Older pets and OCD's

Sorry about the delay in postings, ok, so I was lazy, it is my annual time off from work and I got preoccupied rather than spend time in front of the computer all day. 

Yes, that's my little man, Lil'Shit, he's the better part of 14 to 15 yrs old now. And he's a chihuahua whose ears never stood up. He is deaf now and having vision issues and most definitely balance issues. And yes, he has a hard head and a couple of OCD's. We love him anyway. ;-)

And Yes, as pets get older they do get obsessive compulsive disorders. He always had a thing for liking fabric, but now is it almost constant. He gets so focused on that, that no matter what you do to distract him, it doesn't work. The only time he doesn't like is when he's asleep or adamant about being let upstairs with us. His other focus is that he doesn't like either of us out of his sight for long or rather out of his range. This places him underfoot or a tripping hazard more often than not. So we have learned for the most part to shuffle alot. He also has balance issues and doesn't get around as well as he should. And oh god, poor little guy has rolled down the stairs more often than I care to think about. I do my best to carry him up or down, but there are times he will walk right past us thinking we are upstairs and not seeing us. And he'll get up there before you can get to him or if you aren't watching, then lose his balance and come tumbling down again. He gets up, reorients himself and stubbornly runs back upstairs. I haven't been able to find a way to block them yet, most kid gates are too tall and our banister and molding along the runners (steps) is funky. And if I block the bottom step or two, it then creates a hard spot for the front door. So I am actively looking for a solution. However, the four of us do our best to watch out for him.

He also has a phobia about going outside by himself now. So, I am buying stock in wee wee pads. Thank god for tile floors! I think it has to do with becoming disoriented outside by himself. He'll go out with the others as he can follow them around and find his way back to the door. But not by himself.

I love him to pieces, as do we all, even though some of his little "quirks" are driving us to distractions at times. So we do our best to pamper him and watch out for him. He loves to be with us as much as possible, and he absolutely loves the bean bags! I think he thinks they are nesting devices just for him, well.... his daughter, Thumbelina loves them too. 

Updates on the tribe of furry creatures occupying my home....

So, since last week things have been quiet and interesting. My brother and sister in-law flew home last Thursday to finish clearing out the apartment and get finished moving down here. So, that being said it's just hubby and myself and all these lovely furry creatures occupying my household. Seems lately you can't go anywhere in the house or sit anywhere without there being an animal in the room or on the piece of furniture you choose to occupy. Which is ok by me.

Currently I am off work for 2 weeks, hooray! And as I sit in my media/office room upstairs, I at the moment have 4 out of the 8 critters in here with me. Yummy the cat, and 3 dogs. The dogs absolutely love being up here with me. And there are two of them that zip right over and claim a bean bag for themselves.

Ok back to the topic. For the first evening, my brother's two dogs were rather forlorn that he and Peg weren't coming back immediately. But they have adapted fast. They are getting used to my bunch's routines about bedtime and where bedtime is. Usually my bunch are sectioned off in an area with their crates (I have one who has never learned not to soil where she sleeps and I simply got tired of cleaning the thing out!), and usually the other two, Corny and Biscuit, have been kept in their room at nights. Well, they don't get to do that without my brother here. So, they've been learning to sleep with the rest of the pack. And actually there was very little complaint about it from Corny. Despite my brother noting that he would talk all night. Although the first couple of nights Corny was completely intimidated by Poppy, who is probably 1/10th his size. She thought the fancy big bed could be all hers. And I would come down in the mornings and find him trying to be curled up on a chihuahua sized bed. Well, that's changed now. He gets to his bed first now.

And now Biscuit has become my constant sidekick. He and I talk, and play and he gives me lots of kisses. Even my husband is becoming attached. And I see him more and more engage my littlest dog, Thumbelina, in play. And they play kissy face, and wash each other's ears. Corny has mellowed some, and is very good and patient and plays in the evenings with us. And they all play outside. Well except for Lil'Shit who is just simply confused in his old age and if he's with one of us, becomes very protective.

Yesterday I went by Target and got a ball thrower for Corny and took him to the dog park over by the Animal Shelter not far from us. He loves to ride, and he knew right off that the new toy was for him. As I didn't have anyone else going with me, I couldn't take Biscuit too. So according to my husband, he pouted the whole time. Well, when we pulled up to the dog park and Corny could see all the other dogs frolicking and romping, he got so excited and barked and bounced around in my van, making the whole thing rock. But he minded well. When we got inside we played ball for awhile, but the smells beckoned stronger. So we went for a walk around the perimeter. He met and made new friends, played a bit with some of the others, loved on every person he met. And found the water bowl out there to drink and do a little dribble art! For his first time there, he was wonderful and had a great time. Now to get him there a bit more often.

