Well, it's been quite awhile since I've posted on this blog... I apologize for my absence. I did quite a bit of freelance writing this spring then attended a writer's conference and ended up with two part-time jobs, which I've been juggling the past several weeks. Additionally, we recently celebrated my parents' 50th anniversary. Now, at least for awhile, I should be into a routine and can again start posting some fun pet information!

Since summer officially began on Monday, I thought I'd post a bit on summer safety for our pets.

Summer is in full swing with warming temperatures and powerful storms. With the season comes safety concerns for our pets. Here are a few tips for keeping your pets safe this summer:

• Don’t leave pets unattended in your vehicle! Cars quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, especially on warm or sunny days, even with the windows slightly open.
  Ensure your pets’ vaccinations are up-to-date and that heartworm, flea and tick medications have been administered. Summer brings out rabies-carrying creatures, such as skunks and raccoons, and fleas and ticks are abundant this time of year as well. Protect your pets! Consult your veterinarian for more information on heartworm, Lyme disease, rabies and other diseases fatal to pets.
• For your cat’s protection, keep her indoors! Cats can be purr-fectly content indoor pets – they just need is a bit of playtime, a cat tree and other enrichment. Keeping your kitty indoors protects her from death by car, rabies from roaming creatures, and other safety issues, such as antifreeze.
• When planning your dog’s daily walk, seriously consider early morning or later in the evening for longer, cooler walks. If you have to walk mid-day, take a shorter route, and remember that sidewalks can burn the pads of a dog’s paws.
• If your dog spends time outdoors in a kennel, ensure he has plenty of fresh, cool water and shelter. Rain and thunderstorms can pop up quickly, particularly in the afternoon when you may be elsewhere, such as work. And, NEVER chain or tie your dog out – lightening striking a nearby tree, heat exhaustion, dehydration and numerous insect bites are just a few of hazards posed to tethered dogs.
• Cocoa mulch, pesticides, antifreeze, and other chemicals pose dangerous risks to our pets, including death. Ensure your pet cannot get into any of these hazardous products, and highly consider using organic products for your garden and yard.
• When traveling with your pet, make sure to keep them properly restrained, in a secured carrier or special seatbelt. This not only protects your pets, but you as driver and your passengers as well – you’re not as apt to be distracted if your traveling four-footed friend is properly restrained in the vehicle.
• If your pet does travel with you, make sure his/her ID tags are on the collar – you might even seriously consider microchipping your pet before traveling. Also, use a leash to walk your pet for its bathroom break. One of the worst ways to ruin your trip or vacation is to lose your pet.
• Prior to traveling, look into accommodations that accept pets. There are some great websites that can help you plan your pet-friendly vacation: www.petswelcome.com; www.travelpets.com; www.petsonthego.com.
• If you don’t take your pet on the trip with you, look into hiring a pet sitter, someone who’ll take care of your pets, your house, your mail, etc. Ask friends or your vet for recommendations, or try the following websites for certified, reliable pet sitters:
  http://www.care.com/pet-care-p1005.html, http://www.sittercity.com/pet-sitting.html, or
  http://www.petsitters.org/index.cfm?section=PetOwners.
• NEVER leave your pets home alone if you’re gone for an extended period of time. Even asking friends to “drop by” to feed and water isn’t enough. Bad things can happen if a pet is left alone for days – in addition to running out of water, yard and house destruction can occur, incessant barking often takes place because your pet feels abandoned, and that can result in upset and worried neighbors, and possibly a fine to you for animal abuse/neglect.
• Don’t let the dog bite! Summer is the peak season for dog bites because of the increased number of children and dogs playing outdoors. Training, socialization and spaying/ neutering your dog help reduce the risk of dog bites. Also, remember to teach your children good manners around pets. To learn more about dog bites and how to prevent them, visit http://www.dog-biteprevention.com/
  

May you, your family, and your pets have a safe and enjoyable summer!

A Tale of Two Dogs (and maybe two people!)

Last weekend my husband, the two dogs and I traveled to Montana. I was conducting two book signings and we also were able to visit some friends and spend time with my parents -- we thoroughly enjoyed our time up there!

Sage, though, had a bit of trouble. Her traveling days, I believe, are nearly finished. She becomes very anxious, panting constantly and not settling down. Even a small tranquilizer doesn't kick in until we're nearly at our destination. I believe the blindness has impacted her ability to travel, possibly upsetting her stomach and/or making her dizzy. She is fine when we arrive, and enjoys being with my parents and meeting people at the bookstores. I'm sad to see this happen as she is such a hit with people and truly enjoys being around them.

