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.

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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.

 By Maureen Mackey | Fox News

A Rhode Island pooch who inspired people by making her way from shelter dog to lifesaving police K-9 — and who was the subject of a recent Netflix movie, out in March 2022 — has been euthanized, according to the Rhode Island State Police on Sunday.

K-9 Ruby was put down on Friday, the police said, following a “sudden, acute, and untreatable illness,” the Associated Press reported.

She “served admirably for 11 years,” the RI State Police also said.

Col. Darnell Weaver, superintendent of the state police, expressed gratitude for K-9 Ruby’s many years of service, the AP also noted.

“K-9 Ruby dedicated her life to serve the citizens of Rhode Island and make a positive impact on every person she ever interacted with,” Weaver said in a statement.

“She became a symbol of hope for all shelter dogs, showing the world what a shelter dog can do when just given love and the chance to shine.”  (emphasis added) 

Ruby served as a K-9 dog for the Rhode Island State Police for 11 years. She was once a hyperactive shelter dog who struggled to find a forever home. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Ruby was an Australian shepherd and border collie mix. Cpl. Daniel O’Neill, in need of a search-and-rescue dog for work, adopted her in 2011, according to the AP.

At the time, the active and rambunctious eight-month-old pup had been adopted and returned to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter by no less than five families.

THINKING OF ADOPTING A SHELTER DOG? WHAT YOU MUST KNOW

Shelter volunteer and dog trainer Patricia Inman recalled that Ruby was full of energy and needed an advocate to reassure staff that euthanasia was not the right choice for her.

Cpl. Daniel O’Neil of the Rhode Island State Police Department recalled earlier that Ruby was “determined” and “focused” during her K-9 trainings, which took place after he adopted her from a Rhode Island animal shelter. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

“[Ruby] was a total knucklehead,” Inman told the AP earlier, as Fox News Digital reported several months ago.

“She jumped and bit her leash. She wouldn’t sit or lie down. She just never stopped moving. She was special, and she needed a special person.”

In October 2017, O’Neil and Ruby found a teenage boy who had fallen into a ravine and remained unconscious.

O’Neil enrolled Ruby in a K-9 training course, where she reportedly graduated at the top of her class.

Ruby went on to serve as a K-9 dog for the Rhode Island State Police. She assisted in several search-and-rescue missions.

In October 2017, O’Neil and Ruby found a teenage boy who had fallen into a ravine and remained unconscious. Later, they learned the young boy was Inman’s son — who had been missing for 36 hours following his accident.

“I was beside myself and overwhelmed,” Inman told the Associated Press, recalling that incredible day. “So many things had to fall into place for this to happen … The universe works in mysterious ways.”

One commenter on YouTube said of the film, “Dogs are truly a gift to humans!! Back the Blue!!”

Ruby’s story and remarkable recovery skills made national news and captured the hearts of many Americans.

The talented K-9 was honored at the 2018 Hero Dogs Award ceremony hosted by American Humane; she won in the search-and-rescue dog of the year category.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Four years later, Ruby’s story was told in the Netflix film, “Rescued by Ruby,” released in March of this year.

One commenter on YouTube said of the film, “Dogs are truly a gift to humans!! Back the Blue!!”

Ruby lived with Corporal O’Neil and his family, the RI State Police also said in its statement.

Cortney Moore of Fox News Digital, as well as The Associated Press, contributed reporting to this piece.

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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 K-9 Ruby, Symbol Of Hope For All Shelter Dogs. appeared first on BareFootPets.

Every year, July 4th begs the discussion about pets and fireworks. It is common knowledge that animals are frightened by fireworks and, as a direct result of that fear, too often find themselves in harm’s way. Animals will jump fences, dig under gates, bolt out doors, pull away from their leash as owners walk them, even jump out of owners’ arms and run away.

They run out of fear with no idea where they are running to or what they are running from.  All they know is they need to get away from the frightening noises. They simply are reacting physically to sensory overload on their eyes and ears. And sadly, too often they end up at the county pound or subject to a multitude of other sad outcomes that could have been avoided by some very simple preparation. 4th of July does NOT have to be a threat to our pets. This post addresses both sides of the pets and fireworks issue, and offers a caring common ground for everyone. 

Suggestions For Pet Owners.

