Traveling with your Pooch

Photo by Tim Gouw on Pexels.com

Every year it happens. Millions of families headed out for their yearly vacation face the question of “what do we do about our pet.” If on vacation, should you take him or leave him? As a trusted member of the family, your pet is entitled to share in all of the fun where you are going. Some pets can take all the fun out of going on vacation. Think really hard whether you want to take fido along for the ride! A couple of weeks in a  well-run, well kept boarding kennel might be your dog’s idea of a perfect vacation!Your pet should be very familiar riding in a car before you consider taking him on a long trip. After a few times riding around most dogs overcome motion sickness and begin to enjoy riding in your car. If your pet continues to get sick or restless, consider a boarding him. Taking a sick or unhappy dog with you on a trip will be miserable for you AND your pet.

Ok. So you decide to take your pet along anyway. Keep in mind these tips when traveling with your dog:

1. When making hotel reservations, make sure you do it well in advance, and let the hotel know that you will have a dog with you. This definitely will save you time and aggravation. Most Auto clubs and hotel/motel guides will list facilities that accept pets.

2. Take along your pet’s food bowl. Your pet will feel at home and be more comfortable with his surroundings if you use his regular bowl. Try not to feed your pet for at least six hours or more before you decide to travel. Many dogs will travel better if you feed on this schedule. Also take along his favorite blanket, pillow or bed. This will be his travel bed in the car and motel. The familiar smell will make him feel at home and not be anxious.

3. Another really good idea would be to bring along and wear two collars: Make sure there is an identification tag on one and your local dog license on the other. Even if one collar gets lost, someone could identify him with the other.

4. Bring along a can of flea powder. Your pet may start out without a single flea, but he could pick some up along the way. You don’t want fleas in your car, and the hotel or motel doesn’t want them either.

5. Some dogs love to hang their heads out the window while you are driving. Don’t allow this, as bits of debris could get into the eyes. Your dog may also get nasal and eye inflammation from the strong wind. It’s just good practice to keep him inside the vehicle and keep the windows partly closed so that he is not tempted to stick his head out.

If you plan on traveling between multiple states, check with your veterinarian or your local humane society to find whether proof of rabies vaccinations and a health certificate may be required. Most states require some form of proof in order to travel with your pet.

Remember that, wherever you go, you are responsible for your pets conduct. The impression you make on hotel and motel managers will determine their attitude toward all dogs and dog owners. By planning ahead and observing the rules of courtesy, you can take your dog with you anywhere. If your pet enjoys car travel, you and your family can a expect a most enjoyable trip.

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Fixing America’s Broken Shelter System

How can we help the shelter system work better? There are many people working on helping shelters operate better.

There’s the No Kill Advocacy Center, whose solution involves hiring compassionate shelter directors who are committed to implementing ideas that have worked all over the country to reduce the number of shelter deaths.

Some of those ideas include keeping shelters open at least one day on the weekend. Keep them open in the evening – employed people aren’t available to come see adoptable animals during the workday.

Implement a foster care program to reduce the number of kittens and puppies who are killed. Send the little ones out to foster families so they can grow up to be adoptable pets.

Other ideas include partnering with local pet stores to stop selling purebred dogs from breeders and instead feature shelter pets ready for adoption. The stores make money, a percentage goes to the shelters, and the animals find homes. It’s a win for everyone.

Another idea is to do outreach programs where the shelter takes adoptable pets to places like PetSmart and Petco for adoption events. The shelters that have implemented these techniques have low kill rates. But according to Ted’s research, many, many more shelters need to adopt these ideas.

Maddie’s Fund, helps shelters and animal welfare organizations that are trying to reduce the kill rate. Maddie’s Fund sponsors a massive ad campaign, The Shelter Pet Project, to convince prospective pet owners to adopt a shelter animal.

According to Nathan Winograd, the head of the No Kill Advocacy Center, out of 3,500 shelters across the country, only about 200 have become no-kill, meaning 90 percent of the dogs and cats who come into the shelter are adopted, fostered, or find other suitable living arrangements.

