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Preparing Your Pets for Holiday Visitors and Guests

Sunday, December 19th, 2010

Bo, the sociable cat:  Okay, so you have Aunt Edna and Grandpa Herman coming over for the holidays.  You also have pets at home.  Will cranky Edna and grumpy Herman be able to tolerate your furry, four-legged companions?  Better yet, will your pets be able to tolerate THEM?

Some pets naturally take to visitors. After all, it’s a new lap upon which to sit, a new face to lick, and a new treat to potentially obtain from someone who is unfamiliar with the current treat rules of the house!  Other pets may exhibit varying behaviors as they greet visitors. Take our Yorkie-Poo buddy, Bolt.  If you are not careful, he will pee on you when you come through the door.  He can barely contain his enthusiasm, so to speak! His Wheaten Terrier roomie, Naismith, is a bit more aggressive.  He will bark incessantly and might even take a snap at you!

Be prepared for how your pet will react when that doorbell rings.  Keep those aggressive and fearful dogs in a quiet room, away from all the fuss, with fresh water and food at the ready.  It is also a good idea to brush up on their obedience manners, both for the pets and the guests.  Advise the guests of any problems concerning your pets and if you do not want Spot to have any nibbles from the table, let your guests know.  We don’t want Spot to develop annoying new habits simply because Cousin Robbie did not like his peas.

Also, advise your visitors that you do have a pet.  Some folks may have allergies, which could pose a problem.

If your pet simply cannot tolerate the extra commotion at this time of year, opt to have him stay at a friend’s home or even consider boarding your dog for a few days, or, for THE BEST alternative, contact Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services for the best care in the Kansas City area for your pet!  It is a great alternative to annoying Aunt Edna anyway! There is nothing better than a responsible and reliable pet sitter!

(Thanks to peteducation.com for this great insight!)

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Taking Holiday Photos with the Family Pets!

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

Jessie, the adorable and oh-so-photogenic dog, lovingly gazing at her Holiday 2010 greeting card and photo that she has sent to friends:  Ahh….I feel so special at this time of year.  As I send out my holiday greetings to all my friends, along with a photo of myself and my equally-beautiful human, Karen, I feel so fortunate that the photographer captured my true, attractive presence…the hair, the eyes, the bow in my….WAIT A MINUTE!  What’s this????  There’s a CAT in this photo?!  Who ordered THAT?  I have sent out 100 of these already!  My life is in ruins! What is a pretty dog to do?  Jessie runs off in tears.  Bo, that cat in the photo, fills in:

If you have a pet, you know how important they are to your family.  Great cats like me are no exception.  As for that dog, Jessie, well, someone had to take her in!  At any rate, when you send out those holiday cards to friends and family, it’s always nice to include a recent photo, and if your adorable and loving pets can be a part of it, we’d be honored to do so!

Here are a few tips to include them in your photos (besides warning the dog that the cat will be included!):

1.) Plan early.  Decide when, where, and who will take the photo.  Get it on the calendar.

2.) Plan on what you all will wear.  Consider the background as well as the color of the dog.  If you have a black poodle, don’t have everyone wearing black.  (If you have a semi-attractive dog, make sure the very attractive cat looks even better!) Remember that darker-colored pets usually photograph best by light colors, and light-colored pets by dark colors.

3.) If you are going to put an outfit on your pet, let him wear it before the photo shoot for a bit to get used to it.  You don’t want that photo session to end up with pictures of the dog gnawing at the bandana!

4.) Pick a comfortable location for the pet in which to have the photo taken.  Sure, most pets are comfortable anywhere, but home is usually the best option.  If the weather permits, head outside to the backyard under a nice tree.  Alternatively, pose in front of a warm and glowing fire.

5.)  Big dilemma:  Who gets to hold the pet or be next to him? Consider where your pet would look good and with whom he is most comfortable.  For me, that would be Miss Karen. Sitting next to Jessie would make my hairs stand on end, and who needs a bad hair day on picture day?

6.) To get your pet’s attention during the photo shoot, use a squeak toy, treats, or other objects of interest.  Or, just tell the cat that “the dog may be going away for a while after this photo session.”  That will elicit a grand smile from the family cat!

7.) Take lots of photos.  Not every shot has to be posed!  Some of the best pictures are the impromptu ones…such as the ones we had when I nudged Jessie out of the picture!  All you can see is her tail in the left-hand corner of the photo!

Enjoy the holidays…and be sure to capture the best moments on film!  Then, if you get some really embarrassing footage of the family dog, upload it to You Tube and let it go viral!

(Thanks to petplace.com for some of this awesome information!)

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Raise your glass and toast the holidays….safely with pets!