To help protect your pet from panic and dangerous reaction, you need to eliminate traumatic input to some of his senses–mainly eyes and ears. Try these simple but very helpful tricks. First, and super easy, remove the visual overload. Keep your pet in the house where he cannot see the fireworks in the sky or out on the streets. Close shades and doors. That’s it. You just took the most important step to protect him from running away, and eliminated the element of fear from his eyes.

Second, remove the sensory overload from his ears. Turn on music or a movie. Just your everyday, normal volume, and your usual go-to music or movies. Not blasting loud, either. You’re not trying to overpower the fireworks noise completely, and you don’t want to trade one loud problem for another. Normal volume music or tv will be enough to distract him from the scary loud noises outside, and it will begin to soothe your pet. If you prefer, turn on a fan, or run the laundry instead. You have now removed the element of fear from your pet’s ears. With considerably less sensory impact, your pet can now begin to calm down.

Third, and most importantly, keep yourself calm and act totally normal. To be clear, don’t just pretend to be calm–you need to actually BE calm. Pets know the difference. Deep, slow breathing will help you maintain your normal heartbeat and pulse. Your soothing energy will transfer to your pet as long as you’re not faking it. Also, don’t coddle your pet any more than usual. Over-comforting your pet actually tells him that he was right to be afraid. It may not make sense to you, but that’s how animals think. To be successful here, you need to think like your pet. Keep yourself relaxed and calm, and act totally normal, like it’s just another day.

Don’t go overboard talking high-pitched baby talk and “there theres” to him, and holding him tight, rocking back and forth. These moves on your part actually create more hysteria on his part, because you are confirming his fears, not reducing them. Go about your housework, laundry, meal prep, etc. Let him follow you around the house or hide, whichever he chooses. Even in hiding, he’ll feel your normal, calm energy and eventually tiptoe out of hiding. Give him a scratch or pat on the head as you usually do, or toss a toy with him, but keep it normal, don’t overdo the sympathy and attention.

The most important thing is for you to act normal. Your pet takes his cue from you, and acting normal will send your pet the message that he is safe and sound as always, and everything is indeed okay.

Suggestions For Revelers.

July 4th is an exciting day to look forward to. For the best outcome for everyone, be mindful of your neighbors and their pets. One easy and very considerate thing you can do is reach out to your neighbors BEFORE you start shooting off fireworks, just to give them a heads-up. That way they can prepare for it ahead of time instead of being surprised after the fireworks have already begun. This will help your neighbors best manage their pets’ fears, and keep everyone, including the pets, safe and at peace with each other, while you are now free to enjoy your celebration.

If possible, choose a place for your fireworks away from the neighborhood that doesn’t intrude too closely on your neighbors.  Do you have a neighborhood park or field nearby?  Maybe a school playground or empty parking lot?  If not, consider asking a friend or relative if you can shoot off your fireworks show at their home?  Of course, that assumes that your friend or relative doesn’t have neighbors with pets as well. The idea is to use your imagination and be willing to accommodate others around you for this brief period of time so you can celebrate freely and they don’t suffer any negative or dangerous impact.

Lastly, try not to draw your fireworks playtime on night after night. The ongoing stress puts pets at even greater risk for harm over an extended period of time. But, if you must, remember to give your neighbors a friendly and thoughtful heads-up. Simple courtesies we can give each other go a long way to build good will among us and our pets too.

Happy 4th Of July For All Of Us!

Enjoy Your Holiday, Everyone! God Bless America, And God Bless Us All, Including Our Beloved Pets!

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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 Both Sides Of The Fireworks. appeared first on BareFootPets.

I’m having a challenge with one of my newer rescue dogs that I’ve not encountered before. He does not consistently come when I call him. My usual training methods have made some headway, but I’m putting it out there and asking for your suggestions to see if we can move this along a bit more quickly. Please respond with your thoughts by using my Contact page?

Not Sure Why.

The issue is with Bandit, the little Dachsund/Terrier-mix pup that I pulled from the shelter just days before the home invasion (see previous post). So I can’t say for certain if this problem comes as a result of lingering trauma from the robbery, or if this is a problem he’s always had and maybe even that’s why he ended up at the shelter in the first place? At first I thought it might be the aftermath of the robbery, but now several months later, having observed more of his personality, I tend to think it’s something in his past. In any event, having a dog run away from you instead of coming to you when called is a really big no-no, so would love your input to help me get him straightened around, ok.

