Lola 4 Pets -- pet supplies & services

Friday, October 4, 2013

What will happen to my pets...

No one likes to talk about it, but if you suddenly die, who will take care of your animals? Don't assume your family or friends will take in your pets when you are gone. Many animals end up at shelter when their person passes away and their chances of being adopted, depending on breed, age and health, are probably not good.

I have actually known people who wanted their beloved pet killed after they die. Sure, seems a little crazy but would you want to see your pet at the shelter? Not that I endorse this extremism. Btw, even if that is in a person's will, it can't be legally enforced. But just the fact that someone would suggest such a thing underlines how important the issue really is to most of us who have animals as part of our family..

Your best bet is being prepared. Ask people you know who would want your dog, cat, fish, etc. Make an agreement with the person and make sure it is someone on whom you can rely. You can even go to the next level and put it in writing and make it a legal agreement. Some folks even create a trust for their pets.

Whatever you do, do something. Don't leave it up to chance what can happen to your animals when you are gone. It's your responsibility to look out for your pets, whether you are around or not!

These are articles on planning for your pets in case you die:

http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/estate-planning-dogs-pets-wills-trusts-die-unexpectedly

http://www.humanesociety.org/news/magazines/2013/07-08/backup-plan-planning-for-pets-after-owner-death.html

This is a rescue that specializes in taking people's pets when they die:

http://www.peaceofminddogrescue.org/lifetimecare.html

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Redemption

Have you ever had something bad happen where you felt totally helpless yet responsible at the same time?

This is how I felt after my failed attempt to save a bird's life.

Poor little guy must have flown into my window because there he was just sitting on the deck with all my dogs hanging around. He wasn't moving but he was obviously alive. My little dog Ike just sniffed him and moved along. The others didn't really pay him much mind. In fact it seemed like no one else had even noticed him sitting there...

Naturally, I wanted to get him out of harm's way immediately so that he could recover and eventually fly away.

I grabbed a sweatshirt to pick him up and walked out onto the deck. Right behind me, I now realize, was Maurice my little terrier mix. Little did I know that when I bent over to pick up the cute little stunned bird, Maurice would make a beeline and beat me to him! Maurice bit the bird.

I was really mad. I picked up the bird and brought him to a safe place but it was too late, he was dead.

Jump to 3 weeks later...

I am sitting at my store when a neighbor drops by to ask for help. She was holding a towel with something in it. It was a bird! Apparently this bird had flown into a window too. Not only was it a bird, but it was the exact same kind of bird, the same color and size as the one that Maurice had...you know...fatally wounded.

I took the bird and found a box for his safe keeping. He was scared but too dazed to fly. I didn't really know what to do so I looked it up online. The info I found said not to try to give the bird any food or water but to let the bird recover in a quiet place. So that is what I did.

I kept checking on the bird, his little eyes would open and then close. He looked tired. Gosh he was cute. I wanted to pet him but I decided against it as it would be stressful for him even though it would be pleasurable to me. I just kept a watchful eye instead.

After about 45 minutes, I noticed that he was looking more alert with his eyes opened and curious. I took the box outside and moved the flaps so he could get out. He didn't make a move so after a couple of minutes we went back inside.

Another ten minutes went by and he was looking perky. I took the box outside again, opened the flaps and waited. In a few seconds the little guy bounced up to the edge of the box. He looked around for a few more seconds and then, like nothing ever happened, he took off for freedom!

It was a wonderful feeling seeing him take off. I felt I had done right by this bird.

I also couldn't help but feel I was given a second chance. It was such a huge relief having this golden opportunity to redeem myself for little bird who died on my watch. RIP little guy and Goodspeed lucky one!

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

The appropriate age for kids and dogs???

I recently saw an advertisement looking for pet experts to discuss the appropriate age for a kid to have a dog. My first reaction was surprise that the advertiser was looking for pet experts to define such parameters rather than child experts, but that would be an issue for another post.

photo courtesy www.livem.com

As a person involved with rescue for years, I would be inclined to say that it's NEVER appropriate for kids to be responsible for the family pets. Sure, they can help clean, feed and play with the pets but would I leave it entirely in their hands??? Hell no! They are kids!! Taking care of a living being is something that only an adult should be responsible for and I think we all know that even adults drop the ball when it comes to responsible pet guardianship.

