Most Drivers Don't Buckle Fido In

Most Drivers Don't Buckle Fido In

SLEEPY CAT DESIGN ON ARTFIRE

Hello! My name is Debra - I have been making things for about 40 years now, and I am a true cat lover. I cannot get enough of cat fabrics, cat jewelry, cat accessories.

Yep, I am a cat-a-holic. I only have one kitty to share my life with but he is the inspiration for all things cat in my life. His name is Chester, and I will mention him a lot on this site at various times.

I love to sew and make things out of all kinds of different but I love working with fabric most of all.

I have another studio on ArtFire...you can find other types of gift and accessory items there. The name is www.SewBizzyGifts.artfire.com if you would like to check that out. Just go to the lower right corner area of this page and click on the link there to go right to that studio!

The Senior Dogs Project
..........."Looking Out for Older Dogs" ...........

"Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog."
- Sydney Jeanne Seward

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Top Ten Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog*
Housetrained 1. Older dogs are housetrained. You won't have to go through the difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners and mopping/cleaning up after accidents.
Won't chew inappropriate items
2. Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.

Focus to learn
3. Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.

Know what "no" means
4. Older dogs have learned what "no" means. If they hadn't learned it, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs.

Settle in with the "pack"
5. Older dogs settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.

Good at giving love
6. Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given.

WYSIWYG
7. What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.

Instant companions
8. Older dogs are instant companions -- ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.

Time for yourself
9. Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.

A good night's sleep
10. Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules and don't generally need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.

*Adapted from Labrador Retriever Rescue's "Top Ten Reasons to Adopt a Rescue"
You can print and post this "Top Ten" list. For the printable version, click here.

ANGLE'S FOR SOLDER'S ANIMALS

When a soldier goes off to war, he or she leaves family behind. But sometimes, that family includes a pet that needs someone to look out for it until the solider comes home.

Terri Sabens is with Soldiers' Angels, an organization that assists members of the military with a number of things, including pet care. She is currently fostering dogs for soldiers who are overseas.

Sabens says people can apply to be foster parents to animals or help with pet care. She says foster parents are chosen by the military members, who interview volunteers and then decide who they want leave their pets with.

Sabens also says the Vermont group also assists veterans, as well as active members of the military, with caring for their pets.

If you would like to contact the Vermont Soldiers' Angels, you can email Terri Sabens at vtsoldiersangels@yahoo.com.

Back to school time can also affect your pets, follow these tips for an easy transition

Back to school time can also affect your pets, follow these tips for an easy transition

By: Denise Naughton, abc15.com
When it's time to go back to school, everyone starts preparing. Parents start shopping for clothes, school supplies, and lunches, and the kids switch up their routines. It's an adjustment for the entire family, including the pets.

Melissa Gable, Executive Director of Friends of Animal Care and Control says an empty and quiet home could be difficult for your pets. Follow their tips to help the furry family members easily adjust to the changes.

1. Begin by giving your companion animal some "alone time" BEFORE the kids head off to school. This means separating your kids from your pet(s) for a while each day prior to school starting. When you leave, be quiet and low-key. Making a production of your departure could add even more stress to your pooch. A simple "See you later" will suffice.

2. Leave some interactive toys for your pet; this will help keep him from being bored. Look for sturdy toys that aren't easily destroyed. There is a large selection of toys on the market that allow you to fill them with treats - giving your dog something to keep him busy and occupied while you are away.

3. If your dog seems upset and anxious when the kids leave, give your pet a blanket or t-shirt that has your kids scent on it. The familiar smell may calm Fido down and give him something to cuddle while everyone is away.

4. Separation anxiety is common in dogs - especially this time of year. Dogs can become stressed, which may lead to destructive behavior. You may want to consider confining your dog to a small laundry room or crate/kennel while you are away. If your pet has not been crate trained, don't start on the day the kids go back to school! Your dog will need time to adjust to the crate and shouldn't be left alone for more than 9 hours (for adults) or 6 hours (for puppies).

5. Ask your kids to spend some quality time with their pet when they return home from school. This could be a simple walk around the block, playing in the backyard or even having children read and share their homework with the family pet.