So Bandit is a total lovebug. He gloms onto me like a hemorrhoid and doesn’t let go. He’s happy, carefree, and relaxed all snuggled up to me … until I ask him to come with me. To go pottie, to get a treat, to answer the door, doesn’t matter. He’s stuck to me like glue till I ask him to come. Then he runs and jumps on my bed–his safe place–and no manner of begging or bribing will bring him to me. And, to make it worse, if I follow him to the bed, he pees. If I pick him up, he pees. Even if I’m bringing treats. He’ll take the treat, but he still pees.

Because of the peeing, he now has to wear a diaper, which as you may recall from my last post, I have agreed to call a “toolbelt” because he feels that’s more manly. He will go out the doggie door all on his own to pottie — sometimes. Other times he opts to just pee on the kitchen floor instead. No idea why he gets it right only sometimes.  And if going out the doggie door is my idea, oh God forbid no.  He runs to my bed and hides.

Why Do I Do What I Do?

These are some real contradictions in personality, so it can be tough to figure out how to approach it. It seems obvious to me that trust has been broken for Bandit somewhere along the way in his life. The very first couple of weeks after I rescued him, he was afraid to eat his meals unless I stood away from him. He always looked guilty and on edge whenever he ate, like he knew he was about to get in trouble for something. If I approached or walked past him, he ran away. If I reached down to pet him, he flinched and ran. And once he runs away, he will not come back at any urging. He only returns when I leave the area and he feels the coast is clear. Then he sneaks out again to eat.

So I get the distinct impression he’s been scolded and perhaps even roughed-up in the past for something to do with food. Now, though, several months later, he doesn’t react that way much anymore. Still, it gives me a little insight as to what his history might have been before he came to my house. The unfortunate result of his former life, however, is that now I have a great little dog with some bad habits–running away and sneaking around.  And neither is acceptable behavior.

Are We There Yet?

Fortunately, Bandit is very food-driven, and he has started to respond to treats. When it’s time to saddle him up in his toolbelt so I can go to work, he still runs to my bed and hides his head under his blankie. I now follow him to my bed with a treat and the toolbelt and a relaxed, non-disciplinary energy.  I love him all up and put the toolbelt on him while he’s still up on my bed. Then he gets a treat and more praise and loving, all while still on my bed. He enjoys that and is beginning to respond with a measure of trust and confidence. So that’s a bit of progress .. although he still dribbles a little. But we’re getting there, I have faith.

I believe this little fellow may benefit greatly with some focused agility training. He’s amazingly smart and quick and agile, he runs like the wind, and is very eager to please–most of the time. But I hesitate to begin classes until we master the basic goal of consistently and reliably coming when called. I mean, how embarrassing would it be to be that owner chasing her runaway dog all around the arena while the other dogs are all sitting quietly, perfectly behaved, and rolling their eyes at Bandit and me. Yeh, I’d rather not.

So, even tho I feel like I’m on a good track with my training, I look forward to your added suggestions. Whatever moves Bandit along toward better behavior and trust, I will happily implement. Please submit your comments via my Contact page. Many thanks!

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 Readers Give Me Your Thoughts Please? 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.

“IT” is what people call their pets when they stop loving them. When their hearts make a shift from loving their pet unconditionally as a treasured family member to feeling inconvenienced by the pet and seeing it as a nuisance, and basically wishing the pet would go away. This typically happens when the person experiences a change in their life circumstances (see list below). And the person starts feeling like the pet is in the way and doesn’t fit into the picture anymore.

Or it can be that someone around the pet owner is trying to influence them to give up the pet and is putting pressure on them, even tho the pet owner doesn’t want to give up his pet–like a new fiance or spouse, who has other plans for their life together and doesn’t want the pet in it.

If you ever notice your thoughts or conversations starting to sound like this, BEWARE. Your beloved pet’s time with you just ran out. His wellbeing is now in danger. Because, when a person starts to see their pet as “IT” and no longer calls him by his name … it won’t be long before they kick him to the curb. And they’ll be able to come up with 90 excuses to justify it. I’ve even listed some of the “usual” excuses here–the ones we in the rescue community hear over and over, every day, day in, day out, blah blah blah. Pick one.

