*Adopt a Pet*

One of our tasks in my class is to analyze a top blog.  The blogs I decided to analyze is the ones from the Adopt a Pet website.  The first thing I noticed is that all of their blogs contain pictures which I think helps attract reader interest.  I also noticed that they cover a broad range of topics as long as it has something to do with animals but still mainly promoting adoption.  On their blog site, they have a categories list to help narrow down the readers search.  For instance, if you have rabbits, they have blogs dedicated specifically to rabbits.  Adopt a Pet also promotes many other websites, products, shelters, etc. through their blogs, which also helps to better their website too.  After I looked at how the page format was set up, I decided to read a couple blogs that interest me.  One thing I found interesting that they do is that they promote different products, animals, websites, etc. through reader participation.  For example, one of their blogs is asking people to click “like” on Rally to Rescue’s Facebook page.  One blog I decided to read called “when a cat is like a teenager” talks about how cats, just like other animals and humans, go through different developmental periods.  This blog also gives advice on how to deal with certain situations.  I found this particularly useful because I have been having problems with one of my cats getting on the counter and they suggested putting her in a different room when I am preparing food to help promote her not getting on the table.  I will most definitely be giving this a try and recommend this website and blog to other animal lovers.

*Counter Kitty*

Today was the first day that I have been able to catch Pyrrha on the counter and throw water on her.  My mother has done this with our other cats but I have never had to do it.  It was awful!  I told her to get off the counter and she just sat there looking at me, so I went and filled up a cup with about two inches of water and tossed it on her.  She took off so fast and hid behind the table.  I have never felt so bad about disciplining my cats.  Her face looked so hurt and she will not come by me now.  She observes me from a distance and is ready to run if I move too quickly or get a cup.  I had to go to my room for something and when I came out, she fluffed up because I scared her.  I then left to bring my mother lunch at work and when I got back home she was on the kitchen table!  I yelled at her and she just looked at me so I went and got a glass and she took off and backed herself into a corner.  I did not toss water on her this time because she seems to be getting the point that she is going to get soaked if she keeps this up.  I also did not have the heart to because her face looked so hurt.  I really hope she stops this soon because I feel terrible doing this, but it is a necessary evil.

*Recap*

I have done several blogs now and would like to recap what they are about so that you can find what you are looking for faster without having to look through all of them!

1. *Welcome*-  This blog is an overview about why I started this blog and also tells you a little about myself.
2. *Homeward Bound 1*-  This blog talks about how my family got our first rescue.
3. *Homeward Bound 2*-  This blog talks about how my family got our second rescue, which I caught myself.
4. *It’s Potty Time*-  This is a blog about different products for both cats and dogs that help to promote a healthy lifestyle and healthy digestion.
5. *Purrs and Pants*-  All of the blogs with this title is about featured cats and dogs of the week.
6. *It’s Toy Time*-  This talks about why playing with your pet is important and toys that we have found work best for our cats.
7. *Furry Friends*-  This mentions the benefits of having more than one pet in a single household.
8. *The Gift That Just Keeps Giving*-  This is a blog that mentions the physical and mental benefits to owning a pet.
9. *Sweet Summer Time*-  This gives you summer tips for your pets.
10. *Furever Friends*-  This tells you about my website.
11. *We’re In The Red*-  This is a story about what it is like around my house when we have bad storms.
12. *Tornado Ready*-  This mentions some things you may want to do when storms get bad.
13. *Pets Aren’t For Everyone*-  This is a blog explaining why pets are not for everyone.
14. *Make New Friends, But Keep The Old. One Is Silver, The Is Other Gold*-  This is explaining why your old pets need just as much attention as your new pets.
15. *Bad Kitties*-  This is a story about two of our cats and one of their bad habits.
16. *Games For Pets*-  This blog reviews another blog that gives suggestions to playing with your pets.
17. *Adoption Tales 1&2*-  These talk about other people’s experiences with adoption.
18. *Texas Passes It’s First Puppy Mill Law*-  This is just what the title says and I also give a few of my opinions about the situation.
19. *Poops*-  This is a story about how our cat, Pouncer, got her nickname Poops.
20. *Routines*-  This talks about the importance of routine in an animals life.
21. *Ways To Help Out*-  This mentions a few different ways to help less fortunate animals out.