We are working on the problem of homeless pets. In my opinion, it boils down to how committed and passionate each shelter is to becoming a no-kill facility.

*This is a partial interview with Bestselling Author Ted Kerasote

by Dr. Karen Becker

Recommended Reading: 

Animal Shelters See Too Many Pit Bulls and Chihuahuas CBS NEWS 
(view the video)

10 Ways to Be Richly Rewarded by Your Pet [Video Included]

 

 

When you adopt a pet, it not only enters your home but also your heart. The love and attention we give our furbaby produces positive benefits to us.

A pet brings many gifts/rewards into our lives. I’d like to reflect on these gifts our animal companions bring to our lives throughout the years.

10 Gifts Our Pets Give Us

1. Connection

Our pets stay connected to us no matter how bad we feel or behave. They’re right beside us every step of the way, every minute of the day. During those times when we feel ignored and disengaged from the world, our pets offer unconditional connectedness. Animals help us connect and interact with others. Pets help calm and focus children with autism.

2. Communication

Close, connected relationships evolve from clear, consistent communication. When communication is untrustworthy or used in a harmful way, the relationship breaks down.Our pets “talk” to us constantly through their body language and behavior. It’s our job to learn the language they speak, and to communicate clearly to them what we expect and appreciate about their behavior.

3. Staying in the momentAs humans, we spend considerable time feeling regret for something in our past, or feeling anxious about the future. It’s not time well spent, but most of us tend to live in the past or the future rather than the present moment.

Our pets, by their example, help us to stay present – to live for today. Our animal companions experience each moment as it arrives with enthusiasm and joy, and so can we if we follow their lead.

4. ForgivenessMost of us can remember a time when we ignored our pet, or lost patience and spoke too sharply. We also remember that our animal companion forgave us the very next second.

Our pets don’t hold grudges. They don’t punish themselves or us by clinging to past insults. They offer instant forgiveness and an open heart.

 

5. A life in balance
Our animal companions are at their best when we provide them with consistency in the form of healthy nourishment, daily exercise, structure to their daily routine, and lots of love.

These are the “simple things in life” that are the foundation for a balanced, less stressful, and more joyful existence.

6. Health

There are many health benefits to owning a pet. Petting them has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce depression. Some dogs and cats have been able to detect illness, such as seizures, certain cancers and blood sugar levels.

 

7. Support

Pets give us love and attention when we are upset, depressed or grieving. They seem to know when we need their comfort.

 

8. Laughter 

Pets bring laughter and joy. Laughter heals and it produces lower blood pressure, increases blood flow, enhances our immune system and brings stress relief.

9. Security

Pets provide us with a sense of security. Dogs will bark and let us know if something is wrong. There have been many stories of either dogs or cats waking up their owners if there is a fire in the house.

10. Companionship

The biggest gift of all is the joy of companionship. There is truly nothing better than coming home to a purring kitty or a wagging tail. My pets have provided me with endless laughter! Everyday, at least one of my fur-babies does something hilarious that puts a smile on my face!

Want Even More Joy?

If you want to bring more gifts and joy into your life, consider adopting a homeless pet from your local shelter or rescue organization.
An adopted pet can enrich your life in countless ways. The unconditional love and loyalty of a dog, cat, or other animal companion can alleviate depression, ease loneliness, lower blood pressure, and give you a reason to get up every day.

There are few things as warm and comforting on a cold winter evening as a kitty asleep in your lap. If one of your goals is to get in shape, a dog that loves to walk or run outdoors can be just the incentive you need to start exercising regularly.

There are countless benefits to pet ownership, and when you know you saved your furry companion from an unpleasant fate, it makes the bond you share that much more meaningful.

Giving Back

If you’re not in a position to provide a permanent home for a pet, but are interested in making a real hands-on difference in the lives of homeless pets, there are many ways to help, depending on your time, resources, and talents.

