Okay, How Do I Begin?

I know it’s tough to carve out time in your already hectic day to brush Fido’s teeth, every day after day no less. You already dread it, don’t you. Let’s make it easy then. First step–whenever you find little moments and you’re sitting around snuggling with Fluffy, massage her gums at the same time. See–no extra time needed. Massage very lightly, ok, don’t get all invasive on her like the bathroom scene with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in 21 Jump Street. At this point, you’re just getting her used to your fingers in her mouth, like it’s no big deal. I introduce my kitties and pups to gum massage by hand-feeding them cat kibble one piece at a time. They love being hand-fed so, when i start checking out their gums, they’re pretty much okay with it. Massage her gums lightly and very briefly, then stop, before she has a chance to object. Go on your merry way like it was no big deal. [TIP: Knowing when to ignore your pet is a tremendously effective training and handling tool ~ more on that later.] By making gum massage part of snuggle time and creating a positive experience instead of a dreaded chore, she’ll come to associate it with pleasure. Keep this tip in your memory bank.

Baby Steps … You’re Getting There

Once you’ve got your pet feeling okay about having her teeth and gums handled, you can introduce a toothbrush or rubber thumb. I prefer the rubber thumb because it’s similar to your finger and seems less foreign to the pet. Before you go shoving them in her mouth, tho, let her sniff them and get familiar, even batting them around like toys. Remember, baby steps. Use the brush to massage her teeth without paste for the first few times. Once she’s comfortable with the toothbrush or rubber thumb, then try adding a tiny dab of flavored pet toothpaste. She may not be sold right away–don’t force it. Never force it. But definitely keep the massaging in your routine and eventually try adding toothpaste again. You’ll get there eventually.

Here is a really good pet toothpaste I like to recommend for you. It’s popular because it’s made in the USA, it’s safe, pets like it, and it works!

In the meantime, stimulating her gums is a good thing. If, however, you have a pet who just refuses to warm up to a toothbrush, no worries. There are options. There are some great dental washes for pets that you put in their drinking water. Can’t get any easier than that!  Here’s a good one. Completely odorless/tasteless so your pet won’t detect it and get all fussy. It’s made in the USA and completely safe for your pet.

I also found this product below that you spray right onto their teeth and gums and, as the pet licks his lips and sloshes it around, it begins to reduce plaque and heal his mouth. It’s all organic, no chemicals to create allergies or inflammation, and makes your pet’s breath very fresh and sweet so you just want to get all up in his face and snuggle with him!  🙂  Give it a try!

It’s NEVER Too Late.

Ideally, you want to start your pet’s dental care when she’s a puppy or kitten. If she’s older, tho, no worries. Always better late than never at all. Just remind yourself how important dental care is to her overall health.

Bottom line is you may have to try a few approaches to your pet’s dental care before you find the one your pet responds to, and that’s ok, because there are many products of all kinds out there to choose from. One of them will work for you. As long as you’re patient and consistent, you’ll get there. Just keep your eye on the prize–longterm good health and protection for your beloved furbaby.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Ignore Your Pet’s Teeth … They’ll Go Away. appeared first on BareFootPets.

Why Is Chipping So Important?

Pets become lost for many reasons, some of them preventable, others unavoidable mishaps. Compare losing a pet to losing a child–you need turn your eyes away for only seconds and they can be gone. You can be the world’s best pet parent, and it can still happen. We’re all human. The lawn care guy leaves your gate open, the cat darts out the door when you answer to sign for a Fedex, the dog jumps out the window of your car when he sees a cat on the sidewalk, etc.

And, of course, there’s always the unfortunate possibility of your pet being stolen. Thieves can easily figure out your routine, when you’re not home, and they can climb your fence, grab little Fluffy and be gone in a New York minute. Without Fluffy having a chip, most likely you’ll never get her back. Chipping tells the finders you are the rightful owner and eliminates any claims someone else may be trying to make for your pet.

Posting on social media is a huge help, for sure, but that depends on people actually reading the posts, and then those specific people being in the right place at the right time to find the lost pet. With chipping, the owner’s contact information is secured right on the pet at all times. Chipping is hands-down the best way to recover a lost or stolen pet.

What Does A Chip Do And How Do I Get My Pet Chipped?

