Veterinary Wisdom® Café

"I think my mom needs help..."

"My dad divorced my mom a few years ago and she was left with little but the family dog.  Our sweet Peppy died a few months ago and I'm really worried about my mom.  She keeps talking about her and still cries when she does.  I think she needs help, but I don't know what to tell her to do."  --Marcia S. (via email)

This is indeed a difficult position for you, Marcia.  It sounds like Peppy was probably your childhood dog, so you must be dealing with your own grief, too.  It's hard to grieve and support someone else with their grief at the same time.  I'm sorry to hear about your loss...

I would certainly need to know a lot more about your mother and her circumstances to tell you if you should really be worried about her or not.  That said, Marcia, I want you to realize that talking about a lost loved one and crying during the conversation is normal, even several months (and sometimes even years, depending on the significance of the relationship and the circumstances of the death) later.

One of my teachers once said that grief is like a mucky reservoir of sludgy gunk.  If you want to "get it all out", you can either drain it all at once with one huge dredging or you can dip into with a tiny bucket, a little bit at a time, day after day, for many, many years.  Either way, eventually, it's not so "gunky" anymore.  The difference is just the method and the time it takes to complete the process.

Grieving is a process.  Some people wail and wallow and get it all out in a relatively short time.  They become preoccupied with doing what it takes for them to get "closure" and  immerse themselves in feeling BAD and then they move on.

Others work hard to "stuff" their grief, trying to stay busy, keeping the feelings a bay, trying to feel better, but always feeling a bit shaky.  Then, when they do have a chance to talk to someone openly about their grief, it "leaks" out with the same intensity and feeling as if the loss had just happened.  And, to them, it feels this way because they haven't ever allowed themselves to really FEEL their sadness, etc.

There's really no right or wrong way to grieve. Your mother is probably just feeling that she doesn't have much of an outlet for her grief, so she trusts you to understand her feelings because she assumes you're feeling them, too, since you both loved Peppy.

My suggestion for you would be to simply listen (over and over, if you can) to her memories, feelings, and tears, without trying to "fix" it for her or trying to "solve" this problem.  She may just need a way to "get it out."  If, as her primary resource, you find yourself becoming too impatient and depleted to listen any longer, suggest that you work together to find additional resources for your mom.  Assure her that you'll still be there for her, but that hearing some ideas from others who understand, too, would be of even greater comfort to her.

There are many good counselors, pet loss support groups, telephone helplines, and websites that deal with pet loss.  You'll find some of them on our website at www.veterinarywisdom.com  You can also ask your veterinarian for some referrals and recommendations for resources in your area.  If your vet is not informed about these, try contacting any pet crematory or cemetaries in your area or even your human funeral homes, hospice programs, or grief counselors.  Sometimes, you have to dig a bit, but help is out there.

If your mother declines further support, you may want to gently begin talking to her about adopting another dog.  No one can take the place of Peppy, but a brand new relationship might be just what she needs to feel less lonely.

What personal wisdom can you share, readers, for this situation?  Ever felt like this yourself or known someone who felt this way?

--Laurel

Teach your cat to meditate

This is a very interesting story!

But, there was a study done recently in the UK on kitties. A student veterinary nurse studied cats when they were in a vet's surgery. She found that cats who were played yoga meditation music and Om Shanti tunes were calmer than those who weren't. Their breathing also slowed.

The student doing the study, Miss Barr, said, "It [stress] will have a negative effect, such as in a veterinary practice. This is because a cat is in a cage and isn't able to do what it would like to do, so stress levels will increase and it will become wound up and angry."

She found in her study that those who got played the yoga music had a dramatic effect on helping the cats to calm more quickly.

I wonder if yoga music might have helped our little Miss Girl in calming down. We would have had to play it 24/7 for her though as her anxiety levels were high much of the time! Have you ever tried playing calming music for your pets? We actually have CDs in our store that are relaxation music for pets (and for owners). Would you ever try out this idea for your pets?

--Tammy

Is your pet green?

Well, if you have a lizard, then the answer is yes. But I'm not talking about their actual color!