Of course, there are kids who do a great job with a pet and who are responsible. However, my guess is that the family as a whole is responsible for making guardianship work out. Adding a new family member is something everyone must be willing to take part in, especially the parents!!

I have heard this story before. A family gets a pet for their 9 year old son because he has been begging for a pet and swears up and down that he will be fully responsible for all aspects of cleaning, feeding, training and walking. After a few months, once the honeymoon period is over and school starts, the 9 year old is getting tired of having so much responsibility on top of school and extra-curricular activities, so, the kid just stops doing it. The parents nag and complain saying, this is your pet and we don't have time! After a few more weeks the disgusted parent takes the dog to the shelter claiming "no time" to have a pet and then, if the pet is lucky, finds a new home, or if not, dies at the shelter. Meanwhile, the kid is sad but learns a valuable lesson, pets are disposable if you don't have time. Don't you hate this story?

First off, I'm sure I sound extremely cynical but I have heard this story over and over at the shelter. My question is, who relies on a child to take full responsibility for anything, never mind a living animal? Of course it didn't work out and expectations weren't met. The reality is that getting any pet is a FAMILY responsibility.

Even in the adult world, expecting one person to always do everything for the family pet is unrealistic. In my home where there are no kids, I am the primary caretaker. However, my husband helps me! We share the responsibility as needed. He doesn't throw up his hands and say, this is your responsibility and I will never help you! We both realize even though I am the animal lover in our family that once the animals are part of our household that we both bear responsibility for their welfare. Taking them back to the shelter is not an option.

Bringing a pet home should be a family decision and unless there are truly extenuating circumstances the pet is there for their entire life even when junior leaves for college. Don't forget that your "pet" is part of the family.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Senior Pet Month at Blogpaws! Cool info graphic!

Hi all! As you may know, Lola 4 Pets is a huge supporter of seniors be they our beloved pets or family or friends. Blogpaws, a website about pet blogging has designated August as Senior Pets month and posted some info. I Think this is a neat little graphic so I wanted to share it with my readers.

Lola 4 Pets sells food and supplies specifically with older pets in mind in addition to our other products. Feel free to ask me to special order for you if your pet has a special need. I will try my best to keep it in stock for you!

Happy Senior Pets month to all! xoxo

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Support MC SPCA and Train Your Dog! $20 for 4 classes!!!

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Is your dog a DOOR DASHER? How is his recall? Better than our friend FENTON?!

In case you haven't seen the "Fenton" video yet... a dog parent loses his dog who runs off to chase a herd of deer! Wow, he sounds pretty annoyed! Of course now the video has been spoofed and is a big internet joke. But, judging from the sound of the man, I don't think he was laughing at the time.

Here is a a good little article in Whole Dog Journal by Pat Miller, CPDT about what to do when your dog runs out the door... Luckily we are in the country so it is a little less dangerous than being in a high traffic area, but even so a runaway dog is no joking matter. Any number of dangers are out there and a dog who is not listening to his person is more likely to encounter them.

In fact, the advice by given by Pat Miller in this article is useful for anytime your dog escapes and runs off. I watched from my window one day as a guy's dog jumped out of his truck to chase a squirrel. The dog bounded off without a care in the world with no intention of returning to the vehicle. Meanwhile his person just yelled at him and chased him which drove the dog farther away. The man finally got in his truck to follow the dog who was now way down the street looking for more squirrels to chase...

A runaway dog reminds us about working on your dog's recall. This skill is one of the most important that you will ever teach your dog. It takes a little time but well worth the effort. What you want is a positive association that brings the dog back to you.

Here is a brief video from Victoria Stillwell (It's Me or the Dog) showing how to teach recall using a whistle.

Just remember, don't panic! Don't chase! Don't get mad!
Stay calm and carry treats!! :-)