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Posts Tagged ‘ My Joy of Living ’

Dogs and the Elderly

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Jessie, the wonderful canine companion:  My Yorkie-Poo friend, Bolt, has a human whose grandma is now 105 years old.  At a family gathering recently, someone suggested that Grandma get a dog to keep her company.  Everyone laughed at such a silly notion, not so much that Grandma should have a dog, but that Grandma is 105 YEARS OLD…isn’t that bit too advanced in years to be thinking about a pet?

Dogs do provide great benefits for seniors, however, and we are happy to oblige.  For example, here are some ways in which we provide health benefits to the elderly:

**Reduce blood pressure

**Reduce cholesterol levels

**Enhance social activities.  (Grandpa can go to the dog park and pick up some cute Grandma!)

**Ease the pain when a loved one dies

**Provide affection and unconditional love

**Encourage increased activity in seniors

**Decrease feelings of isolation and loneliness

When deciding what type of breed to get for an older person, take into consideration where he or she lives, his or her physical condition, strength, and health status and compare this to the temperament of the dog.  The person needs to be able to handle the dog well.  Among some good choices of breeds for seniors include Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Havanese, Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Llasa Apso, Maltese, Miniature Poodle, Pug, and Shih Tzu.

If you have any questions about pets and your senior friends and family members, turn to the experts at My Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City.

(Information for this post obtained at www.puppy-basics.com.)

 

 

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Cats and dogs living together

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Jessie the dog:  Most cartoons depict cats and dogs as  feverishly hostile towards one another, but is it truly that way?  Can we get along?  Much like our human counterparts, it all depends on the mix of the species and their personalities.  I am so likable that I pretty much get along with everyone, with one possible exception.  (Jessie shoots a look across the room to Bo the cat.)  As natural-born predators, we dogs like to chase those furry little things that scamper about our domain.  Just like humans, however, we are not completely ruled by nature.  We try to work things out.  It just takes some practice.

If a puppy is brought into a house with a cat, and all goes well, the puppy will most likely assume that the cat is just another domestic element.  (Or, like me, view the cat as the unwanted step child.)  Because cats are so highly territorial, however, it might be best to introduce a new kitty to a dog that is already established in the residence.  They say you should never bring a cat to a home with a dog that has been known to not only chase cats, but to actually hunt them down and kill them.  (No, I have never done that, but I can’t say the thought has never crossed my mind!)  On the flip side, you may have to protect a puppy from a rather demanding and territorial cat-monster!

In order to mix dogs and cats together, you have to learn and understand their nature (territorial, aggressive, friendly, passive, etc.) and act accordingly.  Or, you could leave well enough alone and just let us dogs enjoy our domain on our own!

When you put your pets in the hands of the pet sitting experts at My Joy of Living in Kansas City, you can count on most of us getting along just fine!  We love those pet sitting experts at My Joy of Living.

(Information for this post was obtained from www.petplace.com.)

 

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Please release the fleas!

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Bo:  Do I see you scracthing over there, Jessie?

Jessie:  Nah.  It’s just a litle itch.  No big deal.  (Continues to scratch rather feverishly)

Bo:  Looks like more than just a little itch to me!  Sure hope you don’t have fleas!

Jessie:  No, not really.  I am just itching to get away from the likes of you!

Ah, fleas!  A pet’s and its owner’s worst nightmare!  These small dark brown insects prefer temperatures of 65-80 degrees and humidity levels of 75-85%.  Depending upon where you live, fleas can become a year-round problem.  A dog or cat can come into contact with fleas through interactions with other animals or simply through their enviornment.  Since fleas do not have wings, they cannot fly.  However, their strong back legs enable them to jump from one thing (or pet!) to another.  Once the flea has bitten its host, it can cause itching.  For animals with sensitive skin or for those who have flea allergies, the bite can be much more severe.  In such cases, it can lead to hair-loss, inflammation and skin infections.  For those pets who are highly sensitive to the flea’s bite, they can feel itchy from head to tail from just one tiny bite!

Fleas can be seen frantically moving along the surface of the skin. They are dark copper colored and are about the size of a pin head.  Fleas do not like light, so you should tailor the search of your bet to the furrier areas or on the inner thighs.  You may find evidence of flea dirt, too, which consists of dark specks of a pepper-like substance on the skin’s surface.  According to www.thepetcenter.com, “If you see flea dirt, which is actually flea feces and is composed of digested blood, pick some off the pet and place on a wet paper towel. If after a few minutes the tiny specks spread out like a small blood stain… it’s definitely flea dirt and your pet has fleas! Flea dirt may be your only evidence of a flea infestation but believe the evidence! If there is flea dirt there are surely fleas present. You need to begin your war on the pests.”  (In other words:  seek advice and treatment from your veterinarian right away!)

Bo:  Oh, dear!  We now have a battle to wage here, dear Jessie.  I say we banish you to the backyard immediately!

Jessie:  (Still scratching a bit)  I tell you…it is not fleas!  I simply think I am having an allergic reaction to your annoying presence!

