Most of my posts are focused on indoor domesticated pets.  For this post, I thought it would be fun to change it up a bit and spotlight some of the unusual and unexpected visitors I’ve enjoyed in my humble Arizona backyard.  I keep fresh water and food out round the clock and, with all my giant shade trees providing much-needed relief from the Arizona desert heat, my yard has become the “go-to” spot in my neighborhood for all kinds of wildlife.  Here are just a few of the visitors that have come along and stayed with us awhile.  Click on each photo for its video.  Enjoy!?

LINUS THE LIZARD

June 2011.  Meet Linus the Lizard.  This big guy showed up on my block wall one afternoon.  Pretty much minding his own business, but freaked me out nonetheless.  In fact, I was shaking so badly I couldn’t hold my camera steady enough to get a good video of him!  Yes, I’m one of those scaredy cats.  Go ahead and laugh, I don’t care.  At least I got this great photo — isn’t he beautiful?  He’s about 15-18″ long.  Anyone know what type of lizard he is?  I did an online search but haven’t figured it out yet.  We’ll just call him Linus and leave it at that.  He didn’t stick around long anyway.  My yard was just a pit stop along his travels, it seems.  P.S.  I’ve just been told that Linus appears to be a juvenile Komodo Dragon which, when adult, can grow up to ten feet long and weigh over 400 pounds, can run up to 12 mph, are extremely poisonous, and they eat dogs, cows, pigs, etc.  YIKES!   Boy am I glad Linus didn’t decide to take up permanent residence in my back yard!!

VERN THE PRAYING MANTIS

May 2015.  Vern is a very friendly, cool dude.  So I’m sitting on the back patio enjoying the day, and along comes this really big green bug strolling up to my chair.  The big green bug stops and looks at me for a long minute, then hikes up my arm all the way to my shoulder and plants himself next to my chin.  As I sit frozen with initial misgiving, he relaxes and enjoys the sun on his face.  Satisfied with this vantage point, he eventually turns to me and winks and says “Hey Girl, how you doin’?”   Now somewhat more relaxed, I reply “Hey Bug, I’m doin’ good, wussup?”   Bug says “Oh, just chillin’ in this beautiful Arizona sun.”  So I say “Hey Bug, mind if I take your photo?”  Bug says “Thass cool, Girl, but let me primp a little first.  You know I gotta look ‘fly’ for the camera.”  It was a nice chat.

ALVIN MY ARIZONA SQUIRREL

Dec 2020.  Alvin is such a doll!  He hangs out in the “corridor” that runs between my back yard wall and the wall of the neighbors behind me. The tunnel is barely 6-8″ wide, but lets him travel the neighborhood safely hidden away from coyotes and owls. I give Alvin raw almonds every day, so he comes closer and closer to me as trust builds. This day I put lettuce out for the first time. It was a really big hit.  Alvin skipped right past the almonds and went for the green. Alvin is quite large, almost the size of my cats, and the most beautiful squirrel i’ve ever seen. His coat is bushy and luscious, almost fox-like. He’s a stunning fellow.  Fascinating how choppy and robotic his movements are.  Just another one of my beloved back yard buddies.?

QUENTIN THE QUAIL

May 2021.  Look at this stunning fellow!  My apology for the camera jitters. I was filming Quentin from inside my house, so had to set my camera on highest zoom, which is hyper-sensitive to focus and movement.  Even in spite of the technical challenge, boy am I glad I captured this big boy hanging out and ruffling his feathers like king of the hill.  So gorgeous!  And hear his song — magnificent vocals!  I gotta say — God has quite the imagination.  Has He done some glorious work on this earth or what. ?

MAMA BOBCAT AND KITTENS

Sep 2021.  I always check the trees before letting my small dog or cats outside, because my giant 30-40′ Eucalyptus tree is a favorite hiding place for certain predators:  owls, hawks, and most recently bobcats.  While standing at the foot of the tree and scanning the topmost branches this morning, I kept hearing a low, guttural growl.  What I hadn’t seen when I first walked up to the tree was a mama bobcat perched in the tree only seven feet above the ground, barely inches away from my face.  She was sitting very still, but warning me with her throaty deep growls.  Naturally, I became very still so not to threaten her further.  I looked above her into the outer branches and saw two babies.  She was hiding her kittens safely away so she could go off and hunt or take a much-needed mommy break.

