Weallgetold.Weallgetricketyandweallexperienceachesasweage.Andguesswhat,ourpetsgetoldtoo.Seniorpetsrequiremuchloveandattention.Justlikeanysenior,theyhavelivedalonghonorablelifeandtheyhavegivenusmuchloveandservicethattheyneedthespecialtreatmentthatanygrandpaorgrandmadeserves.
Catsanddogsagefasterthanhumans.Thisisbecausetheyhavesmallerbodiesandmaturefasterthanhumansdo.Whenacatoradogturnsone,heorsheisabout15yearsoldinhumanyears.Whenthecatordogisattwoheorsheis24inhumanyears.
Forcats,eachyearaftertheirsecondyearisequivalenttofivehumanyears.Soifyourcatisthreeyearsold,heorshewouldbe27yearsoldinhumanyears.
Ontheotherhandadogagevariesdependingonhissize.Smallerdogstendtolivelongerthanlargerdogs.Adogisaged15humanyearsonhisfirstyearand24onhissecondyear,regardlessofthesize.Afterthiseachhumanyearisequaltofourdogyearsuntilheisagedfivehumanyears.Howeverwhatgetstrickyisaftersixyears,largerdogsstarttoagefaster.
Forasmalldog,hecontinuestoageatfourdogyearsperhumanyearevenafterturningfiveyearsoldinhumanage.Ontheotherhand,amediumsizeddoglikebeagleoracorgi,theywillagefasterafterthefifthyearoftheirlife.Biggerbreedswillagerapidlyafter.Mediumsizeddogswouldbe42yearsoldonhissixyear,47onhisseventhyearand51onhiseightyear.Fromthenonhisagingvaries.At16yearsoldhewillagrandpaof87inhumanyears.
Forlargedogs,bythetimeheturnssix,hewillbe45yearsold.Afterthat,hewouldageaboutfiveyearsforeveryhumanyear.Howeverasheturns15hisagewouldbealready93yearsoldandabout120yearsoldwhenhebecomes16yearsold.
Seniorpetsmayhavespecialneedsastheyage.Theireyesightmaybecomepoor,theymayhaveincontinenceandmayhavedifficultypeeingandpoopingproperly.Theymayexperiencepainfulbonesandmayhaveheartconditions.Atworseanimalsmaygetcancerandotherlifethreateningdiseases.
Seniorpetsstilllovetoplayandhavefunbuttheymaynolongerrunasmuchorjumpashighasbefore.Theymaybefeeltiredandweakbecauseofstrenuousactivities.Theymayalsodevelopmoodsandmaybecomecrankywithage.Theymayprefersleepingmoreaswellasfeeldepressed.Theykeyhereisobservingyourbelovedpet’sbehavior.
1.Visitthevetregularly–Whenyourcatordogorbirdisyoung,visitingthevetonceayearmaybeenough.However,asyourpetages,youmaynowneedtostartvisitingthevetmore.Youmayneedtovisitthevettwiceorthriceayearnowwhenyourfurbabyisjustdoingwell.Ontheotherhand,asyourpethitsagesixforcatsanddogs,youmaynowneedtovisitthevetasneeded.Simplecoldsmaynotbesosimpleandcanbelifethreateningforolderfurbuddies.
Yourvetcanrecommendtheproperdiet,exercise,vitaminsandmedicinesforyourbelovedcompanion
2.Diet–Yourfurrycompanionwillneedadifferentdietasheorsheages.Heorshemayneedwetfoodmoresinceitismoredifficulttochew.Heorshemayalsoneedaspecialdietformulatedforhisagesuchasdietsforkidneycare,weightcontrol,heartproblemsorevendiabetes.
Youmayneedtohaveyourpet’steethandoralhealthcheckedsinceheorshemaynotbeeatingasmuchduetopainfulgumsandteeth.
3.Dentalcare–Aswehavetalkedabout,yourpetmayexperiencetoothachesasheorsheages.Teethmayneedtobeextractedorcleanedbythevet.Mostvetsrecommendanoralprophylaxisyearly.Brushingthemouthofyourpetmayalsobeessentialorusingafoamingcleanertogetridofbadbreath,plaqueandpreventtoothdecaymayalsobeessential.
4.Bloodwork–Yourdogorcatorbirdoranypetyouhavemayneedtogethisorherbloodtestedfordiseases.Youneedtoknowhisorherbloodsugar,cholesterollevels,bun(liver)andcreatinine(kidney)levels.Youneedtoknowifheorshehasanyissuesbyhavinghisorherbloodchecked.
