Christmas Memories

Ready or not, Christmas is here!  For the past several weeks, or maybe months if you're organized enough to plan that far ahead, we've been consumed with all the shopping, wrapping, decorating, cooking/baking, and entertaining that's somehow always expected at this time of year.  Now it's time to be done with all of that craziness and think about what this season really means to us.  For me, it's soooo much more than just the festive foods and perfect presents...although those are great too!!!  Christmas is really about family and the special memories we create when we gather together. 

 

Since this blog is supposed to be focusing on our pets, let me remind you that some of the very best holiday memories are those involving the 4-legged members of our families.  Although I'm sure we've all gotten frustrated a time or two when our playful pets have torn the paper off our beautifully wrapped packages or they've chewed on the wires for the tree lights but, before we yell at them or ban them from the festivities, we should take a deep breath and remember that it is Christmas...a time to forgive...even our pets.  They just want to be a part of the holiday fun too, and that kind of fun is what makes all those magical memories that will last a lifetime. 

 

I hope you and your loved ones...especially the cute 4-legged ones...will be together this Christmas and will enjoy reliving old memories while creating new ones.  Memories are priceless gifts to cherish forever!!! 

 

Merry Christmas to all!!!

A Rescue Pet's Christmas Wish

Everywhere we go this time of year, we're reminded that this is the season of giving.  There's the person dressed up like Santa outside the Wal-Mart ringing that little bell and collecting money for the Salvation Army.  Then there are all those ads on the radio and TV with celebrities asking us to donate  to Toys for Tots.  And of course there are the local food drives collecting canned and boxed goods to feed the hungry.  There are even blood mobiles setting up in parking lots of busy shopping centers wanting us to donate blood for those who are sick or injured.  Yes, all of these are very worthy causes and they truly need our support, but there's one more very special group depending on our generosity every single day.  I don't know who wrote the poem below, but I thought it's message was an important one and definitely worth sharing with all of you. 

 

A Rescue Pet's Christmas Wish

 

'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,

every shelter is full - we are lost but not found,

Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,

we hope every minute that someone will care,

They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,

Come here, Sadie and Scooter - come fetch your new ball!!

But now we sit here and think of the days

we were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways.

Once we were little, then we grew and we grew,

now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.

 

So out the back door we were thrown like the trash,

they reacted so quickly - why were they so rash?

We jump on the children, don't come when they call

we bark when they leave us, climb over the wall.

We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,

now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made.

If only they'd trained us, if only we knew,

we'd have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.

We were left in the backyard, or worse - left to roam,

now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.

They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye,

Maybe someone else will give you a try.

 

So now here we are, all confused and alone,

in a shelter with others who long for a home.

The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,

with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat,

They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer,

we know that they wonder how long we'll be here.

We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads,

of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.

Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears,

our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.

 

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the Inn,

could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?

We count on your kindness each day of the year,

can you give more than hope to everyone here?

Please make a donation to pay for the heat

and help get us something special to eat.

"Pet Pal Animal Shelter" wants us to live,

and more of us will, if more people will give!

 

So the next time you find yourself getting into the holiday spirit of giving, remember this story and do what you can to help make a rescue pet's Christmas wish come true!!! 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your hectic holiday preparations to read this. 

 

Merry Christmas to all and happy tails to you until we meet again! 

Pets For Presents?

Although the holiday season may seem like the perfect time to adopt a pet, this is a decision you should make with your head as well as your heart.  While adoption rates tend to increase at shelters around this time of year with everyone wanting to surprise their kids or elderly relatives with an adorable dog or cat for Christmas, by January, many of those pets are returning to the shelters as reality sets in.  Be sure this is what you want to do and make more than one visit to the shelter as there are new dogs and cats coming in all the time.  Be honest when you talk to the shelter staff and volunteers so they can help you find the best fit for your household.  Remember, the animals in shelters and rescues are safe and warm.  For those who have spent weeks or months on their own as strays, it is a comfort just to get regular meals and have someone speak kindly to them rather than shooing them away.  As for puppies and kittens, as long as they have another puppy or kitten to play with, they can make any day a holiday!

