Blog
1.26.12
New Year's Resolutions-Make a Pact with Your Pet
Halfway through January, we’re feeling great about our New Year’s resolutions. So great, in fact, that we are adding on a few more! In addition to getting fit, getting organized or picking up a new hobby in 2012, consider establishing a pact with your pet. In an article on foxnews.com, Jennifer Quasha, co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Dog's Life: 101 Stories about the Ages and Stages of our Canine Companions, outlines the five things your dog really wants from you in this New Year:
“1. Love, love, love: Your dog wants you to love her—more! Instead of simply showing everyone the new pic of her on your iPhone, spend time with the gal. Sure I tell the world how obsessed I am with my beagle, Sugar, by the pathetic bumper stickers plastered on my car, but I know she loves our snuggle time. When Sugar’s lying on the couch and I come over to give her a nice long rub and cuddle, her eyelids go to half mast, and doggie bliss has officially descended. She looks into eyes and she holds my gaze—it’s doggie nirvana. So spend more time: car time, couch time, walk time. Whichever way works best for you--show them the love. Step it up a notch.
2. A pack leader: Who’s the boss? My spoiled above-mentioned beagle gets treated like a queen—until she doesn’t. And I decide when that happens. Dogs need a pack leader and if they don’t get one—they become one. You don’t want your dog running your house, even if she runs your heart. Dogs need rules and boundaries that are understood and consistent, or dogs will take advantage. And I know. For example, my beagle is allowed on some couches and chairs and not on others, and she knows which ones. Except every once in a while she’ll jump up someplace she knows she’s not allowed. If I let her get away with it, in a few days she jumps up wherever she wants to. The self-professed Queen needs to revert to princess status. And as much as I hate to do it, if I don’t, I know I will find her lounging on my bed snacking on a bag of chips she’s jumped up on the counter to get. And just in case you think I’m cruel, if you ever find me lounging on my bed snacking on a bag of chips, you can kick me off too.
3. Food: My beagle loves dearly anyone who has ever fed her. It’s a very simple way to be allowed into her very simple little heart. She might get this from me. We are simple creatures. And who doesn’t want more food? I usually do, but I know how to zip my lips. Your dog needs you to make the right decision. She can’t stop the madness on her own. Studies done in 2011 by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention says 55% of dogs in the U.S. are overweight or obese. No surprise there, but dogs need to rely on their owners to regulate their food intake. They need you to help them stay healthy. If you don’t, it ain’t pretty. Once I can home to find that Sugar consumed an extra-large box of cereal. My unmoving, comatose beagle resembled a stuffed pig. Do your pooch a favor, make sure you’re doling out the right amount of food.
4. Fun: In the immortal words that could have been sung by Cyndi Lauper: “Dogs just wanna have fu-un!” Sugar could spend all day taking a walk, playing tug-o-war, visiting other dogs, and keeping me company. That said: so could I. But life gets in the way. And though I know life can and does, I also know I could spend a little more time having fun with Sugar, for Sugar. What does your dog like to do best? She told me to tell you that she wants it more.
5. Exercise and health: Well, truth be told, Sugar likes exercise more than I do. I look upon a three-mile walk as forty minutes I could spend sitting on the couch reading. But I know it’s good for me and for her to get up and out. Dogs want to be outside, exploring, playing, and rolling around in stinky stuff. They really want exercise, and most dogs need more—it’s the other half of that diet/exercise plan we food lovers need to put into play.”
(Read the full article at: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/01/07/5-things-your-dog-wants-from/#ixzz1kU9iBwwp)
What resolutions have you made to help keep you and your pets healthy and happy in 2012? Visit facebook.com/chickensoupforthepetloverssoul and share with us!
12.1.11
World Veterinary Year
Did you know the world’s first veterinary school was established in Lyons, France in 1761? Did you know the U.S. Congress declared 2011 World Veterinary Year? As pet owners, we appreciate the veterinarians who help keep our pets healthy. Earlier this month, we sat down with our resident veterinarian, Dr. Melissa Brookshire, to learn more about her and the veterinary profession.
Chicken Soup: Why did you become a vet?
Dr. Brookshire: Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be a veterinarian. When I was young, it was about the animals. As I got older, it became more about the challenge of a medical career and taking care not only of pets, but the people who love those pets.
Chicken Soup: What do you enjoy most about being a vet? Favorite parts of the job? Least favorite parts of the job?