*Ways To Help Out*

Even if you are not able to adopt a pet, there are other ways to give back.  One way to help the animals is to donate to different nonprofit organizations or shelters.  Donations are always appreciated and you know that all of the money donated is going to helping take care of the animals.  Another way to help is to volunteer at a nonprofit organization or shelter.  There are always shelters that are looking for help especially volunteered.  This not only benefit’s the animals, but it can also benefit you.  Volunteer work is a great way to boost your resume and set you apart from other applicants.  A third way to help out less fortunate animals is to start your own fundraiser or event.  You can set up a car wash, a benefit, a marathons, etc. to help the animals.  This would also look good on a resume because it would show to potential employers that you can effectively set up and run an event.  You can also help transport animals to their homes.  People from different places often find animals that do not live close to them and need help getting their pets to them.  You would pick up the pet and drive them part way and drop them off to another person who would take them part way and this goes on until the animal is at its new home.  There are many other ways to help out less fortunate animals that are inexpensive and very rewarding in many ways.

*Routines*

My previous post titled Poops talks about how one of my cats gets upset easily.  One thing that I have found that helps to keep not only her, but our other two cats, relatively calm is a schedule.  All three of our cats are a little high strung and tend to get upset.  All three of them react in different ways though.  Pouncer will leave turds around the house.  Pyrrha will get very jumpy and be on edge all the time.  And Isis will start to get very nervous and hide.  To avoid putting too much unnecessary stress on our cats we make sure to keep them on a schedule.  We make sure to feed them at the same time, or within a half hour, every time they are fed.  They get fed periodically throughout the day to avoid over eating and stale food.  We also make sure to play with them at the same time everyday.  Each of us plays with them at different times, so they still get played with several times throughout the day, just by different people.  They also have their routines with each of us everyday.  They help each of us get up and ready and know who gets up at what time and what our routine is.  Our house has no children or any other pets besides our three cats so it is usually pretty calm over here.  Even with that just said, our cats still get upset easily, even when their schedule is interrupted, and we try to do all we can to make sure that they are as happy as we are.  

*Poops*

Our oldest cat Pouncer is a very sensitive cat.  She gets very upset when people yell and will start to meow and panic.  When she gets extremely upset, she will also leave little turds around the house.  Luckily she does not do this very often and it is always in a place where we can see it.  But her doing this has led us to give her the nickname Poops.  She first started this when she was about 3 years old when my mom’s boyfriend moved in with us.  Before he moved in with us she would sit on him and love on him.  It was after he moved in with us that she started to leave turds.  Luckily she did not do this for too long, probably about a week, and she tolerates him now but does not really pay too much attention to him.  She still will leave turds periodically when she is extremely upset.  We do not make a big deal out of it or yell at her because she only does this when big changes happen or she is extremely upset.  Instead, we make sure to give her extra attention and try to calm her down.  The extra attention seems to work and now she will only leave turds for a day, maybe two.  Also, she only leaves a single turd about once a day when this does happen.  So if you find that your cat is randomly doing this, try to just give her a little extra attention and see if the problem goes away.     

*Purrs and Pants (Week of June 26- July 2)*

I have decided to do dogs and cats from a different state each week.  This week our featured dogs and cats are going to be from the state of Washington.  The featured dogs and cats will also be babies (puppies and kittens) that are ready for a wonderful home and family to love.  I will also be providing a list, provided by ASPCA, of the top 10 reasons why people should get their pets spayed and neutered.  For the full article please click here.

1.     Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.
Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.

2.     Neutering provides major health benefits for your male.
Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.

3.     Your spayed female won't go into heat.
While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house!

4.     Your male dog won't want to roam away from home.
An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.

5.     Your neutered male will be much better behaved.
Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.

6.     Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat.
Don’t use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.

7.     It is highly cost-effective.
The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!

8.     Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community.
Stray animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.

9.     Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth.
Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children—especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way.