Many people volunteer at their local animal shelter for a certain number of hours each week or month, while others have pets in need come to them, by serving as foster families for animals awaiting adoption.

Pets are fostered for lots of different reasons, including:

• An overflowing shelter
• An animal with special needs – she might be pregnant or nursing, or recovering from an injury, illness, or surgery
• A kitten or puppy still too young to be adopted
• A pet showing significant stress-related behavior (pacing or hiding, for instance)
• An animal who has never lived in a home or had much contact with people who needs to be socialized to a home environment

Fostering triggers a positive domino effect. The more people willing to open their homes to foster pets, the more pets local shelters can accommodate — and for longer periods.

This gives each animal the best shot at finding a new home.

Source:

Dr. Becker
Purrfect Pet Companion
Images submitted by PNM

[VIDEO] The Dark Side of Pet Vaccinations

This video shows, in less than 3 minutes, the true cost of vaccine reactions — the heartache and vet bills. Please watch it, share it, like it. Learn about documented reactions in dogs and cats.

Allergies, skin problems, behavior changes, autoimmune disease, seizures, injection-site cancers — these are just a few of the well-documented adverse vaccine reactions in dogs and cats.

Reactions aren’t rare; they are just unrecognized and unreported. Risks are only acceptable when they greatly outweigh benefits yet, sadly, many vaccines are unnecessary.

We humans don’t get childhood shots throughout our lives — why do our pets?

Please learn the true cost of pet vaccination — the heartbreak and the high cost of treating reactions — before vaccinating again.

Be informed before you consent.

I know too well the heartbreak of losing not one but two cats from these lethal vaccination shots. Please, don’t ever consent to a “combination” immunization shot if you feel you must vaccinate your pet.

Giving multiple vaccines to small and medium sized dogs can be especially dangerous. A veterinary Journal article estimates reactions increase 24% on average for each vaccine given. 

Combination shots typically contain 4 to 7 vaccines. Add kennel cough and rabies and that’s 6 to 9 vaccine. Reactions reported ranged from hives to death.

The following articles will tell you the real story behind vaccines, plus which ones are essential, and the ones you can pass on. 

My words to you are…”Be Informed”.

The “Early Death Trap” Millions of Pet Owners Blissfully Ignore

 

Besides the very real risk of predisposing your pet to an early and painful demise, it is costing you plenty – for medical care as well as the emotional price tag of watching your precious pet suffer. And it’s so easily preventable. Are you “blind” to this pet health trap?

Over half of U.S. dogs and nearly 60 percent of U.S. cats are overweight or obese. The two most common reasons for pet obesity are overfeeding and lack of physical activity

Other risk factors include a pet’s breed, gender, age, daily calories consumed (food and treats), and pet guardians who don’t recognize a fat pet when they see one.

Fat pets are a growing (pun intended) epidemic in the U.S. and in other countries as well.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), in 2014, an estimated 53 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats in the U.S. were overweight or obese. My guess is the 2015 statistics will tell the same sad story of tens of millions of dangerously overweight animal companions.

“Pudgy pooches and fat cats are now the norm,’ says Dr. Ernie Ward, founder and president of APOP.

“This is the first generation of pets that will not live as long as their parents. Even worse, the majority of today’s overweight pets will endure painful and expensive medical conditions – all of which can be avoided.

This epidemic is needlessly costing pet owners tens of millions of dollars in unnecessary medical bills, not to mention the crippling arthritis, challenges of diabetes, and increased risk of cancer these pets endure,”says Ward. “We’re loving our pets to an early – and painful – death.”

Most dogs and cats become too heavy because they are overfed and under-exercised. However, there are other predictors of obesity that many pet guardians may not be aware of.

Six Risk Factors for Obesity

1. Breed

Any cat or dog can become overweight, however, certain breeds of dogs are more apt to be overweight than others.