Okay, so that sounded totally judgmental, and I apologize. The purpose of this post is in fact a positive and uplifting one: to help you navigate your way through these thoughts and feelings if they ever happen to you, while still keeping your pet’s wellbeing in mind. We know that life can change on a dime, and sometimes it’s true–pets cannot always come along. But we want to show you that, with a little planning ahead and a true commitment to keep your promise to your pet, you can make the transition without betraying his trust in you, and without leaving you guilt-ridden in the wake of a failure to protect him. This is what we’ll call your “final great and loving gift” to your pet.

How Do We Keep the “IT” From Happening To Us?

Unfortunately, there’s not an easy answer to that question. Human nature is kind of out of our control. Chances are the “IT” will happen to you. There’s no guilt in that. The fault will lie in how you handle it. If indeed your pet cannot come with you for this next chapter of your life, then it’s on you to do everything in your power to get him safely placed into a loving home for the next chapter of his life. He deserves it as much as you do.

The first moment you sense or have actual confirmation that things are getting ready to change, and your pet won’t be included, IMMEDIATELY begin planning for his safe placement into a new home, even if you have months ahead to plan, because finding the perfect home can indeed often take months. And every moment during that time is a gift that you want to use wisely. DON’T WAIT A MINUTE. That’s the biggest, most fatal mistake people make–waiting till it’s too late.

Get A Jump On The Clock!

When the clock runs out and nothing has been done yet to find the pet a home is when people just drop the pet off at the shelter on their way out of town. BAD BAD BAD. Shelters are too busy to advocate for every pet that comes to them, and there is no guarantee they’ll find your pet a home, and a real good chance he’ll be euthanized when the shelter no longer has room to keep him. Even if your pet is a purebred or the cutest little pup or kitten that ever lived. Doesn’t matter–shelters operate according to cost and space. That’s it.

Enlist the help of a local rescue organization, your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, social media. Get the word out that your pet needs a new home. Ask everyone. And, if a stranger agrees to take your pet, be sure to request a home inspection. It’s perfectly reasonable–and responsible–to want to see where your beloved baby will be living and to ensure that it will be safe and sound with the new family. So get to know them and make sure the pet seems comfortable with them and not fearful. If your pet seems fearful or just doesn’t like them, DON’T leave him there. Thank the people nicely and let them know you’ll be in touch when you make your decision. Trust your pet’s instincts, even if it’s inconvenient for you.

Also, request a nominal adoption fee–even if only $25. If someone flinches at $25, then chances are they won’t buy good food for your pet, either, or give it veterinary care when needed. Again–“your final great and loving gift.”

You don’t want the precious pet you have loved to end up in a filthy, unsafe home, or left out in a back yard without shelter, or without good food and water, or basic veterinary care, or emergency veterinary care, or worst of all, without love and being part of a family anymore. These are the things you want to be sure to find for your pet before you let him go. Remember–“your final great and loving gift.”

See My Upcoming Post “Out-Strong The Excuses” Syndrome.

In this upcoming post, I’ll address the excuses listed in the photo above, to give you perspective and encouragement for finding your way through the feelings of giving up on your pet; and also, and even better, to figure out how to maybe keep your pet with you through the upcoming change. IT CAN BE DONE. Most importantly, keep your commitment of love in the front of all decision-making, and you and your pet should come through it all just fine.

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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(TM) (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 BEWARE OF “IT” appeared first on BareFootPets.

Okay, on now to our match-making discussion.

How Do I Find The Ideal Match In A New Pet?

You’re thinking about getting a new pet and want to make sure you choose the right one. What are the most important things to look for? You’re tempted to buy from a breeder, but then you think about how many rescue pets at the shelter are just begging you to give them a chance and tugging at your heart. How do you decide?  There’s a lot more to consider than just how cute it is or how young it is, its pedigree, or even how desperate a shelter pet may be.  Before you can match yourself with the right pet, you need to answer some important questions – about yourself.

First, Check Your Budget.

Can I afford it?  There are financial costs that come with being a good pet parent. Food, dog tags, grooming, bedding, toys, training, veterinary exams, sometimes medications or surgeries if it has a health issue, cleaning supplies, petsitting if you need to be away and can’t include him, …  Go over your budget and be very sure you have discretionary funds enough to care for a new pet without cutting corners or neglecting its care.

