As a pet owner, you already know the love and joy that your favorite furry friend can bring into your life. But, what happens when Fido’s medical bills start surpassing that of the rest of your family’s? Pet Insurance is a topic that often comes up with our Pet Loving Friends. For those that have purchased Pet Insurance, all seem to have found that the benefits outweigh the costs. Not only have they saved money due to the rising cost of Vet bills, but Pet Insurance also provides a great piece of mind. When finances are tight, Pet Insurance has helped many to not think twice about taking their pet kid(s) to the Vet and it has helped in making the decision to agree to the tests and treatments that their Vet advises.
Recently, we were introduced to the “ShieldMyPet!” website. They have put together a guide on how pet owners can utilize private pet insurance to help offset the rising costs of vet and hospital visits for our pets. It also has a helpful chart on many of the different companies offering pet insurance. If you have a moment you can check the guide out here: http://www.shieldmypet.com/guides/benefits/
We hope you find it as helpful as we did.
Stay well and may your pet kid(s), stay well, too.
We are very pleased to have our guest blogger, Stephanie Lynch, howmuchisit.org, share this wonderful article on Dog Barking Laws. A special thanks to Stephanie from all of us at Tails Untold Personalized Pet Books.
Barking Laws
Barking laws are designed to protect you from chronic barking at your neighbor’s house. Dogs barking can disrupt your sleep, your daily routine and even your health. To protect you from such harm, anti-barking laws are made.
Now, before we get into the specifics of dog barking laws, keep in mind that usually, the best course of action is to contact your neighbor in person. 90 percent of the time, your neighbor wonít know about the issue and will usually do something to resolve the problem. Bypassing this step may often lead to tension or even a lot of wasted time on your part.
Barking laws differ from city to city, but you can learn about them by calling the nearest animal control center or even contacting the local police department. Most of the time, if you search your city plus the word dog barking laws, you will get an official page telling you the local law and how to dispute a barking dog. Do keep in mind that before making a dispute, the local police department will put these complaints on the bottom of the list.
There are many common barking laws found throughout the United States and listed below are the most common types you may find in your local city.
The Multiple-Household Laws
According to this law, barking is considered illegal if the case goes to the court and the victim provides detailed information about the owner, dog and neighbors. The victim has to come forward with some neighbors who have the same complaints before the authorities can take any legal action.
Before it can go to court, however, you will more than likely have to meet with the neighbor, write a detailed letter complaint, file legal papers and gather relevant data. As you can only imagine, hiring a lawyer can be expensive, www.howmuchisit.org if you choose to do it on your own, it can eat up a lot of your time.
This is the only law that requires more than one complaint before the judge may agree to take legal action. There is no specific information in the ordinances of this law as to whether or not it is illegal for the owner to allow their dog to bark. It only depends on the judge to declare that, whether or not, the barking in your situation is illegal. In simple words, this law states the barking is illegal only if the judge says that it is illegal.
The major problem with this law is that most people do not agree to get involved since it can cause conflicts or can take up too much of their time.
The Single Complaint Victim-Driven Laws
To file a complaint according to this law, one has to pass all the procedures as with multiple-household laws but with a single complaint in effect. Only a single victim without any neighbors within a certain radius can take advantage of this law, but most cities don’t have this law in effect, so don’t count on this working for your situation.
The major problem with this law is that it’s going to be you versus the neighbor and most cases don’t make it to court.
The Consecutive-Disruption Ordinances
The consecutive-disruption law only protects you from the noise of a dog that has the habit of barking virtually non-stop. The authorities only take action when the dog barks continuously for a number of minutes, and the amount can be random depending on the local law. Most of the time, it will be around 20 minutes.
This law is not exactly the answer to your problems. Under these ordinances, barking is illegal only if the owner allows the dog to bark continuously without any breaks. But, if the dog stops barking after a few minutes and starts after a few seconds, the countdown resets and begins from the start.
The Common Law
According to this law, if your neighbor’s dog is barking, you can settle the dispute by talking to your neighbor. This law forces the people to settle their disputes by talking to each other before going to the authorities. Most of the time, a neighbor may not know about their dog’s barking and will take action to prevent it, while others may be stubborn and tell you to get lost. Whatever your local laws may be, this is often the first route you will have to take. If you’re curious about the dog laws more in details, BarkingDogs.net went into more detail, along with stories about people who have successfully worked with the law.
