Top Ten Reasons Dogs Don't Drive

A new Top Ten list is posted every Monday.If you have a suggestion for a Top Ten, send it to petpurri@gmail.com. If we use your suggestion we'll send you a prize!

 

1)         It's hard to keep your eyes on the road with your head
            hanging out the window
2)         Dogs would want to stop at every fire hydrant
3)         Hello – is that a red light or or a green light, oh who cares ….
4)         They would want to stop at every dog park
5)         Dogs would be prone to road rage with all the stupid humans
            on the road
6)         It's hard to chase a car and drive a car at the same time
7)         Der Hunds would clog all the Der Wienerschitzel drive-thrus
8)         Dogs can't parallel park
9)         They definitely can't afford today's gas prices
10)       Have you been on the 405 lately, I think they are driving

German Shepherd Drives Car

Pug Drives Car

Pillow Peccadillo

My pillow is like catnip to cats.  And especially when my head lays upon it.  And most especially of all when my eyes are closed and I am sound asleep.  It is then scientifically proven to be irresistible, stronger than the strongest catnip.  Stronger even than special Christmas-mix catnip.

My cats have invented a game called "How many cats can squeeze onto Mom's pillow next to her head while she's trying to sleep."

Not just next to my head, but smashed up against my head and my face.  And on top of my head and my face.  "Making cookies" in my hair.  And the fun really starts when two that don't particularly like each other (Opie and Little Mess, for instance) decide they must be on my pillow at the same time.  Yes, I do have a large pillow.  No, it's not large enough.

Being lulled to sleep by soft purrs.  Snuggling against soft furs.  Sometimes, it's just the right size. 

 

Kumquat's Kunundrum

Kumquat awoke and wondered, would this be the day?  Would today be the day he would brave the upstairs landing and pass by Puck the StairMaster, unofficial Gatekeeper to the Sacred Spot (a brand new Kumquat-sized cat cube). 

Kumquat's stumpy little legs carried him up the stairs until he was only one step below Puck.  Kumquat and Puck faced off in a shifty-eyed Eastwood-esqe stare down that would have done Clint proud.  Puck stared down upon little Kumquat, and Kumquat's eyes stared back and squinted up at his nemesis. 

Would today be the day that Kumquat dared brave the Stair Master?  Yes, today was the day.  Mustering every ounce of courage in his 9-lb body, Kumquat sprang forward.

Whack.  Twenty pounds of feline fury swatted at Kumquat and down the stairs he went.  Today would not be the day.  Maybe tomorrow …. 

Or maybe he would just sit at the stairs and whine until someone carried him past the Puck.

Senior Comfort

Is there anything sadder than watching closely as one of our beloved animal companions succumbs to the inevitable effects of aging?  I think not.  But since there is nothing we can do to stop time from rolling on (last time I checked the Time Machine was several years off), there is plenty we can do to make our companions' journey less painful and more dignified.

Make sure your pets see a vet regularly, including a senior blood panel, upon having reached the age of seven.  A change in diet or dietary supplements may be necessary. 

Think of what you can do to make your beloved companion more comfortable …  Perhaps more bedding, or stairs to better access the beds and furniture.  Is a ramp for the car necessary?  Would your dog be more comfortable in a padded harness, rather than a collar?

 

Pets can experience mental decline as they age, and this mental decline is not considered a normal part of aging (cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or CDS).  Special diets and supplements can help stave off dementia.  Play mental games with your pet to keep the mind sharp (environmental enrichment).

Of course all of these things will cost money, and money is not easy for a lot of people to come by nowadays.  But every effort should be made.  The Senior Dogs Project contains a lot of useful information.

And most important of all, keep your companion animal at home with you and love them to the very end.  Do not  dump them in a shelter to die on a cold slab of concrete, staring out with vacant eyes, hoping to the very end that you will come back for them. 

And if you can adopt a senior pet from your local shelter, do so!  There are many seniors in need.

Top Ten Ways Cats are Better Than People

  A new Top Ten list is posted every Monday. If you have a suggestion for a Top Ten, send it to petpurri@gmail.com. If we use your suggestion we'll send you a prize!