A chip is a nearly microscopic little disk, if you will, that is inserted with a needle, as if giving the pet a shot. Typically, chips are implanted between the shoulder blades, where it will remain permanently. The injection is nearly painless for most pets. The chip is programmed with a serial number that is registered to you and contains your name, address, and phone. Some chip manufacturers also provide a website where you can opt to set up a profile for your pet with photos and certain identifying information to make identification even more exact. You can get your pet chipped at your vet or most pet stores. The cost is generally $35 to $45. Most rescue organizations include micro-chipping in the adoption process if you adopt the pet from them.

If your pet shows up at a shelter, the folks there have a scanner gun that they will scan over your pet. If the pet is chipped, the scanner gun will capture the information, and they can call you immediately. If someone finds your pet and wants to help get her back home safely rather than drop her off at a shelter, the finder can go to any PetSmart, Petco, veterinarian, etc., and ask them to scan the pet for a chip. There is no charge for simply scanning. Once the rescuer has your contact information, they can let you know that Fluffy is safe and sound and can get her back home to you. Chipping is critical to your pet’s wellbeing and keeping your family whole. There is no better substitute.

Being Chipped Can Mean Life Or Death To Your Pet.

Chipping also protects your pet from being killed should she end up in a shelter. Shelters screen incoming strays for chips. If your pet is chipped, then all is well, because first thing they will do is call you and you can go get her safely back home. But be aware–shelters typically deal with overcrowding, so they don’t invest lots of time trying to identify lost or stray pets. Sadly, kill rates for shelters across the nation are still very very high. If your pet is not chipped and ends up in a shelter, she is in extreme danger. They may put her to death in a matter of hours and you’ll never even know. You may still be driving your neighborhood, posting flyers, searching hopefully and calling for her, not knowing she’s no longer alive. Avoid such a terrible heartbreak–chip your beloved pet. Cats and dogs both. If you love her, chip her.

While We’re On The Subject Of Shelter Kill Rates …

Awareness is growing nationwide about the epidemic of high shelter kill rates, especially for cats. Barely 1 in every 10 cats gets out of a shelter alive–there is no excuse for this. While many shelters are finally abandoning old set ways of using euthanasia to “control” what they identify as “pet over-population,” we still have a very long way to go to stop the terrible killings. If you have an interest in learning more or volunteering to help in this overdue animal welfare revolution, get this book–Redemption by Nathan Winograd. It’s truly eye-opening. When you finish the book, pass it on, keep it going. It’s on our generation to get the word out and get the wheels in motion.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post If You Love Her, Chip Her. appeared first on BareFootPets.

Thankfully, the leash was attached to the pup’s harness, not its collar. The pup could have been horribly injured, choked, and even died, if the leash had been attached to the collar around its neck. This is a very important reminder that collars are just ornamental and for dog tags only.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie. 

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) ) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Another Argument For Harnesses appeared first on BareFootPets.

Remember — chocolate can be FATAL to a pet!  Keep a close watch on the candy that comes into your house around Halloween.  No candy or even candy wrappers on the floor.  Containers and candy up high and totally out of reach from your pets.  It’s easy to keep a close eye out, and may save your sweet pet’s life!

Any time is a dangerous time for pets to be left outside.  But Halloween is even more dangerous for pets to be outside, more than other holidays, and especially for black cats.  Sadly, there are nasty people lurking about, waiting and watching for animals to abuse, and even kill.  Don’t let your pet become a statistic!  Keep them safely indoors the whole week before Halloween, and don’t let them outside again till after Halloween has passed.  No matter how much they fuss!  You are their protector — be strong and don’t give in till after the day passes.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Trick or Treat! appeared first on BareFootPets.

This post is a throwback to an earlier post on the same topic (Upside of Pet Steps and Ramps), with some helpful added information.

All dogs in general are prone to disk disease in their backs just because of the way they’re built.  Small dogs especially are at risk of injury to their spine because of their acrobatic flare.  Add high bouncing and jumping activity to that, and now their legs are in danger, too.  Torn cruciate ligaments are VERY common, especially in small dogs.  Delicate ligaments in their legs, especially the back legs, are easily ripped from the strain and impact of high activity.  They’re terribly painful for the animal, and can even leave him totally crippled.  Sadly, torn cruciate ligaments can be repaired only by surgery.  The cost to have the ligaments surgically repaired is in the THOUSANDS of dollars.  That’s why people often ditch their pets at the pound instead — they can’t afford to save their pet’s quality of life.  A very sad ending to a preventable injury.

