I appreciate the readers that continue to check in with us and hope to see much more of you in the coming year.

We’ll be taking a few days off, resuming posts here on 1/2/12.

All the best wishes for the coming year, see you soon!

While it may seem like a fun idea to let your pet share in the indulgences, it’s wise to just keep the food fun to yourself, unless you really want a sick pet and a large vet bill.

Sure, it’s okay to give Fido a small bite of fully-cooked turkey and maybe a smidge of mashed potatoes,  but avoid letting him try the stuffing. Frequently made with sage, stuffing can can wreak havoc on your pet’s stomach and central nervous system, and cats are especially sensitive to various herbs and essential oils.

When making breads and rolls, do not let your pet have any of the raw dough.  The heat of their bodies can cause it to expand in their stomachs, creating severe abdominal pain, bloating, and vomiting. No fun for you or your pet.  It could be life-threatening, too.

Same goes for the baking department. If Fido gets his nose into the batter, he could risk salmonella poisoning from raw eggs.

A fun way to keep your pet happy, satisfied and entertained while you and your guests enjoy your feast?  Put a few pieces of sweet potato or green beans with a bit of gravy in one of those kong toys and he will be in Thanksgiving heaven!

Enjoy the holiday!  Catch ya later!

As I expected, the tales were sad but there was one big lesson I took from it. The passengers and crew decided to fight against the odds, to do their best to overpower the armed terrorists rather than sit back and do nothing.

Those people knew it was a risk, but felt strongly enough about what they were doing, that fear became secondary to their mission, to stop terrorists from doing any more damage that day.

Almost every day we are faced with something that scares us, sometimes we move forward, but often we back away, afraid to take the risk because of the consequences.

The people on Flight 93 were afraid, no doubt about it, but they went forward. Unfortunately, none of them got home safely, but they did do what they set out to do, stop the terrorists from doing more damage to our country.

One of the organizers of the Flight 93 effort had a favorite saying, “let’s roll” when it was time to go. He uttered that phrase one last time as the people of Flight 93 attacked the terrorists.

I plan to keep that in mind, and the next time I’m faced with a difficult, very scary decision, I’ll think of Flight 93 and vow “let’s roll.”. How about you?

As I watched my two dogs this morning, all they were concerned about was this:

1.)  “Hmmm….wonder if there is any fresh water and food in my bowls?”

2.) “Hey! Why does that sun keep moving in a path across the carpet?  Geez…every five minutes I have to get up and re-position myself comfortably!”

3.) “What was that?  Did the garage door just open?  Who’s home? Who’s home?”

4.) “Treat? Did someone say treat?”

5.) “I feel a walk is in my future!  I just know it!  My human just put on her sneakers!”

I would hate to list the top five things that run through my mind these days.  Yes. It’s good to be a dog or a cat.  Perhaps, if only for a day, we could all switch places with our pets, we could truly grasp what’s important in life. If so, these would represent my top five concerns:

1.) “Hey!  Pool boy! Where’s my fresh lemonade?”

2.)  “I sure hope that cloud moves soon, as it is blocking that warm sun bathing my body.”

3.) “Did someone just come home?  If so, do they have something for me?”

4.) “Sure hope no one ate all the chocolate chip cookies.”

5.) “I feel a nap is in my future. I am getting very sleepy.”

Just for a day would be nice. However, I am wondering how my two dogs would handle the laundry, the car pooling, the errands, and the cleaning.  Maybe we should just all bask in the sun together for the afternoon!  Worries? What worries?

A man takes his dog to the vet.  This dog is feeling weak, slow, and tired.  Fifteen pounds overweight, the vet is having quite a time just holding the somewhat obese dog.  Finally, he turns to the dog’s owner and says with a sigh, “Sorry. I’m going to have to put him down.”

The owner replies nervously, “Why?  Is he that far gone? Is there nothing you can do?”

The  vet then says, “No. It’s just that he’s so darned heavy. Move over, please. I need to put him on the table.”

Seriously…I am busting a gut over here! Is that not funny???? Okay…just my perverted sense of humor at play, I suppose.  Until Jessie comes back in the room, however, this is all I have!  Your turn…

Check out some great animal jokes at animaljokes.net.  You know where to find me now….under the dog section!

If your dog will be hanging around the water with you, there are some things you can do to keep him safe. Check out these safety tips:

–Some dogs love the water so much they’ll swim to the point of exhaustion. If you notice signs of your dog tiring, get him out for a break.

–If your dog will be boating with you, be sure he’s wearing a life vest made especially for dogs.

–If you have a pool, be sure your dog knows how to climb out.

–Make sure to mark the pool exit with a large object that will get your dog’s attention.

–Dry your dog thoroughly after swimming, especially his ears, to prevent infections

Enjoy this holiday weekend and stay safe!

Dog Fancy, June 2011 was a resource for this article

 **Excess weight can lead to problems with bones and joints.  Carrying around those extra pounds can be damaging to ligaments, causing them to tear or rip.

 **Studies have shown that overweight dogs are at a risk for developing certain types of cancer, especially urinary bladder cancer.

