Some people don’t understand, they think that because it was a small pet it is insignificant. But I loved her so much, and I miss her terribly and I wonder how I’m going to get through it.

 She loved sitting in the grass outside with me, I would protect her while she grazed. She let me hug and kiss her and she wouldn’t bite me, I’m really going to miss her a lot.

Nothing to do;   A Sharp knife;

A Large Lime;  A patient cat;

And It’s Football Season!!!!!

 (And oh yeah, you have been doing Tequila Shots!!!)

IT’S FOOTBALL SEASON!!

Go Teams!!

♥ ♥ ♥

Move Over!

As annoying as this can sometimes be, this just one of the little things we all love and miss when dealing with Pet Loss.

So just enjoy it while you have it, and then smile and remember when you miss it.  ♥

I have had to “put to sleep” and gone through the pain and Pet Loss Grief with three of my furry friends in the last eighteen years.  Chuck our “Spotted Dog” as we called him because he had diabetes and went blind.  Noche, our long haired gray Persian cat that had cancer.  And  then Jordie, our most beloved and precious cat that developed renal failure.  Jordie loved me so unconditionally, and I her.  I have never  had a pet love me like she loved me.  She was such a special cat.  It is hard enough to “put to sleep” the one you love because of failing health… and in an act of compassion, but why should we “euthanize”  a helpless furry  animal just because there is not a loving homes to be found for them?

You know what I mean.  Anyone that has had to put down a loved one knows exactly what I mean.  We would give almost anything to have them back and have an opportunity to give them a second chance that the thought of needless euthanasia because of over population is intolerable.

There are so many dogs, cats and other small animals that are ready to be loved.  To spay and neuter our little ones is the only humane thing to do. Did you know that just two stray cats can produce over 100 offspring in only a few years?

If you think about wanting a little puppy, kitten or a well behaved mature animal, just go to any local animal shelter and take a look around.  There are literally hundreds of puppies, kittens and older animals wanting a good home.  It’s not their fault that no one wanted them.  How sad. That’s why the Humane Societies around the country offer free spay and neutering with all adoptions. They know that there are too many animals that are put to death for no other reason than that there are just  not enough homes to place these needy animals in.

So, even if you get a young dog or cat through a private party, please give considerable thought to having your pet spayed or neutered.  If your pet were to get out during “heat”, or as so often times happens some stray pet jumps your fence, the world does not need an unwanted litter.  How would you feel if one of these little pups or kittens had to be euthanized because you couldn’t find homes for them?

So please, won’t you consider following the Humane Societies lead to Spay and Neuter.♥

We are all aware of disaster planning for people, but did you remember to plan for your household pet?  It's not the time to figure out what to do when the disaster or emergency occurs. Not only will you be dealing with the trauma and aftermath of the incident,  but it will be even more devastating if you have to deal with the Pet Loss Grief of your furry friend because your Pet Died or they ran away during the crises.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare:

• You should keep properly fitting collars with ID tags on both your cat and dogs, even if they are indoor only.  You never plan for them to run away, but in an emergency it could easily happen and this way they can be returned to you.

• Have a kennel and care package for each animal packed and ready to go.  Some items to include are:

   

   

  • A leash and perhaps even a muzzle.  Even if your lovable friend is not usually aggressive,  fear may  turn them that way.  Bring a stake and tie leash for each dog so they don't always need to be confined in the kennel.

  • Pack enough food and water for a week.  Bring sturdy food and water dishes or feeders and remember a hand can opener and plastic lids for the opened can of food.

  • Make a copy of current veterinary records including vaccinations.  Having your vets phone number and address is a good idea.  Keep them stored in a zip lock baggie to keep them safe and dry.  These will come in handy if the originals get destroyed.  Also keep several current photos that could be handed out in case your little ones get lost in the confusion.

  • Pack medications just as you would for people.  Be sure to include a pet first aid kit.  You'll need wound cleaning and bandaging material.

  • Keep supplies to collect and dispose of pet waste.  Zip lock bags are good for waste, but also are good to keep fresh kitty litter.  Don't forget a kitty box and scoop.

  • Consider setting up a "support system" with neighbors, family or friends.  Having someone ready to step in and take your pets will be helpful.  Keep a list of names and numbers in the emergency kit.  Consider writing a letter of authorization in case your pet needs veterinary treatment.

  • Also don't forget to pack items of comfort.  You know you buddy the best, so pack his favorite blanket or toy.  He will be as stressed out during this time as you are.

You can never be too prepared for an emergency and neither can your pets.  Contact your local organizations that can help you in an emergency situation including the Humane Society, SPCA, Animal Shelter and even the American Red Cross.  They can also help you better prepare with their "Prep Lectures".  Remember to keep your kit current.  A good time to update the content is during the "Daylight Savings Time Changes".  You change the batteries in the smoke detectors, use this time to update medication, vet records, pictures and rotate in fresh food.

Taking these steps now can save you a world of heartache later.  Your furry friends will thank you!♥ 

If you have any ideas or items that I didn't mention, please let us know so we can all be prepared.

Wanted Alive! – Please Keep Me Safe!

Dogs especially, some just have a natural tendency to gnaw but sometimes they chew out of boredom.  Properly exercising your dog with vigorous play time will help in more ways than one.  They will be tired and ready to relax when they are indoors, but they will also be more happy and content and not look for the "bad" ways to relieve stress.

