I didn’t think they were friends until the very end.

Watch and be amazed!

http://www.wimp.com/catowl

I always new that there were some plants that were toxic to our pets.  One of Chuck's (our brown spotted Dalmatian) litter mates died from eating Oleanders.  My sister always checks before she brings in new house plants because her cats love to eat them.

Now, we have our new puppy Maggie Mae, and we need to be sure her back yard is safe for her.  Let me tell you I was shocked at how many common plants, even vegetables can be toxic!  In my garden I have onions and tomatoes.  Onions can cause problems as well as Tomatoe Plants, not the actual tomatoe.  That is good because Maggie loves to pick and eat tomatoes!

Some of my other patio plants that surprised me were Asparagus Fern, Aloe and Creeping Charlie.  Keep in mind that they are not all fatal and there toxicity level varies.

Check the ASPCA site below for any possible Toxic Plants that could be present in your house or yard.  Knowledge is power, and with this power you will be able to keep all of your four legged friends safe!       

 http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/Plants.aspx?page=1

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels.  I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.  I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid. 

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage.  I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them. 

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past.  I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. 

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.  I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.  Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. 

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.  Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe.  I would promise to always be by her side.  I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.  I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.  So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors.  So many more to be saved.  At least I could save one. 

I rescued a human today.♥

 Squeeky toys make a lot of noise, but this one was really loud!

Digby was a very smart dog. Potty training was easy, as well as basic commands like sitting, lay down, and “No”. However, he also would take instruction for tricks, such as “bang” or “get the bee” or “give a ride”. Anytime you would motion like you were going to shoot him, Digby would plop down on the ground and put his legs in the air. If a bee was in sight all you had to do is say “get the bee”, one chomp and it took its last flight. The bee might have felt safe while flying around five to six feet from the ground, but he wasn’t. Give a ride was something that thoroughly tickled us. By the time our daughter was two years old, she could get into her Little Tykes wagon and Digby would pull her around the yard, delicately and cautiously, for hours at a time. Digby knew that she was young and needed guidance and care. A trait he always displayed around her.

When he was four we noticed him having some medical issues and scheduled tests to narrow down the problem. We were told that he had a condition with his liver and most likely would not live past the age of 7. This news was very disheartening and we worked around giving him a better lifestyle, healthier food, and spoiling him rotten. Come to find the condition was a misdiagnosis and Digby made out like a bandit for nearly a decade until the unfortunate news of cancer.

Watching an animal suffer is something that is very difficult. They are your children and part of your family. The decision to put this family member to a peaceful state, without forcing him to endure any further pain, is something we, as a family, chose to do. The process was very sobering. The experience of petting our little “son” until his heart stopped beating was a powerful event, not without great depression, but one with sentiment nonetheless. In fact, it has been several years since his passing, and neither I nor my wife drive down the Vet’s street anymore, even though it is right in the neighborhood. I mentioned it to my wife recently, and she had noticed that I won’t drive by the Vet’s office, either. It’s kinda funny, but after posting this, I think I will go for a drive through the neighborhood.

There is a site called www.greenpaws.com where you can research which pet products are safe for humans and which ones are not.  There is also information for Natural products available.

A side note if you have toddlers: You may choose Not to use flea collars at all since we know Everything ends up in their mouths!

♥ We want to protect our pets, but we need to be sure to protect our family too! ♥

We now have Josh, and Pet n’ Vet Support Services.  I first met Josh when I was going to see Dr. Teague when we were caring for Jordie during renal failure and her last few months.  Josh was one of the knowledgeable techs that I came to know and rely on.  When I call any doctor office (people or pet) I would like to talk to the doctor, but as we all know they are not always available.  Being able to have confidence with the support staff is crucial.  I remember the first day that Josh came on my radar.  I called in because Jordie had just had some sort of seizure and I didn’t know if this was the time to take her in and put her down.  I got Josh on the phone.  I was annoyed that I didn’t know who he was and I was having to explain things all over again to him.  He kept asking questions that I felt he should have known since I had been bringing Jordie in for several of month.  After I rudely answered all of his questions, he was able to calmly explain what he beleived Jordie had just experienced.  By the time I got off of the phone, I was calm and felt confident with what Josh had told me, and yes, I did apologize for being so rude (after all, how could anyone be expected to know every case.  I was being unrealistic, thinking Jordie was the most important cat in the world).  Several visits later, I was telling Dr. Teague I was worried about our upcoming cruise and leaving Jordie.  She said that Josh did in home care.  I was so releaved!  By then, I had seen Josh several times in the office and had come to know and like him.  I did not want to put Jordie in a kennel while we were gone and knowing we could leave Jordie in her own house and surroundings while we were gone was a great comfort.  This was the best I could hope for and offer to my loyal pet. Below is the testimonial I wrote for Josh:

“We hired Josh to come to our home and take care of our terminally ill cat while we were out of town for a week. We didn’t want to put Jordie in a kennel, and Josh was recommended to us by our Vet. At the time, we new Josh from visiting the vets office and liked and trusted him, but we did not know he could provide us with in home care. We don’t usually let people into our home while were gone, but we were totally comfortable with Josh and I believed that Jordie would be well taken care of with love and compassion. Jordie needed daily medication, including IV fluids. We had been worried for weeks as to what to do when we needed to leave for that week. You couldn’t believe the relief we felt when we found out Josh would come to our home to take care of her. I will forever be greatful to Josh. He took good care of Jordie and made our leaving tolerable. I have recommended Josh to other friends and would do so, without hesitation, to you or anyone else. Your pet, house and belongings are in great hands.  March 9, 2010″

I hope that in every city there is a service like the one Josh provides,  In-Home Pet Sitting and Medical Treatment.  If you are in San Diego, I highly recommend Pet n’ Vet Support Services where your “Pets Health is their Priority”.

Who caught this clump of cats????

Nobody!!  Nice try but look close.  They are the same cats!!