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Halloween is a great time to include your pet in some fun, local activities. Of course, please only include your pet if they enjoy it.
Here are a few things that are happening around the San Jose area this Halloween Season:
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We’ve all been hearing about the importance of gut health as humans, but did you know it’s just as important for our dogs and cats as well? A healthy gut helps with proper digestion and nutrient absorption, supports immune system function, and even influences mood and energy levels. When you eat a heavy (maybe not so healthy) meal, don’t you feel sluggish, tired and the only thing you want to do is become one with your couch? Do you feel achy or unwell after eating certain foods? Our pets can get the same sort of feeling, so we want to be sure we’re feeding them in a way that helps promote good gut health for longevity and a reduced risk of disease.
Poor gut health can look like diarrhea or constipation, changes in their behavior or energy, chronic illness, poor coat quality, poor appetite, vomiting, bloating, changes in stool consistency, an increase in hunger but losing weight, even respiratory issues, lipomas, anxiety, dry, flaky skin, excessive shedding, or recurring ear infections. There are countless issues that can be traced to poor gut health. Just like us, our pets have a gut microbiome that includes trillions of microorganisms. These microorganisms play a vital role in keeping your pet healthy by aiding digestion, supporting immune function, and influencing mood and behavior. And just like us, their microbiome helps to break down food, absorb nutrients, and (in a healthy gut) protect against harmful bacteria. In fact, about 70-80% of a pet’s immune system is housed in the gut, making it a critical defense against illness. Sound familiar? Yup, it’s the same in humans too. Disruptions to the balance of the microbiome—caused by poor diet, antibiotics, stress, or illness—can lead to gastrointestinal problems, which can lead to all the things (and more) we listed above. It can also make pets more susceptible to infections and other diseases, underscoring the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Pet’s can also get leaky gut syndrome just like us. Leaky gut syndrome in pets occurs when the intestinal lining becomes damaged, allowing harmful substances like bacteria, toxins, and undigested food particles to leak into the bloodstream. This can trigger an immune response, leading to chronic inflammation and various health issues such as digestive upset, allergies, skin problems, and even behavioral changes. Common causes include poor diet, stress, infections, and prolonged use of medications like antibiotics or steroids. Pets with leaky gut may show signs of diarrhea, bloating, frequent infections, or food sensitivities. So you’re probably wondering, ok what can I do? Start by feeding a balanced and nutritious diet. This is the foundation of good gut health in both dogs and cats. Important: You’ll have to do this gradually, we don’t want to switch any pet to a new food immediately. We need to make sure their system tolerates the new food well and that they’ll actually eat the new food. What you feed your pet directly impacts the composition and diversity of their gut bacteria. High-quality pet food that contains a good balance of protein, fiber, and essential nutrients is key to promoting a healthy gut. Fresh, whole ingredients such as high-protein meats, healthy oils (coconut, avocado, etc), vegetables, beans and healthy grains are ideal in maintaining a thriving gut microbiome. (Note: we recommend limiting the amount of grains you feed your cat [and they probably won’t like the bean either]. They are obligate carnivores and while they can benefit from the fiber and nutrients in grains and beans, it can also produce weight gain if fed too much). Avoid feeding, low-quality pet foods that are high in fillers (wheat, corn, soy), artificial preservatives (those chemicals you can’t pronounce), and unhealthy fats (canola, vegetable). These foods can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, leading to digestive issues, inflammation, and weakened immunity. Diets that contain too much processed food can encourage the growth of harmful bacteria while reducing the diversity of beneficial microbes. Often too, oils sprayed on kibble can go rancid even before you get anywhere close to finishing the bag. If you smell your pets kibble and it smells “off” that is the oils going rancid. In addition to whole foods and ingredients in your pets food, probiotics and prebiotics play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut flora. Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that help restore and balance the gut microbiome, aiding in digestion and bolstering the immune system. Including probiotics in your pet’s diet can be especially helpful during times of stress, illness, or after a course of antibiotics. Probiotics can be added to your pets food through other food sources like fermented foods, non-dairy/unsweetened yogurt, goats milk, kiefer, or supplements. Prebiotics are fibers that feed the good bacteria already present in your pet’s gut.. Prebiotics act as the “fuel” or “food” for probiotics, creating an environment where beneficial bacteria can thrive. Some natural sources of prebiotics for pets include chicory root, pumpkin, and certain vegetables. By combining both prebiotics and probiotics in your pet’s diet, you create a powerful synergy that supports long-term gut health, strengthens the immune system, and improves overall vitality. Maintaining your pet's gut health is essential for their overall well-being, influencing not only digestion but also immunity, energy levels, and even behavior. A balanced gut microbiome supports proper nutrient absorption, helps ward off illness, keeps your pet feeling their best and can even promote longevity. By providing a high-quality diet rich in natural ingredients, along with prebiotics, probiotics, and regular vet checkups, you can ensure your pet’s digestive system stays strong and healthy. Prioritizing gut health is a proactive step toward giving your dog or cat a longer, happier, and healthier life. Sometimes living in the modern age feels like a cruel joke. This is toxic! That is hazardous! “OMG, you feed your pet that!? Don’t you know (blah, blah, blah)” It’s a PAIN! That’s not what this article is about. This is about making YOUR life easier. Sure, we’ll be discussing a few incidental hazards inherent to certain products… but we’re not trying to tell you what to do. Instead, we want to make being a pet owner as easy as possible so you can spend more time doing the things that matter with them!
Ready to retire those items making your life harder? Check out our recommended resources page and if you don’t see something there, leave a comment and we’re happy to send our best recommendations. 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Professional Pet Sitters' week (PPSW). Pet Sitters International (PSI) started PPSW back in 1994 as a way to bring attention to a budding industry, whose mission is to provide top notch, in-home care for pets, and provide their guardians with peace of mind while they’re away from home. Over the years, thousands of pet sitting companies have cared for countless pets with the support of PSI, and we are proud to be one of those companies.
Jenn started researching about becoming a professional pet sitter back in 2009. It didn’t take long at all for her to decide PSI is a fantastic organization and, soon after joining, found her first client (the sweetest lab/chow mix to ever walk the earth). Jenn has always been passionate about animals. Growing up she had goldfish, parakeets, a hamster, guinea pigs, cats and a dog. She also always loved horses but wasn’t able to fulfill the dream of owning one until she was 20. There is a certain joy that animals bring to our daily lives that is unmatched by any other experience. It’s been scientifically proven that having a pet (any pet) can help us live longer, reduce our stress, give us purpose and keep us laughing with their silly antics. When we travel away from home (whether for a few hours or even days at a time) our pets’ well-being in our absence is vitally important. Dogs pine for a friend to visit them for an adventure. Even the shyest of cats want to know that someone is looking after them while their guardians are away. It is truly fulfilling to be able to fill that need for pet parents and provide peace of mind while they aren’t home. The emotional fulfillment pet sitters get from animals isn’t just limited to our own pets; we find joy, peace, laughter and even heartbreak when we’re around our clients' pets. We form a bond with each and every pet we care for. Over the years, we’ve cared for hundreds of pets, and not one has been exactly the same. Each has their own personality and quirks. And that's one of the things that makes this career so amazing, interacting with so many different pets! Trust is paramount when it comes to finding the right pet sitter, and we endeavor to ensure our clients have that trust. We provide yearly background checks for all of our staff (including