If your dog has long hair and if you don’t have time to give him regular baths, you may want to take him to a groomer on a regular basis. When choosing a groomer, there are several steps that you have to take. First ask about their experience.

How long have they been in the dog grooming business?
What kind of training did they receive? Are they certified by NDGAA or another organization?
Do they specialize in any breed size or particular breed of dog? Are there any restrictions on the types of dogs they work with?
Ask about their level of service like cleaning your dog’s ears, checking his anal glands etc. Find out whether or not their fees are within your budget.
Safety is very important. I would ask the following questions.

Do they use a hand held dryer or a cage dryer? (I would prefer a hand held). If they do use a cage dryer, find out if someone always stays with the dogs. If they don’t, I would go elsewhere.

Do they sedate the dogs for grooming? If so, who does it and what type of training do they have?

Where do they keep the dogs when they’re not being groomed or waiting to be groomed?

What happens in an emergency or if your dog is injured? Is there a veterinarian on call or does someone have first aid training?

How is their record keeping? Do they keep complete records like medical, vaccinations and grooming history?

All of these things are important to consider when choosing a groomer.

After his first grooming session, give your dog a dog treat and lots of love!

Remember, pets are family!

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Cats usually are about 20 inches long and weight between 12 and 15 pounds but the world’s smallest cat was a male blue point Himalayan-Persian, named Tinker Toy that measured only 7 cm (2.75 in) tall and 19 cm (7.5 in) long when full grown (aged 2.5 years).  Tinker Toy was the runt of the litter which consisted of six kittens. The unusually tiny feline was owned by Katrina and Scott Forbes  of Taylorville, Illinois.  Tinker Toy was born on Dec. 25, 1990 and died in November of 1997 at the age of six.

Remember, pets are family.

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Not all dog treats and dog toys are safe for your dog. There’s a debate on whether or not you should give your dog rawhide to chew. I did once in awhile but didn’t make it a steady diet. Dog chews are a better choice. Your vet can tell you which ones are best.

Here are some things to avoid when it comes to dog toys
• Avoid the following!

• balls with single air holes, which can create a deadly suction trap;
• sticks and stones;
• heavily dyed toys;
• toys treated with fire retardants or stain guard;
• soft plastics.
  • Always supervise your dog’s play time.
  • Choose toys to fit your dog’s size and avoid those he can work to the back of his mouth.
  • Select toys that match your dog’s play style.
  • Keep a variety of dog toy types on hand; rotate to spark your dog’s interest.
  • Don’t use toys as a substitute for interaction.

Remember, pets are family.

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Pets deserve warm loving homes and quite frankly some people are not qualified to own a pet for various reasons. I’m sharing an article published by Pet Partners detailing all steps involved in the pet adoption screening process. Before you decide to adopt a pet, please refer to this article as it will help you make an informed decision.

Shelters vs. Rescues

There is a difference between animal shelters and animal rescues. Shelters are usually government funded with a central building that houses most of their adoptable animals. The processing time for adoption is considerably shorter when working with a shelter- in some cases, you can meet an adoptable pet, put in an application and be approved all in the same day. Take time to speak with staff or volunteers who interact with the shelter animals on a daily basis to get a sense of their personality. Remember that shelter animals are not always on their best behavior as shelters can be a loud, scary place. You won’t be able to take a shelter pet to your home before adopting him/her to ensure it’s a good fit, however some shelters will allow potential adopters to organize a meeting between their pets and the dog they want to adopt.

Rescues are often privately funded organizations run on donations and volunteers. Since rescue animals are generally fostered in a home environment by volunteers, you won’t be able to meet your potential new pet until after you’ve passed the application process. A benefit of adopting from a rescue is that you will have more opportunities to interact with the pet candidate in your home and with your own pets before signing adoption paperwork. While the thorough vetting of applicants may frustrate some potential pet owners, if you don’t mind waiting you may find a more perfect match for your family.

Submitting an application

When you’ve found a rescue with an animal you’d like to adopt, the first step is to fill out the rescue’s application form. It’s important to take your time completing this form and give thorough answers. Some rescues don’t contact applicants to get clarification on information written on the form, so provide any details you would like them to take into account when reviewing your paperwork.

Applications will normally ask:

• Do you own or rent your home?
• Do you have a fenced backyard (dogs), if not, how often and in what way will you provide exercise?
• Does everyone in the house approve of getting a new pet?
• Do you have children? Are they good with pets?
• Do you currently have pets? Are they good with other animals?
• Have you had this type of animal before?
• Where will the animal be kept during the day? At night?
• How will you care for the dog if you have to leave town?

