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.

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

Pretty much everyone has that one challenging person to gift at Christmas.  It may be your neighbors whom you don’t know all that well, your pastor, a far-away grandparent, even your wealthy boss who needs nothing you could possibly afford.  Or maybe you want to acknowledge people you don’t really know but who provide services throughout the year that you’d like to thank them for:  your grocer, postman, etc.

Make It Truly Count.

Whenever gift-giving seems frustrating and impossible, here’s the ideal gift solution:  Make a charitable donation to an animal welfare organization on behalf of that person.  This way, your money is put to use for the greatest good for animal welfare instead of being wasted on something the person probably doesn’t need or even want.  They will be honored that you’ve acknowledged them in such a kind and thoughtful way; you will get to claim the gift as a tax deduction; and the animals will receive the desperately needed benefit of your support.

Need Some Ideas?

Here is a short list of some very worthwhile animal welfare organizations that can really use your gift for the best of the animals.  And remember — every dollar counts, no gift is too small.  Once you’ve made your donation, all you need to do then is send your person a Christmas card letting them know a donation has been made — in their name — to the animal welfare organization you chose.

Mercy For Animals  (www.mercyforanimals.org)

Milagro Senior Pet Refuge  (www.milagropets.org)

American Wild Horse Campaign  (www.americanwildhorsecampaign.org)

Soi Dog Foundation  (www.soidog.org)

Alley Cat Allies  (www.alleycat.org)

No Kill Advocacy Center  (www.nokilladvocacycenter.org)

There are many more outstanding organizations advocating for animals. This short list can help get you started.

Merry Christmas and God Bless Your Giving!

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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 Christmas Giving To Bless Us All. appeared first on BareFootPets.

Angel Sitters Are Hard To Come By.

I once had a petsitter from Heaven. My pets loved her and she loved them. She followed instructions for their feedings and medications, she was always on time, she stayed awhile and gave special time interacting and loving on them. She was reliable, trustworthy, and on and on. We loved her. We needed her, and she was there for us … till she wasn’t. She retired about seven or eight years ago. It was devastating.

Angel sitters are really hard to come by.

Needle In A Haystack.

If you’ve read any of my other posts, you’ve figured out that I rescue senior animals. I am the Founder and President of Milagro Senior Pet Refuge. Naturally, then, I have a house full of senior animals with varying degrees of medical needs, and I knew it wouldn’t be easy to replace our angel sitter. This particular pet home comes with a lot of requirements and real dedication. I searched for years and years, but no one wanted the gig. Understandable.

I needed to travel back to the Midwest last Summer to visit family. There was no putting off travel this time. So I ramped up my search for a new petsitter. I spread the word through my rescue network, I joined several websites offering petsitting services, asked friends, relatives, co-workers, neighbors if they were interested in signing on or if they would at least help me get my request out. I interviewed at least a dozen potential petsitters. Although I found several qualified applicants, none of them wanted the level of responsibility that came with my houseful of senior rescue pets.

Right There All Along.

As I was thinking out loud and lamenting one morning to Kimberly my housekeeper as she worked, Kimberly said “Hey, you know if you’re really in a bind, I’m happy to help out.”  Funny, I had never thought to ask Kimberly about petsitting. The lightbulb came on. Kimberly has been my housekeeper for many years. She’s intimately familiar with my pets and our routine. She knows where everything is, she knows which pets have which ailments, she knows my pets all by name, and they’re comfortable with Kimberly and love her. She’s an animal lover and does a bit of pet rescue herself. She’s responsible, reliable, and best of all, we already have a longtime, established relationship built on trust. Kimberly was perfect! Why I never thought of her before, I have no idea. She was right in front of my eyes all along. Thank You, Jesus!

Peeky-Boo!  I See You!

It’s been almost a year now that Kimberly has been petsitting for me, and it’s going along beautifully!  A match made in Heaven. And something we have implemented that has added immensely to our ability to care for my pets while I’m away is that I have installed three security systems in my home, one of those systems being Canary video surveillance. I have multiple cameras staged throughout my home, so any time I’m away, I can view all activity, any time, anywhere in my home via the Canary app on my cell phone. It’s like being right there at home with my pets all the time.

So I know Kimberly’s comings and goings and I can watch her feeding and caring for my pets. And whenever she has questions, or can’t find something, I’m right there live to talk with her, even to tell her where Gabriel or Speedbump are hiding as she searches high and low, because I can follow them on camera as they tiptoe one step ahead of her from room to room, hiding in a kitchen cabinet or under a bed. It’s really pretty funny to watch.

Petsitting On Steroids!

