About the same time as Bravo's cancer diagnosis, a stray puppy showed up. Shadow answered prayers we didn't know we made. Sometimes God answers prayers in advance. So we once again needed to puppy proof the house. When we lost our 11-year-old German shepherd...
Does your veterinary clinic routinely take your pets to the back for treatment, out of your sight? Why do vets take your pet to the back? Years ago I worked as a vet tech and we didn’t routinely “take pets to the back” for treatment. Emergency visits, or pets not easily handled, were the exceptions. But more often than not, dogs and cats had their temperatures taken, vaccines administered, routine blood and stool samples procured, all while in the presence of the owners. Today, that may not be true…and here’s why.
Owners fill bowls with nutritious food to keep dogs healthy. So what’s up with all the weird stuff dogs eat? Why do dogs eat rocks, eat dirt, eat poop, and even eat dangerous stuff?
Pet tail talk goes beyond happy dog tail wagging. Today is National Dog Day and it's appropriate to talk about how dogs show happiness. It's not always about a wagging tail, either. Dogs and cat tail movement meaning speak volumes with their tails, from happiness to...
April 8th was DOG FIGHTING AWARENESS DAY, and I’ve written about dog aggression and stopping dog fights before. It’s a good time to review the 5 common kinds of dog aggression and what to do.
According to the ASPCA, dog fighting happens all over the country and in all kinds of communities–rich, poor, middle class, it doesn’t matter, it’s there festering just beneath the surface. When fight rings are located, cases are built, offenders are prosecuted, and abuse survivors find loving homes.
You love your dog, and he adores you back. But why does your dog hates hats? Our Magical-Dog acted confused and barked at my husband when he wore a hat–until he heard his voice. But Bravo-Dawg didn’t seem to care. Some dogs act fearful, while others become aggressive when faced with hat-wearing people. What’s up with weird hat hate behavior? Has he become a fashion critic?
Do dogs have taste buds? Yes! But do dogs care about taste? Again, they clearly have flavor preferences. Of course, we know some of the odd and nasty weird stuff dogs eat—I really do need to record an Ask Amy about why dogs drink out of the toilet—but do they actually taste such things? How dogs taste remains a mystery in many ways.
Dogs taste sense mirrors that of humans, one reason your dogs beg for yummies from the table. For young dogs, smell of the food seems to trump taste. With some dogs, dirty socks might be a flavor enhancer . . . Read on, to learn what tastes dogs love, hate, and more!
Recently I received a press release from NEADS with information about their program that I’m sure many of my readers would love to learn about. They suggest retired or elderly owners who may be gun-shy to choose a breed to adopt because of lifestyle may relish this opportunity if looking for a very fulfilling volunteer experience.
Are Ear Mites Bugging Your Cat? Here’s Ear Mite Treatments for Dogs & Cats
Pets often suffer from earaches from ear infections. Sometimes infection results from parasites like ear mites. These tiny parasites are common in cats, and causes otodectic mange, more commonly known as ear mite infestation. Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) are a kind of arthropod that are actually related to and look something like spiders. The first four legs of all stages bear unjointed short stalks and suckers, and adult males also have suckers on the rear legs. Ewwww!
Dogs and cats with itchy ears often invite ear rubbing marathons. Read about doggy moans and groans of ear-rubbing delight here. Read on for all the must knows about these bugs, and ear mite treatments for dogs and cats.
Here are all the links for your favorite book-reading platforms–you can now preorder the newest thriller Ebook here!
Today, Friday October 3, I sent my latest thriller TRICK OR TREAT to my editor. Yay! Once again, the book takes place in Texas. But the characters (and readers) come from all over the world. So it’s fitting that my editor lives in Canada.
Oh, and my cover designer lives in England–he just sent me the draft, and I’m over the moon! I hope you’ll love it!
As with past books, I invited my newsletter subscribers to nominate hero pets to appear in the upcoming TRICK OR TREAT thriller. Boy, did y’all come through! Here are what these amazing characters add to the story, and the winners that YOU voted for! Following the theme, the hero pets come from Texas, from Ohio, and from Mexico! Without further ado, here are your hero pets…
Socialization for cats? Yes yes YES! Well socialized kitties not only exude confidence, they’re happier and healthier. Read on…
Has a ghost dog or ghost cat visited you? They have blessed me that way more than once, but never when I wish for it and always unexpectedly. Far from scary, the visitation from beyond brought me great comfort. I know my furry wonders live on–somewhere, somehow, and that I’ll see them again.
It wouldn’t be heaven without them. In fact, one of my Pet Peeves radio programs discussed whether pets go to heaven. At my church, Pastor Craig Sturm also shared a message about whether or not pets go to heaven. Read more about pet ghosts, and what (maybe) they mean.
A couple of years ago, Bravo-Dawg began scratching his ear, and yelping if bumped on that side—even tilting his head that direction. I suspected he had a painful dog ear infection. Magic had his share of ear infections, so I knew this was something that needed veterinary care sooner rather than later.
Dogs (and cats) are prone to ear infections because of the conformation of the ear itself. Human ear canals are straight, unlike the L-shaped pet’s ear canal. Debris and moisture can become trapped in the foot of that L, creating a perfect percolating environment for nasty agents to set up housekeeping. Some dogs invite you to rub their itchy ears with moans and groans.
Dog ear infections just like canine hot spots, also often develop because of allergies. If your dog has seasonal allergies, you’ll need to be extra vigilant. When dogs enjoy hot water games like hose tag, getting water inside the ears can predispose to earache and dog ear infection. Here’s how to deal with achy ears…
Some years ago, Karma-Kat visited the veterinarian for his annual wellness check. He’d lost a little over a pound (yay!), and the doctor said Karma looked like a two- or three-year-old kitty rather than a mature nine-year-old man-kat. He’s a senior kitty now, but doesn’t know it or act like it. We celebrated a great exam until I got home–and discovered the swollen ear flap, or aural hematoma on Karma’s right ear.
Yes, there’s a hero HORSE in the next thriller TRICK OR TREAT! Share and vote often–voting closes SEPT 28. Who will be the hero CAT, hero DOG, and hero HORSE? It’s up to you!
Vote NOW for your favorite for HERO PETS in the next thriller TRICK OR TREAT! Share and vote often–voting closes SEPT 28. Who will be the hero CAT, hero DOG, and hero HORSE? It’s up to you!
Voting is now open for the HERO PETS in the next thriller TRICK OR TREAT! Vote for your choice for hero CAT, and hero DOG, and hero HORSE! Share and vote often–voting closes SEPT 28.
When Shadow-Pup bounds over for one of his close-up cuddle sessions, nose to nose, tail wagging, I want all the love without the “eau de doggy” aroma. Sweet as those snuggles are, they’re also a reminder that fresh breath matters just as much as shiny coats or wagging tails. Doggie dental care is one of those things pet parents know is important, but not every pup is a fan of toothbrushes or dental wipes…
Amy Shojai CACB is an award winning author. You can find all her publications and book her to speak via her website.
AmyShojai.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com http://amazon.com/.
Awards
Memberships
