Dr Jo's blog

Aka… Death of a laptop

My work is based at home. While I travel all over the country and the city for various aspects of my work, the major part of my working week is spent on my computer, at home. Normally I have my laptop sitting on my lap, jostling for what is obviously a prime position with a cat. Sometimes two cats. (I have 4 cats but I have not yet had all 4 trying to get on my lap.)Then the dog decides that it is inappropriate for the cat to have my attention and she nudges or, due to a sleeping or stubbornly resistant cat, brutally forces her way onto my lap. Cat off, dog on. Laptop no chance. Work forgotten!

My lap is not that big. I don’t have room for 4 cats, a dog and a laptop. Perhaps that’s why my laptop finally gave up this week. My laptop checked out. Could not compete any longer and decided to check into the great laptop heaven in the sky – where presumably it does not have to compete with a menagerie for attention.

Now I sit at the desktop. I have no cat on my lap. Each one has entered the room, given me a passing glance and walked on through. I try not to feel offended. My dog sat at my feet for 2 minutes then decided the sofa was a much more comfortable option. At least I keep cool with no hot furry body on top of mine and no malodorous doggy breathe in my face.

Who am I kidding! Work is nowhere near as much fun. Time for a new laptop.

Dr Jo’s website

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OK I confess – my cats have become hunters. I think. I have yet to catch them in the act.
Well I guess they always were hunters – they are cats after all but I limited their ability to hunt. I value our native wildlife. I know cats are not native to Australia and it is frowned upon to allow your cat access to the great outdoors. In fact I even tell people how to stop their cat hunting:
• Indoor cats
• Protect your cat, protect your wildlife

That’s great until you have a population explosion of geckos. These endearing little creatures, in Sydney it is the Broad-Tailed Gecko, like to hide in crevices and cracks in sandstone and in brickwork. In other words they inhabit our house. Try telling your cats not to hunt small animals that live alongside them and wriggle and wiggle.

Geckos are expert wrigglers. Especially when they are caught. Having heads and tails that look identical makes it easy for them to drop their tails and make their escape, the wiggling tail still wriggling and jiggling under the cat’s paw (presumably, I have never seen this happen!). The escaped lizard then runs around my house, appearing when you are about to jump into bed or stepping out of the shower. Or sometimes it’s just the tail you stand on. Prickly things!
This morning I have found 4 geckos. All alive. All returned to the great outdoors.

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More on the Broad-Tailed Gecko

Confessions of a behaviourist – part 1

Dr Jo’s website

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When you are a committed and enthusiastic pet owner, your pets are the centre of your universe. When you are absorbed in the world of people (pet owners or not), pets appear to come way down the list of priorities. At least that’s how it seems to me. Some examples:

• Magazines and newspapers – where is the pet section? If it exists at all, it is likely to be at the very back of the publication. More people, of course, must buy designer outfits or make baked Alaska than be interested in pets. Supermarkets and grocery stores – ditto.
• Lifestyle websites, television shows, homeshow exhibitions etc – do you ever include pets in your education and infotainment? Perhaps pets don’t make a home.
• Real estate – why do we hide all evidence of our pets when we sell houses? Personally I’d rather buy a house where I know my pets will be comfortable. What better way to prove it than show me that other pets have lived there.

Before you think I’m extreme in my views cos I work, live and breathe pets, remember I’m not the only one who values critter companionship. Here in Australia:
• Over 60% of households currently own a pet. (85% of people would like to own a pet.)
• Pet owners contribute $4.62 billion to the economy.

Worldwide, we pet owners save our economies millions of dollars as pet owners are healthier and make less visits to the doctor. We also grow up with better self-esteem, are more popular with our peers and are more likely to talk to people we meet – all because we have a pet.

