Bloggindogs's Blog

Show Me Your Pearly Whites!

bloggindogs — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:49:25 +0000

Bolt, the Yorkie-Poo, friend to Jessie and Bo and guest columist:

I went to have my check-up at the vet’s office a couple of weeks ago. Turns out, I am in great shape, as I do run several miles each week. (Ladies, please take note!) However, they admonished me for my less than stellar dental hygiene habits. As such, my humans are now brushing my gophers every day. I admit, I do feel better, but it is a pain to have them pull back my lips and go to work for a few minutes. Can’t they just put me under for this procedure? I did look in the mirror yesterday and have noticed an improvement. I guess between my buff bod and my pearly whites, the ladies in the neighborhood will take notice!

In that vein, did you know that February is Pet Dental Health Month? Ponder these statistics as you brush your teeth today:

At least eight out of ten dogs and seven out of ten cats show signs of poor dental health by the age of three. Just like with people, pets can present with dental problems thath can lead to pain, loss of teeth, periodontal disease and increased amounts of bacteria in their bloodstreams. In pets, this condition progresses in time, and can possibly result in significant damage to their internal organs, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. Sadly, many pet owners are not aware of the importance of their pet’s dental health. Talk with your veterinarian about your pet’s dental health. They are there to help you prevent and manage any dental issues before they become serious. You can visit the web site of my veterinarian at http://www.stanleyvet.com and look for the article on “Periodontal Disease.” Be sure to log in at the Pet Portal.

(Karen Harrison is owner of Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in the Kansas City metro area. When she takes care of your pets, they are bound to smile and flash their pearly whites in complete satisfaction of the great care they receive from her!)

Do You Hear What I Hear?

bloggindogs — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:23:32 +0000

Bo: Okay, last time I told you how well cats can see. This time, I am going to highlight our hearing prowess. You might think we felines have a sixth sense, and I would truly like to think so, but I believe it is simply a matter of our sense of hearing being so incredible that it lends itself to something magical. We are capable of hearing those high frequency sounds that humans simply cannot. We can also distinguish perfectly between varying pitches and tones. What is unique to our hearing, however, is our ability to distinguish between the sources of sounds. From yards away, we can tell from where sounds are coming, even if they are just three inches apart. We instinctively know the difference!

Jessie: Do you know what the sound of you shutting up sounds like?

Bo: Even if I did, you would never be able to hear it. We are so talented in the hearing departmen that we can be in the other room and know if our human is opening the door to the treat cupboard or to another cupboard altogether. Quite possibly, I can tell when our human has opened the front door to let you out, making sure not to let the door hit you in the hindquarters as you walk away.

Jessie: Well, I can hear it now: “House cat for sale! Free or best offer!”

Bo: I will choose to hear what I want to hear!

(Information for this post was obtained at peteducation.com)

(Karen Harrison, owner of Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services, is YOUR pet sitting expert in the Kansas City area. Your pets will love the sound of that!)

What do you sense your cat senses?

bloggindogs — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:21:19 +0000

Bo, the incredible cat: Finally! A time for me to take to the podium and inform my loyal readers of important things to know about cats. In this particular entry, I will commence a series of mini-dissertations about the senses of cats and…

Jessie, the lovable pooch, interrupting: Excuse me, but I was under the distinct impression that cats had no sense!

Bo: I was referring to our senses of sight, smell, taste, etc. From the looks of you today, however, I see you have no fashion sense!

Jessie: Well, from the smell of you today, I can tell you that my olfactory sense is highly sensitive today. When was the last time you cleaned yourself?

Bo, to the audience: I am going to pretend I did not hear that and will return to my commentary. Today, let me focus on cat’s eyes. (No pun intended there. Get it? Focus? Eyes? Never mind!) Cats are blessed with extremely sensitive vision, particulary when the lights are dim. Our night vision is of Superman strength, too. In fact, we can functino at just 1/6 the light level required for human vision.

Jessie: So? Are you also going to point out that domestic cats have poor color vision and can only see two colors: blue and green? How do you respond to that?

Bo: Just be thankful I am not looking at you in black and blue right now. Stay tuned for an interesting tidbit about our whiskers!

Jessie: Here we go again, referring to how sensitive you felines are! I’m going to go take a nap. I want to experience a little bit of Joy of Living while I nod off.

(Karen Harrison is the owner of Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City and will happily provide excellent care for your pets while you are away. Advice from Bo and Jessie is optional!)

