Posts tagged pets

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Regular separation from you will be painful and can even cause depression. Think before you buy me.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me don’t be impatient, short-tempered or irritable.

3. Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back, respect is earned not given as some sort of inalienable right.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long, and don’t lock me up as punishment. I am not capable of understanding why I am being locked up. I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment and friends. I only have you.

5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your tone. “You only have to look at my tail” to know that.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget, if that treatment is unjust or bad, it may spoil the special bond between us.

7. Please do not hit me. I cannot hit back, but I can bite and scratch and I don’t ever want to feel the need to do that.

8. Before you tell me off me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be wrong with me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food or I’ve been out in the sun too long, maybe my heart is getting old and weak, or maybe I’m just dog-tired.

9. Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and will also want care, love, and affection.

10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, “I can’t bear to watch” or “Let it happen in my absence.
Everything is easier for me if you are there Remember, Irrespective of what you do I will always love you.

Is it silly to dress your pets up for winter?
In most cases your pets do not require clothing, however there are many instances where an extra layer can be beneficial for your pet.  It is true that your pet cat and dog (most breeds) have a full coat of fur to keep them warm, but in very cold temperatures a secure, non-restricting coat can help them better deal with the cold. Pets who are very elderly, very sick (particularly those who have lost fur due to illnesses or surgery) and those who are short-haired or hairless will benefit the most from having extra protection against the cold. Cats may not appreciate clothing or boots and will be better off kept indoors during winter. 

Safety concerns regarding clothing on pets
Never leave your pets unsupervised when they are wearing a coat or sweater. If their coats get wet while they are outside in freezing weather, they are at risk for developing hypothermia. Because of the unnatural feeling of wearing clothing, many dogs will try to squirm out of their winter wear which poses a risk for strangulation and suffocation. Please keep an eye on your pets when they are dressed. 

Protect exposed foot pads from sidewalk salt and chemicals
The ice and salt placed on sidewalks can be very irritating for the skin on your pet’s foot pads. Your pet will most likely begin to lick their pads once irritation occurs and end up ingesting dangerous chemicals in the process. For this reason, placing boots on your dogs is not a bad idea. Try starting with baby socks to get your pet used to the idea of wearing something on their feet. Let them walk around the house with the socks on and once they have accepted the socks, transition to securely fastened boots with a rubber sole to protect their feet.