see us, and communicate how important we are to them, and how much they adore us.
Since we have a mutual admiration society going here, in addition to the amount of quality time we spend playing with them one of the top priorities is keeping them in robust health. Sound nutrition is one of the keys to a sound body and spirit.
Feeding the highest quality food to our dogs is essential. Providing good nutrition can add years to our dogs' lifespan, with better health, and increased energy. We can help to prevent diseases associated with obesity as well, by providing them their optimum dietary needs. Of course, the size, breed, body type and weight of our dog factors into the most efficient feeding plan. There is no "one size fits all" formula, which will provide all dogs' needs.
How many treats are enough?
In planning for the best diet for your dog, start with a visit to your vet, or a canine Nutritionist. These professionals can give excellent suggestions as to the brand and type of food, which will fit your dog's needs. We are bombarded with dog food commercials on TV, but just because a brand is "popular”, it may not be suited for your particular pooch. Pay attention to the calorie requirements for your dog that may be listed on the label of some of the better commercially available dog foods. Be sure that your dog is receiving his daily protein requirements.
Do your own research as well: Let your fingers surf the Internet and “Google" a simple query, "What is the best diet for dogs?" There are many excellent articles about proper nutrition for canines available. Talk to your veterinarian or nutritionist about their suggestions and those that appeal to you from your research. Interestingly, today greater numbers of dog owners are feeding their pets raw bone and meat diets, which are excellent platforms for sound health. Are commercial foods, which are available in your local supermarket as nutritionally balanced as dog foods available at Health Food Stores, or on the Internet? Are the most popular brands the best choice?
Of course, it goes without saying that no matter what products you use, that it is important not to over feed your dog. Take into consideration, their age, size, and amount of exercise they receive daily. Factor in their overall health as well. Avoid feeding your dog table scraps, as they can be unhealthy for your pet, and it will ultimately stop any begging behavior at the dinner table.
Feed your dog on a schedule with measured amounts of food. Dogs, like humans look forward to their daily meals. Naturally, puppies under the age of three months have different feeding schedule requirements than older puppies and adult dogs. Talk with your veterinarian about an appropriate schedule for your particular dog.
Have you consulted with your veterinarian about nutrition? Was it helpful? Share your experiences by leaving a comment.
A Labrador retriever gave birth earlier this month to what are claimed to be the world's first puppies born from transplanted frozen fertilized eggs--births that could lead toward alleviating the current shortage of guide dogs in Japan.
A research team led by Prof. Hiroshi Suzuki, a specialist in developmental engineering at Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, transplanted frozen fertilized ova of a Labrador retriever guide dog into another.
It's important for guide dogs to be gentle and take easily to people. Even after about a year's training, only 30 percent to 40 percent of dogs pass a test to become a service companion.
Potential guide dogs must be neutered before training to prevent them from becoming distracted by sexual urges. So even if they are later judged to be excellent workers with a good temperament, they are unable to produce offspring.
Eggs taken from a female dog before it is spayed can be stored indefinitely before being used for artificial insemination.
This makes it easy to draw up a long-term breeding plan and could solve to the current guide dog shortage.
Frozen fertilized eggs from guide dogs in training and breeding dogs were transplanted into 3-year-old Maro, bred for experimental use at the university in Obihiro, Hokkaido.
Maro gave birth to three puppies on Sept. 8. Though one was stillborn, the experiment was judged to have been a success.
According to Suzuki, the survival rate of fertilized eggs after freezing is low, and there have been no other successful births to date.
To increase the survival rate of the eggs, Suzuki employed a method of rapidly freezing them to -385 F to minimize cell damage.
The research was conducted in conjunction with the Sapporo-based Hokkaido Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
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