Also, don’t forget this – some pets cost more to care for than others. For example, your food bill for a large dog is going to be a whole lot more than for a small dog. And grooming costs for a high-maintenance pet are much higher than for a lower maintenance pet. And if you want to provide them a good diet instead of bottom-shelf brands, be sure you figure that into your budget as well. You can be an excellent pet parent on a modest budget, but you still need to factor in those costs.

Be very honest with yourself — if you want a pet but can’t afford vet bills when they get sick, or annual vaccinations, or good food, do you believe that you’ll be giving that pet a good life?  If you have crunched the numbers and are confident that you have room in your life and bank account to give a pet a good life, whether modest or lavish, then let’s go find your ideal match!   🙂

So Many Breeds ~ How Do I Choose?

Most people don’t consider how certain breeds of cats and dogs will fit into their family and home. They see a darling little Maltese or Shih Tzu in the window and just can’t resist taking her home and dressing her up and cuddling with her and showing her off.  Or a gorgeous German Shepherd that might make a great watch dog for your home. Resist the “impulse adoption” until you know more about the pet. It’s important first to study up on different breeds and find out what it takes to care for them – and care for them well.

If you take that little Shih Tzu home on a whim, are you prepared to groom her appropriately every single day for the rest of her life? Because once a week or once a month and certainly once a year is NOT enough.  And give her lubricating eye drops every single day to protect the health of her eyes, even if she hates it and fights you?

Different Breeds Need Different Parenting.

Are you willing to spend time every day with your new Border Collie teaching him and training him in agility courses, etc.?  And to spend time exercising him every day to burn off pent-up energy? Because Border Collies are incredibly smart and active, and become bored quickly. If you’re not on top of his daily training and exercise, he can become neurotic and develop bad habits because of it. You don’t ignore a pet anymore than you would ignore a child, no matter how tired or “not in the mood” you may be. If you’re not up for making their every-day care a priority, then a high-maintenance breed is not a good match for you.

Same thing with Persian and Himalayan cats.  They are crazy gorgeous animals, and most people are captured by their beauty.  But they come with a lot of responsibility. Grooming and health care is a conscientious, EVERY-DAY commitment. If you’re the kind of person who may tolerate that in the very beginning but then start to resent the time it takes, then you absolutely should NOT get a high-maintenance dog or cat. Because think what will happen to that pet if you decide you don’t want to be bothered anymore?  You’ll take it to the shelter.  And there’s a really really good chance your pet may die there if it doesn’t find a new family willing to take on the commitment that you gave up on.

Don’t misunderstand me. The commitment of time and energy and money into your pet IS WORTH EVERY PENNY AND EVERY MOMENT, and pet parents love their pets deeply and don’t begrudge them their care.  But sometimes people don’t look far enough down the road to know if they’re making the right decision and to make sure their personality is suited for the long-term commitment.

How Active Is Your Family?

Is your family a bunch of go-getters, hiking every weekend, bike riding, swimming, road trips here and there, playing at the beach? Then a Border Collie or Jack Russell would be ideal for you, or a Boxer, or Beagle, or Golden Retriever. But definitely not an English bulldog, for example, who isn’t built to keep up with such high-energy activities, and whose inherent breathing challenges would put him at risk if pushed too hard. Your English Bulldog, or a Yellow Lab, would be perfect for a couch potato-type person; someone who watches a lot of TV, or works at home on the computer all day, or likes to read out on the patio on a sunny, breezy day, and prefers more leisurely daily walks around the neighborhood, or some light playtime tossing a chew toy.

You want to match your dog’s personality to your personality as best you can for the ideal relationship. Do you like to get down on the floor and wrestle with your dog, or just snuggle up with him on the couch? If you’re a low-key person, then a high-energy dog is going to get really bored really quick at your house, and now you’ve got a problem. And where will Fido end up if things don’t work out?  Yep, the shelter. Make sense? Plan for success.  Get familiar with the many different breeds by learning online – one great resource is the American Kennel Club website: www.akc.com. Its profiles include confirmation information – how the dog should be perfectly built – but you can skip over that and go right to the section about personalities, behavior, health issues, etc. Do your homework BEFORE going shopping for the pet so that you won’t be “talked into” adopting one that may not work out.

Will A New Pet Get Along With The Pets We Already Have?

