By Raymond Angus
Seniors pets are companions! Our friends! Whether they're
pet dogs or pet cats or any of a thousand other pet animals
we bring into our homes, they share our lives with us as
virtual human beings.
They faithfully stand beside us no matter what the world
throws at us. They reward us with their trust and
affection.
We give them personal names. We dub them Fido, Butch,
Fluffy, Mitzi or any of a myriad other appellations. The
amazing fact is that we create entire personalities around
the names we award them with.
In our minds they are people just like us!
Butch may in fact be just a tiny Yorkshire Terrier dog, but
he's a tough little dude who bullies and bluffs his way
through life. Mitzi is a regal, white Persian cat, who even
though she considers herself a queen, she grants you the
privilege of caring for all of her personal needs.
They get hair all over the furniture and on your best suit
or dress. You find fur balls under the dining room table
just as dinner guests ring the front door bell. At ten
o:clock on a rainy Friday night, Fido scratches at the door
to announce he wants, and needs, to go outside.
Why do we share our lives with pets and put up with their
many and sometimes irritating habits?
The answer is simple...because we need them in our personal
worlds to make life bearable.
Are you a senior parent with a home now devoid of young
voices and excitement? Have your children moved on to their
own worlds and don't barge back into yours as much as you
would like?
Do you crawl out of bed each morning and wonder how you will
fill the hours until the end of the new day? Do you look
forward to the air conditioning unit turning on and off to
break the endless silence of an empty house?
Scientific research over the years has revealed some
surprising revelations about the very real partnership that
exists between humans and their live in pets. Medical
science has shown that a true symbiotic relationship
develops in an owner and pet equation.
The pet and the owner share a mutual need for each other and
both profit from the arrangement.
A person's physical and mental health show marked
improvement if a pet lives in the household. Loneliness
dissolves and pet owners display increasing vigor and
contentment with the companionship of a pet. Dogs and cats
were the pets most often involved in the medical surveys.
The research revealed that people felt needed by the pet and
were forced to develop a schedule for providing for the
animals' welfare. This mutual reliance helped both men and
women pet owners to become more enthused for their own
personal welfare. In the final analysis, the humans felt
more needed and valuable as individuals.
Because of the contentment factor enjoyed by the pet owners,
significant physical improvements were often displayed.
The very next time you look at Sheba or Butch, lean over and
give them an added pat on the head, or a special treat for
dinner.
Why? Just for being there!
Raymond Angus is a widely read author of articles and books.
He writes about seniors and their world.
To read more of his work turn to: http://www.theseniorslife.com
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Cooking for Sick Pets
By Julee Roth
Nothing is more frustrating than a pet with diarrhea or constant vomiting - I know, I have experienced these messy problems for one long month. I adopted two kittens from a large chain pet store. No more than 15 minutes into our journey home, adorable little Lulu had diarrhea. I thought it was related to the car ride, but after a few days of scooping wet, runny poop from both kittens I knew this was a health issue.
I took the kittens to the vet, and even though they may have been given shots, my vet suggested they were too young and not properly immunized. I told him about their diarrhea - they had very healthy appetites and were drinking water. My vet gave them their shots, prescribed medication and home we went.
The medication was difficult to give and it didn't seem to help. I put canned pumpkin in their food. It didn't really help. I added psyllium. It didn't help. I went online and began some research. And I found Vitality Sciences - a company founded in 1991 to help people with GI problems.
I read their research, I read their testimonials then I called and ordered the feline diarrhea vomiting combo. Because I didn't have a specific cause of the problem, I needed to try a few product combinations. Within the week Pearl had normal stools. Lulu, the other kitten, took a bit longer to treat but is now diarrhea free. So for treatment resistant diarrhea or vomiting, these six products can be combined to fight the infection, cure the disease and get your pet back into health. See the specific products at www.ChoicePetProducts.com.