10.  Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation.
Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

Pumpkin-Maple Valley

Tang-Milton

Mini-Kent

Goose-North Bend

Frankie-Snoqualmie



Buddy-Issaquah



*Texas Passes It's First Puppy Mill Law*

Texas has finally signed into law the Commercial Dog and Cat Breeders Act (CDCBA) on Friday, June 17.  This act will allow inspectors to go into commercial dog and cat breeders facilities to make sure that they are enforcing the new law.  This law includes the minimum standards for the “humane handling, care, housing and transportation of dogs and cats kept by large-scale Texas breeders” (ASPCA).  Texas had become a retreat for bad breeders because of the lack of state inspectors.  While Texas has taken the first step in animal protection, there are still a few problems that the ASCPA will be working to get fixed.  Two of the problems ASPCA will be working towards getting fixed is to prohibit cages with wire flooring and to prohibit “the stacking of cages” (ASPCA).

I think that it is sad that it has taken Texas so long to finally decide to do something to help protect animals, but I am glad that they are taking some action.  I hope that in the next year, or few years, they decide to add the removal of cages with wire flooring and prohibit breeders to stack cages.  I also would like to see the few remaining states that do not currently have animal protection laws take action like Texas has finally done.  For more information on this topic and the ASPCA’s involvement in the fight against puppy mill cruelty, please click here. 

"Victory: Texas Gets Its First Puppy Mill Law!." ASPCA. ASPCA, 24 Jun 2011. Web. 27 Jun 2011. <http://www.aspca.org/News/National/National-News-Detail.aspx?NDate=20110624&NType=National#News5>.

*Adoption Tales 2*

This story is about my aunt and uncle.  They have just recently gotten married and bought a home.  They have both finished college and pretty content at their jobs.  They are not ready for children yet, so they decided to rescue a puppy from a shelter.  They rescued a retriever mix so they knew it would be a decent sized dog.  They also assumed that it may take a little more work because the dog was already a few months old when they got him.  They were completely wrong.  This has turned out to be one of the best and easiest dogs I have ever heard of.  They barely had to train it and when they do it does not take long because he catches on quick.  He is very friendly and loves people of all ages.  He also loves other dogs and never starts a fight with any.  He loves to play and is not annoying or obsessive about it.  He does not beg for food or jump up on you when you are eating.  He does not freak out and go balistic when they leave.  He is basically an amazing dog.  He actually made my parents contemplate getting a dog, but they say that we are all too busy for a dog and that our yard is not big enough.  I could not agree more but it still sucks.  I cannot wait until I have the time and room for a dog.  I am sure my cats cannot wait either!

*Adoption Tales 1*

I know I have told stories about my adoption experiences and how they have turned out great for me.  I am sure this is not always the case, but I would like to think that it is usually the case.  This blog and the next one will both contain success stories of adopted animals.

My cousin has been adopting animals for years.  She has had both outdoor and indoor animals.  People have literally gone over and just dropped animals at her house because they knew, one way or another, they’d be taken care of.  As of right now she only has three pets that she has rescued.  One cat named Grayson.  He is one of the sweetest cats I have ever met.  He just walks up and loves to be pet, held, and played with.  She also has two dogs.  One dog is a Boston Terrier named Lizzie and she huge.  It is around thirty pounds and very hyper.  I think he is such a cutie but he does get annoying.  Her other dog is named Flower and I forget what kind of breed she is.  I am not that big of a fan of her and she reminds me of a little mop.  My cousin however is completely in love with her.  All of them have been adopted at different times with the pets being different ages.  The pets still get along great and she rarely has problems with one fighting with the other, or the dogs wanting to fight with the cat.

*Games for Pets*

I think playing with your pets is a key component in raising them.  I think the list of recommendations that Jane, blog found on Pet Finder, has provided is a great way to always keep your animal engaged and your house & wallet happy.  One thing that she did not mention, that I think is a good reason to switch out your pet’s toys, is that they get bored when they always play with the same toys.  If we play with our cats with the same toy for too long, our cats will sit there and just watch us; they will not actually play with it themselves.  It is very boring for them and us too.  As soon as we bring out a toy that is new or they have not seen in a while, they start to go nuts.  Her fifth recommendation about marinating their toys in their food for extra appeal is my favorite of the five.  I have never thought about trying that and know our youngest cat Isis will love it.  I would recommend doing what I have just mentioned along with Jane’s recommendations.  Below my review, is most of the article by Jane.  For her full article please click here.