officers). We’re bonded & insured by the best company in the industry. We’re a licensed business. We hire employees (NOT independent contractors) so we can provide hands-on training to ensure everyone provides the same level of service. We send daily report cards with pictures, video and notes about how the visit went. We clearly communicate with our clients so that no one is ever confused about the well-being of their animals. Reliability and expertise are also core values in providing peace of mind to our clients. We provide a continuity of service guarantee, which means that if our client is on our calendar; the pet will be seen one of our amazing sitters –guaranteed! Continued learning is also a value and we never pass up an opportunity to learn more about the industry's best practices. Anything from behavior, to business management, to nutrition, to communication styles, the topics are nearly endless. We have dozens of amazing reviews. One of our favorites is: “Jenn and Ryan are superb sitters. Both are kind and sincere people. They provide detailed and descriptive updates with photos after each visit. Our cats trust and love both of them. We leave home with confidence our furry family members are getting the highest quality of care. Highly recommended.” The pet industry is like any other industry when it comes to innovations and new ways of thinking. While we aren’t officially trainers or behaviorists, we do learn a lot of the basics that help us when interacting with client pets. Over the years, science has revealed a lot about animal body language, as well as how to properly train and handle misbehaving pets. Aspects of proper pet nutrition have been a top concern as of late and countless studies have been done regarding shortfalls in quality for the pet food industry. Technology is changing rapidly too and we’re learning all the time about best practices for social media, communication and website design. PSI is our number one source for continued learning. They offer an annual in-person conference, an annual online summit, and dozens of online courses for us, and our employees. They also offer a certification in professional pet sitting (CPPS), which both Jenn and Ryan have attained. As a company, we ensure we’re all up to date on our Pet First Aid/CPR training every 2 years. When pet sitters learn, we are more than willing to pass on that information to our clients. An educated pet sitter is able to spot potential problems that perhaps the guardian didn’t notice. We’re able to act quickly in emergency situations. We have plans in place in case of a natural disaster. And if the pet is nervous about us being in the home while their guardian is away; we’ve learned techniques to calm the pet, and provide enrichment as well. We’ve learned a lot over the past 15 years. Many things have changed, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is our dedication to top notch service. We want to wow our clients and are always looking for ways to do just that. With our software, our clients are able to provide us with personalized information about their pets and their needs. From there, our sitters can review this information and ensure the pets they’re caring for receive that personalized touch. We share stories about how the visit went, fun photos and cute videos. Most of our employees are trained in medication administration, and Jenn & Ryan are trained in almost all in-home care treatments. We also will provide enrichment (with the clients’ permission) if we feel the pet we’re caring for is bored or in need of some mental stimulation. We’ve noticed most sitters in the Silicon Valley are solo sitters or they use independent contractors. Solo sitters, if overcome by circumstances that preclude their ability to offer service (flat tire, sick, delayed, etc.), leave their clients scrambling to find coverage. Those who use independent contractors expose their businesses to shortfalls in quality that they, themselves, might not even be aware of. Independent Contractor law in the State of California is often misunderstood. According to the ABC test, as long as a worker is doing the core work of the business that is hiring them (i.e. a dog walking business hires a dog walker) that worker must be classified as an employee. Those who use independent contractors are not legally allowed to provide training or instruction of any kind. That contractor is also well within their legal rights to pass on that visit to anyone they want if they decide they don’t want to fulfill that visit. The simple fact is: a pet sitter who utilizes contractors in the State of California likely hasn’t done