Phenomenal Reasons to Dogwalk

According to Jonni Good, Ezine @rticles, September, 2009
A dog who is healthy and in reasonably good shape, never wants to slow down (except for the occasional sniff), never seems to be too tired or too stressed or too busy to go for a walk. He's always happy to be out in the world, and he's always motivated to go a little further today than he did yesterday.
On the other hand, people partners can let you down in all sorts of ways. They can spend the walk talking about things that don't interest you in the least. They can get tired too easily, walk too fast or too slowly, get bored, or be less than motivating. And, they can simply decide they don't want to go for a walk today, because it's too hot, or too cold, or too wet. Or because they just don't feel like it.
Dogs have none of these faults. They want to move - they need to move, any time, any place. And they enjoy nothing more than going with you, their best buddy, their boss, their protector.
Ask your dog what he wants to do most, and he'll tell you emphatically - he wants to go for a walk!So head out to Millpond Park in Mt. Pleasant, MI Sunday, September 19, 2010 and join the ‘Tails to Trails’ dog walk…for the health of it!

Pet Economics 101

Are you considering adopting a pet? Before you adopt, here are some things to keep in mind about the cost of pet ownership.



Cost of Owning a Dog



Initial Costs

• Spay/Neuter $190-$220* (depending on size and sex of the dog)


• Other Medical $70 (vaccines, heart worm prevention, flea treatment)


• Collar $25-$35*


• Crate $35-$125*


• Training Classes $110

$430-$560 Total Initial Costs

Annual Costs

• Food $55-$235*


• Recurring Medical $210-$260*


• Toys/Treats $40-$75*


• License $15


• Miscellaneous $35-$65*

$355-$635 Annual Costs

*Cost varied depending on size of the dog.

Costs of Owning a Cat



Initial Costs

• Spay/Neuter $145


• Other Medical $130 (vaccines, flea treatment, heart worm prevention)


• Collar $10


• Litter Box $15


• Scratching Post $15


• Carrier $40

$355 Total Initial Costs



Annual Costs

• Food $115


• Recurring Medical $160


• Litter $165


• Toys/Treats $25


• Miscellaneous $30

$495 Annual Costs

Before you make the commitment to pet ownership, which may last up to twenty years or more for some lucky humans, make sure you can afford to provide your pet with the basic care they require.

Your local animal shelter is a great place to find a great pet. Your new forever friend will be spayed or neutered, have their initial vaccines, and be treated for fleas and parasites--all for the adoption fee!

Please go to http://www.hatsweb.org/ to see the wonderful animals available at the Isabella County Animal Shelter.

Heatstroke

Know the warning signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, wheezing and body weakness.

If your pet has any of these signs, immediately place it in a cool, shaded area and pour cool water over it.

Keep an eye out for animals left in cars with cracked windows as this does not allow sufficient cool air for dogs to pant efficiently. Alert store owners, call animal control or the local police to help remove the animal(s) to a safe, cool location.

Things that go BOOM! in the night--and middle of the day, too

With the warm weather of summer comes the excitement of thunderstorms. Unlike some humans, pets are not fans of thunderstorms. The same can be said for fireworks. How can you help your pet cope with thunderstorms and fireworks? Here are a few tips:

• Be aware of the early signs of anxiety that accompany a thunderstorm, like pacing or trembling.



• Create a safe place for your pet to escape to when the thunder or fireworks start. Pets may seek out a small den-like space like a crate, under the sofa or bed, or a closet. (I know of a large dog that preferred the second shelf of the pantry--after clearing off all that was stored on the shelf first!). If your pet doesn't have a hiding spot, consider creating something and getting them familiar with it before the thunderstorms or fireworks start.



• Play a game with your pet instead of cuddling or stroking. This may not fit with our first instinct to respond with care and comfort, but it will distract from the stressor. It also helps them associate the stressor with positive things like play and treats.

A final word about fireworks: never use fireworks around pets. Lit fireworks can result in burns or trauma to curious pets. Unused fireworks can be hazardous because they may contain potentially toxic substances like arsenic and other heavy metals.

Spay/Neuter Fact or Fiction?

There are lots of commonly held beliefs about how spaying or neutering will change a pet. Here are some of them and whether they are based in fact or simply fiction.

