Cats don’t like change. Moving a cat dish or removing something like their favorite bed can stress them out. Cats are very routine creatures. They are used to doing the same things everyday. My cat Millie is used to drinking from her water fountain. When I remove it to change the water, she begins to meow. Yesterday, I removed the bed spread to wash the sheets. Her blanket is on the bed spread so I put it on the floor while the sheets were in the washer. She stood by her blanket and was clearly upset that it wasn’t where it was supposed to be.

Cats don’t like to vary their routine. They prefer the status quo .  Changes to their routine such as moving to a new place, welcoming holiday visitors, or adopting a new pet could really get your cat bend out of shape and leave her feeling stressed and anxious.  Boredom could also cause anxiety. Signs of stress include not using the litter box properly, non stop grooming, hiding under the bed for hours on end or becoming aggressive.

To limit the stress to your cat, make any changes as gradual as possible. Give her as much time as possible to adjust to new situations.  If your cat shows ongoing signs of stress, consult your veterinarian.  Remember, your pets count!

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Cats are not given enough credit. They can be a great comfort to many people in all kinds of situations. Here’s a heartwarming stories about how a little kitten brought great comfort to  a disable vet. The article was published by Guideposts.

Here, boy!” I called out again. I walked down the cement steps behind the Army barracks and listened, hoping to hear an answering meow or to see a flash of black and white streaking toward me. But there was still no sign of the cat. Now I was starting to panic. While I had yet to name him, I had been feeding him for months. Seeing him had become the highlight of my day.

I could clearly remember when we first met. Sitting on these same cold cement steps that night, I’d been staring out into the darkness. Rain soaked through my pants, but I didn’t care. The only light came from the glow of my cigarette—my last. Back in my room there was a knife on the bedside table and a suicide note on my computer screen. I hoped that whoever read it first would understand why I had done what I planned to do.

Six months before that night, my unit had been deployed to the southwest of Baghdad. During an attack, a mortar had exploded 10 feet away from me, leaving me with a traumatic brain injury, a case of PTSD and a one-way ticket home. Since then, I had been living on base in Fort Riley, Kansas, but I wasn’t readjusting well. I was paralyzed by anxiety and struggling to get through each day. Mostly I was tired. I sat there on those cold cement steps just wanting to end it all. Tonight I will, I thought as I took another drag of my cigarette.

“Meow?”

I looked up. A black and white kitten with round green eyes looked back at me. His head poked out from the bushes a few steps away. He meowed again. Then, leaping from his hiding spot, he trotted right up to me. He was tiny and soaked, but he rubbed up against my legs. When I reached down to pet him, he leaned into my touch, purring.

That was all it took. I broke down. I cried, the tears hot on my face in the chilly rain. The kitten just watched me. I hadn’t scared him away. In fact, he stood there as if he knew how desperately I needed a friend. Right at that very moment.

I looked into his big green eyes and he looked back. Clearly a stray. “When was the last time you ate?” I said, stroking his wet fur. My plan to end it all was put on hold. At least until I found this kitten some food. I stood up, my cigarette forgotten. I might not be able to tackle my own problems, I thought. But his problems? I can do something to fix those.

It became a routine: Every day, I’d go to the back steps of the barracks with a packet of tuna and a paper plate. Usually, the kitten was already waiting for me. He became more than something to live for. Over time he inspired me to get help for my depression, and even gave me the confidence to get into a serious relationship. Becky and I had known each other for years. We were high school classmates in our hometown of Pittsburgh and, after I enlisted, continued to keep in touch. Now that connection had deepened.

I hated to go back inside without seeing my usual dinnertime visitor, but roll call was at 5:45 a.m. and I knew I had no chance of spotting a mostly black cat in the dark. I called Becky, worried that I had seen the last of him.

“I’m so sorry, Josh,” Becky said. She knew how much that cat had done for me. There was a time I didn’t know if I would have been able to recover from such a loss. But I was in a better place now, and I’d get through it if I had to. “Hopefully, he’ll turn up,” Becky tried to reassure me.

But he didn’t. I’d still go out behind the barracks most evenings to see if my little buddy had returned, but he never did. I found myself imagining that he’d found a real family to go home to. And he deserved it. Becky and I were shopping together near the base one day when we stumbled upon an animal adoption event, mostly cats. Becky already had a cat, and she knew there was only one cat for me, but she couldn’t resist. “Come on! We’re just going to look at them,” she said, tugging at my arm. “Show them a little love.” Like one little black and white kitten had done for me one night, I thought.

