Dances with Corgis!

Every now and then I go to a country Episcopal church in LaGrange, Tn. Sometimes on my way to ride my horse around the corner, other times just to soak in the beauty of the sanctuary with no given destination. It's a very small church family; I love the warmth of the church and the congregation. But what I love best is the elegant Rhodesian Ridgeback that perches contemplatively on one of the back pews with his human parents. This dog never moves an inch nor does he ever bark. He just lies in quiet meditation as if he were reflecting upon the hymns and sermon. Or maybe he's just simply resting to the vibrant beat of "Onward Christian Soldiers"?

So, what do you think, animal lovers? Is this dog more connected to spirituality than he is letting on? Do animals gain a sense of peace in these holy places?

Here is a heartwarming story published by AFP, January 16, 2013 that really has to make you wonder.

ROME - Since his owner died two months ago,  Tommy the dog has not  missed a single mass in the small  church in southern Italy where his mistress's funeral was held,  Italian media said Wednesday. 

When the bells of the Santa Maria Assunta church begin to toll each afternoon in San Donaci near Brindisi , the 12-year-old German Shepherd sets off from the village to get himself a front row seat next to the altar, Il Messaggero newspaper said. 

His owner, who was known in local dialect as "Maria TU lu campu"-- "Maria of the fields" -- had lived alone with Tommy and three other rescue dogs, who used to follow her faithfully on her daily rounds and have now been adopted by the village. 

After following his mistress's coffin up to the church on the day of her funeral, Tommy has returned daily, sitting quietly throughout masses, baptisms and funerals, according to local priest Donato Panna, who now wouldn't do without him. 

AND what about this?

   From FP:

When visually impaired radio journalist Alessandro Forlani entered the Vatican’s vast Paul VI audience hall on Saturday little did he expect that along with his guide dog Asià, he stood a chance to meet newly elected Pope Francis.

But to his surprise, while he was sitting along with his media colleagues in the Paul VI audience hall a Swiss Guard informed him that the Pope had spotted him and his dog and would like to meet them.

“They said that Pope Francis had asked to meet me. He had seen Asià and wanted to see both of us,” Forlani wrote on his Facebook page.

Asià walked on the stage, briefly sniffed the Pope’s shoes and then waited patiently as Forlani talked to the pontiff.

“I asked for a blessing for my wife and daughter at home,” Forlani said. Pope Francis then leaned down and patted Asià, saying: “and a special blessing for your dog too.”

  Photo from informationcanine.com

 According to The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) http://www.petobesityprevention.com/, it is estimated that half of the pets in the US are obese!

  Read about Obie, the 70-lb dachshund lumbering towards his new weight goal:

http://www.kptv.com/story/19589739/overweight-dachshund-on-a-mission-to-shed-pounds

And more about Obie:

http://www.kgw.com/news/Custody-battle-over-for-Obie-the-Dachshund-188245031.html

    So, how do pets get this way? Well, it usually circles back to us. When I was putting together this blog, I couldn’t help but think back to some friends that had a lovely Golden Retriever. Not only did this dog get an excess of treats in addition to her regular feedings, but was served a nightly bowl of ice cream. This Golden was broad in the beam and was approaching seniorhood.

Pet Obesity Facts from dosomething.org:

1. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats in the U.S. are obese or overweight.

2. 22 percent of dog owners and 15 percent of cat owners said their pet's weight was normal, when it was actually overweight or obese.

3. The "fat pet gap" is the normalization of obesity by pet parents. (Read: fat pets = the new normal.)

4. Dogs and cats who are 10 to 20 percent over their ideal body weight are considered overweight. Dogs and cats 20 percent over their ideal weight are considered obese.

5. A golden hamster should weigh 5 to 7 ounces and dwarf hamsters should weigh 3/4 to 1 3/4 ounces.

6. Obesity is the number one health problem in pet birds. Most birds have food available all the time, so they don't have to work for their dinner. And because there's not too much else to do, they sit around and rest all day.

7. Amazon parrots, cockatiels, rose-breasted cockatoos, canaries, quaker parrots and budgerigars are more prone to obesity than other birds.

8. Overweight or obesity can cause arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, certain cancers, heart and respiratory disease, and more for your pet.

9. According to the Purina Lifespan Study, obesity takes almost two years off a dog's life.

10. To check if your pet is obese or overweight, you should be able to easily feel your pet's ribs without pressing on the pet and your pet’s stomach should be tucked in.