Until the general population realises that pet owners are a valuable segment of the market, we pet people just have to broadcast ourselves to one other. And, so far, we are doing a great job. Look at the no. of businesses, websites, mags, products that are solely devoted to pets and run by pet lovers. And how word of mouth from pet owners can make these ventures a success. Great work pet people

More info
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SURVEY NOW CLOSED – thanks

Your help required…

Please complete this behaviour survey to let me know what problems you deal with in your pets…

Every day I deal with problem pets.I am interested to know which aspects of behavioural problems frustrate owners the most and how it affects their relationship with their pet.

This survey has 8 questions and will only take a minute or two of your time.

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Twitter users – Please retweet to ask other pet owners to take this survey. Many thanks. Dr Jo

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Lightning asleep

People expect my pets to be perfect.

I tell them there is no such thing as the perfect pet (just as there is no such thing as the perfect human!). They don’t believe me. They think I say that just to make them feel better about their misbehaving cat/ dog/ budgie/ turtle. I wish

I have lost of pets. My life revolves around them and work fits in wherever possible. Two years ago Thunder and Lightning arrived. Yes it was a bolt, a flash and any other way you want to describe mayhem. Thunder and Lightning are two ferrets. Ferrets arrive and cats, dogs and husband are packing their bags ready to move out!

Luckily ferrets sleep around 80% of the day. The ideal pet in many ways. When they are awake they are fun, fun, fun. The rest of the time they sleep in their palatial mansion. We let them out to run around when we are home. Generally we confine them to where we can keep an eye on them and they can’t steal (Lightning likes to steal soap and hides her cache under my bed!)

Last night we let them out and the usual ferreting party began. All other pets have to be kept away from Lightning who terrorises them.  Chilli dog and Thunder love to play (watch video). Suddenly  it went quiet. Like little kids you worry when things go quiet…

Investigation revealed that Lightning was nowhere to be seen. The cat flap was spotted – OPEN!  So Lightning had ventured into the great outdoors onto our deck and down the stairs to the garden or beyond.

I armed myself with a squeaky toy and a torch and went out into the black night. “Lightning! Lightning” I yelled. Yes I could hear the neighbours wondering what the madwoman was doing now, summing up atmospheric disturbances from the gods. Ten minutes of calling and frantic squeaking brought nothing except a very frustrated Thunder from indoors.

Next there was a knock at the door. There stood my two neighbours ferret in hand. “Yours?” they asked, already knowing what the answer would be. Apparently Lightning had turned up at their doorstep and not being a shy individual had demanded their full attention.

We were pleased to see her. Thunder was pleased to see her. You can get attached to ferrets.

More about ferrets

More about behaviour

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How much does your pet cost you? Scared to work it out? And just how much would you be willing to spend should your pet need special care?

Recent reports in the news have commented on just how much pet owners will spend on their pets:

• Cat lover pays $7000 to remove a tumour form their cat’s head (read)
• Brisbane couple spent over $100,000 on their dogs (read)
• Pet owners hounded by veterinary fees (Miranda Devine article)

If you love your pet then chances are you will spend whatever you can. Most other pet owners will approve. What happens when you talk to non-pet lovers?

“Are you mad?!” they shriek. “All these starving kids in the world….”

Just because you love your pet does not mean you will not fund charitable work elsewhere. In fact pet lovers are more empathic with people in general. Chances are they are helping feed people in poverty.

Choosing to spend money on your pet’s medical care can raise all sorts of moral and ethical dilemmas. How much is too much? Chemotherapy may cost $4000 per session and you may need 6 sessions. Can you afford it?

It is not easy to decide to end your pet’s life. To make that decision based on your finances can be especially guilt-provoking. What if your partner does not want to? Perhaps this is a deal breaker we should discuss prior to acquiring a pet (but most of us would hate to picture this dilemma).

The easiest way to make this decision I have found after having clients face this, is to consider the quality of life of your pet. Do they have many years left to live their life? Will they face years of discomfort or even pain?

One thing is certain – the joy your pet gives you can never be measured in financial terms.

Please share your thoughts and experiences. Leave a comment below.

More from Dr Jo at www.petproblemsolved.com.au

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