Dr. Brookshire: Being a veterinarian allows you to do many different things. You can practice veterinary medicine in a private hospital, work in a university or research setting, work in industry or even work as a consultant. I like the career diversity that a veterinary degree offers. The thing that is hardest about veterinary medicine is the economic factors that affect the ability of pet owners to be able to offer everything that is available for their pet.
Chicken Soup: Who have been your most memorable patients?
Dr. Brookshire: My very most memorable patient was Neiko, an Akita. Neiko experienced bloat on Christmas Eve. Her stomach twisted and she required emergency surgery. I was at the hospital all by myself with my son, who was a baby at the time. I had to start the surgery by myself with my baby strapped in his car seat on the floor of the operating room, waiting for grandma to come pick him up. My husband was home with the flu. We moved into the clinic and spent Christmas there with Neiko.
Chicken Soup: What trends do you see occurring within the industry? What changes do you see in the next 5-10 years within the veterinary profession and animal health industry?
Dr. Brookshire: Just like many industries, the availability of new technology is rapidly expanding our ability to practice the highest quality medicine and surgery. I anticipate seeing a continuation of veterinary medicine to develop alongside human medicine. Things that seem out of reach today, such as CT or MRI, will become more commonplace. I think that the biggest changes we will see will come with the development of new medications. Due to the length of the approval process for new drugs, veterinary pharma and human pharma will likely co-develop medications that have applications in many species.
Chicken Soup: What are the top 3 things pet owners should be doing to keep their pets healthy?
Dr. Brookshire: Number one is routine veterinary care, including regular blood and urine tests to screen for disease early. Number two is high quality nutrition, equally as important as the routine veterinary care in my opinion. Number 3 is regular prevention for pests and parasites.
Chicken Soup: What advice would you give someone who is considering becoming a veterinarian?
Dr. Brookshire: I would advise the individual interested in veterinary medicine to carefully consider all aspects of the career and to use every opportunity to make contacts and connections in a variety of fields where veterinary medicine is used. Many people focus solely on the private practice aspect of veterinary medicine and this is quite limiting. Find a mentor to help you explore every available option.
Thanks to Dr. Brookshire for sharing with us. We know you have special veterinarians in your lives too! In celebration of World Veterinary Year, hop over to Facebook.com/chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com and tell us why you love your vet.
11.9.11
Pets and PTSD
Everyone at Chicken Soup believes that owning or spending time around pets creates positive effects, mentally, emotionally and physically. We feel better after taking our dog for a walk or cuddling with our cat. A group of researchers at the University of Missouri has set out to prove the benefits of being around pets in one special group of people – American soldiers.
Gulf War veterans diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) were provided with service dogs who are trained to identify and react to problems associated with PTSD. The researchers’ belief is that the dogs will enhance the lives of the veterans in many ways. The research is still being gathered and analyzed, but we were able to sit down with Dr. Rebecca Johnson, one of the University of Missouri researchers, and chat with her about the project.
Below is a summarized transcript of our discussion with Dr. Johnson.
Chicken Soup – What is the main premise of your research?
Dr. Johnson – Helping people and animals be healthy by interacting together.
Chicken Soup – Did you notice any interesting trends when conducting your research?
Dr. Johnson – Yes with the veterans and shelter dogs project, we’ve identified some nice patterns of relaxation in the veterans when they are training the dogs and we have identified the dogs are improving their behaviors to make them more adoptable.
Chicken Soup – Were there any challenges that came up during your research?
Dr. Johnson – There are always challenges. The biggest challenge tends to be getting everybody in the same spot at the same time. So logistics is usually the biggest challenge.
Chicken Soup – What do you think will happen because of this research? Is it just a change in attitude and perception or do you think it’s a change in behavior?
Dr. Johnson – It’s about helping veterans to reintegrate into their communities when they come home from deployment. I hope that we will have programs nationwide like ours to help veterans adjust.
Chicken Soup – Anything that really surprised you? Confused you? Made you happy or frustrated?
Dr. Johnson – It’s very rewarding to see the veterans improve and to see them become very good dog trainers. It’s rewarding to see the dogs get it, and it’s nice, you know, on top of it all, to know that we are helping both the veterans and the dogs. Right while we are doing the study, they are getting help. We don’t have to wait ten years for our research to help somebody. It’s helping them right now.
Chicken Soup – What impact do you think this study will have on the world of Human Animal Interaction?
Dr. Johnson – I think it’s opening up a whole new area for HAI. We are seeing a population in need that we can really help. And I think people will do even more creative things with veterans and dogs.
