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Positive Aspects of Pet Adoption
Many potential pet owners are not aware of how many pets are available at shelters. They might also have the misconception that pets are shelters might be there because there was a problem with the animal. In some cases animals are lost and never found by their owners. These animals are healthy and very eager to please.
Some people are seeking purebred animals or puppies and think these are not available in shelters. In fact, nearly a quarter of all animals in shelters are purebred. Often someone buys an expensive purebred animal and then attempts to breed that animal to recoup their money. If these puppies or kittens are not placed in homes, and end up in the shelter.
Often, potential pet owners are looking for a kitten or puppy, but when an owner adopts an adult animal, they can see his/her size and temperament. Adult pets are very often housetrained and past the behavior issues associated with kittens and puppies.
Adopting a pet can be an important lesson to teach your children– both about the value of life, and also about civic responsibility and even recycling- in this case recycling a living and loving animal into a new home.
When looking for a pet to add to your family, consider a shelter or rescue pet. My pets (and regular bloggers here) Bo and Jessie were both adopted from area rescue groups.
For more information on pet adoption, check out http://www.adoptapet.com
And the Oscar goes to…
Jessie, award-winning dog: After watching the celebrated Oscars last night, I was amazed at all of the lovely gowns the starlets wore. It made me stop and think about my wardrobe. I mean, seriously, if I were ever in a position to attend such a prestigious and glamorous event, what would I wear? Is it even appropriate for a dog to wear clothing? If so, what type of clothing should a dog wear?
Typically, owners dress their dogs for warmth and comfort. Some dogs like the attention. Others cannot stand the feeling of the clothing. Still others simply tolerate it in humble submission to their humans.
If you do decide to dress your dog in clothing, never do so forcefully. You could scare the Louis Vuitton right out of your pet! Allow the dog to sniff the clothing and become used to it before actually dressing him in it. Once he is styling, be sure to give lots of praise and encouragement. Hey! Take a few photos and submit them to the press. Make sure the clothes fit properly. If they are too big, they could become caught on something or the dog could get tangled up in them. On the flip side, clothes that are too small could be restrictive and cause injury. Worse, yet, that muffin top may show and that could be embarrassing! Always think in terms of style AND comfort!
Some folks might argue that dressing a dog is inhumane. Others think it is perfectly acceptable. In short, it all depends on the dog. If he or she seems to enjoy it, I say, go for it! I am sure the dog from the hit movie “Marley and Me” has plenty of stylish duds!
Well, I need to go shopping now. Do they sell clothing at flea markets? Or, should a dog REALLY even think about going to a “flea” market? That could be dangerous! I don’t need fleas!
If your dog enjoys wearing stylish outfits, then he or she is experiencing the true joy of living. For all of your pet sitting needs in the greater Kansas City area, be sure to contact the experts at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services. Those folks always dress well!
(Information for this blog was found at www.petplace.com)
Animal Custody: When There’s a Break-Up, Who Gets the Pet?
When couples split, custody of the pets often become an issue. Pet custody disputes can be decided in civil trial court or through a medistor.
Although these cases can be quite heated, the parties involved are usually genuinely concerned about the welfare of the pet. When determining the best home, points to consider include:
- Age of the pet (Does it make sense to uproot the animal and force them to adjust to a new home?)
- Separation from friend-animals (would loss of animal friends impact the pet’s quality of life?)
- Stress of long-distance travel (will the animal be forced to travel a long distance to the new home?)
- Any breed-specific statues at new location (are there any breed-specific laws in the new location that could impact the pet’s relocation?)
Shared custody or visiting arrangements can be defined if both parties are willing to negotiate.
If domestic abuse was an issue in the relationship, victims are very often reluctant to leave the pet behind, fearing for its safety. Some states have passed legislation to include pets in restraining orders and remove them from abusive homes when victims are moved to a safe home. When safe homes do not allow pets, animal shelter are often called to take the pet and provide temporary housing.
When specific state legislation is not in effect to protect pets in domestic abuse situations, attorneys should pursue adding pets as family members to restraining orders filed. Many courts honor this request to protect pets if just cause can be shown.
Information for this posting from GP Solo Magazine, published by the American Bar Association, July/August 2009
Yeah? Well I can do better than that!
Jessie, adorable dog, friend to many, advisor to all, warden over Bo, that cat that lives in the house: Did you know that about one million dogs have actually been named as primary beneficiaries in their owners’ wills? Wonder what I am getting? Did you also know that about 33% of those who own dogs will admit that they actually talk to their dogs on the phone or leave them a message on voicemail! (Okay, that is kind of weird. Usually my agent fields those types of calls!)
