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America’s Top Five Dog Parks

July 4th, 2010

It’s summertime and many of us are planning vacations.  Are you looking for a trip that will be fun for you and your dog?  Check out the top dog parks in the country as ranked by Dog Fancy magazine.

  1. Jackass Acres K-9 Korral in New River, AZ.  Some of the highlights that make the top-ranked park in the nation are a complete recycling program, separate obstacle courses for small and large breed dogs, a doggie shower and monthly education events.  This park also has a strong volunteer corp. that provides various services to help pets and their owners together through rough economic times.
  2. Pilgrim Bark Park in Provincetown, Mass.  Features here include a memorial park and whimsical benches, one shaped like the Mayflower.  This park does not receive any government funding, so is very creative in its fundraising efforts.  Last year they invited Lily Tomlin (a frequent visitor to the area) to perform at a fundraiser that helped raise money for new shade structures at the park.
  3. Kenton Paw Park, Covington, KY.  This park features regular pool parties, agility equipment, a calendar and park t-shirts.  Kenton features several fun events but they feel a responsibility to educate the public by sponsoring many workshops like Meet the Vet and CPR for Dogs.
  4. Cosmo Dog Park, Gilbert, AZ.  This park features covered picnic areas, a lake with a dock for jumping and agility equipment.  Cosmo features a brick memorial walkway where pet owners can honor their pets that have passed away.  Another feature is a pawprint bridge that spans the lake.
  5. Puptown Dog Park, Chicago, IL.  This park features quarterly meet & greets, regular canine health seminars and an annual Halloween costume contest.  Puptown embraces a community atmosphere by offering regular events and park clean-up days.

Whether you check out one of these destinations or just get out and about your town, enjoy the summer with your dog!

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Are you ready for a road trip?

July 2nd, 2010

Bo, here, the worldly cat: Hey! I think I am due for a new passport.  Mine is rather dog-eared (no pun intended) and close to expiration.  Now that summer is in full swing, it is time to think about hitting the road for some grand adventures in travel! I was thinking maybe the South of France or..

Jessie, the fun-loving dog: How about DisneyWorld?  That would be awesome!  I could meet Mickey and Minnie and Daisy and Donald and..

Bo, rolling his eyes: Well, little lady, before we make any plans to go anywhere, we have to make sure our human knows what to pack for us.  We are going to focus our posts this month on traveling and vacationing with pets.  If you thought you had to be prepared to take KIDS on vacation, wait until you get a whiff of what you need to do to take us along for the ride….but I promise you, it will be worth the effort!

Before you head out the door, be sure to prepare your pet for the journey. Make sure he is healthy and has all of his shots up to date.  Some hotels now require proof of this.  Also be sure to give your pet any flea and tick medication as well as his heartworm preventative.

When packing your pet supplies, pack them all into one bag for easy retrieval. Some of the items you should pack include:

A leash and a collar

A pet name tag with your contact information on it

Bottled water and a water dish

A supply of pet food and a dish

Don’t forget any treats!

A pet brush, some pet shampoo, a couple of toys, and something comfy for him to sleep on

Be sure to include any necessary medications for your pet, as well as a pair of tweezers to remove burrs, eye cleaning drops, and ear powder.

Be sure to keep your pet safe in the car by using a pet restraint device, which is much like your seat belt!  It is important to keep your precious cargo safe!

Stay tuned for how to prepare us for the open road!  I just hope Jessie does not succumb to car sickness!  Ewwww……

(Some information for this post was obtained at the Date My Pet web site.)

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Client of the Month-Jasmine

July 1st, 2010

Meet Jasmine, a 9 year old Dalmatian/Rottweiler mix.  This girl is a ball of energy, you’d never know she’s 9!

Jasmine LOVES to play laser light and is hoping to get started as a disc dog that competes in frisbee contests.  This girl is an incredible jumper!

Although she sports a pink collar she is a bit of a tomboy and can compete with any of the boys on the block!

Jasmine really enjoys treats and loves life!  She is lots of fun and is a joy to have as a client!

You, too, can have an awesome rescue cat!