On the way home from the dog park, he sat in the very back seat, leaned back and looked regal. Like I was his chauffeur or  something! Biscuit turned himself inside out when he saw me, as did all the others. I have to say that this is one thing that we are really enjoying, is coming home to all these furry bodies happily greeting us when we come in the door. Even the cats are all for the most part doing very well. No fights, and Djinn and Biscuit are also developing quite a relationship. They greet and play a bit almost every day. Hubby and I noted last night, that my brother's fur kids have certainly changed the energy and demeanor of us all, and it's a happy place and our bunch is so much more outgoing and animated. We laughed that we just might have to keep them all here.

Saving animals is not just for women!

Ok, so you think that saving or rescuing animals from abuse and neglect isn't a macho thing? You think caring about animals is not a manly thing? Well hang on to your seats gentlemen! Check out these tough guys, Rescue Ink.



I found out about them while surfing  ABC news and read a story on them. And then there is their website: Rescue Ink  I love their zero tolerance policy on animal abuse and neglect. Each member's history is a bit unique and varied. They will go in where other rescue agencies cannot or will not go in. And they not only rescue, they'll work to educate the abuser in the process. As you read their brief profiles about each one, I for one am happy that I am not on their target list. I am glad I am on the same side. But I mean, come on, would you want to piss them off?

Wow! Talk about an inspiring bunch of guys!  They break the mold on the idea that rescuing animals are only for women or wimps. And gentlemen, you know what I mean. Oh alot of you talk tough but would you really step out of your comfort zone to rescue an animal you witnessed being abused? Now, giving some of you the benefit of the doubt, I believe you would take time out to rescue or care aobut an animal that needed you.  Personally I think these guys do a great thing. I wish there were more like minded people like them across the country. And even though they are in New York, it isn't just household pets they rescue, they rescue horses, like the two colts here, and other animals, even chickens.



I am guessing that there is no rescue creature too small or large for them. And I imagine that when they put their efforts forth that there isn't much that would get in their way. I for one applaud them! Now if I only had the National Geographic Channel, I would certainly enjoy watching them in action. And maybe if the word got out a little more, maybe it would inspire others to step out of their comfort zone and help work towards a good cause and perhaps teach others a little bit about compassion along the way. And last but not least, remember, Never, Ever Judge a Book by it's Cover! You can not ever tell a person inside by his or her appearance.

Way to Go Guys! Join them on Facebook   and on MySpace  if you live in the New York area, voluteer!

General Dog Behavior and Some Observations

 Now, before I get started, let me note that I am not a animal behavioral specialist, nor a "know it all" on animals. This post is just some of my observations having lived with animals in my life my entire life. I admit I learn as much as I can about alot of topics, and I learn alot about people and animals by watching them. Body language says a lot you know. 

That being said..... I got home from work yesterday to a lovely happy sounding, tail wagging bunch. It made the day so much better and helped me smile after the long day. Later my brother and I got to talking about how much happier he felt his dogs were here. He noted that they had their tails up more, and were wagging them more and overall seemed less stressed. He talked about his concern with the grandchildren that had been living with them in their previous state, and how of course kids being kids, a couple of them the boy especially was always poking at Biscuit's face or pulling and grabbing or trying to poke at his eyes. There was concern there as the dog in his fear had nipped the kid several times as the kid didn't learn to leave him alone. The poor little guy was getting very stressed out. 

I talked to him a bit about it and some observations about dogs being protective and such. We went on to talk about why most dogs might bite a child. Alot of times the poor dog is blamed, and what might seem like an unprovoked attack might have other reasons why a dog would "out of the blue" and "unprovoked" attack or bite a child. The truth of the matter is, we simply don't know if there were preceding circumstances, perhaps the dog had been tormented by neighborhood kids, and came to associate kids with fear, aggravation, or pain. Or the owners taught it to be mean and protect and attack anyone within it's territory. Or perhaps it's an older dog, and the kid unknowingly or knowingly hurt it in some manner and the dog felt cornered and needing to protect itself. 