1)         They were once worshiped as deities in Egypt.

2)         Cats are clean; many (many) people are not.
3)         Cats sleep 16-18 hours a day. Jealous? I am.
4)         A cat has over 100 vocal sounds (how many do you have?).
5)         Cats have better table manners than most people.
6)         Cats have 9 lives, people barely have one.
7)         Cats can see in the dark.
8)         Cats can climb trees without hooks and ropes.

9)         Cats are the boss of people 20 times their size.

10)       People suck.

Cats Versus Water

Cats hate water.  Surely there are some cats that enjoy a dip now and then, or a sudsy bath, but as a general rule, cats hate water.  Unless they are drinking it.

I have had the displeasure of having to bathe many a cat in my life, and not a one of them enjoyed it.  My arms have the scratchy scars to prove my words.  A good rule of thumb is to give the cat a nail trimming before the bath, but chances are you are still going to get scratched.  And badly.

Some cats like to sleep curled up in sinks, and some cats even like to drink from faucets.  And I'm sure I'll hear from people who have known cats that like to swim.

But I have never known a cat that liked water, and I have never known anyone who knew a cat that liked water.  Cats that like to swim? Surely an urban legend ....

Men Rescue Kittens from Hornets Nest

Recently, a West Fargo, N.D. man named Jim Johnson and his assistant Eric saved the lives of three helpless three-week old kittens as the kittens were being attacked by swarming hornets.  Johnson, who was making a delivery at a cabin near Detroit Lakes, heard the kittens crying and followed the sound to the window well of a garage.  There he found the three tiny kittens covered in hornets.  Stinging hornets were crawling out of the kittens' ears and embedded in their skin.  Two of the kittens were already unconscious.

Johnson was bitten more than 20 times during the rescue, including a bite from one of the kittens.  Unfortunately, one of the kittens did not survive the attack.  The two remaining kittens are receiving veterinary care and are being fostered by Jim Johnson and his wife.  He has received several adoption inquiries, thanks to all the media coverage, and when the kittens are two months old he will be placing them in a home together.  And yes he will be carefully screening candidates to make sure the kittens are altered and continue to receive necessary veterinary care.

Jim Johnson and his assistant braved a hornets nest, without hesitation, to rescue three tiny kittens in need.  And that is why they are most definitely Fabulous on Friday!

See the full story here WDAY and here Rescued Kittens

Live Your Life Like Boss Cat

Puck is Boss Cat.  Yes, we all know that.  But how has he stayed on top for so long?  Well, maybe it's because nothing rattles his 20+ pounds.

Some nights when I come home from work, every cupboard is open.  Sometimes I wake up in the morning and every cupboard is open, and sometimes even a drawer or two.  I know that is usually the work of Darwin, with an assist from Lillie-Belle and Twink.  A lot of work goes into that mayhem.

The bedding is often askew (everyone has a paw in that).  Shoes are rearranged in the closet (Opie).  Toilet paper is unrolled (Puddin).  In other words, everyone else is busy making mischief.  And where is Puck?  Puck is in his sitting spot at the top of the stairs, watching and not much else.   

Puck has never been sick. Never felt stress.  Never had a housemate he didn't get along with (save for the dogs he won't let pass on the stairs).

Puck is Boss Cat, but he is so much more than that.  He is the calm in the eye of the storm.  Puck spends his life chillin'. 

Maybe in our quest to be Boss Cat of our own lives, we are going about it the wrong way.  We need to spend more time chillin' at the time of the stairs, and less time rearranging shoes and opening cupboards.

A Little Love Goes a Long Way



Everybody was so needy last night, including me.  I just wanted to get everyone fed, walked, brushed, litter boxes cleaned, and then it would be my time.  Couch time.  Work was hard, traffic was worse, and I deserved some "me" time.

Jammies on, feet on the coffee table, check.  Channel surfing and vegging, here I come.  Not. 

Kumquat was the first.  He somehow wriggled his little funny head beneath my idle hand and basically forced my hand to pet him.  Sneaky Squirrel climbed into my lap and rearranged himself every two minutes because he can never get quite comfortable enough.

