ajcpets

For those of us with mixed households (dogs and cats), this anonymously-written pet “diary” circulating the Internet should strike home:

The Dog’s Diary

8:00 a.m. - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 a.m. - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 a.m. - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 a.m. - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 p.m. - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 p.m. - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 p.m. - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 p.m. - Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 p.m. - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 p.m. - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 p.m. - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

The Cat’s Diary

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a “good little hunter” I am. Morons!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of “allergies.” I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now…

What is the situation like in your cat and dog household? Do the dogs seem to appreciate you more than the cats? Do you ever have the feeling that your cats see your home as a prison?

We found some of the best pet experts in metro Atlanta. Look for your answers every Monday. Today’s advice comes from Ingrid Johnson of Paws Whiskers and Claws, The Feline Hospital in Marietta. See all the AJCPets experts. And feel free to submit questions in the form of a comment today.

Q: About 6 months ago I brought home a 6-year-old stray female cat to give her badly needed medical attention. She is a very fearful cat and lives in the upstairs portion of my house in order to give her sanctuary from my other three indoor only cats. She is adjusting very slowly to my family and tolerates two of my cats in her sanctuary space occasionally as long as they stay a couple feet away from her.

My third cat, a neutered 4-year-old male, Gizzy, has never intentionally been allowed in her area because he is so aggressive with her. He bolts when the door is opened to her sanctuary and three times has gotten in and tried to attack her. Once he scratched her nose, but the other two times they had no physical contact before I intercepted him. He runs at her and starts slapping at her, while she backs up and tries to defend herself. (Gizzy is sometimes overly playful/aggressive with my other two cats, even though my other boy is twice Gizzy’s size.)

I have tried Bach’s Rescue Remedy and it does help calm Gizzy, but it wears off quickly, even though I put it in his water bowl. Gizzy has no medical problems that we are aware of. Do you have any suggetions on how to calm Gizzy or how to resolve his issues with the stray?

A: Anytime a new cat is introduced to an existing colony (your three established cats) there is bound to be some upset, and it could be months before harmony is reached. It would be worthwhile for Gizzy to have an “aggression exam,” just to rule out any possible medical causes.

This would be looking for something that is making him uncomfortable in any way, such as a urinary tract problem, painful teeth or itchy skin. If the new cat is sick, Gizzy also may realize this and he may be choosing to pick on her because of her medical condition.When a group of cats live together they form a “colony scent.”

It is helpful to flip flop bedding from the sanctuary room to the rest of the house and vice versa to help cross scent the cats. Brush all of the cats with the same brush, wipe them down with the same cloth, and make the four of them a group without them having to actually interact.Next switch out the living spaces. Allow Gizzy and the other two cats to explore the new cats room. Eat her food; use her litterbox without her in the space. Allow the new cat some access to the rest of the house while the other cats are in the sanctuary room.

This will allow her to explore and get comfortable with her new surroundings without having any confrontation. It will also give your existing cats the chance to hiss and spit and get out their frustrations without being able to attack the newcomer.Positive reinforcement can be very helpful here. To encourage the cats to approach the sanctuary room door and associate your new kitty with positive things, place their favorite canned food, piles of catnip, or two toys tied together with a string run under the door. They can play back and forth, eat together and associate each other with things that they like. After this has been successful, change from a solid door to a screen door or double-stacked baby gates.

This will allow them to now see each other as well as get hissing and slapping out of the way without being able to hurt each other.What you want to avoid is repeated negative interactions. That will make the whole process harder for her, and he probably thinks that attacking her (especially if she makes some loud noises) is the best game ever. Never leave them unsupervised. If he starts exhibiting aggressive behavior immediately interrupt him and redirect him onto something appropriate like a feather toy, laser pointer, or treats thrown away from the area of conflict.

