Sunscreen and Flip Flops for Fido

Here in Maryland the grass is turning deep green, flowers are starting to blossom, the trees are budding, and there is a frost warning tomorrow.   That can mean only one thing... Summer is finally almost here!

This is definitely one of my favorite times of year.  You can feel the excitement as kids start breaking out skateboards and bicycles and you step outside and hear lawn mowers buzzing and houses up and down most streets are in the throws of spring/summer prep, either edging gardens or tossing down fertilizer and mulch.  One day its warm enough for shorts and the Maryland staple, flip flops, and the next morning there is a thin layer of frost on the grass.  Despite old man winter trying to push off summer with the random morning frost we are quickly headed towards hot, long summer days, and vacations.  That also means its not too early to start thinking about what you might want to consider doing for your four legged family members ahead of the heat and change of season.

1) Consider taking your dog to a groomer.  People start working out feverishly in preparation for the warmer weather, go to tanning salons and make sure nails are manicured.  The same mindset should resonate with pet owners.  A good scrub with a hypoallergenic shampoo followed by a thorough brushing will help ensure that old fur is removed helping keep your pet cooler and it will help release natural oils to help keep furry coats looking great.  This will also help cut down on shedding which can become out-of-control with some dog breeds.  It is also a wonderful time to get nails trimmed, anal sacks expressed and ears checked (a definite with any long eared pups and hound breeds).

2) Don't expect fido to be ready to start jogging 5 miles with you because the weather breaks next weekend.  Unless you have been regimented with your pet's exercise over the winter your four-legged friends will be out of shape.  Allow them to get back into an exercise routine.  Start out with a daily walk gradually increasing distance until you hit a comfortable pace and time to maintain.  Also recognize that some breeds simply aren't meant to keep you company when you go for a jog.  Taking your Dachshund for a 3 mile jog isn't going to work. 

3) Swimming and other water exercises are a lot of fun when are pets can participate but keep in mind that its always wise to allow your pets to get acclimated not only to surroundings but to the water you so desperately want them to leap into with you.  Crowded lakes and some beaches are stressful for dogs so its best to make sure that your animal is used to be socialized with other people and pets and that you give your dog some time to get used to the water, particularly in late Spring/early Summer.

4) If you are fortunate enough to own a boat make sure that you have enough life preservers for everyone, including your four-legged family members and guests.  While swimming comes naturally for dogs they are not made to swim for extended periods of time so a life preserver is a must.

5) Plan ahead when it comes to vacations.  Many of our clients prefer to leave their pets at home where they are comfortable and we love getting the opportunity to provide TLC while you are away but it always works best if you book in advance.  Similarly, if you are taking your pets with you lay out your trip well in advance.  Find hotels that will allow pets to stay with you.  Too many times we see owners leave dogs/cats in kennels in cars overnight.  There are several sites that provide listings of pet friendly hotels including www.petswelcome.com, www.pet-friendly-hotels.net, and even some chains feature listings of properties that allow pets, like http://www.marriott.com/hotel-search/pet-friendly.hotels/.

6) Make the spring and summer months more pleasurable for everyone by keeping your pet's medications up-to-date, particularly if your pets will be spending significant time outside.  Traditional flea and tick products like Frontline and Advantage as well newer oral medications like Nexguard and Comfortis are good to consider.  Similarly, heartworm prevention should be considered leveraging products like Heartgard or Revolution.  Some pets will exhibit bad allergies including runny noses, discharge and skin conditions.  Consider having Diphenhydramine on hand and a medicated hypoallergenic pet shampoo nearby.  Giving your pet Omega 3 tablets is also a way to help ward off skin ailments.

7) Last but not least make sure you always have water nearby.  If you plan to take your furry family members hiking or to the beach or simply hanging in the backyard be sure you have ample water for all of them!  Dogs have a very difficult time regulating their body heat during the summer months.

 

Spoiled... You Say That Like It's a Bad Thing!