Another vital benefit of remote video surveillance is that, if I should see one of my pets on-camera in distress in between petsitter visits, I can text Kimberly to go to my home immediately to tend to the pet so that it doesn’t suffer needlessly until the next scheduled visit. What a Godsend, having Kimberly and Canary. It’s like having my ears, eyes, and hands on my pets 24/7 even when I’m away. I cannot recommend it enough — do yourself a favor and get Canary. It’s Petsitting On Steroids!!

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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 Petsitting On Steroids! appeared first on BareFootPets.

Well, here I sit at home, self-quarantined because I woke up today with a sore throat and swollen glands. My employer has already closed the office and we’re all tele-working at home for the foreseeable future anyway. So it just makes sense I should write in the BareFootPets blog today about the corona virus, right.

Include Your Pets During Crisis Preparation.

There is no arguing that folks have gone crazy trying to prepare during the corona virus crisis. Have you also taken action to prepare for your pet as well?  As more and more people are becoming quarantined, and are self-quarantining, be mindful that you also need to accommodate your pet’s needs.

Food.

Obviously you should ensure you have a good amount of your pet’s regular food on hand in the event you become unable to get out to shop for it later. If you are a late-comer to the preparedness stage of this crisis, don’t fret. You can easily feed your pet home-cooked meals until you are able to rebuild your supply of pet food.  Boiled chicken with rice and vegetables is always a big hit.  Use common sense when home-cooking for your pet — avoid spices, be very careful to de-bone completely, etc.

Supplies.

You should stock up on kitty litter, pee pads, prescriptions, supplements, water, … especially prescriptions.  Don’t compromise your furbaby’s health by allowing these items to run out. If you already are under quarantine and Fido needs a refill, call your veterinarian and ask if they can send refills to you by mail.  If mail is not a possibility, then pay by phone and ask a neighbor or friend to pick up the meds for you and deliver them to your front door where you can step out quickly and retrieve them.

Even if you are not a bottled water user, it’s always smart to have a couple of cases on-hand in case of emergency.  If your municipal water supply became tainted or in short supply, you would need bottled water to fall back on. This includes for your pets. REMINDER: keep your pet’s bowl and water supply fresh and clean–every day.

If pee pads are in short supply on store shelves, or you just need to tighten your spending for awhile, get creative again.  Just put down a trash bag and cover it with an old bath towel. This can act as a pee pad until the crisis passes and you’re able to get shopping again for the real deal. Same idea with kitty litter. If your cash flow or store supplies are low, just put some sand or dirt from your garden into the litterbox. Agreed, it may not be as fresh-smelling, but your kitty will be happy to use it until you can replenish your litter supply.

Exercise / Activity. 

Are you and Fido used to daily walks, but now you’re in quarantine?  You both can still stay active–just be creative.  Make use of your back yard to play fetch with a tennis ball, blow bubbles for him to catch, or just chase each other around.  You can get really creative and set up a make-shift obstacle course for him. How fun would that be!

If you don’t have a yard, you can make do inside your home, like chasing up and down a hallway, wrestling on the carpet, playing hide n seek under the bed blankets, chasing each other around the sofa, anything stimulating that will help to get both your pet’s and your heart rates up for 20 minutes or so a day.  Your pet will love the new mix-up in recreation too. Just don’t let yourselves get bored and lazy. Those are hard habits to break.

Companionship.

This is where your pet shines!  If you become quarantined, whether mandatory or self, you might find yourself going stir-crazy at some point. Your pet will get you through it beautifully. He’ll be right by your side–thrilled to have you at home with him every day.  He’ll keep you company and lift your spirits. He’ll entertain you and keep you laughing. He’ll help you stay active. He won’t even care what you’re doing, as long as he’s with you, whether curled up sleeping or reading a book, or rolling around with him on the floor. And he won’t make fun of your “bed-head” … or maybe he will. He will infuse your home with joy and love.  Doesn’t get any better than that.

As Long As You’re Focused.

Most of the ideas above are simple little no-brainers. As long as you’re paying attention and focused on taking care of everyone’s needs, including your pet’s, you’ll be fine.  And remember to be creative and stay active, intellectually and physically. Lastly, if you do find yourself quarantined, count your blessings for the precious little furry soul happily sitting at your side. God’s gift in the middle of the storm.

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 The Corona Virus. appeared first on BareFootPets.

All my life I’ve rescued animals. I’m hard-wired for it. It’s all I know. Couldn’t stop if I tried. And that’s my dilemma. Having devoted the best and most years of my life to saving animals’ lives in volume, I’ve grown to an age where I no longer can keep up the pace. I have to make peace with this reality and learn to start saying no. This is turning out to be the toughest lesson of my life.