We are so thankful to our Tails Untold Personalized Pet Book Purchasers. New Donations from the sale of these books have been made to:
Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center www.littleshelter.com/#home
Paws ‘n’ Claws Animal Shelter www.petango.com/pawsnclaws
4 Reasons to Work with Animals Before You Become a Veterinarian (and How Rover.com Can Help!)-A guest blog from Kelly Wright.
At Rover.com, we love the hardworking vets who have dedicated their careers to making our pets’ lives the best they can be!
That’s what inspired us to interview vets from all over the country for our recent feature, Veterinarians Share the Amazing Stories that Inspired Their Careers. Not only did they tell us the incredible tales behind why they followed their dreams into the field, we also learned that their careers unofficially started way before they donned their white lab coats!
Every vet we interviewed had experience working with animals prior to applying to vet school. And as we discovered, there are many great reasons for future vets to follow their lead (and Rover.com can even help)!
Here are 4 great reasons to work with animals before pursuing your dream of becoming a veterinarian:
You’ll learn about the hard parts of the job.
One of many reasons that vets are so remarkable is that their job is often unspeakably difficult — and not just because science is a tough subject.
“Being a veterinarian can be emotionally challenging,” Dr. Mary Gardner of Lap of Love International admitted. “Many people think we deal with puppies and kittens and fix sick animals all day.”
But unfortunately, despite vets’ best efforts, not every animal has a happy ending. And that doesn’t just take an emotional toll on pet parents — it’s hard for vets when they lose a patient too.
“Unfortunately, the dark side of veterinary medicine is that we suffer greatly from compassion fatigue,” Dr. Monica Dijanic of Beaver Brook Animal Hospital said.
Dr. Gardner agrees. “Being a vet is one of the most honorable jobs in the world to have — but it’s also one of the most compassion-draining fields to be in at the same time,” she explained. “You have to make sure you can handle that aspect of being a veterinarian.”
You’ll learn about being a compassionate caregiver in real-world settings.
You can’t learn empathy from a college textbook, but you will learn about it by working directly with animals — whether they’re your own pets or someone else’s.
Dr. Laura Ziegler of DoveLewis volunteered with the Humane Society and did search and rescue dog training when she was in grade school. She also learned a lot through her personal experience of caring for her own dog.
“Cuddles was a sweet little girl, but she had all the problems that miniature poodles have,” she remembered. “She had a collapsing trachea. She also had a liver shunt and had to have surgery, so I learned all about that when I was a kid.”
Through her experience both in and outside of her home, Dr. Ziegler acquired a special perspective on some of the tough times families face when caring for pets. This type of insight is vital to a veterinarian’s training outside of the classroom, and the best way to get it is through hands-on experiences.
You’ll learn how to work with different types of animals.
It’s not always raining cats and dogs — vets work with all kinds of animals!
“In high school, I volunteered with our local animal shelter and the local zoo to get more experience learning about and taking care of all different types of animals,” Dr. Tyler Carmack of Hampton Roads Veterinary Hospice told us.
Working with a variety of animals creates more well-rounded veterinarians who can confidently treat whatever critters come their way. You’ll also open yourself up to other aspects of animal care that may be of more interest to you than working with domestic animals.
Speaking of other ways to put your vet training into action…
You’ll learn about job opportunities outside of working in a clinic.
Through your work with animals, you’ll learn there are all kinds of ways you can utilize your training as a vet. You’re not limited to a traditional doctor’s office setting if you have your sights set on a different horizon!
For example, Dr. Elizabeth Carney of Peaceful Pet Passage is a mobile veterinarian. Rather than having patients drop by for care, she hits the road to see them where they live.
“As a mobile vet, I love being on the road versus working in an office setting,” she said.
There are also vets who rarely (if ever!) treat domesticated pets, as they specialize in other areas of animal care. Just about any place you venture that provides a home to animals works with a vet to ensure their creatures are as happy and healthy as possible. Here are a few ideas on where you can share your animal expertise outside of a clinic:
If you’re looking for a fun opportunity to work with animals, pet sitting with Rover.com is a great way to get started!
“It’s important to have practical experiences with animals, whether it be petsitting, volunteering, or working with them in another way,” Dr. Carmack noted.
“Do something that helps you stand out from the crowd of other would-be veterinarians and gives you a unique perspective on animal care.”
Guest Blogger Kelly Wright explores and celebrates the magical and mysterious bond between pets and people for Rover.com’s Animal Heroes section. If you have an amazing story about how an animal has brought joy and wonder to your life, please email her at kelly@rover.com.
