Pets in search of Adoption

There is a chronic need for pet adoptions daily. And fortunately some well known organizations and people are involved in bringing greater awareness of this need. This past weekend there was a “National Pet Adoption Weekend” sponsored by PetSmart Charities which was very successful.  More than 16,500 dogs, cats and small animals are no longer homeless.  The next adoption weekend is scheduled for April 30th-May 2nd, so mark your calendars!

Currently Martha Stewart is supporting the “Purina ONE Tour for Heroes”, February 3rd-26th. The “Tour” is stopping at local animal shelters to help pets in need with temporary food banks and adoption events.  From January 15th- March 31, 2010 go to MarthaStewart.com/pet-adoption find an adoptable pet and share it with Facebook friends. Each time you do, Purina ONE will donate $1 worth of pet food to food banks across the country to help feed pets in need (up to $50,000 worth of pet food). You can also help with pet adoptions through “Twitter a Critter”.

I received an email last week from a former neighbor who moved to Key West with her husband and dog, Kate. Unfortunately Kate passed away at the age of 12 about a month ago.  She lived a good full life and had loving parents. My friend Sue informed me that her husband, Bob just happened upon an adorable pup from a rescue in Miami. Sue still mourns the passing of Miss Kate but they now have an adorable pup named, Lucy. Not sure how anyone could resist Lucy!

I think everyday of how fortunate I am to have the gift of an animal companion. Miss Mia, my cat who is from a local animal shelter provides among other things unconditional love, companionship and demands for my time and attention. As other pet owners can attest to there are so many rewards to pet ownership. Having said that with the passing of Valentine’s Weekend perhaps those animal lovers who have considered getting a cat or dog would stop by at your local shelter and see if there is a cat or dog that tugs at your heart….

Other Resources:

Petfinder

American Kennel Club

Who is the “Top Dog”?

The Holidays have come and gone…and Spring is just around the corner (I hope!).  Instances when many folks get a new dog or puppy. The following are some important steps to take ensuring that you in fact are the “Top DOG”.

1. Establish a routine of regular walks.  Discuss exercise regimen for your puppy with your vet.

2. Rules, boundaries and limitations are important mental exercises. Affection given is then perceived as a reward.

3. Maintain leadership role by walking out the door ahead of your dog.

4. Make sure your dog is behind or beside you, not in front of you while walking. You the owner are in command.

5. Give a command, like sit or down before sharing food, water, toys or affection.

6. As with a puppy’s mother having strict rules for behavior so should you the owner.  Be gentle but firm during bedtime if they leave their bed, whine or start chewing due to anxiety of being left alone.

7. Include money for unforeseen medical bills and training in your budget.

SOURCE The Dog Whisperer, by Cesar Millan

Dental Hygiene for Pets at Home

This month of February is Pet Dental Health Month.  As with us humans the importance of dental hygiene for our beloved pets cannot be overemphasized. There should be awareness year round not just in February. Miss Mia (The Princess) of course is not thrilled with the prospect of me prying her mouth open. And I cant wait…yikes!

8 out of 10 pets over the age of 3 have periodontal disease. Warning signs are bad breath (dogs), tuna breath (cats of course), and discolored teeth. If not treated properly these warning signs can evolve into liver, kidney, heart and lung disease.

Dental hygiene is true maintenance for the health and well being of your pet. Think of it as preventative medicine prolonging their quality of life.  And in the long run saving on vet bills and your pet’s long term discomfort.

Pets and Plunge in Temperatures

It’s important to remember the safety and well-being of our pets during extreme drops in temperature. My cat, (Miss) Mia, “The Princess” has been non too pleased with the weather as of late. The combination over the past few weeks of freezing temps, rain, sleet and snow have gotten her in a twirl. But then there are my pooch pals who just love romping in the snow.

Whether you have a canine or a feline please consider the following:

1. Hazards of fur

Our furry friends are not insulated from extreme temps.  Toes, noses and ears are susceptible.  Short haired pets in particular are most vulnerable.  In door spaces need to be warm, dry and draft free with plenty of food and water.