Monday, December 13th, 2010

Bo, the happy cat, blissfully in the holiday spirit, unaware that a candy cane is stuck to the fur on his back, compliments of Jessie, the sneaky dog of the house, who is snickering in the background:

So, you have the holiday décor up, cookies baking in the oven, the tree is trimmed, and the gifts are wrapped!  Everything looks great!  Even me, if I do say so myself. (Jessie snickers, leaving Bo somewhat confused.)

Before you dive right into the festivities, take a look around your home to make sure you have taken some holiday safety precautions to keep your pet safe.  Keep any lighting, ornaments, hooks, and tinsel away from your pets. If they chew on these and swallow them, it can cause damage to their mouths, esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

I know you love those lighted candles.  Who doesn’t? However, if left unattended, a curious pet can cause a fire.  Even your fire place is a hazard.  Be sure to have an adult on hand if there is a candle lit or a fire glowing.

Keep electrical cords and electrical toys out of a pet’s reach.  These pose a risk of electrical shock if chewed on.

Instead of using metal hooks for those ornaments, use ribbons to tie them to the tree.

Beware of various plants and mistletoe. These are toxic.

Sure, you love the turkey, the chocolates, and the alcoholic drinks, but your pets should not indulge. The last thing you want to do is spend the holidays at the veterinarian’s office. Did you know that a 30-pound dog can get drunk on just two tablespoons of whiskey? Although he is probably not going to get behind the wheel and drive somewhere, while under the influence, he can become aggressive, attacking, biting, and scratching. (Wow!  I thought they just did that when you locked them in the laundry room!)

Don’t offer any old or spoiled meat to your pets.  You won’t eat them, why would you give them to your dog?

Well, that is my rant for the day!  Enjoy a safe and fun-filled holiday season!  Share in the joy and warmth with your pet!  Indulge him a little!  Don’t forget any fun stocking stuffers for him, either!  Just make the toys safe and practical.  Be sure to leave cookies and milk for Santa…not for your pet! (Wonder if he will take an old dog, too? Looks in Jessie’s direction.)

(Thanks to newson6.com for this great information!)

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Think Twice Before Giving Someone a Pet for the Holidays! We Have a Better Idea!

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Jessie, the sweet, adorable, and sensitive dog, always in the holiday spirit, is here to share some season’s greetings and gift-giving insights for the pet lover today:

Thinking of giving a pet to someone this holiday season?  While your heart may be in the right place, giving someone a pet as a gift is not such a great idea!  For starters, you just never know IF someone really wants a pet and, if he or she does, exactly what kind of pet is desired.  Plus, you can’t just give someone a new pet and expect it to fit right into the new home environment right away.  You may not be aware of any allergies certain family members might have or if their lifestyle is compatible with the breed of cat or dog you may be giving them. Plus, introducing a new pet to the family during this stressful time of year can really stress out that special dog or cat, too!

So, in the spirit of maintaining the excitement of pet lovers everywhere who wish to spread the joy of pet ownership to others, here are a couple of alternative ideas that can still make this holiday season a joyous one:

1.)    Instead of buying someone a cat or a dog for the holidays, give him or her a gift certificate for one, from you, so that he or she can go out at a convenient time (preferably AFTER the busy holiday season!) and make a selection.  Encourage that person to go to a local shelter or rescue to find that perfect companion.

2.)    If someone you know loves animals but is not in a position to own a pet, why not make a donation to a local pet shelter or rescue in that person’s name?  Shelters can always use monetary donations, cleaning supplies, pet food, etc.

(P.S. – If you are seriously looking for one mangy cat, I know where you can get one.  Contact me off-list, and we’ll talk!  He’s asleep right now, so the timing could not be better!)

(Thanks to pressrepublican.com for some of this insightful information!)

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Should Your Dog Enjoy the Thanksgiving Leftovers?

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

Bolt, the incredible Yorkie-Poo and guest columnist:  First of all, let it be known that I plan to be first in line for the Turkey Day leftovers feast!  Ahhh…I can already smell the turkey, the potatoes, the stuffing, and that green bean casserole…not to mention the pumpkin pie.  However!  Before my master lets me just dive right into the Tupperware containers and aluminum foil wrappers, here are a few instructions on what you can feed your dog after you have settled back on the couch with your pants unbuttoned and your shirt hanging out:

**If your dog only eats dry dog food from a bag, his stomach will probably be too sensitive to enjoy any type of leftovers from your feast.  Err on the side of caution and just enjoy those goodies yourself the next day.

**If dogs were in the wild, they’d eat turkey.  However, if the turkey upon which you feasted was either deep-fried or cooked with bacon, avoid giving it to your dog.  That added fat could cause some loose stools…and who wants to deal with that?

