My Joy Of Living » Human Pet Connection http://myjoyofliving.com Fri, 18 May 2012 15:52:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Television for Dogs????? http://myjoyofliving.com/television-for-dogs/ http://myjoyofliving.com/television-for-dogs/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 15:52:56 +0000 admin http://myjoyofliving.com/?p=2977 Party Marty, the curious cat with exciting news: Well…just when I thought I had seen it all, out comes something new…just for dogs! It’s called DOGTV! Have you heard about this? It’s a cable channel dedicated to dogs that stay home alone during the day. (Thank goodness I have Netflix!). Unlike us cool cats, evidently dogs can get quite anxious when left home alone, and this new channel has been designed as the ideal babysitter for these pets. Compelling research indicates that dogs feel better when the television is on, especially when it displays the right content…and that doesn’t mean dog food commercials!

This new channel provides three types of programming: relaxing content, stimulating content and positive behavioral reinforcements (Guess there are no commercials!). Supposedly, the music on this channel is designed to create a peaceful ambiance. The stimulating portion provides invigorating images, animation and real world sounds to keep them up and on the move! (Heck…I do that for that dog Jessie here by going out and occasionally ringing the doorbell several times in a row. You should see her react!)

DOGTV looks to be a great tool, however, to prevent depression, boredom and mental fatigue. In dogs, that is. Dang! I should have thought of MARTYTV! (Pauses and thinks) Catch ya later! I’ve got something to do now!

Go to dogtv.com for more info!

]]> http://myjoyofliving.com/television-for-dogs/feed/ 0 I Hate Good-Byes http://myjoyofliving.com/i-hate-good-byes/ http://myjoyofliving.com/i-hate-good-byes/#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 00:40:32 +0000 admin http://myjoyofliving.com/?p=2973 TootsieI really have a problem saying good-bye, seems like I’ve been having to say it a lot lately.  

Yesterday, I learned that another long time client, Tootsie, had passed away.  She was a funny girl, very set in her ways.  When her doggy brother Roscoe appeared on the scene, Tootsie was quite upset.  When she discovered she couldn’t chase him away, she became the ultimate “big sister.”

She made sure little brother Roscoe towed the line in all ways at all times.  Roscoe would try to engage Tootsie in play quite often but she wasn’t too interested, usually barking at him to go away.

Tootsie was quite a character and she will be missed by her brother Roscoe and her people.  Take care, Miss Toots!

]]> http://myjoyofliving.com/i-hate-good-byes/feed/ 0 Quick tips to reduce the allergens associated with your pets! Breathe easier! http://myjoyofliving.com/quick-tips-to-reduce-the-allergens-associated-with-your-pets-breathe-easier/ http://myjoyofliving.com/quick-tips-to-reduce-the-allergens-associated-with-your-pets-breathe-easier/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 14:03:22 +0000 admin http://myjoyofliving.com/?p=2965  Dog and VacuumParty Marty, here to shed some light on pets and allergies, most specifically related to dogs and cats. Hey! We know you love your pets, so don’t let those nasty allergens ruin the attraction you have to us!

 If you suffer from allergies related to pets, here are some helpful tips from our friends at everydayhealth.com:
 
*When vacuuming, be sure to use a vacuum cleaner model that has a HEPA filter that can help to control the amount of pet dander in your home. Without this filter, the dander is just spread around, actually making things worse.
 
*Keep pets off the furniture, too, as they can spread their saliva and hair into the texture of the fabric.
 
*To minimize any allergic reactions you might have, consider giving your dog a weekly bath using a special shampoo designed to reduce allergens.
 
*Cats tend to cause more allergens than dogs, as their dander is light and sticky and travels everywhere. If someone in your home is not troubled by pet allergies, have that person brush the cat daily and then thoroughly clean the brush. Get in the habit of wiping the cat down daily with a damp washcloth. You can even inquire of your pet for a special pet diet/food that will minimize dander.
 
Finally, the biggest tip of all comes straight from the lips of yours truly:
 
*Consider getting rid of the dog. (Oops! Jessie just walked into the room! Gotta go!  You did not see me here at all! I am off! Dang…hope she does not look in my browser for recent online activity!)
]]> http://myjoyofliving.com/quick-tips-to-reduce-the-allergens-associated-with-your-pets-breathe-easier/feed/ 0 Health Benefits of Owning An Aquarium http://myjoyofliving.com/health-benefits-of-owning-an-aquarium/ http://myjoyofliving.com/health-benefits-of-owning-an-aquarium/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 15:09:37 +0000 admin http://myjoyofliving.com/?p=2960 AquariumI love the calming effect of an aquarium!  Fish are the fourth most popular pet choice of Americans and as it turns out, studies have shown there are many healthy benefits to owning an aquarium.  Check this out:

  • They help your relax. Numerous studies have shown that watching aquarium fish can make you feel calm, reduce anxiety and help lower blood pressure.  This is one reason doctors and dentist offices have aquariums.
  • Aquariums can help calm hyperactive children. More studies indicate that because kids are curious, they want to watch the fish. The children feel calmer while, and after, watching fish.
  • Help for Alzheimer patients.  A study conducted by Dr. Nancy Edwards and Dr. Alan Beck, both from Purdue University, studied the effects on Alzheimer’s patients’ appetite while they watched aquarium fish at meal times.  The study showed that those patients who had the live aquarium stayed at the dinner table longer and ate 21% to 27% more food than patients seeing a picture of fish or no fish tank.
  • Aquariums have fairly low startup costs.  Aquariums, especially freshwater ones, don’t have a lot of expense to set up.  Once in place, you can tap into your creative side and add all kinds of color to make to more visually interesting.
]]> http://myjoyofliving.com/health-benefits-of-owning-an-aquarium/feed/ 1 Happy Mother’s Day http://myjoyofliving.com/happy-mothers-day-2/ http://myjoyofliving.com/happy-mothers-day-2/#comments Sun, 13 May 2012 20:03:46 +0000 admin http://myjoyofliving.com/?p=2957

