Hi everyone. I write this blog tonight through tears so forgive me if the grammar is off a bit. I may be losing my dog. My friend Ruby has been in my life for 16 years....that's right.....16 years. Crazy, huh? I rescued her from the SPCA in Fredericksburg in the spring of 95 when she was a young puppy. She has "outlived" lovers, friends, jobs, houses, and all the changes both good and bad that occur in life over a period that long. She witnessed my college graduation, my divorce, the birth of my daughter, and the beginning and end of my relationship with who I thought was the love of my life....she was always there...no matter what. She never judged me...never held grudges..kissed my face while I cried over the little tragedies life threw at me...and loved me unconditionally no matter how much of a jerk I was being..and always made me feel special. I owe her so much. The amount of happiness she brought me over the years is immeasurable. I am coming to the point where I have to decide to let her go..and it is killing me. She has survived and been through so much. A bout with breast cancer, a tumor removed from her mouth 3 times because it kept growing back, countless injuries and near death from a lump removal....and through it all remained tough as nails and gentle as a butterfly. She never harmed anyone, always the most angelic soul I had ever encountered. I will miss her terribly. This afternoon she began shaking and acting disoriented. She fell in the kitchen and could not get up on her own. I am taking her to see my vet tomorrow morning to see what they recommend. I do not want her to suffer....she doesn't deserve that. I am hoping for a miracle...but if I can't get one..at least I will know that she had a great life....she knew she was loved and cherished....and she will never be forgotten. I love you Red!! My special friend...if tomorrow is your time I will miss you my sweet girl

 *update 1:40 am....just got back from the emergency hospital. She died in my arms. The last thing she did was lick the tears from my face. I will miss you my dearest friend

 

 

Happy Halloween everyone! As you can tell by the recent changes to the site Halloween is a favorite holiday of mine. While it is no doubt one of the funnest nights of the year for us....it can be one of the most dangerous for our furry buddies. Here are a few tips on how to have a safe and happy Halloween night with your pets.

 

1. KEEP THEM INSIDE!!! 

Halloween is scary for our cat and dog friends. The doorbell constantly ringing, the front door constantly opening, loud screaming kids outside walking past the house for hours at a time...it can be very traumatic for them. Best bet is to keep them in another room away from the door. Set up a bed, some toys, food and water somewhere safe and quiet where they can hang out until the mayhem stops.

 

2. PROTECT BLACK CATS!

I know it sounds medieval and you are probably thinking "no one would do that nowadays..." but trust me...there are some sick people in the world who will steal and torture and/or kill black cats around Halloween. Most shelters and pet stores actually refuse to adopt out black cats in the month of October for fear they will be sacrificed by psychos with nothing better to do. I can tell you first hand that when I was a child our black cat Midnight disappeared just before Halloween. When we found her she had been spray painted orange and had dental floss wrapped around her limbs. She survived thank god, but no pet I have ever owned in my adult life has ever been allowed to roam free since. Cats belong inside.

 

3. BE CAREFUL OF JACK O'LANTERNS & CANDLES!

Whether you have a lab with a strong tail or a curious kitten....fire and pets don't mix. An animal walking past a candle or lighted pumpkin could easily catch it's fur on fire, as well as knock over a lit decoration with its tail. They sell fantastic flame free lights now to put inside pumpkins that look just as good and are so much safer. Give those a try this year and avoid potential fire hazards.

 

4. BEWARE OF CHOCOLATE!! 

Plain and simple...chocolate is poisonous to pets!! Where you keep your candy bowl and your childs booty bag can be the difference between life and death for your buddy. Don't believe me? When I worked at an animal hospital in DC a few years back we had a family who came running in our front door 2 days after Halloween with two huge standard poodles that were both barely alive. While the technicians worked to save them the owner told me they had come home to discover the gigantic bowl of candy that was on the dining room table overturned on the floor...every piece of candy consumed...wrappers and all. Both dogs died. The family was absolutely devastated. Don't let this happen to you. Keep the goodies safely out of reach.

 

5. THINK TWICE ABOUT PET COSTUMES!

While I admit there is nothing cuter than a dog dressed as superman, bottom line is most of them hate it. All I can say is every pet is different. Yes there are some toy breeds who are used to clothes and may be fine with them, but at the end of the day they are ANIMALS....not little people. Costumes probably do nothing more than cause unwanted stress for your pet. If you really want Fido or Fluffy to participate, why not try a Halloween bandanna for a big dog? Or a cute collar with pumpkins on it for the kitty? The pet supply shops are full of those kinds of thing right now! That way they can join in the fun without suffering all night long. Just a thought! :)

 

Hope this helped. Have a safe and Happy "Howl"oween!!!

Jenn

 

 

Ever had a pet go missing? What a scary and horrible thing. While this cartoon is a funny one, losing a pet is no joke. To most of us, our pets are family. There are so many ways for our precious companions to become lost...and so it's difficult to get them back once they are gone. I have had it happen more than once in my life....once with a happy ending...once not. A family I am close to is going through it right now...their kitty got out last weekend and they are still looking. The not knowing and the worry is unbearable. Here are a few ideas to prevent this tragedy from happening to you....and some tips on what you can do if it does.

 

First of all, make sure your yard is secure. Holes under fences are a favorite for small dogs...especially diggers. We had a beagle when I was growing up that dug under the fence....a true escape artist he was!! Try adding some chicken wire type fencing deep in the ground on the inside of the regular fence as extra protection for the vulnerable spots.

A "beware of dog" sign can also let yard visitors know to look out for a dog and to remember to close the gate. Getting a gate that springs shut is a good idea too to ensure it doesn't get left open by accident. The front door can be a dangerous spot as well. Some dogs will charge the door when it opens. Try a baby gate to block the entry way as an extra barrier. This will also keep your dog from jumping on house guests!

 

In addition make sure the lead you use to walk your dog is a halter or harness kind....it is much more comfortable....doesn't pull on the dogs neck..and gives you more control. I can't tell you how many dogs I have seen over the years slip out of traditional collars to chase after something. Also if the leash is attached to the neck collar and you have a  puppy who chews (like a young lab) he can easily weaken and chew though the leash. The harness types are on his back...he can't reach them there.

 

Of course...the number 1 reason animals run away is to look for a mate. If you fail to spay or neuter your pet there is a very good chance they will take off the first opportunity they get. Be real.....could you have been kept inside the house when YOU when went through puberty???? NO WAY!!! And neither can your pet. They are simply following their instincts. With all the millions of homeless animals in shelters, allowing your family pet to procreate is irresponsible. Spaying and neutering also eases their stress, reduces or eliminates many common behavioral problems, and helps them live longer, healthier lives.

 

If your pet does get out, look immediately and relentlessly. Tell all the neighbors. Go door to door with a picture of your pet. Make signs and post them everywhere. Call the local shelter and file a missing animal report. And most importantly....don't give up. My cat Suzie got out a few years back when a door was not shut all the way. She was gone for a whole week. I stayed home from work, walked the neighborhood with her picture and knocked on every door. I took my dog around the neighborhood for hours at a time asking her "where's Suzie???" . After a week I was just about to give up when I got a phone call from a man whom I had knocked on his door the day before. Suzie was in his shed. Turns out my dog had alerted me to that yard 2 days back but I didn't look hard enough. If it had not been for our efforts....we never would have gotten her back.

 

I hope this never happens to you and your furry buddies. Here is hoping and praying that my friends find their cat. Take care guys...and keep those animals safe! :)