This is my “Bed Head” Bandit? and he wants to share a very important message with you.  Bandit is young and high energy.  He jumps up on beds and sofas when he’s zooming the house during playtime, jumps in and out of the car, and jumps up at the door handle when he’s excited to go outside. Bandit is always in motion.  This puts constant pressure and tremendous impact on his spine and legs.  We give him daily glucosamine/chondroitin and turmeric supplements to keep his joints strong and inflammation low, which are critically important to his present and future orthopedic health; but there’s still more to be done.

Going The Extra “Step”

So we went shopping online for pet steps and ramps.  There are lots out there to choose from, and some are exceptional pet products.  But two significant factors kept popping up that we didn’t like about most of them:  (1) the good ones are generally quite expensive; and (2) most of them, in any price range, are clubby and in the way.  Yes, they say you can hide them conveniently underneath the sofa or bed, but then they’re not available for your pet to be using, are they.  Duh.  So we decided to keep looking.

Then we found these dandy little footstools on Amazon.  Even though they’re not an actual pet product, they’re PERFECT!  They’re the ideal height and dimensions for the pet’s use, yet small enough to be out of the family’s way so you don’t have to shove them under the sofa at all.  Another very important detail is they’re super cushioned, which softens the impact to your pet’s joints.  Plus they’re actual furniture, so they naturally blend in with your decor.  Last but not least, they’re super affordable, so we bought several to put all around the house.  They come in faux suede, faux leather, or fabric, and also in different colors and patterns.  Bandit took to them right away and is LOVING them!  Took him all of five minutes to learn to use them.  All-around great little find!

See how nicely the footstools look in our house, unlike clunky pet ramps.

No Slip-Sliding Away.

If these footstools have a downside, it would be that they can slide around on smooth flooring.  We have all tile flooring in our house, and it’s not an issue for Bandit when he’s launching himself off them.  This photo (below) is perfectly timed to show Bandit launching himself from the footstool to the sofa without the footstool slipping out from under him.

But I can see where it could maybe be an issue for a larger dog, that the footstool could slide out from under him.  This can be easily addressed by picking up some sticky-rubber adhesive foot pads at your hardware store that you can stick to the bottoms of the footstool feet.  Poof — problem prevented.

And that’s all it took to add another level of protection to your beloved pet’s health.  Way to Go! ?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post For All The High-Flying Dogs. appeared first on BareFootPets.

It cannot be overstated — toxic plants are too often lethal to our pets, and there are many out there to beware of.  Check the Chart BEFORE Buying Plants.  Choose your indoor and outdoor plants carefully BEFORE buying.  Planning ahead totally eliminates the risk of any emergency runs to the vet if your beloved pet has been poisoned by nibbling on an innocent-looking plant and is now fighting for his precious life.

Links To Identify Poisonous Plants.

Following are a few links that provide comprehensive lists and photos of poisonous plants, some with downloadable PDFs.  There’s even more info out there on the net if you want to do a Google search.  Keep your lists close at hand so you don’t lose precious seconds searching for them, should the need ever arise.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/basics/top-10-plants-poisonous-to-pets/

https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/common-poisonous-plants-to-dogs-and-cats/10105914

Financial Cost.

The financial cost of a pet poisoning can be staggering, even if your pet loses the battle in spite of the vet’s efforts.  Many emergencies end tragically because the owners cannot afford the unexpected price tag for life-saving measures.  Even if the pet could medically be saved, he is sometimes let go to die anyway because the money to save him just isn’t there.  Don’t let this happen to you and your little sidekick.  Take five minutes, Check the Chart BEFORE Buying Plants, and buy only safe plants.

Emotional Cost.

Regret.  Trust me, you do NOT want to set yourself up for the lifelong agony of regret, eating at you day in and day out, even in your dreams when you try to sleep at night.  Letting your pet down by not having taken simply five minutes and planned ahead is going to torment you for a long long time to come … maybe even forever.  Don’t let your pet die because you didn’t prepare.  Don’t set yourself up for that horrible failure.  Protect your little one and spare yourself suffering terrible guilt — take five minutes, Check the Chart BEFORE Buying Plants, and buy only safe plants.  Easy as that.  Just five minutes, and you’ve protected your fur baby, even saved his life.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

.

The post Pets And Plants. appeared first on BareFootPets.

* * *

We are hearing from local veterinary hospitals that there is a large upswing of bee stings to pets. The heavy rainfall this year has helped the bees. More water means more flowers, which means more nectar for them to come out and collect.

While the pictures we see on the internet of bee stung pets with swelling reactions can be kind of funny, the threat bee stings can represent to pets is not funny at all.

