Sir Wyatt

Me: Wyatt, who ate the cats food?

Wyatt: puts himself in time out. 

And again tonight, the same sneaky behavior. Wyatt is imposing his own punishment. We had a little discussion about his choice of snacks.

Tips for keeping pets safe in sub-zero weather and snowstorms

Great tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association

With bad weather plummeting the East Coast, these tips can help u​s keep our fur babies healthy this winter,  Our furry friends may have a nice fur coat, it doesn’t mean that dogs and cats are not susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia.

I found this great article from the AVMA providing pet owners with tips on keeping your pet warm and safe throughout the winter. 

 

How tolerant to cold is your pet? Just like people, pets’ tolerance for the cold can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level and health. Be aware of your pet’s tolerance for cold weather, and adjust accordingly:

• Long-haired and thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant, but are still at risk in cold weather.
• Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection, and short-legged pets may become cold faster because their bellies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground.
• Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or hormonal imbalances (such as Cushing’s disease) may have a harder time regulating their body temperature, and may be more susceptible to problems from extreme ranges of temperature. The same goes for very young and very old pets.
• If you need help determining your pet’s temperature limits, consult your veterinarian.

“Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather, but no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in below-freezing weather,” said Dr. Joe Kinnarney, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Adjust your dog’s walks. In very cold weather you may need to adjust the route and duration of your walks to protect you and your dogs from weather-associated health risks. Arthritic and elderly pets in particular may have more difficulty walking on snow and ice and may be more prone to slipping and falling.

Be prepared for emergencies. Cold weather also brings the risks of blizzards and power outages. Have enough pet food, water and medicine (including any prescription medications as well as heartworm and flea/tick preventives) on hand to get through at least five days.

Prepare a safe indoor environment. Pet-proof your home and make sure pets cannot knock over space heaters. Provide a choice of comfortable sleeping places that will allow your pet to vary its location based on its need for more or less warmth. If you have birds, make sure their cages are away from drafts.

Make some noise. A warm vehicle engine can be an appealing heat source for outdoor and feral cats, but the consequences of hibernating there can be deadly. Check underneath your car, bang on the hood and honk the horn before starting the engine to encourage feline hitchhikers to abandon their roost.

Check the paws. Check your dog’s paws frequently for signs of cold weather injury or damage, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. A sudden lameness during a walk may be due to an injury or ice accumulation between the toes. You may be able to reduce the chance of ice accumulation by clipping the hair between your dog’s toes.

Wipe down. When you get inside, wipe down (or wash) your pet’s feet, legs and belly to remove any chemicals or salt and reduce the risk that it will be poisoned after it licks them off of its feet or fur. Consider using pet-safe deicers on your property to protect your pets and the others in your neighborhood. 

For more tips on keeping your pets safe during cold weather, visit avma.org/ColdWeather.
To schedule an interview with an AVMA member veterinarian, contact Michael San Filippo, AVMA senior media relations specialist, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell), or msanfilippo@avma.org.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 88,000 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities and dedicated to the art and science of veterinary medicine.

Luke by Mary Oliver

Most of us dog lovers realize that our fur child exists in a state of joy, a moment by moment happiness,  we wish we could emulate.  This is a great poem by Mary Oliver, Pulitzer Prize winner and National Book Award Winner I wanted to share.

LUKE

by Mary Oliver

I had a dog
  who loved flowers.
    Briskly she went
        through the fields,
yet paused
  for the honeysuckle
    or the rose,
        her dark head
and her wet nose
  touching
    the face
         of every one
with its petals
  of silk,
    with its fragrance
         rising
into the air
  where the bees,
    their bodies
        heavy with pollen,
hovered—
  and easily
     she adored
        every blossom,
not in the serious,
  careful way
    that we choose
        this blossom or that blossom—
the way we praise or don’t praise—
  the way we love
     or don’t love—
        but the way
we long to be—
  that happy
    in the heaven of earth—
        that wild, that loving.

Introducing New Sitters

The Your Pet Nana is delighted to introduce two of our sitters to you. 

When looking for loving, qualified and dependable sitters, one of my clients suggested two of the sitters who sit for their dogs. 

Introducing Julianne Wright, who joins

Pet AuPair Extraordinaire, LLC.  with lots of of experience and a real love of animals. She has a cat of her own, Magic, who stays with a room mate when she sits. Julie teaches 2 year olds at Latham United Merhodist Church Chrstain Development Center. Children and pets love Julie. 

Also joining us with Julie is Tony Christiansen, a UAH grad student studying mechanical engineering, from Idaho, planning a career in the space industry. Tony has had pets all his life and is always looking for ways to pick up extra money. Tony is excellent with larger dogs and, of course, dogs who prefer men. 

All of Your Pet Nana sitters are covered under the Pet AuPair Extraordinaire, LLC bond, pet insurance and have passed background checks. One call to a team of sitters. Loving care for your pet and extra security for your home when you travel. 

Another Day Another Dog

Said good bye to the lovely Phoebe and am now spending time in the company of one greyt dog, Sir Wyatt

    Wyatt getting comfortable. 

    Now that the Walk is over and time for                a snooze. 

   For a Greyhound, Wyatt is a love. 

    Everypuppy have a greyt evening.

The Lovely Phoebe

Both Katelyn and I have been taking care of Phoebe while her parents had to go home for a funeral. A sad time for her family but so glad Your Pet Nana could take care of their fur baby so they could make the trip to visit family at this time.  

Isn't she lovely? I have a pair of fuzzy slippers everypuppy seems to like, including Phoebe. 

What's this Nana?

Hello, what's your name?

The slippers have kept Phoebe intrigued. 

Phoebe and I wish everypuppy a good night.  Snuggle up with your best pal and have sweet dreams. 

Night-Night, love Phoebe and Your Pet Nana.