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Pets Are Worth It
I recently started working with an elderly lady that moved here a couple of weeks ago. She is living in an assisted living community and has a canine roommate.
The lady isn’t very mobile (uses a walker), so it isn’t possible for her to walk the dog. That’s where I come in, walking the dog morning and evening. Those that aren’t “pet people” would question why she would have a pet, since she isn’t able to totally care for her dog.
What I see is that her dog is a companion, keeping her company in the quiet times when family isn’t around and there’s no one else to talk to about the day.
Pets are great company, they watch and listen, but never judge us. They can be a source of comfort in bad times, and are happy to celebrate good times with us.
“Just a dog”‘ “just a cat”……..nope, they’re a whole lot more!
Do You Know what Makes Your Dog Tick?
When I am pet sitting, I take my cues from the pet I’m caring for regarding how we spend our time together. Sometimes it could be all play, another time some play and some TLC. I have found the pets enjoy the visit more if they get what they need at that particular.
In an article published in the May 2011 issue of Whole Dog Journal, a similar concept called free-time training is discussed. This method involves observing your pet in various circumstances and environments to see what motivates him. Once an owner knows his pet’s motivation, the knowledge can be incorporated into training sessions to make them more successful.
When starting free-time training, here are a few suggestions:
-Be sure to work in a safe area with no traffic and minimal outside distractions
-Some days you’ll learn more. Realize that some days will just be a fun outing, while other days you may learn much about your dog.
-If your dog tends to be cautious or worrisome, start with short session, 5-10 minutes. The free time could overwhelm your dog at first, starting slow will help ease him into free-time better.
-Be careful not to direct your dog’s play. Be there as a source of encouragement, but the intent is to let your dog follow his natural tendencies, that’s when you’ll learn more about what makes him tick.
It can be quite enlightening to sit back and watch your dog. What makes your dog tick?
Looking like a top dog!
The perfect feline or canine always needs to look his or her best at all times. After all, you never know who you might run into on your daily walk. Recently, there was talk on a day time talk show about getting braces for dogs. Huh? I can barely afford them for my own children, but for a dog???? Get real! What? Is it like a dog’s teeth have to be perfectly aligned in order to attract a mate? We really don’t know what the attractor factor is for dog’s….maybe it IS a brilliant smile, but I think pets should stick to the basics, .like getting groomed and licking themselves.
For example, Jessie and Bo are two distinct personalities. Every six weeks, it is imperative that Jessie receive an updated coif. The shampoo, the air-dried coat, and the trimming all add to Jessie’s overall look and glamour. I asked Jessie and Bo about this sensitive area of pet care, and this is what they had to offer:
Jessie: Getting groomed is definitely NOT a luxury for me. It is a necessity. In order for me to feel my best, I have to look my best. It does not bother me a bit that my human has me groomed routinely so that I look gorgeous and smell fabulous.
Bo: (Making a gagging sound) You DO smell after you’ve been groomed. Thank goodness I have no need to undergo such trivial pursuits. I have better things to do with my time and with my human’s money.
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