Irish Rock and Rule!

‘Tis the week of the Blarney, the time when EVERYONE becomes Irish! We have the Sullivans, the McGuires, the Irwins, the Daleys, the O’Briens, and many, many more familiar family names from the land’o’green. Greg and I named our cats after Irish drinks: Murphy and Bailey. Yes, we like things that are Irish - Greg is Scot and Irish.

During this week, we'll see people pin on green pins and shamrocks, wear green hats, and drink green beer while listening to pipe and fiddle music. Corned beef and cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie, Guinness, Bailey’s Irish Cream, Jamison’s, and Murphy’s Irish Stout are consumed by the pound (and I don’t mean the English pound, by crackey!) It’s the time for the wearin’ of the green and singin’ “When Irish Eyes are Smilin’” and other festive songs.

So, in celebration of the wee bit’’o’reen and the lovely Emerald Isle, I thought I’d take a look at the dog and cat breeds which have come to us from that lush country over the Atlantic.

The only breed of cat I found out about on the Web that originates close to Ireland is the Manx, which came from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. This tail-less cat was first discovered there in the early 19th century; how they got to that small island is unclear and many theories exist. Great stories always make for great fun! For information on the Manx, visit
http://www.cfa.org/breeds/profiles/manx.html

Many breeds of dogs do come from Ireland – here are a few:

The Irish Wolfhound – one of the oldest breeds of dogs on the planet, and the tallest of dogs, this unique breed was used to hunt wolves and as a watch dog. Although a large, tough dog, the Irish Wolfhound is affectionate and loyal to its family.

Irish Setter – a chestnut-colored bird hunting dog, this energetic, friendly breed makes a great family pet, especially if exercised regularly.

Irish Red and White Setter – distinct from the Irish Setter, this breed almost became extinct by the end of the 19th century, and is considered energetic (needing lots of exercise), kind and intelligent and a great bird hunting dog.

Irish Terrier – considered one of the oldest of the terrier breeds, this spirited, loyal medium-sized dog was used as a watch dog and is good with children if raised with them.

The Kerry Blue Terrier – a unique-looking, bluish-black in color, medium-sized dog was used as a watchdog and for hunting vermin, small game and birds, is a native of County Kerry and make good family pets

Irish Water Spaniel – considered energetic, affectionate, social and a great family pet, this curly-coated dog with a rat-like tail (no fur on the tail) was used for hunting waterfowl

Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier – this medium-sized dog with a soft coat, was used to herd cattle and sheep as well as guard the farm, and is considered good with children and a dog that needs regular exercise.

Glen of Imal Terrier – described as a “big dog on short legs”, this smaller, agile breed weighs around 30 pounds and was used for hunting vermin and for turning the spit on the hearth (as in ‘working the rotisserie’!)

For more information on the dogs from Ireland, visit http://www.dogluvers.com/Ireland.html

To learn more about these and other breeds of dogs, including temperament and history, visit the website of the American Kennel Club: http://www.akc.org/

So, I’ll raise a glass to the dog breeds from Ireland and to my own felines who are named for some special flavors of Ireland: Murphy, my black and white long-haired cat named for Murphy’s Irish Stout Beer (Greg enjoys of glass of this now and again!), and Bailey, our short-haired tortishell, named for Bailey’s Irish Cream (one of my favorite liquors!).

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY, everyone! Keep those Irish eyes a’smilin’!!

And, if you like many things Irish, including music and literature, check out my friend Noelle’s blog: http://montanagael.blogspot.com/

Hope you all find a leprechaun with each rainbow!!

Winter Warmth

Winter has returned to Wyoming, with snow during the weekend and morning temperatures around zero the past few days. Fortunately, the sun shines brightly today, helping to warm the winter day.

The animals, too, have needed more warmth lately. Murphy, our black and white cat, burrows under the covers on the bed - and she has long hair! Sage sleeps near the woodstove on one blanket, and Cody shares the other "doggie" blanket with Bailey, our tortishell cat! I moved my computer today into the dining room to be near the woodstove. Maybe we're all just getting old!

Yesterday was Valentine's Day, and my husband gave me a very lovely card, red roses, a box of chocolates, and a bottle of red wine. His thoughtfulness and his love warms my heart.

Sunshine, woodstove, loving and devoted pets... not too many other ways a person needs to have warmth in the home and in the heart!

Pet Safety During Cold Weather

Baby, it's COLD outside! I mean, FRIGID!! Early December got off to a slam-dunk start in central Wyoming during the weekend, with temps below zero and wind-chills even worse! This cold and snow is expected to move eastward, and the west will also get another winter blast yet this week. My woodstove chugs; the wood is even frigid! As I throw more logs into the wood heater and drink hot chocolate and wrap myself in an extra blanket, my mind thinks of all the homeless pets and people throughout the U.S. who must endure (and hopefully survive!) this Arctic blast.

