For the new Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

“This is the time when children, students and adults alike will soon be going back to school, college or having some sort of life change, you may not look at it that way but when most people have had their different routines over the course of the Christmas and Holiday Season then comes once again the routines change for us pets ”

“I know you may not think it is that big of a deal for us but remember when you spend a lot of time with us in the Holiday Season, playing, being with you, chasing the children, being held by you, being loved by you, enjoying your company, snuggling, cuddling and being petted by you, oh what wondrous moments we are enjoying. Then everything changes after the Holiday Season. People are now doing different things and they no longer have as much time to be spent with us, now we start to feel very sad. We also notice that people now seem less care free and more serious in their mannerisms. Sometimes it makes us wonder, did we do something wrong to bring about this complete change in you. After having such a wonderful time with happy fun filled moments spent together, most of us now feel a depression and sadness that envelops our hearts and our minds.”

“It will be easier for us if you could gradually wean the time we are spending with you down the to actual time when life gets back to a normal routine ~ that way it won’t be as hard for us when all the attention we were getting just suddenly drops off to a minimum. Doing this will lesson our Separation Anxiety levels.”

“Don’t forget to tell us and explain things to us, we do understand everything you are saying some people don’t think we do but we assure you we really do, we just don’t have a physical voice to tell you and thank you for kind your words.”

Dog gone antidotes

“Here are a few FLOWER ESSENCES (you can find these in Health Stores) that will help us with the changes: HONEYSUCKLE for adjustment to present circumstances and restores adjustment to present circumstances. WALNUT restores the ability to adapt change. AGRIMONY is for anxiety either mental or physical suffering, digestive upsets, urination or defecation. Or there are also combination BAILEY FLOWER ESSENCES that work very well also these are; TRANQUILITY to calm our nerves and settle us down, SADNESS & LONELINESS we may be experiencing, FEARS if we are afraid of new changes and DEPRESSION & DESPAIR if we cannot seem to pull ourselves out of a rut.” You can put 3-4 drops of each remedy in our water bowls or on a small amount of food 3 xs times a day for 3 week, or follow the instructions on the bottle

“These remedies are also great for people too! We hope everyone has had a fantastic Holiday Season. Remember to hug your pet often, keep smiling and keep the love in your hearts for us because we have unconditional love for you!”

“Your friends Foxy the Chihuahua, Teddy the Shihtz zu and Buddy the Shipoo, we love writing our own articles whoo hoo!”

Kim Malonie The Animal Whisperer®
Often imitated ~ never duplicated
30 years experience
www.animalwhisper.com
905-342-9333
kmalonie@eagle.ca

Halloween Safety Tips for pets

Halloween is very stressful for pets, when excited children in costumes continually disruption regular routines with screaming and other loud noises they're not used to being around.

Most pets do not like to have costumes (or clothes) on their bodies, it may be too tight or too loose and bother them to the point where they become agitated.

The safest thing to do is to remove your pet from the front door area so there is no chance for them to get "spooked" and bolt outside and get lost.

Keep all Halloween treats away from pets ~ Chocolate is poisonous, tin foil and wrappers if ingested can cause obstructions which may require expensive surgery to repair!

Keep pets away from pumpkins with lighted candles inside ~ cat especially are curious and a dangerous accident could happen.
 

*Imagine your pet seeing this at your door! he/she may be afraid and bolt (and become lost forever) or become aggressive and tear into the person wearing it, (you could be in for a lawsuit). Keep them safe and away from the door!

 
NEVER leave a pet outside during Halloween they may become the victim of a prankster!

Care givers should be ESPECIALLY CAREFUL WITH BLACK CATS ON HALLOWEEN ~ if possible keep them safe inside until morning, some Halloween goers have been know to torture black cats as a Ritual.

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

Be careful that your pets do not get any left overs from Thanksgiving dinner such as gravy and turkey can upset your pets digestive system, and could even cause (pancreatitis) an inflamed pancreas which can be very painful! be especially careful about turkey bones and other scraps in the garbage that your pet try and steal. Bones can splinter and cause major problems in the bowels and stomach.

