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Pet Owner or Animal Hoarder? Numbers Don’t Define

April 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Cheerful kids and their domestic animals at home.

Looking at the difference between a pet owner and a pet hoarder.

You know you've seen them ... shirts, mugs, bumper stickers ... all with a cute picture and the term Crazy Cat Lady (or Crazy Dog Lady). Cute indeed, and many of us are indeed “crazy” about our pets.  We may even have more than one, or more that one type. The big question is this – what is the exact number of pets that switches you from an avid pet lover into the dark realm of pet hoarder?  And is there a difference? Pet Owner vs Animal Hoarder There is indeed a difference. Pet ... Continue Reading

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Storm-Phobic Dogs: What Can You Do?

August 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Puppy on ottoman

Ways to help your dog overcome storm phobia.

A storm is approaching, and the sound of thunder fills the air.  Your dog is hiding, cowering and quivering in fear.  Sounds like your dog suffers from a storm phobia.  You are not alone, a multitude of dogs are scared to death of storms.  It's awful to watch our beloved dogs reacting with such terror to something we can't "save" them from.  Where do we turn for help? Let's start by defining what exactly a phobia is. The word phobia comes from the Greek word "Phobos" - meaning morbid ... Continue Reading

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Shelter Animals: You Don’t Have to Adopt to Help

July 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Cheerful kids and their domestic animals at home.

There are many homeless pets in this country. Even if you can’t afford to own one,here are some ways you can help.

So you love animals, want to help a homeless pet, but you can't provide a home by adopting one right now. How else can you help?  There are actually many ways and not all involve money. Donate Your Time Shelters need help - lots of help.Volunteer to walk dogs for your local shelter. The dogs reap the benefit of getting out of the kennel, enjoying a walk and seeing new sights, as well as getting some exercise of both mind and body. You benefit too, with exercise, sunshine, and gaining the ... Continue Reading

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4 Ways to Make Your Yard Escape-Proof

July 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Curious Puppy

Here are 4 things you can do to escape proof your yard for your dog.

If I were to ever lose one of my dogs, I would be devastated. For me, it would be like losing a family member, and I am sure most pet parents feel the same. You may not be able to prevent the death of a beloved dog, but you can certainly take steps to stop your dog from getting out of your fenced-in yard. You can do this by making your yard secure so they are unable to find a way out. Here are 4 things you can do to escape proof your yard for your dog: 1) Landscape the Area Along the ... Continue Reading

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Mix It Up: 3 Steps to a Harmonious “Mixed Pet” Home

April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Cheerful kids and their domestic animals at home.

Cats and dogs can live in harmony in your home, with these three key steps at the initial introduction.

As a parent, if your children love animals, it’s probably only a matter of time before you're faced with the decision of having more than one type of pet in the house. One child will want a kitten, one will want a puppy, and one will want a bird. What to do? Having cats and dogs living in the same house is easier to achieve than most people are led to believe. The key to harmony in the home (as far as pets are concerned) is to be in control of the household, and avoid unwanted behavior. ... Continue Reading

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Want a Puppy? Don’t Shop, Adopt

April 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
family dog

Learn the pitfalls of buying a puppy, and instead consider adopting from a foster home.

So you want to buy a puppy. It's a good way to teach responsibility to the kids, you'll always have a buddy, they're so cute, I always had one growing up. There are as many reasons for wanting a puppy (or kitten) as there are people wanting one. Now you've decided that adding a furry companion to your family is exactly what you want to do. What next? There are several options. There are pet stores - they have puppies, and they are so cute. There are also breeders. Read the local newspaper, ... Continue Reading

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Family-Friendly Dog Breeds

February 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
family dog

A look at some family-friendly dog breeds that may be perfect for your next pet.

When people think of a dog, they often think "Man's Best Friend." And, while that may be true, we want our dogs to be "Woman's Best Friend" and "Kids Best Friend" too. Having a dog for a pet can be a wonderful blessing for a family. It can also be a disaster if you don't put any thought into picking the right furry friend. There are thousands of dog breeds out there and more being created each day. These dogs each have there own special qualities, both good and bad, and it is important to ... Continue Reading

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Fostering Change When it Comes to Pets for the Holidays

November 29, 2011 By 1 Comment
kitten gift holiday

Learn about the great rewards of fostering a pet. Considerations to take when thinking of giving a pet as a gift. Enrich your life while saving another.

The holidays are coming! Lots of moms (and dads) buy their children a puppy or kitten for the holidays. As an animal rescuer,I would ask you to rethink that choice. Sure, pets are cut, cuddly, and fun. But, who is going to care for them? Who will housebreak them? Who will clean up their messes? Who will socialize and train them? Your child/ren? Doubtful. We often see these same pets back in shelters shortly after holidays like Valentine’s Day and Christmas. Pets are not property and ... Continue Reading

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Canine Heartworms 101

October 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
family dog

Learn how your dogs can get heartworms, how to treat it, and how to prevent it.

Working in dog rescue, we see more than our fair share of heartworm positive dogs. We also get numerous questions related to heartworms and myths about heartworm infection. So, I thought I would do a write up on the topic and hopefully help arm you with knowledge. If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please ask. If I do not know the answer, I will find it for you. Near the end of this post I will share a very affordable treatment and prevention option for heartworms. I am NOT a ... Continue Reading

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