Those of us with pets should be mindful of how the cold affects them and do our very best to keep them safe. If early December is this frigid, the rest of the winter may be one of the worst winters we've experienced in quite sometime.

So, here are some tips to keep your pet safe this winter:

1. Keep pets indoors as much as possible, especially small dogs, dogs with short and/or little amount of fur and cats. They are suseptable to extreme cold, especially the pads of their paws and their ears. Frostbite can set in quickly with below zero temperatures.

2. Of course, dogs need to go out to do their business, but get them back inside quickly. Keep walks short, just enough to stimulate their necessary functions and to get a brisk exercise.

3. After returning from a walk, clean your dog’s paws of the ice, snow and other materials picked up along the way. Snow and ice can be painful on pet paws, and material such as ice melt for sidewalks may be ingested by your pet as s/he cleans itself, which can cause medical problems. Do the paw cleaning for your pet for better safeguards.

4. Speaking of outdoors and dangers, remember that anti-freeze poisons pets, so keep your pet away from the garage and driveway, and those of your neighbors. Watch where you and your pet walk and keep your furry friend away from anti-freeze!

5. Warm car engines attract cats and small wildlife, so be careful when starting your car. Pound on the hood to scare away any potential animal "renters" (perhaps your neighbor's cat who doesn't keep his kitty indoors as he should!). Be mindful not only of your own pets, but those living in your neighborhood.

6. For large, furry dogs that do live outdoors most of the time (like huskies, for example), make sure they have a bit of extra food during this extreme cold weather. The extra nutrition will help keep them warm. Also, be sure they have a warm doghouse with plenty of straw, hay or blankets inside.

7. Despite the snowy conditions, water is still important for an outdoor dog. Use a heated pad or other heated water device to keep your dog's waterbowl from freezing.

Other winter-related pet care tips can be found on the Humane Society of the U.S.'s website: http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2009/12/winter_pet_safety_120709.html

May we and our pets all be safe this winter season!

So Thankful...

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, and as I reflect upon this past year, I recognize the many blessings I've enjoyed: my parents, my husband, my friends, my pets. My pets are my friends, so I shouldn't delinate between the two, but I want and need to make sure I and others realize their value, their distinquished place in my life.

This is Cody's second Thanksgiving with Greg and I, Sage's eighth, and the kitties' fourth. I am so amazed at how quickly time flies! And because time does pass too quickly, we all should reflect and give thanks for our blessings, and probably more often than once each year.

So, I take a few moments to ponder and recall and to say to my parents, my husband, my friends, and my pets: I LOVE YOU AND I'M THANKFUL FOR YOU!

May each of you reading this post enjoy a blessed, happy, joyful, and safe Thanksgiving! And may you reflect upon those who are important to you and give them a hug and a 'thank you' for being in your life. Remember, time passes too quickly.

Below are a few tips to keep your furry friend safe and healthy this Thanksgiving (remember not to overinduldge yourself or your pet this holiday!):

1. With front doors opening and closing to welcome friends and relatives and for buzzing out the door for Thanksgiving food shopping, keep in mind where your pets are. They can zip out that front door very quickly if we’re not mindful of their location in the house or how long that front has been open or how many times it opened that day – a lost pet is a scared pet so avoid the “missing pet” situation from the start.

2. Make sure your pets have collar and ID tags in case they do become lost then they can get home more quickly. You may also want to invest the small amount of money needed for your vet to implant a microchip. Collar and tags can become lost themselves, and pets turned into the local animal shelter are scanned for microchips. Make sure your pet can get home more quickly with identification (and make sure that identification is up-to-date!)

3. Holidays often mean great food feasts. Don’t give your pets turkey or chicken bones (dangerous!) or rich foods like gravy (upset tummies!). Keep your pets’ food routines during the holidays – it’s best for everyone – no matter how sad his/her eyes look upon you for that piece of pumpkin pie!

4. Speaking of routine, don’t neglect your dog’s daily walk and exercise. Routine is the key to an emotionally healthy pet. Our dogs need this daily routine, not just for emotional stability as their human companions scurry hither and yon, but also they need the daily ritual for their overall physical health – just like us!

5. After returning from a walk, clean your dog’s paws of the ice, snow and other materials picked up along the way. Snow and ice can be painful on pet paws, and material such as ice melt from sidewalks may be ingested by your pet as s/he cleans itself, which can cause medical problems. Do the paw cleaning for your pet for better safeguards.

6. And, speaking of outdoors and dangers, remember that anti-freeze poisons pets, so keep your pet away from the garage and driveway, and those of your neighbors'. Watch where you and your pet walk and keep your furry friend away from anti-freeze!

