6 Tips for a safe 4th of July

6 Tips to ensure that your pet enjoys the 4^th of July festivities 

More pets go missing on the Fourth of July than any other time of the year. Pets and loud noises are not a winning combination. Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM has compiled a list of tips to help take some of the stress out of what is supposed to be a joyous celebration.

 

6 Tips for a fun and fearless 4^th of July:

• Be sure your pets have well-fitting collars with up to date tags.
• Don’t give in to offering your pet a plethora of BBQ treats. Keeping as close to their regular diet as possible will help avoid upset stomachs, vomiting, diarrhea and emergency room issues like pancreatitis.
• Life jackets help keep water bound canines afloat, as not all dogs are strong swimmers. Never leave your dog alone at the beach and/or on a boat, as they can easily become overpowered by waves, tides and currents.
• Most dogs and cats DO NOT enjoy fireworks. Pet ears are far more sensitive to loud noises than ours. Classical music has been shown to reduce canine anxiety. Pet thunder shirts are also an option to help comfort stressed dogs.
• Homeopathic calming remedies including Bach’s Rescue Remedy and Tranquility Blends containing the herb Skull Cap help to safely reduce stress levels for dogs and cats with no adverse effects. Both products may be applied to the inner (hairless) ears, which act as acupressure points in dogs and cats. Both may also be given by mouth.
• Don’t put human sunscreen on your pet. Pet sunscreen is fine for dogs and cats, but avoid zinc oxide, which is toxic to pets. DEET, a common insecticide, is also poisonous to pets and may cause neurological signs, including drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.

Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM.

Integrative Veterinarian

Dr. Carol Osborne is an author and world-renowned integrative veterinarian of twenty plus years. A pioneer in anti-aging medicine and longevity research for pets, she created and patented the original PAAWS: Pet Anti-Aging Wellness System for dogs and cats. Dr. Carol holds both the dog and cat scientific patents.

After graduating from the Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Carol completed a prestigious internship at the Columbus Zoo.  Shortly afterwards, she launched a very successful private practice and became founder and director of the non-profit organization, the American Pet Institute. Dr. Carol offers traditional veterinary care for dogs and cats with a softer, natural touch. Her approach highlights the importance of nutrition and utilizing holistic avenues in combination with traditional treatments.

Official web site: http://chagrinfallspetclinic.com

2014 Holiday Pet Gift Guide

Americans will spend more than $58 billion this year on our pets, according to the American Pet Products Association.

Here are a few eco friendly gifts that Cici thinks will warm your pet’s heart and keep them safe and happy.

Holiday collar

Made in USA • A laser beam permanently engraves the collar’s design, dog’s name and contact information into the leather.
• The noisy metal tags are now engraved on your dog’s collar; guaranteed not to fall off.
• The collar leather is 100% full grain, vegetable tanned cowhide – the most eco-friendly tanned leather

Go to the website, www.ruha.com, you’ll find that you can create your very own personalized collar in a few easy steps:

Step 1:  Select the collar size
Step 2:  Choose a color
Step 3:  Pick a design
Step 4:  Add your dog’s name and the desired contact information

Voila !!!!

Holiday ornament 

Holiday bed

CuddleCouch is filled with EcoRest™, a soft and resilient material made from recycled plastic bottles, which are spun into a fluffy fiber that provides durability and comfort.  For more info, go to:  http://www.worldwise.com/

Pet portrait

An original oil painting of your pet for the holidays by Gillian Wainwright…. http://nycpetportraits.com/

What Your Dog Wants for the Holidays

 

 

Has your doggie been naughty or nice this year? Does Santa Paws keep track?  What would your dog tell Santa s/he wants this year????

 

 

Cici is ALWAYS GOOD WHEN SHE SLEEPS !!!!  And when she is naughty, she does not mean to be. It is just too tempting to do things that I do not want her to do, that’s all.

 

1. Not to be dressed up in costumes, treated like a baby, carried around in a hand bag or painted and groomed and dyed to look un-doglike.

 

2. To be treated like a dog (belly rubs).

 

 

3. Join in the Feast: Endless treats and food.

 

 

4. Lots of time to be a dog  (zooooomies)

 

 

 

5.  Much time to play with other dogs, sniff the neighborhood, and chase small animals.

 

6. Real live cats, squirrels and/or bunnies to run after

 

 

 

7.    Lots of time rolling on back scratching and showing off belly.

 

8.  Lots of bones, toys (squeakies), ropes, and/or pillows to chew on.

 

 

9.  Lick lick lick lick lick lick lick, much time to slobber.

 

 

 

10.  Nap time, woof woof woof woof woof !

 

a dog has got to dream about all of the above, right?

 

 

Blog hop WW: silly dog

well, practically wordless Wednesday… for me and her royal silliness…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blog Paws

 

 

 

Grab the code (hope this works, fingers crossed) 

Jan. 10 pet blog hop to it

 January 10 blog hop — a handy-dandy way to draw new readers over to your blog.  from Will My Dog Hate Me and Go Pet Friendly

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1. How long have you been blogging? And, if you’re stopping by for the first time, please tell us why you started blogging and give us a quick description of what your blog is about.

