Ten Commandments for a Responsible Pet Owner

On my last post I listed the 10 Commandments for pet owners as dictated by the pet. I really feel strongly about every one of these. Our pets have very few ways of communicating to us how they feel. I read these over and over and every time it stirs up some emotions about how they really feel. So I decided to comment on all ten of them in my future posts...starting with the first one:

My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

This reminds me of last week when I made a trip to Florida for the weekend for a convention. I had to leave really early Thursday morning to catch my plane. Apparently when my housemate returned from dropping me off, the cat immediately started to search the entire house to see where I had gone and being very vocal about the whole thing. And as the weekend went by the searching and crying continued. He began to act out his frustrations by pestering the dog and not allowing anyone to get much sleep and pretty much being a royal pain in the "you know what". But thinking back...this was his only way of communicating that he was upset that I was not around. He did not understand the words "she will be back". All he saw was the absence of his "mom".

We need to spend a little extra time and attention on our pets when someone they see every day and who they depend on goes away for a few days. Stop what you are doing for a few minutes and give them a belly rub or two. Talk to them in a calm voice if they seem upset and give them an extra treat once in awhile. If they see in you that everything is ok and that it is only a temporary separation it just might help them make it through until they their "loved one" walk back through the door.

10 Commandments for a Responsible Pet Owner (as dictated by the pet)

I found this on RadioFence.com and it really stirred up some emotions in me, especially the last two. My dog is over 17 years old and I know his time is limited. I find myself getting very frustrated with him because he is "not behaving" in my eyes. But then I realize that he can't hear, his eyesight is fading, he is confused at times...plain and simple...he just doesn't feel good. I wouldn't either if I was at his stage in life.

We all are going through rough times with this economy. I don't have the patience I use to. I react to little situations that pretty much have no meaning. And I know it is affecting my pets. I can see it in their eyes when I get upset at stupid little things. All they want is to be loved. So take some time to read these 10 Commandments and really pay attention to the words. We focus on the material things in life. These 10 simple things are all our pets ask of us.

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, and yet I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old.
10. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so.

Happy 4th of July

It is hard to believe that the 4th of July is this weekend. The summer seems to be flying by. For many of us it will be a day of celebrating with friends and family. As pet owners, that will probably include the family pet. There are a few things to remember in order to make the day a celebration rather than a tragedy.

First, the hot summer days can be especially hard on pets. They do not have the same ability as humans to manage the heat. They will not tell you if they start to feel the effects of the heat. They just want to continue to be a part of the fun. Many times it is too late to detect the symptoms of heat stroke. So if they will be outside for a long period of time please make sure there is plenty of shade and water and limit their activity.

Second, like all celebrations there is usually plenty of food available all day long. Believe me...I know how tempting it is to give into those big sad eyes and slip them a taste or two. Just imagine if everyone gave into that temptation. You could end up with one sick little puppy. Many of the foods that are "available" contain ingredients that could be harmful to your pet. It is best to just bring along your dog's favorite snack and food for him to indulge in.

Third, and the most important, is the evening of fireworks. They may be spectacular for humans but for most pets it is a very frightening experience. They do not understand what is going on. All they see and hear are bright flashes of light and very loud explosive noises. That can send your pet into a panic. Before you know it they have broken free, running anywhere in a panic to get away from the noise. Many pet owners have lost pets because of this. If you must have them with you make sure they are securely on a leash and have the proper identification just in case they escape. If at all possible though...just keep them inside. Put them in a room with a radio or TV going so it will drown out the noise. It is not worth losing your little loved one just so you can have him as part of the celebration. They will be grateful and you will wake up the next day with your buddy at your side.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

Colleen, Koby and Rebel

http://www.kobyspetsupplydistributor.com

Too Many Abandoned Pets

Everyday I hear on the news or read in the newspaper about shelters having too take on to many pets that have been abandoned because of the economy. Many of these shelters are at or over their capacity. I understand the desparation of people that have been hit hard by this recession. I am feeling the affects as well. But my heart breaks just knowing there are helpless pets being left to fend for themselves...with no food or water and no human contact. Even though I understand choices have to be made, I don't agree with just driving away from your house and leaving the pets behind. There are other options and I beg anyone who has to make that painful choice to PLEASE take them to a shelter or ask for a friend's help to find a different solution. Yes, the shelters are overwhelmed. But I am pretty confident that they would rather have you drop them off...then have to go rescue them after they have been starved and become weak and sick.

