TYDTWDay

Doesn't it just break your heart to see your beloved furry friend staring out at you from the front window with those sad puppy dog eyes as you head out for another busy day at the office?  Do you ever wish you could spare them another lonely and boring day at home and bring them to work with you?  Well, this Friday, June 24th, just might be the day that wish can come true because its Take Your Dog To Work Day!            

 

In 1996, Pet Sitters International decided that there were far too many instances of people leaving their animals at home while they went about their workday.  This amazing organization is dedicated to saving animals from local shelters and helping them find good homes with people who will love and respect them.  As part of this project they developed Take Your Dog To Work Day in an attempt to help restore puppies to the workplace and help people understand the extraordinary bond between humans and their animals. 


Since the beginning of time, dogs have been considered man’s best friend.  They worked alongside us, hunting and tracking and even keeping us safe at night by alerting us to imminent danger.  In modern times, however, this relationship has been forgotten and the poor pooch is now left to sit at home while we go about our daily business.  Take Your Dog To Work Day is set to change this and bring the happy puppy back into our daily work lives.

 

This day of recognition  encourages employers and co-workers to experience the joys of pets in the workplace for one day to support their local pet community.  TYDTWDay is an annual event and is always celebrated on the Friday following Father’s Day.  It also accommodates cat lovers (and other pets) and those who cannot participate on TYDTWDay as the entire week leading up to this day, June 20-24, is Take Your Pet To Work Week. 

 
So how can we Celebrate Take Your Dog To Work Day?  Well that's a no-brainer isn’t it?  Take your dog to work with you!  This doesn’t mean leaving them in the car to bake in the hot summer sun; the pup should spend the entire day by your side.  Of course you will want to be sure your dog as well as your co-workers are comfortable with this situation, so here are a few tips to remember.  

 
*  Only take your dog to work if they're well-trained and listen to you.

*  Consider how your dog acts around other dogs and realize your dog may not get along with other dogs at your office.

*  Don’t assume that everyone likes your dog as much as you do.  Many people are afraid of dogs, especially big ones, but they don't want to speak up.

*  Don’t allow your dog to wander alone around your office; keep them by your desk all day to prevent them from bothering your co-workers.

*  Bring your dog’s bed so they'll feel more comfortable.  Also, bring along some of your dog’s favorite toys and treats to keep them entertained.

*  Be courteous when taking your dog out for bathroom breaks and clean up any mess they make.

 
By bringing your pet to work with you, you're helping to educate others on the importance of saving these amazing critters from rescue shelters and the streets.  It's a fun way for non-pet owners to witness firsthand the special bond their co-workers have with their pets and be encouraged to adopt a new best friend of their own.  If your place of business doesn’t yet have a Take Your Dog To Work Day organized, perhaps you can be the one to get it started and help bring some doggie goodness to your office.  Who knows, you may find some more dog fans in your co-workers, and maybe every day will become Take Your Dog To Work Day!

 
Happy tails to you until we meet again!

For All the Cat Lovers: Save a life - Adopt a cat!

Approximately 4 million cats end up in shelters across the country every year, including thousands born every spring and summer during “kitten season”.  That means there are tons of cute, cuddly newborns in addition to the older, more mellow cats and everything in between.  Since June is Adopt-A--Cat month, maybe you're ready to adopt your very first cat or perhaps bring home a friend for another beloved cat in your family!  Here's a simple but important checklist you should review before adopting your new feline companion.

 
1.  If you’re thinking about adopting a cat, consider taking home two.  This may sound like a pitch to get you to spend more money, but cats require exercise, mental stimulation, and social interaction and two cats can provide this for each other.  They can provide many positive benefits to you as well.  For example, cats’ purring has been shown to soothe humans as well as themselves, and they have an uncanny ability to just make you smile.  A great place to start your search is online.  Sites like petfinder.com help you search numerous shelters in your area simultaneously to help narrow your search and more quickly find the PURfect match for you and your family.