June 27th, 2010

Bo and Jessie, one cool cat and one terrific dog: This has been an exciting month for us.  Adopt-a-Cat month is a great way to promote the joys of owning and loving a cat, especially a rescue cat who might not otherwise have found a warm and loving home.  The month kind of fizzled for Jessie, however, as she was kind of hoping that someone would adopt Bo!  Didn’t happen.  Bo is in the family to stay, so Jessie just better accept that sooner rather than later.

Nevertheless, as we wrap up our posts on Adopt-A-Cat month, we put together an acronym for you that comes from the bottom of our hearts…and for Bo’s part, it probably came from the bottom of the litter box.

A – Always love your cat.  He or she will reciprocate in kind.

D – Do the right thing.  Get a rescue cat or kitten!

O – Open up your heart and your home to a new furry friend.

P – Put more fun and laughter into your day with a cat in the family.

T – Take time to get to know your cat.

A – Ask your vet for answers when you have any questions or concerns about your cat’s health.

C – Choose life!  With so many cats in shelters today, it would be great to find homes for all of them.

A – Act now!  Your new best friend is waiting for you!

T – Talk to your friends and family.  You never know who just might be a perfect candidate to adopt a cat, too!

Thanks for reading our posts this month!  July is almost here, and we are indulging our travel fantasies then.  We will talk about pet travel and vacationing with pets.  Bo prefers the Club Med lifestyle.  He thinks it’s the cat’s meow.  Jessie, on the other hand, fantasizes about cruises and wonders if there have ever been any “cat overboard!” incidences! (Not that she is considering anything of the sort!)

Have a great day and come back for a visit soon!  “Cat-” cha later!

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10 Tips to Keep the Peace in a Multi-Cat Household

June 27th, 2010

Congratulations, you’ve added another cat to your household!  Having multiple felines can be fun but it also has its challenges.  Following are ten tips to maintain order and keep all the feline residents purring:

  1. If you have one cat currently and are now adding another, choosing a new cat of the opposite sex can reduce fighting among them.
  2. If your current cat is older, rather than adopting one kitten, consider adopting two so they can keep each other occupied.
  3. Never leave a new cat alone with the resident cat(s) until you are certain they won’t fight.
  4. Never give treats to one cat and not another.
  5. Window perches create space and allow your cats to sun themselves.
  6. Grooming your cats regularly can help reduce their stress.
  7. Do not allow play between cats to become aggressive.
  8. If fighting occurs between cats, do not attempt to separate them by hand.  Distract them by making a loud noise and put them in separate locations.
  9. Learn to understand feline body language.
  10. Make sure each cat’s needs are met and that each cat is treated as an individual member of the family.

Enjoy your feline family members and have a purr-fect day!

Information from Cat Fancy Magazine, August 2010 used in this post

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What You Should Never Feed a Cat!

June 24th, 2010

Bo, the in-house cat and feline expert: Hey, folks!  Welcome back to our blog!  Today’s focus is on what foods you should never give your cat.  I have a rather mischievious dog (Jessie) with whom I share a household, and she has been known to try to feed me a lot of crap over the years, the most notable of which is pure BS.  She tries to feed that to me daily, but I don’t fall for it.  It makes me sick to my stomach anyway.  This post will highlight some foods that you, as a cat owner, should never attempt to give your cat.

*Baby food – This may contain onion powder, which is toxic to cats. (Even onion breath, courtesy of Jessie, can be toxic.  Have you smelled her breath lately?)

*Bones from fish, poultry, or other sources of meat – Theses can obstruct or cut a cat’s digestive system.

*Chocolate, coffee, tea, and any caffeine – These can affect the heart and nervous system.

*Dog food – A one-time accidental ingestion should not pose a problem, but if eaten repeatedly, your cat can become malnourished or sustain heart problems.  (Besides, what proper cat would ever consider dining on kibbles and bits?)

*Grapes and raisins – These contain an unknown toxin, which can be harmful to the kidneys.

*Large amounts of liver – Too much vitamin A is toxic, leading to problems with muscles and bones.

