How Getting A New Dog Changed My Life

By Christina Yeager

Yeah, of course, I had asked the husband over and over “why can’t we get a bigger dog?” and the answer was always the same.

“We don’t need one. You wanted Flower and you got her.”

Don’t get me wrong…our little Flower is fantastic! She’s playful, loving and adores her daddy. I just had the liking for a larger breed. I’ve always wanted a Golden Retriever. Why? They are beautiful, loyal and great with kids!

I had the best dog ever…once.

My parents got a dog for me and my little brother when we were kids. Queenie was presented to us right in between our birthdays (my third and his first). Even though I was only three, I still remember how amazing it was to wrap my arms around her soft fur. My best friend and faithful companion was a solid white German Sheppard that followed me around the neighborhood like a protective superhero. However, Queenie was also a great pal to my brother and my father who took care of her. On most days, the poor dog had no idea how to spread her love! She was torn between trailing behind my dad and the lawn mower making sure he didn’t cut up any of her toys and sitting next to me and my brother on the bank of the pond watching us fish. She somehow made time for all of us.

Once I hit high school, I noticed her health declining rapidly. My old friend was exactly that – old. The beginning of my senior year you could find her hobbling sideways down the driveway due to severe arthritis or laying in the shade for hours because she simply lacked the energy to get up. It was heartbreaking. We continued to hug and pet her just as we always had. Her last days would be just like all the other days she had brightened for us.

One morning before school I would go out to feed her and wouldn’t find her. I panicked and searched. My dad informed me that perhaps she had gone out into the woods to die. I cried for hours as I hiked up steep embankments and fell down hillsides. After finally coming home with scrapes and bruises to mourn my canine friend, I realized that I had missed school. My parents said nothing. They knew I was heartbroken. I cried my exhausted self to sleep on the sofa.

My dad awoke me a few hours later to tell me he had found her. It was exactly what we feared. My life-long friend was gone. It was one of the toughest weeks of my life.

Many years would pass while I had kitty cats, but I couldn’t replace Queenie. My heart would not let me.

After I married, my darling husband got me a puppy! I was excited, yet cautious. I felt as though I was betraying a special friendship. I was scared, yet my cute little mixed pup was adorable and playful. She had begun to grow on me after only a few days. We hadn’t even officially named her when tragedy fell. I took her out to potty one Saturday morning. After getting to the bottom of the steps realized I had to go too! I strapped her leash over the railing pole at the bottom of the steps and ran back into the house. When I came back out…the leash was still hanging from the pole, but no puppy was attached.

I was devastated. How could I have been so stupid?!?!

I searched the entire neighborhood and found nothing. Runaway or stolen? I hadn’t a clue. One thing I did know, I was highly disappointed in myself. Was it meant to be? Maybe. I wasn’t ready and deep down I knew that. However, that does not make me hurt less over my carelessness and losing a possibly wonderful friend.

So…there’s my brief history with doggies. I had just recently started to feel like I could take on a dog without feeling guilty. It only took twenty-one years for my heart to heal enough to want it.

Enter Flower!

Oh my. How do I describe her? Flower is a long haired Pug mix with tons of energy and enough heart to fill a few continents. I’m not kidding about either of those! She loves our kids and that’s all we needed! We’ve had Flower for a few months…so imagine my surprise when my husband calls me a few days ago and says “can you come outside?” and I didn’t even know he was home. When I came off of the porch I saw him…with a huge black dog on a leash! This dog was a lovely vision of dark shining glory! I wasted no time. I ran over and let her sniff me as he talked. Before I knew it, I had my arms around her massive neck. All I heard him say was “blah, blah, blah, it’s a girl, blah, blah, she’s a lab/golden retriever mix I think, blah, blah” and really didn’t care! She was amazing and licking me down. I giggled like a little girl and jumped to my feet.

“Is she ours?” I asked nervously and threw my arms around his neck when he said “yeah” oh…and I kissed him. My darling man. He WAS listening.

Shadow is not far from what her name implies. She stays on our heels (especially the hubby) everywhere we go. I had long forgotten what it was like to have a large dog. Although, Queenie was never in the house…she was always camped on the porch and I spent most of my youth outside with her. Shadow? She’d be taking up residence inside the house. I was more than thrilled to accommodate that.

Here’s what I’ve learned that I didn’t know before (or didn’t remember):

• A large dog in the house is like having another adult human with a child-like demeanor.
• Larger dogs eat five times more than a human adult, or it seems like it.
• When a large dog and small dog take on with each other and play in the living room…the whole house shakes.
• We should have bought a king-sized bed.
• Bold, sudden barks scare the life out of you!
• My couch is smaller than it looks.
• Large dogs are strong and will pull you across the yard.
• Own great snow boots if you’re gonna take your dog out to potty in the winter. I have bruises.
• Not just the kids hunt you down when you’re in the bathroom.

I’m sure this list will grow with time and I don’t mind. Shadow is the newest member in the family and possibly exactly what I needed to pull me out of my recent funk!

