Though a number know puppy mills are around our area there are a number of people that ignore the fact or just don’t believe they are there. The one noted in this news article is only about 30 minutes from my home.
Are the state laws that were put into affect a couple years ago really working? I’m not sure.
A couple of months ago I wrote a blog/post about my cat Inky and that his health was failing, and I knew than that his time is limited. After 3 rounds of antibiotics he made a turn around and was eating and acting normal, but recently I have seen him decline some again, but this time is different.
Inky isn’t showing any typical signs of being ill; vomiting, not eating, or any of the typical “cat” sickness signs, but I can tell that he just isn’t right.
Inky has stopped grooming himself which is very typical of cats that beginning to age, especially cats that have gotten into “teens”, and I have seen it with my other cats that have gone above the age of 15 or so. But there are other things that I have concerns about regarding his health and quality of life and my quality of life with him.
Inky suffers from some health issues that are controllable but costly. By saying that I’m not saying I don’t want to pay for his care, but since I just had to have my dog operated on twice which has put me into major debt with the vet, I have to decide what I should do with Inky.
The conditions that he suffers from are as follows: the beginning of renal failure and irritable bowel syndrome. The combination is not good.
Whatever he eats goes right through him, and with this at times he can’t make it to the litter box in time to relieve himself. With renal failure his urine is very “watery” and he also urinates wherever when he is in the home.
Now currently since the weather is warm he spends most of his time outside, so the litter box issues are not a concern, but in about 3 or 4 months he will want to come in. So my decision I have to make is whether I want to deal with his “digestive” issues again this winter or make that decision to end his suffering at this time.
Some of you may think that I should “deal” with this until it is his time. But his quality of life is declining and I know the inevitable is around the corner. And I am a strong believer that until it is their time to let them “go”, you deal with all their issues. But the bottom line is do I want to live in a litter box for another year.
Inky is a vey lovable cat. He enjoys sitting on your lap, being held and stroked and brushed. He gives head butts with his wet nose and I find it so heartwarming when he does it, but again I have to decide whether these “happy moments” out weigh the negative ones.
Maybe this post is more of a confession asking for forgiveness and wanting support from my readers or followers. But if you are a true pet lover; dog or cat, you have to ask yourself, how long am I going to put up with this?
And like a good friend of mine said, “Until they stop interacting with you it is not their time yet.” But she isn’t cleaning up poop and pee all the time and I am.
My cats are aging and with age comes illnesses, some controllable some not. Some remedies, medications or treatments are inexpensive while others can become costly.
And I am reminded of a quote: Cats take naps, only humans put them to sleep.
I will keep you informed of My Decision.
If you are a reader, find me on Facebook or Twitter and check out my website:
www.joycelovespets.com
Today is Take Your Dog To Work Day and it is also Adopt a Cat Month!
Have a Wonderful Pet Day Everyone!
Yes today it is BUTTS! Butts of all kinds.
Now if this post doesn’t include pics or they show up later it’s because I’m doing it from my phone.
Being a petsitter I walked a lot of different breed dogs plus see a lot if them during the course of the day. Though the one thing that is constant is dog butts.
Some butts have little tails while others have ling tails. If they have no tail they can still “wag” they just use their whole body to express their joy.
Some people think that dogs without tails can’t show joy or express themselves the same as dogs with tails, but I beg to differ. Dogs, whether they have tails or not they all are happy to see you they just may show it a but differently.
So I’m posting pictures of dog butts today. So have a little chuckle at their expense. Dogs laugh at us too but they just use their tails!
Have a Happy Pet Day Everyone!
Everyday I’m on Facebook or even just reading messages from other sites and I see and view so many faces of dogs and cats that are no longer “wanted” because the owner is moving and can’t take the animal with them or they are found as “strays” or they just can’t care for the family pet anymore. Question: What state doesn’t allow dogs or cats? That’s a new one. Or the people are getting a divorce and neither want the dog any more. Did you ever think of looking into finding your pet a home before it got to this?!
Responsibility of pet ownership starts the day you pick that bundle of fur up and hold it close to your heart; they smell you and you smell them, they are YOURS. Like a marriage it is “until death do you part”.