*Macadamia nuts – These can adversely affect the digestive and nervous systems as well as the muscles.

*Milk and other dairy products – If your cat does not have enough of the enzyme lactase, it will be unable to break down the lactose in the milk, resulting in diarrhea.  There are lactose-free milk products made for cats.

*Moldy or spoiled food – Seriously?  Would you really consider serving us this stuff?  Oh, well, if a cat does get into the garbage, it can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, which can also affect other organs.  Think of food poisoning in yourself.  Blah…..

*Mushrooms – These can affect many systems in your cat’s body and can contribute to shock or even death.

*Raw fish – This can result in a vitamin B deficiency which can create a loss of appetite, seizures, and in some cases, death.

*Sugary foods – Just like with humans, too much of the sweet stuff can lead to weight gain, obesity, and diabetes.

*Table scraps – Sure, the dog may go for these, but even for them, these are not balanced nutritionally.  We need the fat trimmed from our diets.

*Raw eggs – Eating these can lead to skin and coat problems.  These can even contain salmonella.  Keep them away from us!

And remember….just like I mentioned about Jessie…never feed your cat a line of crap!  We are smart and can smell that stuff a mile away!  However, be sure to feed us lots of love every day!  We thrive on that supplement!

Have a good one!

(I found this info on one of those pet education sites.  Interestingly enough, it also said to avoid feeding your cat alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco.  C’mon, people!  A responsible cat owner would not even consider doing such things!)

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A cat or a kitten? Which should you adopt?

June 21st, 2010

Jessie here….the local, lovable dog! The emphasis of our blog this month is on adopting a cat.  There are so many animal lives to be saved , and the pet population is grateful for everyone of you who decides to rescue either a cat or a dog.  We thank  you from the bottom of our hearts.

Now, if you are thinking about adding a feline to your domestic environment, you may be wondering if you should get a cat of a kitten? Let me give you some input in that area to allow you to make a more informed decision.

First of all, kittens are truly adorable (except for our house cat, Bo.  You should see some of his baby photos!  I will spare you those!) However, kittens do grow up into cats.  Some of the cutest kittens are now some of the best looking cats.  Remember these fine points when considering a kitten or a cat:

*A kitten is a kitten for a short period of time. (Ah…they grow up so fast, don’t they?)

*Kittens, like kids, require constant supervision.  Adult cats don’t.  How much time do you have on your hands each day?

*Kittens, like kids (and like Bo!) can be destructive.  They will knock over your plants, chew on wires, tear up your curtains, and even attempt to scale your legs.

*The immune systems of kittens are delicate.  Their health can be tumultous and unpredictable.

*Grown cats just need booster shots every year or two. With a kitten, you will need to make a greater financial investment in the first year of its life.

*Adult cats should already be neutered, and, in many cases, declawed.

*You cannot create a kitten’s personality, so don’t even try.  Each one is unique.  With an adult cat, what you see is what you get.

*Adult cats are calmer and typically more affectionate.  They have so much love to give!  (Or, in Bo’s case…HEADACHES!)

*You cannot beat the grateful purr of an adult cat who knows he has been chosen out of pure love for who he is!  You can give him the peace of mind that he will not be abandoned again.

Well, that is your Monday food for thought!  Happy cat or kitty adopting!

(Information for this post was found from Adopt-A-Pet, Inc. in Illinois and its related web site.)

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Remembering A Friend

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.

Are You Truly Ready to Adopt a Cat?

June 17th, 2010

Bo, the esteemed scholar and educated cat: I decided to be a bit esoteric in my point of view today.  Instead of rambling aimlessly about one topic or another, throwing a jab or two at Jessie along the way, I have decided to compile a list of considerations for you to ponder before you go ahead and adopt a cat.

Adopting a cat, or any pet for that matter, is a true act of kindness, for you are saving a life.  But before you adopt a cat, be sure to consider the following before you fully commit to your new pet:

1.) Everyone in your household should be in agreement with the adoption.  Your new cat could be a part of your family for 10 to 15 years.  Is everyone ready to make that commitment?

2.) Are you patient enough to understand the needs of your cat and the manner in which it communicates to you?

