Today’s article explains why fireworks are so bad for your pets. Many people think that these warnings are aimed at spoiling their year-end fun, but sadly the truth is that fireworks really DO have a terrible effect on all types of animals, from birds to dogs. And I’ve included a couple of real life questions and answers to illustrate my point. So read on and take heed… Continue Reading

I have known people to sell up and move elsewhere because they just can’t take their neighbours and the pets next door one more minute. And if that’s not drastic enough, I also know of several cases where poison has been use to settle the score, not to mention a well placed bullet resulting in a life wasted in jail. Selfish neighbours and their beloved, badly behaved pets are the reason for such animosity. But don’t worry, hope is at hand… Continue Reading

This week’s story is about rabies… It was reported recently that a baby was bitten by a large rat, resulting in the tragic death of the child. It struck me as out of character for a small, normally timid creature to attack with such viciousness as to inflict a fatal wound. This made me wonder whether the rat had not, in fact, been rabid. But we will never know because the rat escaped capture and the symptoms of rabies are only detectable 20 - 60 days after exposure. Continue Reading

This educational video reminds us, as responsible pet owners, how important exercise is for our beloved furkids. Continue Reading

Here’s a cautionary tale to remind you to keep your pets warm this winter: I visited a friend yesterday and noticed on her window ledge, in a large cage, one of the most colourful birds on the planet. It was a Sun Conure, a small parrot, indigenous to South America, and his name was Monet in remembrance of the French Impressionist whose canvasses vibrated with brilliant colours.  And the little bird was well named because he too was a burst of dazzling yellow, orange, red, green and blue feathers.

Well known for his curiosity and vocal skills, Monet was uncharacteristically still and had puffed up his plumage, making him seem very forlorn. And when I got closer he stared at me through sad, round eyes but never budged from his perch. Continue Reading

When advertising their pets in the newspaper, do humans really consider how their dogs will feel when they are dumped at the SPCA or handed over to a stranger who may even be an abuser? Take a look in the newspaper smalls under ‘Pets’ and you’ll see, just about every day, there’s a heart breaking  advertisement offering a life-long, faithful companion to anyone who’ll take the poor animal. Continue Reading

Do you ever wonder how winter affects your pets? Us humans can retreat under the blankets with a hot cuppa, but how do our beloved dogs and cats cope?  And while most of us live in a consistently warm climate, there are those chilly in between days when we feel the need to dress up warmly and keep snug. And the further we live from the sea, generally the colder it gets. Nights especially can be freezing, not forgetting those nippy days when the sun’s weak rays are no match for those icy blasts from our snow covered mountains. Continue Reading

Do you know what the number one killer of dogs is in our country? Well, you may be surprised to know it is not road accidents or dreaded diseases, but rather euthanasia. The purpose of this article is to stress exactly how important it is to sterilize your pets to help prevent the overpopulation and death of countless beautiful animals. Continue Reading

It seems owners of disruptive pets are usually unaware of the disharmony caused by their animals. And dogs must top this list of the most troublesome species. The most common canine problem seems to be incessant barking at night and keeping the neighbourhood awake. Coming in a close second has to be incessant barking during the day while owners are work which is just as unsettling, especially for shift workers or those studying or working from home. Dogs also cause life threatening hazards by running onto public roads, for whatever reason, and biting innocent people there, attacking other dogs and causing vehicle accidents. Continue Reading

It occurred to me the other day we may actually be killing our pets with kindness! Or could it be with ignorance?
When I mention poisons now, I am not referring to the box of Rattex hidden away out of reach or the deadly fertilizers we put on our lawns, but I refer rather to prescribed harmful substances which may appear on the surface to be harmless  …but how safe are pesticides, medication and everything else for our beloved pets!? Continue Reading