Becky and I picked our way through the narrow space between the cages. Some of the cats pressed themselves against the bars, yowling for attention. Others watched silently with wide eyes. When a black and white paw shot out from between the bars, smacking me on the arm, I laughed. I leaned down to get a better look at the feisty cat inside. His green eyes met mine. I was stunned. Could it be?

“Becky, it’s him! The cat from the barracks!” I opened the cage and scooped him up, holding him tight. He purred steadily, like he knew there was no way I was letting him go again. And, boy, was he right.

I named him Scout and he became my constant companion in the barracks. As I went through the process of my medical discharge, Scout was there. On bad days, he’d curl up in my lap and purr until I felt better. I officially left the Army in July 2009. Soon after, Becky and I got engaged, and Scout moved with me from Kansas to Pittsburgh to be closer to her.

I was far from the lonely and depressed man Scout had first approached in the rain, but I still had a ways to go. Between Scout and Becky, I had the support I needed and motivation to get there.

I made sure to get regular exercise and eat healthy. I even quit smoking. I went back to school to get my master’s degree in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling. I wanted to work with fellow veterans. My greatest hope was to be for someone else what Scout was for me.

Remember, your pets count!

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Osteoarthritis is a common, degenerative disease found in the joints of older dogs. This causes chronic pain and effects the hip, knee, spine and other joints. A dog that has arthritis will be reluctant to take long walks. and will have difficulty climbing stairs. He may not even be able to jump on a couch or bed. He may lick the affected joint and it may be sore to the touch.

Treatment includes nutritional supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfates. This protects the cartilage covering the joints. These treatments work over time. For immediate relief, your veterinarian may recommend using a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. These drugs work quickly. If your pet’s arthritis pain still is not controlled by these medications, your vet may recommend analgesic pain medication. One of the keys in preventing this disease is to make sure that your dog is not overweight.

Never issue any pet medication yourself. Always let your vet do his job and prescribe the medication.

Remember, your pets count!

Take a walk with your dog and have oldies playing in your earbuds. Edgewater Gold Radio plays the largest variety of oldies and great pop standards! Download the free Edgewater Gold Radio app, find us on Tunein, Live 365 and Radio Garden. You can also tune in from our website, edgewatergoldradio.com.

Your dog starts barking for no reason and your immediate reaction is to tell him to stop, or even raise your voice to him. You’ll soon find out that this doesn’t work and can actually make the problem worse. The dog can also see your attention as a reward. Whenever it is possible, ignore your dog when he starts barking for no apparent reason.

• If your dog starts barking, don’t even look at him. Make sure there is no eye contact, turn your back until he quiets down. As soon as he stops, give him a treat and praise him.
• After your dog learns that he is being rewarded for being quiet, you can start to lengthen the time that he needs to be quiet before receiving a treat.
• This method works best outside of your home. Try in on walks or when visiting friends.

Many apartment complexes allow pets but when a dog is constantly barking, this can cause problems with the neighbors and the landlord.

Remember, your pets count!

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Does your small dog “rule the roost?”  Does she jump up on you when you come home from work, bite at your sleeves, snap at you when you try to trim her nails?  Does she bark and growl at strangers? Your pet thinks she’s in charge. Your cute little dog thinks that she’s the boss. Dog owners often let small dogs get away with things that they would never tolerate in a large dog. They let them sleep in their beds, beg for treats, jump into their laps and more. I did that with my Chihuahua some years back. Once you open the door to unacceptable behavior, it will be difficult to reverse that trend. You should refuse to tolerate her bad behavior.  Be calm, but insist on good manners, be patient and consistent and watch that small dog syndrome disappear.

Remember, your pets count!

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I mentioned before that we’ve been feeding several feral cats who come around everyday for their meal on our porch. The problem with feeding feral cats is that you also attract other outdoor creatures that you don’t necessarily want feasting on leftover food. Last night, my partner saw that there was no longer any food left in the bowl and he put some more out. About 11:15pm last night, I heard a racket on my porch. I looked out and there were two huge Racoons  fighting over the food that was left out. Racoons tend to move and toss things around so that explained the noises on the porch.

If you feed outdoor cats and don’t want nocturnal creatures paying you a visit in the night, make sure that any left over food is emptied each day!

Remember, your pets count!

