Pet Monologues

Is pet insurance a good idea? First, the good news: veterinarians can do more for your pet than ever before. State-of-the-art medical procedures — from open-heart surgery to kidney transplants — are now available to help prolong an animal’s life. Cats receive dialysis, and even ducks are getting cataract surgery. My own Labrador, Duke, developed a heart condition and had a pacemaker implanted at age 12. He lived a year beyond his natural life expectancy, and I cherished every extra minute I had with him. [RK] Read the rest of this entry »

What’s the Big Deal?
Ah, the pitter patter of four-legged feet as they whip through your living room at overclocked speeds or uproot your prize gladiolas with manic fervor. But Snookiepuss and Mrs. Fluffypants are practically family, right?

So why should they settle for anything less than top drawer when their health and wellbeing are at stake? Throw the planet a bone while you’re at it; we’ve got the goods on how to reduce your pets’ carbon paw prints—without making your wallet roll over and play dead. Read the rest of this entry »

If you have pets, you may have wondered whether they know what you’re thinking. Perhaps your cat hides when you start planning a trip to the vet. Or maybe your dog runs in circles when you think about going out to play. Both of these events can have logical explanations. Your cat might have heard you pull the carrier off the shelf; your dog must have seen you glance at a favorite ball. Read the rest of this entry »

I just read your sidebar article “Worried owners cooking for pets” What’s with the pet-food scare? I’ve always fed my dogs dry dog food and my most recent (standard poodle, doberman, weinmaraner) were active, taut, and silky coated.

Yet millions of people feed their pets ‘designer’ foods and now, with the pet-food scare, some are going farther….feeding them home-made dog-food. While spending a few days with a friend recently, I noticed a large bowl of hamburger meat and freshly chopped veggies on the kitchen counter. I thought we must be having meat loaf for dinner! Instead it was a week’s worth of food for a black lab! I’m not sure these type of rich home-cooked meals are even good for our pets. But even so, as a pet owner all my life, I’ve always drawn a line between pet-food and people-food for a garden-variety of reasons. So what is the best for us and our pets? Canned, processed food? Dry processed food? Home-cooked food?

Worried owners cooking for pets. ATLANTA - Some worried pet owners are grinding up meat in their kitchens and making their own dog and cat food because of the contamination scare blamed for numerous animal deaths.

Sales of pet food recipe books have also shot up since the nationwide pet-food recall began two weeks ago. [RK] Read the rest of this entry »

Another pet food recall. COLUMBIA, S.C. - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that at least 76 dogs nationwide are believed to have died as a result of eating contaminated Diamond Pet Foods. [RK] Read the rest of this entry »

Pet-Food Recall Over 40 brands of cat and dog food have been pulled from the shelves all over the U.S. Read the rest of this entry »

So It’s Time To Buy A Dog!

After listening to your kids beg for a puppy for years, you’re finally ready to give in and buy a dog. Before you take this big step though, stop to consider a few facts that should influence your decision. After all, you are about to enter into a 10+ year commitment, and you want to make sure you’re prepared!….Don’t You?

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First, consider your impulse to begin with a puppy. Puppies are undeniably adorable and appealing, but they need lots of exercise, training, and supervision. Depending on your work schedule and the ages of your children, do you really have time to handle a rambunctious pup?
Read the rest of this entry »

After purchasing a new puppy, it should be taken to a licensed veterinarian for a total health examination. Owners should make sure the puppy is of good quality, and do all that they can to insure that the puppy is healthy at the time of acquisition. You should find out which shots have already been administered and then set about completing the puppy’s entire series of vaccinations. This will protect the new puppy from diseases and worms.

During this time, it is best to keep your puppy away from strays and other animals, which may not have been vaccinated. Also, keep poisonous substances out of your dog’s reach. Some indoor plants are poisonous to dogs, so don’t let your puppy chew on their leaves or play near them. Ask a veterinarian for a list of hazardous plants and other potential toxins, including insecticides, household detergents, and household plants.

At first, your puppy will need lots of rest, so handling and playtime should be minimized. Your puppy should have a quiet place reserved for feeding and for resting. This area should be a light traffic area, and free from drafts and excessive sunshine. Most importantly, the puppy should feel safe and comfortable in the spot you have chosen. No radical changes in diet should be made without consulting a veterinarian, and you should also refrain from feeding your puppy “human” food because it may upset his stomach.

If you have children or frequent visitors, you should show them how to handle the puppy (i.e. a puppy should never be picked up by its front legs or neck), and focus on properly socializing and introducing the puppy to them.

With consistence and compassion, preparation and patience, your puppy will make a comfortable transition into your family and reward you with unconditional love and friendship.