dogs

I always wanted a collie, ever since seeing Lassie as a little girl. So when Mom died and left me a little money I looked for a collie puppy. I finally found one puppy, who was born the very day Mom died. The breeder told me she was a trouble-maker, but I didn't care.

I named her Leah. She did prove to be trouble, always sticking that long nose where it didn't belong and constantly escaping. But one day she proved to be my hero.

I had been having back pain and was in and out of the hospital for it with no results. I was laying in bed and Leah kept poking my back with her nose and grumbling and growling.

Those who have a deep connection to their pets know that losing an animal can be a heartbreaking and devastating experience. Below are some suggestions for things you can do to help you through your grieving process.

1. Have a Ceremony

It is standard practice for us to hold a funeral for humans who have passed, why not for pets? You might share a favorite story about your pet, read a poem, or bury your pet's favorite toy, and you may choose to invite family and friends, or keep the event small.

Question: Which foods could be dangerous for my dog?

Answer: Some foods which are edible for humans, and even other species of animals, can pose hazards for dogs because of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and even death. The following common food items should not be fed (intentionally or unintentionally) to dogs. This list is, of course, incomplete because we can not possibly list everything your dog should not eat.

• Alcoholic beverages - Can cause intoxication, coma, and death.

• Baby food - Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a federal agency which monitors and controls human diseases, estimates over 4.7 million people are bitten per year. This is approximately 2 percent of the U.S. population. Ten to twenty people die each year from injuries resulting from dog bites. Most of these victims are children.

In addition to physical injuries, people, especially children, can be emotionally scarred as well. It is sad, indeed, when a person who has suffered a dog bite can no longer feel comfortable around animals, and may in fact, be terrified of them.

Puppies have their behavior problems, and older dogs have theirs. For older dogs, in many cases it is not that they do not understand the 'rules,' but that they may, for many reasons, be unable to follow them.

SEPARATION ANXIETY

Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavior problems seen in older dogs. A dog who has separation anxiety will become very anxious when he senses his owner is about to leave. When the owner does leave, the dog often becomes destructive, barks or howls, may urinate or defecate, and may salivate profusely. A dog with separation anxiety will often be overly exhuberant when his owner returns.

On a warm sunny afternoon in June 1999, my new family inched their way westward on the Long Island Expressway toward LaGuardia airport in Queens NY. Little did they know that we would soon meet their new relative that would forever change their lives. My plane from Tennessee taxied to the gate and I vividly remember how the little nine year old boy’s face lit up the moment he saw me and I felt the same about him. We were instantly best friends. They named me Munchkin. I was a tiny four-week-old black, white and yellow Havanese puppy (they soon discovered the yellow was ‘number 1’, from my trip, and they washed it off).

The Pet Friendly Canada Newsletter
For Pets and The People Who Love Them!
www.petfriendly.ca (Accommodations in Canada)
www.petfriendly.travel (Hotels in the USA)

The Pet Friendly Canada Newsletter
For Pets and The People Who Love Them!
www.petfriendly.ca (Accommodations in Canada)
www.petfriendly.travel (Hotels in the USA)

We have finally got our cat back today. He left about a week and a half ago, with no collar or anything. We have looked everywhere , all shelters and such, and almost gave up, but finally today he came back. We were so excited.

Story goes short, but I think he left because he got really mad at us, the thing is we got a puppy , and ever since then the cat started acting strange, he would go downstairs and cry and things like that.

But I think he already forgave us since he came back, I am determined to provide him the best care and love him.

My message would be - to the people who lost their little ones, don't give up searching and do everything possible, because you never now when they come back or be found.

The Pet Friendly Canada Newsletter
For Pets and The People Who Love Them!
www.petfriendly.ca (Accommodations in Canada)
www.petfriendly.travel (Hotels in the USA)