A Pet’s New Year resolutions

time for self-reflection?

If your pet could dream up New Year’s resolutions, would they go something like this?…
A Pet’s New Year’s Resolutions A Pet Owner’s New Year’s Resolutions
I will be fed on demand. Ad lib. Freely available. At all times. NOW I will stick to a healthy diet. I will lose weight. My pet will lose weight too.
I will wake up early each morning and join in the dawn chorus. I will walk every day. I will decide when to walk, not my dog.
The neighbours shall not upset me. The neighbours shall not upset me.
I will be friends with all furry family members. I will not bully <<insert other species>>. I will set aside time for friendships. My pets do not need my every waking moment devoted to them.
No new family members please (see above). Time for another furry family member.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

  • Share/Bookmark

Tips for coping with fireworks

Lots of pets hate the bangs and flashes of fireworks and at this time of year, with firework displays, stress is almost inevitable. If you have a stressed pooch or pussycat, you can read some emergency tips here. If the problem is really bad, consult your vet today for medication to see your pet through New Year.
Some of my clients have found comfort through the use of lavender or even hot water bottles for their stressed pets. Do you have a tip to share? Please add it to the comments and help other stressed pets.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

  • Share/Bookmark

Merry Xmas

Wishing everyone a peaceful Xmas & New Year…

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Pet Problems Solved website

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

  • Share/Bookmark

Choosing a pet

What did you consider before choosing a pet? My list of factors to consider is here. Here’s the quick list:

1. Time
2. Energy
3. Finances
4. Space
5. Experience
6. Other family members
7. Other pets
8. Stage of life
9. Expectations
10. Which pet?

What other factors did you think about before you acquired your pet?
What else would you like people to think about before they get a pet?

Please leave your comments below…

Read the expanded list
Read more top tens

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

  • Share/Bookmark

If pets could blog…

I wonder what they’d say? Perhaps along the lines of a diary…

Monday:

  • Day – Walk. Yippee! Sniffed 5 dogs, 3 males, 2 females. Enemies = 1. New playmates = 2. Home. Left alone ALL day. Snack: pot plant, watering system.
  • Night: Mum home – dinner. Yippee! Kids home – snacks – 2 choc chip bics (yes I know I’m not allowed). Crept onto bed when family asleep.

Tuesday:

  • Day – Walk. Yippee! Sniffed 2 dogs, both female. All friends. (Note to self – need to get out more, meet new friends. Try escaping over backyard fence today.) Home – snacks – rawhide chew, treat ball. Prefer watering system but digging hole in lawn to bury treat ball = fun.
  • Night – dad found chewed newspaper – not happy. Outside all night.

Or perhaps more of a social commentary:

  • Three new dogs passed fence today, one wearing bling collar (Xmas wish list – I don’t think so).
  • Family gardening, dug up my fav old bone. Need to redig their new plants to replace fav old bone in preferred hiding spot.
  • Missed my walk today. Need to bark, bark, bark. Didn’t they hear me? Bark, bark, bark.

Cats of course would have their say / blog (cat-a-log) too:

  • Sleep interrupted (!) but for very good reason – feeding time. Yum! Back to sleep.
  • Dreaming of the great outdoors. Doors shut. Windows shut. The modern cat’s life  (sigh).
  • Gazing at the food bowl, willing it to refill.
  • Swatting dad’s newspaper as he reads it. Maybe he’ll feed me. Snooze on lap. Shed hair copiously.
  • Find prime spot on bed prior to families entry. Refuse to budge. Bite. Sleep in prime spot on bed – ALL night.

If pets could blog, what do you think they’d say?

More reading:

Leo Blog (cat-a-log) – for one year Dr Jo’s Maine Coon kitten kept a blog.

Pet Problems Solved – Dr Jo’s website with lots of pet info.

Read “A Modern Dog’s Life” by Dr Paul McGreevy for a unique insight into how dogs view our and their world.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

  • Share/Bookmark

Cats vs Dogs: Can you pick a winner?

New Scientist have just published an article Dogs vs Cats: the great pet showdown. Basically they compared a number of measures including the following topics:

  1. Brains
  2. Shared history
  3. Bonding
  4. Popularity
  5. Understanding
  6. Problem solving
  7. Vocalisation
  8. Tractability
  9. Super-senses
  10. Eco-friendliness
  11. Utility

Which won? Well read the article to find out.

Do you agree? If not why not? Which would be your winner? Cats or dogs?

More on cats and dogs at my website.

You Tube link: Cat vs Dog (Dr Jo\’s Leo (cat) vs Chilli (dog)

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

  • Share/Bookmark

Canine communication rules!

Ok so this morning I decided to make a few simple changes to my website. Six hours later and I’m still changing it! Ok I did a radio segment in the middle but that still approx 4 hours of fiddling.
Some of you are probably technology whizzes. Not me. All I’m trying to do is share info. I have:
- website
- blog (this is it)
- twitter
- facebook page
- you tube page
- probably others I’ve forgotten about!!
In am attempt to link these up, I think I am now repeating myself. Did I say I’m repeating myself. Sorry everone who had to read my posts about teaching Chilli to speak six times!

Ah communication! Life must be easier when you are a dog. Just sniff the rear end, allow your rear end to be sniffed and move on. Canine communication rules.

Post to Twitter Tweet This Post

  • Share/Bookmark