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Good Grief | Honoring Our Pets

With our dog moving through her senior years, I can't help but find myself distracted at times by thoughts of life without her. She is our first dog together, and my first dog that I've had as an adult. She is such a big presence in our home that I miss her when she chooses to stay in another room to nap. Waiting in line at the local ATM, it isn't unusual for a familiar face ask, "Where's Cleo? How is she doing today?"

Back in September, after attending a senior dog seminar at the San Francisco SPCA, I decided to join in the monthly Pet Loss Support Group also held at the SF SPCA. The monthly sessions are free and Dr. Betty Carmack, RN, Ed.D. is there as a grief counselor. She spoke at the seminar and had mentioned "anticipatory grief" in association with pet loss. I hadn't thought of my recent feelings about Cleo like that before, but after speaking with her, I am relieved that they are normal and not an indication that I'm already a wreck.

Good grief. The best part of the pet loss group for me was the incredible welcome you are wrapped in. I'm so glad I went. There were about ten of us strangers, but we immediately all had a love for our pets in common. We all wanted to honor our pets, and move past any feeling of regret or guilt. It was such a wonderful experience, and actually helped me refocus on the time I have with my dog now, away from my fear over her eventual passing and what that will be like.

Yesterday friends had to euthanize their beloved dog, and it got me thinking about how I would want that experience to be with Cleo. It is a personal and individual experience, but the decisions around it are worth thinking about ahead of time. As they recommend in the senior seminar, it is important to begin creating a support network before you need it, as well as, discussing how you want to honor your pet when the time comes.

15 Most Adorable Pictures Of Rabbit Bathtime

Yes, we are all about dogs, but, we are equal opportunity lovers of awwwwwww..especially on Fridays. This bunny bath time photo series is for all our friends (Hi Vicki! Hi Kim!) who love the bunnies...

via www.buzzfeed.com

 

5 Steps to a Happy Dog Starting with Squash

How do you make a happy dog? First you wake them up with belly rubs, then take them out for a morning constitutional then serve them foods that are tasty yet easy to make, and easy on the wallet.

It's win-win when you both are happy with what is in their food bowl. Follow below to see how we made Cleo a very happy dog, starting with squash.

Step 5 - Get approval from customer and happy dog

Babble.com | 10 ways a puppy prepares you for parenthood

Babble.com is an online parenting resource. They sent us this list of ten ways that a puppy might be the best idea for those thinking about becoming a parent. Pet care and vet bills will be for the life of your dog. Being prepared for medical costs, number five on the list, rings true for me. Having a budget for vet bills, and exploring pet insurance, are important considerations before having a dog. How do you think a dog, as a puppy or a senior, prepares you for being a parent?

 

via www.babble.com

5 of 10: There is no such thing as a free puppy.

Vaccinations and spaying/neutering add up to a number of pricey vet bills in the first few months of companionship. Spoiler alert: Puppies don't get cheaper as they grow up, and neither do kids.

Read the full article

Giving Fearlessly | Story Behind Pooch Park Wear

Dogs are amazing creatures. Their ability to sense when we need them the most, and their innate skills at helping us heal, surely explains the growing use of pet therapy programs across the country. Love for our dogs, can not only get us to run into a burning house to save them, but also to run away from an abusive husband.

In her own words, here is the story of Shelly Poochpark*, a woman spurred to take her beloved dog and herself, away from domestic violence, and toward a new life in San Francisco.

[Beloved Baby modeling a custom shirt. She passed away in 2010.]

I met Baby, a brown Chiweenie, while I was visiting the SPCA in Southern California. She had just been surrendered by her family. It was love at first sight. Her loving eyes and beautiful face just made me want to hold her and keep her. They kept her for 48 hours to spay her and check her out, and then I fetched her. Baby changed my life from the moment she came to live with my now ex-husband and me.

Donations Needed For First and Only Pet Pantry In El Paso Texas

In San Francisco, working with PAWS Pets Are Wonderful Support, I have seen first hand how much a pet pantry can help low income and disabled pet owners. For some folks, it can be the difference between keeping their pet, or surrendering them. If you live in or near El Paso, consider donating to Ben's Pet Pantry. They need your help.

 

via www.ktsm.com

Ben's Pet Pantry is named after an adorable dog named Ben. He was wandering the streets of El Paso when Josie Gonzalez spotted him, took him in and gave him a loving home complete with two brothers, Casper and Cody. "Animals are like family," Gonzalez said. "They give you companionship. You talk to them about your problems. They may not give you advice, but they're always there."

Josie's love of animals led her to take action after finding out about a situation going on in our community. "I had been reading articles on animals being turned into rescue groups and shelters due to the fact that their owners could not provide for them," Gonzalez said. Gonzalez found out there was no pet pantry of any kind in El Paso so she founded Ben's Pet Pantry, which she runs out of her home.

Since August, Ben's Pet Pantry has helped 10 families with more than 100 lbs. of dog and cat food, as well as cat litter. "We also accept pet bowls, pet supplies, bedding, collars, leashes," she said. "Give me a call. If you want any more information, visit our website.