11. Veterinarians determine if a pet is overweight or obese by their body condition score, or BCS. Veterinarians assess the amount of stored fat and assign a number to score if a pet is underweight, overweight, or just right.

Paradiseanimalhospital.com offers 7 Tips For Reducing Dog Obesity

Don’t use self-feeders, which can be describe as candy machines for fat dogs.

Pet your dog when he begs for food. Many dogs really want attention, so “flip the equation.”

Feed the dog small meals often. Divide the daily food servings into small portions.

If the dog is begging for food, take him for a walk as a distraction.

If the dog begs, just give him a few kibbles in his bowl, like 10 or 15 rather than a handful.

Dogs like a crunchy treat. So how about skipping anything fatty and switching to baby carrots, broccoli, celery, or asparagus?

Make sure the bowl is filled with water. Fresh water may hit the spot.

AND I WILL ADD A FEW MORE:

Walk, walk, walk your dog or hire a dog walker!!!

Play games with your dog/throw the ball or Frisbee.

30 minutes of exercise daily, commit to this!

  Photo from the Poodle (and the dog) blog

  Photo from fatcat.com

HERE’S A COMPARISON CHART TO USE AS A GUIDE

Photo from st.john animal clinic

Ten Steps To Help Your Cat Lose Weight from petloveshack.com

There may not be a fancy, brand-name diet program for fat cats yet, but there are other ways to help your cat drop those extra pounds. Follow these ten steps from Dr. Dan Carey, a veterinarian and director of technical communications at The Iams Company, to help your cat reach a healthier weight. First, always check with your veterinarian to establish goals and make sure your cat is otherwise healthy. Then, continue follow-up visits with your veterinarian to monitor progress.

Let the games begin! Help your cat burn calories by encouraging her to play. Toss her toys for her to chase, wiggle a wand for her to jump up high, or provide a taller cat scratching post for her to climb.

Go for a walk. Show those dogs a thing or two, and take your cat for a walk-even if it's just inside the house. Many cats learn to enjoy walking on a leash, especially if trained while still young. It's a great excuse for you to get more exercise, too.

Ease into shape. Watch how your fat cat handles increased activity. Don't let your cat become exhausted, overheated or out of breath. Also remember that older cats may not be able to exercise vigorously.

Replace treats with praise. When your cat is begging for treats, it could be that she's just begging for your attention. Substitute play, grooming, stroking or conversation for food treats as expressions of love. You can also try catnip as a non-food treat.

Resist those pleas. Is your cat an expert at begging for table scraps? If you find it difficult to ignore those "sad eyes" (or wailing!) at mealtime, keep your feline in a separate room.

Feed cats individually. If you have more than one cat, consider keeping them in separate rooms during their mealtime. This will prevent the greediest cat from overeating, and ensure that slower cats get fed.

Play fetch. Toss dry food kibbles to your cat, one piece at time, to combine exercise with mealtime.

Avoid fiber overload. Many reduced calorie pet foods include increased levels of fiber that can interfere with a pet's ability to absorb and digest nutrients. Food with the proper balance of animal-based protein, fat, carbohydrates and moderately fermentable fiber sources, such as beet pulp, is a healthier choice. Try new Eukanuba® Weight control Formula for Cats-which also has a unique Feline Fat Burner systemª, which promotes health and well-being while helping cats to burn fat and lose or maintain weight successfully.

Smaller meals, more often. As with people, several smaller meals each day vs. one large serving help cats burn more calories. This is through meal-induced thermogenesis-heat produced by the body during digestion, absorption, metabolism and storage of nutrients actually causes more calories to be used.

Tip the scales. A baby scale works great for keeping track of your cat's weight, or alternatively you can take your cat in your arms, step on your own scale and then subtract your weight from the total weight shown to find your cat's weight. Check weight loss progress every two weeks.

Walking with Ernie and Zinger

It doesn’t get any better. All in a day’s work. Balmy skies, 75 degrees, and I get to spend my day outdoors with some of my favorite buddies! From Chickasaw and Galloway Gardens to Harbor Town, Hedgemoor,  Midtown, Joffre neighborhood and Kirby and Quince, my day was packed with adventure. I loved sharing this glorious day with some of my favorite canine pals.

My day began with a guided tour from Hershey who did everything he could to resist diving into the cool water and lapping up the fountain. But he managed….GOOD BOY!!!

Here’s a sampler of a few sights I saw today with some of my dog walking clients.

