Give of yourself to help animals!

Recently I transported two female Springer Spaniels to their adoptive parents, a couple who wanted to give them a permanent, forever home. As part of a breed-rescue organization, I have transported dogs to their new homes and have given of my time in other ways as a volunteer.

I don’t have lots of time to volunteer, but I have found a few ways in which I can serve to help animals in need. Volunteers are vital to rescue and other animal welfare organizations, and there are many ways a person can volunteer. Some of these endeavors take lots of time, others take only a few hours a week. If you enjoy animals, here are some ways in which you can help your local animal shelter, Humane Society, or animal rescue organization:

• Donate time to walk and play with dogs.


• Donate time to brush and play with cats.


• Serve as a foster parent, providing a temporary home to injured or orphaned animals, those awaiting a new home, or mothers with very young kittens or puppies.


• Transport pets going into new homes.


• Assist with fundraising and other special events.


• Help landscape and clean an existing facility.


• Donate products, such as pet food, toys, treats, even laundry soap and cat litter.


• Donate money.
  

Visit with a representative from your local animal shelter or rescue group and see what their needs are that you as a volunteer can provide. You will be amazed at the difference you can make in the lives of homeless pets in just a few hours a week or even a few hours each month as these animals await their loving, forever home! Be part of the positive solution by giving of yourself in some small way.

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".

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!)

Little Dog, Big Heart

Almost exactly one year ago, my husband and I adopted an older male Cocker Spaniel. A family who got him in another estate had brought him into our local shelter. He obviously had been used as a stud, as he was nearly 10 years old and not neutered. We know nothing else about his background, except he supposedly needed to be “the only dog”. Well, that has turned out to be completely false.

Cody blended right in with Sage, our blind Springer Spaniel, and he seemed to take on the role of protector. It’s as though he realizes she has a handicap. The first few months when they went out together to the backyard (which they do often!), he watched her, and if she ran too close to one of the trees, or to the stair railing of the deck, Cody would try to prevent her from getting hurt.

On our walks and in our house, he is ever vigil. If he thinks a dog or a person is going to hurt me, his mistress, he sets into a barking frenzy. Once, I walked past a yard with a large golden retriever, and that dog came charging to the fence, barking up a storm! Cody retaliated, pulling on his leash and barking loudly! He didn’t care if that dog was 3 times his size, he’d have taken him on to protect me. Thankfully, the golden stayed in its yard and simply barked. We don’t walk near that yard anymore.

Our house would surely be off-limits to intruders. Cody keeps watch on a chair near the front door, with an eye on the picture window as well. Whenever he hears a diesel motor or sees a person simply walking past the front of the house, his “protection mode” kicks into high gear, and we are alerted that "something is out there!" We always know when someone is at the door! In fact, we always know when someone is walking on the sidewalk, even if they are across the street!

This 30-pound, elderly dog is totally loyal and loving. Cody – a little dog with a big heart!

Spring is coming!

Is spring arriving where you live? This wonderous season is trying to make a comeback in the Rocky Mountains where I reside, and the pets know it! (The songbirds seem to feel it, too, I've noticed this week!) The dogs are restless and want to take more walks each day, and the cats want to spend more time in the backyard. Let them, I say! They need the exercise, and frankly, so do I. With temperatures climbing into the upper 40s to mid-50s and sunshine showing (I know some of you southern types may be shivering just thinking, "It's only 45 or 50, and she thinks spring is coming?!", but for one living with temps only in the 20s or maybe 30 for four months, 45 is WARM!) now is the time to put on those walking shoes, get out the garden and grass rakes, and take yourself and your animals outdoors! Make sure your pets are safely with you, whether on a leash while near the street or within sight while in your backyard. Being out in the fresh air and sunshine is good for our pets and good for us people, too.
I hope spring is coming where you live. If it's already there, count your blessings -- snow will continue to fall off and on where I live for the next two or three months. That's what I like about spring, though -- it's a hopeful season, and I'm hoping it comes to stay and SOON!

Cozy Comfort – Devotion from a Pet

This past week I’ve been down for the count – started with a scratchy throat, progressed to bronchitis. I’ve not slept well in nearly a week, spending most time in my recliner with the vaporizer on. Zapped of strength and energy, it’s been a lonesome, despairing week – expect for one important thing: I’ve not been alone.

My blind dog, Sage, has learned how to jump onto the recliner and turn around and find a comfortable position to lie next to me. She’s done that for quite sometime. Usually, she turns away so that her nose and ears face the livingroom so she can smell and hear things going on around her better. However, this week, instead of her “normal” position on the chair, she has turned to face me, lay her head on my chest, and simply relax and “look at” me with such adoration. My heart has melted, and thanksgiving rises up for this special dog. She has given me great comfort in being by my side and in how she “looks” at me. I know she can’t see, but there’s just something about her expression, her acceptance of both her condition and of me – not at my best – that is heartwarming and uplifting.