 

2.  Find a cat whose personality meshes with yours.  Just as we each have our own personality, so do cats.  Adoption counselors can offer advice to help you match the cat’s personality with your own.

 

3.  Pick out a veterinarian ahead of time and schedule a visit within the first couple of weeks following the adoption.  Pet Pal Animal Shelter will include a free consultation with their veterinary clinic or you can choose your own vet.  Regardless of what vet you choose, You’ll want to take all medical records you received from the shelter to your first visit with the veterinarian

 

4.  Make sure everyone in the house is prepared to have a cat before it comes home.  Visiting the shelter should be a family affair.  If you already have pets at home and you're considering adopting a new cat, discuss with the adoption counselors the best ways to make a proper introduction.

 

5.  Budget for the short- and long-term costs of a cat.  Understand any pet is a responsibility and there are costs associated with that.  A cat adopted from a shelter like Pet Pal is a bargain as they have already provided spaying or neutering, initial vaccines, and a microchip for permanent identification.

 

6.  Get all the necessary supplies before the cat arrives.  Be prepared so your new cat can start feeling at home right away.  Your cat will need a litter box, cat litter, food and water bowls, food, scratching posts, safe and stimulating toys, a cushy bed, a brush for grooming, etc.

 

7.  Cat-proof your home.  A new cat will quickly teach you not to leave things lying out.  Food left on the kitchen counter will quickly teach your new friend to jump on counters for a possible lunch.  Get rid of loose items your cat might chew on, watch to ensure the kitten isn’t chewing on electric cords, and pick up random items like paper clips (which kittens may swallow).

 

8.  Take your time when introducing your cat to new friends and family.  It can take several weeks for a cat to relax in a new environment.  Socialization is very important but remember to take it slow.

 

9.  Be sure to include your new pet in your family’s emergency plan.  You probably already have a plan in place for getting your family to safety in case of an emergency...especially if you live here in Florida, but you'll need to adjust this plan to include your pets.  Add phone numbers for your veterinarian and closest 24-hour animal hospital to your emergency contact list.

 

10.  If you’re considering giving a cat as a gift, make sure the recipient is an active participant in the adoption process.  Though well-meaning, a surprise kitty gift doesn’t allow for a “get-to know-one-another” period.  For this reason, some shelters including Pet Pal Animal Shelter will not partake in surprise adoptions.  Adopting a cat (or any pet) isn’t like purchasing a household appliance or piece of jewelry; this is a real living, breathing, and emotional being who deserves a family that is 100% in love with the idea of adopting and ready to provide a FURever home.     

 

Now, what if you can't adopt?  Here are some easy ways you can still help bring awareness to Adopt-A-Cat Month. 

 

1.  Contact your local shelter or rescue group and ask if they have a donation wish list or other flier you can post around your school, office, neighborhood, etc.  They may be having special cat-related events that you can help promote too.

 

2.  Sign up as a shelter volunteer or foster parent and tell your friends and family how fun and rewarding it is.

 

3.  Pass on an understanding of the importance of pet adoption to the next generation.  Talk to your kids, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other youngsters about animal shelters and responsible pet adoption   

 

4.  Post this message to your social media to spread the word.  "June is Adopt-A--Cat Month.  Save a life - Adopt a cat!"

     

It may not seem like you're doing much, but even just a little help can make a huge difference in the lives of these furry felines during Adopt-A-Cat Month and throughout the year! 

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!     

Happy Tails Furever!

As you may or may not know, I'm moving out of the St. Petersburg area and, unfortunately, will no longer be volunteering at Pet Pal Animal Shelter.  But no worries, Happy Tails isn't going anywhere!  I'll still be keeping in touch with Pet Pal and writing blogs about all the happenings there as well as many other topics about pet adoption, responsible pet parenting, important pet awareness events, and of course fun facts about our favorite furry friends! 