 

Here are some important things to consider before bringing that cuddly kitty or precious puppy home for Christmas. 

 

1.  Will you and your family have the time and patience to spend orienting your new pet to your household?  What’s the pace at your house normally, how does it change during the holidays, and how much time will you realistically be able to spend with a new pet?

 

2.  Can you afford the additional costs a pet will mean to your budget every month...especially when all the credit card bills from your Christmas shopping start rolling in?

 

3.  Are there plans for large family gatherings and many strangers in and out of your house during the holiday season?  If so, it may be better to hold off until after Christmas and welcome that new four-legged friend into your home once things settle down.

 

4.  If you already has other pets, will you have the time to supervise as your new addition gets acquainted with them, just in case territorial issues arise over space or toys?

 

5.  If you are thinking of adopting a puppy, be sure to carefully consider the time it takes to crate and house train, play time and time to take the puppy outside to go to the bathroom.  How will you react when the puppy does what puppies do...chew on anything in site until they learn which toys are theirs to chew on?

 

6.  Even house trained adult animals can have accidents in a new place as they get to know you and you learn to read their ways of communicating when they need to go out.

 

7.  Are you willing to make the lifetime commitment your new pet deserves?  Are you willing to work through potential behavior issues that might come up?  The pet you adopt has already been abandoned at least once...please don't be the next person to abandon him/her again because things "didn't work out."

 

If you take the time to answer these questions honestly and you still want to adopt a pet, it will be the ultimate present because you'll be saving the life of another living being and that is a priceless gift!  Just be sure you won't be standing in the returns line when the holidays are over because, in this case, the item you return will know exactly what is happening.  Of course there are no warranties on pets, but there are three things you can always count on: they will love you unconditionally, they will share your joys and sorrows, and no matter how your day has gone, a simple pat on the head or belly rub helps melt the stress away!  

 

So whether you decide to adopt a pet now or wait for a better time, making the choice to bring an animal from a shelter rather than one from a fancy breeder into your heart and home, makes you a true angel who is sharing the spirit of giving!  

 

Happy Holidays to all!!!

Tips Our Pets Will Be Thankful For.

Hello again! 

 

Well, it's great to be back!  Sorry I haven't been able to post much recently, but I'm sure you all know how crazy it can get around this time of year!  Tis the season for family and friends, festive fun, and of course lots of fabulous  food.  But let us not forget how all of this can affect the four-legged members of our family. 

 

All of the yummy smells of Thanksgiving dinner are likely to send our furry friends into a food frenzy.  Unfortunately, the holiday meal can also be a source of danger for our pets.  By following a few simple precautions, we can ensure the upcoming holiday will be happy and healthy for the entire family.

 

When planning for Thanksgiving, consider the following:

 

1.  Discourage family members and guests from feeding your pet inappropriate snacks.  Feeding turkey to your dog or cat can cause him or her unwanted abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea; none of which would be very welcome during this festive holiday.  And of course you should always keep chocolate away from your pets as it can be harmful to him or her because of the theobromine and caffeine.  Rapid breathing and hyperactivity are signs of a bad reaction to chocolate.  I'll gladly accept any chocolate you want to share...chocolate NEVER causes me a bad reaction! 

 

If you or your guests really want to indulge your cat or dog, try giving them their own special treats.  Offer them Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones.  Or give them a true "feast fit for a kong" by stuffing their usual dinner with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans), and dribbles of gravy into a kong toy.  They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy, while the humans are chowing down on their own delicious feast! 