 

Games for Pets: 5 reasons to take away your pet's toys (at least some of them)

By Jane, associate producer

Posted February 10, 2011 10:00 AM |

This article is the latest in our series on environmental enrichment for pets, offering easy ways to keep your pet's mind and body active.

If living with, volunteering with and working with cats has taught me anything, it's this: Cats hate change -- except when it comes to toys.

In my house, we always have a few toys out, but the majority are hidden away. Here are just a few reasons why rotating your cat's or dog's toys can be a good thing:

1. Your pet will think you're the most generous mom ever -- after all, you'll always be providing "new" toys.
2. The toys are less likely to end up forgotten under a couch or in a corner somewhere.
3. The toys will last longer (a bonus for your wallet).
4. Your house will be less cluttered and your pet's bed will have more room for him in it.
5. You can "marinate" the toys in a container with treats or catnip to make them extra appealing when you bring them back out.

Every week or so I switch out a few of the toys. Voila! My cats get a whole "new" batch to play with. Add a DIY cat playhouse and you're golden. (Money-saving tip: Stock up on toys when your pet-supply store has a sale, and then dole them out every few weeks instead of all at once.)

Finally, don't forget about your other pets. My three-toed box turtle, Turt, is always more active when I put new turtle-safe objects (such as new rocks, plastic cat toys and non-toxic plants) in her enclosure.

If you have a rabbit, iguana, or other pet, making occasional small changes or additions to his or her environment will do a world of good for your pet's physical and mental health.

*Bad Kitties*

Our two kittens have a really bad habit of getting on the counters and the kitchen table.  They use to only get on them when we would go to bed.  I caught them up there a couple times when I would go get a drink of water or some food.  Lately, they have started to get on the counters and table whenever they feel like it.  We yell at them and make them get down, but they are still not listening.  Since that is not working, we have to try our other way of discipline, an eight ounce glass of water.  We are going to keep a glass of room temperature water handy for when they get up on the table or counter.  I think them getting soaked with water will get the message across that this is a BIG NO NO!  This obviously will not hurt them physically because it is only water.  Pyrrha, our orange kitty, may get her feelings hurt because she absolutely hates to be yelled at or disciplined.  I do not know why they started to do this because our oldest cat, Pouncer, never gets on the counters so they could not have learned this from her.  Also, we have never encouraged it or occasionally let it slide.  We have always yelled at them to send the same message that this is not allowed.  If anyone has any suggestions that work better than a glass of water, feel free to share.  Your advice will be greatly appreciated!!

Isis and Pyrrha

*Make New Friends, But Keep The Old. One Is Silver, The Other Is Gold*

“Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver, the other is gold.”  This is part of a traditional Girl Scout song that I think of when getting a new pet when you already have one.  What this is saying, is that your old pets are just as important as your new pets.  You want to make sure that you still give a lot of attention to your other animals.  I know kittens and puppies are usually more fun and so cute, but your other pets will feel neglected.  Our oldest cat Pouncer did not like to play or cuddle before we got our kittens.  She would rarely come up to you for a petting or anything else.  Now, she demands attention.  She loves to be played with, petted, and for you to talk to her.  We did not ignore her before, but we just let her be.  I would say she definitely was jealous of our other two kittens and wanted in on the fun.  I feel bad that she did feel that way but now we make sure to give them all an equal amount of attention.  This saying also works outside of the pet world.  If you make a new friend, make sure you do not forget your old ones.  They will not hang around if you ignore them.  Make sure to include them and do things you did before.  You can integrate a new friend into a group of people.  It is much more rewarding if everyone can get along. 

*Pets Aren't For Everyone*

I know I have been gushing about all the benefits of having a pet.  I suppose it is time that I talk about the reasons getting a pet is not such a good idea.