From our house to yours ~ have a  fantastic Thanksgiving weekend!

Pond water & your pet

Pond water and your pet

did you know that the water in ponds, streams and creeks may be harmful to your pets?

It's true, in untreated water sources such as streams, creeks, rivers and ponds

bacteria & other micro organisms will occur naturally as part of the ecosystem.

The biggest concern about letting your pet drink from these sources

is that could get several diseases from the various lifeforms in the water.

One of the most common water borne disease is a Protozoan Parasite called Giardia 

and that can cause acute diarrhea, and also in humans it is also called Beaver Fever.

Another disease is caused by the Leptospirosis Bacteria. Lepto is spread through

the urine of animals carrying the bacteria. The disease, if left untreated, can cause

kidney and liver failure, and make the animal very ill. This disease is also Zoonotic

meaning it can be passed from animals to humans. 

Therefore care must be taken if pets contract this disease that it does not spread to the family.

Especially prone to infection are young children and elderly adults

as their system may be easily compromised.

We recommend that you avoid letting your pets drink from these water sources, but if you believe your dog or cat would be at risk at contracting Leptospirosis please contact your vet.

 

BED BUG INFORMATION

                    A bit of information that you might like to know about.  A friend of ours is an entomologist (insect expert), and has been telling them that there is an epidemic of bed bugs now occuring in America.

Recently I have heard on the news that several stores have had to close due to bed bug problems, as well as a complete mall in New Jersey.  He says that since much of our clothing, sheets, towels, etc. now comes from companies outside  of America, even the most expensive stores sell foreign clothing from all over the world  The bed bugs are coming in on the clothing.

He recommends that IF YOU BUY ANY NEW CLOTHING, even under ware and socks, sheets, towels, etc. that you bring them into the house and PUT THEM IN YOUR CLOTHES DRYER FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES.  THE HEAT WILL KILL THEM AND THEIR EGGS.  DO NOT PURCHASE CLOTHES AND HANG THEM IN THE CLOSET FIRST. 

It does not matter what the price range is of the clothing, or if the outfit comes from the most expensive store known in the U.S.  They still get shipments from all over the world and the bugs can come in a box of scarves or anything else for that matter.  That is the reason why so many stores, many of them clothing stores have had to shut down in NYC and other places.   All you need is to bring one item into the house that has bugs or eggs and you will wish you had never heard of them before you get rid of them.  He travels all over the country as an advisor to many of these stores, as prevention and after they have the problem.

STINGING INSECTS OUCH!

"Oooooh the pain! a wasp stung my nose!"

OUCH! STINGING INSECTS HURT YOUR PETS

Be wary of your pets and stinging insects! Although it may be fun to watch our pets chase a bug across the floor or yard, it could potentially sting your pet. In some cases, we are none the wiser that they have been stung, as they show no signs other than being startled at the time of the sting; in other cases it is more problematic as our pets could have an allergic reaction to the sting and could develop hives on their torso and legs, and even have their muzzle swell causing pain and discomfort.

If you think your pet could be reacting to an insect bite/sting, please call your veterinarian clinic

Help stop animal abuse in movies

I  received this and think is worth sharing and there is a link at the bottom to the article on the net.    Everyone can form their own conclusions, tho I feel there is some truth to this.    If you agree, please keep forwarding.

 PLEASE – READ BELOW … and then … DO NOT SUPPORT THESE MOVIES … OR ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH THEM! Why should they ‘get rich’ on the backs of suffering animals????!!

Additionally, please spread the word … all over the country.  Remember, a committed group CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE – although, sadly, not for these animals.

One of the dirty little secrets is the abuse of animals in movies.  Patch reports that on Wednesday, activists protested the premiere over animal abuse allegations. Tweet, the giraffe, collapsed and died after wrapping his 'Zookeeper' scenes. According to PETA, "Tweet spent the last few months of his life confined to a 20-foot-by-20-foot stall, which was barely large enough for the 18-foot-tall giraffe to lie down in. In their natural habitat, giraffes live in vast home ranges of up to 400 square miles. Earlier this year, reports surfaced that an elephant named Tai was abused by trainers. Video footage showed Tai and other elephants being beaten with bull hooks and receiving electric shocks, screaming out in pain. The animal was featured in the film "WATER  FOR ELEPHANTS" and is reportedly in "Zookeeper" as well. Tai's abuse outraged viewers and animal rights activists, prompting a lawsuit against the training team and a reward offered for reporting abusive trainers. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/09/zookeeper-premiere-picket-peta_n_893996.html Carol Johnson"Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer Don't buy while they die!

