Peanut squirmed in her owner’s arms as she was carried from hiding to meet the new pet sitter. She was super shy with outsiders, always streaking into hiding when the door buzzer sounded. Yet her owner believed meeting new people would help Peanut become less afraid and what better way to get acquainted than from […]
The Perils of Peanut Read More »
Dogs rely heavily on body language to communicate what they want, what they do not want, what their intentions are, and even their mood. It is also true our ability to read their body language is rather poor, in part, due to the dizzying diversity in canine form and structure. The kind of head shake
Dog Body Language: Head Shakes Read More »
This image was captured moments after Sam spun away from the hummingbirds on TV to zero in on a bird visiting a feeder his loving owner had mounted on the outside of a window. I thought Sam was merely distracted but it may have had more to do with what he perceived. I wondered what
How Does Home Technology Affect Your Pet? Read More »
Tugger and Teri were a spirited pair of 5-year-old English cocker spaniels much loved by their owner. For most of his life, Tugger had traveled the show circuit scoring conformation wins and bragging rights while Teri stayed home enjoying the owner’s undivided attention. After Tugger was retired from competition, the pups set about to prove
By two years of age, Zoey was maintaining her pleasantly plump figure on a daily bowl of kibble with a side of wet food. To her veterinarian, Zoey’s weight had become “less than ideal.” But to her owner, she was perfect. Affectionate, sweet-natured, and playful, Zoey was a loving friend and companion the owner wanted
Since dogs and cats do not come with trouble-shooting guides, you could be forgiven for missing a few cues here and there, particularly when a pet is feeling sick or troubled. Even for those of you most in touch with your pet’s feelings, evolutionary hardwiring will likely prevent the pet from communicating her wants and
8 Things Pets Wish They Could Tell You Read More »
Back when most people worked a full day at the office, a young marketing professional who spent much of her free time outdoors decided to get a dog. Her dream pet would be a beloved companion, early morning jogging partner, and fellow explorer on weekend camping trips. Between the outdoor fun and games, the dog
Biscuits for Barks Read More »
Sleek and glossy black, Mister and Lady were easy to tell apart because Lady was always the first on scene when I catered mealtimes. And that was a problem for her everlastingly shy brother. Both cats loved wet food and, if Mister didn’t put himself out there, his sister would lap it all up. But
Her owners would brag that Jordan practically house-trained herself. Adopted from a local refuge at 5 months of age, Jordan readily adapted to her new owners’ long work hours, earning their trust by staying out of mischief and never, ever soiling in the house. In exchange for being awesome, the owners would walk Jordan to
The Nearest Park or Bust Read More »
Just in time for holiday wish lists and New Year’s resolutions, the following canine basics will bring out the best in your bestie: 1. Guidance No dog wants to get yelled at for breaking the rules. Setting consistent boundaries early in life — or early in your new relationship with an adopted dog — and
5 Things Your Dog Needs From You Read More »
On a sunny morning I had finished watering the potted plants framing the dining area windows to notice T, a plump gray tabby, sitting at the opposite end of the kitchen watching me. Odd because his breakfast had been served and he never passed up a meal. As I approached the sink, T lowered to
Homer did not fit the profile of the typical dog daycare member. He was a chunky 7-year-old terrier mix that had spent his entire life sharing quiet evenings and weekends with his bookish owner. Yet he was the first to arrive at daycare on his welcome day. Because his owner was desperate. Homer’s attention seeking
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