2. Dressing for weather

Coats for cats during winter should be avoided.  Cats of course usually wont allow such an embarrassment.  That includes my Princess, Miss Mia.

Dogs should be monitored if wearing any apparel.  If their clothes get wet there is risk of frostbite, or suffocation while trying to wrangle out of wet clothing.

Puppies pads can quickly freeze after a short time. Salt strewn roads can irritate pooches paws by burning them.  If you want booties for protection try baby socks first.  And make sure dog boots are not too tight to prevent cutting off circulation resulting in frostbite.

3. Young’uns & Seniors

Kittens, puppies and older dogs and cats should be kept indoors.  They all lack the fat, metabolism, or the full fur coat they need to stay warm when temperatures plunge.

3. Cats and the cold weather

Miss Mia has been stir crazy as with other cats used to the great outdoors.  They require stimulation to include regular play, cat toys, trees and catwalks.

4. Outdoor only cats

When nighttime temps are below 40 degrees cats should be indoors. Although of course there are abandoned and feral cats.

#1 Some times cats will seek shelter under a car or in engine compartment as was recently reported.

#2 Anti-freeze is highly toxic and deadly

• As with a child make sure your anti-freeze containers are securely closed and out of sniffing distance.
• Is your car leaking anti-freeze?

#3 The days are fortunately getting longer but until Spring pooches should wear reflective collars and/or leashes.

#4 If your pet has eaten something toxic or harmful contact Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or your vet immediately.

For canine friends who spend much time outdoors: Care is like that of outdoor-only cats.

• warm, dry, draft-free, covered shelter
• check to make sure bedding in shelter is dry
• keep water fresh & unfrozen
• adequate food is available

In extreme weather your pet should be brought inside.

Potty breaks with deep snow and extreme temperature drops

• Shovel a small area where the snow is not too deep
• Purchase pet booties which also keep house cleaner
• Wait by the door
• Indoor options: pet pee pads, indoor pee patches, litter box training for smaller dogs

Be Aware of Signs for Hypothermia and Frostbite

• violent shivering, followed by listlessness
• weak pulse
• lethargy
• muscle stiffness
• problems breathing
• lack of appetite
• rectal temperature below 98°F
• coma
• cardiac arrest

Hypothermia Treatment

Wrap your pet in a warm blanket or coat

• Bring your pet into a warm room.
• Mix four teaspoons honey or sugar dissolved in warm water to drink.
• Place warm, towel-wrapped water bottles against your pet’s abdomen or at her armpits and chest, then wrap her in a blanket.
• Call your veterinarian immediately.

Hypothermia can be avoided by maintaining a warm and dry shelter for pets when they are outside.

Frostbite Signs in Dogs and Cats

Frostbite occurs when a part of your pet’s body freezes.

Watch for:

• pale, gray, or blue skin at first
• red, puffy skin later
• pain in ears, tail, or paws when touched
• skin that stays cold
• shriveled skin

Frostbite Treatment

• Apply warm (not hot) water for at least 20 minutes to the frostbitten area; no hairdryers, heating pads, or electric blankets
• Handle the affected areas very carefully; don’t rub or massage them as you could cause permanent damage.
• Call your vet immediately.

Remembering these tips will help maintain health and well being of your pet during the winter months.

Sources: http://pets.webmd.com

http://www.aspca.org/

Ode to Miss Ginger…

Miss Ginger was most certainly sweeter than she was plump.  She was the color of her name, and very calming with her gentle demeanor.

She would waddle to the door to greet you.  And melt your heart with a stretch, and tap of her paw on your face to say hello.

If ever there was a cat that could help you decompress during or after a difficult day it was Miss Ginger. Living with an attention grabbing Westie, named Mac did not phase her.  She was content just being herself.

I am most grateful to her owner, Rhonda for letting me say goodbye earlier today. And I hope she finds comfort knowing that Miss Ginger (a rescue cat) had such a loving home.

Ginger’s passing although painful, is a wonderful reminder of how fortunate we are to have the unconditional love of animals in our lives. Thank you, Miss Ginger for the gift of being you!

