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Category: Pet Nanny news

We Wish You, Your Family and Pets a Merry Christmas!

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During this busy  holiday season, as they are almost every year, all of us at Pet Nanny Main Line want to wish you, your family and pets a Very, Merry Christmas and all the best for a Happy New Year. Remember, that if you give a pet for Christmas this years, adopt locally, as they’re are so many wonderful pets waiting for a great home. Plus, adopted pets make the best companions. During this time of year, pet’s are often abandoned, starved, left out in the cold, and are craving and yearning for affection and love; remember to surround your pets with love and be thankful for them, and encourage your family to do the same with their pets. If you have a family member or friend wanting a pet for Christmas, encourage them to adopt and provide them with the benefits of adopting. We will close this post out with a fitting ‘pet-inspired Christmas carol’ featured on TheDailyJournal.com. It’s too cute not to share:

On

the first day of Christmas my sheepdog brought to me

A slimy rawhide she had buried ’neath the white pine tree.

On the second day of Christmas my gray cat brought to me

Two morning doves

He had captured by the Douglas fir tree.

On the third day of Christmas my poodle brought to me

Three mangled ink pens

He had chewed up on the sun room settee.

On the fourth day of Christmas my little calico brought to me

Four crawly bugs

She let go behind the living room TV.

On the fifth day of Christmas my pets brought to me

Five muddy things,

Four crawly bugs,

Three mangled ink pens,

And a slimy rawhide buried ’neath the white pine tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas my sheep dog brought to me

Six goose droppings

She had rolled in ’neath the blue spruce tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas my gray cat brought to me

Seven koi no longer swimming

He stole from the neighbor living next to me.

On the eight day of Christmas my poodle brought to me

Eight mice decaying

That the cat had killed ’neath the Scotch pine tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas my little calico brought to me

Nine bunnies prancing

From the nest ’neath the balsam tree.

On the 10th day of Christmas my dogs brought to me

Ten frogs a-leaping

They had found when the mailman accidentally set them free.

On the 11th day of Christmas my cats brought to me

Eleven handmade ornaments

They had shredded from my Christmas tree.

On the 12th day of Christmas my dear pets reminded me

How much their love and antics make me truly happy.

Source: http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20131224/LOCAL/312240007/A-pet-inspired-Christmas-carol

Pet Tethering Rules Change in Pennsylvania

Pet tethering, or dog chaining has been a hot topic among pet owners for some time. This last August, the mayor of Pennsylvania made his feelings known, increasing rules and penalties concerning pet tethering within the state.

Tethering, or chaining refers to keeping your dog tied to a stationary object, this can include lung lines. Temporary pet tethering can be an acceptable manner of keeping your dog safe while you are away for a short period of time, or keeping your guests free from harassment. The practice is often abused though. Some dogs never get to leave the small area they are confined too, are often tangled and choked, get sores from the collar, and are left without adequate shelter. Here at Pet Nanny, we are happy to see some new laws enacted to help keep animals safe!

What Are The New Pet Tethering Laws?

  • You may not leave your dog tethered for more than nine hours within any 24-hour time frame.
  • You may not tether your pet in temperatures above 90 degrees or below 30 degrees, for more than 30 minutes.
  • The tether holding your animal must be longer than three times the length of your pet, or at least 10 feet.
  • They must have access to water and shade.
  • No tow or log chains, choke, pinch, or prong collars allowed anymore.
  • The animal may have no signs or wounds or sores.
  • The area the animal is in must be kept free from excessive waste.
Penalties for breaking any of these rules have been increased as well:
  • Neglect now can bring a sentence from 90 days in jail or a $300 fine all the way up to one year in jail or a $2,000 fine.
  • Cruelty, as a misdemeanor is up to two years in jail or a $5,000 fine. Felony charges are up to seven years in jail or a $15,000 fine.
  • Convicted persons forfeit their rights to their pets.
  • Vets and vet technicians who report animal cruelty in good faith will be shielded from lawsuits.

