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Positive Aspects of Pet Adoption

March 14th, 2010

Many potential pet owners are not aware of how many pets are available at shelters. They might also have the misconception that pets are shelters might be there because there was a problem with the animal.  In some cases animals are lost and never found by their owners.  These animals are healthy and very eager to please. 

Some people are seeking purebred animals or puppies and think these are not available in shelters. In fact, nearly a quarter of all animals in shelters are purebred. Often someone buys an expensive purebred animal and then attempts to breed that animal to recoup their money. If these puppies or kittens are not placed in homes, and end up in the shelter.  

Often, potential pet owners are looking for a kitten or puppy, but when an owner adopts an adult animal, they can see his/her size and temperament.  Adult pets are very often housetrained and past the behavior issues associated with kittens and puppies.

Adopting a pet can be an important lesson to teach your children– both about the value of life, and also about civic responsibility and even recycling- in this case recycling a living and loving animal into a new home. 

When looking for a pet to add to your family, consider a shelter or rescue pet.  My pets (and regular bloggers here) Bo and Jessie were both adopted from area rescue groups.

For more information on pet adoption, check out http://www.adoptapet.com

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Entertaining Your Indoor Cat

March 11th, 2010

Bo, the happy cat:  There are usually two sides to an issue, and in the case of keeping cats indoors versus letting them roam around outside, it is no exception.  When a cat is left to its own devices outside, he or she can find plenty of trouble into which to get.  However, when left inside, it is most appreciated when our owners find creative ways to entertain us….even while they are away!

As you may already know, cats adore looking out a window!  Make it enjoyable for your cat by placing a bird feeder within view of his favorite window.  Your cat can sit by the window and watch the birds as they come to feast.  Cats also enjoy watching birds splash in bird baths.  (Get your mind out of the gutter….it is not the same as one human spying on another in the shower or something!  Typically, we are thinking “lunch!”)

Some cats may stare out the window for hours.  With bird feeders, ground squirrels are also attracted, and those little critters will keep your cat entertained.  If squirrels in the backyard don’t bother you, then consider this entertainment television for your cat…The Outdoor Channel!

Make sure that the window in front of which your cat sits is closed.  Or, if it has to be open, make sure there is a screen.  We don’t want your cat jumping out the window and chasing down the wildlife.  Also, make sure your cat has something sturdy (and comfy!) on which to sit while he observes out the window.

Final touch:  Make sure the window is clean!  We want to see everything!

Be sure to keep an eye on your cat while you are out-of-town by contacting the pet sitting experts at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City!

(Information for this post was found at www.aboutcatsonline.com)

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And the Oscar goes to…

March 8th, 2010

Jessie, award-winning dog:  After watching the celebrated Oscars last night, I was amazed at all of the lovely gowns the starlets wore.  It made me stop and think about my wardrobe.  I mean, seriously, if I were ever in a position to attend such a prestigious and glamorous event, what would I wear?  Is it even appropriate for a dog to wear clothing?  If so, what type of clothing should a dog wear?

Typically, owners dress their dogs for warmth and comfort.  Some dogs like the attention.  Others cannot stand the feeling of the clothing.  Still others simply tolerate it in humble submission to their humans.

If you do decide to dress your dog in clothing, never do so forcefully.  You could scare the Louis Vuitton right out of your pet!  Allow the dog to sniff the clothing and become used to it before actually dressing him in it.  Once he is styling, be sure to give lots of praise and encouragement.  Hey!  Take a few photos and submit them to the press.  Make sure the clothes fit properly.   If they are too big, they could become caught on something or the dog could get tangled up in them.  On the flip side, clothes that are too small could be restrictive and cause injury.  Worse, yet, that muffin top may show and that could be embarrassing!  Always think in terms of style AND comfort!

Some folks might argue that dressing a dog is inhumane.  Others think it is perfectly acceptable.  In short, it all depends on the dog.  If he or she seems to enjoy it, I say, go for it!  I am sure the dog from the hit movie “Marley and Me” has plenty of stylish duds!

Well, I need to go shopping now.  Do they sell clothing at flea markets?  Or, should a dog REALLY even think about going to a “flea” market?  That could be dangerous!  I don’t need fleas!

If your dog enjoys wearing stylish outfits, then he or she is experiencing the true joy of living.  For all of your pet sitting needs in the greater Kansas City area, be sure to contact the experts at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services.  Those folks always dress well!

(Information for this blog was found at www.petplace.com)

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Animal Custody: When There’s a Break-Up, Who Gets the Pet?

March 7th, 2010

When couples split, custody of the pets often become an issue.  Pet custody disputes can be decided in civil trial court or through a medistor.

