Everywhere we are beginning to see the joys of the Holiday season. Decorations and delicious treats are appearing.
While you are decorating your own humble abode, remember to consider how these new sights and smells appear to your pet. Twinkling lights dancing before them are so very enticing, however, can be dangerous and disasterous if chewed or pulled. Ornaments and tinsel can present a choking hazard. Candles should be placed where animals will not knock them over.
Do not let animals drink holiday water, whether it be from poinsettias or the tree basin. Avoid putting aspirin in the tree basin water. It is thought that the aspirin will extend the life of the tree, however, this can pose a serious health risk.
Tasty cookies, fudge and other yummy morsels are displayed openly and admittedly are very inviting. You don't want to invite the wrong patron though as some of the ingredients used to make them are very bad for animals. Click on this link from the Humane Society for potentially harmful ingredients Poisonous foods for pets. Although you may not have these individually displayed, think of Eggnog. This would be very enticing to both cat and dog, yet potentially very dangerous. Keep pets away from packaging, string, garbage and
Holidays can be stressful for humans as we all well know! Your pet may be a bit nervous by all the activity and noise. To reduce stress (even for yourself) keep pets on a regular schedule of exercise and feeding as much as possible. Consider adding pumpkin with ginger to your pets diet (1 tsp for felines and 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup depending on canine size 1 time per day ). Pumpkin and ginger are great for digestion and most pets love it!
Make time to spend with your pet as you do any other time of the year. It is a good idea not to let your dog out on its own, preventing not only dangerous situations but nuisance to your neighbors.
If you suspect that your pet has eaten something toxic, call your veterinarian and/or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's 24-hour emergency hot-line at 1-888-4-ANI-HELP.
If you suspect that your pet has ingested any glass, plastic, or other small sharp objects call your veterinarian.
We at Paws wish you every happiness during this Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Goodbye my friend
Today Paws said goodbye to a dear friend in our store. Sumo our 22 year old tuxedo cat has been put to sleep after a sudden illness.
Sumo was a regal gentleman that pursued customers that weren't cat people, canine and human alike! He would follow them throughout the store and meow mercilessly. Those who are cat lovers would cradle him in their arms and carry him about the store, or some would pet him until he drooled.
In posting this and on Facebook to all of his fans and frenimies (canines) I am struck by the difficulty of not only the task itself, but the making of a very difficult decision such as this.
Pet owners everywhere are plagued with carrying out this very difficult decision at one time or other.
In the shop we hear about the losses of clients pets and IT always comes into the conversation. For some it is more difficult to lose a pet than to lose a person in their life, for others it is the one part of the cycle in owning a pet that precludes them from taking on another.
Grief is a tough customer. I am, however, one of the many that would rather have known all these wonderful souls in my life than not. I would have missed so many smiles, beautiful walks on the beach, constant companionship, playtime, unconditional love that is so rare in humanity....the list is endless. Without the care and compassion from our pets life might be easier due to the grief and saddness in the end, but so much more empty of the happiness and heart.
Thank you to all of the animals that have come and gone and to those with me today, my life is so much richer having had you in it. I am very lucky to have known you.
Sumo was a regal gentleman that pursued customers that weren't cat people, canine and human alike! He would follow them throughout the store and meow mercilessly. Those who are cat lovers would cradle him in their arms and carry him about the store, or some would pet him until he drooled.
In posting this and on Facebook to all of his fans and frenimies (canines) I am struck by the difficulty of not only the task itself, but the making of a very difficult decision such as this.
Pet owners everywhere are plagued with carrying out this very difficult decision at one time or other.
In the shop we hear about the losses of clients pets and IT always comes into the conversation. For some it is more difficult to lose a pet than to lose a person in their life, for others it is the one part of the cycle in owning a pet that precludes them from taking on another.
Grief is a tough customer. I am, however, one of the many that would rather have known all these wonderful souls in my life than not. I would have missed so many smiles, beautiful walks on the beach, constant companionship, playtime, unconditional love that is so rare in humanity....the list is endless. Without the care and compassion from our pets life might be easier due to the grief and saddness in the end, but so much more empty of the happiness and heart.
Thank you to all of the animals that have come and gone and to those with me today, my life is so much richer having had you in it. I am very lucky to have known you.
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