I backed slowly away to a safe distance and then ran inside for my cell camera — was very lucky to capture a multitude of photos and videos.  Once I retreated inside and Mama Bobcat felt comfortable that I was not a threat, she left my yard, while the kittens remained high up in the tree.  So I called the Fish & Wildlife folks for guidance in the off-chance Mama might have abandoned the little ones.  They said to absolutely stay back and leave the babies alone, that almost guaranteed Mama would come back for them in about four hours or so.  It ended up being more than eight hours when she finally returned to collect her family and I could breathe again.  A very very memorable visitation to our home. 🙂

OLIVER THE OWL

Oliver is an enormous Great Horned Owl, and tough to photograph, because he perches so high up in my Eucalyptus, and hides cleverly among the branches and leaves.  I’ve taken many photos of him, but they all look like he’s just part of the tree.  If I ever manage to get a good, clear photo of this elusive fellow, I’ll post it here.  For now, he only gets honorable mention.

HERMIE THE HUMMINGBIRD

May 2021.  I had just filled the hummingbird feeder, and little Hermie was first in line to enjoy the nectar.  He was so excited and fluttering all around the feeder when he noticed my camera.  Apparently he was more curious about the camera for a minute than he was hungry for food.  I slowed the video so you can follow his movement.  Look at him come right up to my camera and check it out!  Maybe he’s welcoming you to his back yard.  Listen carefully and you can hear his wings fluttering — sounds like a miniature airplane. Fascinating, absolutely captivating. 🙂

KITTY CAT COLONY

2020-2022.  Over the past two years, I’ve had a number of cats come to my home looking for shelter and food.  Some are completely feral; others are strays that have been abandoned.  After the first litter of kittens, it became quickly apparent I needed to step up and start trapping these cats and getting them spayed and neutered.  So I hooked up with Animal Defense League of Arizona, and my little cat colony began.  First to be “tnr” was Chanel with her two little kittens, Calypso and JoJo Morelli.  My very first trap experience and it was a huge success — I was able to trap all three the same night, which was my goal.  I wanted to keep Chanel and her little ones altogether since the kittens were still pretty young. After they were altered and fully vetted and micro-chipped, I released them back into my backyard.  They have stayed in my backyard ever since.  My patio is their home base.

Once word got out around the neighborhood, other cats began to show up.  Big Daddy, a big orange tabby, is super super friendly and loving.  He’s obviously a stray someone tossed out — full of ticks and fleas, dirty dirty feet, and lots of scars, probably from being beat up by the ferals, poor sweet guy.  He’s so easygoing he kept walking back into the traps to eat the food and just hang out — I actually “caught” him three more times after I had already vetted and altered him!  It’s like he thinks the traps are forts to play in!  I adore Big Daddy.

Next is Tommy Boy the all-grey tomcat.  Tommy Boy is also most likely an abandoned house cat, because, although he’s a little bit nervous and keeps a very close eye out behind himself at all times, he’s mostly friendly and sociable too.  This video of him was taken before we knew he wasn’t really feral.  Calypso and Morelli were keeping a very close eye on him in the beginning, but they’re all fine with each other now. Tommy Boy loves mealtime — he takes his time and savors every bite. It can take Tommy Boy as much as 45 minutes for his first serving. After he finishes eating, he goes under the chaise lounge and stretches out and relaxes for about 20-30 minutes. Then he gets up and goes right back to the food bowl and eats again!  This is his routine every single night — hard to believe he’s not a fat boy. 😀

Lastly there’s Cognac, a two-tone brown striped tomcat that is most definitely feral.  He’s like smoke in the wind — no chance of getting my hands on him.   Also no chance of getting any video of him yet either, but will keep trying.

Fortunately, over the course of several months I was able to get them all vetted, altered, and micro-chipped.  Big Daddy has since moved on, and I miss that guy dearly.  Chanel doesn’t come around as often since I trapped her — pretty sure she’s still holding a grudge.  Everyone else, tho, still comes to my back patio for breakfast in the morning, naps during the day, and dinner in the evening.  The “kids,” Calypso and Morelli, stay all night on their favorite pillow, and most of the day playing with all their toys and climbing trees.

They all co-exist beautifully, and it’s a happy little colony.  Very glad I started altering them right away so that the colony isn’t getting any bigger.  Feeding and ongoing vet care gets pretty expensive.  But it’s so worth it.  Calypso and Morelli are almost completely domesticated now and spend lots of time indoors with us.  They love the air conditioning in the Arizona summers.

The Video That Got Away.