 

2.  Secure your garbage.  It only takes a minute for your little scavenger to get into the garbage and wolf down whatever smells good-including the string used to tie the turkey.  Your pet may also enjoy licking the food off the aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and/or wax paper from holiday foods.  The swallowing of such coverings can cause an intestinal obstruction.  Turkey bones may also be harmful for your pet.  A brittle, spiky bone could lodge in the esophagus or cause an irritation of his or her stomach or intestines.

 

3.  Try to maintain your pet's schedule for feeding and exercise as much as possible.  Minimizing your pet's stress means being aware of his or her daily routine and expectations.  Pay as much attention to your pet as usual so that he or she will not feel neglected or insecure.

 

4.  Make sure your furry friend has fresh water at all times.  Frequently check your pet’s water bowl to make sure it is full and the water is clean.  In a house full of busy relatives, your pet's water bowl can easily be bumped and the water spill out. 

 

5.  Keep current registration and identification tags on your pet and, if your pet has a microchip, be sure the information connected to that chip is up-to-date as well.  With guests coming in and out of your home, it is very easy for a door to be left ajar and for your animal to sneak out while everyone is busy greeting one another.

 

6.  Provide a quiet refuge for your animal.  With all the holiday fanfare, your pet will need a “time out” from visiting friends and family.  A comfortable crate is one solution; a room with a “Do Not Disturb” sign is another possibility.  Give your dog or cat time and space to settle down or take a nap.  You might want to sneak away and join him or her for a nap too after eating all that turkey! 

 

By being aware of these potential hazzards to your pets, you can enjoy the  day knowing you've taken the necessary steps to keep your beloved pets safe and comfortable.  And that's something both humans and animals can truly be thankful for!

 

I wish all of you and your furry friends a very happy Thanksgiving! 

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!

Adopt A "Senior Pet" And Have No Regrets!

In case you haven't heard, November is "Adopt A Senior Pet" month!  The term "senior pet" simply refers to full grown, adult animals.  Unfortunately, many senior dogs and cats in shelters are often overlooked because everyone wants the adorable and irresistible puppies and/or kittens.  Although puppies and kittens are undeniably cute, cuddly, and playful, they also demand LOTS of patience and energy to help them grow into the loyal family members and FURever friends everyone wants.  Just because a cat or dog is considered an adult or senior pet, doesn't make them any less desirable as a family pet.  In fact, they can be just as warm and lovable as younger ones and they often come with many wonderful qualities that puppies and kittens will take years to learn.  So, if you don’t have the time or don’t want to do much training, remember that senior pets need loving homes too. 

An older dog or cat is often a much more laidback companion, without all the excess energy, and yet they are just as cute and affectionate.  They seem to settle in to their new family's routine more quickly and easily, thus making the adjustment period a little less stressful for all.  Imagine bringing home a pet who already understands basic obedience commands, a pet who is already housebroken or litter box trained, a pet who has already grown into its full size and personality, a pet who doesn’t chew or scratch everything in sight, a pet who doesn't require as much exercise and prefers quiet afternoon naps, and a pet who has already learned the value of unconditional love.  Sound too good to be true?  Well, that’s pretty much what you will get when you adopt a senior pet. 
 
  Adopting a senior dog or cat is a great way to save a life too.  People sometimes forget that many older animals are facing possible euthanasia due to overcrowded shelters and the need to make room for more puppies and kittens.  This just doesn't seem fair.  Don't senior pets deserve homes just as much as puppies and kittens do?  Some people also worry that a senior pet may have medical or behavioral issues but, for the most part, these older animals are not taken to shelters because they have problems but because their human parents have problems and can no longer properly care for them.  In most cases, these animals once had good homes and they simply want that again.  They don’t ask for much...just a cozy place to sleep, good meals, and plenty of love! 
 
At animal shelters and rescue groups everywhere, there are loving, healthy senior pets looking for that one special family to cherish them for the rest of their lives.  Adopting a senior cat or dog can be a PAWsitive experience for all.  You will gain a faithful companion and be saving a life at the same time.  Don't forget, senior pets and senior people bring out the best in each other.  Old pets make great new friends!
 