Bo: Well, I can one-up you there, buddy! Cats, not dogs, are the most common pets in America. It is our 66 million to your 58 million. You are way out-numbered!
Jessie: So? Dogs have such large pupils and a wide field of vision that we are really good at following moving targets, er, objects!
Bo: This is music to my ears: Cats have more than 100 vocal sounds. You poor dogs only have ten.
Jessie: I only need one to tell you where to put it! Moving on, it has been noted that those who own pets live longer, exprerience less stress, and have fewer heart attacks….unless, of course, they live with the likes of Bo.
Bo: Did you know that the prairie dog is not actually a dog at all? It is a RODENT! A distant relative, perhaps, Jessie?
Jessie: I have to go. I hear they may be making a monument in my honor somewhere, and I want to be on hand for the unveiling. There are more monuments in the world made after dogs than cats anyway.
Bo: Yes…and many dogs have “pee’d” on them?
(If Bo and Jessie have not put more Joy of Living into your day, then contact the pet sitting experts at Joy of Living in Kansas City so that your pets can be happy, safe, and loved whenever you have to go out of town.)
Cat Worship: Bow Down to the Kitty!
Bo, the beloved cat: I will begin with a quote that says it all: “I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.” No, I did not just make that up. It came from the 19th century French critic and historian, Hippolyte Taine. I am now an advocate of that sentiment.
Did you know that cat worshipers have been around for nearly 5,000 years, a tradition started in Egypt? Cats chose to be domesticated among humans and during ancient Egyptian times, they protected the essential commodity – food – from its greatest threat, the rodent. Cats also protected their Egyptian families from another threat – snakes. Cats in those days would have protected their families from any small animals. Cats exemplified the consummate protector. The cat eventually went from protector and household pet to sacred animal. Stories abound of people being stoned to death who dared to kill a cat, and people would actually shave their eyebrows in mourning after the death of a cat. Cats were even mummified in death to assure that they would accompany their owners into the afterlife.
Now, I am not so sure I want to be wrapped up for eternity in a couple of ACE bandages, but I do know that I like this idea of worshipping cats. I have always known I was a special creature, and I am going to take this glorious opportunity to let the canine beast in the house aware of my potential crowning deity. There she is now….Hey! Jessie! May I have a word with you? There’s something on the internet about how you should bow down before me and….hey! Get out of my litter box! What the heck did you just bury in there? Mercy’s sake…I have to get going….being an idol is harder work than I thought. I need to get that “rodent” out of here!
All pets worship Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City. To show your pet how much you adore him or her, allow the experts at Joy of Living tend to your pet whenever you have to leave town. They will worship your pets as much as you do!
(Information for this article was found at www.thecatsite.com)
Why People Relinquish Pets
According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, behavorial issues are not the main reason pet owners relinquish pets to an animal shelter. Following are the top ten reasons pet owners in the US relinquish cats and dogs:
Cats
- Too many cats in house
- Allergies
- Moving
- Cost of pet maintenance
- Landlord issues
- No homes for littermates
- House soiling
- Personal problems
- Inadequate facilities
- Doesn’t get along with other pets
Dogs
- Moving
- Landlord issues
- Cost of pet maintenance
- No time for pet
- Inadequate facilities
- Too many pets in home
- Pet illness
- Personal problems
- Biting
- No home for littermates
Since landlord issues appear on both lists, be sure to check on any limits (size/weight of pets, type of pets, number of pets allowed) that might apply before adopting. Most apartment complexes also have a deposit and additional monthly fee per pet.
Another item on both lists is cost of pet ownership. Adopting a pet is a commitment of time and money. The ASPCA estimates the first year costs of dog ownership range from $810 for a small dog to $1,580 for a large dog. First year costs for cat ownership average $715.
After the first year, dog ownership costs range from $420-$780 annually. Cat ownership costs average $575 annually.
Pet ownership can be very rewarding, but having to relinquish that pet can traumatize both owner and pet. Although circumstances may change after you adopt, doing your homework before adopting a pet can prevent problems down the road.
Information for this post from Pets Gone Green by Eve Adamson and Pets and the Planet by Carol Frischmann
Ever been afraid of a vet’s bill?
Bolt, adorable Yorkie-Poo, guest commentator: My humans took me to the vet a few weeks ago for my regular check-up. During that visit, it was determined that I could benefit from a little extra “procedure.” This “procedure,” however, would cost my humans roughly $500.00. Now, it is not a necessary procedure, but is recommended. However, it got me to thinking, “What if something major happened to me and my humans could not afford to have the vet take care of me?” The horror of it all! I would not be around to annoy the bigger dog in the house or to bark at the wind.
