Here’s an excerpt from my book DOG LIFE (including a video and song!) featuring favorite dog myths and superstitions, just in time for Halloween. Enjoy!
Dogs in Myth & Superstition
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8 Halloween Pet Myths: BUSTED
With Halloween right around the corner, what a good time to share this round up of 8 Halloween myths.
Halloween Pets Safety: Protect Pets from Halloween Goblins
Halloween pet safety is needed every year. Halloween at its best is a night of mystery, fun, and thrills for human children and many adults. It’s important to keep your human kiddoes safe with these tips, but no less important for the pets. I write about Halloween pets safety every year because it can be a nightmare for your furry kids.
Halloween Pet Costumes: How to Dress Dogs in Costumes
Do you enjoy dressing up the house—and yourself—for the holidays? If you want to include Halloween pet costumes, start now to get them used to the notion. Most of the costumes don’t fit Bravo-Dawg, and I’ve not yet tried Shadow-Pup. I’ll share pictures if/when that happens.
Meanwhile, be sure to keep pets safe over Halloween, though. Dogs and cats aren’t always fans of wearing Halloween costumes, but with these tips, you can help pets accept the notion.
Halloween Pet Costumes
Some pets enjoy dressing up, particularly the small dogs already used to wearing coats and sweaters in cool weather. There are many pet costumes available from pet products stores, from fancy to plain. If your outgoing, confident pet is willing, you can have great fun with costumes. But if your pets don’t care for dress up, don’t press it. Many pets may bite over Halloween out of fear of change.
Even reluctant pets may be persuaded to wear a fancy collar or bandana or painted toenails.
WHY WE MUSTN’T ALWAYS GIVE IN TO CUTENESS
From time to time, I’m honored to share the blog with talented writers with a unique and important message. I’m no different than others who adore CUTE ANIMALS yet let’s take a step back and consider what cute means, for wild creatures and our own cute dogs and cute cats.
Help me welcome Taylor Waters, Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, and Farm Animal Advocacy Staff Attorney, Animal Law & Policy Institute at Vermont Law & Graduate School
BITE Prevention for Halloween: 9 Ways to Keep Fangs At Bay
Have you thought about dog bite Halloween safety? and I’m not talking about vampires, either. Many dogs enjoy the howl-idays. But dogs biting kids happens more often at this time of year than any other.
This is a timely subject so I try to revisit the information every year. I write about this every year because it’s so darned important. With Halloween in the offing, this is the perfect time to brush up on dog safety issues and protect your kids, too.
To give equal time, there are many kitty-centric Halloween myth-teries you’ll find fascinating, especially about black cats.
While nonstop doorbell rings and visitors showering attention may be doggy bliss for your pet, even friendly laid back pooches get their tails in a twist over the disruption to routine. That can be dangerous for the pet—and for the human. Learn more about dog bites and kid safety here…
Does Your Dog Hate the Vet? Get Quick Solutions Now!
We want to provide the best care possible for our beloved dogs, but what do you do when your dog becomes a howling mess at the vet? Fearful dogs visit veterinarians less often because their owners hate to see them upset and afraid of the carrier, car ride, and stranger handling….
TRICK OR TREAT: PREORDER INFO!
Here are all the links for your favorite book-reading platforms–you can now preorder the newest thriller Ebook here!
Your Hero Pet Winners: TRICK OR TREAT Thriller #9
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…
Recent Posts
2026 New Year Goals–from the Pets
It’s another circle around the sun. How did that happen? New Years comes faster each time, and for me provides a time to reflect, remember, savor the “wins” and explore the “not greats” and make plans for the next 12 months. Rather than making New Year resolutions, I make new year goals—and hope that the journey along the way proves equally rewarding.
Here’s my annual yearly recap, plus New Year Goals…from the pets!
Fear of Fireworks & Thunder? How to Calm Pet Noise Fears
Does your dog fear fireworks? What can you do for a cat or dog scared of fireworks? What about earplugs for dogs? Cats aren’t immune so New Year’s celebrations, Memorial Day (or graduation hijinks), July 4th fireworks, and thunderstorms can turn pets into shivery bundles of fur when BOOMS, bright lights, or even wind and rain noise fill the sky. Pets can be scared of all kinds of loud noises, and I get asked for advice all the time.