First Aid for Insect Stings in Dogs 

By Krista Williams, BSc, DVM, CCRP; Lynn Buzhardt, DVM  Care & Wellness, Emergency Situations, Treatment, Pet Services

Dogs are nosy creatures sniffing at anything of interest. Since dogs find insects interesting, they investigate them and when they stick their nose where it does not belong, they get a quick reprimand! Hence, lots of insect bites occur on the nose.

Since insects sting the closest body part, eyes, ears, and feet are easy targets. When a dog steps in an anthill or disturbs a wasp nest or beehive, the insects swarm and sting the dog’s whole body. Spiders are loners that do not swarm, but even one spider bite can be nasty.

The stings of bees, wasps, and hornets, and the bites of ants and spiders all spell trouble for a nosy dog. Insect venom causes problems ranging from mild irritation to life- threatening shock. Observant pet owners can minimize the reaction by taking prompt action. Keep in mind that even with first aid started at home, severe cases require prompt medical care.

What should I do if my dog is stung by an insect?

Be quick to recognize that your dog was bitten or stung.  If your dog suddenly paws at his face, chews at his foot, or begins to swell in any area of the body, consider the possibility of an insect bite.

Identify the insect.  Quickly search the area for flying insects as well as crawling ones. Since a spider is difficult to identify and may be poisonous, capture it if you can.

In the case of bee stings, look for a stinger.  Bees are the only insects that leave their stingers in their victims. These abandoned stingers continue to secrete venom so removing them reduces the amount of toxin injected into the dog’s body. If the stinger is still attached to the dog, remove it by scraping a credit card over your dog’s coat and flick it off. Do not use tweezers that may squeeze more venom out of the stinger sac. Luckily, other flying insects (wasps, hornets) do not leave a stinger behind.

Soothe the bite site.  Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the sting site. If your dog has multiple stings or bites, a soothing oatmeal bath is the way to go.

Minimize swelling.  Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. A bag of frozen peas serves as a handy ice pack for individual bites. A cooled towel works better for larger areas.

Prevent allergic reactions.  Give a dose of oral anti-histamine, such as diphenhydramine (brand names: Benadryl®, Vetadryl®) to minimize the reaction and decrease itching. Consult your veterinarian first for proper dosing!

Reduce the trauma of scratching. Use an Elizabethan collar (cone) if your dog continues to lick or scratch at the bite wound. Constant scratching will delay healing and may cause infection.

Maintain hydration and food intake.  Give your dog fresh water to drink. Dogs that are stung in the mouth may find it difficult to eat so feed them moist food. Dry food softened with water is less likely to upset the gastrointestinal tract than canned food.

When is an insect bite serious?

Like some people, many dogs are hypersensitive (very allergic) to insect stings or bites. The degree of reaction varies with the dog’s immune system and the type of insect. Allergic reactions usually occur within 20 minutes of the bite, but may be delayed for hours, so close monitoring is critical. Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) can be fatal so quick action is vital. Take your dog to the veterinary emergency clinic at the first sign of: 

• Severe swelling around the head and neck that could compromise respiration. Swelling in these areas may occur even if the bite occurred elsewhere.
• Hives on any part of the body. Hives appear as bumps under the skin that raise the hair, or as red bumps on hairless areas like the belly. Hives itch a lot, so your dog may roll in the grass or on the floor in an attempt to scratch at hard to reach places.
• Difficulty breathing or wheezing. Some dogs pant more than usual because they have swelling in the respiratory passages and/or because they are nervous. Do not attempt to figure out the reason, take your dog to your veterinarian.
• Excessive drooling. If there is swelling in the throat, the dog has difficulty swallowing his own saliva and drools a lot.
• Agitation. Some dogs become anxious due to the itching and difficulty breathing. Also, the insect venom may affect the nervous system.
• Vomiting or diarrhea. Even mild vomiting and soft stool can indicate trouble, so do not disregard this sign.
• Dizziness or disorientation. If your dog is not alert or stumbles, he is having more than the normal reaction.
• Seizures. Call your veterinarian immediately.

Medical treatment may save your dog’s life and is aimed at reducing the allergic reaction and preventing shock. In addition to anti-histamines, your veterinarian may give your dog corticosteroids or epinephrine. Your veterinarian may administer intravenous (IV) fluids to stabilize the dog and oxygen to help respiration. Blood and urine tests may be needed to rule out organ damage. The length of the hospital stay depends on how quickly your dog responds to therapy but expect to leave your dog at the hospital for 1 or 2 days. Once the danger is passed and your dog returns home, your veterinarian may prescribe an Epi-Pen® for use in future insect stings. The goal here is not to stifle your nosy dog’s curious nature, but to be prepared for the consequences. That means you have to act quickly in case she reacts to an insect bite.