Early on when I first lived in this house, I was home one Saturday morning cleaning, doing laundry, and had all the doors and windows open.  It was a glorious Arizona day.  As I stood at the kitchen sink, I kept hearing a noise, like rushing wind, coming from outside my front door.  It wasn’t a very common noise that I recognized, so curious I went to see what it was.  Turns out it was one of the most breathtaking, spectacular scenes I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.  There, completely covering every inch of my tall, billowing Arizona Willow tree, from top to bottom, were thousands — literally thousands — of Monarch butterflies at rest on the leaves, apparently taking a break from their migration south!  And they just happened to have taken that break in my front yard!   As they fluttered their wings gently in unison, the tree appeared to tremble in its full cloak of brilliant orange.   I was spellbound, speechless, frozen in place at the door.  By the time it dawned on me to go get my camera and come back to film them, they were gone.  They had continued on their way toward the horizon.  I was so completely disappointed.  Doubtful a moment like that might happen twice.  As fleeting as the moment was, and although I don’t get to share it with you on film, I’m profoundly thankful to have experienced such an event in my lifetime.

Thanks for letting me share these little stories with you.  I will update this post as other new visitors come by to see us, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back periodically.  😀

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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 “Strange Pet Fellows.” appeared first on BareFootPets.

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

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

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

Going The Extra “Step”

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

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

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

No Slip-Sliding Away.

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

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

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

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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 For All The High-Flying Dogs. 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.

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

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

Betrayal Is Not An Option.

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

“My New Fiance Doesn’t Like Animals.”

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

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

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

“We’re Moving.”

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

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

“I Don’t Have Time For It Anymore.”

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

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

“We’re Having A Baby.”

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

“It Won’t Listen To Me.”

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

Bottom Line ~ It’s On You.

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

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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 A Promise Is Not Negotiable To A Pet. 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.

I can’t count how many veterinarian appointments I’ve been late to over the years and even had to cancel last-minute because my cat would run and hide as soon as I brought out the carrier. Murphy’s Law very reliably dictated that, if I had scheduled an appointment, kitty would hide herself away until we missed it. And, even when I was fortunate enough to retrieve her from under the couch, I couldn’t begin to stuff her into the carrier without being shredded. She was not having it, end of discussion.

Frustration, as it turns out, became the mother of invention for me. I was forced to come up with a way to successfully transport my kitty without her freaking out and me getting shredded, and maybe even be on time.

Let Her Think The Crate Is Her Idea.

I stumbled stupidly onto this theory and, sure enough, that’s all it took. It eventually dawned on me that I had to let her think getting into the carrier was her very own smart little idea. And turns out it was pretty darned easy to convince her. I started leaving her carrier out in the house 24/7 for her to start feeling comfortable with. I put catnip in it, her favorite toy, a really plush blanket for her to cuddle up on. The fact that the crate was available to her day in and day out to play in and nap in made it less threatening, and allowed her to become overall at ease with it. She could get in and out of it at her own choosing, which was important to her. She was no longer afraid of it.

Safe Space.

Eventually the carrier became her safe space. Once she started napping in it every day, that was it – all fear was gone. So now, when it comes time to take her to the vet, all I have to do is close the carrier door and go. The beauty of it feeling like a safe haven is it helps to calm her when we ultimately end up in the car. She doesn’t cry anymore; she just sits quietly. Still nervous, of course, but not panicked. It is such a relief for me to know my cat isn’t going to have a coronary, and she gets through the whole event with minimal trauma.

When we return home after the vet, I always set the carrier back in its usual spot familiar to her, then open the door for her to come out, and I leave it in that same spot so she can continue her naps and playtime in it just as she’s come to enjoy. She knows now that the carrier is still her safe space, and it always brings her back home again too.

What a simple fix! Give it a try – put your carrier out for kitty to start “bonding with” so that your next transport is no longer a nightmare. You’ll both be grateful for the new calm.

God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

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

The post For The Cat Who Won’t Be Crated. appeared first on BareFootPets.

Pauly was it – that once-in-a-lifetime dog you’ll always tell stories about. This is the funniest “Pauly” story of all.  I’ll tell it my best, but there is just no substitute for having been there when it happened. It was a million-dollar moment, sadly before the days of cell phone cameras.

I’ll Always Remember The First Time I Saw Him.

