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Archive for the ‘ pet behavior ’ Category

Show Us a Whole Lot of Loving!

Friday, February 10th, 2012

Party Marty here, in the party mood for Valentine’s Day!  Ahhh…chocolates, roses, jewelry….geez!  What am I thinking….what will I do with that?  Cats don’t need those things! Neither do dogs! However, if you love your pet as much as I am loved by my human, then consider spreading a bit of that Valentine Love to your dog or cat this coming heart day. And, if you are thrifty as am I, then it won’t cost you a dime! If I was your cat and was looking forward to being spoiled and pampered on Valentine’s Day, this is what I would enjoy (recommendations subject to change to change based on mood and attitude of the day):

**A nice belly rub!

**Hugs and kisses!

**Let me sleep on the bed!

**Open the blinds further to allow more sun in the room and let me bask in its glory!

**Treats! Treats! Treats! I know you have more hiding in the cupboard!

**Let me lounge in your lap for a bit while you work on the computer.

**Lock the dog in the closet for the day! (Oops…how did that suggestion make its way onto the list? Oh, well…it’s already here…not much I can do about it now!)

**Let’s snuggle on the couch and watch “Animal Planet” together or “Cats and Dogs: The Revene of Kitty Galore!”

**Tell me how much you love and adore me at least ten times throughout the day!

You get the idea….just make us feel special, loved, and adored. Oh, wait! You do that every day! Oh, well…we promise to return the favor in kind. Treat, please! I’ll be waiting over here in the sunlight on your new couch, snuggled up in that new blanket of yours!

Funny Pet Picture of the Week

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

In this picture, a little dog sleeps with his little dog toy….

Sleeping Like a Baby

Picture from DailyCute.net

Cat Naps: Take a Healthy Cue from your Cat!

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

Sleeping KittyParty Marty here, well-rested and ready to face the day….or at the very least, the next hour. Nap time is coming! Hey!  I saw an article online today published through the Huffington Post. It indicated that a habit we felines have may benefit the human sort if you all simply figure out that we know better than you at times!

The National Sleep Foundation conducted a recent poll which revealed roughly 43% of Americans ages 13-64  rarely or never get a good night’s sleep throughout the week. In fact, those respondents, on average, noted they only get six hours and 55 minutes of sleep a night. Are you kidding me? How could I even survive on that????

Trust me. Sleep deprivation will catch up to you! You know what I mean.  The clock says 3 p.m. and you feel as if you could crawl up under your desk at work and take a snooze. Of course, there’s that pesky boss of yours that would see to your immediate termination if you even considered such a move!

However, as we cats have known all along, a cat nap during the day is healthy! We sleep up to 15 hours a day, which is more than most other mammals. So, my advice to you is to sleep early and often and in any sun-soaked area you can find. The benefits of sleep include maintaining a healthy weight, improved memory, elevated mood and so much more.

Of course, I don’t suggest your cat nap take place in the lobby of your office building. That, my friend, would look rather strange. I say that businesses need to establish power nap rooms into which employees can retreat a couple of times each day to recharge, refocus, and renew!  Imagine the increased productivity and positive moods at work as a result! Hmmmm….

Well…I am worn out over all this pontificating. Time to grab a pillow and find a spot near the window. Yeah…we cats rule.  Notice how they are not called “dog naps?” If that was the case, you’d just be drooling all over yourself, and that would not be a good thing…especially in that business suit of yours!

Do We Have To Walk Today?

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Brutus illustrates the point that walks just aren’t as much fun on dreary, drizzly days like today

Secrets of the Groundhog

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

What’s the groundhog do the other 364 days of the year when he’s not predicting the weather?

GroundhogOur friendly groundhog has predicted a few more weeks of winter, but here are some things you might not know about this furry weather forecaster:

What’s the difference between a woodchuck and a groundhog?

They’re actually two terms for the same animal.  Groundhogs are the largest member of the squirrel family, and they can climb trees and swim.

How does he know when to wake up to predict the weather?

It’s thought his internal clock is controlled by changes in the amount of daylight. Hormonal changes impact the amount of melatonin produced, which causes him to wake up.

What goes on in his burrow all that time he’s asleep?

They go into hibernation, and because the deepest part of the burrow where they sleep is below the frost line, their body temperature can get as low as 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck?

If a woodchuck (aka groundhog) could chuck wood, he’d chuck about 700 lbs. of it!

What do groundhogs eat?

In the wild, they eat succulent green plants like clover and dandelion greens, but they also love garden vegetables.  This can become a big problem in the summer when they start binge eating to gain weight in preparation for winter hibernation.  Their binge is usually done by late August and are ready for hibernation in October.

Reference:  news.cornell.edu

Funny Pet Picture of the Week

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

This couple believes in the notion of “don’t shop, adopt”

Spay Neuter Adopt

Picture from icanhascheezburger.com

Is Doggie Day Care Right For Your Dog?

Monday, January 30th, 2012

DoggyI sometimes receive calls from pet owners inquiring about the services we provide at Joy of Living.  As caring pet owners, they’re looking for the best solution for their dog while they’re at work or on vacation.

Although doggie day care is a good solution for some dogs, it isn’t the best fit for all.  If your dog is active, well socialized and on the younger side, day care could be a good option.

Once you’ve determined day care is the way to go, here are some questions to ask doggie day care providers prior to signing your dog up:

How is the facility set up?

  • Are dogs separated by size?  Do dogs have constant access to bathroom break areas?  Is the facility clean?

Are all prospective clients accepted?

  • Is there a “trial” period to ensure the new dog will get along with others?

Is medical help readily available?

  • In the event a dog is injured or becomes ill, is there a vet on call?  Have day care employees been trained in pet first aid and CPR?

How big are the playgroups?

  • At a minimum, there should be one trained employee for every 15 dogs.  One employee per 10 dogs would be preferable.

How are new dogs introduced?

  • Be sure there’s a method in place to appropriately introduce new dogs to the existing “pack”.  Avoid any facility that states they just put all the dogs together, they’ll be fine.

The Bark magazine, Jan/Feb 2012 issue was a reference for this post

Seeing Eye Dog Day

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Seeing Eye DogToday is Seeing Eye Dog Day, coinciding with the 83rd anniversary of The Seeing Eye, the largest organization for training of guide dogs for the visually impaired.

Twelve times a year, visitors from the US and Canada come to the Seeing Eye campus to become familiar with the program and see the benefits of a having a guide dog.  Once in the program, students spend a month training with a dog.

More than 15,000 specially bred and trained dogs have brought mobility, safety, and self-sufficiency to over 8,000 visually impaired men and women.

The Seeing Eye was formed in 1928 by Morris Frank.  He’d read an article about dogs being trained as guides for blinded veterans of World War I.  Being blind and frustrated by his own lack of mobility, he wrote its author for help.

Dorothy Harrison Eustis trained German shepherd dogs in Switzerland, and when she received Morris Frank’s letter, she agreed to help him.  He promised he would return to the United States and spread the word about these wonderful dogs.  In 1928, Frank demonstrated the ability of his dog Buddy for news reporters.  His one-word telegram to Mrs. Eustis told the entire story  … “Success.”  The Seeing Eye was born, with the dream of making the entire world accessible to people who are blind.

For more information on The Seeing Eye Program, go to seeingeye.org

This Is One Funny Bird!

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

Fun At Work Day

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Today is Fun At Work Day, and I filmed client Rylee this morning enjoying his pets as evidenced by his “chop talk”.

It’s easy to have fun at work with clients like Rylee!