Long-term pet tethering isn’t an option for having an animal. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to help you keep your pet safe and happy!

photo credit: tubblesnap Still Bored via photopin (license)

Overprotective Pet Parenting: Are You Guilty?

Are you an overprotective pet parent? Most people are used to hearing that term associated with raising children, but do you take it a step further? While it’s not uncommon to be very attune to your beloved pets welfare it can be easy to slip into the overprotective category.

Signs You’re An Overprotective Pet Parent

  • You’ve got your vet on speed dial
  • You keep your home locked up like a fortress for fear of an escape
  • You have a toothbrush for your pet
  • You spend more money grooming your pet than you do on yourself
  • You get nervous if anyone else comes near them
  • You don’t let your pet play with other animals
  • You have a bookshelf full of volumes of dog psychology and care manuals
  • You worry about your pets welfare if they get out of your sight – even in your home
  • You’re afraid of leaving them with a petsitter or a dog sitting service

Does your behavior mirror many of these traits? It’s time to take a step back and see what you can do to stop being so overprotective. While it’s true that there are many things in the world of humans that pets just don’t have the instinct to deal with, don’t underestimate your friends ability to be aware of dangers. Most animals have great instincts. They also often know what they need to do if they are sick. Try to resist the urge to call your vet for minor injuries or concerns. Pick up a basic care manual when you bring your pet home and follow the guidelines. There is no need to seek out numerous care books to feed your overprotective behavior . If you feel you need just a little more information, keep a list of things you have questions about and ask your vet the next time you take your pet in for a check-up. Worried about a dog sitting service? Do some research! Read reviews and find one that is rated well! Don’t forget our tips and tricks on saving money – throw out that toothbrush your pet hates and rub some doggie toothpaste on a chew toy! Remember that animals like to be social. Don’t isolate yours. If you don’t have friends with pets you can let yours play with, then take them to the park and let them mingle (leashed!) with others! Learn the differences between playing and fighting and relax! What looks rough to us is just another (fun) day in the park to them! As for your home, make sure that you follow the basic precautions to keep your home pet safe and let them explore independently in a safe environment. Basic responsible behavior on your part is all that is needed to keep your pet safe and happy! Remember, your pets look to you for direction, if you are constantly nervous  and overprotective, your pet is likely to act the same.

Worried about a dog sitting service? Do some research! Read reviews and find one that is rated well!

Don’t forget our tips and tricks on saving money – throw out that toothbrush your pet hates and rub some doggie toothpaste on a chew toy!

photo credit: <a href=”https://www.flickr.com/photos/cowbite/2044049529/”>cowbite</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/”>cc</a>

Great Article Referencing Why Shelter Pets Are The Best Pets

A recent article in the Huffington Post aptly titled “Why Shelter Pets Are Good for the Soul,” encouraged me to write this post inquiring how “shelter” or “rescue” pets have enlightened my life. I grew up in a family surrounded by animals because my Mom grew up on a farm with pigs, cows, horses, goats, chickens, you name it, they more than likely had it. My mother’s deep love for animals transcended to all of us, but more than that, she taught us they are a responsibility, just like a child or job, and you have to be diligent in your care taking for them. She taught us that you can’t just want an animal and expect someone else to take care of it, or that you didn’t want it anymore when it went past it’s puppy stage, because it wasn’t “cute” anymore; a pet is for the long-haul and for the durain that they’re with us. I’m so grateful she taught and instilled this in us, because I value and appreciate all our pets past and present for those very things, and other unexpected surprises. They really do become a part of you and are family, and it’s a very sad loss when they leave us. I’m a firm believer we will see our pets again. I know everyone has different views on this, but this is just mine.