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Does your dog hide bones, shoes or other items? If you see your dog hiding food, it could mean that he is insecure. He may feel a need to provide for the future. Never rebuke a dog when your catch him hiding an item. This will only make him more insecure. Hiding often occurs when a dog is introduced to a new home and should stop when he gets settled in.  Never chase your dog if your catch him hiding something.  Running away from people is life-threatening for a dog. Pattern your dog to always come toward you, unless you are playing with him outside where he is retrieving something.

You could make this into a game instead of showing that you’re upset. Take an item and let your dog chase you for it. This way he will feel that he did not do anything wrong by hiding. Keep items that don’t want hidden out of your dog’s reach.

Just tolerate his hiding, it’s just part of being a dog!

Remember, your pets count!

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Parrots are extremely intelligent animals. They require lots of attention and can easily imitate words and sounds. Parrots also demand lots of attention. If they don’t get the attention they require, they rebel by developing bad habits and will even pluck out their feathers.

Another fact about parrots is that they can live very long. The lifespan of a parrot varies from one species to the next. Small parrots usually live 15-20 years, medium-sized parrots 25-30 years and large parrots 60-100 years. Macaws are especially long-lived and one blue-and-yellow macaw named Charlie is believed to be more than 100 years old. Another macaw named Poncho, who has starred in several Hollywood movies, is claimed to be 89 years old.

So keep this in mind when deciding to adopt a parrot as a pet. Include the care of your parrot when making your will.

Remember, your pets count!

Thanks to Ipfactly for providing some of this information.

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It always happens from time to time. You’re walking or in your cat and out runs a stray dog. Your instinct is to try to grab the dog and get it back to its rightful owner. Being that you don’t know anything about the dog, you must proceed with caution.

1. Gauge the dog’s demeanor. Is it aggressive or afraid? Signs of aggression include: baring teeth, lifted tail, raised ears and hackles (the fur behind the neck, in many large breeds the hackles are very easy to see when they are lifted). Signs of fear include tucking the tail, laid back ears and also snarling or barking. Barking is a sure sign that the dog doesn’t want you any closer than you already are.
2. Do not be mislead by breed stereotypes. Look for body language to understand what the dog is trying to convey. A dog’s behavior is determined more by its training (or lack thereof) than its genetics.
3. Most dogs, big and small, are not aggressive and are likely to be afraid of you. The most common situation is that a dog is lost, scared, and doesn’t trust you. Even if they look frightening, their first instinct will be to repel you and get away.
4. For scared dogs, back away slowly until the dog is at ease. Do not try to command them. Note your location and, if the dog is unknown to you, call animal control immediately. If you know who the dog belongs to, of course, call them first!
5. For an aggressive dog, the first priority should be to protect yourself. Do not run, as the dog will catch you and will be encouraged to bite. Many dogs instinctively know how to “take down” a runner, and the last place you want to be is on the ground. Search for something to climb onto and call for help.
6. If there is nothing that can safely remove you from an aggressive dog, you should use your arm to deflect or absorb any bites. Do not aggravate an aggressive dog by shouting at it or staring into its eyes. Eye contact is aggressive and will likely spur an attack.
7. Very few dogs will actually bite a human being, if unprovoked. Stay calm and try to keep your stance tall and confident. Walk away, if you aren’t being chased, and call animal control at the first opportunity. Dogs are pack animals. When they are alone, they are not usually looking for confrontation.

Information provided by “Wikihow.”

Remember, your pets count!

When you get to work today, make sure you keep the great oldies playing all the time! Edgewater Gold Radio plays all oldies from the 50s 60s 70s 80s and great standards! Listen from our website: edgewatergoldradio.com. You can also download the free Edgewater Gold Radio app.

We all know that fatty foods taste good even to a fussy cat.  If a cat has a diet that is too high in fat, he could gain weight and become obese. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t feed any fats to your cat. In fact, fats are a very important part of your pets diet. Fats give your cat the energy he needs throughout the day. They also help keep his coat soft and shiny. Fats also help your cat’s body absorb important vitamins like vitamins A,D,E and K. Check the label on your cat’s food.  By law, it has to state the fat content. Talk to your veterinarian to determine what fat content is best for your cat’s age, health and overall activity level.

Remember, your pets count!

When you get to work today, turn on the oldies! Edgewater Gold Radio, plays the largest variety of oldies from the 50s through the 80 plus great pop standards! Make Edgewater Gold Radio a part of your day. Listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com!