It has been six years, how is that possible????  seems like only yesterday..

2. Name one thing about your blog, or one blogging goal that you accomplished during 2013, that made you the most proud.

Well, one thing that was a lot of fun we went on a dog friendly press trip. It was both challenging and fun to meet new people and it was a whirlwind tour of SLO, a lot of activities for the pooches (although some scheduled play time would have been good, too). It was a trip to visit a place with other writers and editors (I think I was the only blogger). And I think we all learned a lot. Cici and I have always traveled alone so this was a nice change of pace to have the Visitors Bureau and PR reps set up the itinerary.

3. When you look at the post you wrote for last year’s Pet Blogger Challenge, or just think back over the past year, what about blogging has changed the most for you?

Am starting to wonder how much more I can write about dogs and dog travel, although there does seem like an endless amount of material living with a dog every day. As she ages, there have been some health issues. And sadly, it seems like we lost of a lot of dogs this year from Wallace, the world champion disc dog, to three of the former Vick dogs (Lucas, Georgia and xxx) as well as a whole pack of pet bloggers dogs. This has been a rough year. One happy note that did get resolved (FINALLY) was Patrick’s Law was finally passed in New Jersey with harsher fines for animal cruelty and neglect and Patrick’s adoption into the Scavelli family became official.

4. What lessons have you learned this year — from other blogs, or through your own experience — that could help us all with our own sites?

Alternatively, if you could ask the pet blogging community for help with one challenge you’re still having with your blog, what would it be?

I often feel like I’m just at the edge of the crowd, I do the blog hops and such but often feel like an outsider, do not really feel like I am IN with the other bloggers. This to me is old family issues and like high school. I feel awkward and am nervous about approaching the popular kids, etc. Sitting in the cafeteria alone. Insecurities. Does anyone else feel like they are standing in the sidelines watching everyone else have fun? maybe it’s just this time of year. Hardly can believe it has been another year.

5. What have you found to be the best ways to bring more traffic to your blog, other than by writing great content?

by promoting my blog posts on social media (Facebook, twitter) and just letting other people know about my blog (handing out biz cards, etc). I tell everybody, even people who probably could not care less. Giveaways are good, too.

6. How much time to do you spend publicizing your blog — and do you think you should spend more or less time next year?

Not enough time. I am much better suited to publicizing others than tooting my own horn. Just the way it is. There have been opportunities that have come my way in the past which has been nice but I did not seek them out. I should spend more time but do not know that I actually will. Thinking about getting t-shirts, also to raise money, that would be one way to do it.

7. How do you gauge whether or not what you’re writing is appealing to your audience? And how do you know when it’s time to let go of a feature or theme that you’ve been writing about for a while?

I will answer the second question first, when I am no longer interested and interest in the topic is dwindling. It is often difficult for me to know who is reading what. Sometimes there is a controversy and lots of comments. But mundanely, these are few and far between. I hope that when I share topics of interest to me and what happens with my dog that my readers think it is pertinent to them and are happy to not feel alone (and they seem to be reading).

8. When you’re visiting other blogs, what inspires you to comment on a post rather than just reading and moving on?

When I can relate to the topic and how the post is written, if I think that I can add something different to the comments. And sometimes I feel very moved and don’t say a word when I probably should.

9. Do you do product reviews and/or giveaways?  yes, I do.

If so, what do you find works best, and what doesn’t work at all?

I always do positive reviews. If I do not like or my dog does not like a product, I will let the people know that I will not be saying anything. And they usually understand. I may make a constructive criticism. I think being honest, within limits, works. If I bashed products, that would not work at all so I do not do it. Had a few contests, photos worked, but doing giveaways usually gets people involved, depending upon the products offered.

If not, is this something you’d like to do more of? What hurdle is getting in your way?

10. When writer’s block strikes and you’re feeling dog-tired, how do you recharge?

I just write anyway even if it is bad or I feel like I have nothing to say eventually I do. When I’m feeling dog-tired, I snuggle with my puppy girl and she makes me laugh or sleep and helps me recharge.

There is nothing like a big polka dot dog butt in one’s face on your pillow to make you feel better, inspire you and have happy dreams LOL

11. Have you ever taken a break from your blog? How did that go?

Not really. There are times when I only write one or two blog posts a week an other times I write more. Lately, I’ve been writing less posts (one or two a week). It has been difficult dealing with Cici’s health issues and other stuff that has been going on. So in that sense, I give myself a break from having to keep to any type of rigid schedule. That is what works for me. Maybe I have missed some stories but c’est l’vie. I do what I can do and I am certainly not perfect. I am a human bean and we are works in progress.

Have you ever thought about quitting your blog altogether? What makes you stay?

yeah, lately. When I am feeling down. But then I will get inspired by something someone has written or is doing related to dogs. I’ve thought about writing a writing blog but don’t know what I’d say. And I thought about doing a dating one, 300 dates in a year. Of course, I haven’t had ONE date in a few years. Can a 60+ year old woman find true love ??? sounds like a lot of trouble. Maybe a cooking blog? nah, have not found another topic that I could maintain. health, blah. maybe. pet communication, see?  have not run out yet.