I had a domestic short-haired kitten from an unexpected litter, when I was 12, and he was with me until I was 25 and he passed in my arms. I’ll never forget him, and he is always with me. We had chickens who were such a blessing to us with baby chicks at one time, and we had Bandit, who was abused in a puppy mill and was with us (and wholly protected us) for 13 years. We gave Bubbalicious who had been chained most of his young and adult life the best final 2 years of his life, and we now have our German Shephered Rescues, Lucy (Lulu Belles) and Beba (Bebabay), her daughter who is the only surviving puppy-now-adult out of her 3rd and final litter. She was a “guard” dog at a garage shop and was malnourished, standoffish, and very skinny when we got her. They’re both well-fed and spoiled rotten, and I’ve helped with that. I can tell you they’re definitely a part of my soul, because after living at home for over 10 years and helping raise them, I had a life change when I moved to Charlotte, NC the first weekend of January, and cried so hard when I left them, as if I’d never see them again. They’re not really left, and are with my parents who take exceptional care of them. Needless to say, I look forward to when I see them again in about a month!

Take a moment to reflect on this:

” are approximately 2.7 million healthy or treatable pets out there who still need our help to find a home each year. Since the Shelter Pet Project launched in 2009, euthanasia is down 12 percent. But we still have work to do. Currently, just 29 percent of dogs and 33 percent of cats in American homes were adopted from shelters or rescue groups.

The Shelter Pet Project has just released a new series of PSAs to inspire people from all walks of life to find out how amazing shelter pets really are. And of course, the only way to really find out is to meet one! The ads showcase the personalities of real-life adopted shelter dogs and cats who lick or paw at the screen to show that they want to meet someone just like you.”

Check out one of the many Shelter Pets featured in the playlist below:

“TheShelterPet.org is a terrific resource to find thousands of adoptable pets in your area. You can search by breed, age or gender and see tons of amazing photographs! You can also see available pets by zip code, read adoption success stories and learn more about the adoption process.”

So, what do you say? Is it time for you to have your very own shelter pet, or do you have a shelter pet and want to share your story? Let us know in the comments below!

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-shaffer/why-shelter-pets-are-good_b_4861602.html

Have You Ever Wondered Why Your Dog Stares?

Dogs stare for a variety of reasons. I was always taught by my folks to never stare at a dog as that is a sign of aggression, and will lead a dog to pursue you, and not in a good way. While this is partially true, especially for a dog that is not a pet, your dog is usually staring at you for the following reasons:

  • They think they’re going to get a “treat.” 
  • They might want to play fetch.
  • Or, go for a car ride.
  • They might be yearning for affection; i.e., petting, belly rub, etc.

While sometimes it can be intimidating when your dog stares, if you’re a loving pet owner who dotes on their pet, then your pet staring is obviously a good thing. On the other hand, it is noted that your dog staring is directly mutual and done out of respect; not a form of aggression or anger.

Does your dog stare at you? If so, does it bother or please you? Let us know!

http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/why-does-dog-stare-192500965.html

Join actor Josh Duhamel and PetSmart with Rescue Waggin’ Tales

Josh Duhamel and PetSmart have teamed up to promote the joys of adopting a pet from a local shelter with rescue tales of adopted pets. This is a new series, aptly titled Rescue Waggin’ Tales, focusing on homeless pets traveling to their “fur”ever home. Josh’s production company, Dakotakid Media, helped produce and release it. The series is 8 episodes, and features celebrities such as Kristen Bell, Adam Shankman, and Bret Michaels, among others.

This new series looks to be heartwarming with a great ending for these great pets!

Source: http://www.petsmartcharities.org/campaigns/rescue-waggin

Tips for Holistic Pet Care

Are you on the fence about holistic pet care, and not sure what it’s all about? Holistic pet care is essentially a healthier way to care for your pets, and can be a bit more costly. However, OneGreenPlanet.org recently came out with an informative blog post about important things to know about holistic pet care, and we felt compelled to share them on our site also:

  • “Holistic” essentially means the “whole” of the being; mind, body and spirit. This also means being in tune with your pet and having a compatibility in knowing when your pet can heal him or herself.
  • A “holistic approach” means attempting to treat the “whole” animal and not just one specific area of your pet. Therefore, important attention needs to be paid to your pet’s diet; i.e, nutrition, exercise, preventative care and supplements.
  • Vaccinations, immunizations, and non-natural medications are usually avoided.
  • The differences between conventional and holistic veterinary care are:

a. Traditional veterinary care looks at the single problem, instead of looking at the root of the problem. A holistic vet takes a look at the growth, then evaluates the whole pet to determine what led to the growth, and what could have possibly contributed to it. The traditional and holistic vet complement each other, and both should be considered for the overall needs and well-being of the pet.