Although these cases can be quite heated, the parties involved are usually genuinely concerned about the welfare of the pet.  When determining the best home, points to consider include:

  • Age of the pet (Does it make sense to uproot the animal and force them to adjust to a new home?)
  • Separation from friend-animals (would loss of animal friends impact the pet’s quality of life?)
  • Stress of long-distance travel (will the animal be forced to travel a long distance to the new home?)
  • Any breed-specific statues at new location (are there any breed-specific laws in the new location that could impact the pet’s relocation?)

 

Shared custody or visiting arrangements can be defined if both parties are willing to negotiate.

If domestic abuse was an issue in the relationship, victims are very often reluctant to leave the pet behind, fearing for its safety.  Some states have passed legislation to include pets in restraining orders and remove them from abusive homes when victims are moved to a safe home.  When safe homes do not allow pets, animal shelter are often called to take the pet and provide temporary housing.

When specific state legislation is not in effect to protect pets in domestic abuse situations, attorneys should pursue adding pets as family members to restraining orders filed.  Many courts honor this request to protect pets if just cause can be shown.

Information for this posting from GP Solo Magazine, published by the American Bar Association, July/August 2009

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Yeah? Well I can do better than that!

March 4th, 2010

Jessie, adorable dog, friend to many, advisor to all, warden over Bo, that cat that lives in the house:  Did you know that about one million dogs have actually been named as primary beneficiaries in their owners’ wills?  Wonder what I am getting?  Did you also know that about 33% of those who own dogs will admit that they actually talk to their dogs on the phone or leave them a message on voicemail!  (Okay, that is kind of weird.  Usually my agent fields those types of calls!)

Bo:  Well, I can one-up you there, buddy! Cats, not dogs, are the most common pets in America.  It is our 66 million to your 58 million.  You are way out-numbered!

Jessie: So?  Dogs have such large pupils and a wide field of vision that we are really good at following moving targets, er, objects!

Bo:  This is music to my ears:  Cats have more than 100 vocal sounds.  You poor dogs only have ten.

Jessie:  I only need one to tell you where to put it! Moving on, it has been noted that those who own pets live longer, exprerience less stress, and have fewer heart attacks….unless, of course, they live with the likes of Bo.

Bo:  Did you know that the prairie dog is not actually a dog at all?  It is a RODENT!  A distant relative, perhaps, Jessie?

Jessie:  I have to go.  I hear they may be making a monument in my honor somewhere, and I want to be on hand for the unveiling.  There are more monuments in the world made after dogs than cats anyway.

Bo:  Yes…and many dogs have “pee’d” on them?

(If Bo and Jessie have not put more Joy of Living into your day, then contact the pet sitting experts at Joy of Living in Kansas City so that your pets can be happy, safe, and loved whenever you have to go out of town.)

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Funny Pet Tale

March 2nd, 2010

Zoe Faragher, from Rosebud, Australia sent this story about her Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Matilda who is very small and Bonnie who is twice her size.  Matilda is known all over our neighbourhood as the “socialite dog” as she loves to escape to “parteeee with all her furry friends”. Anyway our neighbours have just put up a new 6ft fence – so problem solved – NOT.

Miss Bonnie decided she would help Matilda escape. I wondered where they had gone – as it was extremely quiet. And lo & behold Miss Bonnie was furiously digging a huge tunnel under the fence whilst Miss Matilda sat there waiting. Only took 3 seconds and Matilda was off – as I called her back Miss Bonnie decided she was in BIG trouble and tried to escape too. However she could not fit – all I could see was her rear end & tail wagging furiously. Where is a camera when you need one?!

Cat Worship: Bow Down to the Kitty!

March 1st, 2010

Bo, the beloved cat:  I will begin with a quote that says it all:  “I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.”  No, I did not just make that up.  It came from the 19th century French critic and historian, Hippolyte Taine.  I am now an advocate of that sentiment.

Did you know that cat worshipers have been around for nearly 5,000 years, a tradition started in Egypt?   Cats chose to be domesticated among humans and during ancient Egyptian times, they protected the essential commodity – food – from its greatest threat, the rodent.  Cats also protected their Egyptian families from another threat – snakes.  Cats in those days would have protected their families from any small animals.  Cats exemplified the consummate protector.  The cat eventually went from protector and household pet to sacred animal.  Stories abound of people being stoned to death who dared to kill a cat, and people would actually shave their eyebrows in mourning after the death of a cat.  Cats were even mummified in death to assure that they would accompany their owners into the afterlife.