3.) If there are children under the age of six, it is best to wait a few years before adopting that kitty, as they have extra sharp teeth and claws and may lash out when teased.

4.) Be aware of any cat allergies someone in your household might have.  If you have a friend with a breed of cat similar to which you are considering adopting, spend some time with that cat before choosing your new pet.

5.) Sure, your kids will tell you that they will take care of the cat, but every wise adult knows that within days, if not hours, that promise dissolves.  As the responsible adult, are you willing to commit to the responsibilities of being a cat owner?

6.) Are you a group of home bodies, or does your family travel frequently?  Cats like routines.  Consider who will take care of your pet in your absence.

7.) If you live in an apartment, condo, or other rented place, are you even allowed to have a pet?  Be sure to find out first!

8.) Are you Type A with OCD and  prone to anxiety when anything is out of order in your home?  Be aware that your new cat may destroy some of your furniture or possibly have an accident on the floor.  And, heaven forbid, consider the potential for flea infestation!  Can you handle all of that without getting too stressed out?

9.) Finally, are you financially able to take care of a cat?  This includes medical care, food, toys, kitty litter, grooming, and any other supplies that can add up over time.

One thing you probably have more than enough of is love.  If you are considering adopting a pet, it is probably the emotion that has led you to your actions in the first place.  Just make sure to do all of your homework first before making that final decision.

If you finally do decided to adopt a cat, the love you receive in return for saving its life will be exponentially multiplied.  I bet you can deal with that!

(I dug up some of this information on  the Pet Place web site.)

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The cost of adopting a cat

June 14th, 2010

Jessie, the well-educated canine: I have to admit, even though I am a dog, I think that adopting a cat is a terrific idea.  I mean, having that beast around the house is great.  I get to tell him what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.  I prefer to think of our cat, Bo, as my personal administrative assistant.  I would have him post this blog today, but he is off getting a massage or something.  He is a rather high-maintenance cat.

So, if you are contemplating adopting a cat, there are certain cost factors involved that you should consider.  I just hope that the cat you choose to bring into your home does not require those weekly massages, a finicky diet, and a few well-pressed outfits for those special occasions.  Bo is incredibly high-maintenance, which is probably why he has not gotten any responses from his catmatch.com online dating profile!

So, here are a few costs to consider when adopting your cat:

The one-time costs, if your cat is a kitten, include kitten shots.  As a kitty, it will need a couple of sets of shots until its immune system is developed.  Once grown, your cat should only need to go to the vet annually for its booster shots.  This is a routine visit done each year, with the exception of any unexpected visits during the year.

You will want to consider purchasing a collar, a leash, and a harness.  If you plan on letting your cat go outside, it is a good idea to use the leash and the harness. Cats are pretty sly about escaping from just a collar!

You will also need to invest in a litter box and a scoop, as well as food and water bowls.  A scratching post is a good idea, unless you want your cat to shred your furniture and carpets!  (However, for those pesky itches on your backside, the scratching mechanism in your cat will come in handy!)

A kennel is great for car rides, although many cats do not enjoy the thrill of the automobile ride!

Invest in a good brush and comb set and some nail clippers. (Unless, of course, your cat is like Bo and has its nails professionally manicured!)

You will want to consider spay or neuter surgery.  You can keep the pet population down by spaying or neutering your pet.  There  are far too many homeless pets as it is.

Be sure to have your cat tattooed or microchipped in case it ever gets lots.

Don’t forget the cat bed, either.  (Trust me, the family dog does NOT want to share in this capacity!)

Recurring costs include food, treats, kitty litter, the annual visit to the veterinarian, and furball medication.  You will probably need to invest in some grooming to get your cat’s claws trimmed routinely.  Be sure to have some fun toys on hand, too, to keep your cat entertained and happy!  The family dog, again, does not want to share in this regard!  GROWL!

Every cat is different, but you get the general idea.  However, the best investment you will make in your newly adopted cat is all of the love you will give it.  What you get in return is exponential….unless, of course, the cat is like Bo, and all you get is an attitude!

Have fun with your new cat!

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