More and more pet products are "going green". A story on MSNBC states that "In the last year and a half we have seen more eco-friendly products than ever before." It seems that pet owners are realizing that they can help the environment by being aware of the things their pet can do to help!

There is a growing demand for products that will be healthy for pets and healthy for the environment. Organic foods, recycled materials used, and healthier options are the word of the day.

What do you think? Are you aware of the impact your pet can have on the environment? Have you chosen a product for Fido or Fluffy because it was more environmentally friendly?

Honestly, I haven't really considered this as of yet with our kitties. I guess I need to be more aware!

--Tammy

New law in Massachusetts

Last week, a new law went into effect in Massachusetts. The law bans surgical devocalization of animals. As the Boston Globe put it - "the right to free speech -- for dogs and cats."

The governor signed the bill into law on April 22. The new law bans "de-barking" in any case except a case of medical necessity. Devocalizing a pet in Massachusetts now could carry a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2500. The Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association opposed the legislation.

Laws surrounding devocalization vary from state to state, but it seems that it is largely still legal in most states. California is apparently considering a similar bill to the one in Massachusetts now. (Devocalization is illegal in the UK, though I don't know what penalties are involved.)

I've only known one dog who had this procedure done. He lived in a tiny apartment and he would not stop barking. His owner wanted to keep him, but because of his barking, would have had to give him up without the surgery. (I didn't meet this dog until well after the surgery had been done.) In his case, he had no side-effects from the surgery (as many animals do). He still "barked" constantly, but there was little or no noise. He made a small sound that sounded like "blacket".

I personally would never consider doing a devocalization. If I were in a situation with an animal would wouldn't learn to be quiet when appropriate, I think I would rather try to re-home to a place where barking wouldn't be a problem.

What do you think of the new law on the books in Massachusetts? Would you ever want to devocalize a pet?

--Tammy

Cat burglar

I came across this story recently, and it just made me laugh! I have to share it with you!

There is a cat in the UK who is an accomplished burglar. Oscar the cat (he is a ginger and white - orange and white to us Americans) likes to steal things. But he is picky about WHAT he steals. He prefers to steal ladies underwear!

Over the past few weeks, Oscar has been bringing home underwear (and some socks and gardening gloves) to his foster family. (His foster family has decided to adopt Oscar permanently as well, in spite of his kleptomaniacal tendencies!)

They even phoned the police in their neighborhood to let them know about Oscar's habit, just in case anyone reported items of clothing missing! Police now know about Oscar and have logged his thefts... totalling around 70 so far!

Have you ever had a pet bring you something that didn't belong to him (or to you!)? My Luna girl used to steal shiny things. I couldn't leave any of my jewelry where she could get to it. It would disappear and usually turn up in some odd place later. My cats have always been indoors, so bringing home underwear wouldn't happen! (Full story and photo here.)

--Tammy

"I Want a New Dog, but Don't Want to Betray Bertie!"

"Hi.  Bertie was my 13-year-old weimaraner and she died 4 months ago.  I've been doing okay without her, but now I'd like to get a new dog and that has been making me feel awful.  I think Bertie would be sad if she could see me with another dog.  Is it too soon to think about this?"  ---former client, Argus Institute

First, I'm sorry to hear about Bertie's death.  I know how much she meant to you and how much you loved one another.  She helped you through a difficult time in your life and I know you will always feel grateful to her for that.  I also know that, in your mind, that debt you feel you owe her may be translating into a misguided sense of loyalty.  That's what I'd like to talk about here...

When someone dies, it's very common for grievers like you and me to think our grief (both the intensity and duration of our intense feelings like sadness, depression, guilt, etc.) must equal the depth of love and commitment we had for that loved one.  In other words, if we truly, deeply loved someone like you loved Bertie, it would be wrong to transfer that love and our loyalty to someone new too soon.

But, what is too soon?

The truth is, Bertie would want you to have someone in your life to comfort you and provide you with companionship like she did.  And, just because you begin to love another dog, doesn't mean you love Bertie any less.  You can do both!

