Winter’s short days and biting windchills tend to shrink a dog’s daily routine. Small and thin-haired breeds and senior dogs may be reluctant to go outside because of the cold. As for the rest, fewer walks, less outdoor play, and less time in the sun can lead to canine frustration, boredom, and a whole lot […]
Activities to Brighten Your Pet’s Winter Read More »
When Mattie was adopted, a veterinarian guesstimated her age at 6 months, predicting the rescued pup would weigh around 50 pounds as an adult. By the time we met, Mattie was 2 years old and 80 pounds of meltingly affectionate dog. I was hired to walk Mattie when the owner worked away from home because
Lily Grace heralded the unexpected arrival of her new pet sitter with all the big-dog attitude a five pound chihuahua could muster. She was deeply unsettled by the intrusion, stringing together dozens of ear piercing barks in the hope I would go away. Instead I stood near the door pretending to be deaf. The tiny
Pocket-Sized and Plucky Read More »
Is it safe to share the Thanksgiving feast with your pet? Nobody likes a holiday buzzkill. But our national food culture has changed — from viral food fads to the decline in cooking at home. More money is now spent at restaurants and bars than grocery stores while food marketers have aided and abetted America’s
Tips for a Food Safe Holiday With Your Pets Read More »
How to keep old toys ‘new’ and protect your cellphone. Your dog is running around the living room squeaking one of his favorite toys when you present him with a new one delivered to your door. It’s no contest. The new toy is now his favorite. Researchers the world over have taken an in-depth look
Why Do Dogs Get Bored With Their Toys? Read More »
Do dogs sweat? How do they sweat? What’s the point of panting? Does fur make dogs hot? By understanding how dogs control their body temperature, you can help your bestie stay cool and healthy. How dogs cool themselves Tips for keeping your dog cool
Hot Dogs: Tips for Cooling Canines 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
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 »
Most of our encounters with other peoples’ pets occur while dogs are being walked on a leash. If you choose to approach a dog but something about the animal communicates unease — even if the owner is telling you their dog is friendly — go with your gut. Both the dog and its owner are
13 Signs a Dog is Uncomfortable Read More »