Go to any shelter or rescue and see the number of pets that have been turned in because people can’t afford them anymore, or they have been found abandoned, left in apartments or houses. Hey, I even had a relative contact me months ago because her “dog was getting old” and she wanted to take it some place so it could live out it’s life. WHAT?! There is no place like that.
No one likes facing the fact your pet gets old, but we all get old. We all have to sacrifice for the things that are important to us. Why shouldn’t your pet be one of those “important” things.
I own two dogs and 6 cats and I care for them. I have made changes to my life to provide for them and their needs. Do I feel cheated because of it, NO! EAch day that I get to spend time with them is my personal reward.
So watch this video. Some of these excuses I have heard from pet owners and from other people. All of them are lame excuses as to why “you can’t care for your pet anymore”.
I know I haven’t written in weeks anything of real purpose, but being a pet sitter and the “full throttle” time of vacationers has begun, I’ve been very busy.
The other day I read a blog from a friend of mine and it made me really think about all the simple things and fond memories of days gone by, of youth and innocence. So during the last 2 days, I have spent a great deal of time thinking of what brings me joy and makes me smile while driving through the countryside from pre-dawn hours to way past the sun setting on this Memorial Day Holiday weekend.
I’m sure you are wondering what does this have to do with dogs or cats, or what does this have to do with Memorial Day. Well I’m going to tell you.
What simple things bring us pleasure and maybe a number of us tend to not notice or take the time to pay attention to and the everyday occurrences we may experience in our own world.
So where do I begin.
Waking up to see my dog Sherlock looking at me with love in his eyes while the radio is playing and the bedroom is just beginning to glow from the morning sun. Feeling his breath on my cheek and reaching over to give him a Good Morning hug and than hearing Casey get up from her slumber and coming to the side of the bed with her “thwap-thwap-thwap” of her tail, resting her head on the side waiting for her Good Morning rub.
Early morning walks with my dogs and listening to the earth beginning to wake up with the chirp of the birds and the bunnies grazing on their breakfast in the well manicured yards. The sky still not quite bright as the sun begins to crest the horizon and change darkness to light.
Feeling a cold nose on the back of my bare leg while I get breakfast ready for my dogs and I haven’t even had my coffee yet, and them acting like they haven’t eaten in days. Giving them their treat as they trot off to gobble it down probably not even tasting it, just the pure joy of that little reward for eating their breakfast and seeing the happiness in their faces as they chew it down.
Sitting at a kitchen table when a cat named Durango comes over and nudges my hand with his wet nose and whiskers laying his scent on me and begging to be petted and doesn’t stop until I put down my pen and pay attention to him.
Picking up Chelsea, a little muted calico cat and carrying her over to her morning perch at the window and listening to her purr with her head rested in the nap of my neck and her paws “kneading” my arm or into the air.
The feel of whiskers against my face as I nuzzle Loki and he gives me head butts while I try to write up a report to his owners on his little antics while I visit with him and his housemate Liam.
The freedom to go where I want to go, do what I want to do and love every minute of it!
To see butterflies dance through the air like a drunk that may have had too much to drink at a friends picnic, not knowing where it is heading but trying its best to get going into that direction.
Admiring a hawk sitting on a dead limb like a statue as it scans a vacant field looking for its next meal, and admiring its beauty while I drive past it.
Watching birds chase ease other as they do their acrobatics in the sky around trees and bushes, diving this way and that like fighter planes in a dog fight trying to out run each other.
So how do I relate this to Memorial Day? Well, there are many men, woman and dogs, believe it or not, that have served this country to give us our freedoms that we take so much for granted. Writing this blog is a freedom; a freedom of speech. Driving along and not worrying about being stopped and questioned about where I am going and what I am doing is a freedom. Wearing what I want and visiting those I want to see is a freedom.
The freedoms we have now, here today are all because of servicemen and women that have fought for this country, sacrificed their lives to give us these freedoms. All you have to do is look around and see what freedoms we do have and watch TV and see what freedoms those in other countries don’t.
So today take the time and Thank a Servicemen or Women. Make a donation to your area VA Hospital. Take the time and learn what sacrifices these men and women, and their families have done for our freedoms.
I have attached some links for you to review or read or just share or look at in your time.
Share them with your family today.