If you feel ready, start looking for another dog.  And, when you find one, take a moment to "introduce" your new companion to Bertie.  Tell your new dog about Bertie and what she liked to do, what her routines were in your home.  Talk out loud to Bertie and tell her why you got a new dog and that, no matter how you much you come to love this new pet, you will always love her and remember her.

It may sound silly to some of you to do this, but it's really what we all do and think...we just don't tell each other about it because we don't have social conversations about how we handle grief.

Readers, have you faced this situation?  What worked for you if you felt disloyal to a pet who died?

--Laurel

Awkward family pet photos

So, you may have heard of the site Awkward Family Photos. (If you're on Facebook, it is quite likely that a friend or eight have passed along the link at some point.) Well, now there is a new "sister" site called Awkward Family Pet Photos!

People submit photos of themselves or family members who have had photos taken with their pets! Some of them are quite hysterical... others are just disturbing! People Pets posted the story about the new site, and some great shots as well. You can see their slide show here. Do you have any family photos that include your pets? Do they belong on Awkward Family Pet Photos?

I have one that was taken of just me and my dog, Beau-Beau, when I was about 13. I'm awfully glad I have the picture as it is one of the only good pictures of Beau that I have. But... it would probably be a good submission to this site! (I don't know where it is, or I would scan it in and share it with you!)

--Tammy

13 Black Cats Underneath a Ladder

A mirror shattered into tiny bits, a black cat crossing your path, and stepping on cracks in the sidewalk...what about these sound familiar? Is someone out there trying to get my attention?

I've never put much stock into certain superstitions (although I find them fascinating). However, today I have cause to reconsider. At our pet hospital, we had the triple threat...a client accidentally broke a mirror in one of our exam rooms...the sidewalk leading up to our entrance is cracking, and yes...we most definitely have a black cat (in fact we have FOUR in our cat boarding this week)! Okay, so three bad omens...what now? Do we carry on boldly or visit the nearest exorcist? I'll let you make the call.

Please allow me to summarize a few of today's events:

1. We should have known something was up when the power went out this morning and the alarm clock didn't wake us up. Oh and yes...I burned the toast and spilled orange juice on the floor but it's okay since we didn't have time to read the newspaper because it was thrown on top of our roof by the mail carrier.

2. At the pet hospital, a brand new employee failed to show up for her early morning shift. After attempting to contact her, we found a tattered piece of scratch paper informing us that she is quitting and won't be coming back (this of course, after extensive interviews and discussions about her commitment and weeks of training hours). The news doesn't all have to be bad though, you see she still has a key to the hospital front door and we can't get ahold of her to get it back. That means we'll get to see our friendly neighborhood locksmith to change the locks!

3. I'm just guessing here, but I'm pretty sure that when you turn on your sprinkler system, there shouldn't be a geyser of water the size of Mt. Vesuvius shooting everywhere. However, the good news is that the man who does our lawn care and sprinkler system maintenance is out of town and won't be back for 10 days. This means we can entertain the neighborhood!

4. Our newly purchased FAX machine decided to take a sick day. The upside? We've only got 15 blood panel results to track down instead of 16. Thank goodness for those small favors.

So, what's your call? Should I have just stayed in bed until tomorrow morning? Was someone trying to warn us or do we chalk it all up to "coincidence?" I'm sure that all of you have had very bad days in your lives or work. Did you have any sense it was coming? Have you ever gotten a warning before a bad event? Your ideas interest me and I need to find something else to do besides smashing the sprinkler system with a broken FAX machine and alarm clock. I'm off to get a four leaf clover, a rabbit's foot and a cup of salt to toss over my shoulder (the rabbit's foot is fake of course). Please let me know if you seen any leprechauns.

--Dana

Pet bathrooms

So, it seems that airports are becoming more pet-friendly these days!

The airports in the Washington, DC area have added new "pet relief areas" at both Dulles International and Reagan National Airports. Dulles has three areas outside the terminal and one inside, while Reagan National has four, all outside the terminal.

The areas include grass (or artificial turf) and even fire hydrants! These areas have been added specifically for service dogs to use as they fly with their humans, but can be used by family pets who are traveling as well.