Pauly was a pathetic, sad-looking little dude. The Humane Society called me one day and asked me to come get this poor little mess that had been picked up as a stray. They called me because Pauly was a senior and that’s what I do – I rescue seniors (www.milagropets.org). So I hiked on over to the AHS, and the folks there walked me to the back room where all the strays are held. And there he sat, this nasty-looking little disaster that used to be a red Pomeranian, lounging in an eye-level kennel and looking out at me like he already knew I was coming and why was I so slow about it. Good Lord! He was a big spit wad of steel wool, with a ratty tail and a really cute face. And I swear – he gave me a wink and this “whadda you lookin’ at, Sugar” kind of attitude. Really? This scroungy little thing thought he was God’s cutest gift. And I already believed him.

Pauly also had a collapsed trachea, so he yacked all the time … ALL the time. Loud. All day long … all night long. I said loud, right? You know how when a teenage girl gets a used Mustang with standard-shift for her 16th birthday and she keeps stripping gears between first and second because she has no clue what she’s doing? Loud like that. God bless his heart. Poor little guy had to be miserable and exhausted for all the wretched coughing, but Pauly just had a great attitude about things.

There is a surgical fix for collapsed tracheas where a stint is installed to keep the bronchial way open, but the veterinarian wouldn’t do it for Pauly because its rate of success was pretty low. She didn’t want to put Pauly, as a delicate senior, through the trauma of surgery knowing it very likely might not work for him. So she put him on a few medications instead — they didn’t work.

Uncommon Strategist.

Pauly quickly became my sidekick. He had a natural instinct for making me laugh. How he knew was amazing. His timing was spot-on like any great comedian on TV – he could actually orchestrate moments of hilarity. Truly this little dog was gifted. Not only did he have the instinct, but it was important to him to make me laugh, as if he assigned himself the job of being jester in the queen’s court. The whole house was just happier with Pauly in it. I LOVED him for that.

So I’m Sitting There One Day …

Talking with my close friend Marilin. I was plopped on the kitchen floor, and Marilin was perched up on a dining room chair facing me, about four maybe five feet between us. It was a typical, gorgeous winter day here in Phoenix, mid-70s, the grass is green, and you can have all the doors and windows open. I had the sliding patio door wide open and the seniors were wandering in and out and in and out … because they could. They were completely entertained walking out the door, then in the door, then out the door. It tickled them like Christmas day. Their traffic path moved right between Marilin and I, so we had front-row seats to the show. We chatted and drank coffee and watched the seniors enjoy the sun on their faces and the breeze in their fur, and it was just an easy, great day.

Along Came Pauly.

When all the other seniors had settled outside to sunbathe in the winter grass, Pauly came strolling through the kitchen as if headed outside himself. But then he stopped dead between us, right in our line of vision, and stood staring out the door. Marilin and I chatted on for another minute, not realizing yet that Pauly was waiting on us to notice him. But then we picked up on his very deliberate, patient pose. So we got quiet and focused on him, wondering what he was up to.

Confident that he had our attention now, Pauly turned his head to the left and looked up at Marilin. They locked eyes, and Marilin pulled her chin back and got this really confused look on her face, like what the?? Pauly looked at Marilin a few more seconds, apparently to be sure she was under his spell, or at least paying close attention. She was. Then he turned his head meaningfully all the way to his right and locked his eyes on me. He held his gaze on me until I was fixated, too, almost as if he intended to hypnotize us. His head was cocked as he looked at me, and then over at Marilin again, and then back to me, as if to say “do I have your attention now?” Yes, for certain he had our undivided attention now.

Wait For It, Wait For It.

It may have been only seconds, but it felt like the lonnngest pause. Marilin and I were still as we could be. Seems we had gotten the same message. We had no idea what was coming, but neither of us planned to miss any of it.

Pauly gave one more back-and-forth check from me to Marilin and back to me again. Then he looked straight ahead out the door, closed his little chocolate-brown eyes really really tight, pulled up his shoulders, and bore down hard … and FARTED … real long and real loud. It was high-powered and rumbled like an old Harley, and he kept bearing down hard to keep it going for as long as he could. I admit to being quite impressed. For a moment, Marilin and I were frozen in disbelief that a little old dog could produce something so majestic, and moreso that he staged the whole event. Who knew dogs could do that?! And as we sat watching him, stunned, Pauly lifted his head, opened his eyes, and looked again at Marilin and back to me, clearly proud of himself, and fully expecting praise for his most excellent accomplishment, knowing he had achieved greatness.

But It’s Not Over!