 

These include:

• Cocker Spaniels
• Dachshunds
• Dalmatians
• Golden Retrievers
• Rottweilers
• Shetland Sheepdogs
• Certain mixed breeds
• Labrador Retriever

Labs are the most popular breed in the U.S., and they are also the most likely to be overweight. Labs are big eaters, and coupled with a need for fewer calories than many people realize, these dogs tend to bulk up.

2. Gender

Neutered dogs of both sexes are twice as likely to be overweight as intact dogs. Male cats are genetically predisposed to become heavy, and the risk increases if your male kitty is neutered.

3. Age

The risk of overweight increases as your dog or cat gets older. Just as in people, the dreaded “midlife spread” is common in pets. If you’re still feeding your 3-year-old dog the same amount you fed him two years ago, you may very well be overfeeding.

Another age-related risk factor has to do with your own age. Seniors and the elderly tend to overfeed and/or over-treat their pets.

4. Feeding guidelines on pet food packages

I have no idea how most pet food manufacturers arrive at their “how much to feed” guidelines, but typically if you follow their instructions, you’ll wind up with a fat dog or cat.

I recommend asking your integrative veterinarian how many calories your pet should consume each day based on her breed, age, activity level, and current body condition.

5. Overdoing treats

Dog and cat treats – even very healthy ones – should not constitute more than 15 percent of your pet’s daily calorie intake, and preferably less than 10 percent. Feeding treats on top of daily food intake will result in an overweight pet, and treats should never be a substitute for balanced, species-appropriate food.

A good rule of thumb for treat size is “the smaller the better.” Get in the habit of feeding tiny treats, and feed them infrequently.

6. ‘Fat blindness’Because so many dogs and cats (and people) are overweight these days, many pet owners have gone “fat blind.” They don’t recognize an overweight pet as being too heavy or out of shape. In fact, many of my clients with slim, trim, and well-conditioned dogs regularly hear from fat blind pet owners that they are starving their pets!

It’s important to do your own research and take the advice of veterinary experts as to the body condition of your pet. Chances are, your acquaintances at the dog park or pet owner neighbors are fat blind, and heeding their advice can keep or make your pet overweight.

Reality Check: Is My Pet Fat?

As a general rule, your pet is at a healthy weight if the following factors apply: 

• Ribs and spine are easily felt
• There is a waist when viewed from above
• Abdomen is raised and not sagging when viewed from the side

Your dog or cat is overweight or obese if: 

• You cannot feel the ribs or spine beneath fat deposits; fat deposits extend to the chest, tail base, and hindquarters
• The waist is distended or pear shaped when viewed from above
• The abdomen sags when viewed from the side
• The chest and abdomen appear distended or swollen

Health Risks

If you’re not sure whether your pet is overweight, you should consult your veterinarian. Together, you can determine what your dog’s or cat’s ideal weight should be, and the best way to help your pet achieve and maintain a healthy size.

This article was written by Dr. Becker

 

Inspiring Quotes For People Who Love Animals

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”― Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

“You think those dogs will not be in heaven! I tell you they will be there long before any of us.”
― Robert Louis Stevenson

What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected. ~ Chief Seattle

No one in the world needs a mink coat but a mink. ~ Murray Banks

Anthony Douglas Williams Inside The Divine Power

Ever occur to you why some of us can be this much concerned with animals suffering? Because government is not. Why not? Animals don’t vote.

~Paul Harvey

Cruelty is one fashion statement we can all do without. ~ Rue McClanahan

Hunting is not a sport. In a sport, both sides should know they’re in the game. ~ Paul Rodriguez

Cockfighting was illegal in Oklahoma until 1963, when a judge ruled that chickens are not animals and therefore unprotected by anticruelty laws. ~
U.S. News & World Report, 1999 December 6th

If we cut up beasts simply because they cannot prevent us and because we are backing our own side in the struggle for existence, it is only logical to cut up imbeciles, criminals, enemies, or capitalists for the same reasons. ~ C.S. Lewis