Some dogs that are sadly deemed vicious by police may not really be that way at all. In Albuquerque, NM there have been several incidents where police felt they were being attacked by a "vicious" animal and shot and killed the dog. In actuality, perhaps the bigger picture needs to be considered here. A dog is very much a part of the family "pack" unit. And it knows it's job is to protect it's family, that is instinct. In ANY situation where the police will become involved, the emotions are heightened of the people involved. And the dog will react to those heightened emotions, and it becomes confused and upset. Now, enter the police. All the dog knows is that there is something terribly wrong, and strangers are invading it's territory and space and acting very authoritative and aggressive.  The dog reacts to this by barking and perhaps lunging to try to warn the strangers away and protect it's family unit first. Then if the officers don't heed the warning, it may attempt to bite them. Again the poor dog suffers a sad and terrible fate, just for trying to protect. I am sure perhaps the officers may have told the people to restrain the dog or control it, or put it up. But the people are too focused on each other to think of their loyal family member. And so, quite often the dog is shot, because they are in a hurry to end a volatile situation and don't call animal control to come control the animal in a humane manner. And of course when people are calling the police hurriedly to come end the situation, they don't ever think to tell the dispatcher there are dogs involved. Ah well, it's a hot button issue for me. And is very heartbreaking to read about. 

So my point was, that dogs that are so firmly bonded to the family unit can act irrationally based on how we act. And something I learned long ago that my folks taught me was to show respect for all animals, because any one of them can do me injury. And like people if you treat them with respect you gain respect and trust back from the animal or person. Perhaps that is why so many animals do get along with me. I immediately show respect to them in their territories, while my body language shows nothing but calm and compassion. It works, and I always try to talk to them in an upbeat manner, positive. They will always respond to it. Some dogs though who aren't used to this approach or who were only taught what their owners called respect by beating them into submissionor cowing them, will be afraid of you at first, but soon are curious and crave it and will come to you. When you treat your dog with respect, understanding and compassion, you have a much healthier and happier to comply companion. 

My brothers dogs show it in our house, they are more content, less stressed, and very happy to communicate back with us or play gently and lovingly. Biscuit and I have this little smoochie game going lately. He'll play and talk if I gently blow on his head somewhere, and rub his tummy. He talks like a little Ewok, and if he could say words he would. Then I'll start making kissy noises, softly, and even though he has his mouth open, he'll turn a cheek towards me for kissies. And I make the soft kissy sounds, and he talks like he's giggling when I do it. Then we start it all over again and do the other cheek. He just loves this, and where he was once very afraid to have his face touched, has learned to trust me to touch his face gently with love all over, I can clean his eyes and tickle his whiskers now. And he loves to give me kissies back. This is a big change and trust issue for him due to the kids that wanted to grab his face and poke at his eyes. 

And my little girl, Thumbelina loves to be held close and whispered to, give a little kiss on her cheek and she'll reciprocate. Licking and lightly chewing on your fingers is an acceptance behavior. And they do communicate emotions that way.  And with each dog, they have such a different personality, and how they choose to communicate with you is very different from the others. But when you have a content, and happy dog, they won't hesitate to protect you. And if emotions are heightened, they do become confused and worried and want to make you feel better, and they will protect you at all costs. 

Please, consider you pets and their wants and needs too, don't become so wrapped up in each other you forget the protector of the family. 

 

 

Yes Scientists, Animals can think for themselves

While everyone is oohing and aahing over the cute octopus using coconut shells for shelter and as a safe place, it brought to mind my junior year in high school and my anatomy and physiology instructor. I don't even remember his name, but I will always remember this statement, " Animals cannot think for themselves, they only know what you teach them." I remember thinking back then what a crock and I still think he's an idiot. Anyone who lives with animals knows better.

So then why for all of us who know better and learn from our pets, are we all surprised that animals can think for themselves? Or that they problem solve? There are stories all the time of our closest relatives, the primates, using tools for many different tasks, like sticks to check water depth, or stones to open food or process food differently. Sea Otters who have long used stones to open  shellfish (clams, oysters, etc) to enjoy the good stuff within. Racoons that wash or moisten their food to eat and can open any garbage can we care to invent to keep them out of it, and they manage to get it open within minutes.

Or as the video shows below a compiliation of animals using simple things and solving problems to get to their goal.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/2En6zyJPs3I" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

So, again I ask, why are we surprised or amused by this? Sometimes we need to look to the animals to learn to think outside the "box" to solve problems. They are the original creative thinkers, perhaps we need to think more simply, more creatively and not over think things. Because when you over think things they never really work as well as you perhaps envisioned in the first place.

I know my bunch are very creative thinkers, and they are great observers of human failings and inattentions. Take for instance, Yummy my big cat, he can figure out who is the most likely to not be as attentive at the doors when going in and out or letting the dogs out so he can escape. Lil'Shit was a very creative thinker in his younger days, and he still is I guess. He figured out like the dog in the video how to use the desk chair (which rolls), to get onto the desk by the kitchen counter and onto said counter to eat the left over burrito my husband kindly left for him. He also learned how to get onto windowsills and if there were blinds in the way, get through them (by chewing through them) to enable him to sit and watch for me to come home. Lately though, he doesn't get around too well in his age and sometimes seems very senile, but he's still smart, the little bugger. He now has a game that changes daily to work to avoid going back outside after feeding. I watch the intelligence that is very visible in my brother's collie's eyes. And I for one am a believer that talking to them through the expressions in your eyes and verbally enhances the intelligence and betters your communication with them.