the time to research what that means for their business (which may indicate critical gaps in other knowledge bases). In contrast, we have an amazing team of dedicated employees, who are trained to our standards of care. They are not only stellar individually, but they function as a brilliant team as they each support each other during unexpected upsets (it really is a special kind of dedication to spend an extra hour mopping after an explosive bowel episode) Choosing a career as a pet sitter and dog walker is truly fulfilling a passion for pet care and well-being. This career isn’t for everyone. We work long days, weekends, holidays, in bad weather, and we encounter pet loss far more often than the average guardian. But the reward of seeing happy pets, working outside and providing peace of mind to our clients is like no other career. Providing that peace of mind to our clients is almost indescribable. We never tire of hearing ‘thank yous’ and the appreciation we feel from our amazing clients (the occasional bottle of wine doesn’t hurt either). So while Professional Pet Sitters Week 2024 comes to a close, that doesn't mean our pursuit in continued education, exceptional service, and providing that all-important peace of mind stops. Here’s to a great year!  Post Updated 3/20/2024 (FULL DISCLOSURE: Jenn’s Pet TLC is an affiliate of The Farmer’s Dog and is seeking affiliation with Small’s brand pet foods. This is an opinion piece, with the main goal of this article is to educate you, the pet parent, on seeking good pet foods.) Have you seen the stories on social media about dogs and cats suddenly becoming very ill and worse passing away after eating Purina Brand foods? Are you concerned about your pet getting sick as well? We’ve been reading story after story about mostly young, seemingly healthy pets, suddenly becoming violently ill and some even succumbing to their sudden illness. Purina Brand Pet Foods have been agonizingly quiet about this; even denying that something is wrong. We understand that correlation does not mean causation, and we urge caution when jumping to conclusions, but hundreds and hundreds of pet parents with the same story suggests that this is not a baseless concern. The latest numbers we can find state that there are around “969 reports of dogs or cats getting ill after eating Purina food, including 234 deaths”. Source That is absolutely frightening! If you suspect that there might be a problem; symptoms to look out for are: lethargy, vomiting (bloody or otherwise), diarrhea, muscle weakness, seizures, rapid weight loss, rectal bleeding, excessive urination, and refusal to eat. If your dog or cat is experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if they are sudden, seek veterinary attention immediately! If your pets are eating Purina but are otherwise stable; consider consulting a holistic or integrative vet who is open to the idea that food may be causing issues. Concerningly, many traditional vets are holding fast to Purina’s statements of “[t]here are no health or safety issues with our products, and they can continue to be fed with confidence” Source. It remains to be seen whether Purina foods are the culprit, but we are prepared to call the circumstances suspicious and cannot, in good conscience, any longer recommend Purina as a trusted brand, given that it seems to be a common denominator in the sudden spike in illnesses. This is a list of foods associated with the majority of the issues: *Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach *Purina Pro Plan EN (Prescription) *Purina Pro Plan Lamb and Rice *Purina Pro Plan Chicken and Rice *Purina Pro Plan Salmon *Purina Pro Plan Bison *Purina Pro Plan Adult Complete Essentials *Purina Pro Plan High Energy *Purina Large Breed Shredded Blend Purina One Joint Health *Purina SPORT 30/20 *Purina One Lamb and Rice *Purina One True Instinct *Purina Dog Chow *Purina One Skin & Coat *Purina One Chicken and Rice *Purina Puppy Chow Tender and Crunchy *Purina Pro Plan Kittens Salmon *Purina One Salmon Selects Dry Food *Fancy Feast Wet Cat Food *Purina Pro Plan Ocean Fish Pate *Purina Pro Plan Kitten Chicken Pate *Purina Pro Plan Kitten Chow Nurture *Purina Pro Plan Live Clear *Purina One + *Purina Friskies Gravy Lovers (all flavors) *Purina Friskies Tender and Crunchy *Purina Kit and Kaboodle *Purina Beggin’ Strips *Purina Pro Plan Beef and Carrots *Purina Pro Plan Chicken and Turkey Purina (and parent company Nestle) own dozens of pet foods that you may be feeding your pet. The list is long, but please read through it: Alpo, Baker's, Beggin’, Beneful, Beyond, Busy Bone, Cat Chow, Chef Michael's, Dog