So what did I do for their food? I cooked for them, of course! I found that they like the Shelton brand of frozen minced turkey the best. I add enough distilled water (buy it at the grocery - especially if your pet may have Giardia) to completely cover the thawed turkey. I cook the turkey until the juices run clear. This is the experimental part and it works for most dogs and cats.
For diarrhea, I started with 1 Tablespoon of canned organic pumpkin to one cup of cooked turkey. For dogs, you may want to add 1/2 cup cooked long grain rice. I fed 1 tablespoon of this food to my kittens and about 2 tablespoons to my adult male cat three times a day. (My adult male loves plain turkey and hated the pumpkin after a while.) I fed a small amount of dry food and clean, distilled water is out all day. Once the turkey is thawed (properly, please, no need to give food poisoning on top of other GI problems) the cooking time is about 10-12 minutes. The cooling time is another 10-20 minutes and then I promptly refrigerate any unused portion. I then took some of the cooked turkey and mixed in the Comfort product - either canine or feline, depending upon species - and this added a different kind of fiber. I alternated this mix with the pumpkin for the kittens - it worked great for Pearl.
I, along with my vet, thought Lulu had Giardia. I found that giving the herbal supplement and then the skullcap supplement stopped the diarrhea within two days, along with the food choices from above.
The comfort products also work exceptionally well for vomiting. I suggest that if your kitty has hairballs, add a little pumpkin to their food. If you use the ground turkey, be sure to have a mix of white and dark meat, there's a bit more fat to help hairballs.
I have also heard great results with this diet for animals on chemotherapy and radiation. Again, use distilled water to help clear toxins.
If you cook once week, like me, take 20-30 minutes out of your day and cook for your pet. I put enough food for four days in a plastic container. I freeze the remainder of the cooked turkey (I add the other ingredients once it is unfrozen) in small containers and take them out as I need them.
Cooking for your pet really is easy and it makes treating difficult problems so much easier!
Julee Roth has been a life-long animal lover and pet industry veteran with over 12 years experience helping people and their pets. Hundreds of thousands of puppies, kittens, cats and dogs have benefited from her advice and well chosen pet products. To ask her for more pet advice, visit her web site, http://www.ChoicePetProducts.com
Nothing is more frustrating than a pet with diarrhea or constant vomiting - I know, I have experienced these messy problems for one long month. I adopted two kittens from a large chain pet store. No more than 15 minutes into our journey home, adorable little Lulu had diarrhea. I thought it was related to the car ride, but after a few days of scooping wet, runny poop from both kittens I knew this was a health issue.
I took the kittens to the vet, and even though they may have been given shots, my vet suggested they were too young and not properly immunized. I told him about their diarrhea - they had very healthy appetites and were drinking water. My vet gave them their shots, prescribed medication and home we went.
The medication was difficult to give and it didn't seem to help. I put canned pumpkin in their food. It didn't really help. I added psyllium. It didn't help. I went online and began some research. And I found Vitality Sciences - a company founded in 1991 to help people with GI problems.
I read their research, I read their testimonials then I called and ordered the feline diarrhea vomiting combo. Because I didn't have a specific cause of the problem, I needed to try a few product combinations. Within the week Pearl had normal stools. Lulu, the other kitten, took a bit longer to treat but is now diarrhea free. So for treatment resistant diarrhea or vomiting, these six products can be combined to fight the infection, cure the disease and get your pet back into health. See the specific products at www.ChoicePetProducts.com.
So what did I do for their food? I cooked for them, of course! I found that they like the Shelton brand of frozen minced turkey the best. I add enough distilled water (buy it at the grocery - especially if your pet may have Giardia) to completely cover the thawed turkey. I cook the turkey until the juices run clear. This is the experimental part and it works for most dogs and cats.