I am sure that at least 50% of the scientists who study animal behavior are pet owners, and if they are, why aren't they learning what their pets teach them at home? I'm sure they'd say to them and us, "Think outside the box, use your creativity,  live simply, and use only what you need to to survive. And be happy with each day."

 

 

The very sad and tortuous reality of pure bred dogs

I am not sure how I stumbled across this report from the BBC in 2008, but it has left me angry and heartbroken for the poor animals. It was a documentary from the BBC on the ugly truth about purebred dog breeding. We have so inbred these poor animals all in the quest for the "perfect" dog that we are killing them. And while the BBC focused on the Kennel Club rules and such, our American Kennel Club is no better. There is no regulation or stoppage of inbreeding.

Inbreeding is breeding a daughter back to a sire, or the son to the dam, or siblings. This was all done in the quest to obtain the perfect features, and traits. And for many many unfortunate pups, early suffering and death.

This was probably the best video link  on it I could find. It is posted on MySpace, and is titled:  Pedigree Dogs Exposed 



Of course there were numerous responses for this documentary. One is posted on Wikipedia ,  and there are several others out there if you Google it.

Again, as in the inhumane treatment of dogs we see through the raids done by the ASPCA and HSUS for puppy mills, here we have a majority of breeders unintentionally creating a devastatingly cruel situation for the pups they produce. Granted, I accept that not all breeders are intentionally irresponsible this way.  BUT there are those out there only focused on the money and refining the breeds.

I also must admit until this video I did not think much about "properly" bred pups. I had owned one many years ago, and while I was very much bothered when the breeder told me that the dam had been bred back to her sire, I never had expected to see my pup suffer as he got older and eventually had to be put down because of neurological issues. Since then I have owned almost all rescues or been given the few I have. I have one dog now who is the daughter of my male, Lil' Shit. If I can help it though I will never intentionally buy another "pure bred" pup. It is not fair to them. And it is wrong to encourage this type of breeding. And cats are no different regarding pure breds.

I guess what I am saying is PLEASE Watch the documentary before you consider buying a purebred pup. And even though they are so cute and lovely to behold, by buying that pup, you are encouraging that breeder to breed more pups who will be devastatingly in pain and ill. And we need to make sure the kennel clubs get the message that inbreeding is wrong. That the dogs you see today are not what they once were originally, even remotely close to what they were.

Please watch the video, here is the link again, http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=44215931  Having a purebred dog is no longer right nor a status symbol. Personally I feel that if you support adoption of abandoned and strays, you are saying ever so much more positive things about your character and you as a person than you would if you "had to have the purebred" to show how great you are. Having the purebred for vanity only tells me that you are vain and shallow and care nothing about anything but your image. Sorry, but that's how it comes across.

Again, please take time to watch the video, and care enough to perhaps make the changes needed. It only takes one person convincing 2 or 3 others and each of those convince 2 or 3 more, and it goes on and and make a profound impact. Why are we making these poor babies suffer because of our vanity or what we think they should be? We aren't God, we shouldn't be playing him either.

Is the media and our culture to blame?

Reading the headlines and news articles this morning is depressing. The article that caught my eye was an AP article about the massive amounts of Chihuahuas being abandoned in shelters in California. As we humans are a morbid bunch, I read the article, knowing it wasn't a very happy article.



The article cites that the shelters in California are up by over 30% for intakes of chihuahuas and small dogs. Many blame our media and culture on the initial popularity of the breed, celebs like Paris Hilton and movies like Beverly Hill Chihuahua. Then as soon as the "new" wears off, they are being dumped by the hundreds.

Despite it's size a small dog can be just as expensive for care as a large dog. And if you have small children, you quickly find that small dogs are not suited well to a household with small children. For one, a small dog is much more breakable than a larger or stockier breed. And small dogs tend to be more timid and can nip or bite quicker when they feel threatened. Small dogs prefer to bond with one or two people.



However, chihuahuas aren't the only small victims of our media and culture, Guinea pigs are also being abandoned by the hundreds. Our shelter alone has quite a few guinea pigs and other small rodents for adoption.



Other animals like ferrets and  rabbits are also left looking for care and homes. And species or breed specific rescue organizations are filled to capacity too.