Veterinary Clinic now accepting "exotic" and "pocket" Pets

Pine Ridge Veterinary Clinic
483 Ontario St., Cobourg, Ontario, K9A 3C1
905-372-2721 prvet@eagle.ca www.pineridgevet.com

Attention exotic & pocket pet owners!

We are happy to inform you that Dr. Karen McKenzie is now accepting “exotic” and “pocket” pets as patients such as hamsters, gerbils, ferrets, budgies, cockatiels, parrots, snakes, lizards etc.! Dr. McKenzie has several years experience treating & handling exotic pets in the Toronto area before coming to the Northumberland County area, including Cobourg and Port Hope Ontario. Currently we are accepting appointments for exotic pets on most Friday afternoons & Saturdays. So, if you have a small mammal, reptile or avian friend give us a call to book your appointment to see Dr. McKenzie!

Still got that itchy, scratchy feeling??
It could be allergies!
With the summer weather now on us we have been seeing an increasing number of pets with seasonal allergies! If you've noticed your pet itching more than usual, or they have unusual pimples, or you have noticed a reddening of their skin,
give us a call for an appointment so we can determine what’s bugging your pet

TODAY I RESCUED A PERSON! picture copyright Kim Malonie 2010 picture copyright Kim Malonie 2010 My eyes met hers as she walked down the hall looking into the kennels. I knew instantly she needed help and I had to help her. I wagged my tail excitedly so she would notice me. When she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from the little "accident" I had at the back of my cage, I didn't want her to know the shelters helpers were far too busy and I hadn't been out of my kennel today, they do the best they can.... As she was reading my kennel card I hoped she wouldn't feel sad about my past, I have the future to look forward to and I want to make a difference in someone's life! She got on her knees and made loving and soothing sounds to me so I put my shoulder and side of my head against the bars to help comfort her. She gently caressed my neck. I knew she desperately needed my companionship, a tear rolled down her cheek as I raised my paw to tell her that everything would be alright. Soon my kennel door opened and her eyes and smile were so loving and bright I instantly jumped right into hers arms! I promised her I would keep her safe and I promised to always be with her as long as she needed me. I promised her I would do everything I could to see that loving beautiful smile and sparkle in her eyes.   I was so lucky that she came to the shelter today, there are so many more people out there who haven't walked down the hall, so many more to be saved. At least I could save one person. TODAY, I RESCUED A PERSON!

HEATSTROKE!

picture copyright of Kim Malonie 2009

Heat stroke!

Temperatures in cars can heat up to dangerous levels within a few short minutes! (even with windows cracked open!)

 Did you know it can take between 10 to 60 days for pets to acclimatize to summer temperatures? If higher temperatures are forecast, plan ahead for your pets! Keep plenty of water available, and if your pets go outdoors, make sure there is a cooler/shaded area they can reach so they can escape the heat.  

You can even have a doggy swimming pool for them to cool themselves (a gentle hosing off can work well too!) Keep exercise and vigorous play at a limited level during the day; try to exercise them during the cooler morning or evening hours. If you must exercise during the daytime, stop frequently for water breaks.

On a hot day be mindful of heatstroke; some of its early signs include: lethargy, panting, lack of appetite, stiff gait, vomiting or diarrhea after exercise and/or heat exposure. If your pet is showing any of these sign put cold wet cloths under their "arm pits" and on their bellies and around their necks, and if this doesn't seem to help them take to a vet asap. 

Jerky Treats

Do you feed your dog jerky treats?

 

There have been several cases noted across Ontario of dogs that have been showing signs similar to a kidney disease known as Fanconi syndrome. It was found that in all cases, the dogs had been fed chicken jerky treats that were manufactured in China.

