Posts Tagged ‘
pets ’
Monday, December 5th, 2011
The Spirit of Bo lives on…ever protecting and watching over those I love…and Party Marty, too! I have returned to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season! Marty, I really do love you, dude! I’ve got your back! And I can prove it, too, as I am here to give to you and to all pet lovers and their pets some helpful tips about putting things under the Christmas tree. Even though it looks nice and festive to have gifts wrapped and under the tree, those holiday gifts can pose a health threat to your pets.
According to peteducation.com, it’s wise not to leave a rawhide treat or other edible goodies under the tree. Your curious pets will probably find them before December 25th! Keep those out of paw reach until the actual day of celebration, when you can supervise your pet “opening” his gifts!
Also, you may love the pretty ribbons and bows, but please remove them before you give the gifts to your pets. If your dog or cat gets into these trimmings - such as yarn, ribbon, or string - they can choke on them or, if actually swallowed, then can cause intestinal obstruction which usually requires surgery. There’s no “Happy Holidays!” in that!
If you have wrapped gifts that contain perfumes or after-shaves, be advised that these contain ethanol (alcohol) and that perfume also contains essential oils which, if ingested by your pet, can be lethal.
Most folks will say, “Remember the batteries!” But I want you to remember those batteries for other reasons. These can be toxic to pets, and like gift wrapping decorations, they can also cause intestinal blockage. Just keep those elsewhere until they are ready to be inserted in the gift.
Well, this ghost of Christmas past is ready to watch my friends open some Christmas presents, so I think I will stick around awhile! This is going to be a great holiday season! I just know it!
Tags: christmas gifts and pets, Christmas trees and pets, harmful Christmas decorations for pets, holiday safety tips for cats, holiday safety tips for dogs, holiday safety tips for pets, holidays and pets, making the holidays safe and fun for your pet, pets, pets and holiday decorations, pets and the holidays
Posted in
Human Pet Connection, cats, dogs, pet care |
Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
The Spirit of Bo, returning to enlighten my readers: Although I have been gone for awhile now, I hope I am never out of mind. Jessie and Marty are doing well with this blog, but sometimes I just have to make an unexpected appearance. Since my passing, I have been busy looking over Jessie, Marty, and my human Karen. I thought this blog post would be a fitting one from me, as it speaks to what could happen to your pet(s) should you predecease them.
A good rule of thumb is to carry an animal card with you. If you are injured or die suddenly, this card will alert medical personnel or anyone taking care of you that you have a pet that needs food, water, and attention back home. The card should include information as to your pet’s name, the kind of pet, where the pet is, and any special instructions as to the care of your pet. It is also advisable to list the contact information for your veterinarian on the card.
If you want to provide for your pet’s care after your death, consider naming a human beneficiary who can receive funds to care for and cover your pet’s expenses after your death. Of course, be sure to discuss this with the named beneficiary to make sure he or she is agreeable to it.
While it is not always easy to think about death, being prepared for the unexpected helps! (Besides, I bet you didn’t expect me to show up today, did you?)
Thanks to askmyvet.com for this helpful information!
Tags: caring for your pets, cats, dogs, if you should die before your pet, naming a beneficiary in your will to care for your pet, pets, pets and your death, providing for care for your pets if you should predecease them, what to do if you should predecease your pet
Posted in
Human Pet Connection, cats, dogs, pet care |
Friday, November 4th, 2011
Jessie, the wise and intellectual canine: I have to say it. Pets are great! We bring so much joy to our owners’ lives. And, of course, they greatly enhance ours…especially when there are treats involved! Pets are also great companions for senior citizens and can really bring increased joy and vitality to their lives.
Take for example a nursing home in Nebraska that introduced a cat to the home. It wasn’t long before many of the residents, some of them previously withdrawn socially, began to come out of their shells. When that cat had kittens, then the real magic began!
One elderly lady who had sustained a stroke was completely withdrawn, but when those kittens were introduced to her, the lady suddenly began to smile again and was soon talking! Those kittens became like her babies, giving her something to do each day and a reason for being.
When pets are used in places like nursing homes, it keeps the residents active, engaged, and interactive with the pets and with others. It essentially keeps their minds off their problems and restores a sense of pleasure, purpose, and increased vitality.
Just doing our job!
Thanks to healthypets.com for this info!
