It is important, I think, for each of us to be open to the ideas of others. Shifting my own opinion is a good thing. I am certainly wrong sometimes. And my ideas are always changing. Like everything else, the “animal world” has become a place where it’s difficult to listen. A few people are …
‘Adopt me! I’m already trained!’ Some of my friends and family members have purebred dogs from breeders. Many of them were first-time dog owners, and they believed they would have a better chance of getting a “good” dog if they went to a breeder vs. a shelter. I know some of you are screaming at …
We need dogs in our lives. I need them. Dogs are always connecting me to people – leading me one way, pulling me along. Ace lead me into the crazy world of animal rescue. He took me to dog parks and dog agility classes. Introduced me to friends I wouldn’t have met. He helped me …
I chew. I beg. I pant. I breathe. I live. I sing. I play. I love. I am your dog, your pitbull dog.
Tips for potty training a dog If you recently adopted an adult dog, you may be surprised he is having “accidents” in the house. It could be the dog was never properly housebroken. Maybe he lived outside. Maybe his previous owners did not train him. Maybe he lived at a shelter for months and learned …
How to foster a cat through a rescue group or shelter Your community probably has a need for more foster homes for cats. To foster a cat means to provide her with a loving home while she waits to be adopted. Some people choose to foster for a few weeks or months until the cat …
Jack Russell terrier whines and pulls on the leash A reader emailed me recently with a question: How should she stop her Jack Russell terrier’s frantic whining and pulling on the leash? Here is her email, edited for punctuation and length: I just got a 2-year-old Jack Russell. She is a timid little thing and …
The outdoor cat. A free spirit. Beamer is an indoor cat now. So is Scout. There is a difference between our cat who used to roam outdoors and our cat who has never had that freedom. Two levels of awareness. Beamer would sometimes be out for hours, napping on the deck, slinking between bushes. Sometimes …
13 ways to help animals Earlier this month I decided to participate in The 13 Project. This project was created by a site called Pretty Fluffy to encourage individuals to help homeless animals. To participate, all you have to do is come up with your own list of 13 ways to help animals before 2012 ends. I …
Small dog’s possessiveness of owner I often hear people ask, “How to stop my small dog from guarding me?” but big dogs will also guard their owners. With small dogs, the scenario goes something like this: First, the dog barks and growls whenever people come to the door. Next, the dog’s owner picks him up …