**Dogs love their veggies, and they can eat most any of them:  carrots, turnips, sweet potatoes, and even green beans.  However, DO NOT give a dog onions.  Those can be extremely toxic to dogs in large doses….not to mention the havoc they can wreak on one’s breath…which could prove to be  toxic to YOU!  (Have you smelled the breath of that other dog in my home?  Definitely not advisable!)

**Keep the gravies and sauces away from your dog.  These can upset the digestive process in your dog and possibly result in diarrhea and vomiting.  Stuffing and any bread items can make a dog bloated.  As for the sweets and desserts, just don’t go there!  Enjoy those yourself.  Just save us some extra helpings of love and affection!  Those go a long way and can never harm us!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!  ENJOY YOUR DAY!

(Thanks to ehow.com for this refreshing and insightful information!)

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So…Now That You Have Rescued a Senior Dog…Can You Teach Him Any New Tricks?

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Bo, the most intelligent, talented cat of his generation (in his humble opinion):  Don’t you just despise that familiar expression, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks?”  While I may agree it could very well be applicable to our resident dog, Jessie, but to most any other dog, I think it is erroneous and judgmental.  If you are one of the blessed individuals who have rescued a senior dog, kudos to you!  I am here to give you a few pointers on teaching that wonderful pet of yours a few tricks that he might not already know! (You might learn something new, too!)

When teaching your dog some new tricks, be sure to reward the dog for performing the desired behavior.  Give him a little treat for such simple acts as sitting, lying down, or stopping barking.

Next, add some special word or sign that comes before the behavior if you are going to reward it.  This cue or word should only be delivered once.  If your dog has hearing problems, be sure to speak up. Do not repeat the command once you have uttered it. If the dog obeys your command, immediately reward him.  If not, withhold the reward.  Don’t consider this as punishment – just no reward.

For more complicated performances, it has to be done in stages and practiced over time.  That senior dog of yours can still be trained to get the paper or close a cabinet door.  It takes consistency, patience, and love on your part, along with a bag of treats!

When you spend time with your pet teaching him new tricks, you not only afford him a sense of accomplishment (and yourself, too!), you create a bond with your pet that is unbreakable.  Who knows?  He might teach you a thing or two in the process!  When you work to train your dog, you are building a great path of communication between the two of you.  With your patience and persistence, your dog may soon read your mind and grab your slippers and the newspaper all at once! (Now if I can just get Jessie to grab her bag and leave, my work will be done here!)

(Thanks to petplace.com for this great information! However, they have offered me NO advice on how to perform the most miraculous of tricks:  making Jessie disappear.  Guess I have to figure that one out all by myself. She’s napping now, so I have some peace….and some time to devise a plan! Catch you all later!)

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Celebrate World Animal Remembrance Month with Us!

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Bo and Jessie, resident cat and dog on the blog:  We both know that animals have a significant impact on the humans who love them and care for them….and we love you guys just as much!

With September being heralded as World Animal Remembrance Month, we just wanted to dedicate this month to all of the loving animals in this world who have not only found a home in which to live, but who, more importantly, found a home in the hearts of those people who loved them dearly.

If you or someone you know has lost a beloved pet, now is the time to remember those pets fondly and with appreciation.  To start the celebration of your late pet’s life, you can do a few simple things to remember him or her this month:

1.) Take out some pictures of the animals who have passed that you have loved and who gave you so much unconditional love in return.  Share these with others. Put one on your desk at work or on the wall at home.

2.) Share your memories of the special times you enjoyed with your pet.

3.) Talk about how your pet impacted your life, even if it all boils down to the simple fact that each day when you came home from work, no matter how nasty your boss was or how horrible the traffic was, your pet was there with a wagging tail and a wet kiss, just for you!

Ask yourself what lessons your pet taught you:  Did you learn about loyalty and responsibility?  Did you learn about unconditional love?

Jessie:  Did you learn how to clean up regurgitated cat fur balls off the carpet?

Bo:  Shsh!  This is a serious subject matter today.  In the next post, we can begin to mock you!

In short, begin this month with a dedication to the pets you have loved and lost, but also to the pets who live with you now.

Happy Labor Day weekend!

Thanks to ehow.com for the information for this incredible post! :)

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Sunscreen for Dogs? Seriously?

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Jessie, the sun-kissed dog: Well, as summer begins to tailspin into fall, I still want to take every opportunity to worship the sun and maintain my sexy glow.  Now that the kiddos in the neighborhood are back in school, I have the pool side to myself.  Tried to get that darned house cat of ours to serve me some fun umbrella drinks, but he wants nothing to do with that.  Geez!  Is putting sunscreen on me really such a big deal?