Contributors: Krista Williams BSC DVM CCRP; Lynn Buzhardt DVM

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

.

The post ALERT!! Bee Stings Hazardous To Pets! appeared first on BareFootPets.

Let’s talk about unexpected emergencies that come up in our lives, like hospital stays from an illness or accident, death in the family that requires last-minute travel to attend services, etc.  No one is immune.  This subject hit my radar this weekend when I ended up in the emergency room myself.  It was a horrible experience … and unexpected.  But, thanks to my having planned ahead, my pets were safe and sound at home the whole time I was away.

Have I Prepared? 

When you have to leave home suddenly for a totally unexpected emergency situation, do you have preparations already in place for your pets back at home?  Often we barely have time to grab our car keys before we have to rush off.  So it becomes prudent, even critical, to have preparations for your pets’ needs ready and already in place.

Make it a non-negotiable part of your daily routine to be certain your pets’ water bowls are clean and filled to the brim with fresh water.  Be sure their food dishes also are filled with fresh, ample, dry food.  It’s even best to add a whole additional feeding station (water and food both) to support them for several days should an unexpected emergency take you away from home and not returning right away.

Don’t make the fatal mistake of thinking emergencies will never happen to you.  Always be prepared.

The Thoughtful Extra Details.

As I lurched toward the door to head off to the emergency room, my last thought was of Bandit, my little dog.  Bandit suffers mild separation anxiety, and I knew he would be upset by this frantic disruption of our schedule and my being gone through the night and next day.

So I quickly tossed my pajama top onto Bandit’s bed.  The top already had my scent on it, so he curled right up on it and slept at ease.  I was able to watch him on my video surveillance app through the night from the hospital, and was relieved and grateful to watch him being comforted by that little last-minute detail as I ran out the door.

So Grateful It Was Already All In Place.

While I was languishing in the emergency room for hours and hours through the night and the following day, the last thing I had to agonize over was whether my pets were suffering without food and water, and frightened by my sudden disappearance.  It also helped tremendously knowing that I had a petsitter on standby to come give my pets medications should they have needed any.

Never underestimate the importance of having all these things set in place ahead of time.  You’ll be better able to focus on the emergency at hand because you know your pets are safe and sound till you return back home.  It’s all just part of how we love them.

Remember — love is more than just warm fuzzies — it’s how well we care for them.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

.

The post When Surprises Come! appeared first on BareFootPets.

Sorry I’ve been gone awhile. I got behind on my BareFootPets blog recently because, on May 14, 2019, our home was robbed–in broad daylight–while we were at work. And I got to see it play out on video. It has been the most horrible horrible experience. Needless to say, over the past several weeks, we’ve been in clean-up mode, working with the insurance companies, police, repair people, and trying just to figure out our new normal.

On that day, while I was at work, I got a pop-up notification on my cell phone from the Canary video surveillance app that there was movement in our home. I figured the cameras were just picking up one of my pets moving about the house as usual, so I casually launched the Canary app on my cell phone. And instead I saw video footage of thieves ransacking our house–and I watched helplessly as my little blind senior pets struggled frantically to find safety in the midst of the chaos, but not knowing how to get away from the danger. My heart stopped! It was hands down one of the scariest moments of my life.  And the longest drive home I’ve ever made.

Dual Benefits Of Video Surveillance.

So I originally got the Canary security app and four video cameras just to keep a better watch on our senior pets while we were at work. You know, to see who was using the litterbox and who wasn’t, is everyone finding the food dishes okay, is anyone in distress while we’re away, were they all navigating the house okay in our absence since some of them are blind, etc. It was a huge help–I felt immensely better equipped to care for them and still be at work, able to supervise them by video.

For instance, we discovered that Chelsea the big black cat was picking on little Mikimoto, my blind and fragile senior cat. So, with that new information from the video cameras, we now knew to secure Chelsea in a separate room while we were away at work. Boom–problem solved. Mikimoto no longer lives in fear, and we have harmony in the house again. We are now able to protect Mikimoto by video and give him comfort and freedom from fear even when we’re gone. And Chelsea enjoys her private new “studio apartment” (a/k/a guest bathroom). We will never be without video surveillance again!