Chow, Dentalife, Ever Root, Fancy Feast, Felix, Friskies, Kit & Kaboodle, Lily's Kitchen, Mighty Dog, Moist & Meaty, Pioneer Woman, Prime, Puppy Chow, Purina One, Purina Pro Plan, Purina Veterinary Diets, Whisker Lickins, Terra Canis, Zukes. There may be more! We compiled this list from various sources. Needless to say, Nestle Purina has a lot of money invested in their pet food brands, which means they have a vested interest in offering assurances rather than admitting any fault (should they, indeed, be liable). So you’re probably asking, “ok great, I get it Purina may not be a great brand, what do I do now?” Or maybe “my pet isn’t exhibiting any of these signs and we’ve been feeding these brands for years, do I really need to switch or be concerned” Our recommendation is that you should consider switching foods regardless of symptoms. Yes, Jenn’s Pet TLC has a vested financial interest in other pet food brands. Our interest in those brands, however, extends to our desire for your pets to lead long, happy, healthy lives with you. Beyond acute concerns regarding (possibly) tainted batches; there are plenty of things in Purina foods that your pets shouldn’t be eating anyway. So before we offer our recommended brands, we’d like to simply offer open recommendations of what you should be looking for; even if you opt for another brand. -High meat content (humanely sourced), with a high ( ideally 70%) moisture content. -Whole food ingredient (protip: if you can’t read it, it’s probably a chemical filler) -Raw, Freeze-dried, ‘gently cooked’, or ‘air dried’ -AVOID STARCHY CARBS (Peas, Lentils, Wheat, Corn, Soy, Potatoes, and Chickpeas) -AVOID MEAT BYPRODUCTS or MEALS -AVOID SYNTHETIC VITAMINS and MINERALS (Though this can be very difficult as many of these are added-back after processing) -AVOID ULTRA PROCESSED KIBBLE (It’s basically a meal of potato chips or bread) -AVOID BINDERS (Carrageenan, gar gum, and gluten of any kind) Source. So what DO we recommend? Sadly, our list is pretty short as Purina isn’t the only sketchy brand out there. FOR DOGS: -The Farmer’s Dog (Affiliate Link) -Rawz -K9 Natural -Raised Right -Primal -Just for Dogs -Tiki Dog -Darwin’s -WrRuVa* -Open Farm -Bixbi -Kiwi -Ziwi FOR CATS: -Smalls -Rawz -Feline Natural -Raised Right -Primal -Just for Cats -Tiki Cat -Darwin’s -WeRuVa* -Open Farm -Bixbi -Kiwi -Ziwi *word of caution with WeRuVa, some of the pate formulas have a few gums listed in the ingredients. We aren't a fan of these gums, however this is still a better option that the Purina brand foods and other cheap brands. If you need a veterinary diet, we recommend Medicus Veterinary Diets. These diets are thoughtfully curated to help ease your pet through a difficult time. They are made with wholesome ingredients meant to transition your pet back to a “normal diet”. We’ll talk next time about how the “veterinary diets” your vet may be pushing are not meant for life long use, and may actually be keeping your pet sick. We hope this helps you find the best food for your pet. What you feed them does truly matter. Just like us, what goes in, reflects what is shown on the outside. And if the food is of poor quality, poor health is inevitable. Many highly processed pet foods are made from rendered parts (aka the parts at the meat processing plant that don’t meet the standards to human consumption, technically called feed, roadkill, euthanized animals, etc), there’s little oversight into the ingredients put in the pet food, most of the grains are sprayed with glyphosate (aka roundup), many contain mycotoxins (which are “generated by fungi…with toxic effects and widely distributed in food and feed” Source.) As the saying goes, when you know better, you do better. This isn’t meant to shame anyone reading this. It’s meant to educate. Jenn has spent months studying how the pet food industry really works and what the ingredients really mean. It’s a deep rabbit hole and she’s more than willing to traverse it for you. Our goal is to be a resource for information and tips for all of our pet parents. We only want what’s best for you and your pet. https://www.drugwatch.com/roundup/ www.drugwatch.com/roundup/glyphosate/  Most pet parents want to include their pets in the festivities of the holidays, including gift giving, –and why not? Our pets are part of the family, they deserve gifts too! And just like giving thoughtful gifts to our human friends and family, we need to be thoughtful about the gifts we’re giving our pets. Here is a quick guide to finding the best gifts for your pets this holiday season. Scroll to the bottom to find suggestions for each type of pet and type of gift.