And then Barney the fat little senior stood at my feet and barked.  He can't jump up on the couch but it wouldn't matter if he could.  He hates sitting on the couch.  He stands at the foot of the couch and barks until I am sitting with him on the floor.  Hardwood floor.

And now here come the cats.  But why wouldn't they, after all they spend most of the day alone while I'm at work.  The whole crew was relelentless, they would not be denied.  Everyone got their pets and their ear scratches and their belly rubs.  Except me.

Which brings to mind the millions of animals languishing alone in shelters.  If you have even an hour a week to volunteer, or just occasional time to go in and say hello and give them a pet, please do so.  It makes a world of difference to them, and a little bit of socialization makes them that much more adoptable.

And remember, October is Adopt-A-Dog Month.

And that's Wednesday's Woof!

Know Your Breed, Indeed!

One of the most important things for anyone who is looking for a new four-legged companion - know your breed!  Yes, everyone wants the pretty dog, the dog with blue eyes, or the dog with the curly coat.  But is it the right dog for you?

Do your research!  Know which dogs fit into your lifestyle.  Do you live in a condo?  Which breed is most adaptable to condo living.  Do you have time to walk a dog, take it to a dog park, make sure it gets regular exercise...

If you desire a dog with long luscious locks, can you afford the necessary grooming?  Will you tire of the required brushing?

Do you love the look of the cute smash face?  Then can you afford the medical bills that may be coming your way?

And especially if you are going to adopt from a shelter, please do your research and know your breeds.  You cannot rely on the shelter staff and volunteers to pick your dog for you. 

The internet is full of sites where you can research dog breeds.  Here are just a few:

American Kennel Club

Dog Breeds

Dog Breed Info

You can also consult a trainer or behavoirist. 

Please do adopt from a shelter or rescue group, and please make sure it is an informed choice for your lifestyle. 

Senior Star of Harry Potter Films Dumped in Shelter

Believe it or not, Berry, the stunning senior German Shepherd who played the canine form of the character Sirius Black in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, has been relinquished to German Shepherd Dog Rescue in the U.K.

Fox News recently reported that 10-year-old Berry and his 13-year-old canine companion, Porridge, were given up by a professional stuntman who just "didn't have enough time for them anymore."  Sadly this is an excuse we hear all too often here in the states.

Berry's sad plight is making headlines, and German Shepherd Dog Rescue has already received more than 100 adoption inquiries.  ABC News reports that the group won't consider shipping the two dogs overseas.

While Berry and Porridge will no doubt end up in great homes because of all this exposure, many other German Shepherds, senior dogs and bonded pairs will still be waiting for homes, without the benefit of publicity.

Right now there are nearly 8,000 adoptable German Shepherds listed on Petfinder and nearly 15,000 adoptable senior pets across North America.

Please consider rescuing a senior shelter pet (or two).

German Shepherd Rescue

Top Ten Dog Movies

A new Top Ten list is posted every Monday.  If you have a suggestion for a Top Ten, send it to petpurri@gmail.com. If we use your suggestion we'll send you a prize!

Old Yeller Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2070939417/

1)   Old Yeller (1957) 
2)   Lassie Come Home (1943)

3)   Lady and the Tramp (1955)
4)   White Fang (1991)
5)   Benji (1974)
6)   101 Dalmatians (1961)
7)   The Adventures of Milo & Otis (1986)
8    Turner & Hooch (1989)
9)   Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
10   Hachi (A Dog's Tale) (2009)

Lassie Come Home Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/amazon/vi2000658201/

White Fang Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/amazon/vi1913495321/

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Iron Will (1994)
Best in Show (2000)
Marley and Me (2008)
Eight Below (2006)
Snow Dogs (2002)
The Biscuit Eater (1972)
Beethoven (1992)
Far From Home – The Adventures of Yellow Dog ((1995)
Shiloh (1997)
My Dog Skip (2000)
Because of Winn-Dixie (2005)

It Wouldn't Be Puddin' - Or Would It?

Puddin, my shy sweet senior Tortie girl, is like a ghost in the night.  Rarely out in the daytime, Puddin finds the darkest, most secluded spots in the closets to spend the daylight hours.