Little did we know that the day would come when we’d be watching video of thieves going room by room through our home, stealing everything of value, and trashing everything else. I was also able to watch my poor pets running for their lives, hiding wherever they could, or just going in circles because they’re blind and not knowing what was happening, just that it was something really really bad. Broken glass was flying everywhere, and they were stumbling over things being thrown randomly about. It was a nightmare for them!

New Kids On The Block …

So, here’s a little side story to lead us up to the robbery. I was at the county animal shelter a few days before the robbery, picking up a little 4lb senior Chihuahua. He was elisted and scheduled to be put to death the next morning for being old and feeble. Someone in my rescue network had given me a heads-up email about him, so I went to the shelter to get him. They hadn’t even given him a name, only a number. The folks at the shelter talked me out of pulling him initially. They said he had too many health issues and was just too old to mess with. So I reluctantly left without ever meeting him. But he stayed on my heart as I drove away.

At home that night, instinct made me look again at his profile and something just told me he wasn’t ready to go yet. I needed to step up. Knots formed in my tummy for fear he was going to die before I could get back to him. I quickly emailed the shelter and said I was picking him up the next day after all, and I wanted no argument about it. They agreed to remove him from the elist and keep him safe for me.

The next morning, I hustled back to the shelter and happily claimed him. When I walked into the elist room and saw him for the first time, curled up in a tiny donut bed with his back to me, and he turned his tiny wobbly head with giant rabbit ears and looked up at me soulfully, that was it. You could hear the chorus singing and see the hearts floating all around the room. He completely captured my heart with that one look. I named him Bug. And I scooped Bug gently up into my arms, and told him he was safe, we’re going home.

On our way out, a scruffy little black and white Terrier pup caught my eye, maybe some Doxie mixed in. He didn’t have a name, either, just a number. Listed as a two-year-old stray that no one had come back for. Now, as founder and president of Milagro Senior Pet Refuge, I’ve stayed true to Milagro’s mission statement since the 1980s–I haven’t had a young dog in decades. But this little boy grabbed my attention and didn’t let go. I fought it off and passed on by. But just down the hallway, I turned and headed back for another look. Yep, he was definitely calling my name loud. Still I resisted and decided to walk other aisles for awhile to see if it would pass … it didn’t.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in a lifetime of pet rescue, it’s that oftentimes, most times actually, rescue pets choose us, we don’t choose them. And I’ve learned to listen to that voice inside. I finally recognized that’s what was happening here. And so I turned around and went back and collected the little two-year-old fellow as well. We tried out quite a few names on him over the next couple of months, and finally decided on Kevin (you’ll find out why in the paragraphs below). And Kevin and Bug took their freedom ride home together. It was a most excellent day.

Click on these photos to see Bug’s and Kevin’s Freedom Rides. 🙂

Fast Forward Back To The Robbery.

So, Bug’s and Kevin’s freedom ride happened only a few days before the robbery. The boys were still brand new to my home when all the crazy went down. I don’t know if they even recognized us as their new home and family yet. That is, until I saw the Canary video of the robbery. I have watched it over and over to memorize every unbelievable detail. And what I saw touched my heart and blew my mind.

Kevin, in all his little 9lbs of fuzzy scruffy glory, recognized immediately that these guys did NOT belong in our house.  And he stood up to them. He met them at the back door as they popped the lock and tiptoed in, and he nipped at their heels and barked loud and hard at them. Then he very smartly moved to the safety of the upper back of the living room sofa and barked louder and harder. He gave them royal hell and didn’t let up till they were gone. His body shook with fear and adrenaline, and he barked so hard he couldn’t breathe.

And right behind Kevin was little Bug, bringing up the rear, toodling along behind the robbers in his oversized diaper, backing up Kevin with the barking. I could not be more proud of these little guys. And they were immensely proud of themselves, too, which is even more awesome. They saw there was a job to be done, and they stepped up and saved the day.

The Aftermath.

Ever since the robbery, Kevin is still a bit freaked out. He barks at every little thing, hides up on my bed (it has become his safe place), and dribbles a little pee when he feels really unsure of things (probably he’d prefer I didn’t tell you that). Still, he’s proud to be the man of the house. He is now acutely tuned in to the security app notifications on my cell phone. As soon as they announce, he’s off to the doors and windows like a shot. He is front and center whenever someone comes to the house and lets them know they have to get past him. So far he has chased away the housekeeper, the pest control guy, the police detective, the neighbor’s lawnkeeper, my best friend Donna, and the Amazon prime driver. He has taken on the role of protector and takes the role very seriously, God Bless His Sweet Little Soul. By the way, Kevin is named for Kevin Costner, who was Whitney Houston’s bodyguard in the movie “The Bodyguard.”  Perfect, isn’t it.