Dogs:
Cats:
Horse:
Pocket Pets: (rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats, etc.)
Reptiles:
Birds:
Suggestions: Dogs:
Cats: Horses:
Pocket Pets: Reptiles: Birds: Losing a cherished pet is an incredibly heart-wrenching experience that many of us will face at some point in our lives. Our pets become beloved members of our families, offering unwavering companionship, unconditional love, and countless cherished memories. Coping with their loss can be an emotional and challenging journey, but there are ways to navigate the grief and find healing. In this blog post, we'll discuss some strategies to help you cope with the loss of a pet.
1. Allow Yourself to Grieve: Just like losing a human loved one, it's important to give yourself permission to grieve. Understand that the bond you shared with your pet was genuine and significant. It's okay to feel sadness, anger, guilt, and even confusion. Everyone's grieving process is unique, so don't rush or suppress your emotions. Your surviving pets will be grieving too, so be sure to allow space for your whole family to mourn. 2. Create a Memorial: Creating a memorial for your pet can be a cathartic way to honor their memory. Consider planting a tree or flowers in your pet's favorite spot, crafting a scrapbook filled with cherished moments, or even writing a heartfelt letter to express your feelings. These tangible gestures can provide comfort and a sense of closure. As a company, we will send a little gift to our clients who have lost a pet to help memorialize their pet. 3. Seek Support: Don't hesitate to lean on friends, family, or support groups during this difficult time. Fellow pet lovers can understand the depth of your grief and offer a listening ear or shoulder to cry on. There are also online forums and social media groups where you can connect with others who are going through similar experiences. Your pet sitter can be a good resource too as we, unfortunately, often deal with pet loss. 4. Remember the Good Times: Rather than dwelling solely on the pain of loss, try to focus on the joy your pet brought into your life. Remember the funny quirks, heartwarming moments, and the unconditional love you shared. Celebrate their life and the positive impact they had on you. 5. Maintain Routine: While grief can disrupt your daily life, maintaining some semblance of routine can provide stability and distraction. Stick to your regular activities as much as possible, whether it's work, exercise, or spending time with other pets. This can help alleviate the feeling of emptiness and give you a sense of purpose. 6. Create a Legacy: Consider ways to honor your pet's memory by giving back. Donating to an animal shelter, volunteering, or even fostering another pet in need can be a wonderful way to keep your pet's spirit alive and help other animals find happiness. 7. Professional Help: If you find that your grief is overwhelming and affecting your ability to function, seeking professional help can be incredibly beneficial. A therapist or counselor experienced in pet loss can provide you with tools to navigate your grief and develop healthy coping mechanisms. 8. Give Yourself Time: Healing is not linear, and there's no set timeframe for how long it takes to move forward. Be patient with yourself and allow the healing process to unfold naturally. Over time, the intensity of your grief will likely diminish, but your pet's memory will always hold a special place in your heart. Losing a pet is undoubtedly a heartbreaking experience, but it's also a testament to the love and connection you shared. By allowing yourself to grieve, seeking support, and finding positive ways to honor your pet's memory, you can gradually find healing and move towards a place of acceptance. Remember that you're not alone in this journey, and your pet's legacy will forever be a part of your life. Black cats have long been shrouded in mystery and superstition. Throughout history, these sleek and elegant felines have been associated with both good and bad luck, depending on the cultural context. Unfortunately, they have often borne the brunt of unwarranted myths and negative beliefs. We're here to debunk these myths and shed light on the truth about black cats, ultimately celebrating their beauty and uniqueness.