 

For today's blog, I want to give a huge shout out and congratulations to Gracie Grieshop and all the staff and volunteers who have been working sooooo very hard for sooooo many months on Pet Pal's annual Puppy Love benefit.  Since I'm in the middle of moving, I was unable to attend the event this year, but it seems to get bigger and better every year and I'm sure 2016 was no exception.  I'm truly amazed at just how much planning and preparation is involved with a fund raiser of this size and, despite all the craziness they go through, Gracie and her team always manage to pull it all together and make it a terrific success.  You guys totally rock!  Keep up the awesome work! 

 

Anyway, I hope this year's 14th annual Puppy Love turns out to be everything Pet Pal needs it to be and much, much more.  I also hope everyone had a really great time and is now getting some much needed rest before looking ahead to next year's event.  Speaking of next year, here's my challenge to you for Puppy Love 2017.  Let's make a goal of raising enough money to move Pet Pal into a bigger facility so they can save more animals!  OK, so maybe that's a little out of reach but it doesn't hurt to dream, right? 

 

Stay tuned for lots more Happy Tails, including my long-awaited search for my own rescue dog!  Yes, once we get ALL the renovations done on our house in NC and settle in there, I can FINALLY have a dog!  We're also planning to have a few goats, maybe some chickens, and who knows what else.  One thing is for sure though, there will be plenty of happy tails to come!    .    

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again! 

Bark Your Calenders!

Sorry it's been a little while since my last post, but I'm back now and ready to share some more PUPular and CATastic trivia with all of you!  Get ready to "bark" your calendars because there are a few very special pet dates you should be aware of this coming week. 

 

First, National Kids and Pets Day is on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.  This day of recognition originated in 2005 and was set up by Colleen Paige who is a mother and pet lover herself.  This day is dedicated to furthering the relationship between children and animals, raising awareness about shelter animals, and educating parents and children about pet safety.  Children and pets naturally go together, especially dogs, and as with adults, dogs can be fantastic teachers for children.  By learning how our dogs communicate and then listening, we can improve ourselves, and there’s no better time to start doing that than as a child.  Here are just three of the valuable lessons dogs can teach our children.

 
Self-confidence:  Dogs accept us for who we are and are non-judgmental.  They can’t tell the difference between a homeless man and a billionaire because all they’re looking at is energy.  Because of this, dogs are often used to help children become comfortable with reading out loud.  In this situation, if the child makes a mistake or stumbles over a word, the dog isn’t going to laugh.  It’s just going to sit there and listen quietly.  Without the possibility of embarrassing themselves in front of a dog, children learn to trust their own abilities.  Once they’re reading out loud in front of other kids, their skills continue to develop and self-confidence helps to build self-esteem.  Dogs give this to children just by being dogs and quietly listening. 

 
Empathy:  Very young children are naturally self-centered because they don’t know any better.  The world revolves around them and their needs.  This leads to problems as soon as they encounter another child with their own conflicting needs; for example, both of them want the same toy.  When children get older, the ones who don’t develop empathy become the bullies.  They aren’t aware of or don’t care about other people’s feelings.  By teaching children how to treat animals with compassion, we also teach them how to do the same for other human beings. 

 
Responsibility:  Pet ownership in general is one of those experiences many of us go through as kids.  Dogs are probably the best at teaching responsibility because they're the ones most emotionally attached to their human.  If you aren’t fulfilling a dog’s needs, she’ll let you know through her behavior.  Forget to fill the water bowl?  Expect her to start bothering you when she gets thirsty.  Not giving her enough exercise?  Her over-excitement will remind you that it’s time for a walk.  Neglect to provide a mentally challenging environment?  That’s when you come home to find your shoes in pieces.  It’s also the emotional connection that humans have with dogs that makes them great teachers of responsibility.  We consider them members of our families, and we like to see them happy.  It’s this happy-go-lucky side of a balanced dog that makes children want to remember to do what they're supposed to do in order to keep the dog fulfilled.

 

So let us all remember  the important values dogs can teach our children, not just on National Kids and Pets Day, but every single day of the year. 