The pet sitting experts at My Joy of Living in Kansas City can help you to determine if your pet has fleas.  My Joy of Living pet sitting services want to help you and all of Kansas City’s pets stay flea-free for life!  We have plenty of other things that “bug” us on a daily basis!

     
     
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Go grab a breath mint, dude!

Monday, October 19th, 2009

Bo:  You know, Jessie, I have been meaning to tell you this in some diplomatic way, but I don’t know how to say it other than, “Do you need some mouthwash or something?  Your breath is kind of foul at times!”  There is no Joy of Living in that, my friend!

Jessie:  How dare you!  I maintain proper oral health care!  Perhaps I have just been breathing in some of your aroma and spewing it back out.

We often joke about bad breath in dogs, but it truly is not a laughing matter.   Those breath mints for dogs only serve to cover it up, and it is of greater importance to discover the reason behind the foul odor. Some factors could include excess build up of tartar on the teeth, infected gums, or loose and diseased teeth.  Other larger problems could be an oral tumor or some systemic disease at play, such as kidney problems or even diabetes.  All of these can cause a change in the smell of your dog’s breath.

The most common culprit, however, rests in tooth and gum problems. (Jessie:  Yes…like if I was ever so insane at to snack in Bo’s litter box, I would possess very foul breath.)  If your pet’s bad breath is raising a concern with you, make it a point to get him or her to the vet so that a proper diagnosis can be made.  If it is simply the teeth and gums causing the odor, then most likely the vet will recommend a good dental cleaning and provide you with some home-care guidelines to keep up the maintenance.

Bo:  For now, I intend to sit as far away from Jessie as possible.  I just threw a box of Altoids in her general direction.  Hint!  Ah…now I have My Joy of Living in Kansas City!

(Information for this entry provided by http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/caninehealthdogs/f/FAQ_badbreath.htm)

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Hey, you old cat!

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Bo:  News flash!  Did you know that aging in cats is not a disease?  It is a natural process.  However, despite the naturalness about it, it is not without its problems.  As you know, from the time we are cute, adorable kittens through our geriatric phase, we delight in keeping you company and making you happy.  In return, all we ask is that you give us the proper care we deserve in our “golden years.” 

For example, make sure we are more frequently monitored by our veterinarian.  Since we move through the lifespan process at a much more accelerated rate than humans do, waiting a year to have us get a check-up is synonymous with waiting several years to do so for a person.  We need to be seen by our vets at least twice per year.

On the homefront, you can do your part by keeping tabs on our weight each month, monitoring our thirst, appetite, bowel movements, and urine production.  Keep a keen eye out for any behavioral changes, unexpected lumps and bumps, and any foul odor coming from our bodies.

Jessie:  HA!  You have had a foul odor your entire life!  What are you talking about?

Bo:  Watch it, bud!  Also, it is normal for us to experience changes in our hearing and vision as we age.  Indoor cats accomodate well to the reduction in these senses, provided you do not move the furniture.

(Loud noises heard in the background here.  Jessie is huffing and puffing, as if moving large objects randomly about the room.  Interesingly enough, Jessie is smiling throughout this process.)

Bo:  Make sure our vaccinations are up-to-date and that you continue to administer the external parasite prevention measures and worming procedures, as directed by our vet.  Thanks for taking the time to think about our good health!

Ask the experts at My Joy of Living in Kansas City about your pet health care concerns.

(Information provided in part by www.cathealth.com/goldenyears.htm

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How do you know if your pet is in pain?

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Bo:  This is a great topic.  Jessie is a pain in my side, and I have to tell someone.  Who will listen?  Maybe the experts at www.myjoyofliving.com in Kansas City can help me find out.  They are the best pet sitters in town and seem to boast a wealth of knowledge when it comes to pet care.

Jessie:  What about YOU?  Perhaps you are even a bigger pain to me!

Bo:  Well, I am smart enough to realize that we animals can “talk” through the various subtleties in our body language.  Pain is a universal language.  Most pet owners can tell that their pets are in pain by a visual clue such as a limp or an audible clue such as a whine or whimper from us.  But what about chronic pain or pain that we can somewhat tolerate but needs to be explored?

Jessie:  Isn’t it obvious that I can barely tolerate you?

Bo:  When we are uncomfortable, we tend to show a change in behavior or temperament.  If we are usually happy, playful, and affectionate, pain can make us irritable and perhaps even make us not want to be held or petted.

Jessie:  Speak for yourself.  I adore a good massage.

Bo:  If your dog or cat is normally on the go, if he or she is in pain, you might find them sitting alone and being unusually quiet.  If the dog or cat can reach the source of pain, such as a sore paw, he or she might begin to lick or bite at the area in an effort to make the pain go away.  As a pet owner, if you notice any changes in your pet’s behavior, be sure to contact your veterinarian right away.  Remember, our “language” is limited, so please take the time to “listen” to us.  The sooner we get rid of the pain, the more playful we can continue to be.

Jessie:  I know how to get rid of cat pain!

Bo:  Oh, really?  How?

Jessie:  Lock the kitty in the closet!

(Information provided for this blog can be found at www.vetmed.wsu.edu.)

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