Because when do you decide to stop? This is life we’re talking about. With all the precious little lives in line at your doorstep in desperate need of refuge, at what point do you say ok you are the last one in, the rest of you don’t get saved? I don’t have it in me to shut the door. But still I have to – I have to figure out how. And to do it without the gut-wrenching guilt that hits me point-blank in my heart when I even think about quitting rescue.

For starters, I need to recognize that I am not the only person in the world who rescues – there are many others who have the same heart and dedication. And even more will come. Once I can get that through my head, I should be able to move forward … I think.

So I’m trying to approach the concept in baby steps. Instead of just quitting cold turkey, how about just cutting back a little?  And as I make that adjustment, assuming I do, then maybe I can cut back a little bit more. After all, I know me — I could never stop entirely. God forbid I ever start living my life selfishly.

Why Is It Important To Plan Ahead? 

One of the reasons it’s important to reduce my involvement in pet rescue at this stage of my life is when I consider what will happen to the pets in my home when I pass?  What will become of them, and the promise I made to each of them that they will always be safe and cared for? Can I trust the folks that step in and close out the details of my life to also care thoughtfully for the pets I leave behind? One thought that hits me quickly is the fewer rescues I have at that point, the easier for folks to find homes for them when I’m gone. Makes sense — placing a dog and two cats at one time is easier than placing ten dogs and 17 cats.

I’ve seen over and over and over again the backwash of broken promises and lives lost because there was no planning ahead, and no one willing to pick up the baton when a pet rescuer passes. Time and again the animals are left wallowing alone inside the rescuer’s home, often without food and water, until someone is forced to “deal” with them so the house can be sold. Then they get dumped at shelters because there is still no one to be bothered to love and care for the little souls left behind. It’s bad enough they’re suffering the loss of their beloved human, and now they’re tossed like garbage, probably for at least the second time. They were, after all, rescued to begin with. God bless them, they go from treasured to trash in the time it takes their rescuer to breathe her last breath.

My Aha! Moment

I am the Founder and President of Milagro Senior Pet Refuge. I still run the day-to-day operations, and I still have rescue seniors in my home. But about two years ago, I woke up to the need to get my rescue affairs in order. After decades of watching senior pets be abandoned when their rescuer or owner passes, and everyone offering up excuses why they can’t possibly be bothered to take the poor babies, I realized I want to be the exception.

But I couldn’t get past the guilt that would tie me in knots every time I tried to say no to a new rescue. I always ended up still taking them in.

Then it dawned on me – I could transition from fostering to networking. This way, I’m still advocating and saving homeless pets. But, by networking, I’m finding other homes for them. This way, I can satisfy my heart that I’m still helping, and at the same time I keep the number of pets in my home from going up. Also, now when a rescue pet that’s already in my home passes, I don’t go out and fill that spot like I used to. So my numbers are beginning to come down now naturally and somewhat comfortably (as in less guilt) to a more manageable level for my age, without me feeling as if I’ve given up on my heart’s work.

Let This Be My Legacy

No doubt I will always struggle with guilt – because, after all, the need for rescue is so profoundly great. But, by networking, at least I’m still in the game, and pets are still being saved on my watch. And when I do pass, I pray that those who have promised to care for the handful of rescues I have left will come through for them, and love and cherish them as I did. And I pray that my little rescue organization, Milagro, carries on and keeps saving the precious little souls that come to us for help. That’s the happiest legacy I can hope for.

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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 Planning Ahead And Winding Down appeared first on BareFootPets.

Your neighbor is neglecting his dog. He leaves her out in the yard 24/7, in all kinds of bad weather, no shelter, no bedding, no toys, water dish is empty, pigeons are eating what’s left of her food, he doesn’t spend time with her or even check on her, she may be chained up and unable to move around just to go pottie, he doesn’t even leave a light on at night for her. Poor dog has no quality of life and may even be in poor physical health for all the neglect. Do you speak up?

Short Answer?

Hell Yes!! Get Involved!! You may very well be the only person to ever come along and help this poor little soul. She could spend the rest of her life hidden away, suffering, if no one sees and no one helps. You could be the angel who saves her. But don’t let your anger lead the charge. Hear Me Clearly–to be successful, you must do it with good sense and with kindness. Yes, kindness.

Use Your Compassion Sensibly.

First, restrain your anger, because no doubt you’ll be feeling a lot of that, and with good reason. But remember–your first concern must be for the dog–not just her current situation, but what will that owner do to her if you complain? Too often, if someone is already severely neglecting an animal, they may not think twice about “getting rid of her” altogether at the first signs of interference. Still, you have to try. You may be the only help she gets.

Kindness, Not Anger.

You don’t want your personal anger to stir up trouble and make the situation worse for her. So, regardless the anger you probably feel, you need to count to ten and tread lightly so as not to endanger the dog further. Even though you feel justified and you probably would be justified morally, it’s not as easy as just walking her out of that situation. There are legal issues, and emotional issues too.

