Long accustomed to the seclusion of suburban life, 5-year-old Aspen was easily overwhelmed after moving to an Uptown apartment building. When she stepped out into the hallway, a few apartments would bark at her, or worse, a front door would swing open without warning. Sometimes the elevator stopped between floors to allow strangers to enter […]
Sherlock is a plump, affectionate tabby, the constant companion of a busy home-based professional. They share a big 3-story house with feline amenities that include lots of tall windows, bookshelves to climb, a litter box on every floor, two daily servings of wet food, and access to a walled garden his owner transformed into an
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 »
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
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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
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Photo of the Waverly Street gang: Cubbon (ginger & white) with Alexei (l) and Dimitri (r) Shy, sweet-natured Itta lived peacefully in a charming two-story house on a quiet Philly street. By the time I sat down with her owner, the plump brown tabby had a new feline housemate called Cubbon, named for his ginger
The Waverly Street Gang Read More »
As the holiday season approaches, pet parents may question if it’s really such a bad thing to share the feast with four-legged family members. Pets are loved and it is the season for giving. Surely a little bit of turkey is okay, right? Nobody likes a holiday buzzkill. And among children and guests, it is
Holiday Food Pet Safety Read More »
Cats are as individual as we are. One cat may enjoy being stroked while curled up on your lap while another prefers curling up in their own space nearby. Taking the time to understand your cat’s behavior, to provide their needs and favorite things will bring you a lifetime of joy and head bumps. Cat
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The publicity photo of Babe is from an earlier victory, before she swept the field to win her first national field trial championship in June of 1996, days before we met. The background photo was taken a few years later, downriver from where I walked Babe in almost total darkness. Babe’s owner was and is
Harley’s Big Splash Read More »