 

Second, Wednesday, April 27, 2016 is International Guide Dogs Day.  Although my own personal experience with a guide dog was not a great one (that's a story for another blog), I will always believe that guide dogs are amongst the most phenomenal animals on the planet.  It's impossible to feel anything but pure love and awe when you witness just how dedicated these animals are to their owners and how precious and adorable the bond the two of them have is.  International Guide Dogs Day is a day to celebrate these dogs as well as the patient and talented people who train them and pay tribute to the important role they each play in our society.  The crucial work they do is recognized by everyone and, on International Guide Dogs Day, people go out of their way to honor and express their gratitude to these dogs who have impacted the day-to-day lives of so many.

 

Third, and probably most important, is National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day which is celebrated annually on April 30th.  Thinking about getting a pet?  Well, there’s no better day than this day!  There are millions of animals in shelters across the country waiting to go home with you, but you don’t have to adopt a million of them – just one would make a big difference.  Here are some facts about animal homelessness that may surprise you.

 

1.  Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home.

2.  The main reasons animals are in shelters: owners give them up or animal control finds them on the street.

3.  Homeless animals outnumber homeless people 5 to 1.

4.  Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes. 

5.  Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year.  Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.

6.  According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2% of lost cats and only 15 to 20% of lost dogs are returned to their owners.

7.  About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are relinquished by their owners.

8.  It’s impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States.  Estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.

9.  Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered.  Overpopulation, due to owners letting their pets accidentally or intentionally reproduce, leads to millions of these “excess” animals being killed every year.

10.  Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.

 

Animals impact our lives in so many ways without question or hesitation.  They save lives, keep us healthy, guide our blind and disabled, protect our neighborhoods, teach our children important life lessons, and bring joy to our families.  They do so much good for the world, yet too many of them end up neglected, abandoned, and abused.  There are so many  extremely cute and loving animals out there who are just waiting to become part of a family!  So what do you say...until there are none, adopt one!  Not quite ready to adopt?  You can still make a difference.  Consider donating supplies, money, or your time to a local animal shelter and maybe even look into becoming a foster home for animals in need.

 

Whatever you do, remember to celebrate and show your appreciation for all the amazing things animals   do for us each and every day!

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!

A Voice for the "Right" Choice

Every day, families all around the world spend hundreds or maybe even thousands of dollars on designer pedigree pets.  We're all looking for that perfect furry companion who will grow old with us and spend its entire life by our side.  But isn't it possible to develop the same strong bonds and friendships with an animal from a shelter?

 

Statistics show that approximately 7.6 million abandoned animals enter shelters nationwide every year but, unfortunately, there are only about 2.7 million pet adoptions annually.  Although this fact makes it seem as though there is a fairly large percentage of pet adoptions, about 2.7 million animals are euthanized each year because animal shelters are just too full.  With so many animals being euthanized, it's pretty clear that there are not nearly enough adoptions taking place.

 

Many people still choose to get their dogs or cats from breeders or pet stores because they have very specific qualities and characteristics they're looking for in a family pet.  Of course there are certain things that should definitely be taken into consideration such as an animal's size and activity level to be sure it will be a good match.  You wouldn't want to bring a Great Dane into a studio apartment or give your 95-year-old grandmother an active Jack Russell Terrier!  On the other hand, some of the most friendly and adorable shelter animals are overlooked simply because their coat isn't the right color, their tail is too long or short, they're the wrong sex, etc.  Are we really that narrow-minded?  Do we think that way about our children when they're born?  Of course not...we love and accept them unconditionally.  Can't we do the same for these poor animals who are desperate to share their love with us?    

 

Browsing the internet for adoptable pets is a great way to see the wide range of animals waiting for their furever homes; however, it's also a good idea to keep an open mind as you look at the listings.  While you might immediately fall in love with a photo or story of your ideal dog or cat and get your mind set on that particular one, it's wise to wait until you can meet the animal in person.  Spend some time interacting with them and  learning their temperament, energy level, and personality before making any commitment.  Online adoption sites are useful tools to help you see what's out there, but don't be surprised if you end up bringing home a completely different furever friend than  the one who first caught your eye.  Sometimes we don't even have to make the choice ourselves...sometimes the animals choose us instead!  In either case, just be patient and your heart will tell you when you've found your four-legged soulmate! 