Once it hit us what we had just witnessed, we fell into raucous laughter, and Marilin fell right off the dining room chair onto the floor, which put me totally over the top laughing and I wet my pants. My face hurt, my neck hurt, my ribs hurt, and I felt bruised for days from laughing so hard. My neighbors hollered over the fence asking if we were okay. For a minute, I was not even sure.

As soon as the laughter began, it was like Pauly knew he had us. He straightened himself up all high and mighty, gave a quick chin-up to his audience, and rolled slowly on outside to bathe in the sun. He was walking his red carpet, telling us all “Yeh that’s right, I’m bad” and glowing in his success. What I wouldn’t give to have captured it all on video.

For months after that, whenever Marilin and I would call each other or see each other, we would launch again into tearful laughter before we could even begin a normal conversation. Only she and I knew why – people thought we were nuts. In my life, that is one of the funniest moments, and I’ve had some doozies. That was our million-dollar moment with Pauly – my little comedian. My heart. My laughter. Your legacy lives on, little man. Bravo!

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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 Pauly, My Little Comedian. appeared first on BareFootPets.

The Unchosen.

It’s a statistical fact that pets with black fur get left behind. Doesn’t matter if it’s a good dog or the perfect kitty — they don’t get chosen. People tend to pass right over them when walking the shelter aisles. Maybe folks are shopping for a pet to go with their furniture or their wardrobe, and black just isn’t the right match. We need to straighten out our thinking. A pet isn’t a knick-knack that has to blend in visually with your decor or your lifestyle. It’s a life — precious and valuable no matter what the color of its fur.

“See” Your Choice Through The Eyes Of Love.

Next time you go to the shelter to find your next great furry love, close your eyes.  Let your heart take you up and down the aisles and lead you to the perfect little life who’s waiting for you. Make your choice based on chemistry, personality, love, and compassion — those intangibles that are beyond measure. Quite possibly, your right choice might very well be a shimmering jet black pet. And, if your heart is in the right place, you rightly won’t be in the least bit disappointed. You’ll see him for the beautiful life he is, inside and out, and not as if the color of his fur were some kind of unfortunate thing.

To All The Black-Fur Pets I Have Loved.

In my decades of pet rescue, I’ve been given the gift and privilege of loving many black-fur pets. I can tell you tender stories about each one of them that are seered into my memory, and not one of those sweet memories is diminished by the color of their fur. Following is a tribute to some of those treasured little faces that I miss so much and still hold fast in my heart forever.

Awesome Name Ideas For Black-Fur Pets.

I came across a couple of websites that offer great name suggestions for black-fur pets, and here are a few that stood out. Feel welcome to draw from this list or use it to come up with even more ideas for your next pet:

Phantom | Gypsy | Onyx | Midnight | Jet | Noir | Hendrix | Marley | Java | Beetle | Pepper | Oreo | Ash | Puma | Ebony | Panther | Panda | Agate | Ace | Blackjack | Bullet | Stormy | Spade | Cinder | Demon | Domino | Dusty | Ebony | Eightball | Elvira | Espresso | Galaxy | Jackyl | Jaguar | Knight | Licorice | Lava | Storm | Zorro | Velvet | Thunder | Orchid | Twilight | Dice | Voodoo | Vader | Hershey | Magic | Merlin | Tattoo | Batman | Fudge | Pearl | Scorch | Ninja | Numbus |

(https://www.smalldogplace.com/black-dog-names.html)
(https://pethelpful.com/cats/cool-unique-and-creative-black-cat-names-for-your-beloved-pet)

Make The Best Of Your Black-Fur Pet’s Look.

When Marley came to live with me, this black-as-night from head-to-toe, all boy, muscular kitty, I wanted to get him a manly collar to go with his manly personality. But everything I tried looked bland on him, and nothing seemed to showcase him the way I had hoped … until I bought him a hot-pink collar. Omigosh, it POPPED!  Marley looked like a million dollars, and the hot-pink didn’t take away one ounce from his masculinity. Be creative; it will help you “look past” the black-fur issue.

Roman was the most beautiful jet-black Flat Coat Retriever I’ve seen in my life. I bought her a coal-black collar slathered all over in sparkling Swarovski crystals that lit up her face. People would stop us out in public all the time to comment on how stunning she was. Thing is, Roman was always stunning even without crystals. People just are programmed not to notice black-fur pets. But add some bling, and now the black-fur pets show up on everyone’s WOW! radar. So think outside the box — make sure your black-fur pet stands out and gets the attention it deserves.

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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 To All The Black-Fur Pets I Have Loved. appeared first on BareFootPets.