Have a Wonderful Memorial Day today! And Thank You Veterans for all you have done to give me my Freedom!
Have a Happy Pet Day today and Everyday!
http://tryined.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/let-that-summer-begin/
The above is a link to my friend, Ed Williams’ blog.
http://www.petsforpatriots.org/
And if you haven’t heard about this book, it is a good read…pick it up!
And dogs in the military
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/canines-299556-combat-heroic.html?pic=1
If you had a dog, a motorcycle with a side car and a some spare time, what would you do? I know what I would do, exactly what this man has done for the last number of years with his dog. Ara has totaled more that 140,000 miles with his dog, Spirit in the last 4 years on his motorcycle. He has done it with a personal purpose in mind, but I am sure it is something we all wish we could do with our pets. Watch this short video of him and his dog, I think you will find it inspiring and also heartwarming.
If you want to know more about Ara and Spirit, hear is his website. You can follow him and see exactly where he has gone through the south west part of United States.
I plan on following him and reading his story more.
http://www.freekibble.com/knews.asp
Have a Happy Pet Day EVERYONE!
Microchipping your pet is easy, inexpensive and can be life saving for your beloved dog or cat.
So many pets are turned into high kill shelters as strays and they may belong to someone.
Get your pet microchipped and always make sure they have proper ID.
For all animal lovers along with human and pet-Moms out there, Enjoy this video clip.
Happy Mother’s Day to All of You!
It’s Friday Funny time! I found this the other day when looking at another of this person video which I also attached for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy your day Everyone! Go have some fun with your pet or pets today!
Obesity in animals, both dogs and cats is on the rise. People love to spoil their 4-legged friend, but they spoil them in all the wrong ways. Giving your pet treats or feeding them improperly and not giving them an appropriate activity level will cause your dog or cat to become overweight, which can lead to health issues.
A healthy dog should have an hourglass shape and you should be able to feel their ribs without pressing into their fur. For cats their shape is similar. But because cats come in so many different sizes, your vet would be the one to best determine proper weight for your feline. (Round is not a good shape for your cat!)
As a pet sitter, I see a number of cats and especially dogs that are overweight or just not fed properly. A number of owners read the feeding instructions on the bag or can and think that is how much a dog or cat should be fed, but these are only guidelines and each animal is different.
Here is a good example. Casey, my dog weighs in at 84 pounds. She is a black lab that is 12 years old. This is what I feed her twice a day: 1/3 cup of kibble, all organic food, and about ½ cup cooked turkey with brown rice. That is not a lot of food to feed a dog. But she also gets treats throughout the day that are natural besides her occasional milk bone biscuit. She gets no table food, other than the big treat of Nilla wafers, our favorite nightly snack that I share with my dogs when it is just us in the house.
Table scraps or human food is the worst you can give your dog as a treat. This is how many dogs gain weight or develop allergies or even major health issues; heart conditions, joint problems, digestive symptoms, etc.
I am currently caring for a dog who is 4 years old and who just recently went to the vet and has gained 8 pounds in the last year. Why? Because the owner is not thinking of how much the dog is eating. It is a Brittany Spaniel that gets walked everyday for 30 minutes, but I know what he eats. And he gets no other activity other than his daily walk.
He gets 1 cup of dry food; lite, and ¼ of a canned food which is also light and at least 1 to 2 large biscuits a day. That is in my opinion, way too much food! Even the vet said he had to loose weight, but the owner claims, “I’m feeding him lite food.”
Just because you are feeding your pet “lite” or “diet” food, doesn’t mean you give them the same amount of food you give them if it was regular food, you have to cut down on the amount of food they get too. Increasing their activity will also help in maintaining or them loosing weight.
With cats, it is much harder. Because you can’t just take your cat out for a walk to get exercise, you need to monitor their food intake more than anything else. You can exercise your cat to help them loose weight and theoretically you should do a 30 minute playtime everyday with your furry little friend.
Giving your cat diet or prescription food is the first step in helping them loose or maintain weight and cat treats are the biggest to monitor. Monitoring their dry food intake also is a good way to help them. A number of my clients actually measure the amount of food their cats get because of health issues and age. Some cat treats can be fattening if given excessively, just like dog treats. You will need to read labels on cat treats and believe it or not, they do have the calorie intake listed.