And we're always looking for donations." For more information about Ben's Pet Pantry you can go to their website http://benspetpantry.weebly.com/

Read the full article

Tiny Confessions: Funny Dog Prints 20% OFF

via fab.com

This is so Cleo...but then so are a bunch more of the dog quotes he's captured...great start to my Monday.

Tails of Seattle | Pets in the snow

via seattletimes.nwsource.com

Sometimes I really wish San Francisco was closer to snow for my dog Cleo to experience it.

Tails of Seattle readers shared photos of their pets in the snow. If you have a picture of your dog or cat enjoying or otherwise encountering the weather this weekend in the Seattle area, click here for instructions on how your photo can be included in their gallery.

Prince William and Kate Get New Puppy?

via www.people.com

There had been reports that William planned to give his bride a puppy for Christmas, and the couple welcomed the New Year playing with some dogs at Kate's family home in Bucklebury, Berkshire.

Growing up, William had a black Labrador – named Widgeon – and the devoted pal was regularly seen by his side at shoots and polo matches.

Swimming and Massage Therapy Helping Chicago Dogs

via beaconnews.suntimes.com

“We have been able to improve conditions and problems that traditional medicine, acupuncture and chiropractors have had difficulty correcting,” he said. “Massage is more than just petting; it is directed, structured therapy to help alleviate problematic conditions.”

Massage and water therapies are widely recognized for treating people, and now are gaining popularity in the pet arena. Both owners and veterinarians tout their therapeutic benefits.

“It increases circulation, improves healing, and has a lot of benefits in general, “said Dr. Susan Liszewski, veterinarian and owner of TLC First Animal Hospital in Chicago. “Animals have a lot of things that build up over time, a lot of things they are exposed to. It really has a big impact.”

Doris Day Animal Foundation Provides Grant to Muttville | Seniors for Seniors

Growing up on the Monterey Peninsula, Doris Day became a personal hero of mine long ago, when it came to animal welfare. Her commitment to animals runs deep, and she continues to set an example all these years later.

This month she is back with her first album release in 17 years - "My Heart" - with proceeds benefiting her animal foundation. Past meets present: Miss Day's big heart is showering one of my favorite local nonprofits, with much needed funds. 

The Doris Day Animal Foundation, a national non-profit organization founded by the legendary actress and animal welfare advocate, has provided a grant to Muttville, a nonprofit dog rescue organization in San Francisco to help with rescuing senior dogs.

“When we learned about Muttville and its successful rescues of so many senior dogs, we knew we had to help,” Miss Day said from her home in Carmel, California. “We fund other charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that perform excellent work to help the animals and the people who love them. Muttville is a terrific group of volunteers doing good work, and we’re proud to be able to help.”

This generous grant will underwrite Muttville’s signature adoption program, “Seniors for Seniors,” bringing older dogs and senior citizens together.

In recognizing the special bond between humans and dogs in their “golden years,” Muttville is proud to partner with Miss Day and her Foundation in providing education and material support to make high-quality no-cost adoptions to senior citizens. This grant of $7,000 will allow Muttville to defray the costs of approximately 25 “Seniors for Seniors”adoptions.

Acupuncture for Pets | Holistic Veterinarians Help

via www.wltz.com

Hagerstown, MD -- You may have heard about acupuncture for people, but how about for your four-legged friends?

13-year-old miniature Pinscher Alexis is dealing with some major health problems.

She's battling bladder cancer, kidney failure and arthritis, but her owners are trying a different kind of approach to help her conditions.

"My first reaction was let's try acupuncture," Keri Hammel said. "We've actually both have had acupuncture in the past and we try holistic approaches to medicine for ourselves, so we're trying that for our animals as well."

"Acupuncture is a way to take care of the pain in her knee and give her more mobility without causing side effects," said Dr. Randy Barbour, a veterinarian who works with Alexis.

Hampton's CART holding pet-friendly shelter training January 14

via www.dailypress.com

Volunteer Claudia Pillich, who started with CART Community Animal Response Team in 2008, after she realized what so many pet owners do during a disaster.

"It was during (Hurricane) Isabel, and we needed to leave our home, but we couldn't find anywhere that accepted animals," Pillich said. "I don't have children, so my dogs are like my kids, and there was no way I was leaving them behind. Nobody should be put in that position."

In an effort to recruit more volunteers, CART is holding pet-friendly shelter training Jan. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hampton Fire Training Center, Room 211, 1300 Thomas St., in Hampton.

The training will include pet CPR from 9 a.m. to noon by the American Red Cross, followed at 1 p.m. by an overview of how to set up a pet-friendly shelter.

"It's important for us to be able to set up shelters for animals when we have disasters, and with hurricane season gone, we still need to be prepared for the winter months," Mowery said.

Sydney Vet pleads for landlords to allow pets

via smh.domain.com.au

People and Pets veterinarian is pushing for more pet-friendly rental properties to be made available to encourage more families to adopt animals and stop the displacement of loved family members.

Dogs Welcome Soldier Home From Iraq

via www.thehollywoodgossip.com

A sweet way to close out your day, click here to be reminded that Dogs are amazing.