Good old-fashioned tree climbing

Really cool cypress knees

A breathtaking lake

Inviting bridges

Shep, Lady Bird and I saw lovely, custom homes

  Made new friends

Watched a kitty go for a walk

AND…Scrappy and I topped off the day with raucous geese

Dogs need social interaction, crave activity and mental stimulation. Is your best friend getting this?

Many of our pets live in crowded urban environments. Numbers of these big city pups live in a condo or apartment where there is often little or no backyard or play area. And why should they wait 10 hours for a bathroom break?

A professional dog walker is just your answer! Dog walking offers you and your pets benefits many times over.

 Benefits Of Hiring A Dog Walker For Your Dog

A regular routine; dogs thrive on this

A much needed restroom break

A happier, healthier, better adjusted dog

Exercise and companionship during a long day

A dog walking plan tailored for you and your pet

A chance to breathe fresh air and sky gaze

An opportunity to see other dogs out walking and offer up a canine greeting

Love and lots of TLC

A chance to play with a new person

Socialization, socialization, socialization

 Benefits For You?

A guilt-free day knowing that your dog is happy and content

A schedule that works perfectly for you and your dog

A dog walker who comes to your house so there are no travel issues for you

Peace of mind knowing that you have a reliable dog walker

Frees your time up – you don’t have to run home at lunch or immediately after work to let the dog out

No doggie “accidents” upon your return home

Dog walkers are relatively inexpensive

Things To Look For In A Pet Sitter

Are they first aid certified?      

Do they have liability insurance? Are they bonded?

What kind of training has the dog walker participated in?

Does the walker have a backup in case of emergencies?

Have they asked pertinent questions about your pet, covering topics such as dog aggression, dog walking habits, medical conditions, meds, pet’s likes/dislikes?

  Think about it for a moment. As a dog owner, isn’t one of your main responsibilities of canine ownership to take your best friend out for daily strolls? Nonpurposeful lumbering and ambling around the back yard is simply not enough to get your buddy buff and back to flexing his paws at the beach. Going on walks, with or without a leash supplies your dog with not only exercise, but also an opportunity to respect its boundaries.

Think way, way back to the early dog development years. Didn’t most of the early canines have a job? Pulling carts, carrying objects, herding livestock, hunting for food, defending territory, etc. Now, most of their exercise has been dumbed down to jumping off the sofa, dashing to the food bowl, or barking at the UPS guy. What a pity…

Unfortunately, many of us are time crunched when it comes around to walking our dogs. Yes, we love them and certainly want the best for them. We permit our dogs to be a part of our lives, but we work long hours and have family obligations. AND when it comes down to walking them, we may be either out of shape ourselves or the day ended before we knew it, and who wants to be out walking in the bitter cold or rain?

The bennies of keeping Rover in shape and fit? Countless…it helps keep your guy at his best fighting weight. Builds muscle mass and maintains the integrity of the musculoskeletal system (especially good for dysplastic dogs as it build muscle mass around the displaced joint). It’s great for your pup’s digestion and helps them sleep soundly when bedtime rolls around. It’s a really refreshing antidote from boredom and house and yard lounging. AND as we know, in reducing doggie doldrums, we cut opportunities for the roll of toilet paper to be reamed throughout the house, gnawing on Granny’s antique rocker, and coming home to a roomful of shredded blinds, along with other symptoms of hyperactivity. Sounds like a pretty good trade-off, doesn’t it?

  When we talk dog walking, we’re not talking about the senior shuffle and sniff and dawdle ramble, we’re referring to heart rate elevated, movin’ on out kinda stuff. Walking for fitness is much much different than walking to the mail box with your dog and heading back inside.

Soooo….maybe you need to hire a dog walker for many of the reasons mentioned above? Your dogs will love you! It will give YOU peace of mind and less guilt knowing that someone is coming to your house to take your dog out for a delightful spin! Your dog will enjoy the quality time outdoors and will even more love the fact that he is not locked in the house or crate for long periods of time. Hiring a dog walker is relatively inexpensive and they usually charge by the hour or half hour. Besides, a really good dog walker will know/discover the fun and safe routes for walking.This is their job and they LOVE it!

Some things to think about before you start with a dog walking program. Have your dog thoroughly checked out by a veterinarian. Have them monitor heart fitness, and muscle and joint agility and flexibility. Consider the age of the dog – don’t start running or power walking a young dog for extended periods of time; this can lead to dysplasia and ligament issues. Research your breed. Be careful with small/short nosed breeds that are prone to breathing issues. Watch out for the deep chested, narrow bodied dogs as they are subject to bloat. Other breeds like sight hounds are built only for short term runs.