1. The Myth of Bad Luck One of the most enduring myths surrounding black cats is the belief that they bring bad luck, especially if they cross your path. This notion has been perpetuated by various cultural beliefs, movies, and literature. However, it's crucial to remember that luck is not determined by the color of a cat's fur. In many cultures, black cats are considered symbols of good luck and prosperity. For example, in ancient Egyptian mythology, black cats were revered and associated with the goddess Bastet, who represented home, fertility, and protection. 2. Black Cats as Witches' Companions The idea that black cats are witches' companions is another myth that has persisted for centuries. During the European witch hunts of the Middle Ages, black cats were often linked to witchcraft and dark magic. However, this association is based on fear and ignorance rather than fact. Cats, including black ones, have been cherished companions to people throughout history, offering pest control and companionship. Black cats deserve to be valued for their unique qualities rather than feared due to baseless superstitions. If you've ever seen Hocus Pocus (the one from the 90's), you'll recall that the Sanderson sisters cursed Thackery Binx to live as an immortal black cat after trying to rescue his sister from the witches. He then ends up helping Max, Dani and Allison lift the curse the witches bestowed on him. Isn't that pretty lucky? 3. The Black Cat Halloween Curse Black cats are also often associated with Halloween and spooky imagery. Some believe that adopting or even encountering a black cat during the Halloween season is a harbinger of bad luck. This is simply a continuation of the broader superstition around black cats and their mythical connection to misfortune. In reality, Halloween should be a time to celebrate the diverse and mysterious world of cats, including black ones, rather than perpetuating unfounded beliefs. And remember, no matter the color of your cat's coat, keep them inside during the Halloween season. Nefarious people do some pretty sinister stuff around this time of year to cats. 4. Celebrating Black Cat Beauty Black cats are remarkable creatures with their own unique personalities and traits, just like cats of any other color. They are often overlooked in animal shelters and adoption centers due to these lingering superstitions, leading to the unfortunate phenomenon known as "black cat syndrome." There's also an unfounded belief that black cats are difficult to photograph. This is completely untrue as we've taken some beautiful photos of our black cat clients. By debunking these myths and shedding light on their true nature, we can encourage more people to adopt these enchanting felines and give them the loving homes they deserve. 5. Promoting Positive Awareness To counter the negative impact of these myths, it's important to promote positive awareness about black cats. Sharing stories of black cat owners who have experienced nothing but joy and companionship can help dispel misconceptions. Social media campaigns and educational initiatives can also play a significant role in challenging these myths and fostering a more inclusive and accepting attitude towards black cats. Black cats are not harbingers of bad luck or symbols of evil. They are living beings with their own unique personalities and qualities, just like any other cat. By dispelling these unfounded myths and replacing them with a more positive and informed perspective, we can appreciate black cats for the wonderful companions they can be. Let's celebrate their beauty, charm, and the joy they bring into our lives, debunking the myths that have unfairly overshadowed their true essence for far too long. This may be a bit controversial, but we feel it needs to be said. With folks still working from home, the temptation to hold meetings, chat with friends and family or catch up on your social media while walking the dog is very high. But we’re begging you; please put your phone away while you’re walking your dog! We don’t allow our staff to use their phones while walking dogs for multiple reasons --all of them having to do with safety. Our jobs as pet sitters (and your job as guardians) is to keep your pets safe while in your hands. Your cell phone is a total attention sucker. There’s a reason why driving while holding a cell phone is now illegal in all 50 states. When you’re engaged with your cell phone, your attention is split and you aren’t fully engaged in either activity (chatting on the phone, driving, walking, etc.) And you may say, “I can multi-task”, sorry to say that multiple research studies debunk the myth of multitasking. You’re either doing one thing at a time well, or doing multiple things at the same time poorly.