The newcomers’ socialization as a kitten, Gizzy’s socialization as a kitten and how they interpret each others body language can all be contributing factors. Size and sex makes little difference in the feline world, and oftentimes a female is the dominant one. When you do finally have them all free roaming in the house remember to have more than enough of their basic needs available in multiple areas. Do not force them to interact around food, water or litterboxes as that will create a multitude of other problems. Behavior medications should not be considered until all other environmental factors have been exhausted.

The animal kingdom lost one of its most distinctive faces earlier this week, when Gus, a 9-year-old hairless Chinese Crested dog, succumbed to cancer.

Gus, who was missing a limb and an eye, won fame as the winner in this summer’s annual World’s Ugliest Dog contest. He was also well-loved and well-cared for by his owner, who used the prize money to pay for cancer radiation treatments. News of his recent death was reported by news organizations around the world.

Gus wasn’t cute-ugly, or pug-ugly. He was comically ugly, bald with pink-and-gray mottled skin, helicopter ears, and crowned by a wisp of wiry hair that seemed to mock his status as a mammal. What did Gus think of all this?

Do animals know when they’re pretty or when they’re ugly? (They certainly don’t care what we look like.) Nature rewards many qualities in the wild such as strength, speed and cunning - but beauty? Tell us - what’s it good for in a dog?

Plus: Got an ugly pet of your own? Please share your photos. We promise we’ll be kind.

We’ve moved! And while I’m loving my new home, I have no way of knowing whether Diesel is.
Part of our move was based on the desire to give our puppy a yard and the proper space to grow. However, now that he’s there I’m not so sure he’s appreciating it. The vet told us it would take Diesel 48 hours at the most to get adjusted. However, 72 hours into our relocation, he destroyed a heavy-duty mailing tape dispenser and two pairs of socks. I realize he’s a chewer, but he has toys galore and typically knows to stay out of our room.
He has also mis-stepped his boundaries – walking into the kitchen, a big no-no in our house; and turned over a garbage can in our bedroom. While some might think he’s just acting out, I’m certain it’s related to the new home. My co-worker thinks I’m crazy and swears Diesel has no way of knowing his situation has changed. I disagree.
What about you all? Do you have any moving horror stories associated with your pet?

Yes, Barney, the outgoing presidential dog, bit a reporter.”It seems President Bush’s dog Barney wasn’t much in the mood for friendly attention during his walk outside the White House on Thursday. So when Reuters reporter Jon Decker reached down to pet the Scottish terrier, the seemingly docile dog snapped at him and bit Decker’s right index finger,” according to AP. The reporter has to be on antibiotics for a few days. What happened, Barney? Sally McDonough, a spokeswoman for first lady Laura Bush, told AP this: “I think it was his way of saying he was done with the paparazzi.” Barney must have had a rough day. Check out Barney in this Christmas special video co-starring the president. He was adorable. (The dog, I meant.) And in case you missed it, here’s the video of Barney in action.

OMG. Did you catch that part in President-elect Obama’s speech? Yep, the girls are getting a dog! Sorry, catlovers. “I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House,” Obama told Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, during his victory speech, according to Associated Press. “The good news for his daughters came as Obama acknowledged his family’s contributions to his campaign. The news prompted even bigger smiles as they surrounded him. He did not go into details about a name or breed for the new White House pet, who will follow in the steps of the Bush family’s Scottish terriers, Barney and Miss Beazley.” Folks, weigh in please. What breed makes a good presidential puppy? Check out the Presidents and Pets.Photos from AP: (Top) The Obamas; (Bottom)President Roosevelt with his pooch, Fala, and Ruthie Bie, grandaughter of a caretaker.) And check out “All the President’s Pets.” Then, learn more about hypoallergenic breeds before you cast your vote for which one the Obama family should pick.