In a matter of just a couple of weeks, more than 45,000 pets associated with hardship families have been signed up with the non-profit charity called Pet Food Stamps based in NYC.

According to Pet Food Stamps, “there are over 50 million Americans who currently receive Food Stamps, many with dogs or cats, who simply cannot afford to feed their animals, and these cherished companions are dropped off at animal shelters where they will most likely be put to sleep.”Many pet owners are dealing with foreclosures, evictions, and unemployment. Such a sad commentary, indeed.

This particular program fills the gap of the United States Food Stamps Program which does not cover pet food. Here’s how it works: if considered, for a six month time span families can receive discounted pet food from a retailer. All orders will come from www.PetFlow.com. This is NOT a government based operation, but runs just like the regular food stamps program. Pet Food Stamps is strictly supported by private donations. To assist, please refer to https://petfoodstamps.org/Pet_Stamps_Donation.html. To be approved, families must be currently on food stamps or qualify as low-income status.

    What are your thoughts about this program? Do you think it will make a dent in keeping more of our beloved pets off the streets and out of animal shelters?

Have you ever hired a teenager or a neighbor to take care of your beloved pets when you were going out of town? How did you feel about this? Did you worry that if something happened to your pet they would not be adequately cared for? Would they have to call a parent to take your pet to the vet hospital? Would they be busy with personal things in their lives and forget to make visits? Don’t you want to keep your friends as friends? Wouldn’t you like happier friends and neighbors who aren’t burdened with your pets?

Take heart! There are many professional pet sitters in your town or city who make their living often 365 days a year attending to your pet’s needs, and are doing it very well! And, loving what they do!

Just not sure how to go about finding the one that is suitable for you??? Let me share a couple of starting points. There are multiple ways such as the Internet, Pet Sitters International, (PSI) (336)-983-9222 or National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, (NAPPS) , a referral from a friend or colleague, your pet groomer, your veterinarian, your local humane society (Memphis Humane Society), dog trainers such as Pro Train Memphis, and , ofcourse, Google or Bing.

Before you hire, there are several things to consider:

What is their work ethic and professional reputation in the community? The Humane Society of America suggests if the opportunity arises, watch how they handle dogs when walking or with them at the dog park. Are they keeping an eye on their charges? Do the pets have their full attention? Are they multitasking and talking on their cell phone or texting? Ask friends and neighbors if they’re familiar with the pet sitting company.

Can they provide references? Ask for at least three to four references. Some of these references can be obtained online or located on their web sites.

Chemistry Do your pets get along with the new sitter/dog walker? Do you feel comfortable leaving your pet alone with this person?

What is their philosophy on animal handling and care? If applicable, what kind of equipment do they provide and use? Are they “pack-walking” their dogs? Many dogs do not like to be walked with large groups of unknown dogs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLGm2teRWSA&feature=youtu.be

Will the pet sitter provide a written contract spelling out services and fees, etc.? Do they have a contract for both pet sitting and vacation care, and dog walking?

Does the pet sitter have available access to emergency services? Your pet sitter should have important emergency numbers handy and be aware of veterinary ER hours.

Does your pet sitter send you daily texts or email updates regarding your pet’s visits? Regular communication is important. Something may be going on with your pet or even the house, both of which you want to stay on top off.

Before a first scheduled visit, will the pet sitter come to your home, and take time to meet you and your pet ?This way you can see how your sitter interacts with your pets and see if you are comfortable with the sitter. They will also have a much better feel for your pet’s and home routine.

Is your sitter insured and bonded? Have they done background checks on their employees? You can always ask for proof of this.

Does your pet sitter have back up support in case of an emergency? Often in an emergency it takes more than one person to assist with an injured or sickly animal.

Do they take notes about you, your pet and your home?Do they record your pet’s likes/dislikes, fears, home and pet routine, meds, if needed, and medical conditions?

On your first consult was your sitter organized, friendly, and genuinely interested in your pet? Was the pet sitter likeable? Were they dressed appropriately? Were they genuinely interested in your pet?

Are additional services offered such as taking out the trash, watering plants, changing blinds, turning on/off lights bringing in the paper, etc.? It’s important to have your home look lived in while you’re. Is home security important to your pet sitter?

http://youtu.be/aoDtcS9Eg5g

  Does the pet sitting business have well trained employees? Has the company done background checks on them? A good pet sitting business will be happy to have you do a background check on them..