Be honest in your answers and don’t lie about anything that you’re asked. It’s tempting to write down what you think the rescue wants to hear, but this could lead to you matching with a cat or dog who won’t fit well in your home environment. If you’re worried that a lack of backyard means you won’t be able to adopt a dog, include details on how you’re planning to provide exercise and increased socialization by taking your dog on walks and to the dog park. Don’t have a lot of experience with cats but you want a kitten to raise and love? Let the rescue know about the research you’ve been doing. Or petsit for a friend’s cats to get some experience.

Landlord approval

If you rent a home or apartment, confirm with your landlord that your rental is pet-friendly. Some rental properties have a limit on the number of pets, type of pet or breeds allowed. It’s best to check with your landlord before submitting an application on a dog or cat, as rescues will often call and speak with applicant’s landlords for approval.

References

Choose your references carefully, as they can have a lot of sway on adoption applications. Rescues will ask everything from how long the reference has known you, to if they would let you petsit their own pets. Choosing a reference that either doesn’t answer their phone or only responds with generic or uninterested comments to the questions can reflect poorly on your application. If the rescue has spent three days trying to reach a reference, odds are good another applicant will be chosen for the dog you’re interested in.

Your references should be individuals you’ve known at least a few years, who have seen you interact with animals. They should want to provide a rave review that causes the application screeners to want you to be the one to adopt the pet you’re interested in.

Veterinary records

Any rescue worth their salt will take the time to call your listed veterinarian to confirm that all of the pets in your home (current and past) were seen annually for a wellness check, kept up to date on vaccinations and were on preventative treatments. If your veterinary records show a history of lax pet parenting, rescues may choose to pass by your application for fear that you won’t keep your new pet up to date. It’s important that your pets see a vet for a wellness check every year to keep an eye on their physical and dental health.

Home visit

Many rescues will require a home visit to ensure that your new pet will have a safe home environment. This can also be a time when the potential new family member can meet other pets, children or adults in the home. Puppy-proof your home if you’re applying for a young dog and showcase the adoptable animal’s potential new toys, crate, feeding area etc. to show the rescue coordinator that you’re prepared for a new pet. If the rescue chooses you as the new adoptive family, you may only have a few days before bringing home the new animal and should be ready.

A few tips

Put in general applications

If you choose to go the route of adopting from an animal rescue, put in a general application with the rescue even before you see an animal listed on their website that you’d like to meet. Often rescues are happy to save approved applications for future adoptable animals. If your application is already approved and the rescue thinks you might be a good fit, you’ll move to the front of the line to meet the potential new pet. Complete applications with several local rescues and provide them with a list of what you’re looking for in a new pet.

Denied applications aren’t closed doors

If your application is denied, don’t be afraid to contact the rescue to inquire why it was turned down. There’s a chance that you can explain some information that might have been misinterpreted from the application forms. If their concern is something that you can alter, such as time away from home during the day, etc. ask if you can amend your application once you’ve made the necessary changes.

Volunteer

Volunteer with a local animal shelter or rescue! Acting as a volunteer means you’ll be the first to know when new animals are available for adoption, and you’ll already be well known by the rescue or shelter. Many volunteers choose to act as a foster and take available animals into their homes until they’re adopted. In some cases, volunteers who foster an animal will decide they love the pet too much to give up and will end up adopting the animal themselves!

Don’t give up!

Don’t get discouraged. Adopting a new pet can be a long process, so be prepared for it to take time. Often pet owners will spend a few months speaking with rescues or shelters and meeting potential new pets before they find one that fits well into their family. Once you’ve found the perfect match, the wait will seem well worth it!

Protect your new pet

Once you’ve been approved and bring home your new pet, you should consider enrolling him in a pet insurance policy. Pet insurance can help protect you against unexpected veterinary bills for accidents and illnesses. You can also enroll in wellness coverage which will reimburse for preventative care items such as vaccinations/titers, dental cleanings and much more! Get a quote.

Remember, pets are family!

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Our cat Atlantis recently passed away leaving our cat Millie who’s now 16. We’ve been asked whether or not we’re going to get another cat or dog. We’ve even been asked to adopt an adorable kitten. After losing a pet, there’s a grieving process and I truly believe when it’s the right time to give a beloved pet a good home, we’ll know it. Something else to consider is our cat Millie. At this point in her life, we would be reluctant to introduce a new pet because it would definitely upset her and she would have to make some major adjustments in her senior years. So we are delaying our pet adoption efforts for now. There will come a time when we will be ready to adopt another cat or dog but we will patiently wait for that time to come.

