- Does Your Cat or Dog Need a New (and Unique!) Companion? Check This Out! http://t.co/2DrScZGq
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- Some room for improvement..Siri, Y U No Understand Me? [INFOGRAPHIC] http://t.co/oWj2mT7Y via @zite
- Finding A Groom For Dying Celebrity Dog, Lucky http://t.co/cLiUIqvS via @zite
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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.)
Does Your Cat Sulk?
Jessie, the lovable pooch:
I have to tell you. I am so glad I am a dog. Living with a cat is an emotional roller coaster. At times I just do not understand Bo. First he is up, then he is down. I can’t keep pace with it all. Do you ever wonder why cats sulk in the first place? Are they depressed? Have they given into the fact that dogs are the superior species? What gives? Well, I did some research and learned a few things, but don’t tell Bo this gets him off the hook for erratic behavior.
Humans are important to a cat. When a cat is scolded or reprimanded, he gets offended and intimidated. When you look down at him, he views that gaze as a look he associates with an enemy. For many animals, the eyes are a signal of power. (Note to self: work on eye expressions later!) When compared to its size, a cat’s eyes are huge. In hostile situations, a dominant cat will stare down his rival, who will most likely look the other way and retreat. So, when your cat turns away after he has been disciplined, he is not ignoring you. He is actually surrendering. (Wow…I like that…maybe I can work on my disciplinary actions and get Bo to surrender to me!)
The experts at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services will not ignore you, but they will surrender to all of your pet sitting needs.
(Information for this post was found at www.sniksnak.com)
What do you sense your cat senses?
Bo, the incredible cat: Finally! A time for me to take to the podium and inform my loyal readers of important things to know about cats. In this particular entry, I will commence a series of mini-dissertations about the senses of cats and…
Jessie, the lovable pooch, interrupting: Excuse me, but I was under the distinct impression that cats had no sense!
Bo: I was referring to our senses of sight, smell, taste, etc. From the looks of you today, however, I see you have no fashion sense!
Jessie: Well, from the smell of you today, I can tell you that my olfactory sense is highly sensitive today. When was the last time you cleaned yourself?
Bo, to the audience: I am going to pretend I did not hear that and will return to my commentary. Today, let me focus on cat’s eyes. (No pun intended there. Get it? Focus? Eyes? Never mind!) Cats are blessed with extremely sensitive vision, particulary when the lights are dim. Our night vision is of Superman strength, too. In fact, we can functino at just 1/6 the light level required for human vision.
Jessie: So? Are you also going to point out that domestic cats have poor color vision and can only see two colors: blue and green? How do you respond to that?
Bo: Just be thankful I am not looking at you in black and blue right now. Stay tuned for an interesting tidbit about our whiskers!
Jessie: Here we go again, referring to how sensitive you felines are! I’m going to go take a nap. I want to experience a little bit of Joy of Living while I nod off.
(Karen Harrison is the owner of Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City and will happily provide excellent care for your pets while you are away. Advice from Bo and Jessie is optional!)
What to expect from your pet sitter
Bo, the cat: Okay, you have just learned what your duties are with respect to hiring a pet sitter, but what does the pet sitter need to do for you and your pet before you leave town?
Jessie, the dog: I would just tell the pet sitter to get rid of the cat. It’s that simple. Then, all of the attention could be showered upon moi!
Bo: I was thinking more along the lines of the RESPONSIBLE things the pet sitter needs to do. For example, the pet sitter will need to gather the client’s basic information: how many pets, what types of pets, and where they are located. The sitter will then schedule a get acquainted visit where the client will complete necessary paperwork, such as information on each pet, contact information for the client, an emergency contact, access instructions, and a release from their veterinarian in case something does happen to the pet in their absence and the sitter needs to take the pet to the vet.
Jessie: Still…wouldn’t it be easier just to get rid of the cat?
Bo: Go back to your corner, Jessie. I have the podium now. At the home visit, the pet sitter will meet the pet and determine its overall behavior. Is it aggressive? Destructive? Sweet and lovable like myself? The sitter will than ask for additional information as to what the client may want done during their absence. Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City will get the mail, the paper, set out the garbage, water plants, and fill bird feeders, among other things. The sitter will also need to find out where the pet food, toys, accessories, and leashes are kept and find out any type of daily ritual, such as walks and treat time. Also, be sure to ask if the pet sitter is bonded and insured. Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City is both bonded and insured. Another point of interest: observe how the sitter interacts with your pet on the get acquainted visit. If, in fact, the sitter does decide to get rid of the cat, escort the sitter out. However, if the sitter has designs on eradicating the dog, well, that is another story! Finally, check to see if the pet sitting service is a member of a professional association, such as Pet Sitters International or National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City is the premiere pet sitting service in the area. They treat your pets like family.
Buying a holiday gift for your dog
Jessie, the adorable canine: Well, the holidays are upon us. I am so eager to find out what Santa will bring me this year. My list was long, yet simple. I have refined tastes and am quite confident that my wishes will be granted.