My heart breaks for all these homeless animals, being bred by the thousands, bought as presents or because they are the "animal d'jour"  or the latest fashion trend. Then they are being disposed of, abandoned by the thousands by uncaring people or people who find themselves financially incapable of caring for them anymore, or because their kid lost interest, or being left to starve in the foreclosed house. And with the economy still in the tank, there just isn't anywhere for them to go anymore. Millions of animals are being put to sleep (euthanized) daily because they are overbred and there is simply no home for them.

And yes, I do blame the media for alot of this predicament. Animals have really become a "fashion statement" or a statement of how well off a person is. Many people feel the need to show to the world how affluent they are by owning only a purebred, etc. And when the poor animal becomes a nuisance or out of fashion, it is disposed of without a care for it.  Less and less is seen about the truth of the over population of pets, and what happens to them. Even less is seen in the media about responsible pet ownership or spaying and neutering so animals like these don't have to die for our vanity. Even if you read today's article on the overpopulation of chihuhuas in the CA shelters, you won't see the mention of spaying or neutering your pets at all. Just a mention that these little dogs most likely come from puppy mills. And a great majority of puppy mill dogs sold in pet stores have many inherent health problems.

Yes, for those of us who do care, we need to help spread the word, educate friends and family about not buying purebreds, many great purebreds and dogs period come from adoption from shelters. We also need to help educate for spaying and neutering. If you must give a pet for the holidays, give the recipient a leash and collar and perhaps a gift certificate from the local shelter, or take them there to pick out their pet, and pay for the adoption. Let's all promise for the new year to help reduce the overpopulation of pets and help to decrease the numbers from the shelters by vowing that your next pet will be from the shelter.

Watching your pets for diabetes symptoms

This was my Scooter, who developed secondary diabetes from original pancreatitis. She left me after developing Cushings and Congestive Heart Failure, all complications from the original pancreatitis.



Adapted from a newsletter from American Diabetes Wholesale, by Dr. Gary Edelson, DVM

My cat, Tiger, has been drinking a lot of water and losing weight. My veterinarian diagnosed diabetes, but what does this mean?

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine diseases of dogs and cats. To better understand the disease process, let's review the normal metabolism of an animal. The body's cells need energy in the form of glucose, a sugar, which is delivered by the bloodstream. Unless the hormone insulin is present, the body cannot absorb the glucose to use as energy. The pancreas, an organ that is located next to the stomach and small intestine, produces insulin into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar. In addition to secreting insulin, the pancreas secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestine to aid in digestion.

Insulin acts like a key to “unlock” the cell so glucose can enter from the blood. Inside the cell, glucose is either used for energy immediately or stored for future use in the form of glycogen. Without the key (insulin) to unlock the cell, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, resulting in too much glucose (hyperglycemia) in the blood, which causes problems.

When the glucose is about double the normal value in the blood, the kidneys cannot process it properly and the level increases in the urine (glucosuria). Glucose in the urine leads to increased production of urine (polyuria) as water is drawn out with the glucose, and consequently more water consumption (polydypsia) results. In addition, an increased appetite results as the sugar present in their blood cannot be utilized without being unlocked by the key - insulin. As time goes on, the body uses protein, starch and fat for energy. When diabetes is left undiagnosed, ketones, a waste product, accumulates leading to vomiting, dehydration and depression. The disease can ultimately progress to coma and death if untreated.

Diabetes mellitus is a classic disease in humans and has been classified into two main forms: type I (juvenile, insulin dependant) and type II (adult, non-insulin dependant). With type I diabetes, there is no insulin (key) production by the pancreas. With type II diabetes, the shape of the lock and key is different, so even though the insulin is present, it cannot be utilized. Nearly all dogs have type I diabetes, whereas their feline counterparts are mostly type II diabetic.

The cause of diabetes in dogs and cats is multifactorial. In dogs, there maybe a genetic predisposition where German Shepherd dogs, Schnauzers, Beagles and Poodles have an increased risk. Golden Retrievers and Keeshonds are most predisposed to developing type I. Middle aged (6-9 years old), female dogs are more likely to develop diabetes. In contrast, male cats that have been neutered (fixed) over 6 years old are predisposed.

The four main clinical signs of diabetes are excessive drinking, urinating, eating and increased weight loss despite an increased appetite. If any of the signs above are recognized in your four-legged friend, contact your veterinarian immediately as it may be a sign of a serious illness.

One other thing I would like to point out, is that in the case of most cats, as the Dr stated, it is multifactorial, meaning there are several other endocrine or gastrointestinal diseases that can trigger diabetes. I do not personally agree with the statistic on neutered male cats being more predisposed than others. It can happen to any cat.