What?  Are you freaked out about a dog wearing sunscreen? Just like humans, we need protection from the sun and its potentially-damaging  UV rays.  Dogs can, in fact, get sunburned.  In fact, dogs are quite sensitive when it comes to sun exposure, and those dogs with lighter-colored coats really need some protection from the sun.  If dogs are over-exposed to the sun, it can lead to serious sunburns, ulcerations, autoimmune skin diseases, and other problems. They can even get skin cancer.

As with humans, it is best to  limit time spent in the sun or just stay out of the sun between the hours of  10 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Even in the winter…as snow reflects the sun!

When deciding on which sunscreen protection factor to use on your dog, you should take into consideration the length of his hair,  the color of his coat, and his skin. Lighter-skinned dogs, as well as those with shorter hair, will require a greater protection factor cream.  If you have a long-haired dog but cut its hair short for the summer, you will need to take that into consideration, as well.

Be sure to speak with your veterinarian about the proper sun protection product you can use on your dog.  To prevent any possible allergic reaction, opt for the fragrance-free kind. DO NOT USE HUMAN SUNSCREEN PRODUCTS!  Those may contain zinc oxide, which is toxic to dogs.

Use sunscreen on your dog whenever you would use it on yourself.  To apply it, use a sponge or your hands…and don’t forget the nose, tummy, and private parts!  If you are using a spray version, be careful not to let it get into your dog’s eyes!

Now, enjoy the sun, but be careful!  And be sure to tip that darned cat a dime or two if he brings you a soda and some dog biscuits!  We have to keep him around to do all the dirty work, you know!  Being a sun goddess takes time and energy!

(Thanks to vetinfo.com for this cool information!)

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Remembering A Friend

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

I lost a friend the other day, Jack, one of my clients, lost his battle with cancer Friday at the age of six.

I nicknamed him the “devil dog”, not because he was a bad sort, but rather because of his devilish, mischievous sense of humor and adventure.  Never one to let an open door go to waste, once he ambled outside after I’d made the mistake of opening the sliding glass door.  A game of tag ensued with my saving grace being Jack’s need for a potty break.

Another day I arrived for our regular walk and he’d managed to push the gate aside to make his way into forbidden territory in another part of the apartment.  When I arrived he was attempting to get back to his appointed place, head down, sad look on his face at having been caught.

Jack was the adventuresome type, never deterred by circumstances like extreme weather.  Many were the times we’d walk in near zero temperatures, many inches of snow on the ground.  He liked “snow cones” and would inevitably be wearing a sprinkling of white on his black muzzle.

A very social dog, Jack never met a person or dog he didn’t greet with his friendly manner.  He had many dog friends in the apartment complex where he lived.  Although he considered dogs and people friends, squirrels were a different matter, many was the time he would attempt to hunt one that crossed his path.

He was quite a ham, before I took the picture that accompanies this post, I told him to smile and he did, allowing me to capture him at his most charming.

In the Pearl Jam song Just Breath there is a line, “Yes I understand that every life must end”.  Although it’s something we know, it doesn’t make the loss easier.

Take care, Jack, you will be missed very much.

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Obstacles in the way!

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Bo, the fit feline:  In honor of our attention to pet fitness these past few posts, I just wanted to let our audience know that I take my overall health and fitness routine seriously.  I love a buff body and know I have a long life (or LIVES!) ahead of me.  Now, as for our lovable canine companion in the home, well, she needs to step up the workout routine a bit, and since she does not like to get too dirty outside, I have discovered a new indoor workout for her to try!  If you really want to have some fun with your dog, especially on a rainy or excessively hot day, then set up an indoor obstacle course.  It is so much fun for you and your dog to bond together in this manner, and even way more fun for the adorable house cat to sit back and watch.  Talk about entertainment!

Jessie, the adorable canine:  I thought we already had an indoor obstacle course, what, between all of your cat nip toys, the litter box, and your precious little cat pillows, I can barely get through the living room without hurting myself.

Bo:  The maid has been on vacation for the past couple of weeks.  What can I say?  Now, for this obstacle course, you can do things like put your dog on pet steps next to a footstool and create some low jumps by using objects in your home, like a cardboard box placed in the middle of a doorway or two chairs and a broom.  Have your dog fetch something as he goes up the steps and back and forth over that low jump.  Try to teach your dog to run through a tunnel, too.  Play fetch with him this way.  Use a child’s toy tunnel or a big cardboard box with both ends cut out and have him run through it. (Ideally, I would position the tunnel next to an open doorway that leads to the outside and just watch that puppy keep on running…and then SHUT the door! However, I do not recommend you try that at home.  That is just MY personal agenda that I may implement one day.)

(Information for this post was discovered at http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/19375291/)

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