 **Overweight dogs are more likely to suffer from constipation and increased gas.  No one wants a dog that is excessively-flatulent wandering around the house! (I always smell like roses!)

 **Dogs with too many extra pounds have a decreased immune system and are at a greater risk for contracting various viral and bacterial infections.

 **Excess weight can put a strain on the dog’s liver, too, decreasing its ability to properly function.

 **While added pounds do wonders for keeping polar bears warm at the North Pole, they merely add to your dog’s ability to regulate his body temperature in the warmer months.

 It can be a challenge to resist that cute little puppy face looking up at you, begging for “just one more treat,” consider the alternatives and realize you are doing your pet a huge favor in limiting his caloric intake.  Give him a big hug, a belly rub, and take him for a walk instead!

 (Thanks to peteducation.com for this great info.)

If you are a pet owner, there are a few winter hazards of which you should be aware.  Even though during this cold time of year most pets remain inside, reducing their risk of injury and illness, there are still some dangers lurking about, so take heed!

1.)  Space heaters.  Be careful where you put these in your home.  Don’t put it where your pet can chew on the cords.  Do not put it where your pet might be tempted to jump on it, either.  Further, make sure the temperature does not get too hot.  If your pet accidentally brushes up against it, he could get burned.

2.)  Leaving your pet alone outside or in the car or in the garage.  If a pet is left alone in colder temperatures for longer than 20 minutes, it can get risky.  Even leaving outdoor cats outside all winter increases their risk for freezing, theft, injury, and even death.  Also, as some outdoor cats tend to sleep under cards, be careful before starting your engine.

3.)  Salty sidewalks and driveways.  The salt you put on the ground to avoid slipping, while not toxic, can irritate your pet’s paws.  A good idea is to massage petroleum jelly into your pet’s foot pads before going outside and then wiping off their feet and applying some moisturizer once back inside.

4.)  Antifreeze. Estimates show that 90,000 animals die annually from antifreeze poisoning.  Just ½ of a teaspoon can prove to be deadly to a cat and ¼ cup can kill a medium-sized dog.  Please do not leave antifreeze unattended or even allow it to spill onto the floor of your garage.  It’s sweet-tasting and quite appealing to pets.  There is a non-toxic antifreeze available that has a bitter taste to it to discourage pets from licking it.

5.)  Bodies of water. If your dog loves to swim, please keep him on a leash around areas of open water or ice that is unstable.  If your pet gets into the water, hypothermia is a big risk, as it can happen quickly, and your dog may not be able to get out of the water.

6.)  Temperatures below 45 degrees.  Be on the lookout for frostbite.  Too much exposure to the cold – especially anything below 45 degrees for an extended period of time – can affect your pet’s feet, ears, nose, and tail.  While signs of frostbite may not present for a couple of days, but in severely-affected areas, the tissue will begin to die and change to a blue-black color.  Your pet may limp, experience pain, or begin to lick the affected area.  He may exhibit weakness, shivering, and lack of alertness.

There you have it!  Your winter advisory from one well-informed cat.  I think I will just stay here by the fire until March.

(Thanks to pawnation.com for this insightful information!)

You should avoid any items that you know will upset his tummy.  If you are aware of digestive troubles in the past, then avoid giving him any new foods, especially in big portions, or when combined with other foods.  Do not consider giving your pet huge portions of any type of food, let alone anything high in fat or super spicy.  I don’t want your pet to decorate your carpet with his leftovers, if you know what I mean!

Your pet should not consume anything with onions, garlic, leeks, scallions or other alliums.  Ingesting these foods can lead to toxic anemia, especially in dogs.  Also, be careful with the turkey stuffing. Many recipes contain onions.

Of course, chocolate is a big no-no.  It causes abnormally high heart rhythms in dogs, among other issues. 

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, and, when given in large quantities over time, can cause serious health issues.  Don’t even tempt fate here.

The sugar substitute xylitol is very toxic.  While many people may not cook with this, many diabetics often do.  Be aware that sugar-free cupcakes, gums, and mints may contain this product.

We know how delicious macadamia nuts are.  Just don’t offer any to your pets.

And, please, as obvious as it sounds, no alcohol!  Pets are far more susceptible to its effects than humans are.

So…what CAN your pet enjoy from the holiday tray of leftovers? Well, turkey is good.  Trim off the excess fat and skin and make sure there are no bones in the pieces you may give to your pet.  How about those mashed potatoes?  Yummy!  Just be careful with the added ingredients of cheese, sour cream, onions, and gravy.  That cranberry sauce sure looks sweet, but only give it in a very small amount, as it can be high in sugar. Plain pasta or macaroni is a good treat, too.  And for that veggie-loving pet of yours, give him some green beans.  Just make sure they are plain and not mixed in with something like a green bean casserole.  This is a great holiday treat for your pet!

Well, now that I have roused my appetite a bit, I am going to mosey over to the fridge to see what kinds of goodies I can find before that mangy cat Bo is overcome with hunger.  Around here, if you snooze, you lose!

(Thanks to petmd.com for this helpful information!)

Happy Holidays, from your favorite cat and dog! (And this was not a paid endorsement…Bo wanted to stress that fact!)