If your dog is highly active, you may never have a weight problem with them, but some pets become couch potatoes and spend their time watching TV or looking out the window while you are at work.
Exercising your pet; dog or cat also strengthens the bond you have with pet. Whether it be a 30 minute walk or a good hike on the weekend with your dog or just some playtime with your little feline, all of this helps them stay healthy and in shape. Just like humans, we need to exercise; we need that stimulation to keep us sharp and healthy, and it is no different for you 4-legged family member too.
So the next time you go to feed your pet, look at their shape they have. Is it an hourglass? Can you feel their ribs? Would your cat make a good doorstop? (Only joking.) Now that the weather is getting nicer, it is also a great time to get your dog out; go for a long walk or hike. Take your 4-legged friend with you. You will be making him healthier and building a stronger relationship with your pet. Play with your kitty tonight while watching TV or even while you are just sitting there on the sofa. Every little bit helps and it doesn’t take much to do.
Keep your pet healthy for the length of their life. He or she will be happy and you will have them with you longer too.
Have a Happy Pet Day Everyone!
I know that some people may disagree about owning a cat vs owning a dog and the benefits. But some people or pet owners don’t have time or space for a dog and cat may work better with their lifestyle. I own 6 of them, so I should be the most well balanced, healthy and the least stressed person I know. Not sure about all that, but owning a pet; cat or dog, is beneficial.
Here is an article that lists the 17 Health Benefits of Owning a Cat.
Enjoy - and Have a Happy Pet Day Everyone!
http://mritechnicianschools.net/2010/17-health-benefits-of-owning-a-cat/
Below is a link to a video that is posted on the Chester County SPCA, and if you didn’t see it on Channel 10 news here in the Pennsylvania area, you should check out what this woman is doing. I think it is really inspiring and I will definitely be contacting her.
Have a Happy Pet Day Everyone!
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/shows/nonstop/Fifty_for_Fido_Philadelphia-117833178.html
Yesterday, I made the last of my donations to the Chester County SPCA, and boy were they excited along with me for doing it. For those that may not be aware of the March Madness Drive I completed during the month of March, I will explain all that I did.
In the beginning of March I emailed my clients along with posting it on Facebook that I wanted to do something for certain area shelters and collect donations to assist them. So I started the March Madness Blanket and Towel Drive. This was the first time I did this and I was more than pleased by the number of donations I received.
The shelters that were recipients of these donations were: Cat Angel Network, La Mancha Animal Rescue, Main Line Animal Rescue and the Chester County SPCA. All of these shelters depend upon individual donations either monetary or material items to run their organizations. All of these animal rescues and shelters have on their website “wish lists” that states all that they are looking for, so I sent that out with my email to my clients and the response that I received was fantastic to say the least!
I was overwhelmed by the donations I received: cat food, dog food, kitty litter, rawhides, towels, blankets, sheets, dog beds, dog crates, kennels, dog toys, cat toys, litter boxes and various cleaning supplies and I could go on and on.
You may be thinking well that isn’t that much, but I filled my spare room with all I received.
I collected over 100 pounds of kitty litter, 50 pounds of dog food, at least 8 dozen towels, 5 large comforters and over 48 rolls of paper towels.
I filled my truck up 4 times to deliver all the donations to the organizations which all were very thankful and happy to receive them.
I am just a small business, one person, with one mission; to help those in my own community, those that are speechless and need our help the most.
It didn’t take much time, or much effort. But the feeling of gratitude I received from those organizations and those that donated was what made this a success and to those that are my readers that did donate, I want to send a personal Thank You! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!
I also did this to inspire others to reach out to your own communities, start something in your church, in your neighborhood, the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts, or any group that you may be involved in. It took an email, collecting the items, and giving to those that needed those items the most.
My personal donation that I gave to all the organization was each shelter or rescue group received coupons for 6 free visits to give to those individuals that adopt from them.
Reach out to your community and maybe You can also do something to help those that are speechless and have no choice other than to be born with 4 legs and end up in a shelter or rescue waiting for a forever home of their own. Every pet; dog or cat, deserves a second chance. Donate or volunteer, we can all make a difference.
Thanks again to EVERYONE who donated!
Have a Happy Pet Day Everyone!