Source: http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/4-things-to-know-about-holistic-pet-care/

Carolyn Noll Photography

I recently had professional photos taken for my new website. I am ecstatic with how they turned out, so I thought I would share with our community some of the shots, along with other samples of this talented photographer’s work.

Carolyn Noll specializes in capturing intimate, artistic, emotional and natural images of pregnancy, new life, children, and family. Carolyn’s shooting style is best summed up in one word: easy-going. There isn’t a lot of staging or props; no fake backgrounds or saying “cheese”. When a shoot is going as planned, the clients barely know they are being photographed. They are instead being themselves and playing and dancing like no one is watching.

Carolyn is kind enough to offer all readers of our pet-loving community a 10% discount off your session fee and a free 8 x 10. Thanks Car!!!!

Find Carolyn on Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

Even more of Carolyn’s beautiful photography:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you’re interested in booking a session with Carolyn Noll Photography you can call her at 267-432-3860 or contact her via her Facebook page.

Mention this post and receive a 10% discount off your session fee and a FREE 8×10!

Please share…

Pet Nanny’s Cutest Pet Photo Contest!

Frankie

 

 

 Does your pet have what it takes to win our Cutest Pet Photo Contest?

  • Attention, pet lovers and owners! Get those flashes ready to take your BEST photo, because we’re running one of our biggest contests ever!
  • The winner receives a $250 Gift Card to Pet Nanny Mainline| has no cash value, and expires on 12/31/2014. ALL entries must be received by March 1, 2014.
  • If you haven’t already, “like” our Facebook and get your pet ready for their close-up!

If you are a new Pet Nanny customer, there just may be a surprise waiting for you on our

Facebook page. “Like us” to reveal your savings.

Pet Care Mistakes to Avoid, Continued…

There are many ways that we have mishaps while caring for our pets, including habits and routines that we fall into as owners and our pets only learn from our behavior towards them. Start today to make new habits and to encourage yourself and pet to make positive choices that emulate reasoning and meaning, not irresponsibility and errors. The following tips and suggestions are continued from our original post on Tuesday (January 21).

  • Not exercising your pet– Just like you, your pet needs moderate exercise to stay active and healthy. Also, pets who are not exercised can demonstrate aggressive behavior. 
  • Not keeping your pet mentally active– A bored pet can be a troublesome pet. They can get into things they aren’t supposed to because they are bored. If you’re training your pet, use treats as a training mechanism that triggers responses from their brain. Play ball with your dog and if you have a cat, play mouse and string (toy mouse dangling from a string) with them.
  • Leaving a pet alone for too long– A pet who’s home alone too often becomes neglected, can demonstrate separation anxiety and start to produce destructive behaviors; i.e., chewing on shoes, soiling carpet, and shredding bedsheets, pillows, etc. Hire a pet-sitter to walk your pet or visit with he or she if you’re gone longer than eight hours. Crate-train your pet if you’re away for several hours during the day, but train he or she gradually, then eventually increase crate time.
  • Not having a pet-friendly home– Many folks fall into this routine and I have been there myself. Not having a dog bed can have your pet on the couch (where you might not want them), and not having a litter box for your cat, can have them soiling your well-taken care of carpet. Always have a litter box that’s easily accessible for your pet, and have a doggy bed or crate for your pet within a close distance, and let that area alone be your pet’s time of peace and relaxation.
  • Punishing your pet– We’re not talking about the occasional stern voice when reprimanding your pet while caught in the act of doing something they’re not supposed to do, but physically harming them is animal abuse and considered neglectful. Be stern with them while telling them No, but don’t go beyond that.

Did you find these tips helpful? Have any more tips to share with our readers? Leave them in a comment below!

Source: http://www.globalanimal.org/2014/01/03/pet-care-10-things-not-to-do/