May 21, 2012 As a parent, responsibility is one of the most important character traits you can ever teach your child. It seems that every parent has a different method of instilling responsible living in their children, many of which are effective. One approach to teaching responsibility, though, is as close as the family pet….
February 5, 2019 Although the stats have decreased, it’s shocking to hear that each year 6.5 million pets enter U.S. shelters annually. Sadly, about 1.5 million of them are euthanized each year. Unfortunately, even with this many pets in shelters, only 44 percent of dogs are adopted from one. The rest of those purchased are…
May 22, 2018 If you’re a pet lover, have you thought about ways to keep your pet safe in your home? You might think that as long as they aren’t running loose outside they’re safe, but there are a number of different dangers that exist in your home you might not be aware of. Here…
April 19, 2018 This post was sponsored by Instinct. Owning a dog has many wonderful perks, from companionship to a range of emotional benefits backed by scientific research. Nothing beats a puppy’s gaze to melt your heart, and now we know why: our bond with dogs increases the levels of the powerful hormone Oxytocin, sometimes…
April 17, 2018 There’s just something about animals … the connections we form and the love we add to our lives. For children, having pets is a wonderful experience. Not only do they get to feel that love, they learn a lot. For adults, they provide many benefits as well. Responsibility Pet ownership teachers responsibility,…
April 3, 2013 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…
January 23, 2013 Dogs and cats rarely get cavities, because they don’t eat a diet high in sugar, however; they do suffer from periodontal disease. 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have periodontal disease according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS). Periodontal disease begins with gingivitis. Gingivitis starts when saliva and bacteria mix…
December 5, 2012 “How much is that doggie in the window”… these oldie-but-goodie song lyrics conjures up the image of cute puppies in a pet store being purchased as a gift for a loved one. Great song, but the reality of buying a pet as a holiday gift is a bad idea. If you are…
November 7, 2012 Thanksgiving is traditionally a holiday of giving – giving thanks for all we have, giving turkey, gravy, pies and other goodies to family and friends. With the abundance of food, it’s natural to want to show our love towards our cats and dogs by sharing some of the bounty. What better way…
September 12, 2012 Brachycephalic. Big word, but what does it mean, and how does it pertain to dogs? Brachycephalic comes from the Greek words “Brachy” (which means short) and “cephalic” (which means head). Brachycephalic dogs are ones with a flatter face, or more accurately, they are dogs with a normal lower jaw and a compressed upper…
August 29, 2012 Many people get a kitten and while having it spayed/neutered, decide to declaw to avoid problems such things as shredding furniture and curtains. The kitten undergoes a surgery, and problem solved. Or is it? Let’s take a peek into the truth behind declawing. Realities of Declawing Declawing your cat is a major…
August 21, 2012 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…
July 20, 2012 Summer weather is great – you can take your dog for a walk, go toss a ball, and numerous other activities that both you and your pet will enjoy. The sunshine is intoxicating, drawing everyone out for some fun. Unfortunately there are also drawbacks and dangers, and it is imperative that these…
July 2, 2012 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…
May 30, 2012 Congratulations, you’ve got a new family pet. You’ve got a puppy. What a joy, what fun – what work. Are you ready? To be a responsible dog owner, you must put in a lot of time and effort. You’ve done the first step and decided on a new family member. After arriving…
July 6, 2012 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…
April 17, 2013 One undeniable truth is that we all get a bit older each day. The same is true of our pets. Sadly, their life expectancy isn’t nearly as long as ours and we lose them to the inevitable. Cats seemingly never age – they always appear athletic, always seem able to leap onto…
April 11, 2012 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?…
April 4, 2012 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…
February 16, 2012 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…
December 9, 2011 The holidays are right around the corner. This means it’s crunch time for many of us. Cleaning, cooking, preparing, travelling, etc. Most people don’t realize the dangers posed to pets by many of the yummy treats that will be circulating around for the next month or so. As hard as it may…
October 18, 2011 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…
November 29, 2011 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…
March 5, 2014 Your dog’s name. Some people agonize over it, some just choose any name – does it really matter in the long run? The name you choose is important. Very important. It is perhaps the single most important word in their vocabulary. However it’s not important in the way you may think. What is important…
January 10, 2014 A growing trend in feeding cats and dogs is raw. A raw diet consists of muscle meat, bones and organ meat. In a few models, vegetables and fruit are added, though in this case, we are sticking to the “pure” raw diet with no extra ingredients. Sure it’s easy to pour some…
November 1, 2013 The holiday season is upon us once again, with all the fun and magic they entail. Fun for us yes, but there are many hidden dangers for our pets. This time of year we need to remain vigilant regarding our beloved dogs and cats. Dining Dangers When it comes to cooking during…
October 2, 2013 Dog owners beware! There is a lot of candy available during the Halloween season, and most of it is not good for your dog. Unfortunately, too much candy can actually cause death in animals. Dogs should never have chocolate. They love it, and it’s tempting to give them just a bite, but…
August 13, 2013 Have you ever wondered if the cute, little parakeet makes a good pet? They’re adorable – but they don’t really seem to have much personality, and they’re not as interesting as the exotic, colorful birds you see in the specialty pet stores. The good news is the price tag isn’t as big! Parakeets…
June 26, 2013 Time to take Fido for a walk, you grab the leash and your pup dances around excitedly as you snap it on. Off you both go for some fresh air and exercise. But wait … is there a dog-walking etiquette you should be aware of? Yes. Yes there is. In fact, there’s…
June 12, 2013 The warm weather is finally here and with it comes a hidden danger for your dogs – heartworms. All dog owners should be concerned about heartworms. They are found in every state in the country and pose a serious health risk to your dog. Both the heartworms and the treatment can be…
May 21, 2013 Pets offer a lifetime of love and companionship, but they also age faster than we do. Perhaps your beloved pet has slowed down and gotten gray around the muzzle. You realize sadly that the end is near, your buddy’s journey will soon be over. But if it comes down to choosing euthanasia are you…