My advice to anyone who has lost a beloved pet. Give yourself some time, you’ll know when it’s time for you to give another pet a wonderful home!

Remember, pet are family!

Does your dog always go for the dumpster when he sees one? Dogs that eat trash are living dangerously!  Not only are bone parts and other pieces of garbage hazardous to your dog’s digestive system but moist food can become toxic quickly.  Did you know that disgarded food scraps grow fungus in a couple of days? This poses a great risk to your dog. Moldy cheese product like old pizza are exceptionally dangerous because they contain toxins that can give your dog muscle tremors and seizures. Keep you dog on his dog leash and away from the trash while walking him. If he does manage to get into the garbage, watch him very closely. If he has a loss of appetite, shivering or yellow eyes or lips, there’s  a major problem. Make sure that you call your vet immediately.

Remember, pets are family

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You can feed your dog the best dog food or your cat the highest quality cat food to keep him healthy but there are ways that your pet can become very ill.    Merca is a staff bacteria that is resistant to common antibiotics. It can start as an abcess or skin infection but it gets more serious as it gets into the bloodstream and organs. It’s important that you know that merca impacts both humans and pets and can be passed back and forth. If it shows up in your pets, don’t assume that they are the only ones that are affected. Armando Howett, Coordinator of the veterinary public health program at Ohio State University advises doctors and veterinarians to work together to screen, treat and manage the illness in the household. Good hygene is your best prevention. Wash your hands and keep wounds covered to prevent infection. If you notice any symptoms on your pet, don’t assume that over the counter pet medication will solve the problem. Get your pet to a vet right away and be aware that the infection can spread to you.

Remember, pets are family!

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Getting a GPS dog tracking system is a great idea in certain situations. These systems help locate your dog in the event that he gets separated from you. There are certain other situations where a dog tracking system might be helpful.  If you are a hiker or fisherman and take your dog with you and leave him off of his leash, a tracking system would be helpful.  Another situation is if you live in a rural area, on a farm or ranch where your dog has to run of the property.  Finally, if your dog is a runner or frequently gets out of his leash, a GPS system would quickly help you pinpoint his location.

These tracking devices usually attach to your dogs collar or harness. They receive signals from satellites to pinpoint your dogs location. You can check online to see the different types of devices that are available.  Keep your pets safe at all times.

Remember, your pets count!

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Our cat Millie enjoys being stroked on her head. She even comes out to get us so we could go into “her spot” and pet her. Keep in mind, it has to be in her spot which is in our spare room on the left end of the sofa. Most cats really enjoy the feel of a warm hand gently stroking their fur. You’ll often here them purr. My older cat Molly loves to be pet all the time. I can pet her for hours and she doesn’t move. Her favorite places are on top of her head and under her neck.  My younger cat Millie likes to be pet for awhile, then she’s had enough and has to go!  Cats do like to be pet but do it gently. Some prefer to be scratched instead.  Some favorite spots can be under their chin, on their cheeks or even on the bridge of their nose. That’s if they trust you. Another favorite place is behind the ears. Some cats like their stomach and tails petted but many don’t. My cat Mollie loves her stomach rubbed but don’t care for it too much if I pet her tail.  Always keep in mind that cats are different than dogs and require a special kind of affection.

Remember,pets are family!

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When looking for a trainer for your new best friend, there are essential questions that you should ask. The American Kennel Club as put together some suggestions as you start this process.

Ask a potential trainer about her education and any credentials she may have. Some wonderful trainers have learned through apprenticeships and years of experience, whereas others have taken a more academic route in building their skills. Certification with an organization like the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers is not mandatory for trainers, but it shows dedication to the profession and an interest in continuing education. To learn more about the different types of trainer certifications, check out this guide from The Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

Speak with the trainer to get a feel for her personality and people skills before making a decision. It’s not enough to read the brochure or website. In truth, dog trainers teach people, so you need to feel comfortable being her student. Look for someone who uses the same positive reinforcement with her human pupils that she uses with the dogs. She should be patient, encouraging, and respectful. Try to observe a training class, and watch the dogs and students as much as the trainer to ensure they are all enjoying themselves. In addition, ask for references from former students.

Remember, pets are family!

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