A Really “Cool” Cat!

Rommel was your definition of a really “cool” cat. If he was not a domestic cat he would have been a lion.

How he roared!

He did not saunter into a room, and made his presence known. Eyes would turn at Rommel’s arrival. With a swat of his paw he would keep you at bay.

How he roared!

But there was most certainly an affectionate side to Rommel. A nudge as he grazed your leg walking by.

How he roared!

He leaves behind a fellow feline Binky, a pesky canine Hooper, and an adoring mom, Roxcy. And many admirers including me.

The world is a less happy place right now without Rommel. But at this writing the sun is shining.  And I suspect that is Rommel roaring!

“Service Dogs” for Service Men & Women

Recently I saw a funeral for a fallen service woman on the news. The mother of the service woman was upset not only by the loss of her child but also the lack of reporting of people serving overseas.  I must confess to not thinking of our service men and women on a regular basis and am grateful for these reminders.

Thanks to the efforts of former veterans and non profit organizations there is assistance for disabled Veterans who are transitioning back to civilian life. But much more funding and support is needed.  Irvin Stovroff, a World War II veteran has been instrumental in pushing for legislation now before Congress: The Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps Act. And Senator Al Franken (D-MN) introduced a bill: Service Dogs for Veterans Act. If interested in supporting this legislation please do contact your local representatives.

US Senate

US Congress

Non Profits:

Puppies Behind Bars

Freedom Service Dogs

Many thanks to our service men and women overseas and those veterans who are back home.  Thanks also to the service dogs who provide unconditional love, companionship and support.

Solar Eclipse, Full Moon, Insomnia?

No it is my cat, “The Princess”, Miss Mia who has been waking me up in the wee hours of the morning; preventing me from a good night’s rest and going to the gym for much needed exercise.  Usually before Summer officially begins and the sun rises earlier around 4:30 am I anticipate Mia waking me up.  And had come to terms with it.

In checking my Twitter “Favorites”, the ASPCA had a post answering all my questions regarding my lack of sleep: “Nighttime Activity in Cats”. There is a checklist they provide to eliminate or remedy that early wake up call.

1.  Make sure above anything else that there are no medical issues.

2.  In the evening schedule some play time with toys like mice or birds.  (I must say that right now I am contending with a real life mouse that Miss Mia has been trying to catch for the past couple of days…yikes.)

3. Feed your cat just before bed time.

4. Keep your cat busy during daylight hours.

5. Consider another cat if your cat is social with other cats.  (Unfortunately this does not apply to me.  Mia does not play well with others.)

6. Lastly if your cat attempts to wake or play with you while you are sleeping you might have to resort to locking him out of your bedroom.  Otherwise those sleepless nights will continue.  One example of discouraging him from meowing or scratching at the door is to place a hairdryer on door handle.

If all else fails consider contacting a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist.

Many thanks to the ASPCA for wonderful work you do and tips you provide for pet owners.  Thanks also to Twitter for readily providing this information through its micro blogging service.

Miss Mia not a “Southpaw”?

Based on article “Is your cat left or right pawed?” my cat Mia, “The Princess” is right handed.  At this writing she is sleeping away this dreary day (rain and clouds again).  And we did not get much sleep with the deluge of rain overnight.  So I cannot test her with “dexterous feats” to confirm this finding right now. But once she awakens I will refrain from testing her with the toy mouse or string to confirm these findings and break out the tuna instead.  So stay tuned….

Pet Safety during 4th Fireworks

My cat, “The Princess”, (Miss) Mia just waltzed inside after the cannon went off signaling sundown.  This reminded me of course of preparation for the upcoming fireworks on Saturday, for the 4th of July celebration.  I have commiserated with a few other pet owners of what a miserable time it is for our beloved pets.  It is most important to plan ahead for your pet’s safety so both you and they can have a stress free Holiday.

To protect your pet on the Fourth of July, take these precautions:

• Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays.
• Do not leave your pet in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects—even death—in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.
• Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep him company while you’re attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations.
• If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.
• Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
• Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

Source: Humane Society of the United States