And for anyone thinking about getting a pet or adding to the "family" PLEASE consider adopting from your local shelters. They really are in desperate need of people wanting to adopt a pet. They need to make room for other pets who have been abandoned and need a new place to call home.
Visit Koby's Best Choice Pet Supplies for a list of Pet Organizations that can help you find a place to take your pet or to adopt a new one.

Summer Is Finally Here

It is that time of year again where we can finally get out and spend some quality time with our pets. As the temperatures rise there are some precautions you should take to ensure the safety of your little buddies. The most important one is preventing heat stroke. Because everyone has been cooped up all winter it is tempting to stay out a little longer and play a little harder. We may not realize how hot it really is. Pets will generally not let you know when they are in trouble until it is too late. The best prevention is to go early in the day or later in the evening and take plenty of water for both of you. Limit your time in the sun. In areas where it gets really hot it might be better to go twice a day, once in the morning and again at night. And please...DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PET IN YOUR VEHICLE. Even with the windows down it can be a deadly mistake. I have seen a dog go through heat stroke. It is not a pleasant experience...one I will never forget. They did not survive.

Visit Koby's Best Choice Pet Supplies for all your pet's needs.

CAT FOOD RECALL

There has been another PET FOOD RECALL . According to TruthaboutPetFood.com on May 21, 2009, Nutro Products announced a voluntary recall of select varieties of their dry cat food in the United States and 10 additional countries. This recall is due to incorrect levels of zinc and potassium resulting from a production error by a US-based premix supplier. Those select varieties include NUTRO NATURAL CHOICE COMPLETE CARE Dry Cat Foods and NUTRO MAX Dry Cat Foods with "Best If Used By Dates" between May 12, 2010 and August 22, 2010.

Consumers who are affected by this recall are advised to immediately stop feeding the product to their cats. They should also watch for symptoms, including a reduction in appetite or refusal of food, weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea. It is also advised that if your cat is experiencing health issues or is pregnant, to contact their veterinarian.
For more information on this recall and which foods are on the recall list visit http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com
And for a holistic approach to your pet's health please visit http://www.HolisticNutrition4Pets.com

Do You Know What Is In Your Pet's Food?

Ok, so you just went to the pet store or one of those big box stores and bought your pet their favorite food. You feel pretty good about the choice you made. It seems to have all the "healthy" ingredients that you have heard is good for pets. And...your pet can't wait to devour it. But here are a few things I would like to share with you that hopefully will change your mind about your purchase. First of all, do you know how long that bag of food has been in existence? Sure you might have grabbed the bag off the pallet when the guy who was stocking it wasn't looking...thinking maybe you scored a fresher product. However, how long was it sitting in the truck it came from? Most dog food will sit in storage for up to a year or more.

Here is another thing to consider. Where did those so called "healthy" ingredients come from? I don't know if you remember a while back where tainted pet food made its way from China into the United States and cost many pets their life. I am sure those pet owners thought they were giving their pets the best.

And here is something that should really make you think twice about what you feed your beloved dog or cat. There are actual pet manufacturers out there that will buy animals that have just been euthanized for the sole purpose of using them for their pet food product. These carcasses still contain the medication that was used to end their life...which means...you guessed it...it could make it into your buddy's system. So is there a pet food out there that you can feel 100% safe about giving your pets? There is. It is called Life's Abundance Premium Pet Food.


Life's Abundance Premium Dog Food contains only fresh, natural, wholesome ingredients. It provides 100% complete nutrition in accordance with AAFCO feeding protocols. It is made from veterinarian-formulated products that include only human-quality ingredients. These holistic foods are made with an exclusive "fast-cook" process, to lock in natural flavors and nutrition and is NO MORE than 6 WEEKS old when it is shipped directly to you.

You owe it to your pet to check out what Life's Abundance Premium Pet Food has to offer

Visit
HolisticNutrition4Pets.com

I hope you will come back to this blog because I am going to continue to give you more facts about just what is in your pet's food.