Always approach such situations with kindness and compassion. You must dig deep and find a way to set aside your emotions and personal opinions in order to advocate wisely for the dog. If you can express your concern genuinely and with a spirit of kindness, it will show. And the dog’s owner is less likely to feel threatened by your intentions. Also understand and be prepared for your “intervention” to be a process that takes some time to resolve. Patience and grace are called for in these situations.

NEVER EVER JUDGE.

Try not to have any ill will toward the dog’s owner. If you approach this person in anger and with accusations, you’ve lost the battle right there, and now the dog could be in imminent danger. Remember–this is not about you and your anger or even about being right. It’s not. But it IS about saving the animal. So stay focused on that and you’ll do fine. Find out what you can about the situation. There could be more to it than meets the eye, and your rush to judgment may be misplaced.

How the owner responds to you when you approach them can depend a bit on the relationship you may already have with them. If you’re on cordial or friendly terms, you may be able to approach them in a spirit of compassion and wanting to be helpful. Maybe they have something unpleasant or difficult going in their lives and perhaps they might welcome your offer of help. In that case, simply offer to care for the dog for awhile, or to find the dog a new home long-term if that might be what they need, or maybe offer to just provide some food or cash for veterinary bills, vaccinations, etc.  Maybe they’ll agree to let you take her out several times a week for walks to keep her social and happy.

The Owners May Be Suffering, Too.

Although it’s not an excuse, it can be the reason. Oftentimes, if people are struggling with family or financial issues, they’ll be grateful for your gesture, as long as it’s given in kindness. In that case, by offering your help, you become a good samaritan for the whole family. On the other hand, the owner may not have any compelling excuse for neglecting his dog, and he may just be a total jerk. Still, be kind, don’t provoke. Focus on getting the dog safely away from him.

Helping out in small ways initially can build trust and ensure the dog’s safety until you’re able to progress with the dog’s owner toward finding a more permanent solution. Use your instincts and, as I’ve already said, always speak and act out of kindness.

What If The Situation Is Critical?

If the dog is already in grave danger, then building trust slowly isn’t going to work. You need to act quickly.  If you’re comfortable enough talking with the owner and asking if they’ll turn the dog over to you right then and there, by all means give it a shot. If you don’t know how they would respond, or perhaps you’ve already tried unsuccessfully to talk with them, then you’ll need to engage authorities.

Contact any animal welfare agency and ask for assistance. If you don’t get responses right away, and you’re certain the situation needs to be dealt with here and now, then call your police department and ask them to escort you to the property to do a welfare check on the dog. An officer can help you reason with the owner and hopefully convince them to turn the dog over to you.

Document Your Complaint.

Also, if possible, take photos of the dog and its living conditions. Photos that show the neglect. Show these to the officers if the owner refuses to give access to the dog. Trust the officers to intervene–they’re trained to deal with all types of situations and personalities.

If the owner still refuses to turn over the dog after a visit from you and the police department, at least he knows now he’s being watched and held accountable. You may even want to let him know about the photos you took. That can be a very good thing, but it can also be a bad thing. Oftentimes, owners will ditch the animal and you’ll never know what became of her.

I’m Worried About Repercussions For Interfering.

If you think the neighbor would retaliate against you for “sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong,” then enlist the help of other neighbors. If a group of you steps up collectively, that would take the focus off you directly and also maybe open the dog owner’s eyes to how serious the problem actually is. Knowing he’s being watched closely on all sides at any hour of every day may reduce the chance he’ll take it out on the dog. He may even clean the yard up and start treating her better.

Or, if that doesn’t feel like an option, then lodge a complaint anonymously. If the dog owner is a renter, contact his landlord to report the situation. Or call the police department to report it as a silent witness and ask them to do a welfare check without giving your name. These are excellent options to protect your identity and still find help for the dog.

Whatever The Outcome … 

Human nature can be unpredictable. Having been involved in pet rescue for decades, I feel like I’ve seen the absolute worst of humanity, and not much surprises me anymore. Still, I like to believe that most people are good and will respond favorably to kindness and a compassionate approach. It’s a very fine line we walk when trying to advocate for neglected and abused animals. Just do your best, be patient, be kind, and beyond that don’t beat yourself up if the happy ending doesn’t come right away. You didn’t do this to her–leave the blame where it belongs, be faithful, and just keep trying.

Good Luck and God Bless for stepping up for an innocent life that might have no chance … but for you.

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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 Do I Speak Up Or Stay Quiet? appeared first on BareFootPets.

March 13, 2018.

