Critter Consulting

We confess our posts have been a bit canine concentrated lately. (That’s probably because Rusty recently joined our family.)  But we love the kitties, and we know you do, too!  So occasionally, we’ll devote entire posts to our feline friends.  And, of course we’ll continue to include cats in all of our posts & e-newsletters.  So hug Fluffy for us, and enjoy!

We love Simon’s Cat in “The Box”.  Watch!

Love all things feline?: Visit our resources for cats, including recommended reading & toys. Follow us on Twitter for daily cat & dog tips.  Contact us if you need help with you cat’s (or dog’s) behavior.  We’re always happy to help!  (Looking for holiday weekend ideas for your family & pets?  We’re still updating our summer post….)

© 2010 Critter Consulting

We hope you’re enjoying the sunshine!  Explore these eco-friendly goodies from the comfort of home.  (Who wants a big carbon “paw print” anyway, right?)

• ASPCA.org’s “Go Green for Pets” tips.
• Our favorite “green” online petstores: Fetchdog.com, Olivegreendog.com, and Puplife.com.
• We love petside.com’s “Top 10 Green Pet Toys“.  (Many are available @ the sites above, too!)  While you’re there, check out their “Carbon Paw-print Calculator” (for dogs & cats).  We’ll be adding this widget to our site soon…
• Missed this?:  Our “evergreen” spring post.

Take Puglet’s advice for humans:  Get out there and make a difference in the environment everyday!  Watch his video & read his blog, The Daily Puglet. (Pug fans, this one’s for you….  Uber-cute!)

© 2010 Critter Consulting

We look forward to all things spring this year.  And we wish you and your pets lots of fun, sunny days!  Enjoy these tidbits of springy-goodness to get you off to a good start:

• Flea & tick season is upon us, and it’s already a busy one!  Ask your vet about the latest & safest preventatives.  Be sure you use the correct, pet-specific product & dose.  Do not use over-the-counter products; buy them from your vet.  Read more – this could save your pets’ lives!
• Avoiding tick bites (for humans) – a diagram from the CA Dept. of Public Health.
• Easter safety tips from aspca.org.
• “Spring’s here: Get out & play!” Visit our “evergreen” post from last spring.
• There’s an app for that! Aspca.org’s fabulous list of plants (indoor & outdoor) that are safe for pets is now the “Pet Safe” app.  We love it because it’s portable, of course.  But now you can also identify plants by photo if you, like us, can’t name every plant in your yard.
• Cute but smelly:  Keep your pets away from skunks!  Females den now thru May/June when the babies are born.  Cozy skunk cribs include under your deck or in your woodpile.   Block your pets’ access to both now.  Learn more about prevention & solutions if the worst happens to your dog or cat – ugh!  Visit our site for more wildlife how-to’s.  By the way – did you know skunks like peanut butter, too?  Watch!
• Spring cleaning? Be pet friendly – here’s how.
  
• Early puppy & kitten training is the best way to enjoy the rest of the year with your pet.  We can help you start now!

A corny but comedic video-montage wish from us to you:   As you bid a fond farewell to playing in the snow, welcome spring with a happy song in your heart.  Go enjoy a romp in the sun with your pets!

© 2010 Critter Consulting

This year, we found the holiday spirit captured in a lovely video sent to us by a client.  A gift to us, passed along to you.

• If, like us, you find yourself thoroughly charmed by Ricochet (aka Rip Curl Ricki) & her “mom”/trainer’s insight, visit their website.  Or follow Ricochet on Facebook!
• Put that holiday spirit to use locally.  Donate what you can (goods, time, money) to local shelters & rescues.  Your generosity helps homeless pets find their bliss, too!
• For more seasonal fun & important tips, visit our posts:  “Happy Howlidays!” (2008) and “Seasonal Stress”.

Warmest Christmas wishes to you & your family: humans, canines & felines, alike!

© 2009 Critter Consulting

Halloween is good spooky-fun for humans.  For pets, it’s just plain spooky.  This year, help your pets enjoy Halloween – from their points-of-view.