For diarrhea, I started with 1 Tablespoon of canned organic pumpkin to one cup of cooked turkey. For dogs, you may want to add 1/2 cup cooked long grain rice. I fed 1 tablespoon of this food to my kittens and about 2 tablespoons to my adult male cat three times a day. (My adult male loves plain turkey and hated the pumpkin after a while.) I fed a small amount of dry food and clean, distilled water is out all day. Once the turkey is thawed (properly, please, no need to give food poisoning on top of other GI problems) the cooking time is about 10-12 minutes. The cooling time is another 10-20 minutes and then I promptly refrigerate any unused portion. I then took some of the cooked turkey and mixed in the Comfort product - either canine or feline, depending upon species - and this added a different kind of fiber. I alternated this mix with the pumpkin for the kittens - it worked great for Pearl.
I, along with my vet, thought Lulu had Giardia. I found that giving the herbal supplement and then the skullcap supplement stopped the diarrhea within two days, along with the food choices from above.
The comfort products also work exceptionally well for vomiting. I suggest that if your kitty has hairballs, add a little pumpkin to their food. If you use the ground turkey, be sure to have a mix of white and dark meat, there's a bit more fat to help hairballs.
I have also heard great results with this diet for animals on chemotherapy and radiation. Again, use distilled water to help clear toxins.
If you cook once week, like me, take 20-30 minutes out of your day and cook for your pet. I put enough food for four days in a plastic container. I freeze the remainder of the cooked turkey (I add the other ingredients once it is unfrozen) in small containers and take them out as I need them.
Cooking for your pet really is easy and it makes treating difficult problems so much easier!
Julee Roth has been a life-long animal lover and pet industry veteran with over 12 years experience helping people and their pets. Hundreds of thousands of puppies, kittens, cats and dogs have benefited from her advice and well chosen pet products. To ask her for more pet advice, visit her web site, http://www.ChoicePetProducts.com
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Family Pets - 7 Tips for Choosing an Age-Appropriate Family Pet
By Hilary Basile
Even though your kids want a pet and promise to take care of it, it doesn't necessarily mean they are mature enough to handle the responsibilities of pet ownership. Pets offer companionship and teach children important life lessons about friendship and responsibility, however, some pets are better than others for certain ages and lifestyles. Following are 7 tips for choosing an age-appropriate pet for your family:
Choose a social pet Consider choosing an animal that has already been socialized and knows how to behave around children, such as an older cat or a dog with a history of getting along well with young children. Families with small children should be wary of bringing home a new puppy or kitten since baby animals require extra care and are more prone to scratching and playful biting.
Learn about breeds. Using dogs as an example, it's important to know that some breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, are traditionally gentle and friendly and, thus, offer a great choice for families with small children. Find information on different breeds online or at the library. Ask veterinarians or friends with similar pets about their experiences. Determine if you can accommodate the type of pet based on their exercise, space and attention requirements.
Practice first. If you have never owned a dog before, be sure to do a trial run with a relative or a friend's dog before committing to the real deal. This way, you can make sure your kids are capable of tackling the responsibilities of caring for a pet.
Teach behavior. Show your kids how to act appropriately around animals, such as how to handle their new pet without squeezing, dropping, or disturbing the animal. Remind them to always wash their hands after handling any animal. Never leave a small child alone with a dog or cat until you know the pet is trained to stay calm. Remind children to ask the owner before approaching animals they don't know.
Consider your schedule. Think about how much space you have inside and outside your home to accommodate a pet, how often you are home, and if you have time to devote to feeding, walking and cleaning up after a pet. This will help you determine if you want a pet that needs a lot of attention, or if you want a pet that requires minimal interaction. Also consider any allergies of family members before bringing a pet home.
Be prepared. Discuss the pet's needs and type of care required and try to have all the equipment ready in your home before the new pet arrives.
Clean up potential hazards. When bringing a pet into your home, you will need to pet-proof it as you have childproofed your home, such as removing plants that are poisonous if ingested and securing electrical cords so the pet won't chew on them.