5.Activities–Olderpetsneedtorest,buttheyalsoneedtoexercise.Manypetsspeciallydogs,spiraldownbecausetheynolongergetenoughexercise.Theydon’tgetenoughwalksandthustheirjointstendtoagefaster.
Activitiessuchaswalkingareidealforbothseniorcatsanddogs.Excessiveactivitiessuchasjumpingaboutandfetchingmaynolongerbegoodforthem.
6.Toiletneeds–Mostcatsanddogsofanolderagemayhaveaccidentshereandthere.Nevereverhurtthemforthis.Theyalreadyknowthattheyaregettingoldandalotoftimes,beingscoldedbadlyfortoiletaccidentsmaymakethemfeelsadanddepressed.Youmayconsiderusingahometrayfordogsandputseverallitterboxesathomeforcatssothattheydonotneedtowalkfartodotheirbusiness.
Atsomepoint,somedogsandcatsmayneedtowearadiapersincetheymayexperienceincontinenceandmaynolongerhavecontrolovertheirbladder.
Beveryobservantwithyourcatordog’stoiletbehavior.Mostcatsanddogsdiebecauseofkidneyandbladderrelatedtroublesthatgounchecked.Ifyouobservethattheycan’tpeeorhavetroublepeeing,rushthemtovetrightawy.
7.Keepthemwarm–Olderpetsneedwarmthmorethanyoungerpets.Theymayneednowtohaveblanketastheysleeporevenwearapetshirttokeepthemselveswarm.Makesuretocheckonthemiftheylookcomfortableornot.
Showinglovetoanolderpetisthemostimportantthingyoucangivethemastheyage.Manypetsfeelsadastheyagebecausetheysensethattheirownersnolongercareaboutthemorworse,makethemfeelliketheyareburdensome.Trytoshowthemloveallthetime.Playwiththem,walkwiththemorjusthangoutwiththem.Makesurethatontheirlatteryears,theyfeelandknowthattheyareloved.Remembertheymayhaveverylimitedtimetostaywithyouandthusmakingsurethattheyarehappyisimportant.
Wealwaysseecatssleepingalldaylong.Theyseemtobetherelaxedtypeofpet.Unlikethedog,catsarenotoftenassociatedwithgoingforwalkstotheparkorplayingfetch.Funnyvideosoflazycatsrunviralontheinternet.Butcontrarytothepopularbelief,catsdoneedtohaveexercise.
Catsmayseemtobetheegoistic,selfcenteredanduncaringcreaturesthattheyare,buttheyarenot.Catsformbondswiththeirfurparentstoo.Accordingtostudies.Catsareassmartasdogs.Howeveracat’smindrunsdifferentfromdogs.
Dogsweredomisticatedtohelpwithkeepinglivestocklikesheepandcattlewhereascatswherebroughtinbecausetheycancatchmice,whichistosayalreadypartoftheirnature.CatswherethendomisticatedinEgyptandreceivedroyaltreatment.Pharoah,royaltyandtheEgyptiancourtbaskedinthegodlypresensceofthecat.
Catsweregivenaspecialtreatmentduringthosetimes.Andtheyseemtohavenotforgottenthat.Theywerefedspecialfood,allowedtosleepandrelaxalldayandcuddledinbedbybeautifulmaidens.
Howeverfarfromthemisconceptionthatcatsarelazy,catsareveryactiveanimals.Theyarenocturnalcreatureswhoprefertosleepbydayandbemoreactiveatnight.Thisisbecausesmallpreygooutduringthedark.Theycanhuntformice,lizards,frogsandothersmallcrittersatnightbecausetheyhavesharpeyes.
Catsareveryactiveanimalsthatneedconstantexercise.Theymaynotseemtoneeditbecauseoftheamountofsleeptheynormallytake,butwithoutproperexercisetheywillgetsickandgetfat.
Catsarepronetokidneyandliverdiseaseduetotheirlackofwaterintakeandwithoutexercise,theirlivescanbeshorterthanwhatitshouldbe.Catscanalsogetdiabetes.Diabetescanbefataltocats.Withoutphysicalactivity,theycangainweightandgetweak.
Manysicknessescancomeuponyourfelinefriendwithoutexercise.Theycangrowweak,getkidney,liver,heartproblems,diabetes,hypertentionandcanevenbedepressed.
Soplease,engagetheminexercise.
Pleasedon’tletyourcatstayinacagealldayboredtodeath.Allowhimtohaveanexercisetime.Giveyourcatthefreedomtostretchandrunaround.
