Archive for the ‘Pets’ Category

Today is one of those dreary October days when it is a little bit cooler and the sky is grey. I was feeling in a funk when I started out this day because I had to take care of some unpleasant business. And as the day got going I thought, man I am just going to go grab a comforter, a stack of magazines and my two Spaniels and troop off to drift into a nap.

Which I did quite happily and then as I was waking up and finishing my reading, feeling smug that my  dogs were coming awake in what I thought was much the same easy way as I was.  I was thinking we were going to laze about there for a while since we had only been there for an hour. I was hoping to waste the entire afternoon away. Then my little spaniel girl jumps back up on the bed sitting right in front of me with her long ears flowing like tresses on a little girl. That is when I made the mistake. I made eye contact. Eye contact is dangerous when it comes to dogs because they read so much into it. And just as I looked briefly into her eyes it happened, whammo! She leaped at me faster than a speeding bullet and decided it was play time, wrestling about, growling a playful growl and trying to grab my arm in her playful attack. So quickly it happened that I began laughing and that sent her right over to the dark side. Play time! I am sure that is why my human “mom” is laughing. She wants me to growl, grab her and leap about her head! Okay human “mom” lets tussle.

Well that just whipped me right out of my funk for this day. We went out and played in the cold October weather that reminded me that it has been seven years since I got this great place I live in. Reminded me of what is important. The cool air woke me up, shifted my mood and got my perspective back in place. There is nothing like the innocence of a playful pup to break a funk. So now I am going to take her for an afternoon walk and enjoy this moment, regain my balance and get on with the day. That was just what the doctor ordered!!!

Man it is hot out there! It feels like summer came on fast and is staying a very long time. I was watching the The Weather Channel this morning as they were talking about how hot it is in Texas (I am not in Texas). In Austin they have a place called Barton Springs that stays naturally cool. I saw Austinites flocking there to get a cool dip during the plus 100 degree days. When did Austin become the new Arizona overnight! Hot and dry and well, hot and dry. Of course for me it is hot and humid, ugh!

The “Dog Days of Summer” have set in, haven’t they? I don’t know about you but when this time of year rolls around I get the blahs. No wonder we love summer vacations! So I thought, hmmm, what are some things to stimulate interests again as the Dog Star travels over the northern hemisphere until about mid-September? So the first thing I did was go get a haircut today. Nothing like a clean new haircut to set things straight, I was feeling unkempt so this was the perfect choice. Next I am onto facial, manicure and pedicure. After all these glorious things are done time for a good book.

Mid July through Labor Day are “in-between” days. I just can’t get really started on something, I feel stalemated. Not like the holidays or a new season that carries with it a certain excitement. So I took some time off work and school and decided to what I call “Spiritual Housecleaning” based on a read that Kathryn L Robyn wrote. It is about how women clean their environment; home, office, yard or vehicle, as they process their changes and growths within. Men just don’t get it, it isn’t about a clean house, and it is about processing as you go. I can’t think of a better time to do this than right now in this “Dog Days” stage with weeks of it still ahead.

And it is so working. I am processing a lot. As I go around cleaning, collecting household items for the second hand store, collecting in piles for “giveaways”, and basically reorganizing I am finding that it is unclogging my brain. I am carrying around a pen and pad and writing ideas down as I clean. And the Flow is beginning to take place. I love being in a flow. It is like a connection to my inner self. We all know about it, it is that space when we are hitting on all pistons and the creativity is at an all time high. And so between the spiritual housecleaning unclogging things and the flow kicking in this week I see the light. Yes! Summer can be dealt with!

So wherever the dogs days of summer have you stuck may I recommend a haircut, a good spiritual housecleaning or something that get you in the flow! And if you are already in a flow, that is so great!

Photo by Claudio Mutarrego

Please go here and vote for the Dusty Trails Horse Rescue, a shelter that rescues large animals.  I worked with these folks to help set up their non-profit and they are eligible to win both a state prize and a national prize to help them continue their excellent work.

How to Vote:

1.  Visit this site.

2.  In the Shelter Name block type: “dusty trails” then select the state: “AL” and click search. A vote button will show up with our name next to it: Dusty Trails Hose Rescue Inc. Montgomery, Al 36125

3.  Click the vote button and type in the name of the animal in the picture to confirm your vote.

Thanks for your participation!

As I thought about my dogs needing weekends I am reminded of the dogs I see daily left in the backyard staked to a tree with a rope or a chain attached to their collar. Or the more fortunate ones that are just left gated in all day. I mused why do people get dogs and how do I feel about my dogs?

Dogs are inherently a pack animal requiring socialization with other pack members. We humans took them from that pack environment and determine that natural companionable personality is best served being with us. But dogs are intended to something. All animals are “intended” to do something. More recently we have heard the Dog Whisperer reminding us what dogs need from us humans and how we can meet the needs of our four legged furry companion.

I have English Springer Spaniels. I fell in love with the breed and in hindsight I see I should have done my homework before bringing them home. But 10 ½ years ago I was introduced to two tiny furry balls of energy. Anyone who knows dogs are aware these are high energy hunting dogs. I am not a hunter.

My first pair of Springers came with “papers”. This means that in their background they have champion “hunting” genes hard wired into the brain, big time. I am not saying this to impress you, I am saying this so you know the revelations I came to when I say, dogs need weekends too.

And so when my two litter mates were about 18 months old and their hard wiring was kicking in I had no idea what to do. I was living in Belgium at the time and the vet who delivered these gorgeous dogs was my attending vet. However, due to the fact that my Dutch was measurable at best I did not ask many questions. One day he asked me to stay to talk about my dogs and as he asked me how I was doing I felt huge alligator sized tears well up as I spilled out how unruly they were and a menace in my home. Reassuring me, he directed me to a place I could run my dogs off leash and hopefully get some energy off because as many dog owners know, a tired dog is a good dog. And these guys were born to run!