1. Money-  Dogs are usually more expensive than cats, but both still put a dent in your wallet.  
2. Hard Work-  Both cats and dogs require a lot of your time, especially in the beginning.
3. Vacations-  When you plan on leaving to go somewhere for an extended period of time, you have to make sure that someone is available to take care of your pets while you are away or take them to a boarding shelter.
4. Smelly-  If not taken care of properly, then can get smelly and make your house smell too.
5. Furry-  No matter what kind of pet you have, they all shed (some worse than others) which requires extra time spent cleaning up the fur in your home.
6. Accidents-  There is always the possibility of a pet having an accident in your home that could ruin your carpet, your furniture, your clothes, etc.
7. Territorial- Some pets are very territorial which can make it difficult to have company over or get other pets.
8. Heartbreak-  Animals do not live that long and when their time comes, it can be devastating.  Also, some animals just do not work out in certain homes but you still get attached and getting rid of them is very heartbreaking too.
9. Pet Allergies-  Some people have allergies which are made worse by having a pet.

Even with all the above mentioned things, I still think the benefits largely out way the negatives.  If you have what it takes to comfortably own a pet, I would HIGHLY recommend it.  But before you go out and buy a pet, think long and hard and do research to make you truly have what it takes.  I love my cats so much and would not trade them for anything.

*Tornado Ready*

I do not know if everyone is as obsessed with their pets as I am, but if a tornado ever came through and blew away our house, I would want to know that my cats were right there with me safe from the danger.  Since we do not have a basement and only have a crawlspace, there are a few things we must do to prepare for severe  storms.  I recommend this to anyone who is in a similar situation.  The first thing we do is make sure that our cat carriers are always handy so we keep ours in our closet, on top of the crawlspace.  Second, when it starts to get bad we round up the cats and put them in either my bedroom or my bathroom (both are very close to our crawlspace).  We then make a tornado bag.  If we do end up being stuck in a bad storm and have to stay down in the crawlspace for a long time, we want to make sure we are as comfortable as possible, and the cats too.  A flashlight, some water bottles, our phones, some spider spray, some snacks for us, and some cat food in a container are some of the things we put in the tornado bag to take down with us.  We also put some toys in the cages and put down their blankets to help them feel as comfortable as possible.  This may seem a little extreme but my cats are like my kids and I would do anything to protect them.

*We're in the Red*

I am not sure where many of you live, but where I live we tend to get a lot of bad storms that always seem to have the potential to turn into a tornado.  So when the conditions seem favorable for one, I usually round up the cats and put them in my room.  I do this because we do not have a basement in my house and if it ever comes time to get in the crawlspace, our kitties are coming with us.  Well tonight around 8:00PM, the weather quickly got bad so we went into tornado mode; we turned on the weather channel, cleared off the crawlspace, and gathered the cats.  It was looking extra weird out, so instead of putting them in the bedroom, like I usually do, I put them straight into the cat carriers.  Isis and Pyrrha go into the larger carrier, that is made for a 30-40lb dog, and Pouncer went into the regular cat carrier.  This is the first time I have actually had to put them into the carriers and Pyrrha freaked out.  She started to crawl on top of Isis and sticking her paws out of the cage.  I felt so bad for her so I went and sat beside the cage to try and comfort her.  It only made things worse.  She then started to breathe heavy, drag me to her with her paws, and smash her whole body against the front of the cage.  I decided to cover the cage up because not being able to see anything is supposed to help calm animals nerves.  Luckily it worked and she was able to calm down some.  The storm passed within 20 minutes so I was able to let her out.  She has been a little psycho ever since!

P.S. If you are wondering why this is called "We're in the Red", it is because my Papa Wiggins was obsessed with the weather channel and whenever there is a bad storm and the alerts would come on he would always say "We're in the Red"!

*Furever Friends*

In my very first blog I spoke of my website Furever Friends.  I would like to take this time to tell you a little more about it.  I have always loved animals and knew from a very young age that I would one day like to do something with them.  My mother is also an animal lover and suggested that we start a shelter dedicated to helping rescue animals find a good home.  In one of my classes we were given the task of starting an online business on something of interest to us, and that is when I decided to start our business early.  I do not currently take in any animals but when I do, I am hoping that this website will be established well enough to effectively help animals in need.

 Our purpose: Deciding to get a pet is often a big decision for a family.  Many times they are concerned for the well being of their home and how a pet will impact their overall life.  Furever Friends is a site dedicated to making it easy for families to find the perfect pets, information about their pets, and give helpful tips on how to care for their pets with the goal to make owning a pet as enjoyable as possible. 