Cats aren't quite as bad as dogs but they have their moments too, we know how they love to eat the house plants!  Curly ribbons on packages and tinsel  on trees are just begging to be played with.  Unfortunately once they start to eat it they can't stop until the end of the ribbon.  It's one long string that they do not bite in two and then swallow so they ingest several inches or sometimes even feet of this hazardous material.

Top Ten Items Surgically Removed from our pets; It may be hard to believe but true:

1. Socks

2. Underwear

3. Pantyhose

4.  Rocks

5.  Balls

6.  Chew Toys

7.  Corn Cobs

8.  Bones

9.  Hair Ties / Ribbons

10.  Sticks

Knowing our pets habits  and moods can help keep them safe and out of harms way. It's up to us to keep our house and yard pet-proof.  Keeping them safe will also insure that you will not have to deal with the grief of a Pet Loss.  If you notice your pet becoming sluggish or have a decrease in appetite, it may be time to call your vet.  It's always better to be safe that sorry!♥

♦ ♦ ♦ For more interesting Ferret stories, visit my friend Laura's site ♦ ♦ ♦ http://loyalpetferret.com/what-objects-will-ferrets-eat-80.html

Keep your scheduled vet appointments, get all recommended vaccines and shots and ask what you can do to help prevent these common occurrences.

The Top Ten Cat Health Problems:

The Top Ten Dog Health Problems:

Help your furry family members live a long and happy life.  Proper grooming, exercise, and a good diet are just as important with our pets as it is to people.  Supplements for joint health and medication may also be needed as they get older.  Talk to your vet, they will be able to advise you on the best course of care and prevention.  If you don't yet have a vet, ask your family and friends.  You will want to find a clinic and staff that truly love your little buddy like you do.  Here's wishing you and yours many happy years.♥

Just after Katie was put down, due to serious diabetes, her son Tuffy got real sick as well. My husband and I did not want them to suffer. So now they are both in the back yard just under our beautiful pine trees. God watches over them daily. That helps me alot.

I now have Sammie, who I think gets sort of bummed out. He just lost his 2 best friends. But he has no competition anymore and he likes that too. I love Sammie, and pray that he gets to be with me for as long as he is suppose to be.

Whether it is an accident or you have had to put your loyal companion to sleep, as it so often happens, unfortunately it leaves a terrible image in your mind that you repeat over and over again.

Angel’s mom decided to deal with her pet loss grief in a proactive manner.  She had so many happy memories and only one or two regrets that she decided to surround herself with as many of Angel’s pictures as she could.  She put Angel’s pictures on her phone as her wallpaper and changed them several times a day for several days based on what she would normally be doing at that time of day.  She filled her mind with pictures of happy times to slowly push out the bad pictures she had of that last day.  This picture of Angel with the mushrooms is a happy memory.  She told me she was walking in her yard and came upon these huge mushrooms, just as she was snapping the picture Angel ran in and posed!  That was Angel, front and center.  The thought of that day brings a smile to her face.

One regret she had was that she never had a professional portrait done with Angel.  She thought she would have all the time in the world.  Fortunately, she has plenty of home pictures but she always wanted to go to a studio and have a pet portrait taken.  Let this be a friendly reminder, don’t put off your dreams or ideas.  You never know what tomorrow holds.

I know this may not be the right approach for everyone.  I have 3 members of my family and friends that I know that can’t do this.  To write a story about their life or to see their pictures come up on the screen saver is just too painful.  But just like Angel’s mom, or Digby’s dad, sharing their life made them feel better.  Read the post about Digby.  Digby’s dad couldn’t drive past the vets office, even though it was the shortest route to the grocery store.  After writing his story and posting it, it brought closure for him.  You have to find your way through the grief process that is right for you.  Whatever you decide, don’t let anyone make you feel foolish.  You need to grieve this loss in your own way just as you would grieve the loss of a human.

Non pet lovers don’t understand.  So surround yourself with the people who love their pets as much as you do.  Grieve their loss.  Remember them.  They were an important part of your life and they should not be forgotten.  I hope this post helps you come to terms with your loss, and I hope your heart heals quickly.♥

This is hard on everyone.  If your pet is in a terminally ill situation and you know it’s just a matter of time, consider talking with your vet and tech staff about the options before hand.  We do this with the people that we love, trying to find out what their wishes are, why not think about what your wishes are before your beloved furry friend has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. You can have them cremated and left with the vet, cremated and come back to later pick up their ashes or just take them with you for burial.  Most vets can even provide you with information on head stones, memorial markers or point you in the right direction of what you want for you furry friend.

As unpleasant as it may be, I have found it better to deal with it a head of time and pay for any cost that may be necessary before hand, so that on that sorrowful day, you don’t need to deal with the practicalities.  Within the final months of Jordie’s loss, it seems to me that I was better able to think about these things more clearly before hand and talk with the staff about my options.  I knew the day was coming, but this time being the third time around and knowing a little bit better what to expect, it just seemed easier to talk about what I wanted to do before hand.

If this is the first time that you have to go through this hardship, I hope that my insight can help better prepare you for the decissions that you need to make.  I know that it will still be hard, but my hope is that this information helps soften the pain.