 

By keeping an open mind and an open heart about your next family pet, you can save another innocent life!  Don’t just make the popular choice...make the right one!

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!

Doggy Dates To Celebrate!

When we think about holidays that evoke feelings of love and remind us to focus on our family relationships, we generally think of the major holidays like Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and even Grandparents Day.  But what about the unique bond between humans and their pets?  Yep, there's a special day of recognition  for that too, and it's just around the corner.

 

Love Your Pet Day is observed worldwide on February 20th each year.  There is no record as to the origin or history of this fun day, but its purpose is to remind us to show our appreciation through a day dedicated to our cuddly companions.  This special day gives us the purfect excuse to take a break from our hectic daily routine and focus our time and attention on our pets' needs.  In return for their loyalty and unconditional love, we might choose this day to give our furry friends gifts such as a special yummy cookie or a new toy.  Another idea is to take them for a professional grooming.  Taking a long walk or spending the day at a dog park would be fun too.  Taking our pets for their vaccinations or a check-up at the local vet clinic is another way to honor the day...although our pets might not get too excited about that one!   

 

For those who have no pets, don't feel left out...there are still many ways you can celebrate Love Your Pet Day.  This might be the purfect time to adopt a pet of your own from a local animal shelter or rescue group.  If you're not quite ready for that commitment, making donations to animal shelters and/or rescues would also be appropriate.  Another idea is to help spread the awareness for this special day by sharing it on social media or sending friends E-cards. 

 

Now here's a little food for thought.  Did you know that there's also a day that recognizes our dogs' favorite treats?  Yep, it's true...National Dog Biscuit Day is on February 23rd.  So here's a simple recipe for a peanut butter cookie you can make for your pampered pooch.  And with only four ingredients, one of which is water, you're likely to have everything you need already on hand.

 

Ingredients

*  2 cups whole wheat flour (you can use another type of flour if your dog is sensitive to wheat)

*  1 cup rolled oats

*  1/3 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)

*  1 1/4 cups hot water

 

Instructions

1.  Preheat oven to 350° F.

2.  Mix dry ingredients together.

3.  Mix in the peanut butter and hot water (you may need to add more flour if the dough is too sticky).

4.  Knead the dough well.

5.  Roll out the dough into 1/4" thickness and cut into fun shapes with doggy cookie cutters.

6.  Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet for 40 minutes. Turn off the oven and let them cool overnight.  If your dog can't wait that long, cool them completely on a wire rack before serving.  The cookies get very hard, just the way dogs like them! 

 
TIPS: 

*  Instead of cutting out more shapes with the left over peanut butter and oatmeal dough, you can roll it into balls.  Then make a cross hatch fork mark on the dog cookies.  This is the same way you would do for human peanut butter cookies. 

*  This peanut butter dog biscuit recipe makes biscuits that will last in a sealed air tight container at room temperature for 1 week. You can store them in the refrigerator for 3 weeks and in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

*  The dough for these dog treats can be sticky to work with.  If your dough is very sticky you will need to do one, or both, of the following steps.  First, continue kneading the dough as this will help it to become less sticky.  Second, add more flour to the dough and continue to knead.

 
I hope this post has inspired you to do something extraordinary to celebrate the extraordinary relationship between you and your pet.  Show how much you love your pet because they are your true, one of a kind valentine every day of the year! 

 
Happy Tails to you until we meet again!

Starting Off On The Right Paw

One of the many things I've learned in my time volunteering at Pet Pal Animal Shelter is that EVERYONE goes crazy when word gets out that there are puppies available for adoption.  I guess this is because puppies are so irresistibly cute!  The other thing I've learned is that these innocent bundles of cuteness sometimes wind up back at the shelter because their families don't fully realize what they're getting into when they adopt a youngster.  