Tags: nursing home pets, pets, pets and seniors, pets and the elderly, pets as companions, pets for seniors, pets in nursing home, senior citizens and pets, seniors and pets
Posted in
Human Pet Connection, cats, dogs |
Monday, September 19th, 2011
The spirit of Bo arises again, bearing simple tips to help you get rid of the pesky pet hair that collects in your home: Pets rule…you know that…but sometimes that pet hair can be somewhat of a nuisance. Now that I am a mere soul of a cat, I can still hang around but not leave any hair! How cool is that? However, I have noticed that my former constituents in the house, Jessie and Marty, tend to leave a hair or two here and there…on the furniture, on the floor, and on people’s clothing. So..what’s a pet owner to do?
While I was not much of a Martha Stewart fan back in my day, I did run across some of her information on her web site the other day that pertains to pets. Pretty good material. Here’s what she had to say about getting rid of pet hair:
**If your cat or dog rests in the same place in the house, consider putting a towel down upon which they can lie and shake it out periodically before washing it.
**Vacuum frequently during the week to remove pet hair from the carpet.
**Make regular grooming of your pet a habit. That keeps the pet hair problem down to a minimum.
**For pet hair on hard wood floors, use one of those awesome electrostatic mops. Unlike vacuums, they don’t blow pet hair around.
**For pet hair on clothing, use one of those tape rollers.
**Lint brushes for clothing or a dry sponge (sold at pet supply stores) are great for picking up pet hair off of furniture.
Of course, in the big picture, having all of the pet hair in your home means just one thing: You are loved immensenly and unconditionally! How cool is that?
Tags: getting rid of pet hair, pet hair, pet hair clean up tips, pets, tips to clean up pet hair
Posted in
Human Pet Connection, cats, dogs, pet care |
Monday, August 22nd, 2011
Party Marty here, in deference to the spirit of the late and beloved Bo: You know, Bo was such a great cat….always thinking of others and such a true gentleman. He always did the right thing, and I bet if he still had a say in things, he’d start preaching about saving the environment and living a green lifestyle. So, I did a bit of research on the web and found some great tips to “go green,” courtesy of the ASPCA web site. Even pets and their owners can find simple ways to support our environment! Read on…
1.) Doing some spring (or fall!) cleaning? Instead of tossing out those old blankets, towels, pet toys, leashes, litter boxes, and/or pet bedding supplies, contact a local pet shelter and see if they could use some donations.
2.) Opt for filtered water instead of bottled water for your pets. If you must use bottled water, please be sure to recycle the bottles!
3.) When picking up those little “doggie treasures” in the backyard, consider using biodegradable bags.
4.) Time for Rover to get a bath? Purchase some earth-friendly pet shampoos and other products! Mother Nature will love you for it!
If you have any fun and amazing “green” pet tips to share with us, please let us know!
Peace out! I have to go recycle now!
Tags: a greener lifestyle with pets, going green, going green with pets, having pets and adapting a greener lifestyle, pets
Posted in
Human Pet Connection, pet behavior, pet care |
Monday, July 25th, 2011
Jessie, the wonder dog: Hey! I am sure most of you have heard that dogs can do amazing things, especially when it comes to the health of our humans. For example, it has been claimed that we have extra senses that allow us to sniff out cancer or know when a seizure is about to strike. However, did you know that we can possibly alert you to an oncoming migraine? (I know…I know…we probably can’t do much about the headache that pain-in-the-neck Party Marty over there might cause, but we can help with this!) In a recent article by our friends on HuffingtonPost, it has been noted that dogs have ESP! Of course, I knew that already. Just moments before my human gets home, I make sure to clean up the kitchen, tidy up the living room, and leave no evidence that I was snacking and watching some great reality TV! For all she knows, I was guarding the homestead!
For 36 million people, migraines cause unimaginable pain. Medication works best when taken as early as possible. Did you know that dogs, cats, and other pets can naturally detect pre-migraine characteristics, such as irritability, yawning, and dizziness? There might also be subtle changes or smells that alert the animals to this. In actuality, some dogs have been trained to provide warnings for their owners to take medication well enough in advance to prevent the headache. Too cool, huh?
Yep! Dogs (and, yes, cats!) are pretty great companions, even if I do say so myself. I pity the ones who do not enjoy the blessings of pets in their lives.
Toodle-oo….gotta run. My human just left and that new “Bachelorette” show just began!
Tags: can pets save lives, cats, dogs, dogs sniff out cancer, how pets detect diseases, pets, pets and ESP, pets and migraines, pets detecting diseases
Posted in
Human Pet Connection, cats, dogs, pet behavior |
Saturday, July 23rd, 2011
Most pets shed their coats at certain times of the year, and it can seem as though we’re buried in pet hair. Frequent brushing can help remove loose hair, and here are some more tips from Dog Fancy magazine on how to deal when the fur starts flying:
-Use the right kind of brush for your pet’s coat and breed. Check with your pet’s groomed or vet for recommendations.