What is your pet sitter’s knowledge base? Are they experienced with animal care? Have they spent much time handling animals? Do they have continuing education in their field?

Do they offer an array of pet sitting options from which you can choose? Some of these may include dog walking, dog running, pet taxi, overnight pet sits, and vacation pet care.

Remember when your dog got lost and you knocked on every door in the neighborhood? You posted flyers on telephone poles and called the local animal shelter in hopes that a dog or cat remarkably similar to yours was currently being housed there? In fact, you’re wishing your pet just arrived and hadn’t even darkened the doors of the dreaded kennel intake area?

Unfortunately, The Humane Society of the United States says that nearly 10 million pets go missing every year and only 10% are found. Many of these pets die in a shelter by lethal injection or get hit by a car.

Yes, there are people out there using bloodhounds and pet detectives (seriously) to find their escaped pets, but with the wizardry of current lost and found technology, pets are definitely getting a share of the tech pie. My, my, how things have changed!

Most of you are familiar with Microchipping. You’ve probably already utilized this product for a number of your pets, especially since pet tattoos are rarely performed nowadays. The concept of using microchips in pets, I believe, has been one of the early pathfinders in pet technology advancement, and is rewriting the statistics on lost animals. They’re tiny transponders, rice-grain size, that use radio frequency waves to transmit information about your pet. I did not realize that this device has been around for at least 20 years! I think every pet owner should microchip along with the use of additional technology. They’re even designed to last 25 years (another thing I didn’t know).Each microchip contains a registration number and the phone number of the registry for the particular brand of chip. They’re usually implanted between the shoulder blades. A handheld scanner reads the radio frequency of the chip and the information flashes on the display screen.

Here’s another idea I really love: Pet Amber Alert. You’re familiar with the Amber Alert broadcasting information about lost or abducted kids? The Pet Amber Alert uses the same technology to get the word out about your beloved Rover. The Pet Amber Alert not only notifies the entire neighborhood of your missing pet, but blasts out phone and poster alerts with photos and pet information, initially given by you to the Amber Alert staff. This information goes to veterinarians, shelters, animal control, pet stores and volunteer rescue folks within a 10-100 mile radius of where your pet was last seen. Up to thousands may receive your LOST PET alert. I’ve received a number of these alerts through Facebook. Findtoto.com tracks the location of where the pet was last seen, maps it and then proceeds to call all phones in a given radius from the starting point. It certainly takes a village, doesn’t it?

  For you Smart Phone users, there’s something just for you. When someone finds a lost pet, a person with the free Lost Pet Tracker iPhone app can simply open up the app, photograph the dog or cat, enter in some info, and press send. Voila! Owners of missing pets get the photo, details, and a map of the pet’s location. Amazing!!

Want to do more than track your pet’s location? Do you want to see how she’s doing during the day when you’re gone? Tagg-The Pet Tracker involves GPS Location Tracking and Activity Tracking. It links to cellphone networks, and is a small water resistant device attached to your pet’s collar. It’s not only a practical tool for knowing your pet’s whereabouts, but how also measures how much activity your pet is getting each day. Veterinarians recommend 30-60 minutes of exercise each day, so it would be fun to see just how many calisthenics they’re really doing that afternoon. Detailed charts give you a snapshot of your pet’s total activity.

There are other GPS tracking devices ranging from RoamEO, which uses a handset to track your dog or the Garmin GTU 10.

Some other helpful ways to scout:

The Internet:

Flealess Market’s Lost Pet’s International page--flealess.org/lostpets

Fidofinder.com

Missing Pet Network -- missingpet.net

The Center for Lost Pets --thecenterforlostpets.com

Twitter

Craig’s List

Facebook

Oh, no! Not again!!! Your brand new rug is showing signs of home invasion. And you knew it from the minute you opened the door. Murphy’s in the corner hanging his head. Your other canine is nowhere to be found. Time for damage control and please watch where you step!

So, what’s the best way to remove dog poop from the carpet? First, get some rubber gloves (I highly recommend keeping the disposable latex ones handy) and remove the poop. Just grin and bear it! Or perhaps maybe another kind soul would be happy to do this for you? Use a scrubbing brush and paint scraper to pick up the last remnants of the deed. Carefully place in a dust pan and RUN! No wait, we’re not through here.