We've talked about traveling with pets before. What do you think of these additions to airports? Will it make you more likely to travel with a pet (service or otherwise)? It was something I never actually thought of as a factor in travel with pets before reading this story! It makes sense that there would need to be a good location for pets to pee! (Full story and photo here.)

--Tammy

Orangutans in the wild

Last Friday, I posted a cute video of an orangutan swimming. I did so because it was "cute" and I thought you would enjoy, as I did.

However, on that post, I received a comment that made me really think.  (It is questionable whether this video, and the organization who provided the video, is a humane way to treat these orangutans. I haven't done enough research to make that call, so I'll let you all do the research you might want to do on that subject.)

Prior to this comment, I hadn't thought a lot about the plight of orangutans. In the wild, their numbers are rapidly decreasing. There are many reasons for their decline, and there are many ways to help these animals in their wild habitats. The commenter on last Friday's post was from an organization called Orangutan Outreach. They do great work for the orangutans in their native habitats.

On their site, they also talk more about the palm oil crisis (this was mentioned very briefly at the end of the video last Friday). Palm oil is apparently being used in many products today and the exploitation of this oil is causing much trouble to the orangutans. There are reports at the site that talk about how this is happening and what we can do to stop it.

I haven't done extensive research (yet) but I wanted to, at the very least, pass this information along to you in light of my post from last week. These "cute" videos are fun, and we all get drawn into watching them, but very often we don't consider the actual treatment of the animals. These lovely, amazing creatures are being harmed by humans. Helping an organization like the Orangutan Outreach spread their message might be a way to do our part in helping these orangutans!

--Tammy

"I feel numb and can't breathe..."

"I unexpectedly lost my cat and haven't felt 'right' for days.  My head is fuzzy and I feel sort of detached from my body...numb and unable to breathe.  Is this normal?"  --Glenda in Alaska

Yep.  Unfortunately, it is normal and it's one of the most upsetting symptoms of grief.

First, I'm so sorry to hear about your cat, Glenda.  I recently lost one of my dogs very suddenly, too, and I understand the sensations you are describing.  They're collectively known as shock.

Shock is a mixture of physical sensations, like numbness and nausea; mental sensations, like disbelief and a feeling of moving about in a dreamlike state; and emotions like guilt and anger.  Shock is triggered by feelings of fear, helplessness, and vulnerability.  Sudden death makes us feel out of control and that feeling can literally take your breath away...

During the shock phase of grief, it's common to relive the events leading up to the death over and over, asking yourself questions like, "what if...?" and "should I have...?"  Feelings of regret, blame, and confusion can be relentless.

I wish I could give you a magic formula that would make the uncomfortable symptoms of shock go away.  Please know that they will subside with time and with the gradual realization that this painful loss really did occur.  Then, grief will take over. Even though feelings of grief can be painful, they are also what helps us heal.  The more you can allow yourself to truly feel sad and to grieve, the more you will heal past the hurt of this loss.

What you're feeling is normal and natural, Glenda.  Please accept a 'virtual hug' from me and remember that this, too, shall pass...

--Laurel

 

Catios

There is a new trend in cat owning lately. Catios.

Yep - Catios. It is a patio that is enclosed to be a safe "outdoor" habitat for your indoor cats. An article in the New York Times says, "don't call it a cage. They {New Yorkers} prefer the term catios." Enclosing the patio or balcony of an apartment makes it a space where cat owners can feel safe in letting their cats out. Before enclosing, there is a worry of a cat jumping or falling off of the balcony. (Yes, I do know this fear having experienced this exact thing with our Henry last year!)

The Catios range from very primitive to very elaborate. One family mentioned in the article has their entire deck enclosed for their cats, and the family has a picnic table in the enclosure so they can sit there with their cats.

What do you think of this idea? I personally LOVE it! We can't do it where we live now because of rules about putting things up on the building, balconies, etc. But, if we live in a place where we could build some kind of safe enclosure for our kitties, I'd be right on board! As it is for us, we let our cats on the balcony conditionally - with a human watching! (Henry has less balcony privileges than the others - he has already proven he isn't responsible! How's that for anthropormorphizing?)