-Give fatty oil supplements to your pet to keep skin from drying out. Your vet can ad ise you on the brand and dosage right for your pet.
-Don’t overbathe. Overbathing can dry out your pet’s skin, so try not to bathe them any more than once a week, if possible.
-Keep a brush by the door and give your pet a quick brush over before heading out to start your day.
These tips won’t stop your pet from shedding, but they will help you deal with the shedding when it happens.
Tags: dealing with pet hair in the home, pet shedding, pets
Posted in
dogs, pet care |
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
Jessie, ever the philanthropist and activitist, even if she is a dog: Ever since our neighbors in Joplin, Missouri suffered so much tragedy with the torandoes in May, I have been worried sick about the pets there that endured such a devastating event. Luckily, I came across an article on zootoo.com today that assured me that all of the “tornado pets” have found homes!
After the tornadoes in Joplin, 745 animals needed a home. Over 5,700 people from 24 states arrived on the scene in Joplin for the adopt-a-thon event there the last weekend in June. Wow! The animals left homeless by the tornadoes found homes!
Thanks to the ASPCA, the displaced animals were provided with emergency shelter immediately after the storms. Nearly 1,300 animlas were taken care of by this amazing organization during the month-long sheltering period. About 500 animals were successfully reunited with their owners. Isn’t that amazing?
Be sure to go to the ASPCA web site for more information! They are an amazing group of individuals dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of pets everywhere! I am glad our buddies in Joplin are sleeping soundly at night now.
If you are considering getting a pet, PLEASE consider adopting one from a local shelter. There are so many pets out there who have so much love to give! It’s be the best thing you could do for BOTH of you!
Tags: adopting a pet, ASPCA, Joplin, pet adoption, pets, rescue pets, tornado pets
Posted in
Human Pet Connection, cats, dogs, pet care |
Monday, June 27th, 2011
Party Marty here! The coolest cat in the ‘hood….next to our late and beloved Bo, to whom I dedicate this post: If you are anything like me (and if you are, you should feel blessed!), then you are geared up for a rocking and rolling summer of fun, especially with your pets. Take a little advice from me…keep the following information at the ready….just in case. We don’t want emergencies to happen, but if they do, you will be prepared…and your pet will also be in good hands!
Tape this information to the inside of a kitchen or bathroom cabinet door or post it to the fridge:
1.) You veterinarian’s name, number, and address.
2.) The number of a 24-hour emergency vet service that is near your home.
3.) The number for the National Animal Poison Control Center, which is 1-800-548-2423.
4.) The name and number of a local cab service.
Hopefully, you will not need any of this information for your pet this summer, but if you do, perhaps it will save a life!
Thanks to the lisaviolet.com web site for posting this for all to see!
Tags: emergency numbers for pet car, National Animal Poison Control Center, pet care, pets, pets and emergency information, pets and veterinarians, veterinarian information for pets
Posted in
Human Pet Connection, Pet Wellness, cats, dogs, pet care |
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011
Party Marty here! On a mission to find out some of the most frequently asked questions pet owners present to their veterinarian. Too shy to ask? Feel silly asking a certain question? Once you read this list, you will probably feel as if you are in good company. Here’s what my sources are saying are the most common questions posed to veterinarians:
1.) What is the healthiest food I can feed my pet?
2.) How much should I feed my pet?
3.) Is my pet too fat?
4.) What vaccinations does my pet need?
5.) When can my puppy go outside?
6.) Should I brush my pet’s teeth?
7.) How frequently should I bathe my pet?
8.) Why does my dog eat poop/grass/other non-edible items?
9.) Can my pet make me sick or can I make him sick?
10.) How much is this visit going to cost me?
Okay…I threw in that last one….but you get the picture! Nearly everyone has the same questions. Ask away! That’s what your vet is there for.
What? Are you still here? Oh…you want the answers! Well, I suppose you will just have to come back for those later on! (There had to be a catch, right?)
Thanks to everydayhealth.com for assisting with these questions.
Tags: common questions pet owners ask their vets, pet car, pets, questions frequently asked of veterinarians, veterinarians
Posted in
Human Pet Connection, Pet Wellness, cats, dogs, pet behavior, pet care |
The Spirit of Bo lives on…ever protecting and watching over those I love…and Party Marty, too! I have returned to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season! Marty, I really do love you, dude! I’ve got your back! And I can prove it, too, as I am here to give to you and to all pet lovers and their pets some helpful tips about putting things under the Christmas tree. Even though it looks nice and festive to have gifts wrapped and under the tree, those holiday gifts can pose a health threat to your pets.