As such, I have confronted my humans about pet insurance. I know for a fact they have medical insurance on themselves and those little rug rats running around the house. I also know they love me as much (if not more than at times!) those pesky kids! So, I have to ask myself before I present my case once again to the powers that be:
1.) Do my humans really love me?
2.) Do they want the best care possible for me, in the event I need certain medical treatment?
The answer better be a solid “yes!” I know that with pet insurance, they can confidently take me to the vet knowing that all of my needs will be covered without draining their bank accounts. (And I bet they will even have extra money for treats in the long run! How cool is that?)
Every pet will need medical attention at some time or another. With pet insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have help with those expensive medical costs for accidents, emergencies, or illnesses.
The only thing that worries me, however, is that this pet insurance might not cover any cosmetic procedures. I was seriously thinking about getting my teeth whitened and perhaps getting a little liposuction. Not that I need it. I simply like to look my best. Now that I am posting on a popular blog, my fans have certain, shall we say, expectations of me!
Well, this is all food for thought. Speaking of which, the dog bowl is empty. I better go figure out what that is all about. If that big dog in the house has been messing around my stash, we are going to exchange some growls! Gotta run!
(Bolt had some help with this post by researching some information at www.petplace.com. He also recommends that you check out Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City. They are the kind of insurance you need when you go out of town and have to leave your precious pets behind.)
Client Spotlight-Jack
Jack is a handsome 5 1/2 year old Labrador Retriever that loves to go for walks and enjoy treats afterward (frosted dog cookies are his favorite!).
He is quite the social fellow and loves to make new pet and people friends. When out walking he is quick to greet everyone he meets.
Jack is lots of fun and is a joy to have as a client!
You Name It!
Jessie, the adorable pooch: It is almost the weekend, and it is time to have some fun, especially if it is at the expense of the local cat. I just came across an article that highlighted the Top Ten dog names for 2010. Now, I am in no hurry to rush out and legally change my name. My name is so wonderful that they had no place for it on the list. However, to entertain and delight my audience, here are the top ten picks for dog names in 2010:
1.) Casey
2.) Riley
3.) Bella
4.) Bailey
5.) Shadow
6.) Coco
7.) Pepper
8.) Dakota
9.) Chloe
10.) Oliver
Those are pretty cool, huh? Now, if you are, like me, wondering what the top ten cat names are, well, I have my own list, but, unfortunately, they will not allow me to publish those in this forum. So, I urge you to give into your creativity and devise your own list. The cat in this household answers to most anything, especially if it involves a treat. As for me, it’s Ms. Jessie to you! Have a great day! And, in case you forget, the best pet sitting service name in Kansas City is Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services! Call them TODAY!
(Information for this post was found at www.pawnation.com)
What’s In a Name? How to Name Your Dog
Bo, the incredibly well-named cat: You know how it goes…you get a new puppy and you go over a long list of potential names for it. You land upon the perfect name, and three months later, you wish you had called it something else. (Trust me, I have called the dog in our house many names before, but I cannot list those in this forum, as this is a family-friendly blog, and I do not want to lose my job or my credibility.) Do you know that in your dog’s lifetime, it will be called by its name over 30,000 times? Better think twice about that perfect name, and here are some tips:
*Embarrassing names are out of the question. Do you want to hear yourself screaming “Stinky, come back!” as you chase your canine down the street after he has escaped once again!
*Some dogs outgrow their names. Sure, your precious little Buttercup is cute and cuddly as a pup, but when that Great Dane is fully grown, she may be the laughing stock of the neighborhood when you refer to her as such.
*Keep the name short…one or two syllables max. Dogs will learn it quickly and it will be easier to use when training.
*Pick a name that matches its personality. No need to call your dog Dash if he sits in one place all day.
*Avoid the trendy names. Do you know of anyone who has a dog named Disco?
*Do not name your dog after Grandma Sadie or Uncle Stu. They might take offense to that moniker. (The dog might, too, depending on the relative!)
*Ask your dog what he or she thinks! Try the name on for size. See how he or she responds. (Funny, Jessie never responds to those other names I call her…wonder why? I think they are fully appropriate.)
*If you have adopted an older dog, it is best to keep the name it already has. No need to confuse it. If you have to change it, however, find a name that is similar to or rhymes with the old name.
After you have given your dog its new name, be sure to pile on the extra love and affection. Those go well with any dog.
And, for an added benefit…if you have to go out of town and do not want to leave your dog isolated in some boarding situation, call the trusted pet sitting experts at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City. They want to know your dog by name. They will treat him or her just like family, and when you are family, everyone knows your name.
Now, where did that little stink bomb go? Oops, I mean Jessie. I know that dog is around her somewhere. I can smell her!
(Information for this post obtained at www.dog-names-and-more.com)
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