Our mission: To provide animal lovers with free tools and resources needed to effectively adopt, raise, and enjoy their pets in a fun, caring, and easy going environment. 

Donations:  We also accept donations that go to the maintenance of this site and to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ASPCA.  The ASPCA’s mission is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”   To learn more information about what ASPCA does, please feel free to visit their website. 

*Sweet Summer Time*

It is finally summer time which means warmer weather and the option to play outside.  Here are some great summer tips you can do to help work off that winter weight and play with your pet.

1.  Where ever you decide to go, please remember pick up after your pets.

2. Precautions-  Be sure to take the necessary precautions for both you and your pet when planning your activity.  For example, some pets (both cats and dogs) have sensitive, light colored skin and require sun block. 

3. Fleas-  Consider putting your dog and/or cat on flea medication during the summer months to reduce the chance of a flea breakout in your home. 

4. Extra Hot Days-  Do not leave your pet in the garage or your car windows rolled all the way up on extra hot days.  They are just as sensitive to the heat and this could cause them to have a heat stroke.  Lots of water, less play, and cool off more often.

5. Walking and/or Jogging-  Be sure to keep your dog on a leash.

6. Hiking-  Keep your dog by you the entire time and be sure to check your dog for ticks when you are done.

7. Swimming-  Some dogs are not good swimmers so make sure yours is.

8. Roller Blading or Roller Skating-  I would not recommend for hyper dogs.

9. Gardening-  Some animals like to play with bees which results in them getting stung.  Try to discourage this because some cats and dogs are allergic to them and could have a severe reaction.

10. Play Catch-  Simple yet fun.

*The Gift That Just Keeps Giving*

There are many benefits to owning an animal, rescue or not.  The top three reasons why I feel everyone should have an animal are as follow.  The first reason is that they bring a lot of joy to a person’s life.  No matter what kind of day you have had (good, bad, depressing, etc.), spending five seconds with them will always make it better.  It has also been proven that people with animals tend to be happier and live longer lives because of the joy their pets bring them.  The second reason I think everyone should own an animal is because they love you unconditionally.  No matter what you have done (past or present, good or bad), they do not care.  As long as you are nice to them and take care of them, you can do no wrong.  The last top reason everyone should have a pet is because they benefit your health.  Studies have been done that shows people with pets are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, stress, high blood pressure, and many others. Studies have also shown that kids that have pets in their homes are more likely to have higher self-confidence than children without pets.  So when you are making a decision on whether or not you should get a pet, remember that you will no only be helping them by giving them a loving home, but they will also be helping you mentally and physically.

Pyrrha

*Furry Friends*

I think it is very important for pets to have other animals in their lives.  We have always had at least two cats and at one point, we also had a dog.  This is important because we can not always be around or give them the attention they would like.  Having a friend around makes it easier on them when the above happens.  I also think this reduces the chances of your pet misbehaving because they are less likely to get bored and curious.  Rescuing Isis is the best thing I could have done for Pyrrha and Pouncer.  Isis and Pyrrha have become best friends and play, sleep, eat; they basically do everything together.  Even Pouncer likes having the other two around when she does get in the mood to play, but that is about it!  Once in a while Pouncer will allow the other two to nap with her.  Obviously you can’t ignore your pet just because another pet is in the house.  They still require a lot of attention from you and your family as well.  With cats, it really does not require that much more upkeep and time having another cat around.  With dogs, it is another story.  They require quit a bit more attention so make sure you are up for the challenge before you decide to get another dog.  If the dog is young enough, you could get a cat and give them the chance to bond early to enhance the chances of them getting along.   



Isis and Pyrrha



Pyrrha, Isis, and Pouncer

*It's Toy Time*

Playing with your pet, whether it’s a dog or cat, is very important to their development.  It keeps them in shape mentally and physically.  It also helps to keep them out of trouble.  When my cats don’t feel that they are getting enough attention, they will intentionally do things they know they will get in trouble for.  Our one cat will get on our kitchen counter, which is a big NO-NO, and stay up there until we go by her; and then she runs to her toy!  My friend’s puppy will also misbehave for attention.  She will start to nip at different things (blankets, clothes, fingers) until she gets played with. 