• A truly happy Halloween for pets includes lots of exercise & play, followed by relaxing away from the chaos of treat-or-treating.  Watch this video, and visit our post from last Halloween for important pet safety tips.
• Step away from the Halloween haute couture for Fluffy & Fido! They much prefer to go au naturale.  Don’t believe us?  Check the abundance of videos & pics of costumed pets online.  One look @ their faces tells the “tail”.   Perhaps this video of Pixie & Wicket will convince you.  (Their owner – and videographer – notes that “a minute after recording the video, Pixie peed in place, and Wicket bit his left hand”.)  Not happy puppies!
• Having said that, in the “spirit” of  the season, we suspect that if dogs did do Halloween, it would look like Splash & Kiko’s treat-or-treating adventure! (FYI:  No chicken bones for dogs!  Kiko’s owner/trainer said Kiko doesn’t have any teeth, so she couldn’t chew the bone.  That bone was the only thing they could get her to take in her mouth from the “mean guy”.)

Boo!

© 2009 Critter Consulting

Did you miss these? Animal-related stories that caught our interest:

• “Dachshund adopts tiger cub in German zoo”- from latimes.com, 5/20/09.
• “Sea lion saved on highway” – from sfgate.com, 5/21/09.
• “Vick will work with Humane Society” (And HSUS CEO, Wayne Pacelle, blogs about the decision.)
• “Countries unite to reduce animal use in product toxicity testing worldwide”- from nih.gov, 4/27/09.
• “A bird quickly learns to tell urban friend from foe” (including your pet!) – from NYT.com, 5/18/09.
• “4 feet and a tail, and the cause of many falls” – from NYT.com, 5/18/09.
• “Oregon airport hires herding dog to cut down on bird strikes”- from latimes.com, 5/11/09.
• “Paris Hilton purse dogs are filling shelters” – from examiner.com, 5/10/09.
• “Blown-away Chihuahua reunited with owners”- from sfgate.com, 4/28/09.
• “Tiny Chihuahua scares off cougar” – from examiner.com, 5/30/09.
• “South Koreans clone beagles – and they glow!” – from AP, via newser.com, 4/28/09.
• Lucky the cat falls 26 stories, and he’s OK!  (abc news video & story- 5/29/09).
• Last but not least – Exactly what is a jerboa?  (See videos of a baby & an adult.)  Fascinating!

We’re happy jump start your summer reading. (And, if you find yourself tripping over Fluffy & Fido, as in the article above, contact us.  We’d love to help!)

© 2009 Critter Consulting

Sometimes we all just need a break.  Here’s a charming “tail”:

“An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard.  I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me; I gave him a few pats on his head.  He then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner, and fell asleep.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside, and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour.  This continued off and on for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: ‘I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.’

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: ‘He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 – he’s trying to catch up on his sleep.  Can I come with him tomorrow?’”

Source:  Internet.

While we didn’t run this story by snopes.com, it’s a believable scenario.  Family life can get hectic for parents, kids & pets, alike!  (Many cats  simply refuse to come home again when things get too chaotic.)  Contact us if you need help creating a peaceful balance in your home.  We’ll work with you to develop a training plan that meets your goals & suits your busy lifestyle!

© 2009 CritterConsulting

Enjoy this collection of holiday safety tips, gift ideas, and fun new videos!

Keep your pet safe & happy this holiday season:

• “Fact or Fiction:  Are Poinsettias Poisonous?” Read the ASPCA’s update on the low toxicity of this popular plant.  Take note that other holiday growies are dangerous to your pet:  Just a nibble of a lily can cause kidney failure in cats. Holly and mistletoe can cause GI distress and cardiovascular problems.  Bacteria & fertilizers in tree water can also trigger tummy upset.  Cats often vomit after eating evergreen needles.  Per the ASPCA:  “If you suspect that your animal companion has eaten a potentially toxic substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. A fee may apply.”
• “Veterinarian Urges Pet Safety During Holidays” by Russ Krebs (FreemontTribune.com, 12/08/08).
• Browse our Thanksgiving post, “You Are What You Eat” for holiday food safety tips.
• Read our articles, “‘Tis the Season for a Change in the Weather” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside!” for tips on keeping pets cozy this winter.
• Help Fluffy & Fido relax:  Pet-proof your house, and keep your pets away from holiday chaos.  During festivities, find a quiet place in your home where they can relax without being scared or overstimulated.  Stick with your pets’ routines, including lots of exercise, to help them cope with holiday unpredictabilities.  Stay on top of house training; many pets regress due to schedule changes, stress, and unpleasant weather.  Read more tips, and contact us for additional advice.