But alas, I still had no doggie experience. So I found a newsgroup about Springers that directed my reading to a woman named Turid Rugaas who taught the concept of Calming Signals. She said dogs like all pack animals send out signals to each other to cohabit together. So I learned these signals and soon I was reading the language! Communicating finally in a language they knew!

And while it helped me I still could not fulfill the hunting need. They would run in the fields but I had no command. One day as I was walking in the field trying to find my dogs running amok I happened upon a Frenchman who spoke little English but enough to offer me some advice on commanding hunting dogs. Showed me how to use a whistle, hand signals and body language to get my dogs to do what they do best. Field for birds! Because you see, no matter how much we love a dog we have to take in consideration what they are bred to do and fulfill that job in them. If not, specifically as in this case, hunting or some job around the home. Dogs are never happy staked to a tree, left alone without companionship of other pack members, they need their humans often.

And a miracle happened! It is like these two wonderful dogs were waiting for me to get it. It was like…it was like poetry in motion! OH man, you should have seen them work! I would walk as they coursed in front of me. Very subtle, ever so subtle, turning an eye to me to see where I was leading them and with a slight nod of the head or a finger movement along with the words “this way” they followed and worked and worked and worked those fields every day for an hour rain or shine (Springers love rainy days) sometimes twice a day but always soul satisfied when they were done. Me too! Finally I found their job.

Then I moved back home, to America, and dogs were on leash and barking at fences or each other as neighborhood dogs passed each other on the road and a new lesson had to be taught to them as well as me. And now the job they have is to get those dang squirrels out of my trees, alert me when man or beast is within close perimeter and they walk twice a day with me to smell the neighborhood, taking of care of me! I figure if I need exercise how much more so does a dog that is bred to move and be active! And if I get too busy I see them moping around and my husband says we need to take the dogs for walk in the park or take them for a drive. Because you see, just as we need breaks in our week so do dogs! And every time we do this we can feel their appreciation coming off them. Almost like saying, thanks, I needed that!

I think what I have learned about dogs (since before I met these Springers I have had cats) is, that dogs take an active part in their human pack. Now every time I meet a dog I know what to expect from their breed background.

And now dear reader, I am off to walk my furry rat muffins because they have patiently waited here under my desk to get out in the spring morning of sunshine, squirrels and birds.

If you have a dog story to share with me please do! I am a “dyed in the wool” dog person now for over a decade and like my children or grandchildren and can talked about them or yours forever! So share!

As anyone who has a pet can attest they like our kids and we love them, dote on them in ways our children will never understand! I know you know what I am talking about! So when I got my latest newsletter from my local animal shelter I thought I would share the reminder that was sent out. Before you read on I promise I won’t look while you hug your pet today!!

This is from Kansas State Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital Assistant Professor Susan Nelson, and fourth year veterinary medicine students — Christine Cocquyt, Greg Dobkin, Chris Brown and Sarah Boller.

1. Make sure your pet sees a veterinarian at least once a year for annual exams. This includes keeping its vaccine status up-to-date and checking for dental health, lumps and bumps, heart murmurs and other things an owner may not notice at home.
2. Be consistent with at-home health care for your pet, and give prescribed medication as directed. Keep your pet on year-round, monthly heartworm preventative. Regularly use flea/tick prevention, even if you have an indoor pet.
3. Get some sort of pet identification, whether it be a tag or a microchip. Photos are also a good way to help identify your pet if it should become lost. In general, try not to let your pet roam free. Keep it on a leash or in a fenced yard.
4. Pay attention to your pet. They get bored and may become destructive without attention. Polish up your pet’s manners. Practice at home or go to obedience classes. Teach your pet a new, fun, interactive game like fetch or speak. It keeps your pet motivated. Learn pet massage. Not only can this help to give relief to older, arthritic animals, it is also a good way to bond with your pet.
5. Pay attention to your pet’s hygiene. Trim the fat! Exercise and limit treats. “Treats do not equal love,” Cocquyt said. Groom your pet regularly. It’s interactive and it’s good to get dead hair out of the coat. You may also discover lumps or bumps that need to be checked by your veterinarian. Brush your pet’s teeth and/or have a professional take care of your pet’s dental hygiene. Learn to clip your pet’s toenails or take them somewhere to have them clipped. Long nails are uncomfortable and sometimes grow into foot pads or break, which is very painful. Scoop your cat’s litter box daily. Do an entire litter change once a week.
6. Spay and neuter your pet. Not only does it decrease the pet population, but it also has a lot of health benefits for the animal. “In spayed females, we see a decrease in mammary or breast cancer, uterine infection, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer,” Nelson said. “In neutered males, we see a decrease in prostate problems, testicular cancer, roaming, urine marking and inter-male fighting.”
7. Make sure collars fit properly, and check the collar often. You should be able to slide two fingers underneath the collar. For dogs, try a pet halter called a Gentle Leader. You avoid tugging and pulling on your dog’s neck. It’s especially good for unruly, big dogs.
8. Pet proof your house. Keep poisons in locked cabinets, keep poisonous plants and electrical cords out of reach and don’t leave out strings or ribbons for a cat to swallow.
9. Learn a fun fact about your pet’s species or breed. Research traits of a breed before buying it.
10. Donate money or items to your local animal shelter. They take in stray animals that often turn out to be lost pets. “One day, it could be your pet they reunite with its owner,” Nelson said.