Until more information is available, we ask that you check where your pet's chicken jerky treats were manufactured, and for a time, avoid feeding them.

If you have fed your dog chicken jerky treats and have noticed any of the following symptoms, please call the clinic to book your pet in to see a doctor for a checkup: decreased appetite or activity, vomiting and increased water consumption and/or increased urination.

Note: Hill's Pet Nutrition does not have a recall on their “Science Diet Treat Jerky Strips with Real Chicken” (or any other products in their line).

OUR REWARD

 

"OUR REWARD"

Treat us with respect, teach us your rules gently and train us and teach us 
with patience 
Let us know what pleases you
for if you don't, our unbridled enthusiasm may place unnecessary and stressful demands on you.

There is not an animal on the planet that could offer you the same unconditional love and devotion that we can, 
if you show us the path to your heart. 

though we may test you, 
but only because we are not knowing of your ways. Please persist in helping us for we will remember your structure as we spend time together.

Do not take advantage of us and think we are like machines, we are living breathing souls who need and welcome friendship, love and compassion.

Though we have needs, we cannot physically speak, please make sure we have access to enough water to drink and nourishing food to eat, as well as shelter to keep us safe from harm and the elements

Be our leader, our keeper, friend, companion, protector and our voice, this we ask for all animals and for this we thank you.

Copyright of Kim Malonie 2010

Dog days of summer

picture copyright Kim Malonie 2010

"waiting for the water for his pool"

Remember these are the "dog days" of summer

pets feel the heat just like we do but are not able to tell us when they are overheating,

a nice small pool with a couple of inches of water for dogs to lie in and drink from is a great way to cool down and feel refreshed.

Do not leave your pet in a vehicle even with the windows roll down even for a very short period of time as the inside temperature can reach over 150 degrees, this can cause heat stroke and possible death. 

If you think your pet is overheated (some signs are: rapid breathing, drooling, being very tired) get them cold water to drink and put some of the cold water with your hand on their head and on the bottom of their paws, this will cool them down a little bit, then take them to the nearest vet asap!

 if you see an animal in somebodys car in distress from the heat call the police you could save an animals life! and cruelty to animal charges have been know to be made to the owner of the vehicle.

Hot dogs belong in hot dog buns not in cars!

Have a green thumb?

picture copyright Kim Malonie 2010

Planning on planting flowers this summer?

Kitty would like to remind you if your are planting a garden this year,

please read up on the plants you're planning to have growing,

you don't want your beloved pets being poisoned by them!

Here are just a few of the many garden plants that can cause your pets harm:

Tulip and Narcissus- the bulb of these plants contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal upset. Other symptoms include drooling, loss of appetite, or even convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.

Azalea/Rhododendron - members of this plant family contain toxins that can produce vomiting, drooling and diarrhea. In severe cases, this can lead to coma and death

If you are not sure and want to research a specific plant to see if it safe for your pet friendly garden please check: 

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

 

keep your pets safe and have a wonderful summer!

Animals and the Autism Spectrum

picture copyright of Kim Malonie 2011 

"I will love you forever my friend"

Animals are instrumental in helping people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) because they "listen", "hear" and understand the unspoken words.

Animals give us: unconditional love, friendship, understanding and companionship ~ without judgement.

All they ask in return from us is:

shelter, food, water, love, respect, friendship and compassion.  

You haven't really been loved until you have been loved by an animal. 

dangers to pets

It's fantastic weather , perfect for playing in the garden!

I've had a few concerns regarding plant fertilizers and what would happen if dogs or cats were to ingest some.

All plant fertilizers contain nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, in varying ratios dependant on the type of plants to be fertilized.

Most fertilizers if ingested would cause some digestive upsets,

such as straining and stomach pains.

Some fertilizers do contian iron. If you have a fertilizer with iron, please be sure to keep it out of your dog and cats reach,

as it could potentially cause iron toxicity.

Some of the signs of iron toxicity are:

vomitting and diarrhoea.

If you think your pet has ingested plant fertilizer, 

take your pet to your vet ASAP!