Chicken Soup – Any interesting conclusion that you came to in your research?
Dr. Johnson – We don’t have hard findings because we are just getting data from the first group. I have the observations as I had mentioned; people are feeling relaxed and enjoying their experience very much and the animals are getting adopted. They are getting adopted right out of the program. They have special skills, and people see that, and they are adopting them.
We’d love to hear your stories about how pets have enhanced your life, or if you’ve known servicemen or women who have been positively impacted by a pet. Visit facebook.com/chickensoupforthepetloverssoul and share with us!
9.2.11
Exercising with Your Dog
As we’re headed into fall, cooler weather often results in more time outside with our pets. Whether it’s for relaxation, enjoying the nice weather, getting fit or losing weight, exercising with your dog can benefit you both!
Dogs need exercise just like us. Some level of daily physical activity is necessary in order for your buddy to stay happy and healthy. Lack of exercise can contribute to vices and behavioral issues, as well as health problems. There are tons of different options out there for pet owners who want to exercise with their dogs. Try one of the following to get started!
- Hiking
- Walking
- Running/jogging
- Swimming
- Frisbee
- Fetch
- Agility training
- Dog parks
There are a couple of things to consider when deciding what type of exercise is best for your dog:
- Your dog’s breed and age – Just like humans, younger dogs have not finished growing yet, and excessive exercise can cause injuries. Older dogs may have more physical limitations to consider, as well.
- Your dog’s physical condition – We wouldn't sign up for a triathlon without first being sure that we could run, bike and swim the appropriate amount. Likewise, we should also start slow with our dogs and gradually increase the length and intensity of an activity. If your dog shows resistance or signs of exhaustion at any point, it’s best to take a step back in your training or exercise program.
- Avoid over-working your dog – Watch for physical signs of exhaustion: panting excessively, breathing quickly, staggering or resistance.
- Provide plenty of water to your dog during and after exercise and make sure to allow them to rest when needed. Working or playing hard in the hot sun can lead to dehydration.
- Don’t exercise your dog immediately after he or she eats, and don’t feed them directly after exercise.
- Ensure that your leash and other equipment is in top-notch shape and fits properly so that it won’t cause your buddy any discomfort.
- Overall, be sure to check with your veterinarian before beginning any doggy exercise programs or changing your dog’s lifestyle.
We’d love to hear about you and your dog’s favorite exercise activity. Visit facebook.com/chickensoupforthepetloverssoul and share with us! Are there any special tips you would offer to pet owners who want to get started exercising with their dog?
9.24.10
Pet Health Insurance Month
September is National Pet Health Insurance Month so take some time to learn a bit more about this topic. Pets are important members of our families and providing them with veterinary care, especially during an illness or after an injury, can be extremely costly. Pet insurance is a serious consideration for many pet owners who do not want to be faced with a financial choice that could impact the life of their pet.
Advances in veterinary medicine have led to a reality of chemotherapy, joint replacement and even cataract surgery. Inevitably, tests, examinations, and procedures can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. Even an annual examination with vaccinations and preventative tests can be expensive. Although pet insurance is an expense, it can eliminate the reality of facing a financial burden and making a difficult decision between helping a beloved pet, or saying goodbye.
If you do want to add pet insurance to cover catastrophic events, here are a few tips to help make you an informed policyholder: buy pet insurance when your pet is young and rates are low, get the highest deductible, and read the fine print in the policy documents so you know what it will and won't cover and what the limits will be.
Here’s to happy and healthy pets!
8.16.10
Three Dog Circus
We hit the road way too early for my liking but I just curled up in my seat and slept. Mama and Missy kept talking about how tired they were and that my barking kept them up all night. But I don’t understand how they could have slept anyway! There were so many noises and who knows what could have happened if I didn’t alert them. I think they should be thanking me!
We made our way south and Mama was driving in Alabama. She was worried about her conference call that afternoon and Missy was busy on her conference call (do they ever stop working)?! Mama wasn’t paying attention and before she knew it there were red lights flashing and sirens blaring. I was scared when this big guy with a fancy hat came to the window, so I barked to warn him that I am MEAN! The man was very nice, but apparently not too nice because Mama was sad when the man gave her a note. I don’t know what was on that note, but I’m thankful we didn’t see any more men with fancy hats the rest of the day!