There are several theories concerning the onset of diabetes in our pets. One is the feeding of commercial pet foods that are actually inappropriate for your pet, this can cause triad's disease, or pancreatitis. Feeding too many or rancid fats, people food, etc. can bring on these also. Other diseases can create secondary problems like diabetes, this can also be Acromealgy, Cushings, and several others. In our pets, their systems are smaller and the digestive tract is shorter than ours, so say they have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), this can travel up the ducts to affect the pancreas and liver.  Diet plays a very big role for our pet's health as Dr. Pierson notes below.

Dr. Lisa Pierson, DVM  points out these facts:

Diabetes is one of the most common feline endocrine diseases and, while we do  not know all of the causes of this complex disease, we do know that many diabetic cats cease needing insulin or have their insulin needs significantly decrease once their dietary carbohydrate level is decreased to a more species-inappropriate level than that found in many commercial foods. 

Although all dry foods are too high in carbohydrates, please be aware that many canned foods also contain far too many carbohydrates making them very poor choices for cats.

Feeding a diabetic cat a high carbohydrate diet is analogous to pouring gasoline on a fire and wondering why you can't put the fire out. 

Cats are obligate carnivores and are not designed by nature to consume a high carbohydrate diet.

Dogs aren't necessarily obligate carnivores, but the main make up of their diet should be a good quality meat base. Dogs have a very hard time digesting corn and wheat. Rice is tolerated, but grains aren't the best for them either. I mean come on, how many dogs, or cats for that matter, do you see out hunting grain? Yes they may eat grass, but then that isn't a grain, it is the leaf and thereby could be considered a vegetable.  And usually eating grass is to help them purge their stomachs, and leave you a wonderful vomit puddle where you really don't want it. Be sensible, their teeth are built for meat eating, not grain eating.

I will keep saying it over an over, the first 3 minimum ingredients in your pet's diet should be meat and meat broth, not meal or by products, and if there is to be a grain, it should be rice and it should be lower on the list.

So, getting back to the original topic, also watch your pet for excessive vomiting, and very liquid loose stools that may be smelly or have some blood in them, this can be a sign of pancreatitis and IBD, which can lead to diabetes. On the urination bit, if the urine smells sweet, or is sticky, then you know you have sugar in the urine. And any dramatic weight loss despite the amount of food you feed (diabetic pets can't get enough to eat) is a cause for alarm, and they should go to the vet immediately.

Dogs, Snow and Beanbags

Ok, so we've gotten hit with a pretty good snow storm last night and this morning. And we had a delay by 5am for work, so I tried to sleep in. I had to giggle quietly listening to my brother let all the dogs out and do the feeding routine this morning, knowing my 3 don't like the white, wet, cold stuff. I am sure they ran out did their business and sat at the door shivering while looking martyred. His two I am sure thought it was a blast. And when I did get up, it was obvious by the tracks in the back yard all over, that this was so. Usually as soon as the dogs finish eating they go back outside to do more business. He had a roadblock there. My three weren't at all excited about that idea!

I don't think they were outside longer than two minutes than he gave in to the martyred look and the heavy shivering from my three and let them in. Of course he thought he'd get his two to come in too. He had a hell of a time convincing them to come in and quit frolicking in the snow. His dogs aren't used to a whole lot of snow in Portland, so they think this is fun, then come in and jump right back into bed with my sister in-law. I was expecting shrieks for that idea, however, I was disappointed.





My little old man then came up to the top of the stairs at the kiddie gate and started whining to be in with us. Oh well, so much for sleeping in. So here I am, blogging a bit this morning, ending up with a day off (thankfully due to weather), and watching him sleep in one of the bean bags. I do believe he and his daughter, Thumbelina, think we bought those bean bags just for them. Or that they are the best invention since sliced bread.

He likes the pink one as it's a bit smaller and easier for him to nest in.

What do you think your pet does all day?

Today's bit comes about from an article on MSNBC.com about what cats do all day when you're not around. They apparently did a study with about 50 housecats and a collar with a video cam. The results for me anyway were somewhat expected, but I guess others thought otherwise.

I think most of us would like to think our loving little furballs either sleep the day away or watch from some window for us to come home to entertain them. Not quite..... They're busy little bodies, playing, watching kitty tv (watching life go by out the windows), tormenting or playing with the other pets in the household, getting into mischief, and only 6% of the time is actually spent sleeping. For cats anyways. Some are a tad destructive or fascinated with other household item to keep themselves entertained, like this kitty who found the water flushing in the toilet fascinating.

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For our bundles of bouncy drooling joy, the dogs,  some of them for the most part are pretty mellow and lounge around or watch the world go by out the window. But there is the occasional dog who will be pissed off that you leave him alone all day or has separation anxiety.