I share this information twice a year in time for July 4 fireworks, and the New Year fireworks. No matter the time of year, always pay attention to pet safety. . .
Merry Christmas! A song for the holidays!
Here’s your musical Merry Christmas wish! Yes, that’s me singing…may all your holidays be bright!
How to Eliminate Pet Smells with Pet Stain Removers
Anyone who lives with pets benefits from an effective pet smell eliminator. With changes in weather keeping pets indoors for longer periods, pet potty accidents may increase. But be careful your pet accident cleaner doesn’t cause more problems. Here are my top 7 pet stink solvers!
Puppy Diarrhea, Home Remedies & When to Call The Vet
We love snuggling baby dogs with sweet puppy breath, Frito-smelling toes, lap snuggles, and then–OH NO, puppy diarrhea! What’s a pet parent to do about dog loose motion? We’ve already had this issue with our new pup, Shadow, and had to deal with it.
Of course, adult dogs also suffer from the occasional loose stool as well or they pass gas (flatulence). At any age, dog diarrhea can be a sign of something serious that needs immediate attention. This is not about puppy accidents during house training, but an illness your dog can’t control. Knowing home remedies, dog first aid, and when to call the vet about puppy diarrhea could save your pet’s life.
Cat to Cat Introductions: Introducing Cats
Whenever a new cat arrives, cat to cat introductions take over. We base cat training on kitten behavior to get the most out of the learning process. Each spring heralds that lovely time of the year for happy surprises, and that may mean a new kitten in your holiday plans. If that’s you, and you already have a feline, prepare in advance for cat introductions of the resident feline to the new baby. Many times, shelters and rescue groups recommend adopting PAIRS of kitties. That way, if the cats already know each other — or the kittens are littermates — they help entertain and soothe each other. Instead of chasing and attacking your feet, they target each other.
But what if you have a resident cat and a new kitty shows up? How do cat to cat introductions work when introducing cats to kittens, or adult cats to cats?
It can be heartbreaking when the cats you love don’t get along. Proper introductions help enormously to soothe the angst.
6 Holiday Tips to Keep Kitty Calm
Do your cats enjoy the holidays, or does it add stress to their world? With the holidays fast approaching, it’s a good time to offer some tips for keeping your cats (and guests!) happy. Read on for 6 holiday tips to keep cats calm (say that fast five times, LOL!)
How To Pet Proof Your Holidays with 11 Life-Saving Tips
Do you pet proof for the holidays? Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations are popular times to break out the holiday trimmings, not just in terms of munchies, but decorations, too. There ARE safe foods for cats and dogs, but dangers abound as well.
Holiday homes become pet playgrounds at this time of year. Cats like our new Trinity-Kitten delight in un-decking the halls and climbing the tree. Dogs like our Shadow-Pup want to eat decorations and baptize the tree. The result is a Christmas that’s anything but merry. Refer to these tips to keep your pets safe and your holiday happy. Read on for tips!
Pet Holiday Visits? 10 Tips to Keep Tails Wagging
Are pet holiday visits in your travel plans? Family gatherings are a big part of the holidays, and pets double the fun—and the stress. Here are tips for keeping your cat calm during the holidays, and read on for more tips.
Shadow-Pup’s Wag-alicious Review of Dog Is Human Daily Multivitamin
Shadow’s still a young adult pooch, but I want to keep him healthy. So, when DOG IS HUMAN reached out to us to review their Daily Multivitamin product, I welcomed the opportunity. But what would Shadow think about a dog pet health care supplement?
Read on for Shadow’s review!
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Amy Shojai CACB is an award winning author. You can find all her publications and book her to speak via her website.
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Awards
CWA Muse Medallion Award
Dog Writers Association of America Maxwell Award
Fear Free Certified
CWA Muse Medallion Award
Cat Writers Muse Medallion Awards
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