Enjoy a slideshow of photos of New Yorkers' catios here.

--Tammy

Bring Out The Cheesy Gold Watch

This week is a tough one. I feel a jumble of wildly conflicting emotions and amidst all the jumble, I'm starting to get a little sea sick. I guess I should explain...

We have an employee who's been with us for over 8 years. Now in the world of veterinary medicine, this is a REALLY LONG time. In fact, it's probably worthy of a cheesy gold watch given out at the retirement party. Veterinary hospitals and clinics tend to have a fairly high level of turnover compared to many other professions (however, I should mention that this can vary a great deal from hospital to hospital). For our hospital, 8 years is an impressive time. She knows our hospital and "the routine" like the back of her hand. She's liked by all of the employees and she's liked and respected by our clients. She's great at animal restraint (even though she's not a technician), and she's got a wonderfully wicked sense of humor. Sounds all good right? Unfortunately though, she is also leaving this week and moving to another city.

For her, this move is a good one. It means better opportunities and a better quality of life for her and her children. Moreover, she's truly happy about it. You can just see it in her eyes and that's a wonderful thing to see. The un wonderful part is that we're really going to miss her.

Question...can you genuinely be happy for someone who's moving on while also feeling sad and upset about them doing it? I'm sure that in every profession out there, this is a common conundrum. How do you support someone who's leaving when you really don't want them to go? I certainly don't have all the answers. The best that I've been able to come up with is telling her the truth. I'm thrilled for her personally, yet I'm really sad that she's leaving.

How do all of you deal with the emotions related to staff turnover? What is it like from a supervisor's point of view and what's it like from an employee's point of view? Any pearls of wisdom for us?

--Dana

A Fishy Conversation

Researchers in New Zealand have learned that fish actually talk to each other! They apparently can communicate using "noises including grunts, chirps, and pops".

The researchers also say that all fish can hear, but not all make noises. The fish that do make noises do so for many reasons. They can "talk" to each other for mating reasons, to orient themselves to their surroundings, or to warn off predators.

Do you ever wonder what your pet fish are saying to you? Well, don't listen too hard to goldfish! They apparently make no sound at all. Funny enough, a blog reader sent me this video just today. This goldfish might prove the researchers wrong! :) Enjoy!

--Tammy

Suryia the orangutan swims

I've actually written about Suryia the orangutan before. He and Roscoe the dog are the best of friends. Well, cute Suryia is in the news again.

Normally, orangutans aren't big fans of the water, but at the park Suryia calls home, he has learned to swim! It all began with his trainers bathing him (and other orangutans) when they came to stay in homes with humans. They got used to the water, and learned to enjoy it. Suryia seems to be a natural at swimming now! He plays, dives, and swims in tandem with his trainers.

He's been featured on the Today Show, and this great video shows him in his element in the swimming pool!

--Tammy

What If You Loathe Your Pet? Part 2

I got a lot of feedback (email) about a blog I wrote a couple of weeks ago where I confessed that I haven't always unconditionally loved all of my pets.  It seems many of you have had these same feelings, but you weren't ready to put your comments out there for the whole world to read.  I get that!

But, since it was such a hot topic, I thought it was worthy of more discussion.  I asked a few pet owners I know about why and when they have "loathed" their pets.  Their answers were enlightening.

Many of the comments fell into a category I call "shared identity", meaning many of us see our pets as extensions of our own personalities.  So, when our pets do something embarrassing, like slobber on a friend or smell like a bear who just came out of hibernation, we feel it reflects back on us and we take it personally.

Take my oldest daughter, for example.  When she was in high school and her friends came to our house, our two chessies (who liked to roll in fox urine in the backyard!) would "greet" her friends (who were usually dressed up and smelling delightful) wearing their own lovely "fox" aroma, along with long strings of mucus hanging from their jowls.  It mortified my daughter to have her friends think of her family this way.  For her, it was as if Pete (my husband) and I were standing there unbathed and drooling at the front door!