I recall walks we’ve taken and how she simply just “goes” – walking in snow, walking in the woods (on a leash of course!), walking through a park – and she expresses no reservations; in fact, she WANTS to go walking! I cannot imagine, not being able to see, and just walking. Trusting your companion fully and just enjoying the experience of being outdoors, taking in the smells, the crispness of the winter air, the freshness of the mountains in summer… What faith, what courage, what trust!

As I sat close with my dog this week, I was reminded how important we are to them, and I know how important she is to me. Giving me love, acceptance, devotion, and comfort in my time of need. How many people actually do that for other people, including those we say we love? Humans can certainly learn a lot from their pets. Too bad more of us don’t acknowledge that fact!

7 Keys to Successfully Adopt and Live with a New Pet

Most of us know that warm, fuzzy feeling of seeing a puppy or kitten at play. Pet lovers all know that tug at our heartstrings when we visit a Humane Society or animal shelter and see the numerous animals looking at us sadly through their cages. We also know the quiver of our lip when we look on the Internet and view the photos and read the stories of all the pets needing new homes and looking to be placed through the hundreds of pet rescue organizations. Many of us, in turn, respond by adopting a pet or two.

There is little else that lifts one’s spirits than to come home from a tough day at work or school and be happily and lovingly greeted by a four-footed friend. If you are thinking of adding a pet to your home, seriously consider adopting verses buying – there are SO MANY animals in need of new, loving homes that are available through animal shelters, ASPCAs, Humane Societies, and rescue groups. Each year, nearly 5 million dogs and cats are euthanized because there are not enough homes. Be a hero – ADOPT!

As you consider adopting a pet, here are seven tips to help insure you and your new pet will spend many happy years together:

1. Don’t adopt on a whim - seriously think about this important decision. Consider your lifestyle: do you travel a lot or gone to work for several hours a day? Do you have children, and if so, are they younger or older? Are you really ready for the responsibility of a pet, and if so, what type of pet best fits your family situation and lifestyle? Dogs require a great deal of exercise; cats are more independent-natured, and fish don’t shed or whimper when they’re lonely.

2. Never give a pet as a gift! Your lifestyle may be different from the person you’re thinking of gifting with a living creature and that person may not want a pet. NEVER give a puppy, kitten, dog or cat as a gift to a child and expect that child to be the pet’s caretaker – things may go along smoothly for awhile, but within a few weeks or a month you as adult parent will be the one taking care of the pet – just accept that fact and if you’re okay with it, then adopt a pet as a FAMILY.

3. Research! Various breeds of dogs, for example, have different personalities and needs; research the many breeds to help find the best fit for your family. Most shed, that’s a fact of life, so if you or a family member has allergies, you should look at the breeds that shed the least. Cats also come in a variety of breeds and personalities; maybe one suits you better than another.

4. Consider your finances. Pets require annual medical care (vaccinations) and, like people, can develop medical issues due to genetics or accidents. For example, most cats are litterbox-trained at a young age, but later in life they can develop kidney failure and may not use the box as regularly. Medication can help keep the infection at bay, but like all prescriptions, regular medication costs money. You may consider acquiring pet insurance, but that too costs money. Remember: Nothing is free, not even a "free pet"!

5. Think about the future. Are planning to have a baby in the next few years? Do you think you might be moving soon? The number one reason people give for relinquishing a pet to an animal shelter is “I’m moving”. That’s a lame excuse – pets can move with you just like children. It may be a bit traumatic on them at first, but they will be fine, just like people eventually adjust to a new home and neighborhood. It is more traumatic for them to be left by their family. If you are a person who would move without your pet or who would consider giving up your pet because you had a baby, it would be best to wait and adopt a pet when you are more settled.

6. Meet the Newbies! If you currently have pets in your house and are thinking of adding another, make sure the animals now living in your home have opportunity to meet the new potential four-footed member on neutral ground. It is much better all-around to know the animals won’t get along BEFORE bringing the newest member into the household. Most animal shelters provide visiting rooms to which you can bring your current pets in to meet their potential new companion. After you bring your new pet home, be prepared for some jealousy and minor fights as all the animals become accustomed to each other and their place in the household “pack”. Sometimes this can take a few weeks or even months.

7. Train your pet. Puppies often need to be housebroken, and all dogs need to know the basic commands of sit, stay, come, and no. No pet is perfect, just as no child or adult is perfect. You may want to work with a professional trainer or take your dog to community dog obedience classes or train the pet yourself and learn a bit more right with your new furry friend! Training helps insure safety for your pet and helps your new pet more closely bond with you. Even cats can learn a few things from their human, whether they like to admit it or not! And remember – train lovingly, not harshly! Harshness and cruelty do not bond us with our pets – instead, it makes them become fearful – and it’s immoral!

Adopting a pet is a wonderful experience, and having a pet in the house makes the dwelling a cozy, warm, and loving home. Our pets love us unconditionally, and, like children, they depend on us for care. Follow the above-mentioned tips and you and your pet will live happily ever after!

Let’s all make this year a better one, for ourselves and for our pets. As one of our former presidents used to say, let’s be kinder and gentler, to our pets, our planet, our loved one and ourselves!