Looking for the purrfect gift for your cat, dog, or pet-loving friend?

• Never, ever, ever give a pet as a surprise gift! If you’re considering adopting, make sure the whole family is in agreement, and do your research first.  Take your time choosing your new family member.  We can help!
• We’ve seen a lot of impractical lists of pet gift ideas this season.  NAPSI’s list is one of the best.  Visit our always-updated recommendations for dog products & toys, as well as cat products & toys.
• You can find great gift ideas & discounts @ our favorite catalogs & online shops.  Check the list for the latest discounts offered by each company.  And please support local pet stores and shelter gift shops.
• Your pet doesn’t care how much you spend on a gift.  Playtime; homemade gifts; an extra walk; or a romp @ the dog park are wonderful – and free!
• A recent study showed that 84% of Americans would rather receive a gift that gives to someone else than something that’s just for them.  Why not make a donation in a friend’s name to your local shelter or favorite rescue group ?
• Every shelter has a wishlist of items they really need.  Check their websites or call ahead for the list.  You can make a big difference with items you have around your house – no monetary donation needed.  Or, volunteer your time – it’s priceless!
• It’s always nice to curl up with a good book or video.  Our reading lists (dog & cat) are always updated for browsing.
• And – Critter Consulting offers gift certificates for pet training (for dogs & cats of all ages)!

Fun videos in time for the holidays:

• The RSPCA is on a mission to end pet obesity in the UK.  They’ve enlisted the folks behind “Simon’s Cat” to help:  Meet “Simon’s Sister’s Dog”.  (Contact your vet, as well as Critter Consulting, for help in reducing your pet’s weight in a healthy manner.  And we can help if your dog begs like Simon’s sister’s dog!)
• Barney’s celebrating his last Christmas in the White House.  (Corny, we know!)
• And our personal favorite: “Dog Having a Blast in the Snow”. Woo-hoo!

Warmest wishes to you and your family: two and four-legged, alike!

© 2008 CritterConsulting

A friend sent me this article.  (I’ve certainly heard this said of cats, too.) I had to share it with you:

“From time to time people tell me, “Lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or, “That’s a lot of money for just a dog.”  They don’t understand the distance traveled, time spent, or costs involved for “Just a dog”.  Some of my proudest moments have come about with “Just a dog”.  Many hours have passed with my only company being “Just a dog”, and not once have I felt slighted.  Some of my saddest moments were brought about by “Just a dog”.   In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “Just a dog” provided comfort and purpose to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it’s “Just a dog”, you will probably understand phrases like, “Just a friend”, “Just a sunrise”, or “Just a promise”.  “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.  “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and purpose that makes me a better person.  Because of “Just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly to the future.

For me and folks like me, it’s not “Just a dog”.  It’s an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.  “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday people can understand it’s not “Just a dog”.  It’s the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “Just a man or woman”.

So the next time you hear the phrase, “Just a dog”, smile, because they “Just Don’t Understand”.”
-author unknown-

Big hugs to your dogs (and cats!). 

We wish you & your pets a safe & happy Halloween!

Check out these links to safety & behavioral tips:

• ASPCA’s guidelines
• Dogtime’s guidelines

Assuming Pup is happy in a costume, always supervise him while he’s wearing it.  Here are some cute costume ideas.

If your pet is fearful, territorial, or overstimulated by Halloween celebrations, keep him away from the excitement, safe & calm.  Contact us for help.

And, for a Halloween laugh, enjoy this video!

Boo!

© 2008 CritterConsulting