The number one reason why we don’t allow our staff to talk on the phone is so they are alert to potential dangers while walking. Those same dangers we encounter, could happen to you too. Dangers such as cars backing out of a driveway, or pulling into a driveway, loose dogs, crazy cyclists, kids on skateboards on the sidewalk. If you’re engaged in conversation, you aren’t fully aware of these things and prepared to keep your dog safe. Also, when your attention is focused on your phone, you’re not paying attention to what your dog is doing. Are they eating something they shouldn’t? Did they step in something? are they drinking fetid water from the gutter? We’ve seen people walking their dog so unaware of what their dog is doing that they didn’t stop to let the dog potty. Isn’t that the whole point of the walk? The walk is time your dog has to bond with you and explore its environment. You’re together in this activity. Frankly, the walk is for the dog; not necessarily for the human. We’ve seen people so keen on speed walking, they don’t allow the dog to sniff or leave their mark on the neighborhood. Remember, you have the freedom to leave the house whenever you please. The walk is probably the only time your dog gets to leave the house and explore anything outside of its home. The walk is mental stimulation for your dog, its exercise, it’s bonding time. Enjoy the outdoors with your dog. Take in the sights, the smells, the sounds. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of busy life. Learn from your dog. They are amazing teachers. April is pet first aid awareness month. Did you know you should have a pet first aid kit that has the essentials for all the pets in your home? While you don’t really need one kit per pet, there are items that a dog can use, but a cat cannot (like a muzzle) and if you have a horse, they should have their own first aid kit in your trailer or tackroom --not at your house. If you do have a first aid kit for your pet(s), when was the last time you checked it to make sure all of the medications weren’t expired and it had everything you needed? This should be done about once a year. Make it in January to keep it easy to remember, new year, new first aid kit essentials.
You might be saying, “Great! That’s all well and good to have a first aid kit, but I don’t have the time to search up and down CVS and find the items needed to make a kit, and then ensure they’re safe for my dog and/or cat.” Luckily, there are a plethora of premade kits available with just a simple Google search. Chewy.com and Amazon have some great options. One of our favorite brands is Adventure Medical Kits. Available on Chewy.com for dogs (and people) of all different adventure levels, from your average dog to working dog, they have you covered. Chewy also has a great Equine Triage Kit available. For cats, the best one we found was on Amazon from ARCA With so many great premade kits available online, we really don’t recommend building your own. It’s very time consuming and will cost much more than purchasing one. But if you really want to build your own, here is a short list of items we recommend: (1) adhesive bandage tape, (2) over the counter antibiotic ointment (dogs only), (3) antibiotic eye ointment, (4) antiseptic spray/lotion/powder, (5) betadine, (6) cotton bandage rolls, (7) cotton balls/swabs, (8) ear cleaning solution, (9) elastic bandage rolls, (10) hydrogen peroxide, (11) instant ice packs, (12) alcohol prep pads, (13) latex gloves, (14) muzzle or strips of cotton to create a muzzle, (15) tweezers, (16) non stick bandage pads, (17) petroleum jelly, (18) leash, (19) syringe without the needle, (20) rectal thermometer, (21) saline solution, (22) scissors, (23) gauze rolls, (24) styptic powder, (25) towels or blankets. Also, it’s very important to know how to use all of these items. There’s nothing worse than to have the correct items and in an emergency, not know how to use them! Denise Fleck, of Sunny Dog Ink, is an amazing teacher of pet first aid and she has a great YouTube channel, where she teaches the basics of Pet First Aid and CPR. One of the benefits of having us as your professional pet sitter and/or dog walker is everyone here is trained in Pet CPR and First Aid, and we renew this training every two years. In fact, we have a few team members up for renewal this year. Interested in joining us in learning Pet CPR and First Aid? We’re more than happy to send you a link to the class we’re attending online (or at least one very similar). Hopefully come next renewal time, we can take an in-person course again. |
AuthorJennifer, CPPS has loved caring for animals since childhood, and she’s had quite a few throughout the years. From cats to dogs, to birds, hamsters, fish, guinea pigs, and even a horse; she’s had more four-legged family members than two legged ones! Archives
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