Monday, October 29, 2012

Hurricane Sandy Donations NEEDED!!!

No Matter What...DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PET BEHIND!
 
Donations are greatly needed in this time of crisis.....

Please donate to the Humane Society for relief efforts for animals during Hurricane Sandy. 

May you all be safe....



https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Donation2?idb=&df_id=11020&11020.donation=form1&autologin=yes&s_src=webdn_art102912

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Halloween...and our pets are NOT amused...

 

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

 

This is my favorite holiday~

 

So I thought I would share some tips from the ASPCA on pet safety...yes, even my werewolf needs to be kept safe during this magical time when the veil between both worlds is at its thinnest.....


Halloween Safety Tips



No Scaredy Cats This Halloween: Top 10 Safety Tips for Pet Parents

Attention, animal lovers, it's almost the spookiest night of the year! The ASPCA recommends taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet saying "trick or treat!" all the way to November 1.
1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.
3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.
4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.
5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.
6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandanna.
7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.
8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.
9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside.
10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you

Side note:

If you are planning on dressing up your cats, I highly suggest chain mail armour with full face protection!

Also, keep in mind that revenge for dressing your cat up will be swift and most merciless.

Yes, You will Pay for this
 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

My dog is not afraid of Mayan Prophecy!

Good Evening Everyone!

So, as you all know, we are getting closer to the date that the Mayans predicted....."THE END OF THE WORLD!!..I happen to live with a Mesoamerican Archaeologist, so I can tell you that when you wake up on December 22...with a epic hangover...you will feel just a little silly for believing this hype..but hey, it was a good excuse to get together with friends right?

In all seriousness though, there are many reasons to be prepared for disasters.  Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Wild Fires, Hurricanes, Civil Unrest, Zombies, Alien Invasions ect....are are possibilities in your area, well maybe not so much the zombies and aliens, but who knows?  The important thing is to be prepared.

As a professional pet sitter, I ask that all my clients provide me with a Disaster Plan and Disaster Kit in case there is need to evacuate their pet to safety.  It provides peace of mind for the owner and me during what can be a very stressful situation if not prepared. 

We all saw what happened when Hurricane Katrina hit.  Many people and their pets lost their lives because they refused to leave without their beloved animals.  The ASPCA and other other organizations were quick to act to help rescue those pets left behind, so before the next big disaster hits, please consider a donation to these organizations.


Don't Leave Me Behind!!!






As a member of The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, I suggest that you download this guide that will help you prepare for you and your pet. 


http://www.petsitters.org/cfincludes/PetOwners/pdfs/DPPetOwner.pdf


If you have any questions on Disaster Prep for your pets, please feel free to leave a comment!

Be safe out there! Dont become a Zombie Chow or a pet in some intergalatic zoo!









Thursday, October 4, 2012

Road Trip!!!! Pet Safety in the car...


Greetings Everyone!

If you are planning a road trip with your pet or just a quick trip to the dreaded vet...there are a few things you can do to ensure your pets safety, and yours.

First, if you have a small dog or cat, the best way to safely transport them is in a crate. Believe it or not, most small animals actually feel safer in a crate as opposed to free roaming in the car where they can also pose a hazard for you the driver. For bigger dogs, there are a variety of of harnesses that attach to the seat belt. If you have a SUV, pet barriers are another option. This is also very important in case you are involved in a car accident. If the animal is restrained, their chances of serious injury is lower.  Also, when the police or paramedics arrive, they will be able to do their job without having to worry about a loose animal.

Never let your animal ride in the front seat with you, much like small children, they are safer in the back seat due to the airbags. And for all of you pickup truck owners, if you put your dog in the back of the truck...YOU risk severe injury or death...from ME If I happen to be behind you....if you have someone else in the truck and there is no room for the dog.....make them walk!

Don't let your dog ride with his head sticking out the window; he could be hurt by flying debris. They could also decide to chase down that sexy poodle for her number or go after that handsome rock star Rottweiler...and out the window they go!

On long trips, make sure to pack food, water and a simple first aid kit. Be prepared to make frequent stops for exercise and bathroom breaks.  Pit stops also help for those dogs who have car anxiety. "The Werewolf" hates the car...she's getting better...but if we go too long without a break...I'm cleaning up either vomit or worse....much much worse......

Try not to leave your pet in a parked car. Sometimes, its unavoidable, like paying for gas. Try to park the car where you will be able to keep an eye on it and lock the doors! Pet theft ,especially of purebreds is on the rise due to the economy. Aside from theft, depending on the climate, the pet could be subjected to heat stroke (even in moderate weather) or hypothermia....if you are going to be more than a few minutes, don’t bring your pet! How would you feel if someone left you in a car while they went shopping or for a nice steak dinner for hours? I shouldn’t have to even write this, but the truth is I have seen it too many times.  Once I came upon a car at a all day Renaissance Festival and someone left their dog in the car...In the summer...Don't be that person....Don't make me bust out your window and call the police.

Once you get to your destination, leash your dog immediately. Maintain control before the dog gets out the car. Practice the WAIT command. "The Werewolf" does real well with this, even when she is totally excited and ready to hit the trail.

Road Tunes for your Pet:

Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon

Hound Dog - Elvis Presley

What's New Pussycat? - Tom Jones

Hey Bulldog - The Beatles

Me and You and a Dog Named Boo - Lobo

Year of the Cat - Al Stewart

Stray Cat Strut - Stray Cats

Dogs of War - Pink Floyd

Of coarse these are mere suggestions, you know your pet better than anyone....so if your pet likes AC/DC, Lady Gaga or Mozart....play what they like...at a reasonable volume of coarse...."The Werewolf" prefers Iron Maiden....she takes after her mommy...

Safe Travels!

Don’t forget the camera...chances are they will do something worthy of a facebook post!