Dog Chat suggests you spray the evil spot with a pre-wash laundry stain remover. It must be one that has Oxi-Action or Oxi-scribed on its container. Fill a bucket with cold water, soap added, and with a cloth or scrubbing brush, scrub the stain. Be sure to rinse the wash rag a time or two. Keep applying until the stain is GONE!! Congratulate yourself, and then with a paper towel, blot the stain area until very little moisture remains. Here’s the BEST part: White vinegar! Examiner.com/pets say white vinegar not only kills bacteria, but deodorizes. Pour over the stain a 50/50 combo of vinegar and water. Usually about a half cup. Blot with paper towels. Keep repeating this regimen until excess moisture has been absorbed, and you start to sense victory! Now, that wasn’t too bad, was it?

Ok, what’s really worse than the aforementioned accident? You got it – cat urine!!! Especially unneutered male cat urine! One fateful night many moons ago, I left my car windows open overnight. And just how grossed out was I the next morning when I got in the driver’s seat and smelled cat urine? Folks, it simply does not get any worse. No matter how many times you roll down those car windows…So I sought a simple remedy: I made a spray of 15 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, two tablespoons of baking soda, and two splashes of liquid soap. Thoroughly mix in a bucket. Put liquid in a spray bottle and proceed to obliterate the unwanted scent. Dogster.com likes to add lemon juice to this solution. Cat World recommends using a vinegar solution as well, but also has some ideas as to how to prevent car urine and spray recurrences. First rule out any type of medical cause if the problem is excessive. Create “accident zones” by placing litter boxes in the area where your cat has fouled. Put out lemon scent and food, sandpaper, or plastic where the cat spraying has occurred. For some reason, cats will not urinate wherever these items are located. Cat Worldsays that if you’re not sure where your feline has sprayed, use a black fluorescent light (you can purchase at Lowe’s or Home Depot) to ferret out tell-tale evidence. Stains appear on walls, furniture and rugs as yellow spots. You can also place some of the soiled paper towels in your cat’s litter so as to cue and remind him about his territory.

    What about pooch urine? The Humane Society.org advises to soak up as much of the urine as you can with paper towels. Place a thick layer of towels on the “accident” and then cover with a heavy layer of newspapers. If you can, put newspaper underneath the soiled area, such as a rug, as well. Stand on the papers and remove the padding. Repeat, as needed. Rinse the stained area with cold water. Once the area is clean and dry you can use a pet deodorizer or baking soda.

Speaking of stains, what do you do about dog slobber? As a pet sitter, this is like a second outfit for me! But I’m not complaining; I guess that is categorized along with puppy breath and green horse drool? If you’re washing dog saliva from clothing or dog bedding, mix your own laundry detergent (one half cup) with one cup grated Fels Naptha soap, one half cup Borax. Use between one to two tablespoons of this nontoxic brew.

Good luck! You’ve done your work! Now go and get a latte!  

Dying to buy a ferret? Really want to cuddle with a gerbil? Want to tame the baby raccoon you found abandoned in a nearby field?

But, wait!!! Give it some thought before you dive right in and go out and buy something not suitable. It can save you a lot of pain, angst, $$, and trips to the ER! Choosing the BEST and RIGHT pet for you and your family is extremely important.

Let me take you back to several months ago and tell you about how I learned the hard way. In a dreamy, breezy, step on a pop top, pina colada moment, I decided that I just had to bring home the Blue Front Amazon Parrot named Rocky that was offered to me by a friend. Yeah, free, with all accessories included. Soooo, I let it sink in for a few days, thought about just how cool, romantic and original it would be, and oh-so African Queen-like. Plus, I didn’t know anyone who owned a parrot, or really anything quite that exotic for that matter. Added to the fact that this parrot was famous, he had been in multiple commercials, and, yes, you might even recognize him.

Here’s the downside which I surely did not want to address at the time: this guy was thirty years old. Now, I want you to think about this for a moment, since, according to birds.about.com, Blue Front Amazons can live up to 80 years. I would have to prepare a trust fund for this guy! Being in his third decade, Rocky was set in his ways and owned by the same woman for almost his entire life span. Parrots get VERY attached to their people, especially after long-term ownership and companionship. This should have put on the brakes for me, but I plunged ahead, bringing Rocky to my home along with his toys, perches, and elaborate menu. His favorite food included chicken bones, grinding them to dust with that powerful beak of his. If you sense foreboding here, you are absolutely right on target! Long story short, after the second parrot attack which rendered my right opposable thumb numb for two months, I decided it was time to send Rocky back, talons and all. He’d only been with me 7 days.