7. All the holiday excitement, running around, and extra guests can cause our pets stress. Make sure there’s a quiet place for your dog or cat to get away from the noise and activity, a quiet room in the house and provide things your pet is familiar with: your dog's bed or special blanket, your pet’s toys, and food and water dishes, your cat's litter box. Just as people need “down time”, our pets also need a peaceful spot where they are comfortable and secure.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and may you, your family, friends and pets enjoy a blessed and safe holiday!

De-Stress with Your Pet!

With the lovely autumn weather we've experienced in Casper recently have come several wonderful walks through the neighborhood. Having two dogs prompts my husband and I to get out and stroll, or when he's not home, for me to "tag along" with the two spaniels! We walk either early in the morning, before the kids arrive at the local school, or later, after the kids are in school and their parents are at work. Either way, the crisp autumn mornings with cloudless sky offer a peaceful, relaxing start to the day!

And, if one's day is off to a great start, chances are a person can handle the little darts of stress that life often brings our way during the day. Taking a morning walk, petting and caring for our pets, and other enjoyable tasks put a smile on our face and that releases endorphins that help us meet the day's challenges.

At the end of the day, our pets come to our aid once again. My cat Murphy crawls into my lap once I sit in my recliner with the afgan, purring and wanting attention and snuggling into the blanket. Sage or Cody sits beside in the chair (yes, the recliner is oversized to accommodate both dogs and cats!). Talk about relaxing! I love these evenings shared with my four-footed friends!

Our pets provide great health benefits, including reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and uplifting our moods. And with the holidays coming on, often adding to our stress, isn't that great news?! So, play with those kitties, and get out that leash - our pets are ready to help us de-stress and smile!

Make Me Smile!

Ever notice how pets bring a smile to our face? Whether it's in the antics they do or the joy and comfort they bring, "pet therapy" is no joke; pets bring smiles and joy to our faces and our hearts.

My dogs are great examples. Recently, Sage sat with me in the recliner (yes, we can both fit, it's an oversized recliner!). She had been laying with her head near my feet, then suddenly, turned and laid her head on my shoulder, her cheek next to mine. This sightless dog gazed at me with such love and devotion, my heart melted and my smile widened. I stroked her chin and face gently, and said over and over "Such a good dog, Sage. You're so brave and so sweet. What a good dog you are, Sage." I think she understood!

Cody, our cocker spaniel, brings a smile when he holds his green rubber ball in his small mouth. that ball widens his mouth like the Joker's grin in Batman! Cody LOVES that rubber ball like Linus in Peanuts loves his blanket; he can't leave home without it! Cody's antics with his ball or with his little legs trotting down the sidewalk during our morning walks make me smile and laugh.

Even Murphy the cat brings a grin to my face and delight to my heart. She "talks" each morning, possibly telling me about her dreams the night before. Her squeeky voice has given her the nickname in our household "Little Miss Squeek", and she tries very hard to get a conversation started. Needless to say, Greg and I can't ignore her, and we talk back to her. I think she likes that, as she purrs and purrs, and rubs her head into our hand. When she lays on my lap during the evenings we watch TV, she stretches into the afgan in my lap and turns to have her tummy rubbed and her chin scratched. Her long, black and white fur is like silk, and pleasant to touch. Her dedication to us and her adventurous spirit makes me smile and chuckle (yet that spirit can get her into trouble when she climbs the fence into the neighbor's yard!).

My sweet, loving, fun pets... helping me find joy and smiles in what can be a tough, uncaring world!

My Pets, My Instructors

Summer seems to be here. Somehow, the region where I lived by-passed spring. The apple tree is in full bloom (took less than a week!) and the temperature surpassed 85 degrees the past few days. We blinked and spring has gone -- wow, time does fly!

With the onslaught of warm weather and early sunrises, my cats have come out of hibernation. Bailey, the independent and aloof one, now wants to explore the backyard before 6 a.m., something her sister likes to do no matter the season or air temperature! The two spend hours in the backyard, watching (and trying to catch!) the birds; stalking mice; and laying on the patio in the warm sunshine. And when not outside, they observe their outdoor domain from windows, cat trees, or any other place they can find to look out. My cats simply ENJOY -- and I enjoy watching them.

Ever notice how our pets just take things in stride -- weather, lack of success in mouse-stalking, physical limitations? They don't sweat it, as the old saying goes. They simply appreciate what they have and patiently wait for what they don't (a bird, in the example of my cats). We can learn a lot from our pets: loyalty, patience, simplicity, courage, perseverance, friendship, appreciation.

Some people call them "dumb animals" -- I observe them and see "teacher".