We went through the gate and met Poo Dog, a much bigger and a little older version of me. It was nice to meet Poo, but I was more concerned with the giant water bowl in the yard. How in the world would I drink from that? I ran around and around trying to find a way to get my head in, but I was scared to get too close. Before I knew it, Mama was picking me up and I thought, “Finally some cuddle time!” But, before I realized it, I was being put in the giant water bowl! The water was cold and I moved my legs as fast as possible to get me to the edge. It wasn’t so bad, but if they wanted me to get back in, they were going to have to pick me up and carry me in!
After the pool Zoe and I ran around chasing each other and someone kept yelling something about a chariot race. We were just trying to catch each other to talk about that crazy thing they called swimming! After the early morning, long drive, swim and chasing Zoe, it was finally time to go to sleep. Mama and I got our own room and cuddled in bed finally drifting off to sleep. Boy was I thankful to get some rest! I knew the next day was going to be another big one.
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8.4.10
Two Mini-Ds and Thelma and Louise
Day 1
My mom woke me up way too early and was rushing around all crazy so I just curled up on the couch and slept a little longer, with occasional requests for her to be quiet! She put me in the car and FORCED me to stay in my seat. I’d much rather be in her lap, but she went on and on about it being unsafe. Well sometimes I’d rather be unsafe, wouldn’t you? But she wouldn’t budge (even with my persistent whining).
Stay tuned for more doggy observations from the road...
7.20.10
Guest blog entry from Helen –
Why Be an Animal Volunteer?
First off, why would a busy working person who travels frequently say, "Hey, I don't have enough to do already, so why don't I immerse myself in a volunteer situation that will consume all of my free time, make me cry, make me furious and make me question my priorities at such an advanced middle age?" The answer is simple. I love animals. More specifically, I love cats. I "get" cats. I think cats are the very best companions a person could ask for. Anyways, some years ago I called Wayside Waifs and signed up for volunteer orientation. I placed the call after extensive research around Kansas City area shelters to determine what would be a good fit for me. Wayside Waifs seemed to be the place.
Wayside separates the cats into two areas. The first is C.S. and C.Q. (Cat Stray and Cat Quarantine). This is where a kitty spends its first days in the shelter being evaluated. Labs are drawn, behavior is noted and litter box manners are observed. The staff that works in Cat Stray and Cat Quarantine is also responsible for the beginning stages of socializing the cats. This is the area where kitties get ready for the "big time" - C.A., or more commonly known as Cat Adoption. I spent the majority of my time there. C.A. is where kitties meet potential forever families. They have all breeds of cats hoping to be spotted by people who will care for them. That is the magic. Making that match and sending that cat out of the door with their new family is a feeling that I cannot describe. Your heart sings and you feel like you have made a difference. Not just for the kitty, but for the new family. You know in a few days - post adjustment - that the kitty will be doing just what it was designed to do, giving that person’(s) home a viable soul.
I spent at least one day a week (mostly two) at Wayside and I made a point of knowing each and every kitty in C.A. Every other Friday and once a month on a Monday I took a cat on a few local T.V. stations so folks can see what lovely kitties Wayside have up for adoption. These kitties are very lucky, as it is rare that they don't have people waiting for them at the shelter when we returned form our T.V. spot. I had a very important job in adoptions that required that I really know these cats so I could make suggestions to potential adopters resulting in a cat or two going home with them. I loved, loved, loved doing this and for all of you cat people; I highly recommend volunteering at your local shelter. The satisfaction is off the charts and your heart sings far more than it cries!
I moved from the Kansas City area a few years ago and not a day goes by that I don’t think about my time with Wayside. I know I made a difference and I am glad for the experience.
7.7.10
Welcome to the Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul blog! Here at Chicken Soup we strive to provide the best information we can about the well-being of your pet. Check our blog often for news and relevant issues for the betterment of your furry friends.
Our pet community extends to all walks of life so in the future you may see guest bloggers contributing their own personal insights here on our blog as well.
Until next time, we’ll leave you with some pet ownership statistics to ponder.
According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey:
- There are approximately 77.5 million owned dogs in the United States
- Forty-five million (or 39%) of U.S. households own at least one dog
- There are approximately 93.6 million owned cats in the United States
- Thirty-eight million (or 33%) of U.S. households own at least one cat
In 2008 a USA Today study showed about 36 million families had children under 18 at home. With numbers like these, it’s no wonder “pet parents” refer to their dear pets as their “fur babies”!
- Fresh, Pure and Wholesome is Nature's Way. –