Dogs get cold feet, too!

bloggindogs — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:16:17 +0000

Jessie, the seemingly pampered pooch: It is deathly cold outside right now, with temperatures scaling down into the single digits. I scarcely want to put my delicate paws onto the cold and frigid surfaces outside just to take a potty break. A walk is out of the question! I love a good walk just as much as the next dog, but these cold and icy conditions can be dangerous to my paws. Snow and ice can get stuck between the pads on my paws, which can cause tiny cuts and very cold toes. Even just a small amount of this stuff under my feet can pull on the sensitive hairs underneath and create a noticable loss of traction. The easiest way to get that snow and ice off of your dog’s paws when you bring him or her in from the snowy outdoors is to simply let it melt off naturally in the heated environment of your home. If you pull on the packed snowballs stuck to the bottom of our paws, it can be quite painful, and we may be reluctant to let you do that the next time. Believe it or not, you can purchase dog boots for us. Some have a rubber sole (NeoPaws), much like you see on a tennis shoe. Those will give us improved traction and stability. Others are built for warmth and comfort (Muttluks), lined with fleece for the extreme cold weather. Other brands have a flexible sole that will allow us to grip with our paws (Ruff Wear Barkin Boots), simulating a bare paw experience. Just remember! We get cold just like you do! And we are the ones who have to take our bathroom breaks outside!

(Information for this blog found at http://dogs.about.com/cs/generalcare/f/dog_boots.htm) Karen Harrison is a professional pet sitter and owner of Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City.

What to expect from your pet sitter

bloggindogs — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:08:29 +0000

Bo, the cat: Okay, you have just learned what your duties are with respect to hiring a pet sitter, but what does the pet sitter need to do for you and your pet before you leave town?

Jessie, the dog: I would just tell the pet sitter to get rid of the cat. It’s that simple. Then, all of the attention could be showered upon moi!

Bo: I was thinking more along the lines of the RESPONSIBLE things the pet sitter needs to do. For example, the pet sitter will need to gather the client’s basic information: how many pets, what types of pets, and where they are located. The sitter will then schedule a get acquainted visit where the client will complete necessary paperwork, such as information on each pet, contact information for the client, an emergency contact, access instructions, and a release from their veterinarian in case something does happen to the pet in their absence and the sitter needs to take the pet to the vet.

Jessie: Still…wouldn’t it be easier just to get rid of the cat?

Bo: Go back to your corner, Jessie. I have the podium now. At the home visit, the pet sitter will meet the pet and determine its overall behavior. Is it aggressive? Destructive? Sweet and lovable like myself? The sitter will than ask for additional information as to what the client may want done during their absence. Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City will get the mail, the paper, set out the garbage, water plants, and fill bird feeders, among other things. The sitter will also need to find out where the pet food, toys, accessories, and leashes are kept and find out any type of daily ritual, such as walks and treat time. Also, be sure to ask if the pet sitter is bonded and insured. Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City is both bonded and insured. Another point of interest: observe how the sitter interacts with your pet on the get acquainted visit. If, in fact, the sitter does decide to get rid of the cat, escort the sitter out. However, if the sitter has designs on eradicating the dog, well, that is another story! Finally, check to see if the pet sitting service is a member of a professional association, such as Pet Sitters International or National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City is the premiere pet sitting service in the area. They treat your pets like family.

What are your responsibilities when hiring a pet sitter?

bloggindogs — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:01:38 +0000

We all know that pet sitters have certain responsibilities to their clients, and Bo and Jessie will touch upon those soon, but what is your duty when hiring a pet sitter? After all, you are entrusting your beloved pet to someone else’s care. You want to make sure the connection between your pet and the pet sitter is a happy one.

First of all, be sure to contact your pet sitter well in advance, especially during any holiday season. Make sure your pet is as socialized as possible. Your pet should be accustomed to being around strangers. Make sure the ID tags on your pet are current, and be sure your pet has its collar on when you leave. Your pet sitter should request a list of current vaccines for your pet, so have those on hand, as well as access to all veterinarian records. Be sure to leave clear and detailed instructions for the pet sitter. Include contact information for both you and your veterinarian. Leave all the pet supplies in one convenient location, and this includes food, medications, leashes, etc. Make sure extra supplies are available in case you are gone longer than expected. Leave an extra key to your home with a trusted neighbor or friend. Make sure your pet sitter and the friend have each other’s contact information, should an emergency arise. If you have home safety features, such as a security system, make sure your pet sitter knows where they are and how to use them. Before your departure, make sure you have all of your pet sitter’s contact information with you. Then, relax and have fun. If you have a reliable and trustworthy pet sitter like those found at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City, your pet is in good hands!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

bloggindogs — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:34:41 +0000

Jessie:

Before you get all politically correct on us, just remember that I am a dog and Bo is a cat. The same standards that apply to you humans do not apply to us. Therefore, since Bo and I both celebrate Christmas and all of its inherent trappings, we just wanted to wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season, no matter what your race or creed. This is the time of year to celebrate love, laughter, happiness, and joy….as in Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services. They put the joy into your life all year long, so make sure you gift your special friend with a gift from Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City. With them, it is easy to spread the Joy all year long. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to finish wrapping my gifts and getting some milk and cookies out for Santa. I just hope that Bo does not realize I stole his milk dish. Better yet, I hope Santa does not realize he will be drinking from a cat bowl. I better rethink that scenario if I want any cool gifts! Catch you soon!