1.Cattoys–Catswouldlovetoyslikefeathers,strings,ballsandmanymore.Thiscanallowthemtochasesomethingandgetmoving.
2.Takeyourcatforawalk–Alotofcatownersnowbringcatsonaleashforawalk.Yes,catscangoforwalksprovidedtheywearaharnessaroundtheirbodyinsteadofjustacollarandleashontheirneck.
3.Cattowers–Catscanenjoyclimbingupanddownacattower.Thesestructuresoffercatsthenaturalexercisetheynormallydointhewild–climbing.
4.Laserlight–Catslovetochasereddots.Sogoandtakeoutalaserlightsothatyourcutiecatcanmoveabout.
Catsneedbothpropernutritionandexercisetobeabletoreachagesof18,19oreven25.Catscanbeconstantcompanionsiftakencaredof.Ifyouspendenoughtimewithyourcats,theycanlearnwhatyouaretellingthem.
Sogoon,spendtimewiththemwalkinginthepark,oryeah,youcanalsolazearoundwiththemandtakeanap.
Mostanimalsdofeelhappinessandtosomeextentsadness.Ontheotherhand,mammals,speciallytheoneswhoaredomesticatedfeelalotofsimilaremotionstohumans.Theyfeeljoy,love,grief,excitementandevendepression.
Dogscansufferdepression.Doggiedepressionischaracterizedbylossofenergy,changeintemperamentandlackofappetite.Dogscanbedepressedduetoanumberofthings.Lifesituations,changeinlocation,thelossofafriend,quarrelinginthehomeandmanyotherscantriggerdepressionindogs.
Althoughtherearenotalotofstudiesregardingdogssufferingfromdepression,thiscasesdoexist.Depressioncanbecausedbyphysicalorpsychologicalissues.Usuallyinphysicalissues,thedogfeelssadbecauseheissickorfeelstoomuchpain.
Physicalissues-Dogswhohavesevereillnessesorseverepaincansufferthemost.Dogswithcancer,toothandgumproblems,kidneyandbladderproblemscanbewithdrawnandfeelunattached.
Psychologicalissues-Ontheothertherearealsothatsufferfromthoughtsthatcripplethemfromlivingwell.Dogswhohavebeenrescuedfromasheltercanbetraumatized.Alsoifadog’sfriendorcompaniondogdies,heorshewillormaysufferfromdepression.
Anotherissueiswhenthedogisalwaystoldoff,heorshemayconstruethisasdisapprovalfromhisownerandmaybecomedepressed.Havinganewdogcanmakehimalsofeeljealous.Anotherissueisifyoumovedtoanewplaceandhefindsthisplacetooscary.
Dogsmayshowvarioussymptomswhentheyaredepressed.Theyrevertfrombeinghappyandactivetosadandwithdrawn.
1.LossofAppetite–Dogstendtoeatlesswhentheyareunhappy.Dogsnormallyrelatefoodtofeelingsoffulfillmentandjoy.Whentheyaresad,theymayloseinterestinfood.
2.Beingwithdrawn–Youroncehappyandbouncingdogmaysuddenlybedriftingapartfromyou.Heorshemaylacktheenergytoplayorgoforwalks.
3.Becominglethargicandsleepingallthetime–Adepresseddogusuallydoesnotwanttodoanythingelsebesidessleepandbequiet.Heorshewillnotwanttoengagewithotherdogsorhumans.
4.Becomingeasilyagitateorangry–Somedogsexpresstheirpainandsadnessthroughaggression.Theywillbarkalotandtrytodestroythings.Theywillbiteshoesanddestroyfurniture.Dogslikethismayalsotrytoattackotherdogsorhumans.
Doggiedepression’ssymptomsarenormallyassociatedwithotherailmentssoitisbesttoconsultavettorulethemout.Issuessuchasdentaldecayorkidneyproblemsoreventickandfleaissuescanleadtothesesymptomssoitisbesttoknowwhatistrulybotheringyourdog.
Onceyouhavefoundoutwhatiscausinghisissuesandfoundthatitisnotsomethingphysical,youneedtoengageyourdogandmaketimeforhim.Youneedtotreathimlikeawoundedchild.Heorsheneedsyourloveandsupport.
1.Givinghimenoughplaytime–trytoleadyourdogandshowhimthathecanstillhavefun.
2.Ifyouhavemovedtoanewplace,trytolethimwarmuptothisarea.
3.Ifyouhaveanewdog,makesurethatyoushowthatyoustilllovetheformerdogasmuchasthenewone.