When darkness falls, Puddin emerges.  Suddenly she appears on my bed, or the back of the sofa.  She moves stealthily, not wanting much to socialize with the other cats.  And especially not with dogs. 

On rare occasions Puddin will venture all the way up to my pillow while I'm sleeping.  But only on rare occasions, because the pillow is the domain of Twink and Lillie-Belle, and occasionally The Little Mess.  It gets crowded up there.  And when Puddin shows up, fur can fly. 

Many a sound sleep has been interrupted by cat clashes.  That wouldn't be Puddin trying to get on my pillow, would it?

Sneaky Squirrel Says ~

We all wish our animals could talk.  We want to know what their lives were like before they came to us, what things have they seen, why they are the way they are.

But our pets can't talk, obviously.  Their past comes to us through their actions.

I would love to know why Sneaky Squirrel still runs and hides under a pile of blankets anytime he hears a loud noise.  Why he won't allow anyone else to touch him, or even to get close. 

Squirrel's been in my home for over a year now, and has made great strides.  He loves to go for walks (now with his tail wagging and not tightly tucked as before).  He'll curl up on the couch with me, and roll over for a belly rub.  He is so excited when I come home from work that he scratches the door from the inside.

And yet, there is always a look of fear behind his eyes, a look of impending doom.  And when we are on our walks, he has to stop and smell every single car).  He sniffs the exhaust pipes, and then the tires.  If a car pulls in or out of a parking space, he stops and stares and won't proceed until the car is gone, or until whoever was driving the car has come and gone. 

Sneaky Squirrel (real name Macaroon- but nicknamed Squirrel for his squirrely-ness when he first came, later acquiring the "Sneaky" moniker when he would steal treats from Kumquat), Sneaky Squirrel has a thing about cars.  So I can only surmise that he used to live in some kind of a junk yard or car lot where someone wasn't very nice to him.

Sneaky Squirrel can't talk, but he can still tell me things. 



Cat Cut From Car

This is one lucky cat!  Hit by a car and then stuck behind the car's dashboard, a local mechanic in Hilliard, Ohio is credited with kitty's rescue.

The mechanic had to take apart the dash during a three-hour rescue operation Thursday in the Columbus suburb of Hilliard. http://bit.ly/nXgnpB.

Driver Nehal Dhruve says she hit the cat with her van and decided to take it to the local humane society. The brown and black cat wouldn't stay on the van's seat but instead hopped down and climbed up under the dashboard.

Mechanic Daryl McKay cut his hands trying to free the feline, so an animal control staffer with smaller hands took over and pulled it out.  Dhruve says she now wants to adopt the cat.

McKay donated his services.  Fabulous on Friday?  You bet!

Huffington Post Article





Wonderful Wiley - German Shepherd Mix - Needs a Home

PLEASE CONSIDER RESCUING OR ADOPTING WONDERFUL WILEY AT THE OVERCROWDED HARBOR ANIMAL CARE CENTER! EMAIL HARBORFRIENDS@GMAIL.COM OR CALL THE SHELTER DIRECTLY AT 310-548-2632 or 213-485-8789.

$350 DONATION TO QUALIFIED RESCUE FOR MISS WILEY

* WILEY * (#A1234528) Lovable 6 Year Old Spayed German Shepherd Mix

A Fuzzy Wuzzy Cuddlebear

Wt.: 64-lbs. / Imp. Date 7/25/11

Welcome to the Wonderful World of WILEY! Miss WILEY is a fabulicious cuddlebear, a fun and playful princess who loves to play fetch and chase in the yard, roll around in the grass, and do some serious spooning. WILEY sits on command and takes treats gently. WILEY has a gorgeous camera-ready face, expressive ears, and voluptuous figure. Yes, she is all that and a bag of chips. WILEY will make a fabulous best friend and loving companion!

Click Here: http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/20603995

Click Here for Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXjj-0sZSXY

Please Note: WILEY might be "particular" about some other dogs.