Great news! We are proud to have donated to the Animal Defense League of Texas today. This is a no-kill animal shelter in San Antonio. This was part of the Big Give SA and the Animal Defense League. I love their motto “Pets are not disposable”. This donation went to help keep pups cool all summer long by allowing the shelter to build new shade structures that are needed this summer.
At Tails Untold® Personalized Pet Books, we believe every pet deserves a loving and forever home so we donate a portion of the sale of each and every book to a shelter/rescue.
You can visit here to make your own donation. https://www.givedirectcharity.org/donate/?cid=12201
Image via Pixabay
I’ve always been an animal lover, and grew up consistently having at least one family pet as my constant companion. But things change when you become the adult responsible for caring for a family dog, and the extra cleaning that comes with having a pet was not on a list of things I was dying to do!
But my husband and kids were dying to have a pooch in the house so we recently adopted an amazing mutt from a local shelter. It didn’t take long for me to fall absolutely in love, of course, especially after seeing what a positive influence she was on our family. As a matter of fact, I have science to support my claims: Research has shown that dogs provide a number of different emotional and physical health benefits to the humans that love them. Here are a few unique ways man’s best friend has a healthy impact on our lives:
Dogs inspire their owners to get moving. To take the best care of our pups, we have to ensure that they are getting plenty of exercise throughout the day. One of the best ways to do this is to join them in the fun! This article points out how having a family dog can also be an especially effective way to encourage children to play with their pet, and ward off the risk for childhood obesity.
Pooches are an adorable stress-buster. The reason we tend to feel better around our dogs is because interaction with them literally tells our brains to be happy. This article the health benefits of our dogs explains that spending time with our critters releases a hormone called oxytocin, a neurotransmitter known as the “love hormone” because of its role in making us feel connected with others. The higher our oxytocin levels, the more naturally equipped we are to handle stress.
They have potentially-lifesaving olfactory senses. Dogs are known for their acute sense of smell, and now they are using it to help their two-legged companions. Research has shown that dogs are able to detect health issues such as low blood sugar in diabetics and even some infections. Scientists are also now studying the canine ability to detect cancer, and hope to create a form of technology based on dogs’ natural gift of smell.
They provide uniquely compassionate therapy to those coping with cancer. Because of their abilities to boost the mood of those around them, dogs are frequent visitors to cancer patients undergoing treatment, and can be instrumental in managing emotional stress that often leads to serious mental health issues like depression. According to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, their presence also provides physical benefits such as a decrease in pain and blood pressure.
Dogs don’t just provide us with unconditional love and incessantly wagging tails. In fact, sharing our homes with them may actually provide many unique and wonderful health advantages. A new dog may even be the health remedy you’ve been seeking!
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Thank you for this great information from our Guest Blogger, Vee Cecil! Please let us know how your pet whether a cat/dog/bird/hamster/or any pet has improved your life! We love your comments.
Vee Cecil is a wellness coach, personal trainer, and bootcamp instructor. Vee is passionate about studying and sharing her findings in wellness through her recently-launched blog.
Hello All you Pet Lovers,
I am pleased to share this information from Canine Camp Getaway’s Veterinarians. This is excellent advice and something I think all pet owners should review every summer, so please pass along.
1) Be cautious walking your dogs on hot pavement or cement — their pads are tough, but can burn just like your skin.
2) A summer haircut CAN help keep your pets cooler, but a too-short cut can make them even more vulnerable to the effects of sun and heat.
3) This seems like a no-brainer, but every year dogs die in hot cars. There is no “okay” time frame to leave a dog in a car in the summer.
4) Summer pests don’t only trouble humans — be sure your dog is protected from both internal and external parasites.
5) Drive carefully! More outdoor activities and open doors/windows can mean more dogs outside, on-leash and off, so slow down — and don’t get distracted by cell phones, texts or changing radio stations. Be sure to regularly inspect your yard for any holes or breaks in perimeter security.
6) Practice water safety — not all dogs can swim, especially in ocean water with waves and currents.
7) Be cautious of which pesticides, fertilizers, and mulches you or your landscaper are using; not all are pet-safe.
8) Wildlife is out and about — be sure your dog is current on vaccinations such as rabies and leptospirosis, if appropriate.
9) We see far more dog fights in the summer months than others — when socializing your dog at the park, be alert to his or her activities. Avoid distractions such as talking on your cell phone which may impede your response time.
10) Access to fresh, cold water is even more important now than other times of year.
11) BBQs can be great ways to visit with friends in the summer months but can be dangerous for your dog. Alcohol, hot BBQ drippings and coals, skewers, and even ingesting certain (or too much) food can all cause your pet harm. Be mindful of the grill and remind guests to please not feed your pup!