4.Trygivinghimdoggytreatsandgivinghimdeliciousfood.
5.Makesureheisgettingenoughexercise–notenoughexercisecanleadtofrustrationandtemperamentissues.
Withproperloveandsupport,yourdogcanregainhishappinessandenergy.Hecanbeactiveuntilhegrowsold.
Ihavemanyhorsesinmystable.Ialsohavesomeponiesborntomymares.Theyareverycute,smart,lovingandofcourseVERYLOYAL.Horsesareknowntoexhibitloyaltyandshowlovetotheirhumanfriendsevenifthereisaseparationforalongtime.Horseshavebeenknowninhistoryasloyalfriendsofmanthathasaidedhiminbattlesandeventillingtheground.Formeandmyfamilyhorsesareourcheerfulandwittyfriendsthatwecanridetothenearesttownorevenplaywith.
Horsesareknowntobeloyaltotheirownersevenifattimestheownercanbeharshandhurtfultohishorse.Sometimesevenifthehorseisoverworked,thislovelyanimalstillstayswithhismaster.Horsesareknowntobeloyalbecauseinthewildtheyareessentiallyprotectiveofthemembersoftheirherd.Thefemalestendtotheiryoungandwoulddefendthematallcosts.Ontheotherhand,maleswilltrytokickoffanyintruderwhotrytoharmamemberoftheirgroup.Whenanimalslikewolvestrytoattackthem,horsesusestheirstronghoovestokicktheenemyaway.Theywouldgrouparoundtheiryounginacircleandusetheirhindlegstokickashardastheycan.Ahorsekickissodeadly,thatonehitcansendyouasfarasfiftymetersaway.
Horsesbecomeloyaltotheirownerbecausetheyconsiderthempartoftheirherdoreventheironlyfamily.Thisiswhyeveniftheydogethurtwithawhip,theywouldstillbeloyaltotheowner.Horsesthoughwouldshowmoreloyaltytoownerswhoarelovingandkind.Muchlikedogs,horsesdevelopabettersenseofloyaltythroughprovidingrewardsafterfollowingaseriesofcommandsfromtheirowners.
IrecentlydiscoveredthatthearmyhasaprogramthathelpsinjuredveteransfromIraqandAfghanistantorecoverbetterthroughridinghorse.Theyridehorsestohelpdeveloptheirmusclesandregainthestrengthintheirlowerlimbs.Manyofthesesoldierhaveregainedconfidencebycommuningwiththehorses.
Ontheotherhandchildrenwithdisabilitiessuchashavingdownsyndromeorautismjoinridingcampswheretheymeet,playwithandridehorses.Afterthecampthechildrenshowalotofpositiveenergyandself-confidence.Thisonlyshowsthathorsescanworknotonlywithadultsandchildrenbutalsowithkidswhohavespecialneeds.
PersonallyIcanattestwithhorsesloyalty.WhenIgototravelabroadandleavethehorsesforamonthorso,theycanstillrecognizemewhenIgobackandgreetmelovingly.Theyplaywellwithmychildrenandhavealwaysbeensweetandkindtothem.Mycatsplaywiththemtoo.Whentheywereponiesandkitten,theyplaywitheachotherandnotthatthehorsesaremuchbiggertheystillallowmycatstoplaywiththem.Thedogsandhorsesgetalongwelltoo.Iknowhorsescanbeverygoodpetsandfriendstoanyone!
Forthousandsofyearsmanypeoplehavewonderedwhydodogsandcatshateeachothersomuch.Overtheyears,scientistshavestudieddogsandcatstofindoutmorewhytheyaresokeenonclawingandbitingeachotherout.Seeingdogschasingcatsandcatsfightingbackhasbeenpartofmydaytodaylife,althoughmypetsrarelyfighteachothersincetheyhaveallgrownuptogetherandIneverletthemreallyhurteachother.
SoItriedtofindoutwhydogschasecatsandwhytheytrytohurteachother.WellIdidwatchafewvideostoohereandthereandthisvideoshowsaverygoodandclearexplanationwhydogsandcatsfight.
1.Dogsandcatsarecarnivores–BasicallyintheirDNA,dogsandcatsareinherentlycompetingagainsteatingthesamekindoffood
2.Dogsandcatstendtobedefensiveaboutotheranimalsinthewild–Dogsandcatsareofdifferentspecies.Theypracticallydon’tspeakthesamelanguagesothedogwouldgetupsetwithanotheranimaljustbeingthere.Catsfeelthesame.Catsfeelanimositytowardsothermovingcreatureswhotheydonotknowtoo.