Well, you might chalk that up to the self-consciousness and overly-dramatic perspective of a teenager, but I've had similar feelings, too.  My dogs aren't very well trained so I sometimes feel their rambunctiousness makes me look like a neglectful or---let's just say it--- "bad" puppy mother.  And I tend to blame them for their behavior rather than just admitting that I never took the time or spent the money to train them.

Anyway, the truth is that, just as with my human children, I always LOVE my pets, but sometimes---just sometimes---I don't really LIKE them much.

Are you with me?

--Laurel

Cat in a fish bowl

I honestly love the part of my job that requires me to watch fun animal videos! Often, my husband gets involved too, and we spend a few minutes laughing at these silly animals!

This particular video is short, and very funny! I'd like to know how this came to happen - it's very silly! I hope you enjoy.

--Tammy

PS - If you ever come across a great animal video you'd like me to share, email me!!

Sick And Tired

A recent study from the United Kingdom reveals some troubling news. They have found that the suicide rate of veterinarians is four times higher than that of the general public and double that of other health professions (Veterinary Practice News, May 2010). While conducted in another country, these findings are disturbing and many feel that these numbers also apply to veterinarians in the United Sates (as well as in other countries).

Why? Why is the suicide rate so high? What contributes to this problem and what can we do about it? I could spend an entire year studying this and still not have all the answers. Since I don't want this blog the same length as War and Peace, I will try to condense the explanation down to two important factors... veterinarians are TIRED AND UNDER PAID.

Compassion fatigue and burnout are very real threats to the veterinary profession (and always have been). Study after study will tell you that compassion fatigue is on the rise (or at least more people are admitting to having it). It's not really a shocker. Veterinarians have almost all the same stresses that human physicians have and on top of that, they also witness death 5 times more frequently that their human medicine colleagues. In fact, they actually have to facilitate the death of beloved patients. They must provide stellar service to pet owners who believe that their pets are family members, but they should do this with the same salary veterinarians were making in the 1960's. In many ways, veterinary medicine parallels human medicine. Advanced medical treatments using the latest technology, amazing client service, and fabulous patient care are now the expected norm. Yet, these expectations come without little thought as to the true value of these services.

We've talked about this financial disparity before here at the Café. Pet owners proudly profess that their pets are true family members but when it comes down to spending money on them, many sing (and dance) a very different tune (although there are a lot of exceptions). Somehow, the mindset seems to say, "it's a veterinarian, not a human physician, so naturally the salary should be dramatically less. This is how it's always been and should always be." There are scores of factors that play into this, but it's still a head scratcher for me. Now please don't misunderstand me...I'm not yelling at any pet owners or accusing them of being hypocrites. With the lack of insurance in Vet med and the depressed economy factored in, I can see why this disparity exists. The real world is sometimes harsh but knowing this doesn't make it any less difficult.

This study from the UK also reveals that many veterinarians suffering from compassion fatigue, substance/alcohol abuse, anxiety, and clinical depression are completely under-supported. Like the military, professional and social stigma prevents many people from seeking help and support. And even if they do seek out support, the amount of quality services for veterinarians are so few that it is a tiny drop in the proverbial bucket.

For time reasons, I won't present all the factors and many variables that contribute to this problem (but you can explore this topic further from Veterinary Practice News, May 2010). I'd like to know your thoughts out there. Do you agree with this? Do you think veterinarians are under supported and under paid for their work? Why is this and what can we do about it as a society? Should we do anything about it? Please send ideas!

--Dana

Smile - it's Candid Camera!

As you've learned - I like to geek out on Discovery News! The animal stories posted there just intrigue me. I find myself often sharing them with you too!!

Recently, I came across a posting there about "candid" animal videos. The Museum of Animal Perspectives features many of these animal videos using "dwelling cams". They are catching amazing video of birds and animals in their nests and homes, going about their day to day business!

There are many that are just fascinating to watch. I am sharing just one here with you today. It is bald eagles in their nest. One of them has just caught a fish! We see bald eagles out of our windows almost daily, so this was a treat for me to see! I've seen them diving into the lake trying to catch fish, but haven't seen what happens if or when they do catch a fish!