 Lesson learned? Well, I certainly needed to be more careful and selective in getting the pet that is just perfect for me and my household.

 A few things to consider when thinking about the right pet for you:

 Dogs

Pro: The ASPCA says they’re not called man’s best friend for nothing! Loyal, loving, and want to spend time with the family. If so inclined, they might even pick up your slippers or paper for you.

 Why not a dog? If there are young kids in the house, you may consider a more mature dog rather than a puppy. I personally prefer getting a more settled older dog, say maybe 2 or 3 years old, and one that is way past the rambunctious home and yard destruction phase. Preferably a rescue. Some dogs need specific training. Many need lots of attention, exercise, and house training.

 Cats

According to Barley’s List, cats are very low maintenance. They sleep (cat naps!) on and off for nearly 18 hours a day and can be typically left to their own devices for many hours.

Bad News: Maybe they’re a little too independent for your personality? Do you really want to deal with daily cleaning of a litter box, and sometimes litter tracking throughout the box area?

 Fish

Great if you have allergies, limited space, and lean towards the exotic. Check out aquasamit.blogspot.comfor some cool ideas on setting up your aquarium.

  Rabbits

Believe it or not, they can be litter box trained and will come when called! Rabbit.org says a rabbit can literally die of fright while a predator taunts them from outside. So keep them inside as much as possible. Some of these guys can be demanding about the lettuce and carrots and may bite. Be sure to spay or neuter these guys as they are prolific breeders!

Chickens

I love chickens and have some of my own! Love the fresh eggs every day and thrill at the sight of a beautiful, extra golden omelet on my breakfast plate! They’re instant pest control agents and you get free fertilizer. The Buff Orpingtons are the Golden Retrievers of the chicken world, and I highly recommend them. The drawbacks of poultry ownership? Be prepared to clean the chicken coop on a regular basis; their poop can get really stinky. They’re also not the best guard pets, either.

Hamsters

Way off the cuteness chart, great for apartments and small spaces, nocturnal creatures, and spend time spinning on its wheel in the wee hours. According to pethamster.com, these adorable guys have no detectable odor, are inexpensive to purchase, and subject to very few health issues. Hamsters are also happiest living solo, too.

Whether your new pet is furry, feathered, or finned, please take time to research different pets, and consider how they mesh with your lifestyle.

Got a scaredy cat at your house???

Today my sweet Goldendoodle friend Lola and I were strolling through Galloway Gardens, soaking in the sunshine and admiring the golf course pond. It was a perfectly copacetic day. Not a cloud in the sky and warmer temps. Out of the blue, a giant rig came blasting along the narrow street where there were multiple walkers. Lola shied to the right, causing me to nearly roller coaster over her white fluffy body. Although Lola is still a young dog, she is a seasoned walker and she recently graduated with honors (her PHDog) from her obedience camp. So, I decided to do some research on pets and motorized vehicle fears.

So why do dogs often go bonkers at the sight of Postal and UPS vehicles? School buses and garbage trucks?

As it turns out, many dogs are just naturally scared of loud bangs and clangs, including trucks and cars. Dogster.com offers a few ideas: First, teach your dog to heel for control. (Lola is a star at this! And thanks to her expert training, she even does this with a loose lead!) This way your dog will not start running away when he starts to spazz out and it’s just plain good manners for your dog to know this. Proceed calmly and don’t react to your dog’s cues and reinforce fears. When he’s afraid, don’t pet or baby him! Repeated exposure to loud trucks and cars should gradually desensitize your canine. If you can, follow these trucks on their routes repeatedly, meanwhile paying no attention to the vehicle, all the better.

About.com mentions a few other phobias:

Fear of steps I have one of these living at my house right now. He’s especially blown away by going down a flight of stairs rather than making an ascent. Sydney is a 12 year old Corgi with a freight train back so I don’t push him too hard on this one. So, I’ll throw him that bone. Sometimes, this fear can be due to lack of early socialization. His mom Trasea leaned a tad towards the psychotic, so maybe that had something to do with it. About.com suggests making stair climbing a game for your pal, one step at a time, and he’ll most likely come around.