People are more violently opposed to fur than leather because it’s safer to harass rich women than motorcycle gangs. ~ Author Unknown

Non-violence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages. ~ 

Thomas A. Edison

Deer hunting would be fine sport, if only the deer had guns. ~ William S. Gilbert

Because the heart beats under a covering of hair, of fur, feathers, or wings, it is, for that reason, to be of no account? ~ Jean Paul Richter

God made all the creatures and gave them our love and our fear -To give sign, we and they are His children, one family here. ~ Robert Browning

Cows are amongst the gentlest of breathing creatures; none show more passionate tenderness to their young when deprived of them; and, in short, I am not ashamed to profess a deep love for these quiet creatures. ~ Thomas De Quincey

Even the tiniest poodle is lionhearted, ready to do anything to defend home, master, and mistress. ~ Louis Sabin

There will be no justice as long as man will stand with a knife or with a gun and destroy those who are weaker than he is. ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer

Why should man expect his prayer for mercy to be heard by What is above him when he shows no mercy to what is under him? ~ Pierre Troubetzkoy

Man is the only creature that consumes without producing. He does not give milk, he does not lay eggs, he is too weak to pull the plough, he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. Yet he is lord of all the animals. ~ George Orwell, Animal Farm

When a man wantonly destroys one of the works of man we call him a vandal. When he destroys one of the works of god we call him a sportsman. ~Joseph Wood Krutch

― James Herriot A Lion Called Christian: The True Story of the Remarkable Bond Between Two Friends and a Lion

Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow-creatures is amusing in itself.
~ James Anthony Froude,Oceana, 1886

“Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”~ Alfred A. Montapert

“When animals express their feelings they pour out like water from a spout. Animals’ emotions are raw, unfiltered, and uncontrolled. Their joy is the purest and most contagious of joys and their grief the deepest and most devastating. Their passions bring us to our knees in delight and sorrow.”~ Marc Bekoff

Life is life — whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man’s own advantage. ~ Sri Aurobindo

“People who really appreciated animals always asked their names.”~ Lilian Jackson Braun

“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, the whole world would be vegetarian.”~ LindaMcCartney

“Man is the cruelest animal.”~ Friedrich Nietzsche

“Dogs do not have many advantages over people, but one of them is extremely important: euthanasia is not forbidden by law in their case; animals have the right to a merciful death.”~ Milan Kundera

“A man can live and be healthy without killing animals for food; therefore, if he eats meat, he participates in taking animal life merely for the sake of his appetite. And to act so is immoral.”~ Leo Tolstoy

“As an animal lover, I don’t like zoos. I feel the only creatures that should be caged behind bars are politicians, lobbyists, and lawyers. And rapists, but I’ve already listed that three times.”
~ Jarod Kintz

“If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.”

~ Mark Twain

“Meow” means “woof” in cat.”~ George Carlin

“I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.”
~ Winston Churchill

“If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.”~ Mark Twain

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.”~ Josh Billings

“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”~ George Orwell, Animal Farm

“You can judge a man’s true character by the way he treats his fellow animals.”~ Paul McCartney

“All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed. For after all, he was only human. He wasn’t a dog.”~ Charles M. Schulz

“The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men.”~ Alice Walker

A picture is worth a thousand words. “The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven not man’s.”~ Mark Twain

“Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.”~ Colette

“A man can live and be healthy without killing animals for food; therefore, if he eats meat, he participates in taking animal life merely for the sake of his appetite. And to act so is immoral.”