Enjoy poking around the site and seeing these amazing animal videos!

--Tammy

P.S. Enjoy your holiday weekend! (if you are in the States, that is!) We'll be back to regularly scheduled posting on Tuesday, July 6th!

Oscar the bionic cat

Oscar the cat lost his back legs in a farming accident - he was run over by a combine tractor last year. But, now Oscar is a "bionic cat"!

He has been fitted with two prosthetic legs! He can now run and jump around just like any other cat. His owner Kate Nolan said, "We had to do a lot of soul-searching and our main concern has always been whether this operation would be in Oscar's best interests and would give him a better quality of life."

What do you think of Oscar's new legs? Would your choice for your cat have been to do a surgery like this for him, or another choice? I think it is amazing that something like this can even work, but... I'm not sure what I would decide for my own pets. I tend to be pretty conservative with what I choose to do for treating my pets. I have to think that I might not have done this, but who knows?! Good for Oscar and his pet parents and doctors for making this successful for him! (Full story and photo from Discovery News.)

--Tammy

Could Your Pet be Animated for DoggyCorps?

Here's a great, artistic business idea that I'd like to ask all of you to support...

It's called DoggyCorps and you can find it at www.doggycorps.org

It's a little hard to explain so you'll just have to go see it for yourself.  The gist of the project is that Jenine Durland, a very talented artist and the grand-daughter of our very own Patricia and Bud Nay, is interviewing New Yorkers about their dogs.  She asks them to speak to her as if they were their dogs, telling her what they (the dogs) most often do...you know, the behaviors and desires that define their personalities.  Jenine then records these snippets of dog monologues and adds graphic animation.  The result is a short video where we get to meet several NYC dogs and hear them tell us about their lives.  It's really cool.  And, if she has enough interest, she could make this a business where, eventually, she might be able to do a customized, personal animation of your dog or cat!

That's where you come in.

Jenine is launching this business on a website called Kickstarter.com  This site asks viewers to make a small financial donation to help fund or "kick start" businesses into existence.  If she raises $3,000.00 by early July (and she's more than half-way there!), kickstart will agree to let her keep her website there.  If she doesn't meet her goal, she'll have to pay for a website elsewhere and everyone who donated gets their money back.  So, you can't lose!

But, whether you donate or not, please go take a look at Jenine's animated shorts.  You'll find her at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1122241796/doggycorpsorg-nyc

Just to warn you, some of the animated interviews are a bit "earthy", with dogs doing all the things that dogs naturally do, but that shouldn't bother you.  After all, you're a pet parent.  You've seen it all! 

--Laurel

Luv 4 My Bff's

R U there? It's gr8 to C U. I'm tryin to write the way my tween girl does 2 her BFF's (LOL). How R U my gf's and bf's? I want U 2 think I'm kool, so please don't call me a BLT (which is NOT a bacon, lettuce, and tomatoe sandwich). Wow, I feel 25 years younger already!

It's a new age we live in. PDA's, Blackberries, IPods, and IPads abound. You can now twitter and tweet your way through life in the fastest, most immediate, and most convenient way ever. But if I were to go back to my real age, I would wonder about how all this new technology is changing the way we all talk to each other. Veterinary medicine is embracing high tech just as everyone else. You can know tweet your veterinarian, log on to see your pet, and receive regular e-mails about your pet's status. You can do this without ever having to talk to one single human being. Is that better? It certainly is convenient.

What do U think? N D. tech is 4 those who are fab but what is the cost to our BFF's in vet med? C M L,

--Dana

Pets and relatives

I have recently been spending time in Arkansas (too hot for me!) at my sister's home. Another sister has been critically ill, and we've all gathered to support her and my niece.

Staying with family always presents unique challenges even when their isn't a serious illness to deal with.

One thing that has been interesting in our situation this last week or so is my sister's little dog, Harley. Harley is a 2 year old mini poodle. He's totally adorable and sweet, but... he is poorly behaved. My sister (his owner) is bothered by his behavior and yells at him a lot. She loves Harley, but she is often gone, and he spends a lot of time alone. She hasn't taken the time to do any kind of training with him either.