Cody, on the other hand, is a great traveler! We put his blanket in the back seat, near Sage's travel kennel, and he looked like a prince on his throne! If he's not in between the seats, hoisting himself up to see what's going on out the window, then he's curled up, sleeping soundly. Cody, too, is great about meeting new people, and was as much a hit at the bookstores as Sage. He's also a hit with my parents, who were once adamant about "no dogs in the house!" Cody and Sage, however, have won their hearts, and both dogs are good for their physical and mental health as well. (Dad even walks one or both of them sometimes!) I love taking the dogs to visit my parents! (except for the 'getting there' part!)

Two different dogs, two different reactions to the same event. Kind of like people. Different personalities, different reactions to situations at times. Our dogs can be a reflection of ourselves. I'm not as good at night driving as I used to be; in fact, I can get downright anxious about it. Didn't do that when I was younger. Kind of like Sage - stressed over aspects of travel now when I didn't used to be. My husband is more like Cody - laid back with a 'take it as it comes' attitude. Amazing how our pets can be mirror images of ourselves. Perhaps subconsciously that's why we bond with certain pets so easily. Now, if only Sage and I could be more like Cody and Greg - we'd all enjoy our little vacations a little more, especially without long drives or travels at night!

Road Trip with Your Pet

I've been away from this blog for longer than I intended due to sickness. This has been a VERY LONG WINTER here in the Rockies. Signs of spring are coming, though, despite the consistent snowfall -- robins are appearing, grass is greening (thanks to the extra snowfall!), and the sun is shining (finally!).

My husband and I took a weekend trip with our two dogs recently, something we’ve not done in quite sometime. It was a pleasant journey, at least for a few of us. Sage, our blind dog, no longer travels well, and she stresses about being in the car, even for a short while.

Cody, the Cocker Spaniel, on the other hand, lays down and sleeps, sometimes so peacefully that he snores! It’s an amazing difference between the two.

Once at the two different hotels we stayed at, we all relaxed for the night. The beds were king-sized (don’t often get that in hotel ‘pets allowed’ rooms!), the rooms were large enough that Sage, the blind one, could more easily navigate, and the prices were very reasonable (of course, it isn’t really the travel season yet!). We did have to pay an extra charge per pet per night, but nothing extravagant, and I’m grateful for that, especially traveling with two dogs.

During our journey, we stopped at one particular rest stop where a young man had also stopped with his two dogs. He had a van loaded with stuff, from skies and a shovel on top of the vehicle, to a bench seat with blankets on it for the dogs inside. I smiled, both inside and outside, when I saw this guy with his two 4-legged friends. Not only did he exercise them at the rest area, but he provided them attention and the vital substance called water and he played with them outside at the pet designated part of the rest area. It was great to see! He obviously enjoys his four-legged companions and was having fun traveling to wherever he was going with them.

I thank the people who are responsible for creating pet areas at highway rest stops. I thank the hotels that are pet friendly and allow us traveling pet owners places to stay with our furry friends. I thank pet owners who not only take their pets on trips, but who provide them the stimulations they need and the basic necessities they require. It’s wonderful to bump into other traveling pet owners. We share smiles, exchange greetings, and often stop and chat about our furry companions. Pets bring pet owners together, and I’m thankful for that, too.

As travel season approaches, here are a few traveling trips for taking your pet on the road with you:

• Pack enough pet food and also containers of water for the trip. In addition also take along the following: your pet’s food and water dishes, bedding, litter and litter box, leash, collar and tags, grooming supplies, a favorite toy, a first-aid kit, and any necessary medications.
  
  
• Make sure your pet wears a sturdy collar with ID tags throughout the trip. It's also recommended to have a tag on your pet with contact information for your destination.


• Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date and carry a health certificate with you.


• Make frequent pit stops. Provide your pet with fresh water in addition to the exercise and bathroom breaks when you stop.


• Never leave your pet unattended in a parked vehicle. Not only can the inside of a car heat up quickly, but unattended pets can be victims of theft.


• Be sure that your pet is safely restrained in your vehicle. Utilizing a pet safety harness or travel kennel are the best ways to keep your dog safe. Cat should be in carriers for their safety (and yours!). Whatever method you choose to properly restrain your pet in the vehicle, be sure to make their comfort a priority. Simply providing their favorite bed or blanket can help your pet feel more at ease during a road trip.
  

For more indepth travel tips, visit the Humane Society of the United States' website at http://www.hsus.org/ or TripswithPets.com.

And, for pet-friendly accommodations, visit: http://www.dogfriendly.com/, http://www.petswelcome.com/, or tripswithpets.com.

Happy Trails (and Tails!)