Our cats are very picky with what toys they will play with, so here are a few recommendations if you find yourself searching for the perfect toys.  Pouncer’s favorite toy is a fuzzy pink glove.  She has had this glove for 10 years and still carries it around everywhere with her; throwing it, attacking it, and howling at it.  Isis’s favorite toy is a string from a hoodie.  She will also carry it around with her and hide it from us until it magically reappears somewhere.  Pyrrha’s favorite toys are bottle caps and this string attached to a plastic stick with leather strips attached to the end (I will be posting a picture with her and this toy).  This toy is also my favorite because it requires minimal effort from me.  I can sit comfortably while I play with her, or I can wedge it between the couch cushions and let her play with it by herself. 

Pyrrha with her toy!

*Purrs and Pants (Week of June 12-18)*

This is going to be the first of many *Purrs and Pants* blogs.  Once a week, with these blogs, I will be posting a few cats and dogs of the week to consider for adoption.  All featured pets will be available at PetFinder.com.  Since I live in Illinois, the featured pets will be from shelters near where I live, but you can search for pets near you.   

 

My favorite site for finding rescue animals is PetFinder.com.  This is where I found our cat Pyrrha, our first rescue.  I favor this site over others because their site is easy to use, you can almost always find what you’re looking for (cat, dog, bird, specific breeds, etc.), and they do not promote kill shelters and puppy mills.  They not only post different animals available for adoption, but they also have different resources available regarding pets.  Even if you do not choose to get your pet from a rescue shelter, be cautious of where you do purchase your pets.  Make sure that you either know the person you are getting your pets from or they are registered breeders.  The reason I caution you is because one of my friends purchased a little Teacup Chihuahua from Petland only to have the puppy pass away a few days after she brought it home.  The dog was severely malnourished.  I have heard other people complain of the same thing happening to them after purchasing pets from this store.  Petland has had lawsuits against them for marketing puppy mill puppies to customers.  I do not know if this still goes on at their stores, I just wanted people to be aware that this goes on, even at pet stores that you think you can trust.

On to the featured animals!  This week, all featured animals are special needs and of all ages.

Morgan- Rushville, IL

Peekaboo- Urbana, IL

Samson- Channahon, IL

Lolita- Bloomington, IL

Snowball- Chenoa, IL



Russell- Pekin, IL



*It's Potty Time*

There are two products that I would recommend to help reduce the smell of owning a cat.  The first product is a cat litter called Mimi Litter and it is available at Wal-Mart.  It is made up of Porous Silica Sand and it looks like crystals.  We use to use clay litter at our house until we rescued Isis.  It was then that a friend of ours recommended Mimi Litter to us because we were having a problem with the clay litter covering up the smell of her poops.  There are other cat litter brands that make similar products; this is just the cheapest one we have found that works.  While this did help some, we still had to do something else to help reduce the smell of her poops, which brings me to my second recommendation.  The second product I would recommend is cat food made by The Blue Buffalo Co.  This is a holistic brand of cat food that does not have any chicken or poultry by-product meals, no artificial preservatives, no artificial flavors, and it does not have any corn, wheat, or soy.  While this brand of cat food helps to reduce the smell of her poops, it is also very healthy for cats.   

  

I also have a few recommendations for helping with puppies when it comes time to go to the bathroom.  I know I currently do not own any dogs, but I have before and I have also interviewed friends of mine that do have dogs to come up with some of their top recommendations.  The first two recommendations go hand in hand, and that is to always praise your puppy when they are going to the bathroom and pick one word (potty, bathroom, etc.) to use while they are going.  The one word helps to promote a connection between the word and going to the bathroom so that eventually you can let your dog outside, say the word, and they will go to the spot and do their business.  The third recommendation is to always take your puppy to the bathroom (still following the above recommendations) after you feed them, after they get out of their kennel (if you are kennel training), and every few hours after that.  The larger the dog, the longer you can wait.  The smaller the dog, the more frequent you have to take them.  The final recommendation is to feed your dog Fromm dog food.  This is a holistic brand of dog food that promotes healthy digestion and if you choose the hard food, it helps keep their teeth strong.  When choosing the flavor, switch up the protein selection (duck, chicken, salmon, etc.) so that your puppy or dog is getting a variety of proteins.