Universal Press Syndicate
Many of us resolve to turn over a new leaf at the beginning of the year. We'll lose weight, exercise more, save more money -- you name it, the list is as long as that of the bad habits so many of us have in common.
But while you're vowing to shape up, why not add a resolution or two that will help animals? After all, you'll never have any regrets when you vow to help pets.
Don't set yourself up for defeat by setting the bar too high. The fact is that every little bit helps, especially if a lot of people contribute. We have our own list, and we're happy to share our ideas for a better 2008 for you and your pets.
-- Look before you leap. Choose a pet who fits your family and lifestyle well, and be sure you have time to handle training and behavior issues before you choose your animal companion. Make sure you understand what's necessary for your pet's nutrition, preventive health care and training, so you can set up your pet to start on the right track and stay there. Many pet problems are easier to prevent than to fix.
-- Work to keep your pet healthier and happier. Simple measures such as spaying and neutering and keeping your pet at a normal weight can prevent many serious health problems and improve your pet's quality of life. Ensuring that your pet gets enough exercise can go a long way toward helping with behavior issues and is good for the relationship you have with your animal companion.
-- Prepare for health emergencies. The time to find a good veterinarian is before you need one. Establish a relationship now with a veterinarian who'll answer your questions, present all options and support you in your decisions. Consider getting pet health insurance before you have a pet health crisis, or have another plan at hand in case you need to pay for a pet's accident or unexpected illness.
-- Be a responsible pet owner. Don't let your cats roam or your dogs bark constantly. In addition to being inconsiderate, people who allow their animals to be a nuisance give ammunition to communities looking to pass laws against pets. Train and socialize your dogs so they can be "model citizens" wherever you take them. And don't forget to pick up after your dog when walking him.
-- Help others keep pets in their lives. Do you have an elderly relative, friend or neighbor who could use some help? Pick up food or litter, or offer to take the pet to the veterinarian when needed. Many times, people who rely on others for assistance are reluctant to ask for more help on account of a pet. Ask if you can help. After all, if you're already going to the pet-supply store or veterinarian, is it really that much trouble to pick up some extra supplies or stay for an additional appointment?
-- Volunteer your time. You can bottle-raise motherless kittens, foster rescue dogs, socialize pets in the shelter or offer to help with raising funds or finding needed supplies. The possibilities are endless, and there's hardly a charity around that can't use some volunteer assistance.
-- Make a call for animals. Animal cruelty is often shrugged off by the judicial system, even though studies have long shown a link between cruelty to animals and crimes against people. Call, e-mail, fax and write to prosecutors and judges in animal cruelty cases and demand accountability. You can also get involved when it comes to laws regarding animals: Make sure your elected representatives know where you stand.
Of course, we'll be working throughout the year and beyond to help you do what's right for your pets and for all animals. We wish all our readers and their pets nothing but the best in 2008.
Q&A
Open the heart after deadly accident
Q: Last summer something horrible happened: I killed my own cat. I was backing out of the driveway and didn't see her sunning herself on the concrete behind my car. Sophia died in my arms after I heard her scream of pain, and I have never cried so hard or felt so guilty in my life. I have had a very hard time dealing with this since, as you may imagine.
I haven't been able to get another cat, but I so miss having one that I am almost ready to start looking.
I'm afraid that I'll get turned down by the shelter if I admit what happened. What should I do? -- T.D., via e-mail
A: You don't have to lie. If the shelter or rescue group asks what happened to your last cat, you can honestly say she was killed by a car and keep the painful details to yourself. Accidents can happen to the pets of even the most caring people, and I can't imagine you won't be able to find a group who will trust you with one of their pets, based on your love of cats.
Something that you should consider, though, to put you definitely in the category of a responsible pet lover: Make the decision for your next cat to be kept safe at home -- no more roaming free.
You are not the first person to have run over your own cat -- I know of at least one other person in my extended circle of acquaintances and at least a half-dozen readers in the last few years. And your own car certainly isn't the only risk out there to a cat allowed to roam at will.
Cats live longer, healthier lives inside, but can they also find happiness? Yes! Make sure your pet has a good cat tree, lots of toys and plenty of your attention. A screened-in porch or other safe access to fresh air is recommended, but many cats do fine without them. If you do have a yard, do an Internet search for "cat-fencing" for ready-made products or do-it-yourself plans that will help you set up your yard in a way to keep your cat safely inside it.
You did not mean to hurt your cat, and I hope you can find a way to come to terms with what happened. Don't hesitate to talk to a pet-loss bereavement counselor, even so many months later. Many veterinary schools and colleges offer this service for free, staffed by veterinary students who understand how important pets are to us and how difficult their loss can be. -- Gina Spadafori
(Do you have a pet question? Send it to petconnection@gmail.com.)
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books.
On PetConnection.com there's more information on pets and their care, reviews of products, books and "dog cars," and a weekly drawing for pet-care prizes. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or visiting PetConnection.com.