Now, I am not so sure I want to be wrapped up for eternity in a couple of ACE bandages, but I do know that I like this idea of worshipping cats.  I have always known I was a special creature, and I am going to take this glorious opportunity to let the canine beast in the house aware of my potential crowning deity.  There she is now….Hey!  Jessie!  May I have a word with you?  There’s something on the internet about how you should bow down before me and….hey!  Get out of my litter box!  What the heck did you just bury in there?  Mercy’s sake…I have to get going….being an idol is harder work than I thought.  I need to get that “rodent” out of here!

All pets worship Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City.  To show your pet how much you adore him or her, allow the experts at Joy of Living tend to your pet whenever you have to leave town.  They will worship your pets as much as you do!

(Information for this article was found at www.thecatsite.com)

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Why People Relinquish Pets

February 28th, 2010

According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, behavorial issues are not the main reason pet owners relinquish pets to an animal shelter. Following are the top ten reasons pet owners in the US relinquish cats  and dogs:

Cats

  1. Too many cats in house
  2. Allergies
  3. Moving
  4. Cost of pet maintenance
  5. Landlord issues
  6. No homes for littermates
  7. House soiling
  8. Personal problems
  9. Inadequate facilities
  10. Doesn’t get along with other pets

 

Dogs

  1. Moving
  2. Landlord issues
  3. Cost of pet maintenance
  4. No time for pet
  5. Inadequate facilities
  6. Too many pets in home
  7. Pet  illness
  8. Personal problems
  9. Biting
  10. No home for littermates

 

Since landlord issues appear on both lists, be sure to check on any limits (size/weight of pets, type of pets, number of pets allowed) that might apply before adopting.  Most apartment complexes also have a deposit and additional monthly fee per pet.

Another item on both lists is cost of pet ownership.  Adopting a pet is a commitment of time and money.  The ASPCA estimates the first year costs of dog ownership range from $810 for a small dog to $1,580 for a large dog. First year costs for cat ownership average $715.

After the first year, dog ownership costs range from $420-$780 annually.  Cat ownership costs average $575 annually.

Pet ownership can be very rewarding, but having to relinquish that pet can traumatize both owner and pet.  Although circumstances may change after you adopt, doing your homework before adopting a pet can prevent problems down the road.

Information for this post from Pets Gone Green by Eve Adamson and Pets and the Planet by Carol Frischmann

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Ever been afraid of a vet’s bill?

February 25th, 2010

Bolt, adorable Yorkie-Poo, guest commentator:  My humans took me to the vet a few weeks ago for my regular check-up.  During that visit, it was determined that I could benefit from a little extra “procedure.”  This “procedure,” however, would cost my humans roughly $500.00.  Now, it is not a necessary procedure, but is recommended.  However, it got me to thinking, “What if something major happened to me and my humans could not afford to have the vet take care of me?”  The horror of it all!  I would not be around to annoy the bigger dog in the house or to bark at the wind.

As such, I have confronted my humans about pet insurance.  I know for a fact they have medical insurance on themselves and those little rug rats running around the house.  I also know they love me as much (if not more than at times!) those pesky kids!  So, I have to ask myself before I present my case once again to the powers that be:

1.) Do my humans really love me?

2.) Do they want the best care possible for me, in the event I need certain medical treatment?

The answer better be a solid “yes!”  I know that with pet insurance, they can confidently take me to the vet knowing that all of my needs will be covered without draining their bank accounts.  (And I bet they will even have extra money for treats in the long run!  How cool is that?)

Every pet will need medical attention at some time or another.  With pet insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have help with those expensive medical costs for accidents, emergencies, or illnesses.

The only thing that worries me, however, is that this pet insurance might not cover any cosmetic procedures.  I was seriously thinking about getting my teeth whitened and perhaps getting a little liposuction.  Not that I need it.  I simply like to look my best.  Now that I am posting on a popular blog, my fans have certain, shall we say, expectations of me!

Well, this is all food for thought.  Speaking of which, the dog bowl is empty.  I better go figure out what that is all about.  If that big dog in the house has been messing around my stash, we are going to exchange some growls!  Gotta run!

(Bolt had some help with this post by researching some information at www.petplace.com.  He also recommends that you check out Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City.  They are the kind of insurance you need when you go out of town and have to leave your precious pets behind.)

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Client Spotlight-Jack

February 23rd, 2010

Jack is a handsome 5 1/2 year old Labrador Retriever that  loves to go for walks and enjoy treats afterward (frosted dog cookies are his favorite!).

He is quite the social fellow and loves to make new pet and people friends.  When out walking he is quick to greet everyone he meets.

Jack is lots of fun and is a joy to have as a client!

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