~ Leo Tolstoy

“Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to.”~ Alfred A. Montapert

~ Anatole France

“May all that have life be delivered from suffering”~ Gautama Buddha

“Animals don’t lie. Animals don’t criticize. If animals have moody days, they handle them better than humans do.”~ Betty White, If You Ask Me

“People who really appreciated animals always asked their names.”~ Lilian Jackson Braun,
The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern

“To my mind, the life of a lamb is no less precious than that of a human being.”~ Mahatma Gandhi

“How it is that animals understand things I do not know, but it is certain that they do understand. Perhaps there is a language which is not made of words and everything in the world understands it. Perhaps there is a soul hidden in everything and it can always speak, without even making a sound, to another soul.”~ Frances Hodgson Burnett,
A Little Princess

“The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.”
~ Johnny Depp

Jonathan Scott from HGTV’s The Property Brothers

The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself, too.~ Samuel Butler

The animals of the planet are in desperate peril. Without free animal life I believe we will lose the spiritual equivalent of oxygen. ~ Alice Walker

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EXCELLENT NEWS!!! Animal Cruelty Is Now A Felony In All 50 States

FBI data collection to begin effective January 1 2016…. Animal abusers will now be grouped into the same category as murderers! They believe animal cruelty is
and should be identified as a violent crime, one that leads to bigger things if it goes unchecked.

No longer will violent cases of animal cruelty be included in the “other offenses” category simply because the victims of the crime are animals… 

The new FBI categorization is significant because it affirms that at the highest level of our government animal cruelty is recognized as a violent crime.”

According to the FBI, the official definition of animal cruelty will be:

Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly taking an action that mistreats or kills any animal without just cause, such as torturing, tormenting, mutilation, maiming, poisoning, or abandonment.

Included are instances of duty to provide care, e.g. 

• shelter
• food
• water
• care if sick or injured
• transporting or confining an animal in a manner likely to cause injury or death 
• causing an animal to fight with another 
• inflicting excessive repeated unnecessary pain or suffering, e.g.
• uses objects to beat or injure an animal

This definition does not include proper maintenance of animals for show or sport; use of animals for food, lawful hunting, fishing or trapping.

This new FBI categorization is intended to improve the way crimes against animals are tracked nationwide and could help bolster state animal cruelty laws across the United States. 

All 50 states now have felony animal cruelty provisions. On March 14, 2014, South Dakota became the final state to enact a felony provision for animal cruelty.

There’s a national consensus that animal abuse should indeed be treated as a serious crime. Now animal cruelty will be a Group A felony. 

The new classification will make it easier to get harsher sentences, and to identify young offenders. 

Young people who torture and kill animals are prone to violence against people later in life if it goes unchecked, studies have shown. 

A new federal category for animal cruelty crimes will help root out those pet abusers before their behavior worsens and give a boost to prosecutions, an animal welfare group says.

Startling Facts About Animal Abuse & Domestic Violence

Officers will start to see the data are facts and “not just somebody saying the ‘Son of Sam’ killed animals before he went to human victims and 70-some percent of the school shooters abused animals prior to doing their acts before people,” said Thompson, a retired assistant sheriff from Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Law enforcement agencies will have to report incidents and arrests in four areas: 

1. simple or gross neglect
2. intentional abuse and torture
3. organized abuse such as dogfighting and cockfighting
4. animal sexual abuse 

Because cases of animal cruelty, including animal neglect, will now be included in the FBI Uniform Crime Report law enforcement agencies have more incentive to pay attention to any incidents, and statistics on these types of crime will be more accurate and detailed. 

It will take some time to update FBI and law enforcement databases nationwide, so no data will be collected until January 1, 2016, and then it’s projected to be several more months before there are numbers to analyze.

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Live Longer Healthier Lives With Pets

Almost every pet owner out there will tell you that their animal companion enriches their life in more ways than they can count, but it turns out that pets actually help prolong their lives, too.

Numerous studies have shown that having pets helps:

• lower our stress levels
• decrease blood pressure
• benefit our cholesterol
• improve our mood
• boost our immunity

 – in other words, lengthen our life span!

Almost every pet owner out there will tell you that their animal companion enriches their life in more ways than they can count, but it turns out that pets actually help prolong their lives, too. 

Heart-healthy Benefits of Animals

Our animal friends often warm our hearts, but according to studies, they also protect them. 

A study reported in the Medical Journal of Australia found that pet owners generally have lower blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels than people who do not own pets. 