3.Catstrytoobservethenavoidthendogschasethem–Wellcatsareanimalswholiketoobservetheirsurroundingsandknowifthereissomethingthatcanharmthem.Nowiftheyseethis,theywillrunaway.Unfortunately,dogsseethatifanobjectisrunningormovingfastthatitneedstobechased.Dogsarehardwiredtochaseandhencewhenthecatsrun,theyrunafterthem.Ontheotherhand,catsreallydislikebeingchasedevenifthedogisjustbeingplayfulaboutitandsothefightarises.
4.Catsanddogsbehavedifferently–Ithinkthatthisisthemostimportantreasonwhytheyhateeachother.Theycannotunderstandoneanother.Thecatnormallywagsitstailandmakesitstailbiggerasasignofaggressionwhythedogdoesthatasafriendlygesture.Thiscausesthemtomisunderstandeachotherandfight.
WellIhopeIgaveyouabitofaninsightonwhydogsandcatshateeachother.WellIthinktheseanimalscanco-existandlivewitheachotherinharmonyiftheyarebothshownenoughloveandattention.Myfurbabiesallliveinthesameroofandallarehappywitheachother.
Havingfourcatsandsevendogsandtenhorseshasgivenmetoopportunitytolookatcats’,dogs’andhorses’intelligence.Manypeopleoftensaythatdogsaremoreintelligentthancatsandhorsesbutinmyownexperienceitmaynotreallybeso.Catsareprettysmartanimalsthathaveatotallydifferenttemperamentthandogs.Whiledogsseekattentionandacceptancefromusandtheotherdogsandanimals,mycatsandontheotherhandseekpersonalhappinessandfulfillment.Butunlikemostbeliefcatsarenotasselfishaswhatothersperceive.Theycanshowmuchloveandcarenottomentionadecentamountofsmartness.
Alotofpeoplethinkthatcatsarenotassmartasdogssimplybecausetheyoperateinatotallydifferentmannerasdogs.Catsarenormallyindependentandhavetheirownthoughtsandfeelingsaboutplayingandcuddlingwithhumans.DogsontheotherhandareveryneedyandwanttotheapprovaloftheirAlpha(inthiscasetheowner).Theynormallyperformpoorlyintestsofintelligencebecausethesetestsaremadeinthelabwhichcatsnormallyspotasunrealistic.Dogwillperformwellintheseexperimentsbecausetheyknowthattheywillreceivearewardattheendofthechallenge.Catswouldonlycooperatewithhumansiftheyfeelthattheeventisbeneficialtothem.Theyoftengetboredandstartwashingthemselvestodemonstratealoofness.
Dogsarestudiedmuchmorethancats.Throughthousandsofyearsofdomesticationandtrainingforthepurposesofguardinghumanlifeandproperty,hunting,guidingandsoon,dogshaveacquiredtheskillsneededbymansothathecanseenasintelligent.Ontheotherhand,catsweremainlykeptfordecorativeandappearancepurposesintheancienttimes.Theiraloofandmysteriousdemeanorhaveoftenenthralledroyaltyandlaymenalike.
PersonallyIhavemanyaccountsofcatsbeingsmart.ThereisthisoutdoorcatwhoInamedUnkiewhoIoftenfeeddailywhenIgoouttobuysomesupplies.Heisaverysmartcat.WhenIcallouthisname,evenfromafar,hewouldcomerunningandgallopingtowardsme.Whenheseesme,hewouldgivemeaheadbumptoshowthatherecognizesme.Heliveswithothercatssuchashismotherandsomeothercatstheirandtheydohaveaharmoniousrelationship.IhavetrainedhimthatIwouldgoandputhisfoodonthebenchandhewouldthenclimbittogetsomefood.Hewouldthennormallydothesamebehaviortogetfood.
InmyresearchIhavefoundoutsometraitsthatshowthatcatsareassmartasdogsorevensmarterthandogsinfewinstances.Althoughdogsaremoresocialandhavelargerbrains,catsadapttosituationsattimesbetterthandogs.Theyarenotmotivatedasmuchbyfoodunlikedogs.
Catsthinkaboutdaytodaylifeandsurvivaldifferentlythandogsdo.Theyknownaswiseandexpedienthunters.Theydonotwanttowastetimeandenergyinhuntingandtiringapreyunlikedogs.Catspreferfortheinstantandquickkill.Catsarealsoveryinvestigative.Theywanttoknowwhatisinverybox,nookandcranny.Theyalsomeowandcrywhentheywanttheirfurparenthumanstofeedthem.Catsalsocovertheirpoopandwaryofthesmellithas.Theydon’tnormallypoopanywhere.