They can get into mischief. Some even sing or howl or bark all day when you are gone. If yours is a singer (howler) your neighbors will be sure to let you know this as it can be rather disruptive. Usually it's the single dogs who do this. And sometimes having a companion they can bond with like another dog or even a cat will provide them the company and a playmate.

I know when Lil'Shit was younger if he was mad at us for some reason he was quite the acrobat and would get up on the darndest places and wreak havoc, so that I came home to a visual and tangible mess to document his displeasure. Usually it was the coffee table being cleared off, or if he found tissues, or paper towels or the like they would be shredded everywhere. We learned to pen him and the others up whenever we left the house just for sanity's sake and to preserve things. Now he'll howl and get all the others singing too usually as we are falling asleep just to let us know he's not happy with us.

But unless we're ready to install video surveillance while we're out I guess we don't really know what they're up to unless they leave us an aftermath display for us to draw conclusions from.

So.... do you really know what your pets do when you're not home or even asleep for that matter?

Holiday giving, going beyond to help your shelter

I mentioned I would post other ideas and things to help your local shelters. Well I wanted to talk about a dear friend who truly goes above and beyond to help our shelter. She is also a very big supporter of spaying and neutering your pets so we don't have the sad jobs of euthanizing so many unwanted animals.

Some time ago she decided to raise money to help the shelter help others with a spay and neuter fund. She and her husband own a local business here, for auto repair. In her spare minutes she makes these magnificent origami peace cranes and sells them at $5 each. All the proceeds of the sales goes to the shelter's spay and neuter fund. She also takes in gently used books to sell for a buck or two and that money also goes to the fund.

Those of us who are honored to have her as a friend also catch her contagious drive to help with all efforts to raise funds and supplies for our shelter. This past summer, she got us all out to go through our closets to clean out old linens, blankets, towels etc to donate and to compete to help donate the most pet food as the shelter had just taken in a fair amount of dogs from a hoarder north of our town and they needed help to provide for care for the new residents. My goodness, not only alot of us, her friends, turned out to help, but her customers filled a vehicle with pet food to donate also.

Her current project is the new thrift shop at the shelter's spay and neuter and wellness clinic in town and raising donated items to sell there to help raise funds.  She has asked us to donate to the store directly or bring them to her business and she'll make sure they make it to the store.

She truly is an amazing and inspiring lady. We all love her dearly and are very honored to have her as our friend.

Here are some of her peace cranes, if you are interested in them, please let me know and I'll be happy to email you with her information to order one.

Pet Obesity.....

Lately you read a lot about the human population and how obesity has literally become an epidemic  in the US. Well it isn't just us humans who are reaching epidemic proportions, it's out pets also who are suffering from obesity.

Face the facts here, like us over 40% of our pets are obese and dangerously overweight. Obesity shortens their lives also and creates compounding illnesses, such as Diabetes, Arthritis, Pancreatitis, Inflammatory bowel disease, Congestive Heart Failure, Cardiac disease, thyroid problems and a myriad of other problems.

One myth on the cause of obesity, spaying or neutering your pet will cause obesity. This is absolutely untrue. Any pet, altered or not will gain weight if it is over fed and not exercised enough. And aging will naturally alter a pet's metabolism, therefore burning off calories at a slower rate.

Types of overweight pets:

The Nibbler: this type probably has access to food all day, and nibbles off and on all day. Thereby giving you the impression that they hardly eat anything. However..... over a 24 hour period they have probably taken in an excessive amount of food and thereby gaining weight.

The Beggar: This type has learned that by begging, (the sad starving puppy look) or by being annoying they can get what they want which is your food and scraps. They have trained you to give in to their desires and cravings for things that probably aren't the best for them in the first place. The more fuss and noise they make the more likely they will be rewarded with food.

The Good Pet: This one is overweight because the owner's signal of affection has been focused on feeding. Usually each person in the household will secretly offer the pet treats and doesn't know the other people are doing the exact same thing. Unfortunately for the pet, too much of this can be a bad thing.

The Gourmet Pet:  The usual excuse to the vet will be, "But Doctor, she just refuses to eat her pet food!" In thi scase the pet has trained it's owners to feed it select foods like chicken, ice cream, cookies, etc. Although some table scraps are ok to feed, and there may be times when you need to feed a special made food (i.e. boiled chicken and rice), this type of pet has been given a choice of what it wants to eat and it has chosen people food. This type also usually overeats because it isn't getting a proper balance of nutrition, plus everything to him tastes so good there is a reward factor in eating.

Ok, so how do you help your pet be healthier and live a longer, happier, more energetic life? Well here are some ideas....