** Please contact Harborfriends regarding donations prior to pull

The Harbor Shelter is located at 957 S. Gaffey Street, San Pedro, CA  90731

WILEY HAS RECENTLY BEEN PROFESSIONALLY GROOMED, AND SHE LOOKS MAHVELUS!!

Shh, It's Lillie-Belle - Don't Tell!

 

Lillie-Belle is an ultimate snuggler.  Regular snuggling and cuddling is just not enough for Lillie-Belle.  She needs to sleep smashed against my side, or draped across my chest.  Or best of all, beneath the covers.

Often I find that Lillie-Belle has somehow gotten under the covers and is in a most precarious position that negates my being able to move an inch.  One minute she's somewhere on my bed, and the next she is deeply embedded under the covers.  I don't see her do it, I don't hear her do it, I don't feel her do it.  But somehow she does it.

So LB snuggles quietly, softly beneath the covers, and I sound asleep beside her.  Until the quiet is pierced by a Twink or a Little Mess, looking for their own sleeping spot, bounding across the bed toward a coveted spot by my side and landing squarely upon LB.

I want to say at that moment - shh - it's just Lillie-Belle.  But the other cats wouldn't hear me over the shrieking and caterwauling.

And when the dust settles, Lille-Belle stealthily sneaks back under the covers.  Don't tell, she seems to be saying to me - they'll find out when they step here.

Kandu Can Do - Can You?

Ever feel down and depressed, and like there is nothing you can do?  I know I feel that way, with the economy spiraling out of control, the wars raging on, our shelters overflowing, etc.

Yet one look at the video of the little two-legged Jack Russell Terrier named Kandu and instantly my outlook changes.  This video is not new, but it is certainly inspirational and timeless.

Kandu was dumped in a shelter to be euthanized, yet today he is part of the Healing Friends program, regularly visiting hospitals, uplifting spirits and showing everyone what can be if you hold on to hope.

Video of Kandu

5 Reasons to Take Away Your Pet's Toys

Cats hate change, except when it comes to their toys.  Easily bored, always blase, in order to keep things interesting keep a few toys out but hide the majority.  Rotating the cat (or dog) toys can be a very good thing.  Here are five reasons why:

1. Your pet will think you're the most generous mom ever -- after all, you'll always be providing "new" toys.
2. The toys are less likely to end up forgotten under a couch or in a corner somewhere.
3. The toys will last longer (a bonus for your wallet).
4. Your house will be less cluttered and your pet's bed will have more room for him in it.
5. You can "marinate" the toys in a container with treats or catnip to make them extra appealing when you bring them back out.

After all, how boring it must be to lie around on a bed or floor cluttered with the same old toys.

Games for Pets on Petfinder.com

Mopie Opie's Issues

Opie the Speed Racer has his dislikes.  And when I say dislike - I mean he really, really dislikes.  Chief among his dislikes of course, is The Little Mess.  Next would probably be scratching posts.

Opie will sharpen his claws on anything and everything, except for a scratching post.  And I've tried every kind of scratching apparatus there is.  He simply refuses to use them.  I've tried every remedy suggested by experts, to no avail.

Opie simply wants to sharpen his claws where Opie wants to sharpen his claws.  Favorite Number One?  Doorways.  Opie loves to tear up the doorways.  It makes a lovely noise that can be heard all over the house, and leaves a little pile of wood flakes in the carpet.  Favorite Number Two is the corner of any sofa or stuffed chair.  Lots of fun there. 

The only thing I can do is keep Opie's nails clipped short to minimize the damage, and cover Opie's favorite spots with the stick-on repellents.

All the webinars and experts and books I have consulted offers lots of tips - they seem to think it's an easy thing to get a cat to use a scratching post.  They haven't met Opie.

My Blue Oak

Earlier I wrote about the loss of my beloved Jacaranda tree.  The City had determined that it was "crooked" and overgrowing the parkway and needed to be removed in order for them to replace the curb in front of my house.  A curb from what I could tell did not need to be replaced.  When I spoke to the city arborist about replacing the tree, I was informed that it could be replaced with a Blue Oak tree, not another Jacaranda, unless I wanted to purchase the Jacaranda.  To his credit, he did say that if I purchased the Jacaranda, he would send some of his guys over to plant it for me but if I went with the Blue Oak tree, it wouldn't cost me anything.

