We hope you give a “poop” about being a responsible pet owner!

  Posted on September 20, 2010  by Joy of Living  No comments

Bo, the incredibly handsome and educated cat: Monday morning.  Blah.  I could use more sleep.  I was kept up half the night by some strange noises outside.  I could have sworn it was a dog barking or howling or something.  I know it wasn’t Jessie.  I locked her up last night in the laundry room so she wouldn’t bother me, and….(Look of horror on his face!  Suddenly remembering!)  Good grief!  If you will excuse me for a bit.  I have to tend to someone, er thing.  Be right back.  (Bo returns a few minutes later, huffing and puffing, but with a look of relief on his face) I’m fine now.  All is well.  Someone is just a tad bit angry with me.  She’ll be fine in a few hours.

What I don’t understand is why someone who owns a dog would let that dog bark for hours on end during the night!?  It’s not doing the dog any good, and it certainly isn’t doing the neighbors any good, either.  I may be preaching to the choir when it comes to some of you, but for those of you who have pets but haven’t learned to keep them on a short leash yet, read on!

When enjoying the great outdoors with your pet, PLEASE clean up after your pet and dispose of the waste in a sanitary manner. (And this does not mean picking it up and throwing it over the neighbor’s fence.)

And when you are outdoors with your pet, keep it on a leash.  Your dog may be friendly, but you never know when something or someone may provoke him or her.  (Just ask our Yorkie-Poo friend, Bolt, whose house buddy, Naismith, a lovable Wheaten Terrier, got a bit overzealous one day on the walking trail out back and nipped a young girl in the hindquarters.  Naismith did some serious time for that – five days in doggie jail.  Now, for some odd reason, he is having a tough time getting a job.  He needs to get his record expunged!)

If you have a cat, help it to stay safe and live longer by keeping it indoors, away from situtations that could endanger it.

Keep pet records that include proof of licensing, proof of spay or neuter, current records of all vaccinations and veterinary care, dog training school diplomas, etc.

And if you happen to be somewhat annoyed by another pet in the house, do not attempt to lock it up in the laundry room, lest you forget your actions and have to open that door several hours later.  Not a good thing to deal with on a Monday morning.  Jessie is going to make me pay for this one, I am sure.  I’m just going to go hide myself for awhile.

(Thanks to the Humane Society of the US and its web site for this information.  Thanks in advance to Jessie for going easy on me for the slight oversight today!)