• Spaying or neutering will make my pet lazy. FICTION Spay or neuter surgery does not make an animal lazy. It reduces the urge to roam, which may result in a cat becoming more docile which may appear to some pet owners as 'laziness'. There are benefits of a more docile cat, including less fighting behavior which reduces the likelihood of abcesses and contracting blood or saliva-borne illnesses, e.g., feline leukemia.


• My cat will no longer be a good mouser if I have it spayed or neutered. FICTION Hunting skills, playfulness, general activity levels, and vocalizations do not typically change following surgery.


• Dogs can be spayed or neutered as early as six weeks old. FACT In fact, it is far better to do the surgery at a younger age. This is also the case for cats.


• It a good idea to let a dog have one litter before having her spayed. FICTION There is no benefit to this. Spaying a dog before her first litter is easier and safer, and drastically reduces her risk of developing mammary (breast) cancer.


• Spaying or neutering helps cats and dogs live longer, healthier lives. FACT Pets live longer and healthier lives when they have been spayed or neutered. They are less likely to roam and so less likely to be hit by a car or contract a disease. They are less likely to get several forms of cancer.

For more information on low cost spay/neuter options in Isabella, go to: www.hatsweb.org/spay.html.

Spay or Neuter: It's the Responsible Thing to Do

If there were a Top Ten list of things a person could do to be a responsible pet owner, spaying or neutering your pet would be at the top of the list. Why is spaying (surgery for female animals) or neutering (surgery for male animals) the responsible thing to do? Here are several reasons:

1. It helps reduce companion animal over population. Did you know an unspayed female cat, her mate, and all of their offspring, producing two litters per year, with 2.8 surviving kittens per litter, can add up to 370,092 animals over seven years? This is a conservative estimate, since cats can have more than two litters per year. Most of these animals will not find homes. Many will die as they struggle to survive on their own, or may be euthanized when shelters become overcrowded.

2. Spaying or neutering your pet will help them have a longer, healthier life. A dog's life can be extended by 1-3 years, a cats by 3-5 years. Altered animals have a very low or no risk of mammary gland tumors/cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian and testicular cancer, and uterine cancer.

3. Altering your cat or dog makes them a better pet by reducing their urge to roam and decreasing the risk of contracting diseases or getting hurt when they roam.

For more information on local resources to assist with getting your cat or dog spayed or neutered, go to: http://hatsweb.org/spay.html.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

Finally, the warm weather we were all looking forward to in the middle of February is here. Along with it comes some really hot days. Just like you, your pet can suffer on those days when the temperature climbs. Here are some tips to help your furry friend(s) stay safe and comfortable when it's HOT! HOT! HOT!

• Never leave your pet alone in a parked car. The temperature inside can soar to 120 degrees, even if you have parked in the shade. Dogs and cats can't perspire like humans and only cool off by panting or through dissipating heat through the pads of their feet. Pets left in hot cars, even for a short time, can suffer heat exhaustion, heat stoke, brain damage, and even die
• Pets can get dehydrated quickly so make sure they have fresh, clean water and a shady spot when they are outside, and keep them indoors when it's extemely hot.
• Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations and heartworm medications. Parvo virus flourishes in hot weather and can be fatal to dogs that have not been vaccinated. Spending more time outside in warm weather means more chances to encounter wildlife, which may carry rabies. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitos but can be prevented by a monthly preventative between June and November.
• Keep your dog on a leash when walking him so he doesn't run into traffic or chase cats, other dogs, or wildlife.
• If you have a pool or will be visiting someone with a pool, don't leave your dog unattended by the pool area. Not all dogs can swim and could drown. If your dog does like a dip in the pool, make sure to rinse her off afterward to remove chlorine and salt. And don't let her drink from the pool since chlorine and other chemicals can cause an upset stomach.
• Keep unscreened windows in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens fit securely. During the summer, the number of cats suffering from "High Rise Syndrome" or falling from windows dramatically increases. Contrary to popular believe, cats do not always land on their feet--in fact the most severe injuries happen when they fall from secon- or third-floor windows.

Hopefully these tips will help you and your pet have a safe summer. Enjoy the beautiful weather!