Following are age-appropriate pet recommendations:
Ages 3 to 5: Consider a guinea pig for preschoolers. Guinea pigs are gentle, like to be held and rarely bite.
Ages 6 to 10: Consider "shelf pets" for elementary-age kids, such as fish, mice, hamsters and gerbils.
Ages 10 to 13: Consider rabbits, dogs and cats for tweens.
Ages 14 and up: Consider a bird or fish for teenagers. These low maintenance options are great for older kids who are busy with school and extracurricular activities.
Following are age-appropriate pet chores:
Ages 3 to 6: Play with the pet while supervised, help pick up pet toys and wipe up spills caused by the pet.
Ages 7 to 10: Feed and brush the pet. If the pet is a dog, this age group can help walk the dog.
Ages 10 and up: Clean a cage, walk a dog, empty a litter box, bathe a pet and help give medications.
Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com at http://www.myguidesusa.com, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com
Find parenting tips and resources at http://becomingaparent.myguidesusa.com
Even though your kids want a pet and promise to take care of it, it doesn't necessarily mean they are mature enough to handle the responsibilities of pet ownership. Pets offer companionship and teach children important life lessons about friendship and responsibility, however, some pets are better than others for certain ages and lifestyles. Following are 7 tips for choosing an age-appropriate pet for your family:
Choose a social pet Consider choosing an animal that has already been socialized and knows how to behave around children, such as an older cat or a dog with a history of getting along well with young children. Families with small children should be wary of bringing home a new puppy or kitten since baby animals require extra care and are more prone to scratching and playful biting.
Learn about breeds. Using dogs as an example, it's important to know that some breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, are traditionally gentle and friendly and, thus, offer a great choice for families with small children. Find information on different breeds online or at the library. Ask veterinarians or friends with similar pets about their experiences. Determine if you can accommodate the type of pet based on their exercise, space and attention requirements.
Practice first. If you have never owned a dog before, be sure to do a trial run with a relative or a friend's dog before committing to the real deal. This way, you can make sure your kids are capable of tackling the responsibilities of caring for a pet.
Teach behavior. Show your kids how to act appropriately around animals, such as how to handle their new pet without squeezing, dropping, or disturbing the animal. Remind them to always wash their hands after handling any animal. Never leave a small child alone with a dog or cat until you know the pet is trained to stay calm. Remind children to ask the owner before approaching animals they don't know.
Consider your schedule. Think about how much space you have inside and outside your home to accommodate a pet, how often you are home, and if you have time to devote to feeding, walking and cleaning up after a pet. This will help you determine if you want a pet that needs a lot of attention, or if you want a pet that requires minimal interaction. Also consider any allergies of family members before bringing a pet home.
Be prepared. Discuss the pet's needs and type of care required and try to have all the equipment ready in your home before the new pet arrives.
Clean up potential hazards. When bringing a pet into your home, you will need to pet-proof it as you have childproofed your home, such as removing plants that are poisonous if ingested and securing electrical cords so the pet won't chew on them.
Following are age-appropriate pet recommendations:
Ages 3 to 5: Consider a guinea pig for preschoolers. Guinea pigs are gentle, like to be held and rarely bite.
Ages 6 to 10: Consider "shelf pets" for elementary-age kids, such as fish, mice, hamsters and gerbils.
Ages 10 to 13: Consider rabbits, dogs and cats for tweens.
Ages 14 and up: Consider a bird or fish for teenagers. These low maintenance options are great for older kids who are busy with school and extracurricular activities.
Following are age-appropriate pet chores:
Ages 3 to 6: Play with the pet while supervised, help pick up pet toys and wipe up spills caused by the pet.
Ages 7 to 10: Feed and brush the pet. If the pet is a dog, this age group can help walk the dog.
Ages 10 and up: Clean a cage, walk a dog, empty a litter box, bathe a pet and help give medications.
Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com at http://www.myguidesusa.com, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com
Find parenting tips and resources at http://becomingaparent.myguidesusa.com
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