It’s late in the evening now, and all my pets are quiet, as am I.  It’s been a long, tough, emotional day. I am drained.  And it’s going to take a good while to process.  We’re piled on the sofa together, sitting quietly with each other, already missing the one that isn’t there with us.

My little Mia Bella died this morning, at 7:30am, just as the sun came over the mountain. I was holding her in my arms as if protecting her, shielding her from the darkness of death. But it was her time, and the circle of life was going to take her, regardless my passionate prayers. Thankfully, it was the grace of God that Mia Bella’s passing was peaceful and serene–almost a beautiful gift in a very dark moment.  I thank God for that.  I thank God that she’s happily in His arms now, that He answered my prayer to take her gently when it was time. I had known for a short while that her heart and kidneys were failing her, and you’d think that knowing her life was ending would have prepared me. Still, when the final moment comes, it hits you in the chest like a bus.

Mia Bella had awakened me at 4:00am to go pottie. Even in her final hours, she was neat and fussy. But, after her pottie, when I lifted her from the litterbox, she gave me the look … the look I had been dreading. And I knew it was time. I wrapped her in my arms and buried my face in her long, silky fur and we crawled back into bed together. I sat holding her in the night, unconcerned with time passing or the sleep I was missing. This was Mia Bella’s moment, and I was not going to rush her. She was very much at ease, her breathing comfortable and even, and she was lying quietly, just looking up at me. We held that way for several hours. Sometimes I prayed, sometimes I talked to her, sometimes I cried, most of the time we were just quiet together.

When the light of morning started slipping through the window shades, I carried Mia Bella out to the back yard. She loved the sunrise, and to watch the birds flutter at the bird bath every day outside our kitchen window. We would make that a part of our last day together now. The morning breeze was soft and touched her fur lightly as if welcoming her to Heaven, and she looked up at the sky, blinking at the sunlight as she lay safely cradled in my arms … one of many very tender moments that I’ll hold fiercely onto forever.

I offered her some water in an eye dropper to wet her lips, but she refused it this time. Her moment was very close now.  I stayed wrapped around her as close as I could be, knowing I had to let go soon, but not sure if I could.  And at 7:30, still cradled in my arms and with the morning sun lighting up her beautiful face, my precious little angel looked up at me again and took a couple of final gentle breaths, then relaxed. And just like that my Mia Bella was gone. And my heart was shredded. And I cried like a baby.

The Price Of Love.

I read somewhere that grief is the price of love. I know this to be true. I started Milagro Senior Pet Refuge in 1998.  Here, 20-some years later, many many seniors have died in my arms. I’ve been blessed and profoundly humbled to hand each one of them from my arms into God’s arms where they belong. What a gift … to be there with them at their final and most private moment. I have never taken that lightly nor have I ever shied away from it, even in the face of how dearly the loss of each life has cost me. I have given up a piece of myself to each little life as it passed through my hands. It never gets easier. I struggle with each loss very personally. They aren’t just rescues–they are my heart, my family, my loves. I grieve for each one, and I try to allow the passage of grief to take its course freely and fully without any shortcut.   

The End Of Your Pet’s Life.

Their passings aren’t always peaceful and gentle, tho, as Mia Bella’s was today. Oftentimes, they’re gut-wrenching and tragic and unfair. But still I resolve to be there for them at that moment–maybe even more so in this moment when they need to feel love the most.

This is a very personal issue–not everyone is able to stand in the gap for their pet between life’s final moments and death.  God happened to hard-wire me that way, so I ask no questions. I only embrace it, even tho every death tears me apart. For me, even though it’s a two-edged sword, it’s still a gift. But in no way do I judge anyone who can’t bring themselves to take part in their pet’s passing. Each of us must find our own way to navigate through losing our pets, and to make the hard choices free from pressure by anyone other than yourself. For me, I am there all the way. And for me, I believe without a doubt that I am able to continue rescuing after suffering loss because I’ve learned to allow the grief process to work without being afraid of it.  And, more importantly, I believe in God and Heaven, so I know that this isn’t really the end of love.  I will see all these little faces again, every last one of them. 🙂

Assisted Death Or Natural Passing.

For me, I am also not reconciled to euthanasia. I don’t believe I have any right to decide when another living being dies, and I cannot bear the thought of drugs running through my pet’s veins and stopping her heart against her will. I also see that, far too often, euthanasia is used prematurely, more for the comfort of the pet owner than for the pet. One important thing I’ve learned during my decades of rescuing senior animals is that it’s a rollercoaster–an emotional rollercoaster.  Because seniors can be humming along just great, happy and relatively healthy, and then out of the blue have a really bad day, so bad that you think “Uh-oh, this is it.”  And this is when many folks rush the pet off to the veterinarian and have it euthanized. But, had that pet owner watched and waited another day–just 24 hours more–most times the pet will bounce back on its own and be humming along all happy and well again. Rollercoaster.  It’s hard to get used to initially, because for certain it can be a real emotional drain. But once you learn to read your pet’s signs, you’ll know when to pause and when to panic.