And Bug is Kevin’s wing man (pun intended). Bug is a pretty chill little fellow, so he seems to have weathered the robbery like no big thing. Bug is always right behind Kevin, barking and bringing up the rear–way back in the rear. After all, Bug is only 4lbs, 15yrs old, very delicate, has no teeth, falls easily, and wears a diaper (which I have agreed to call a “toolbelt” because he feels that’s more manly), but he’s as fearless as Kevin. And together they are the force that keeps the other senior pets, and our home, safe and sound. They are our Avengers!!

A Very Unexpected Gift of the Video Monitoring.

Being able to watch the details of the robbery, and see with my own eyes that the robbers did not hurt my animals is the one comfort I have gotten out of this awful ordeal. They could have kicked them to the side–they didn’t. They could have picked them up and tossed them–they didn’t. They could have kidnapped them–they didn’t. Had they hurt my animals, even a little, I would have broken out a level of crazy that would have made those robbers’ nightmares seem like happy dreams (that’s actually a post I saw on Instagram awhile back and saved, thinking I might be able to use it someday. oh look–it’s someday).

Yes, the boys are impacted by what happened, and Gabriel, my youngest cat, too. They all still show signs of some stress. We’re working on that, and they’re improving every day. But at least I still have them with me, and they’re going to be okay soon. When we made it home from work that day, our home was surrounded by police SUVs, news vans, forensics team, and helicopters. My home was turned upside down–every room. Everything of value was taken, and everything else was destroyed. But when the dust settled and the chaos subsided, there were Kevin and Bug standing proudly right in the middle of it all, like the legendary Boxer in the clearing (Simon & Garfunkel), letting me know everything was okay–we got this. That was all I needed to know. Thank you, Jesus.

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post The Immeasurable Benefit Of Home Video Surveillance: Must Read! appeared first on BareFootPets.

In an earlier post, I talked about the “It” factor — that moment that can sometimes happen in pet owners’ lives when they stop calling their beloved pet by its name and start calling the pet “It.” That moment when they begin to shift away from their bonds with the pet and instead start planning a future with the pet no longer in it. Here I’ll talk about several scenarios that way too often threaten pet owners’ commitment to their pets, and suggest ways to overcome those feelings and how to push through to keep your commitment to your pet–that promise of a lifetime together. Remember back to the beginning–you made a promise to your pet–you and me forever? Don’t lose sight of that promise when the bonds are tried.

If or when that commitment is tested, here are some tips to help you stay on track and stay committed to your promise to that pet who loves and trusts you and has total faith that your love is in fact everlasting and will never betray him. He knows in his heart you would never ever ever leave him behind. Let’s honor that absolute faith he has in you.

Betrayal Is Not An Option.

A promise is a promise–it stands the test of time. Forever–not just when it’s convenient. Are you true to your word? Is your love unwaivering? Let’s say your pet could understand your words–do you think he’d nod in agreement when you explained to him why you’re leaving him behind? Truth is, he wouldn’t be able to take it, not for a minute. Animals are capable of unbreakable bonds that I don’t think humans can even grasp. We give up when things get uncomfortable–animals are in it for the long haul. We could learn a lot from them about unconditional love.

“My New Fiance Doesn’t Like Animals.”

This is an issue that requires you to look ahead and plan accordingly. If your pet is your family, your sidekick, and you can’t imagine life without him, then don’t lose sight of that when you start dating. It’s on you to make sure a new person knows that you and your pet are a package deal. She needs to be in agreement with that all the way, no hesitation. If you sense that she’s just tolerating your pet even a little, then you’ll be smart to reevaluate a long-term commitment with that person.

Because there’s a good chance once the vows have been spoken, you may then find out she has other plans for the pet’s future with you. Now you’ve invited a contentious standoff between you and the new spouse, and guess where that leaves your beloved pet?  Probably at the shelter. Wrong and unfair. But sadly, too common. Don’t be the one who breaks his word and his pet’s heart because you let someone come between you and talk you out of your commitment to your devoted and loyal pet, who’s been by your side all along, the last one in your life who deserves to be let down.