Bo, the cranky cat today: If you consider a lump of coal in your stocking to be refined, then so be it. I really don’t think you have been all that good this year. As for me, on the other hand, my behavior has been stellar.
Jessie: We will confront that issue later this week when you get a few precious moments to talk about gifts for cats during the holidays. So, as I was saying, the holidays are upon us, and as you go about shopping like crazy for friends and family members, do not forget about your true best friend! Here are some great gift ideas, as provided by www.associatedcontent.com:
**A kennel (And, no, I will not lock Bo in it, as tempting as that sounds!)
**A new dog bowl (Something that will deter the cat, too!)
**An extended leash (So I can run farther away from Bo!)
**Training classes (I don’t need these, obviously, but some dogs just might!)
**Premium food (Ah, yes, for those of us with refined palates!)
**A dog sweater (I look so adorable in these. I’ll take two…no, three!)
**Tennis balls (I will throw them and see if Bo will chase them. Wonder how far I can throw?)
**Rawhide bones (I love to chew on these things. I deserve them!)
**A new dog bed (To sleep like a queen, that is my desire! Bo can sleep on the floor, like all good kitties!)
**Another dog! (I just might need a partner in crime when I am up against Bo!)
Have fun shopping this holiday season! Be sure to make your dog smile! And also be sure to check in with the pet sitting experts at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City. If you are going out of town this month and need some pet sitting services, give them a call! They will make sure your pet does not miss a minute of love and attention!
This dog (or cat!) is in hot water, literally!
Bo, the adorable cat: Our Yorkie-Poo friend, Bolt, got bathed yesterday. He tells us he is not too keen on getting his precious fur all wet, but we have to gently remind him that getting bathed regularly is important for us critters….especially the dogs!
Jessie, the lovable dog (with paws over her nose): When was the last time YOU had a bath?
Bo: We cats are so well-trained and independent that we handle these matters privately. At any rate, if you have a pet with normal or healthy skin, we have some bathing advice for you. Some folks will only bathe their dog when the stink becomes too much to bear. In actuality, your mutt should be bathed more frequently to remove any potential allergens, dead hair, and skin, and excessive oil in the hair and on the skin. So, in the summer, aim for giving your dog a bath every two weeks, and in the cooler months of winter, perhaps once a month will do. As for us cats, well, we are highly adept at grooming oursevles and do not need this type of bathing ritual.
Jessie: I heard that cats should be bathed on occasion and that it is best to get them used to it while they are still kittens!
Bo: Well, if that is the case, then please make sure you are very careful about your shampoo selection for me! As for your canine friends, you should also be selective here. You need to use a shampoo that will clean the hair and skin but won’t remove the thin layer of oil. The experts at www.ingleburnvet.com.au suggest using the natural shampoo from Dermacare or Aloveen or Fido’s Everday Shampoo.
Jessie: Don’t forget the fleas! You need to get rid of those nasty fleas!
Bo: Yes, YOU do! Certain flea shampoos do well at killing fleas, but the effects are usually short-lived and fleas will return after the fur is dry. You may want to look into a good flea rinse. I would rather mention what NOT to use, as these could harm your dog:
*Medicated shampoos, unless prescribed by a veterinarian. These can dry and damage the skin.
*Human shampoo. You people are 100 tmes more acidic than your dogs!
*Soaps of any kind, as these will only dry out the skin.
*Do not use eucalyptus or tea tree oils. These will irritate the skin.
*Laundry detergent (huh? people have tried this?) will remove that thin layer of oil on the skin.
For more information on how to bathe your dog, just ask the pet sitting experts at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City. They know their stuff!
October is National Pet Wellness Month!!!
Jessie: Hey! It’s October 1st! This is a great month, as it focuses on the pets in your life! It is National Pet Wellness Month! Who could ask for a better month?
Bo: How about a month all about ME?
Jessie: And where is the value in that? Besides, I need to get moving here if I am to pontificate about the glory of this month. To get started, did you know that pets age SEVEN TIMES faster than people do?
Bo: Yeah…and you don’t see ME lathering on the anti-wrinkle creams at night!
Jessie: By age 2, most pets are adults. By age 4, they are considered middle-aged. By age 7…..
Bo: Let me guess….social security kicks in then.
Jessie: By age 7, they are full-fledged seniors! Hard to believe, but it is true. My human, Karen, has another human friend whose grandma is 105 years old! My goodness…where on earth does that age fit into the stratosphere?
Bo: So, any words of wisdom for the pets in your life who are aging just reading your words here?
Jessie: Yes! Your human should get you to the veterinarian twice a year for wellness exams. This is necessary to simple treat and prevent health problems before they become serious. These visits also provide a great opportunity to allow your human to discuss with the vet any health or behavioral issue you might have.
Bo: So, it takes just two times a year to make sure YOU are covered there, bud? I would think it would take more than that!
Jessie: I am ignoring you on that one, Bo. I am, however, encouraging all pet owners to get that next wellness exam appointment set for your pet TODAY! In doing so, your day will be complete and your pet will love you for it.
Bo: Do they give out lollipops at the vet’s?
Jessie: Go back to sleep, please.
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