People generally feel strongly one way or the other about euthanasia. For me personally, every fiber of my being is against it. I don’t believe for a moment that I have the right to decide that another living being should die.  Having said that, there have been a handful of times over my many years in rescue when I’ve elected euthanasia under pressure and with great anxiety when a pet was in extreme distress. And it remains a burden on my heart forever after that, even when folks encourage me and tell me I did the right thing. In my heart, I regret it desperately and would give anything to go back and choose differently.

How Can I Know For Sure When It’s Time?

Another thing I’ve learned in decades of pet rescue is that the pet will let you know when it’s time.  Until I get that clear message from my pets, I continue to support them, regardless the level of care needed.  If they need me round-the-clock for however long, I’m okay with that. This is my promise to all my rescues when I take them in — “I will always take care of you–always.”  This includes all the tough moments and sacrifices. Up to and including saying goodbye at the Rainbow Bridge. I don’t stop supporting them when it gets tough.

Old age brings aches and pains in animals, just as in people. That’s not reason enough to have your pet euthanized yet. Pets can live with a degree of pain and discomfort the same as people do. Sure, it sucks, but that’s the circle of life. The gauge should be watching for the pet to tell you he wants out. It can be in his eyes–when that’s the case, it’s unmistakable and if you’re paying attention, you will have no doubt that it’s his time. Other times, the pet is in bad enough distress that it’s apparent he’s not going to recover, and his imminent death is going to be torturous unless you intervene. Times like these, the answer is clear for you. Still, you probably will struggle with it after he’s gone.

Omigosh, Why Am I Feeling So Guilty?

One thing about the end of your pet’s life–you’re going to feel damned if you do and damned if you don’t regardless how it plays out. It’s our human nature to question ourselves and feel like we could have or should have done something more, or something differently. Should I have euthanized him sooner?  Later? Or at all?  Was I listening, paying attention to what he wanted? Should I have let him die at home where he wanted to be, peacefully and surrounded by the family he loves and trusts, instead of taking him from his home and running him off to a place that was noisy and scary, and letting some stranger take him from me and end his life on a cold metal table? That kind of ending, to me, would completely undo the beautiful life I had given him. These are the questions that I struggle with. Be prepared for those feelings yourself and know that probably they are unreasonable and unfair to you. Chances are you’re doing all you can to keep your pet healthy and comfortable and loved. And you want to do right for him, not just what’s comfortable for you. Beyond that, be gentle with yourself.  You are not God.  We’re all in this together–the animals and us both.  Just let your love guide you and everything will ultimately be ok.

How Do I Decide And Who Can Help Me?

If you want to prepare yourself beforehand, talk with your vet.  Or look online for discussions on the topic of euthanasia to help give you a comfortable perspective and help you decide to use it or not to use it for your pet. Also, there are now veterinarians who will come to your home for euthanasia, so the pet doesn’t have to be disturbed or frightened in his last moments. That way, your pet can be where he feels safe and loved and at peace.  And that will encourage you and help to minimize your own inevitable suffering.  Again, I am not encouraging or endorsing euthanasia–I am simply acknowledging that it is an option people feel comfortable with. And, whenever euthanasia is being chosen, then I definitely encourage a home visit for it.

I wish for you and your pets a long and healthy and beautiful life together.  🙂

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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 The Price Of Love. appeared first on BareFootPets.

“Properly” is the key word. The ideal age to ween a puppy or kitten is still 12 weeks. Any younger than that, and you put its development at risk–no matter how careful you are. Newborns need Mama’s milk and her presence for those full 12 weeks to ensure their complete development. Mama’s milk builds the newborn’s immune system. Her presence makes him feel safe and secure, and she teaches him how to be a well-adjusted puppy or kitten, without any neuroses.

Before 12 weeks, the newborn is still too young to vaccinate. Without vaccinations yet, the newborn is dangerously susceptible to all manner of health hazards. The reasons to keep the baby with its Mama far outweigh any reason to separate him from her too early. (Obviously, in a rescue situation where Mama may no longer be in the picture, this discussion about weening doesn’t apply.)

Is It Okay To Take My Infant Pet Out In Public?

No No No!! If the little one is less than 12 weeks and hasn’t had its shots yet, you would be putting his tender life in danger by exposing to him to God-knows-what out there without the protection of even his first round of vaccinations. Catching a simple cold or intestinal parasite at his delicate age could literally put his life in danger. Even diarrhea can easily be fatal to a newborn pup or kitten.