Having a cat companion could cut your heart attack risk by nearly one-third! 

According to a study by the Minnesota Stroke Institute, which followed more than 4000 cat owners over a period of 10 years, being a feline owner can significantly decrease the chance of dying from heart disease. 

Pet owners have also been found to recover more speedily after surgery.

Man’s Best Friend Motivates You to Move

Who needs a fitness coach when you have a dog? 

Nothing is more motivational to get moving than a dog’s yearning expression that says, “Take me out!” 

People with dogs exercise more consistently than dog-free people – and the benefits to your long-term health are many! 

First of all, you fit in 20 or more minutes of solid walking every day, a low-impact exercise that benefits your heart. 

You also get your daily dose of sunshine every day, which boosts your mood and supplies you with vitamin D. 

And you receive the uplifting, stress-busting benefits of being outdoors. What’s not to love?

Animal Pals Help Us Stay Healthy

People with pets seem to enjoy better overall health. 

Researchers know that joy and laughter trigger the release of chemicals in the brain that enhance your immune function. 

Pets make us smile and laugh with their amusing antics and lovable gestures. And petting something furry is a proven immune boost. 

A Wilkes University study found that stroking a dog for 18 minutes caused a significant increase in secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), your body’s natural antibody against invading germs. 

Another study found that people with pets make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions.

A household pet could be just what the doctor ordered!

Less Stress With Pets

A bad day can instantly dissolve when you get home from work to be greeted by a loving friend who is happy to see you. 

The benefits of de-stressing don’t end there: interaction with pets reduces overall levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

 Adopting an Animal Could Save YOUR Life…Read more >

A study that recorded the neural activity in seniors while they walked with a pooch found that this gave them a boost in parasympathetic nervous system activity, the system that helps calm and rest the body. 

Less stress equals a longer life, so keep good company.

No Pet? Don’t Fret!

Many shelters allow people to volunteer, working with the animals and walking the dogs. There’s also many benefits to fostering an animal…to read more about fostering click here.

You can also offer to pet-sit for friends. 

If you are trying to decide whether a pet is right for you, be mindful that pets do add to your daily responsibilities. 

For many, the benefits more than make up for the added costs and extra duties, but decide carefully for yourself, because being a pet guardian is a long-term commitment – albeit with long-term rewards!

Blog written by Mao Shing Ni, L.Ac., D.O.M., PhD
Dr. Mao Shing Ni, bestselling author of Secrets of Longevity

Images submitted by PNM

Here’s a Quote from the legendary Doris Day who is  95 years young.

To seem more AMAZING QUOTES click here

Born April,1922 and still very active devoting her time to her rescue group

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Don’t Leave Your Pet at a Boarding Facility Till You Read This

In 2015, a tragic event led to the deaths of 15 dogs. Sadly, it could’ve been avoided. Now many are pushing for new protective laws. In the meantime, here’s what you should ask and look for before leaving your pet at any boarding facility.

In 2015, 15 dogs died due to a fire that broke out at a boarding facility in Monterey, California

While the facility had smoke alarms, it did not have a fire alarm, which would have signaled 911 to dispatch the fire department even if no one was there to report the fire.

A working fire alarm could have potentially prevented the loss of life that occurred during this tragedy, yet there are no codes in place that require kennels to have such alarms.

A new bill was passed by the California Senate that would establish safety, sanitation, space and other rules for pet boarding facilities and introduce a fine system for violators.

Tips for Choosing a Boarding Facility for Your Pet

When choosing a boarding facility, whether it be for doggy day care or an extended stay, many pet owners focus on factors like cleanliness and comfort.

These are certainly important, but be sure you also ask about emergency plans.

Look for a facility that has both smoke and fire detectors in place, and that is monitored 24/7 to alert emergency services in the event of a fire or other disaster.

Facilities should have an evacuation plan in place to get boarded pets out of harm’s way and to a safe alternative location quickly.