PET BUZZ
Dogs bite for predictable reasons
-- Territorial behavior, anxiety and medical issues lead dogs to bite children, according to a study reported by the LiveScience.com Web site. Young children were more likely to be bitten when a dog felt the kids were threatening to take food or toys, whereas older children were bitten when animals felt their territory had been invaded. Three-quarters of the biting dogs exhibited anxiety, either by being left by their owners or by being exposed to loud noise, such as a thunderstorm or fireworks.
-- Prevention magazine reports on a cat in the United Kingdom who takes the bus several times a week to visit a friendly fish and chips shop. The article also reports that animals understand the passing of time, parrots understand the mathematically complex concept of zero, dogs understand language, and other animals such as monkeys and rats are capable of metacognition -- the ability to think about their own thoughts.
-- Dogs, cats and other animals should have fuzzy feelings for San Francisco, reports Veterinary Economics magazine. The Humane Society of the United States has named it the overall most humane city for animals. Criteria include the ratio of hunters to wildlife watchers, mentions of animal issues in newspapers, and the number of fur retailers per capita. The top five cities, in decreasing order: San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Washington, D.C., and San Diego. -- Dr. Marty Becker
ON GOOD BEHAVIOR
Body language key to communication
Want to know what your dog is thinking? Learn to read canine body language.
Our dogs are always reading our body language, and they try to communicate to us with theirs. If your words say one thing and your body language says another, your dog will ignore what you say and will respond to what you do.
For example, if you call your dog with your body stiff and your brow knitted, your dog will think he is in trouble. A loose body shows friendliness, in contrast to a tense, frozen posture.
When reading your dog, be aware that ears folded back and tails tucked under show fear, while ears and tails up show confidence. Pay close attention to what your dog says with his body and what you say with yours.
(Animal behavior experts Susan and Dr. Rolan Tripp are the authors of "On Good Behavior." For more information, visit their Web site at AnimalBehavior.net.)
DOGCARS.COM
The best car for dog lovers? It's Elemental
Based on factors such as cargo capacity, cargo space usability and ease of cleaning, the Pet Connection's DogCars.com Web site named the Honda Element as 2007's top car for dog lovers. The DogCars.com team also picked the Suzuki Forenza wagon as the best overall value.
The boxy Element is as good a dog car as could possibly be imagined. From its versatile cargo space to easy-clean interior -- which, contrary to common belief, cannot be hosed out -- is a near-perfect vehicle for dog-loving drivers.
In addition, the DogCars.com team noted four vehicles to watch in 2008: The all-new Toyota Scion xB, Volvo XC70, Dodge Grand Caravan and Buick Enclave. In the "green" category, DogCars.com marks the 2008 Ford Escape hybrid as worth a test drive for dog lovers who want a cleaner ride.
Surveys show about half of all pet owners consider the comfort of their dogs when buying a new car -- and 65 percent take their pets on errands. That means the dog-loving car buyer is a serious niche market that carmakers ignore at their peril.
Other top picks for 2007 include:
–- Best Luxury SUV: Land Rover Range Rover
–- Best Midsized: SUV: Volkswagen Touareg and Volvo XC90 (tie)
–- Best Small-Sized SUV: Mitsubishi Outlander
–- Best Sporty Wagon/Hatchback: Mazda Speed3
–- Best Pickup Truck: Ford F-150
–- Best Minivan: Dodge Grand Caravan
–- Best Hatchback: Honda Fit Sport
The selections were based on weeklong trials with a variety of vehicles. -- Gina Spadafori and Keith Turner.
(The Pet Connection's DogCars.com Web site offers reviews of SUVs, wagons, minivans and more with an eye from how well they suit the needs of dog lovers.)
PETS BY THE NUMBERS
Ease stress with a pet
Studies have consistently shown that animals are good for our mental well-being and our physical health. Not surprisingly, 92 percent of people polled in 2002 said they believed their pet provided them with some personal health benefits (multiple responses allowed):
-- My pet eases my stress level: 84 percent
-- My pet helps improve my mental health: 71 percent
-- Providing exercise for my pet has improved my physical fitness: 34 percent
-- My pet lowers my blood pressure: 32 percent
Source: American Animal Hospital Association
PETS ON THE WEB
Animal charities: How to choose
Charities of all kinds pull out the stops in December when it comes to filling our mailboxes with pleas for donations. Before you give, be sure you agree with the focus of any group you're considering, and research it to be sure the charity isn't spending more on fundraising and staff salaries than on helping animals.
Improving animal health is one good use for donations. Your nearest school or college of veterinary medicine will have a fund set up to accept donations, either for scholarships or ongoing research into animal health. To find your nearest school or college of veterinary medicine, visit VetNet (www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vetnet.html). You can usually find out where to donate on the school's Web site.
The Morris Animal Foundation (www.morrisanimalfoundation.org), AKC Canine Health Foundation (www.akcchf.org) and Winn Feline Foundation (www.winnfelinehealth.org) also accept donations to support research into animal health. -- Gina Spadafori
Pet Connection is produced by a team of team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper, by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.
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