For veterinary appointments during this period, KEEP BABY SEPARATED from other pets in the waiting room. They could be there for treatment of respiratory, intestinal, or any manner of infirmity that would be hazardous to your newborn.

Be the responsible and caring parent–Resist Resist Resist the urge to show the little one off until he’s physically ready. You can Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or text all the photos you want, but DON’T take him out in public until he’s old enough–12 weeks.

Can I Invite People To My Home To Meet The Newborn?

If you do invite folks to your home during baby’s first 12 weeks, be sure they don’t bring their own pets along, and limit people handling him. If you decide to allow someone to handle the newborn, ask them to wash their hands first, and definitely keep it brief. Over-handling the newborn can exhaust him and run his delicate immune system down, making it very easy for him to get sick.

Ideally, no introductions to anyone but family for those first 12 weeks. Sounds like overkill, but much better safe than sorry. You need to put the newborn’s development and his wellbeing first to give him the best start for his little life. Don’t put him at risk just because you’re antsy to show him off. That happy time will come soon enough.  🙂

What To Do If The Infant Starts To Fail.

If you’ve just brought an infant pet into your family, or are preparing for its arrival, here are some important supplies to stock up on: unflavored Pedialyte, Hills Prescription A/D canned food, eye dropper, sub-q fluids, and Vaseline. The A/D is a prescription food–you’ll need to request it from your veterinarian. Same for the sub-q fluids. And your veterinarian can show you how to administer sub-q fluids if you’ve not done it before. The Vaseline is for baby’s little bottom–to prevent chafing if he does get diarrhea.

Watch your newborn very very closely, 24/7, just as you would a human newborn. Stay alert for any signs he might not be feeling well. At the FIRST sign of loose stools or diarrhea, start giving him the unflavored Pedialyte through an eye dropper. This will ensure he stays hydrated, which is critical. If he feels poorly enough that he’s not eating, mix some of the A/D with Pedialyte to make it a bit runny, and hand-feed it to the little one using the eye dropper. This will keep him nourished as he works through the ailment. BE VERY GENTLE feeding him with the eye dropper so that you don’t force food or liquid down his throat wrong.

To ensure baby feels safe and secure and stays comfortably warm, tuck him inside your shirt where he can draw from your body heat, and feel your heartbeat, which will make him feel he’s in his Mama’s protective arms.

Call your veterinarian sooner than later to report the symptoms and get his or her guidance.

Enjoy Your New Infant Pet In Happiness and Good Health!

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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 Weening Newborns. appeared first on BareFootPets.

How can you help her feel better again? If you’re paying attention, you usually can spot something wrong before it becomes too big a threat to your pet’s health. Or you can spot an oncoming emergency in time to get her to the veterinarian and minimize any damage to her health. As soon as you notice that she’s just not herself, certainly first we need to figure out why she’s feeling off. Is it really just an “off” day, or is it something serious? Here’s a checklist to help you get to the root of the problem quickly. Does she have diarrhea, is she sneezing, is she dehydrated, are her eyes watering, does she have a rash on her feet and tummy, is she throwing up, is she lethargic, does she feel fevered, is her breathing fast and shallow, does she cry if you try to pick her up, etc.?

Interpreting The Symptoms.

Once you assess all the symptoms, you can begin to figure out the ailment.  If she’s throwing up, you need to know–did she chew on a toxic plant, ingest a household poison, swallow a foreign object, overeat at dinnertime? Look back over the previous 24-48 hours. Did you introduce a new diet or treat? Did you give her people food that she’s not used to? If so, then she may have a simple tummy ache. Watch her closely for awhile to see if it resolves on its own. If not, take her in to your veterinarian.

If she has diarrhea, perhaps it’s because of a new diet, food allergy, overeating, intestinal parasite, or even a thyroid imbalance. If your pet has diarrhea, then she’s also dehydrated. Diarrhea not treated for an extended period of time can take your pet’s life–this goes for infant pets as well as seniors. Never underestimate the importance of hydration. See paragraphs below for treatment. If you did in fact feed her people food or introduce a new diet too quickly, then probably no reason to panic. The upset tummy and diarrhea should resolve itself and she’ll feel better within 12-24 hours. Keep her hydrated in the meantime, and get her back to her routine diet. You know your pet–if your instincts tell you something more is going on, always err on the side of caution and get her in to your veterinarian right away.

If you’ve not made any changes in her diet, then it could be an intestinal parasite. Gather a stool sample and take it to your veterinarian for analysis. Intestinal parasites are treated with antibiotics and she should be good as new in a week or so. While this may not seem like an emergency, intestinal parasites left untreated can cause acute anemia in your pet. Also keep in mind that diarrhea can be fatal to your pet. Intestinal parasites are also contagious to any other pets in the home.