When I looked both trees up on the Internet, I learned that the Jacaranda was native to South Africa and the Blue Oak was native to Southern California.  After giving it some thought, I decided to go with the Blue Oak, not because it wasn't going to cost me anything, although that was a consideration, but because it was a native of Southern California, like me.  So, I got the paperwork, sent it in, promised to care for the tree, and was informed that I would have a 60 day wait before the tree was delivered.

Well, the tree arrived a few days ago.  It is little, maybe 8 feet tall, and scrawny with a few leaves at its top.  But I'm so glad it's here.  It may seem silly but I say good morning to it every day when I leave for work, and hello to it when I return.  Even though I still miss my Jacaranda, and nothing will replace it, I'm anxious to watch this little guy grow and develop.

Adopt-A-Dog Month

October is Adopt a Dog Month.   Each October, the American Humane Association, Petfinder, The Animal Rescue Site and many many rescue groups increase efforts to place homeless animals who are still in search of a permanent home through the national initiative Adopt-a-Dog Month.

Adopting a dog will not only save the life of a shelter dog, but will improve your life as well.

Are you looking for:

• an exercise buddy?
• a best friend and confidant for your child?
• a dog you can train with to learn animal-assisted therapy?
• a partner in agility competitions?
• a constant companion for your favorite senior citizen?
• a fuzzy face to greet you after a hard day at work?

An adopted dog can be all these things -- and so much more!

Tags & Chips

Every pet owner needs to tag and microchip their pets.  There are so many stories of long-lost pets reunited with their owners weeks and even years after going missing thanks to tags and microchips.

New pets should be outfitted with collars and tags immediately.  Pet stores such as Petco have quick and inexpensive kiosks where you can make your essential tags, some are quite cute if you want to pay a little more.

Microchipping can be done at your local shelter or veterinarian's office, and is inexpensive and quick as well.  Most microchips cost between $25 to $40.

You never know what can happen that will separate you from your beloved pet.  If he or she is found by a stranger, if your phone number is easily found on a tag, they can readily call you and your pet is soon home.  If not, a microchip is the next best thing.  And best of all, of course, is if your pet is always safe at home.

Microchips

Avid Microchips

Homeagain Microchips



Kumquat and the Siege

Kumquat can't seem to figure out why everyone isn't always happy to see him, all the time, any time.  After all, he's always happy to see everyone.  All the time.

After a rather long walk tonight, Sneaky Squirrel retired to his favorite sleeping spot, a cat cube which the cats abandoned immediately upon smelling dog.  Kumquat wanted to spend time with Sneaky Squirrel, after all they had only already spent the entire day together.  It was not enough, not yet.

Sneaky Squirrel would not come out of the cat cube, so Kumquat laid siege to the cube.  He lay in front of it, his large head blocking the cube entrance.  Every now and then he attempted to enter the cat cube, which is not an impossibility when the cube is empty, but it is definitely an impossibility when the cube is occupied.  This Kumquat did not understand.

Alternating with Kumquat's attempts to enter the cube was his whining at Sneaky Squirrel to come out and play. 

The cat cube siege went on until Sneaky Squirrel (and I) could take it no longer.  I went into the kitchen and opened the treat drawer.  End of siege.

Dogs Versus Car Windows

So what is it about car windows that makes a dog want to smash his big wet nose up against them? 

Have you ever had a dog in your car that didn't leave nose prints all over the windows?  Neither have I.  Even the littles somehow get their wet little noses smeared on the windows.  And I usually don't even see them in the act.

I recently drove a large dog across town after I had just gotten my car washed - and the dog sat in the middle of the back seat the entire time.  He never got anywhere near the windows.  Or so I thought.  Driving to work the next morning the sunlight hit the rear windows just so - and I swear it looked like a gorilla blew his nose on the window.  It was gross.  And I didn't see it happen.

Perhaps the solution is to let the dogs hang their snotty noses out the windows - that's what they really want to do.  Perhaps that's been their plan all along ....