There are plenty of senior cats and dogs at Pet Pal Animal Shelter who are feeling soooo sad because they are always left behind while the young crazy kitties and playful pups get to go to their new homes.  Are you going to be another one who overlooks these older but so much wiser animals or can you now appreciate their family-friendly qualities enough to welcome them into your home and into your life? 
 
Let's spread the word...adopt a senior pet and have no regrets! 

Happy Tails to you until we meet again! 

Check out my previous blog posts at: 
www.happytailsfrompetpal.blogspot.com

Email me your questions or comments at:

chrisnorm74@gmail.com

Artwork For Animal Lovers!

Yes, I know I said I'd be away and wouldn't have a new post for about 2 weeks, but I had to take a moment to give a shout out to a very talented friend of my husband's.  The artist's name is Ryan O'Sullivan and, although you probably haven't heard of him yet, his paintings of dogs, birds, fish, etc. are just as good if not better than some of the more well known painters out there today.  Of course I have to trust my husband's eyes on this point, but I've included links to Ryan's web site and Facebook page so you can check out some of his work and decide for yourself.
We would love to help Ryan's business grow and see his incredible talent being appreciated by animal lovers everywhere!  Who knows, maybe we can even get him to do a painting for Puppy Love 2015!
 
https://www.facebook.com/osullivanartist

http://osullivanart.com/

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you like the artwork. 

Happy Tails to you until we meet again!   

Black Cats Need Our Love Too!

With Halloween only a few weeks away, I thought this would be a good
time to write about black cats.  As we all know, the black cat is
symbolic of this holiday but, unfortunately, not in a good way.
Despite popular beliefs that black cats are evil and bring bad luck,
they are beautiful creatures that need as much love and attention as
any other pet.  Black cats are "pawesome" and deserve a loving home
just as much as any other colored cat.
FACT:  BLACK CATS ARE UNWANTED...Because they have been given an
unfair reputation and so many people believe all the hype, black cats
are less likely to be adopted as cats of other colors.  In reality
however, the only scary thing about black cats is that they have the
hardest time finding a good home.
MYTH:  BLACK CATS ARE BAD LUCK...Some believe that black cats are a
symbol of bad luck.  This is just a myth dating back to the Middle
Ages when black cats were associated with witchcraft.  However, many
cultures actually worship the black cat and some even believe they
bring good luck.
MYTH:  BLACK CATS ARE EVIL...All cats are playful and love to jump and
climb on things in your house.  They also like to stalk you without
you ever knowing it.  This is what ALL cats do...not just black cats.
This doesn’t make them evil...it makes them cats!
MYTH:  BLACK CATS ARE SACRIFICED DURING HALLOWEEN...Experts agree this
is false; however, pranksters and those looking to hurt animals will
target any animal, regardless of breed or coat color.  For this
reason, it is highly recommended that you bring all of your pets
inside on Halloween to keep them safe from the crazies out there and
help them avoid undue stress.
Now here are some fun reasons you should adopt a black cat...
• Their fur won't show on your little black dress or suit and tie.
• You can tell your friends and family that you adopted a mini-panther
• Black cats are stylish because they go with everything
• They need the most help finding loving homes and will be "forever"
grateful for your unconditional love!
Black cats may get a bad rap, but really they're just as lovable as
the next furry feline.  There are black cats at Pet Pal Animal Shelter
who have been waiting soooo patiently to be adopted, so let's try to
turn their luck around by finding each of them a place to call home.
Come spend a little time with them in the new and improved cat room at
Pet Pal...maybe it will be a lucky day for all!
Thank you again for taking the time to read this.
FYI, I'll be away visiting my parents next week so I probably won't be posting
anything here but I'll be back in 2 weeks with, what I'm sure will be
some fun stories about my parents' adorable yellow lab pup named
Cooper!
Happy tails to you until we meet again!