I have lost so many little one on my journey through life. I found this artwork and wanted to share with my readers. For true pet lovers of all kinds. I have learned that I am not alone when I have suffered the off of one of my little guys. The pain that you go through feels like you must suffer alone because it is hard to let others in. Please pass the piece on to those who have lost as I feel the image is stunning and can give some relief to their pain.
Dogs are one thing. But come on, can you really train a cat?
True, it’s a lot easier to train a dog. But you can walk cats on a harness outdoors and you can teach them to do basic things, like sit or come, using food rewards. You just have to be more patient.
Okay, let’s start with scratching up the furniture. How do you get your cat to cut it out?
Scratching is a natural behavior for cats—they do it to remove the dead outer layer of their claws, to mark territory with the scent glands in their paws and just to get exercise. Since you can’t stop the behavior you need to give your cat something that’s okay to scratch. Cats like the feel of rough, irregular surfaces, which is why most scratching posts are carpeted. Put one right beside the piece of furniture your cat has been using and encourage it to scratch that instead.
What about a cat that suddenly stops using the litter box?
First, check with your vet to see if there’s an underlying medical condition such as a urinary tract infection. Then it’s time to play detective. Is the litter box near its food or water? They don’t like that. Is the litter clean? Has the arrival of a new baby or animal in the household upset the cat? Sometimes cats don’t like a particular brand of litter, so if you decided to change it recently, switch back.
So many cats insist on drinking out of faucets. What’s up with that?
Cats love running water, probably because it’s cool and fresh. You can buy a water fountain that’s made specifically for cats. It’s basically a plug-in water bowl with a reservoir. The device recirculates water, so it’s always running. Put the fountain next to the faucet the cat has been drinking from and gradually move it from there to wherever you want it.
How do I keep my cat off the kitchen counter tops? Give it something more interesting to do. Put a climbing tree right in the kitchen and buy new cat toys. Also, cut clutter. The more stuff on the counter, the more appealing it is to a cat.
You share a lot with your pet: your home, your affection. To help build strong muscles, bones and a shiny coat, you should also share home-cooked meats, veggies and whole grains. Here’s how to do it right.
1 Work with your vet. Design a home-cooked diet that’s right for your pet’s breed, age and size with advice from your vet. Have your pet’s eating plan reevaluated at annual check-up time, or sooner if you notice health changes like lethargy or a dull coat.
2 Serve a variety of foods. About 30 percent of your pet’s diet should consist of food you make yourself, and should include meat (ask your vet whether meat should be raw or cooked), grains, vegetables and fruit.
3 Don’t overfeed! More than 45 percent of dogs and 55 percent of cats are overweight due to overfeeding. Any homemade food you feed your pet should be part of their normal diet, not in addition to it.
4 Teach good table manners. Incorporating people food into your pal’s diet doesn’t mean you should teach him to beg for table scraps. Serve meals in a bowl he’s used to eating from, away from your table and on a regular schedule— two or three times a day depending on activity level.
5 Avoid these toxic foods. Some human foods contain ingredients that can harm dogs and cats. Never feed them grapes or raisins, chocolate or caffeine, onions or garlic, processed food or raw eggs.
Country & Victorian Times 