Find a good quality food, you choose, the pet doesn't. A grain free or one with very low carbs. Pets need more protein than carbs and grains really aren't so good for them. The first 3 minimum ingredients should be meats, or meat broth. No meat by products, or meal, these are just the unedible parts, like beaks, feet, feathers, etc. Canned is preferred over dry. Dry simply does not have enough moisture content, and is too easy for it to get spoiled. When you are feeding a good quality food with good quality meats,  your pet will require less as it is using all of the food for nutrition and to keep their systems running properly. Weight loss foods simply don't work, they are lower in protein and higher in the fillers, carbs. One way to know you are feeding a good diet is the amount and how often your pet defecates. When they are using the maximum of their food, their stools will be much smaller, much less frequency, mostly dry looking and will crumble easily, and don't smell hardly anymore!

Take your pet on longer walks, play more, or find your area dog park so he can socialize and play with others. For your cat, provide more toys to keep him entertained and moving more.

And always make sure there is fresh water available. Change your pets diet slowly, this helps avoid digestive upsets, and yes, it is ok to provide a variety of good meals so they don't get bored with one flavor or type.

You will find as you get your pet on a good food, that the weight will come off, slowly, but it will come off and they will maintain a healthy weight. And as their body adjusts to having nutritional food in it, instead of fillers that don't do anything for them, that their craving and amount they eat will decrease naturally too.

There are many resources of good feeding practices on the web, my favorite is Dr. Lisa Pierson, DVM's site: www.catinfo.org , however, her site mostly pertains to cats. But the basics are not that different for dogs.

Giving pets for gifts during the holidays

  Thought I would post a bit on this issue as the holidays are here. Many, many puppies, kittens and bunnies are given as gifts during the holiday season. And many, come March, find their way back into shelters looking for a home again. Mostly because the "new" has worn off and the true scope of pet care and responsibility has set in.

Before you think about getting that cute puppy or kitten for someone or for your child, please remember that a pet is for life, not just for Christmas. There is a lot of forethought that needs to go into giving someone or a child a pet. Unless you are an integral role in the family, you wont know what kind of animal would fit in best with their household, and situation. If you are a family member, a family meeting should be held so that everyone  can openly express their thoughts and ideas or likes and dislikes regarding pets. In addition, a discussion should happen about who will will take on what chores  will make things easier in the long run.

Research on proper care and the necessary equipment should be done beforehand. While something like a large dog breed might have sounded good, might need scaling back to a smaller breed that will cost less to maintain. And puppies and kittens are always adorable, but an older animal might be easier to incorporate into a busy household where both adults work.

On a more emotional and philosophical level, should a living creature ever be given as a gift? Do you think perhaps that it belittles the animal, reducing him or her to a mere possession like a doll or puppet that can be bought and sold, and passed on from one individual to another as a token of their consideration or affection? Shelters, rescuers and even some breeders refer to placing animals in homes as adopting them out. Their thought is that the adoptee then becomes a member of the family, rather than a possession obtained through the reception of a gift.

If the previous concerns have not dissuaded you, I might suggest that you rethink your timing.

Introducing a new animal into a household during the tumultuous holiday season is generally an invitation for trouble. Homes are bedecked with poisonous plants, lit candles and fragile decorations, all of which are decidedly not pet-friendly. People in the house are stressed out and preoccupied and routines suffer as people rush to and fro to go to parties, visiting loved ones, and possible vacations. Think about if it is fair to the animal to come into a chaotic environment to start with. Think about too if there is really time for housebreaking a new puppy or conducting the water tests necessary to set up a new aquarium? In most households, the answer would be a resounding "no."

Does the 3 year old child know what caring for a pet really means, and cries the first time Puppy nips or bites her on the hand while the two are playing. Mom and Dad then take the puppy off in the car and drop him off at the local animal shelter along with the three to five million other dogs and cats returned to shelters each year.

Sometimes though you have given thought to every possible angle and the present actually works out. But not always.

If you are giving thought to this,  and you still want to give a pet as a gift, I would sincerely like to encourage you to give thought to adopting a shelter or rescue pet to give. We have so many beautiful homeless animals out there already looking for their forever home wouldn't it be just as wonderful help them have a home and someone to love for the holidays too?

Think things through and discuss with the others if this is what you really want for the holidays. And perhaps fostering a pet for the holiday would be a good trial run.  But do remember that there is fear and anxiety on the part of the animal too coming to a new home a people that he or she doesn't know, there is always a big adjustment on all sides and learning to co-exist and adapt to one another. Be sure you have the time and the capability. When you take in an animal you are taking full responsibility for it's care and life, treat that life with love, compassion, and respect.

Dose of Cuteness for Today

My brother shared this link with me, I had to share it with you all, it's simply too cute.

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