Be sure to have the hard conversation before any commitments are made. Be sure you both are very clear about your intentions for the pet. Don’t leave any questions unasked or unanswered. Your pet’s future with you depends on it. And also think of this–it takes a very selfish person to split up a pet from its owner. If someone expects you to walk away from your pet for them, what else might they take from you?

“We’re Moving.”

There was a time when that excuse might have been acceptable, since few landlords allowed pets “back in the day.” But those days are gone, and it’s easy now to find rentals that accept pets. As with other situations, plan ahead. Give yourself time to start the search to make sure you’re prepared when the move comes. If you do find yourself running out of time, make arrangements for your pet to stay temporarily with a friend or relative. You can go on ahead and squat in temporary digs to get started in your new job, in the meantime continuing your search for a pet-friendly home. Once you secure your new rental, go back and get your beloved pet to come join you and continue on with you in your new life chapter. Happy Happy Joy Joy!

If your issue is with the size of the pet deposit and/or a higher monthly rent payment, then same approach. plan ahead by saving extra so you can cover that cost when the time comes to move. Don’t let it sneak up and surprise you, and then use that as your excuse to unload the pet. You’ll be called foul on that move for sure. Planning ahead is usually all that’s needed to keep your whole family intact.

“I Don’t Have Time For It Anymore.”

I can start this discussion off by saying simply “you’re as busy as you want to be.” If you work long hours now and Fido finds himself sitting at the door waiting for you with a tennis ball in his mouth more and more often, then you’ve chosen a lifestyle without considering his needs. Good time to take stock of how well or how poorly you’re managing your time. If the extra hours at work are temporary, for a few weeks or months, then have a relative or friend come to your house each day to walk him, run him, play with him, love on him, all those things he’s missing with you.

If no family or friends are available, then hire a dog walker, or drop him off at doggy daycare. If you can’t afford doggy daycare every day, start off with every other day. You’re his ultimate guardian and caregiver. If you cannot fulfill that role for any period of time, it’s still on you to see that his needs are being met. He’s not a ceramic knick knack you can put on a shelf and ignore, without consequences for both you and him. Think outside the box. Whatever it takes to make sure he doesn’t become the forgotten member of your family. Remember — if you choose to start ignoring his need for daily interaction and exercise, he’ll start misbehaving out of boredom and pent-up energy. And it won’t be his fault — that’s just how nature works. And if he does start misbehaving, you’ll become frustrated and start justifying the thought of “getting rid” of him. See — you ended up sabotaging your own best outcome and his future. Think ahead, be diligent, keep his future with you in mind with a loving and protective heart.

“We’re Having A Baby.”

This is a really lame argument. A little understandable, but still lame. It’s normal for new parents to freak out with their first child. They feel the need to clear the plate so they can focus just on the new baby when it comes. I get it. But don’t flip out and make changes you can’t take back, like dumping your pet at the shelter, or banishing him to the backyard, or locking him away in a crate, no longer an intimate member of the family he loves. You do a great disservice to the baby and dog both by giving them no chance to know and love each other and to grow together. Dogs love babies. Babies love dogs. Keep your new-parent fears in check, and you’ll see. Pets and babies is a beautiful thing.

“It Won’t Listen To Me.”

You can prevent this excuse popping up down the road if you properly train your pet from the beginning. When you first adopt or rescue your pet, use your skills to teach the pet proper behavior so that down the road he doesn’t end up in the shelter because he barked too much or jumped up on you one too many times, or didn’t use the litterbox, etc. If he’s your first pet and you’re not familiar with training, then get both of you into classes from the get-go. You can find trainers everywhere for reasonable prices, or classes at Petsmart; and, if cost is an issue, there are even tons of training videos on youtube for free. Abandoning your pet because it wasn’t trained is NOT an acceptable excuse. It’s too easy to get him properly trained, unless you just don’t give it enough importance.  And, of course, we know that would never be the case.   🙂

Bottom Line ~ It’s On You.

The theme throughout this brief post is that, whatever the challenge, it’s on you, as your pet’s loving caregiver, to ensure that he is included in big family decisions and changes. Don’t lose sight of his place in the family. I know that big events are life-altering and frightening sometimes, but keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine. The pet should not be seen as a liability when life changes–that’s still the same pet you have loved and cherished all along. Don’t leave him behind anymore than you would leave one of your kids behind. Protect those bonds, protect his place in your home and family and life and heart. Think of this–if the tables were turned, your pet would never leave you. A promise is not negotiable to a pet.

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post A Promise Is Not Negotiable To A Pet. appeared first on BareFootPets.