Dealing with a barking dog

bloggindogs — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:11:27 +0000

Jessie, the lovable pooch: My good Yorkie-Poo buddy, Bolt, e-mailed me the other day telling me that the other dog in his household barks incessantly. This dog will bark when he hears a doorball on a TV show. He will bark when he sees someone walking on the trail behind his house. He will even bark at the air. Bolt says this noise is highly interfering with his nap time. I told Bolt that every time his dog buddy barks, he needs to find out why the dog is barking. If it is for good reason, such as a stranger in the yard, the barking dog should be praised. (Or, conversely, Bolt can begin to bark under such conditions and take full credit for alerting the humans in the house to potential danger!)

If the dog is barking because there is a squirrel out back or a piece of trash flew by, simply tell the dog to be quiet and immediately return to what you were doing. You will have to keep at this routine for a couple of weeks until the dog learns to bark for good reason. Sure, the dog may still bark at the squirrel or the piece of trash, but only for a few seconds. All it needs to do is bark a couple of times to incite fear, and then the dog will believe his job is done.

According to Bolt, he says the only time HE barks is to get this other dog to be quiet! Guess Bolt has been barking a lot lately!

Bolt and his barking dog buddy, Naismith, along with the experts at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City, want to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Some information for this post obtained at http://www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/behavior.html

Dear Santa, Here’s what the cat wants for Christmas

bloggindogs — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 02:37:13 +0000

Dear Santa,

Hey! It’s Bo the superior feline here. This is my annual letter to you, and I hope it finds you doing well. With Christmas just a little over a week away, I trust this letter can reach you via e-mail. My wish list is simple this year, but productive in its request. All I ask is that you find a way to keep that annoying dog, Jessie, out of my way. I have been really good all year long. I only locked her out of the house three times this year and only once mistook her doggie bed for the litter box. Whenever something gets messed up in our human’s home, I always let Jessie take the blame. I think it would be so rude to try to be the center of attention all the time, don’t you? Jessie seems to complain a lot, too, that her doggie toys end up missing from time to time. I am only hiding them under the couch as part of a game I am trying to play with her, only she does not get it! I am being friendly, aren’t I? I promise that I will put out some milk and cookies for you this year and make sure that little critter does not get to them before you do. And I also promise that they are REAL cookies for humans…not the dog biscuit kind. My bad. I was in a hurry last year as I was busy trying to rewrap Jessie’s gifts that I had opened by “mistake” on Christmas Eve. Well, just be sure to leave me a cat nip toy or something. I will love you for it. I am sure Jessie will pen her own letter to you, but please do not believe anything she says about me. I have alibis! Be sure to tell all of the pets you see out in Kansas City about Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services, too. What a great gift that would make for some pet lover!

Happy Holidays! Love, Bo

Tips to Minimize Pet Stress Over the Holidays

bloggindogs — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:32:52 +0000

The holidays are seen as a happy time of year. So much excitement abounds! The decorations, the lights, the parties, and more are all part of the festive mood. However, since our pets are creatures of habit, this temporary upset in the balance may cause undue stress on them. Some of the elements that can stress your pet out at this time of year include the parties, the decorations, the food, the music, the extra house guests, and even lights that stay on for several hours at a time, thereby uspetting your pet’s normal sleep schedule. In addition, you are probably busier than usual now, and your pet may feel the lack of attention.

Some signs of stress in a pet can include a change in appetite, eating more or even less. There be may changes in your pet’s bowel movements. Your pet may find a hiding spot and refuse to come out. He may even bite.

To help your pet deal with the holiday stress, maintain his feeding and hygiene routines. Do not make any big changes in diet during this time of the year. Give your pet toys to occupy him when you cannot give him your complete attention. Limit your pet’s exposure to people and activity. The key here is to remember to stick to the normal routine as much as possible. Also, be sure to spend quality time with your pet each day. He will truly appreciate you for it, and the time spent with him will serve to reduce your holiday stress level, as well!

Remember! The experts at Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services can provide complete pet sitting services for you during this busy time of the year.

(Information for this post was found at www.drsfostersmith.com)