Animals Unfolded

Lorrie Shaw   The personalities of the dogs that is get to meet and work with every day never cease to amaze me. They certainly vary, and observing those canines that are in multiple-pet families is really interesting. When meeting with a family for the first time, one thing that I am keenly observant of is how naturally attentive a dog is to their people. This gives me a lot to go on as I'm getting to know my prospective charge. If the property has a fence, I suggest heading outdoors to play off leash. In doing so, it helps me understand what sort of things will garner attentiveness toward me, especially if they don't offer it easily. As a caregiver, much of what I do is all about relationship building, and from that, everything else follows: trust, bonding -- and an environment of cooperation. The latter is vital, as the single most important aspect of my job is to keep a pet safe. If their attention is on me when a situation arises that may cause their safety to be c...

Swapping lightweight coats for heavier ones and pulling out hats and gloves as the winter weather arrives makes some people really happy. Staying warm and dry while spending time outdoors is a priority, but so is being safe.  As bipeds, it's also a challenge trying to walk on snow and ice covered areas, and the risk of injury from a fall increases greatly this time of year. If you’re walking a dog, your risk of a slip and fall in winter conditions is even higher. For myself, there is one foundational tool in staying safe this time of year: the proper footwear. Nothing beats a good pair of boots to keep your feet protected from the elements, and a pair of ice cleats   give extra traction in winter weather. From wet sidewalks to snow-covered trails to icy country roads in rapid-fire succession, you can do so with more confidence because of what's on your feet. But footwear is only one part of the equation. I often see people struggling with their dogs, trying to get ...

Cats are not known for being terribly excited about traveling in a car for any distance. Most find it to be a scary thing, but a percentage of our feline friends actually experience motion sickness from riding in a vehicle. The latter can complicate the already daunting prospect of going to the vet. No one wants their pet to feel queasy or vomit, nor does anyone want to clean up a mess. One clinician seems to have stumbled on a way that just might help mitigate the incidence of car sickness in cats. Tom Morganti, DVM recently posted his unexpected findings on the 'Idea Exchange' section of the veterinary website DVM360. The vet, who practices in Avon, Conn., indicated that one of his patients, a senior feline, had an ongoing problem: they vomited each time that they rode in a vehicle. On one occasion, the cat required minor surgery and was sent home after the procedure wearing an Elizabethan collar (or E-collar, as you've probably heard it referred to). For the v...

The other day, I ran across an article written by David Valdes Greenwood that piqued my interest, and for a lot of reasons. The topic was resonant: the interaction between children and dogs. As someone who lives and works with canines everyday, I know that teaching children about how to mindfully share life with dogs is likely the most important legacy that we can leave. Dogs and kids -- they go together, there's no doubt. But because of their young age and lack of experience, children need positive exposure, supervision and lots of help from mindful adults in gaining the finesse to co-exist with four-footed friends safely and happily. Greenwood mused about a potential outcome from his 8 year-old daughter's interactions with the family's 2 year-old miniature Schnauzer in a way that was nothing short of alarming. The child was closely interacting with the dog, rubbing his tummy, then at one point playing with his muzzle in a way that caused him to display displeasu...

When it comes to holidays, Thanksgiving offers a bit of all things that we really love: a little time off from work, more time with family and friends — and especially food! Pets are a part of the equation for many families, and, although the idea of having more people around the house can seem like a boon for pets, the extra hustle and bustle, upset routine and the table scraps that inevitably find their way to a pet's tummy can prove to be a bit more than some pets can handle. Pet health emergencies and behavioral problems tend to increase during the holidays. With some mindfulness, the next few days and weeks can be more enjoyable and safe for everyone, whether they are on two feet or four. Stay on track Just like most of us, pets thrive on routine. There is something to be said for maintaining your pets' regular meal and exercise schedule. In doing so, you’ll encourage good behavior and keep them feeling good. We all need to be alone, sometimes When company come...

There are plenty of jokes made that men tend to be better navigators and that by and large, they need not ask for directions. New findings indicate that skill may not be one that is shared amongst the male members of all species, however. Two researchers from Duke University and the authors of The Genius of Dogs, Brian Hare and Vanessa Woods, discussed the findings in the book. What was discovered is interesting to say the least. Hare, an Associate Professor and Woods, a Research Scientist in Evolutionary Anthropology, note that data seems to indicate that female dogs seem to possess more advantageous navigational skills than their male counterparts. This is especially intriguing as it can offer us crucial insight into how canines see the world. Data was gathered from the website created by Hare and Woods, Dognition.com, and used a game to test possible differences in the way that dogs navigate. To play the game, treats were hid under two bowls, and the dogs were taught t...

Just a couple of weeks ago, our family was faced with what we knew would likely be the inevitable: having to make the decision to contact our beloved 13-year-old Labrador's home-visiting veterinarian to come to the house and intervene, as a diagnosis of cancer over the summer had made things much too difficult for him to manage.  Because of Bruiser's prognosis, in-home hospice and euthanasia was very much a part of the initial dialogue with his vet, Dr. Cathy Theisen , who proved to be a great source of guidance and support throughout his illness. We knew that being at home would be best to allow him to transition more peacefully, though we had to stay open to the idea that there was the off-chance that things may become unexpectedly difficult and taking him to an emergency facility may have been a mindful thing to do.  That final decision did not come easily, of course. It was made after a lot of dialogue, listening, looking clearly. The point of diagnosis to dea...