 

Bringing home a new puppy might seem like a dream come true, especially for young children, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare if not carefully planned and prepared for in advance. .  Just think about it for a moment...would you bring your newborn child home without making all sorts of preparations; setting up a room for the nursery, filling the pantry with a supply of formula, purchasing baby bottles and diapers in huge quantities, picking out toys and pacifiers, selecting the baby's doctor, etc.? You need to make similar preparations for your new puppy and think about the supplies you will need, the car ride home, and the puppy's activities, feeding, and veterinary check-up.  February is "Responsible Pet Owner Month" so I thought this would be a good time to review some of the things you can and should expect when adopting a puppy.   

 

First and foremost, you and your family should have extensive discussions regarding EVERYTHING involved in raising a puppy and be sure EVERYONE is in agreement to proceed.  Next, you will need to write a list and get your supplies ahead of time.  Pre-puppy shopping allows you to take your time without the pressure of the pup needing it right now.  The puppy is going to need a room or at least a place he/she can call his/her own, and a cage or crate will work great.  You are better off getting one that is big enough for him/her to use as an adult.  The pup will need food and water bowls, toys to chew on and play with, a collar and leash, a bag of a good quality dry puppy food, and plenty of newspapers or training pads if you are going to house-train inside.

 
You'll need to puppy-proof the area where the youngster will spend most of his/her time in the beginning.  This may mean taping loose electrical cords to baseboards, storing household chemicals on high shelves, removing plants and breakables, setting up the crate, and installing gates.  Once you think you've completely puppy-proofed, lie on the floor and look around once more to get a puppy's-eye view.  If you have children, hold a family meeting to lay down the rules.  Don't overwhelm the new pup the first day, and don't fight over him/her or create mob scenes showing him/her to the neighborhood.  

 

When you adopt your puppy, be sure to find out what and when he/she was fed and stick to that schedule at home for at least the first few days to avoid a puppy with an upset tummy.  If you want to switch to a different brand, do so gradually over a period of about a week by mixing the old food and the new food.  Consistency is important right from the start.

 

Coming home will start out with a car ride from the shelter.  Try to keep this from being an overly stressful experience for the pup.  The main problem dogs can have with car rides is usually not what we humans refer to as motion sickness, but simple anxiety about the vibrations and sounds as well as the movement.  Many dogs that have developed problems with car rides get nervous or even nauseated before the engine is even started.  It is important that this first trip not be a bad experience that becomes a repetitious behavioral pattern.  Before you leave the shelter, try to get the pup to go to the bathroom so there are no floods or surprises caused by all the excitement of the ride.

 

Leaving the familiar people and surroundings of the shelter will probably bring about some puppy anxiety; however, this can be greatly diminished if you plan your schedules so that there's someone home with the puppy the first few days.  Plan for this introductory period by keeping the puppy involved with plenty of attention from children and other family members.  If the children are young or are not familiar with how to handle puppies, you should spend some time with them during these first few days explaining common sense rules on how to play with the puppy.

 
Once home, folks who plop the excited newcomer on the sofa and let the kids smother it with hugs and kisses will be mopping up in no time-and regretting the lesson they taught their new pup.  Instead, take him/her to his toileting area immediately.  From there, carry out your schedule for feeding, toileting, napping, and play/exercise.  From Day One, your pup will need lots of family time but also brief periods of alone time.  Solitude may be new to the pup, so he/she may vocalize concern.  Don't give in and comfort him/her or you may end up creating a monster!  "Gee, if making noise brought them running once, maybe more whimpering is needed to get their attention again," reasons the puppy.  Give him/her lots of positive attention for good behaviors such as chewing on a toy or resting quietly.

Of course one of the most important things you need to do for your new puppy is get him/her to a veterinarian for an initial exam.  You will want to make sure the puppy is free of any congenital traits or other medical conditions.  Of course all animals adopted from Pet Pal leave the shelter in good health, but it's crucial that all vaccinations are kept current and heartworm preventative is maintained regularly. 

 
Being a responsible pet owner and doing things correctly from the start prevents a lot of confusion for both you and the puppy.  With a little puppy preparedness, you will be one step closer to your dream dog!

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!