12) Buckle up! Remember to restrain your pet in the car. This will keep them safe if the event of an accident, and also keep them from jumping from an open window.
If you are thinking about a summer vacation to include your special furry family member, please chec
k out Canine Camp Getaway Vacation . It is a wonderful place to go and located in the beautiful Lake George, NY area. Maybe all your friends with Tails Untold Personalized Pet Books http://www.tailsuntold.com will see you there.
Why does my dog follow my every move? Why does my dog destroy things when I am away? Why does my dog pace or run in circles when I am leaving the house?
These behaviors and others like:
can be signs that your dog is suffering from separation anxiety. Separation anxiety in terms of pets describes stress and anxiousness brought on by leaving your dog alone even if for a split second. Often these signs are confused with “bad manners”, which is true in some cases, but not all. Separation anxiety can be a serious issue and disciplining (eg. yelling or scolding), can make the anxiety worsen. Often, regular obedience training does not help.
What can I do to help my dog get over separation anxiety?
First, please consult your veterinarian. Sometimes the treatment requires a combination of medication(s) with behavior modification, especially when the case is severe.
What types of behavior modifications are suggested for separation anxiety?
First, be sure your dog is not bored by adding more physical and mental stimulation. This will usually take care of boredom issues but will usually not take care of separation anxiety issues. Often bored dogs will scarf down their food then look for more, anywhere including your garbage, but in most cases, the opposite is true of a dog with separation anxiety.
Behaviorists suggest changing up your “leaving routine”. Your pet is very aware of your routine before leaving home, grabbing your coat first, or shutting off the lights, then lastly grabbing your keys. Mix this up and do some of these things randomly during the day while you are still remaining home. In time, perhaps only a few weeks, your dog may see that these behaviors don’t mean you are leaving and some or all of this anxiety may lessen greatly.
Also, don’t overcompensate your departure or return. Don’t give treats or give special attention before you leave or when you return. Don’t fuss over them, as hard as this is to do, especially when you are so happy to see them when you come home. Try to ignore your dog for a few minutes before you leave and when you return. Your dog may get the idea that your leaving is not a big deal.
For extreme cases, there is a program you can try, but first, consult your veterinarian to be sure there your dog is not suffering from some other ailment or illness. This program * requires a huge time commitment on your part, at least several weeks. This will mean you will need to take time off ,if you work, use your vacation time, or find a pet sitter or doggie daycare to assist you. You will need to spend 30 minutes to an hour every training session. It requires patience and consistency. Initially, you leave your home for a few seconds and step right back in so your pet has little or no time to experience separation anxiety. Always stay calm while inside. Continue to do this until you see no signs of anxiety. Gradually increase the time you are out, but change up the time (eg. 2 minutes, 1 minute, 4 minutes, 1 minute, 5 minutes) until you see no signs of anxiety. You continue to do this gradually increasing to an hour, two hours, etc. until you can be away a full work day.
If this does not help, you will need to contact your veterinarian,again, who, hopefully will be able to help you find the cause of your dog’s anxiety issues and perhaps recommend an experience behaviorist who has worked with this disorder and/or prescribe proper medication.
*This program is suggested by Amy Bender, Dog Expert (www.dogs.about.com).
Please note: This article has been provided for informational purposes only. If your pet is showing any signs of illness, please consult a veterinarian as quickly as possible.
Here is Emilia reading her family’s special Tails Untold Personalized Pet Book all about her favorite doggy Cosette. Emilia loved seeing her entire family’s picture in her very own, one of a kind book. Most of all Mary Kate and Emilia loved seeing Cosette take a trip to New York City. They were so happy to receive this special personalized gift.
Thanks to another Tails Untold Personalized Pet Book purchase www.tailsuntold.com,, we are so pleased to contribute to the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, NYC Feral Cat Organization. Here is the link: http://nycferalcat.org. The New York City Feral Cat Initiative (NYCFCI) is a program of the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. (Please note, this organization is not associated with any political office). This Alliance is committed to solving NYC’s feral cat overpopulation crisis through the humane, non-lethal method of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). We appreciate all that they do to contribute to making our pet world a better place so that someday, maybe every cat/dog & other pets will have loving and forever homes.
| Name: | Weezie |
| Nickname(s): | The Boss |
| Gender: | female |
| Characteristics: | One eye, white face, very large pointy ears |
| Personality: | stealthy, determined, quiet, funny |