If the test for intestinal parasites comes back negative, however, then you should request your veterinarian draw a blood sample to look for other possibilities, for example a thyroid imbalance. Diarrhea can be a distinct signal of thyroid issues. If the blood test results confirm this, the problem is very easily treated with ear drops or a daily pill. See my video in the side panel “How To Pill A Cat.” Dogs, of course, are even easier to “pill.” Just wrap the pill in bacon or peanut butter or whatever–he doesn’t care.   🙂

Pet Poison Helpline publishes a list showing the many indoor and outdoor poisons to be aware of: http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poisons/. Examine all your houseplants–outdoor plants too, if she goes outside. Do any of the leaves appear to be chewed? Look through your house for any possible household poisons within the pet’s reach. Examine her toys–do any of them appear damaged and maybe the stuffing is coming out or pieces are missing? Are any of your socks or scrunchies missing? If you can answer yes to any of these, then feel her abdomen. Does she cry out or flinch? If so, then get her to the veterinarian ASAP. She may have swallowed a foreign object or be in toxic shock from a poisonous plant, and EVERY MOMENT COUNTS. Don’t waste any time — GO.

If she’s sneezing and her eyes are watering, maybe she has a respiratory bug, or simple allergies? If the nasal discharge is clear, then hopefully it’s just seasonal allergies. If it’s green and getting thick, then it’s more likely a respiratory virus. Either way, your veterinarian can advise you the proper treatment. Make an appointment to take your pet in. Doubtful it’s an emergency, but still not to be ignored. Plus, respiratory ailments are contagious to other pets in the home, so the sooner you get her treated, the better.

What about a rash? If your pet has a rash on her feet pads or tummy, it could be a couple of things. Outside: did you just fertilize your yard or spray weedkiller? As soon as she walks on it, or sits or lays, it could be irritating her skin. Keep her indoors for several days after these applications. Be sure the patio and sidewalks are hosed down to get rid of residue. Inside: what do you clean your floors with? If you use bleach or a harsh cleaner, that may be irritating her delicate skin and feet. Be sure you rinse the floor thoroughly after cleaning–twice to be safe.

What Do I Do?

First, be certain she’s kept hydrated. A great item to always keep on hand is unflavored Pedialyte. You can find it in the baby department of any grocery store or pharmacy. Or you can get it online from Amazon. See the icon below for purchase. Add Pedialyte to your pet’s water dish. If your pet is feeling poorly enough that she’s avoiding the water dish, then give it to her full strength from an eye dropper and start her on sub-q fluids. Continue this until you can get her in to your veterinarian. Once you get fluids in her, you’ll see her begin to perk up pretty quickly. If your pet is feeling rotten enough that she’s not even getting out of bed or sitting up, then definitely get her to the veterinarian sooner than later.

You can determine if a pet is dehydrated by pinching and lifting the skin between her shoulder blades or hips. When you let go, does the skin spring back to her body, or does it stay pinched and standing? If it doesn’t bounce back, then you have a dehydration problem. Be very mindful that dehydration can ultimately be fatal for any pet. You must act quickly to treat it. You can get the sub-q fluids and supplies from your vet, and they can also show you how to administer the fluids.

Whatever else you do, ALWAYS keep your pet hydrated. I have brought MANY of our rescue pets back from the brink of death with Pedialyte and sub-q fluids–seniors and infant pets as well. Too often, kittens and puppies are taken from their mothers much too soon (12 weeks is ideal, anything younger puts them at risk). An infant kitten or puppy can die very quickly of simple diarrhea and dehydration. If your pet has diarrhea, then she’s also dehydrated. Diarrhea not treated for an extended period of time can also take your pet’s life. Never underestimate the importance of hydration.

Second–don’t panic. Pets can have “off” days and feel generally poopie just like us. It may not be serious, BUT–on the off chance something is seriously wrong, DON’T ignore the symptoms. Keep very close watch and be prepared to act quickly if needed.

How Can I Know If It’s Something Serious?

Does she seem to be in acute distress? Is she crying, whining, breathing heavily, or breathing fast and shallow, is she shaking, is her abdomen tender to the touch, is she unable to stand, does she cry if you try to pick her up? These are signs of something very serious–get her to your veterinarian ASAP. It’s much better to rush her to the vet and find out it’s nothing serious, than to have ignored the signs and end up losing your pet for lack of timely treatment.

REMEMBER: the best thing you can do for your pet’s health is to PAY ATTENTION. If you catch something quickly, you can minimize the negative impact it might otherwise have on your pet.

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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 When Your Pet Doesn’t Feel Well. 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.

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

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.