Iknowsomepeoplewilldisagreewiththisbutcatscanreallybetrained.Catsmanyonlyacknowledgeapersontrainingthemiftheydeemthatpersonworthytobefollowedandloved.Kittensnormallylearntousethelitterboxfromtheirmommacatbuttheymayalsolearnitfromthehumanswhoteachthemtopoopandpeeinspecificplace.Somecatshavebeentrainedtosit,standorevenrolloverbytheirowners.Catsmaybedifficulttotrainbecausetheythinktheseactionsareunnecessarytotheirlifeandsurvivalbutwouldonlyfollowiftheythinkitissomethingfunforthem.Totrainacat,youmustshowhimthatthisactivityisenjoyable.
Catsareoftenmisunderstoodbecausetheyhaveachangingtemperament.Unlikedogswhoshowconstantloveanddevotion,acatisnormallycomparedwithahormonalgirlfriend.Catslikeslionsnormallyarelovingandaffectionatetotheiryoung.Femalesnormallylivetogethertosupportoneanotherinraisingkittens.Malesaredominantandsometimesdonotwanttobetiedingroupsbutsomemalesprefertostaywiththeirmothersandfamilyastheygrowup.Inmypersonalexperiencewiththestraycats,theynormallyshowloveandrespectbynottakingafoodthatisalreadyinanothercat’sclawsormouth.ThesecatsalsogivemeheadbumpsandrubonmylegswhenIseethemtoshowtheiracceptanceofme.ThebestpartofallisthattheyevensendmehomeasIwalkandstopwhentheyreachacertainplacetoreturntotheirlivingareanearthestore.
Catsnormallytheorizeabouttrappingtheirpraysandthinkabouttoquicklyresolveissues.Theyhavequickresponsestostimulus.Theyaresometimesseenasfearfulandwarybutthisisjustasignofselfpreservation.Catsdon’tneedaconstantattentionandwouldonlycrywhentheyneedsomethingfromtheirownersuchbeingallowedtogotothelitterboxorgettingfood.Theydislikebeingputonaleash(butIhavefriendswhohavedonethis).Somecatscanevenopendoorsandcages!
Catsalsohaveveryexcellentsurvivalskillsandbodyintelligence.Theyareabletomovetheirbodiesincertainwaysthatallowthemtoliveandsurvivebetterthandogs.Theycanlearnhowtojumpheights,surviveafallandsooninorderforthemtolivewell.
Catsnormallynevermeowinthewild.Theydothistocommunicatewiththeirhumanowners.Somecatswhoknowthattheirownersknowthemwellbarelymeowatall.Theycandopawsignalsandeyemessagestoo.Catscancommunicatewithoneanotherthroughbodylanguage.
Iknowthatcatsanddogshaveoftenbeencomparedandthatdogsarenormallyseenasthesmarteranimalbutwemayneedtochangeourviewonthistheory.Therearemorescientistsdedicatedinlearningaboutdogsthancats.Asimilarcomparisonbetweencatsanddogsmaynotbesoeasybecauseoftheirdifferentsocialendeavorsandtemperaments.
Livinginabighouseholdandhavingchildren,IhavetakenalotofconsiderationwhenIhaveadoptedKyraintoourhold.Sheisabiggoldenretrieverwhoseownermovedtoadifferentcountryandreallyhadtogiveherup.Shewasactiveandplayful.Sheliketorunalotandplaywiththeotheranimals.Kyraandmyhorsesaregoodfriends.Shealsoplayswiththekidsandthecatswell.
IknowlotsaboutanimalsbutKyrawasourfirstadoptionandIhadtoreadlotsofstuffbeforeIdecidedthatshewasgoingtobeanewmemberinourfamily.AndofcourseIaskedmykidsandmyhusband.OnceeveryoneagreeditwastimetobringKyrahome.NowsinceIfoundmybelovedKyrawithsomeconsideration,I’dliketosharewithyouafewtipsintofindingagreatrescuedog.