How do you handle the situation when you're staying in someone's home with a poorly behaved pet? We've talked to her about possibly finding a new home for Harley where he'd have people who could be more involved with him, but she's uncertain about doing that. I think we've at least convinced her that she needs to spend more time with him and really work on some training issues. I think he would do best with a family with some children who would play with him a lot!

I wish we could take Harley, but I'm afraid we'd have a cat mutiny!

--Tammy

Spin cycle

This story is a few weeks old now, but I wanted to share it with you.

A kitten in Australia is a very lucky cat! Four-month-old Kimba apparently decided that a washing machine in her home was a great place to explore. Her owner says she must have climbed into the front loading machine when the door was open. The machine got turned on while Kimba was curled up in the dirty clothes. The machine ran the full cycle (including high spin) and when the machine was opened, Kimba's owner was shocked to find her in the machine.

"We could hardly believe our eyes when she emerged, looking like a drowned rat."

Kimba was rushed to the vet and needed some immediate care. She was treated for shock and hypothermia and her eyes were badly affected by the detergent. Her owner says, "It is just amazing that she survived but we reckon she's used all of her nine lives."

I recall seeing a cat being brought into the CSU Vet Hospital who had been in the dryer when it was turned on. This cat didn't have a happy ending like Kimba. She was actually already dead on arrival. It was so amazingly sad to see. The picture is of my Luna cat who snuck into our dryer. It was warm and she thought it was a great place to curl up. We were extremely careful to close the doors, but she snuck in somehow.

It's a cautionary tale. Cats are curious and will try to get places they don't belong! Be careful when doing laundry. Check for cats!

--Tammy

What Would You Do if You Loathed Your Pet?

A guy I went to graduate school with seemed to be inseparable from his female black lab.  She went with him to study sessions, slept in his car during class, and attended every party we had.  It's no wonder the group of friends that he and I both hung out with were shocked when he announced he was taking the dog to the pound a few days before we graduated.

"Are you serious?" we all shouted in unison.

"Well, to tell the truth, I never really liked her that much.  She's not the smartest dog in the world."

I remember feeling sick to my stomach when he said these words.  How could he do this to his friend?  Before I could catch myself, I told him to give her to me and I'd find a home for her.  He didn't hesitate and, all of a sudden, I had another dog.

My husband and I couldn't keep her.  We already had two dogs and three cats!  And, as much as others cared about her, none of them wanted the responsibility of a dog just when they were starting new jobs.  In the end, my poor husband was the one who found the fortitude to take her to the Humane Society.  None of the rest of us could bring ourselves to do it.  I've always believed she found a great home...but, honestly, not knowing her fate still bugs me to this day.

Lately, I've read several articles about people who "hate" and "loathe" their pets.  Their reasons range from disliking the house soiling the animals do to being tired of their yipping and constant whining for attention.  When asked why they keep the animals, most answer that they're afraid of being judged or would be too ashamed to drop their pets off at the animal shelter.  So, they complain about their pets much like old, unhappy married couples might complain about each other.  It's just how they live together.

I admit I understand this to some extent.  Many years ago, I had a very old, almost senile golden retriever who barked and whined constantly.  The vet couldn't find anything wrong with her, so we resigned ourselves to the fact that her vocalizing would continue to drive us all quite batty.  What else could we do?  We couldn't get rid of her.  After all, she was a family member (albeit an annoying one!)  Sort of like the proverbial crazy old Aunt Edna...

So, we complained about her.  And we complained to her.  And we sometimes wished out loud, like the pet owners in the articles I just read, that she would simply, magically just disappear.

I'm not proud of this.  And, truth be told, I feel a bit sheepish about even telling you this story.  But, I think it's an interesting part of pet parenting that doesn't get discussed much.

How about you?  Do you have a pet you just don't like as much as you think you should?  Come on! Spill it!  Don't leave me hanging out here looking like a 'bad doggie mama'!

--Laurel