If you already have other pets in your home, be sure that adding a new pet won’t ruin their quality of life and peace of mind.  Your first commitment to the pets already in your home should take priority and not be compromised. Making adjustments to accommodate a new pet is one thing, and that’s acceptable. But putting their welfare at risk is not. See my post at https://www.barefootpets.com/howmany/.

We Want To Rescue A Shelter Pet.

First thing I would say is God Bless You!  And also — how flexible can you be? Pets are usually turned into shelters because of bad habits. Their previous owner didn’t house train them, or litterbox train them, or train them not to jump up on people. Or maybe the dog is a barker, or maybe the cat won’t come out of hiding. If you’re flexible and willing to work with such issues, then probably you will have great success rescuing a shelter pet and giving him a better life. Or, if you have a picture in your head of the perfect pet and don’t feel that you can settle for anything less, or don’t feel equipped to re-train a pet with bad habits, then consider putting the new pet in professional training.

Certainly not all shelter pets have bad habits. Some are there because their owners left town and didn’t take them along. You could be getting a great dog or cat in that case. Go for it!  But let me tell you this — it can be a crap shoot whether you rescue from the shelter or buy from a breeder, so be prepared for that possibility regardless where you get your new pet.  And also know this – even if you get a pet that doesn’t totally behave or whose personality isn’t the best match with yours, you can still co-exist wonderfully, if you determine to make it happen.

The Most Important Ingredient.

Whatever you decide, resolve to give that new pet all the love you have in your heart.  With every bowl of food and treat you give her, and every stroke of the brush, care for her tenderly and diligently, and spend quality time with her every day. Remember – pets aren’t knick knacks that you just stick out in the yard or in a crate in the laundry room and forget about. They’re members of your family – always treat them as such.

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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 MatchMaking – Choosing The Right Pet. appeared first on BareFootPets.

This post talks to pet parents and rescuers alike. One of the toughest questions for a pet parent or pet rescuer to answer for herself is “How Many Is Too Many? Where do I draw the line?”  It’s a moral and emotional question that weighs heavy on the hearts of everyone who works hard to save the lives of homeless pets, always acutely aware that these precious little souls have no other hope than us. It’s never easy to answer, and more often than not, the answer is discovered through trial and error. The line usually must be crossed at least once, maybe more, and consequences suffered, before the line even reveals itself.

It becomes evident then how some rescuers end up on the 10:00 news labeled as hoarders and didn’t see it coming. A dedicated, well-meaning heart that couldn’t shut the door on a single life in need. After all, how do you tell one homeless pet to come in and live, and to the next pet in line, there’s no room for you here, knowing it probably will lose its life because you drew the line. This is a typical day in the life of a pet rescuer — tough business, even on a good day.

** Must-Haves For The Multi-Pet Home ** 

So, if you’re a pet rescuer, a foster, or just an individual pet parent wanting to grow your pet family, it’s critical that you achieve balance to avoid getting in over your head and compromising not only your existing pets, but your own wellbeing. The questions below are designed to help you focus on the big picture, and to use your heart and mind together to make the right decision for your home. As you answer each question, be painfully honest, as difficult as it may be. We’ll discuss each bullet point in detail below.

*** Am I experienced and capable enough to handle multiple pet relationships in my home?
*** Do I have enough square footage per pet so that I’m not over-crowding them?
*** Can I afford food, supplies, grooming, petsitting, and veterinary bills for another pet?
*** Will adding another pet compromise the comfort and wellbeing of my existing pets?
*** Will I be able to give equal time to a new pet without cheating my existing pets?
*** Will adding another pet upset the behavioral dynamic of my existing pet family?
*** Have I considered the ages of all the pets involved and the level of care they’ll need,
as well as my own age and how long will I be able to care properly for them?

** Houseful of Pets and Want to Keep It Smelling Ultra Beautiful? **
Here’s Your Answer!

The Number One Question.

I believe the number one question to ask yourself when considering adding another pet to your family is this — will it compromise the pets already in my home? If the answer is yes, then it’s not wise to add a new pet yet. Remember that your first responsibility is to the pets already depending on you.

Example: you really want a puppy, and you have an older dog in the home already. No problem, you figure, because you’ve got plenty of room, and you can afford it. You figure a puppy will brighten things up and be fun. So a new puppy joins the household. But — turns out the older dog can’t keep up with the puppy and gets frustrated or cranky; or maybe the puppy plays too rough and hurts the oldster; or maybe you just find yourself spending more time with the puppy because he’s more fun than the older dog. You become frustrated because you don’t know how to handle the contentious dynamic between the two dogs.