So my advice to anyone struggling with getting another dog after losing such a dear companion is…give it time -- while it may not take you over twenty years like me. You won’t regret making the decision to just go for it at a certain point. You’ll know.

Benefits of Walking Your Pet! [Infographic]

Walking your pet is great for them...but did you know it can benefit you as well? Yes!

by Christina Yeager

Does Your Pet Need Sunshine?

The 411 on Vitamin D and Pets.

by Christina Yeager


We all know that it's essential for humans to get proper amounts of Vitamin D, yes? But do our pets also need it? Let's find out...

Cats and dogs don't get their Vitamin D like humans do -- they obtain it through diet. We do as well, but if we get enough sun...then the diet supplement is not needed. Our pets, however, require something a bit different.

That's where Vitamin D3 comes in.

Vitamin D3 isn’t really a vitamin -- it’s more like a hormone.  It helps regulate the mineral metabolism and maintains the calcium balance in your bones.

Before we go too far...let's learn how it works (for humans) so that you may understand.
The oil that naturally comes from our skin is a type of cholesterol.  Whenever we stand under direct sunlight, the ultraviolet rays react with this oil.  The ultraviolet radiation breaks some chemical bonds in the oil so that it forms a different molecule.  This molecule is known as the infamous Vitamin D3 which is why it’s also called the “sunshine vitamin.”

Once the cholesterol is converted to vitamin D3, it is then absorbed back into the skin and enters the blood stream.  You need about 10-15 minutes of full sunshine to get enough, but most people aren’t always able to do that, so it’s highly recommended you take a supplement.  This is especially important for fair-skinned people who just can’t hang out in the sun too long anyway because they will burn.
Sounds simple enough, right? BUT...again...do our pets need this?

Cats

Cats are nocturnal by nature. They tend to hunt at night and do most of their sleeping during the day. With that in mind, cats don't get a lot of Vitamin D, do they? No. But do they need it? No. Cats do not need the vitamin to strive as other species do. Domestic cats get proficient vitamins from their food. While it's important to feed your precious kitties quality food, it's not necessary to include massive amounts of sunshine in their diet. They get along fine without the need. However, they do love to lounge in the warmth and soak up some rays!

Dogs

Here's a fact you may not know: dogs synthesize their own Vitamin D. Yep! Yet sunshine is not essential for our furry little canine friends. There is effectively no UV conversion in the skin for dogs or cats. They need to get Vitamin D from their diet.

Ok, we get that animals receive Vitamin D from diet. So does this mean they don't need sunshine?

The answer is NO.

Dogs and cats secrete the same oily cholesterol from their skin, just like us.  When they lay in the sun, that oil is, again, converted to Vitamin D3.  The difference, however, is that because they have so much hair, the vitamin ends up on their fur and doesn’t get absorbed through their skin.

When they lick their body, to groom or clean themselves, they ingest the vitamin D orally.  So maybe it’s a good thing that cats have OCD with cleaning themselves.  I mention cats and dogs, but this info applies to ALL furry mammals and also to birds.

Besides...why would we deprive our wonderful pets the chance to bask in the glorious radiance of a sunny day? Chances are, your pet is finding the only sunny spot in house and lounging luxuriously in it with pride! They love it. They don't exactly need it, but they love it.

Keeping Your Pet Safe In Winter Weather

by Christina Yeager

Winter can be especially tough on humans. Just think about how it can be on our pets! Yeah, their furry (most of them), but that doesn't mean they can handle the elements.

Here's some winter weather tips on caring for your pets when it's cold!

Things to take caution with:

• WATER - Animals need more water in colder temperatures than in the summer! Yes, it's true. Make sure that their water supply does not freeze.
• ANTIFREEZE - It only takes a few licks to poison your precious pet. Keep this up and away in your garage. Please.
• ROAD SALT - This compound can cause very painful burns to your pets feet, mouth and tongue. It's a chemical! 
• SNOW - I'll admit, it's cute to watch a pet romp in the snow, but...don't leave them unattended. Scents, landmarks and sound are gonna be different to your little one. They could get confused and get lost! Also, leaving them in the cold damp powdery stuff too long can dangerously lower their body temperature. You wouldn't stick your puppy in the freezer, right?

Keeping your pet warm:

• Sweaters are great for keeping fur dry, clean and warm.
• Keep the bed or crate in a draft-free area of the home.
• Remove any snow left over from playing or potty time.
• Don't let your pet too close to any open flame (fireplace, etc.)
• Keep pets away from heating ducts. The warm dry air can cause dry, flaky skin.
• Never leave a pet alone around space heater or those that use gases.

The best place for a pet is inside with you, but not all pet lovers can do this. In that case...

Outside pets:

• Use a highly insulated dog house that is the appropriate size for the pet. Not too big and not too small. You don't wanna let all the body heat out, right?
• Dog houses with doors on the side are better.
• Elevate the dog house to prevent moisture.
• Keep bedding dry and change it often.
• Non-metal water bowls! Keep those little tongues from sticking.
• Get a warming device for the water bowl and a safe heating pad for under the bed can also work.

We love our pets! So, let's make sure that they get the best possible care!