Top 10 Household Items Most Toxic to Cats

You do the best to ensure your cat’s good health by buying the healthiest food and making sure she’s up-to-date on vet checkups – but did you know that there are many items that can be harmful (even fatal) to your kitty right within your own home? As there are thousands of items that are toxic to pets, these are simply a list of the most common. Please feel free to share any others you think of with us!



1. Fruits and Vegetables
Onions, garlic, grapes, green tomatoes, mushrooms and many root vegetables are just a handful of human foods that are toxic to kitties. In addition, beware of products that contain these foods – for example, most baby food contains onion powder.

2. Caffeine
Consider the effect caffeine has on your nervous system, then consider the effect it will have on a small cat. Even small doses of caffeine will cause felines to shake, vomit and experience diarrhea.

3. Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical which cats are unable to digest. Typically speaking, the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains – thus the more fatal it becomes to kitty. Regular milk chocolate can cause diarrhea, vomiting, seizure, coma and possibly death.

4. Flowers and Plants
Cats are naturally attracted to foliage – there’s nothing they love better than brushing up against plants and nipping at leaves. Unfortunately, there are a surprising number of plants that are very harmful to kitties. Lilies, aloe and carnations are just a few of the plants to keep away from your cat. The ASPCA has a comprehensive list of plants that are harmful to kitty.

5. Alcohol
Calling all frat boys: although it may seem cute to feed your cat a beer, it may prove to be fatal. Alcohol and alcohol-based products can cause kitty to experience serious intoxication, leading to coma or death.

6. Permethrin
Permethrin is the active ingredient found in OTC flea and lice products geared towards use on humans and dogs. Unfortunately, this ingredient can prove to be highly toxic – even deadly – to cats. If your kitty happens to get fleas, only use products that are labeled for use on cats, such as Advantage Flea Treatment for Cats or Frontline Plus Flea Treatment for Cats. Likewise, if you’ve recently treated your dog (or child), be sure to keep your kitty far away – permethrin can be harmful even upon contact with someone who has been treated.

7. Ethalyne Glycol
Commonly found in anti-freeze, solvents and rust removers, Ethylene Glycol is extremely deadly to cats. Unfortunately, the sweet smell of this toxin is also very appealing to kitties, thus it’s best to keep your garage closed off to your pets. PetEducation.com offers tips on what to do if you suspect your cat (or dog) has ingested Ethylene Glycol.

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8. Bone-In Chicken or Fish
It seems like the healthiest, most logical thing to feed your kitty – unfortunately, many people don’t realize that bone-in chicken and fish can be extremely harmful to cats. The small bones in these foods can be easily ingested and can obstruct or lacerate your kitty’s stomach. If you choose to serve your cat one of these items, your best bet is to remove the meat off of the bones prior to feeding to ensure safety.

9. Milk
Yes – kitties love milk. Unfortunately just like humans, cats don’t always love what’s good for them. Surprisingly, the majority of cats are lactose-intolerant, and feeding them milk can lead to cramping, gas and diarrhea. If your kitty simply can’t live without milk, check out CatSip, a milk formulated with an added enzyme that helps cats digest lactose.

10. Household Cleaning Products
There is a laundry-list of household cleaning products that don’t bode well with kitty, including bleach, furniture polish, wood preservatives, air fresheners, deodorizers and many aromatherapy products. The good news is you don’t have to stop cleaning – just be sure to keep kitty quarantined until you’re finished and all of the products have dried.



What to Do if Your Pet Has Ingested a Toxin

Gather Information
Be sure to have all information ready for your veterinarian, including the type of toxin (it’s helpful to bring the toxin’s container along) and your pet’s basic information (breed, weight, etc.). It is also helpful to collect anything that your pet may have chewed or vomited in a sealable plastic bag.

Contact Your Veterinarian or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center
Be prepared – always keep your veterinarian’s phone number as well as the phone number of the closest 24 hour emergency vet clinic close at hand. If your pet is not exhibiting any symptoms just yet or there is not a 24-hour vet hospital nearby, you may want to call the poison control center. Note that a $65 consultation fee may apply.

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