Loud noises Boo, hiss! Fear of thunder storms or astraphobia is often the BIG BAD fear. Pet expert Andrea Arden says most animals are in tune to changes in barometric pressure, electrostatic disturbances, and even smells associated with storms! Firecrackers, and gunshots are included in the noise phobia group. Look for signs of shaking, excessive drooling, barking, and bladder/bowel control issues. What can you do? Try a Thundershirt, which makes the dog feel swaddled and secure, sometimes medication can bring great relief, or crating in a safe place. Having your dog listen to pet lullabies (http://www.caninelullabies.com, see video below) can work wonders. It did at my house.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUstGYxNs5o

The dreaded home alone phobia This can be one of the worst phobias to deal with since it can result in a lot of destruction. Scratching at windows and doors, howling incessantly, chewing, digging, escaping from the house and hyperactivity can be part of it. So what can you do? Teach your dog to savor alone time. Rest periods in his crate with food-stuffed toys are a good idea. Make it a safe place. Play music while you’re gone. Arrange for a dog walker to come by and break up his day with some fresh air and healthy exercise. AND, don’t make it a big deal when you leave or come home. Try not to fall for his demands for attention.

Want to go a la natural? There are herbal potions and aromatherapy out there such as Rescue Remedy, DAP Spray which mimics natural calming pheromones, and AromaDog Chill Out spritzer that helps to soothe your pet’s anxieties.

I just read a great article about “De-Bunking the ‘Alpha Dog’ Theory” on one of my favorite sites, Whole Dog Journal. The point of the article was to explain how the notion of the “alpha dog” came about from observations of wolves in captivity and then applied syllogistically to dog behavior and, thus, dog training. The author, Pat Miller, sketches the growth of the use of Social Dominance Theory and operant conditioning in training dogs from William Koehler to the Monks of New Skete to Cesar Millan. She first points out that trying to emulate dog behavior in the interest of gaining dominance over a dog is wrong-headed, and she caps off her comments with one of my all-time favorite quotations about oversimplifying our notions of dogs and their behavior:

Finally, the very presumption that our dogs would even consider we [sic] humans to be members of their canine pack is simply ludicrous. They know how impossibly inept we are, for the most part, at reading and understanding the subtleties of canine body language. We are equally inept, if not even more so, at trying to mimic those subtleties. Any attempts on our part to somehow insert ourselves into their social structure and communicate meaningfully with them in this manner are simply doomed to failure. It’s about time we gave up trying to be dogs in a dog pack and accepted that we are humans co-existing with another species – and that we’re most successful doing so when we co-exist peacefully. 

Yesterday I posted on my Creature Comforts FB page a link to this article, “Do Dogs Feel Pain the Same Way that Humans Do?” In the article, Dr. Stanley Coren explains that dogs do feel pain the same way that humans do but that they have a hard-wired basis for hiding that pain. As pack animals, dogs must not reveal pain or weakness if they can avoid doing so. Signs of vulnerability, he explains, weaken their place in the pack and could lead to attack. Dogs, it seems, don’t suppress pain but the signs of pain. But is this mere anthropomorphizing? I mean, it’s a dog, not a person, right? True, but the clinical evidence supports the conclusion that proper pain management will mean quicker recoveries and better outcomes. Pain is a stressor, and added to the stress of injury, surgery, and other treatments, pain contributes to additional problems. As Dr. Coren points out, “Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Veterinary School studied the effects of controlling or managing pain from injuries, illness and surgical procedures in dogs. They concluded that the ‘benefits include improved respiratory functions, decreasing stress responses surrounding surgery, decreased length of hospitalization, faster recovery to normal mobility, improved rates of healing and even a decreased likelihood of infection after surgery. Almost all studies show people and animals return to normal eating and drinking habits sooner when given relief from pain.’" So, what does this mean to us? First off, it means that it makes sense to ask your vet for pain medication when your pet has an invasive procedure. It’s certain that your pet will be experiencing pain, and neither you nor your dog is a wimp for requiring treatment of pain. Second, it means that it’s important to recognize the symptoms of pain in your pet. Dr. Coren notes that whimpering, howling, and barking are not reliable signals. Rather he states that “Generally speaking dogs that are hurting:

usually appear less alert and quieter than normal

may hide to avoid being with other animals or people

may have stiff body movements and show an unwillingness to move

a dog in severe pain might lie still or assume an abnormal posture to reduce its discomfort

in less severe pain, dogs can appear restless and more alert and may start pacing around

a dog that is in pain will show signs of stress, which include

panting

shallow breathing

shivering

the pupils of their eyes may be larger than usual

a good sign that there is something wrong is when your dog stops eating normally”

Ever since I went to the 2011 Barkworld Conference and Expo and saw a doggy wedding between Stedman and Phoenix Segal.

I wish you had been there. You may have missed it, but many of my pictures are available at my Creature Comforts FB page.