Whatkindofpersonareyou–Dogshavedifferenttemperamentsandattitudes.Yourpersonalitygreatlydetermineswhatsortofdogyoucanlivewith.Ifyouwillbetheprimarycaregiverforthedog,youmustfullyassessthethingsyoudoandthethingsyouexpectyourdogtobe.AreyouthetypeofpersonwhocannottoleratenoiseandbarkingAreyouthesortwholikestowatchTVorreadbooksalldayevenonabrightsunnydayOrareyouthetypewholikestheoutdoorsandwouldn’tmindbreakingintoasweattohaveanadventureYoumustmatchyourfuturedog’stemperamenttoyours.Ifyoupickadogwhoishighlyactive,sayGermanShepherdandyou’rethetypewhohatesgoingoutthenthedogwouldresentbeingalwaysinsideyourhouseandwouldberestless.
Consideryourfamilymembers–Everybodyhastobeonboardingettingarescuedog.Rescuedogscansometimesbenervousorshyaroundotherpeople.Theycanbescaredtoliveamongmanykidsandcangetabitjumpy.Pickingadogwhoismildlytemperedcanbeagreatwayforfamilieswithkids.ThiswaswhatIdidwhenIchoseKyraformykids.Youneedtoalsoconsultallthemembersofyourfamily.WhatkindofdogcantheylivewithDoesanyonehaveallergiestofurIsanyoneannoyedwithnoise
Checkthedogbreedsthatsuityourpersonality–Youmustfindadogwhosuitsyourpersonalitywell.Somedogsareactiveandlovetoplayoutside.OtherdogscanjustchillandrelaxwithyouathomealldaymuchlikeaBritishBulldogoraPug.ActivedogssuchasColliesandLabradorscanbegreatforplayingoutside.LabradorsaregreatforkidstooaswellasBeagles.Knowingdogbreedscanactuallybehelpfulinyoursearchforthatrescuedog.
Meetthedog–Trytocheckifthedogisniceandfriendly.Heshouldnotbeaggressivetowardsyou.Ifthedogactuallylikesyouatfirstinstancethiscanbegoodsign.Butalwaysrememberthegoldenruleofhavingapersonalitymatch.Thedogshouldbehappytoseeyouatleast.Hewouldshowsignssuchaswagginghistail,smilingandtrytobeclosetoyoubygoingtothedoorofthecage.Somedogsthoughmaybeintimidatedorscaredinmeetingyou,tryaskingthepersonneloftheshelterifthedogisgreataroundpeopleorifhecanbewithotherpets.KyraandIwasloveatfirstsight.ButIdidnotletmyemotionsgettome.Ithoughtfirstifshewasreallyforus.Mychildrenlovedher.Thesheltersaidshewasahappyandactivedog.
Rescuingadogisakindandwonderfulgesture.Itgivesthatdoganewhome,anewfamilyandanewlife.Youmustconsiderhisneedstoowhenpickingtherightdog.Youandyournewpetcanhaveahappyhomeaslongasyouputenoughthoughtintochoosingtherightonetoapartofyourlifeandyourfamily.
Ihopethishelpsyouinfindingyournewfriendandfamilymember!Seeyouagainsoon!
Love,
Jackie<3<3<3
Runningwaterisveryenticingtocats;thisisanaturalreactiontothemasrunningwaterisboundtobecleanerthanwatersittinginapuddle.Thisiswhycatsoftenliketojumponcountersanddrinkfromthetap,asthemotionoftherunningwateriswhattheylove.
Agoodcatfountaincanencouragecatstodrinkmorewaterandthisisimportantasmanycatsaredehydratedanddon’tdrinkenoughwhentheyareonlyprovidedabowlofwater.Investinasmallcatfountainandyou’llhaveahealthiercat.
BonusTip
Catscanbeverymysteriousattimes.Perhapsthisiswhycatsaretraditionallyshownasthecompanionsofwitchesandareassociatedtohalloween,goodluckandbadluck.Ifyoualreadyhaveacatyouprobablywonderwhatsheisthinkingsometimesandwhyherbehaviorcanbeerraticattimes,oneminutehappytobewithyou,thenextlashingout.IknowthismaybeabitcontraversialforsomebutIbelievethatcatsareverysensitivetoenergyandforcesaround,andperhapsspiritstoo.Ioncesawathingwhereacatwouldnotrespondtoitsnameandapetpsychicspoketoit(aftertheownerscouldnotthinkwhatelsetodo)andfoundoutthatitdidnotlikeitsname!Aftertheychangedit’snameitrespondedfullytoitsnameandwasmuchhappierandmoreengagedwiththefamily.
Feedyourcatcannedfoodregularly.
Cannedcatfoodusuallycontainsahigherconcentrationofproteinwhichishealthierforcats,andbecauseitismoremoistit’sbetterfortheircoatandtheirskin.Drykibblealsotypicallydoesn’tappealtoacat’sfinickypalate,soacatmaynotgetenoughfoodandnutritionifthisisallyouserveit.Mixsomemoist,cannedcatfoodwiththedryeverydayifyoucannotaffordonlycannedfood,andyourcatwillgetthenutritionitneedsandwillensureiteatsenoughaswell.