Next thing you know, you’re trying to find a new home for the older dog because he “can’t get along” with the puppy (as if it’s his fault). You just compromised your older dog’s wellbeing and broke a promise to care for him forever. The older dog is not to blame that things aren’t working out — it’s your fault for creating the wrong environment. It’s always on you as the pet parent to make it work well. But it’s the older dog who will suffer in this scenario because of your faulty decision, because now he’s headed to a cold, scary shelter that he may never get out of, and losing the home and family he loves and trusts.

So always look down the road and use as much restraint as possible to see the big picture and make the right decision for the pets already in the house, to whom you’ve already made a commitment. Don’t put them at risk by making the wrong decision, no matter how well-intentioned it may seem at the time. Until you can answer no to the number one question above, the other questions don’t matter yet.

It’s Not Just The Number Of Pets To Consider.

There are numerous variables to consider when determining what type of pet home you will become. Alterations often need to be made to ensure that your home and yard and lifestyle will properly accommodate a specific number of pets. Let’s say you’re a big dog person. Carefully consider the space each large dog needs to be comfortable. But also consider their ages and medical needs, and how active they are. If they’re mostly young and healthy, and you have the indoor and outdoor space available, then drawing your line at, say, five dogs might seem reasonable. If, however, you have big dogs who are older and need a higher level of care, which means higher veterinary costs, more time needed to care for them and comfort them, then you should draw your line at a much smaller number.Also consider the breed you’re interested in — a border collie is infinitely more active than a bulldog and will for most of its life need activities to keep him focused and happy.  Labs tend to become couch potatoes as they mature, while Boxers will always remain childlike and playful. Be sure to match the breed to your other pets’ personalities, and also to your family’s personality. Mismatched pets all too often end up in shelters through no fault of their own.

Another scenario – you want to really get involved in rescue and make a big difference by rescuing as many as possible, but you have a small home. Then consider smaller dogs, or cats. Obviously, most homes can accommodate more small dogs than big dogs. But also consider this: with each pet you rescue, be very mindful of the costs that each pet brings with him. Veterinary, food, grooming, training, petsitting costs — can you afford it?

Okay, I’ve Decided To Get Another Pet. What Else Must I Consider?

Now that you’ve got a picture in mind of what type of pet you want, you need to start looking at personalities. That is a huge deciding factor in how successful you will be at pet parenting. If your home is filled with pets who can’t get along, who bully others, who pick fights, or are afraid and never come out of hiding, and you’re not experienced to managed those relationships, then you’re not doing those pets any favors by taking them in. Rescue isn’t just about saving animals’ lives, it’s about giving them quality of life.

Pet parenting is very similar to child parenting. It’s on you to create and maintain a stable, harmonious environment in the home. If it’s not working in harmony, that’s on you to fix. There are many many resources to help you through tough moments that may (will) come. Your first response to conflict among your pets should never be to send a pet away, like sadly so many people do.

For every pet you bring into your home, you must consider how it will change all of the existing pet relationships. Consider it a trickle-down effect. If the presence of a new pet upsets an existing pet, the existing pet may take out his frustration on another existing pet, who may run and hide, and ultimately get picked on by the rest of the pets as well. Remember, dogs are pack animals. If one acts out, they all very well may do the same. If you are confident in your capabilities to handle such changes in stride, then adopt away!  🙂

If you’re new to pet parenting, then limit yourself for awhile to maybe just two so that you can grow into a competent pet handler. You could be a dog walker or petsitter for other folks in the meantime, to gain invaluable experience and still be contributing to pet welfare while you learn. Then, when you feel more ready, take on more pets as your level of experience increases.

Rescue Away!

The world needs all the pet lovers, rescuers, and pet parents it can get, Lord knows it does. And God Bless You for stepping up to get involved and help. Just be sure to prepare yourself properly ahead of time to be as successful as possible. Ask yourself the tough questions, be honest about your experience and capabilities, and how many pets you can honestly accommodate at one time.  And always feel welcome to “Contact Me” with any questions you have. If I don’t have a ready answer for you, I can find it.

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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 How Many Pets Is Too Many? appeared first on BareFootPets.