  We found some of the best pet experts in metro Atlanta. Look for your answers every Monday. Today’s advice comes from Will Draper of the Village Veterinary Centers. Meet the AJCpets experts. And feel free to submit questions in the form of a comment today. Q: I have a 15 yr old chihuahua who is in good health. However, he is starting to gag as though there is something in his throat.  He coughs whatever it is up, then swallows. The gagging sounds awful and I am afraid it will choke him.  Do you know of any medication I can give to him to stop this? He sleeps with me and does it all night long. It’s awful and scarey!  A: Chihuahuas and other small breed (or toy breed) dogs can have a condition known as a “collapsing trachea”. Affected dogs’ tracheas will collapse (think of squeezing a toilet paper roll until it is flat), and they have a difficult time with inspiration or expiration of air. It sometimes makes a “honking” sound. Generally, once they calm down, the trachea goes back to its normal, tubular appearance and the dog appears fine. There is really no treatment for this, other than surgical correction- and it usually sounds a lot worse than it is. Being that your baby is 15 years old, however, I would make sure your veterinarian does a complete physical- including blood work and x-rays.  Heart disease, which can also cause coughing and gagging, is more prevalent in geriatric dogs- and can generally be controlled if caught early.  Q: I have a 6 year old Pomeranian who throws up about once per day. It’s always hair and just a clear/yellow-ish liquid. Any way I can help prevent this?  A: This type of nausea, in the absence of other signs of gastrointestinal distress (i.e. diarrhea, lack of appetite) is usually due to something as simple as a pet eating too much too quickly. There is a valve between the esophagus and the stomach that will only allow a certain amount of food in before it “shuts off”. Once this happens, and a pet continues to eat, the food stays in the esophagus…and eventually they regurgitate it (which is different than vomiting). It is usually undigested food. Feeding smaller amounts more frequently can help this issue.There is also other things to consider, such as a food allergy or some mechanical issue. To rule these out, a visit to your veterinarian is the best advice.

Our pets are smarter than we give them credit for, especially when it comes to children.

I’ll never forget a co-worker telling me about her dog that would “herd” her young children back up the driveway if they got too close to the street. The dog had adopted this behavior on her own. Recently a new mom told me that her baby-sitter’s small dog “protects” her infant daughter from her sitter’s other dog.

My own fearful, skittish dog lets my young niece lead her around the yard on a leash, walking slowly and carefully at her side. My dog trusts few folks enough to let her guard down like that.

How about you folks? Do you have a dog or cat that has displayed unusual sensitivity around young children?

(Photo above taken by J. Stanford Fisher in 1979 shows baby son Jamie with the family’s patient, gentle, 100-pound German shepherd Attila.)

  Kids: “Ding dong! Trick or treat!”Spot: “BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK!!!!!”Kids: “Ah!!!!!!”     As this column notes, Halloween could be a great opportunity to teach your beloved dog manners. Strange nighttime visitors? Constant rings of the doorbell? According to the author, you want to use a handful of treats to reinforce good canine behavior throughout the evening.   Your dog could benefit a lot. And, you’ll be enjoying the ghoulish holiday together.What has been your experience? Is your dog as obedient on the Halloween night as other evenings? Or did you have to lock him up in the bedroom? Or did you use him or her to shoo away those annoying kids? (Hopefully not.)     P.S. Folks, how did your pets behave on this Halloween? Were they obedient or did the kids run away?     Also, check out the Dating Blog: Any pet lover knows that when it comes to dating, three can be a crowd

Pssst. We’re all among friends. Let’s be honest. Do you always pick up after your dog? Always always? Or almost always?

Not too long ago, my colleague was at a sports event and ran into a scene that you could recognize: Picture it. A sunny Sunday afternoon. A baseball park in Atlanta.
She was following a woman in a dress and her Boxer into the stadium, somewhere between the parking lot and the entrance. The woman was with two or three other friends.

Then, the dog stopped. She - or he - had to go to bathroom. And, the dog went.
As you may know, “when dogs stop to poop, You have to stop with them,” my colleague said.
The owner waited for the dog to finish the deed, and the crowd moved forward. Except the remnant.

Other people were around but said nothing. It’s like when a stranger’s child misbehaves, but onlookers refrain from saying anything.

What about you? Please share.

And, check out HABITUDE blog: Where to put that dear ol’ kitty … litter?