Onlyusenatural,clumpinglitter.
Avoidlittersthathavecertainperfumesaddedtothemandanythingotherthannatural,clumpinglitter.Thoseadditivesputintolitterstocutdownonodorsareusuallyirritatingtocatsandmaycausehimorhertotrytoavoidusingthelitterbox.Ifpossible,avoidlinersintheboxandifyoudousealiner,makesurethelitterisverythicksothecatdoesn’ttouchit.Theyfindtheselinersalsotobeveryunnaturalandupsetting.Keeptheboxfilledwithclean,naturalclumpinglitterandyourcatwillfeelmorerelaxedeverytimeitusestheboxandinturnwillbehealthieroverall.
Ifyouoryourfamilykeepadogathome,considersomeimportanttipsoncaringforit.Thiswillensureyourdogisnotonlyhealthybutalsohappy.
Dogstravelinpacksbecausetheyaresocialcreatureswhoneedtobearoundotheranimalsofsomesort.It’snothealthyfordogstobeontheirownforlongperiodsoftime.Ifyoumustgotoworkeveryday,considerlookingintoatypeofdoggiedaycareorkennelservicewhereyourdogcanbearoundotheranimalsandpeopleinstead.
It’salsogoodtothinkaboutgettingmorethanonedogifyouneedtoleavethehomeoften.Whenyouhavetwodogstogethertheycankeepeachothercompanyandbothwillbemoreemotionallycontent.
Adogbeddoesn’tneedtobeexpensivebutitshouldbecomfortableforadogandappropriateforitssize.Ifyouliveinacolderclimate,investinonemadeofawarmermaterialsuchaswoolorfleece.Putthedogbedawayfromcolddraftsandensurethatthedogrespondstoitsoyouknowit’scomfortable.
Whenyoubuydogfood,pricealoneshouldn’tdeterminethebestbrandtobuy.Aswithyourownfood,youwantqualitychoicesthatarehighinnutritionalvalue.Theingredientsthatarelistedfirstonanutritionallabelarethemostprominentinthatfood.Foryourdog,youwanttolookforproteinincludingchickenorbeeforanothermeatalongwithcheeseoreggs,andthenthatshouldbefollowedbygrainssuchasriceormeal.
Avoidfoodsthathavegrainslistedfirstoronesthathaveproteinsourceslistednearthebottom.Thiswillbewhat’scalledafillerfood,oronethathaslittlenutritionalvalueforyourdog.Yourpet’shealthmaysufferanditmayalsohavemoredigestiveissuesincludinggasandloosestools.
Investinmoistfood.
Keepthesetipsinmindwhencaringforyourfamilypet.Itisn’talwaysdifficulttotakecareofyourdogbutyoudoneedtorememberwhatisneededforittobehealthyandhappy.Thesetips,alongwithregulartripstothevet,willensureyourdogiscaredforproperly.
Itcanbegoodtohaveawaytostoreloosegrainnearorinyourbarnsoyoucanbuygraininbulkratherthanbythebag.Checkwithalocalfarmer’sco-oporsmallfarmwhomayofferbetterpricesonbulkgrain,andpurchaseasmuchasyoucanstore.Thistoowillsaveyoumoneyallyearlong.
Manypiecesofequipmentcanbesewnbyhandifyoudon’thaveaccesstoasewingmachinethatcanhandleleatherandotherthickmaterials.Youmightalsoseeaboutinvestinginfabricgluesthatcanhelptorepairitemssotheydon’tneedtobereplaced.
Blanketsandrugscanalsobecleanedandrepairedratherthanreplaced.Investinabrushyouwouldusetocleanacaralongwithsomehorsesoap,andtakethetimetoreallycleanyourblanketsandrugsratherthansimplybuyingthemnewwhentheygetworndown.
Veryoftenfarmswillselltheirusedequipmentforhorsesformuchcheaperthanwhatyouwouldpayatanyequipmentstore.Whenyouneedforks,brooms,halters,buckets,andeverythingelseforthecareofyourhorse,lookforlocalfarmswhohavethesepiecesforsale.Buyingthemusedwillbecheaperwhilestillgettingtheitemsyouneedspecificallyforcaringforahorse.
Rememberthesefoursimpletipsforsavingmoneywhenyouownorcareforyourownhorse.