Other safety features to look for include security systems, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and motion detectors (to alert staff if a pet gets loose or someone unauthorized enters the building after hours).

The facility should have either a night attendant or remote monitoring capabilities so that pets’ safety is being looked out for even after hours.

Be sure to ask about the procedure for an after-hours emergency evacuation.

In addition, you’ll also want to consider the following factors when choosing a boarding facility:

• Is the staff knowledgeable and caring?
• Does each dog have access to an indoor-outdoor run and a schedule for exercise?
• Are dogs able to rest comfortably, off of a concrete floor?
• Are cats housed away from dogs?
• Is there enough space for cats to move around comfortably?
• How often are pets fed and can you provide your own food?
• Are veterinary services available?
• Is the facility clean, well-ventilated and kept at a comfortable temperature?
• Are outdoor areas protected from harsh weather conditions (sun, snow and rain)?

Alternatives to Boarding Facilities

Even under the best circumstances, typical boarding facilities are stressful for pets accustomed to living in the comfort of your home, and the chance of him contracting any number of contagious diseases is higher than if he stayed at home.

If you have a trusted family member who is already familiar with your pet, that can be a good option — but many people do not or may feel uncomfortable asking for such a large favor.

Hiring a pet sitter to care for your pet in your home can be a good happy medium, allowing your pet to maintain his familiar routine and bypass the stress of being sent to a strange boarding facility.

Finding a responsible, qualified and caring pet sitter is crucial, however.

Referrals from friends, neighbors, family, your veterinarian or your dog trainer are often the best sources of pet sitters.

You can also check for pet-sitting services in your area by searching online or contact the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters or Pet Sitters International.

During your interview with your potential pet sitter, ask about past experience, what types of pets she’s cared for, and whether she’s completed any special training.

In addition, your pet sitter should be able to provide written proof of commercial liability insurance (in case of accidents) and should be bonded (to protect against theft).

How To Safely Hire A Pet Sitter…Read more>

Be sure to also discuss communication; will your pet sitter text you written updates or photos daily?

You’ll also want to ask for references of past clients and carefully observe how she interacts with your pet in your home environment prior to your trip.

Boarding Facilities That Buck the Status Quo

With that in mind, it is possible to find boarding facilities that dogs enjoy.

One that has set the bar very high is Your Dog’s Inn, which is a holistic doggy daycare that also offers boarding and grooming, located in Newburgh, Maine.

I interviewed its owner, Elizabeth Miller, in 2014, and she shared that her facility is based on what she believes Mother Nature intended for dogs, including daily activities that stimulate the body and mind, rest with other dogs, some obedience training, and exercise in the great outdoors.

In the event you’re considering leaving your dog at a doggy daycare or boarding facility, be sure to watch my interview with Miller, below.

It will give you an idea of what types of traits to look for in a boarding facility that’s leaps and bounds above the rest.

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Article written by Dr. Karen Becker



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How To Keep Pets Safe and Comfortable When Moving

Moving to a new home can be stressful and frightening to pets. To reduce stress on pets and yourself, there are steps that should be taken before and during a move to make it as smooth of a transition as possible for your animals.

Make sure that your pets have collars that fit correctly and have ID tags with your name and current phone number prior to moving day.

American Humane also recommends microchipping your pet in case its collar gets lost.

Keep the pet in a crate or a closed room on moving day until you are ready to take them with you. 

According to American Humane, noises and moving day activities may scare your pet, or make them stressed and cause them to possibly run away.

When it’s time to move pets, transport them in a carrier or keep them leashed and under control. 

Don’t move them in a truck bed, car trunk or storage area of a moving truck.

If the move is long, plan ahead by finding pet-friendly hotels along the route ahead of time. 

Make reservations before you leave. 

Also, be sure to stop for bathroom breaks and water breaks, and keep your pets leashed during breaks.

By Amber Ainsworth

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You might also enjoy: 

8 Top Tips To Selling Your Home With Pets

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