We have two dogs and they are a little spoiled, at least relative to most pet lovers (non pet lovers don't really understand so it's a mute discussion).  Our Beagle is a sweet, 13+ year old who is pretty set in his ways.  He's moves slow, barks loudly, and doesn't miss a meal or treat.  He has his own fan, graciously donated by my daughter, that blows on him about 20-24 hrs a day because he gets hot easily.  Our Boxer is 12+ years old and is in good shape for dog that long ago reached AARP status.  She takes her Glucosamine tablet in the morning and manages to run and play, albeit in 5-10 minute increments, which are immediately followed by naps lasting several hours, and stiff joints when she finally wakes.  Unlike her Beagle roommate, she gets cold easily and either has a blanket placed over her as she lay sleeping in her own bed on our bedroom floor, or she simply takes it upon herself to wrap herself in our draperies - which no one dare condemn.  Both expect a treat after they go outside to use the bathroom.  Both expect a treat after eating their breakfast.  Our Boxer expects a treat when she works the dog sad eyes and whimpers (we're talking Oscar worthy whimpering).  In short, they expect a treat for posting.  The kids in the house go through a treat bag in a day if we don't get creative hiding the well deserved rewards.  Our Boxer only eats one type of dry dog food and she now only eats the dry food when a half-a-packet of wet food is mixed in with it.  I say they are a little spoiled based on my own personal observations.  Neither of them has winter booties, jackets, multiple toy bins, 5-6 different types of treats, or regular permission to sleeping on furniture.   At this point I suspect that the non-pet lovers reading this are most certainly shaking their collective heads in utter disbelief.  Here's the funny thing that only a pet lover, and in our case, as pet care providers, would immediately understand.  Relative to the rest of the pet lovers out there our pooches are being neglected.

Let's put things in perspective.  Following is a list of eight of the most pampered (insert the adjective of your choosing) pets in recent history:

1) Choupette, Karl Lagerfeld's Siamese cat, can use an iPad (yes, she has her own and actually plays with the apps), and has TWO full-time maids who record her every move for Mr. Lagerfeld when he is unable to be at home and enjoys her room in Lagerfeld's estate.

2) Tomassino is a black stray cat that belonged to the late Maria Assunta who adopted the cat.  Upon Assunta's death it was learned, shockingly, that her $15.6 million inheritance was  left to the feline.

3) Actor George Clooney owned a pet pig named Max who lived to the ripe old age of 18.  The pig, who weighed in at a dainty 300lbs, slept in Clooney's bed and was a regular for many of his interviews and appearances.

4) Former hotel magnate, Leona Helmsley, not known for being a softy, owned a Maltese named Trouble.  Trouble hardly led a troubled life.  Over $8,000 a year was spent on Trouble's beauty treatment.  She also had a full-time body guard and a diet regimen that ran over $1,200 a year.  Oh yeah, Helmsley also left her four-legged friend $12 million in her will.

5) Tinkerbell, the Chihuahua that many people recognize perched in owner Paris Hilton's handbag, is dressed in Chanel sweaters and Louis Vuitton  slippers.  There is no word from Hilton's camp as to exactly how much is spent on the tiny purse adornment but pet experts and Hilton's handlers estimate that no less than $5000 is spent each month on Tinkerbell to keep her fed and groomed.

6) Gunther IV, a striking German Shepherd, whose father was once owned by the late Countess Karlotta Libenstein of Germany, is worth $372 million.  That's not a typo!  You see, Gunther III, Gunther IV's father, initially inherited a paltry $106 million from the Countess.  Trustees took the money and invested it and by the time Gunther IV was born, the gift had grown to $372 million.  Gunther IV reportedly purchased a villa from Madonna for more than $3 million and a rare white truffle for $1,500.  Gunther IV is currently the wealthiest pet on the planet.

7) Toby Rimes is another millionaire that made her money the old fashioned way: She inherited it. Toby Rimes is a descendant of a poodle owned by millionaire Ella Wendel who, in 1931, left her dog $20 million. Today, the gift is worth $80 million, making Toby Rimes the second richest animal in the world.

8)  Bringing things a little more mainstream, If you thought that rich animals only came from old money, that's not always the case. Flossie, was a dog that actress Drew Barrymore adopted from an animal shelter. Flossie alerted Barrymore her home was on fire. Barrymore credits Flossie with saving her life and in return, added to her will that her $3 million home would be left to her beloved dog, Flossie.

So, aside from interesting if not mouth dropping information, what does all this mean regarding spoiling our pets?  It tells us pet lovers what we already knew... Pets are family.  They are, for many people, children, and at the very least loved ones.  They are soulmates for some and life's only true companion for others.  At the very least, for all of us that love dogs, cats, birds, fish, horses, etc... pets bring joy into our lives and demand nothing in return.  Many of the individuals in the list I shared had a reputation for being cruel, short, inpatient, difficult, and obtuse.  The animals that were the recipients of lavish lifestyles and financial gifts from those folks didn't do anything special for a pet. They did what pets do for all of us who love them... They demonstrate unconditional love.  How rare is that gift in a lifetime?

I think it's time to grab a few more bags of dog treats.