]]> http://myjoyofliving.com/happy-mothers-day-2/feed/ 0 Five Reasons To Get A Pet Bird http://myjoyofliving.com/five-reasons-to-get-a-pet-bird/ http://myjoyofliving.com/five-reasons-to-get-a-pet-bird/#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 20:25:47 +0000 admin http://myjoyofliving.com/?p=2951 Pretty birdsAs I wrote earlier in the week, birds are the third most popular pet choice in the US.  Below are five reasons birds may be a good pet choice for you:

  1. They can talk!  Even though we often think we know what our pets are trying to say to us, with a bird there’s no guesswork!
  2. They’re smart-they can learn to mimic our actions and words, maybe being a bird brain isn’t a bad thing after all!
  3. They’re low maintenance.  They don’t need walked or house trained.  Although they do like some company, they don’t require as much time being entertained as say a dog…..or cat.
  4. They can live in small spaces.  This can make them a good choice for apartment dwellers.
  5. They’re inexpensive.  Although birds require specific high-quality pellet-type food, that can be supplemented with fruits and veggies from your kitchen.  There are a few foods that are toxic to birds such as avocados, apple seeds, onions, chocolate and mushrooms so be sure to keep those away from your feathered friend.  The other major expense for birds would be their cage.  Birds are even ecologically correct, they’ll help you recycle your newspapers by using them in their cage as a liner.  

 

 

 

Info from she knows.com

]]> http://myjoyofliving.com/five-reasons-to-get-a-pet-bird/feed/ 0 The Top 10 Most Popular Pets in the US http://myjoyofliving.com/the-top-10-most-popular-pets-in-the-us/ http://myjoyofliving.com/the-top-10-most-popular-pets-in-the-us/#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 19:20:12 +0000 admin http://myjoyofliving.com/?p=2941 In honor of National Pet Week, I decided to give you the Top 10 List of the Most Popular Pets in the US.  Here they are:    Most Popular Pets

  1. Dogs
  2. Cats
  3. Birds
  4. Fish
  5. Guinea Pigs & Hamsters
  6. Rabbits
  7. Ferrets
  8. Turtles & Tortoises
  9. Snakes
  10. Iguanas

How many of the top 10 are members of your household?

]]> http://myjoyofliving.com/the-top-10-most-popular-pets-in-the-us/feed/ 0 Happy Cinco de Mayo! http://myjoyofliving.com/happy-cinco-de-mayo/ http://myjoyofliving.com/happy-cinco-de-mayo/#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 14:34:23 +0000 admin http://myjoyofliving.com/?p=2937 Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!  Kansas City is attempting to set a Guinness Book of World Record goal of the most costumed dogs in a parade today.  Best of luck, looking forward to seeing pics of the costumes and parade!

 

Cinco de Mayo

]]> http://myjoyofliving.com/happy-cinco-de-mayo/feed/ 0 Exercises that are “ABs”-olutely Great for You and Your Cat! http://myjoyofliving.com/exercises-that-are-abs-olutely-great-for-you-and-your-cat/ http://myjoyofliving.com/exercises-that-are-abs-olutely-great-for-you-and-your-cat/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 16:58:13 +0000 admin http://myjoyofliving.com/?p=2928 MartyParty Marty, the suave and sophisticated cat, checking out his profile in the mirror: Not bad. Not bad at all. Those winter months were not too hard on this bod! However, I bet there are some fat cats out there who could stand a bit of old-fashioned exercise before swim suit season is in full swing! (And their humans, too!) Here’s a fun exercise activity to do with your cat from which both of you will benefit:
Looking for a tummy toner that helps you and gets your cat moving at the same time? Do sit ups while holding a mini flashlight in each hand. When you are at the top position, tighten your ab muscles while simultaneously waivng the flashlight beams back and forth on the wall. Watch your cat chase them. Repeat. Again. More! Work it! Feel the burn! I’m done!
Thanks to prevention.com for this cool tip!

]]> http://myjoyofliving.com/exercises-that-are-abs-olutely-great-for-you-and-your-cat/feed/ 0 Good-bye To A Friend http://myjoyofliving.com/good-bye-to-a-friend/ http://myjoyofliving.com/good-bye-to-a-friend/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:11:31 +0000 admin http://myjoyofliving.com/?p=2924 ChandlerI found out today that a client, Chandler, had passed away.  

When I first hime a couple of years ago, he was still adjusting to quite a few changes:  new house, new people, new dogs.  Although he had his grumpy times, overall he dealt with everything pretty well.

One of the biggest challenges for him was dealing with having a new puppy in house.  When Gigi arrived, she loved her big brother a lot, while big brother Chandler would bark and/or growl if she came anywhere near him.

Over time he adjusted and she learned his boundaries, they became pretty good friends.

The last time I saw Chandler he wasn’t getting around too well.  Age was catching up with him, he didn’t see as well as he used to, arthritis was slowing him down, but he still gave me a high-five with his front paw for treats and wagged his tail when he got petted just right.

I’m scheduled to stop by the house later this week and it won’t be the same with Chandler gone.  I will miss you, dear boy.  Take care!

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