12.  What goals do you have for your blog in 2014?

For my writing, I’d like to write more articles for pay in publications. For my blog, keep on writing. More interviews. More fun topics. More travel. I’d also like to actually get my ebook formatted so that I can actually sell it. It is based upon my blog and it has reviews of 80+ places in California that Cici and I have traveled to and stayed at with lots of tips, for fun travel with canines.

I’d also love to do more Blog Paws promotions. The Subaru one was a hoot.

***

Don’t stress — and don’t be afraid to ask for help! If you have any questions

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Pet Expo San Jose

So You Want to Travel to the Bay Area Pet Expo. Join the Club!

Think of the Bay Area Pet Expo and images come to mind: miles and miles of canine and feline and avian related tables filled with products galore, free product samples, contests, giveaways and happy dogs eating treats, wagging tails meeting other canines.

Before you attend this annual Santa Clara Fairground event (this year featuring Shorty Rossi and his pack of pit bulls), which takes place Saturday, January 11, from 10 am to 4 pm, here are some things to consider.

Get there early. There is no fee to attend but parking on the street fills up fast. Parking  is $8 and the lot is very busy.

Make sure that your pooch is able, willing and ready to attend an event with hundreds of strange canines, felines and people. I had to park Cici outside tied to a pole for five minutes while I ran around inside and she was not a happy camper. Neither was the alternative (bringing her inside where the noise and excitement of meeting so many people, canines and felines in an enclosed space was too much for her). She was and I was not prepared for the chaos of the event.

http://www.bayareapetexpo.com/bringing-your-pet.html

There is a new Wags Hotel for pooches in nearby Redwood City. Your dog can play with other pooches for a few hours while you peruse, talk to dog experts and meet and greet at the Expo.

Your pet must be immunized in order to attend the event (and also to play at the doggie daycare), please bring proof of rabies and other vaccinations.

If you do not live in the area, and must stay overnight: (some hotels have group discount rates)

Hotel Sofitel, Redwood City is half an hour away from San Jose

San Jose area hotels have pet friendly lodging including :

Hilton San Jose

300 Almaden Boulevard
San Jose, CA 95110
877-577-5760

Pet Policy – Large pets up to 75 lbs, USD $75. Non-refundable fee. Bed and bowls limited.

LaQuinta

2585 Seaboard Avenue
San Jose, CA 00000
4084358800

There are no deposits or fees. Up to two domestic pets (cats or dogs) per room. When you check in, please let the front desk staff know.

Doubletree Hotel

2050 Gateway Place
San Jose, CA 95110
408-453-4000

Pet Policy – $50 nonrefundable fee. Pets under 100 lbs. welcome.

Pet Amenities – Pet bed pillow upon request, water, food bowls with mat, pet treat.

Points of Interest – Walking trails, dog parks, pet store (all within 4 miles)

Rates – Single, Double: starting at $89

The Pet Expo website has a link to the Fairfield Inn, San Jose Airport area

http://www.bayareapetexpo.com/

Events:

Pet Contest, Free Microchipping and Low Cost Vaccinations, Pet Talent, Pet Agility Demonstrations, Musical Chairs and more.

Shorty Rossi, the pit boss, runs Shortywood Productions, a Hollywood talent management company for little people, as well as Shorty’s Rescue, his pit bull rescue group.

Be sure to catch Shorty onstage, discussing his passion – rescuing Pit bulls! Stop by to get an autograph or picture with Shorty,, his dog Hercules and help support his charities!

Please visit Shorty’s site for more information: www.shortyrescue.com

Adopting a pet?

Bring a crate and/or leash with you for your new family member. Crates and pet carriers often sell out. Be a good girl scout and be prepared.

Directions:

Highway 101

Take the Tully Rd. exit West. Proceed 1.5 miles. The blue arch of the Fairgrounds is visible on the left.

Value of planning ahead

last Friday was my birthday and I had planned to drive down to Morro Bay with my dog and this gal who has been my driver for the past six months. Things started not seeming right with this person on Halloween and I began a search for another driver. After a couple of weeks, there was time for things to cool off.  I decided to give the person the benefit of the doubt and a second chance and hired her again to take me shopping. More problems and she was having personal issues. OK. stuff happens, right.

Well, I realized that there was actually something completely else that I wanted to do on my birthday (rather than go to Morro Bay) and I did not know how to get it all worked out yet it came together very easily. There was even a Wags Hotel in Redwood City (where the event I wanted to go to was being held) and they were offering a FREE first stay for the dog. Next, my roommate decided he wanted to go to Redwood City to visit a friend of his and he would rent the car. Then he changed his itinerary to San Jose, but we could still drive together.

The Hotel Sofitel where the event I went to was being held is pet friendly and offering a discounted rate of only $99 but with all the other expenses I could not stay over. The hotel charges $20 a night per pet. So we decided to drive up and come back after the event (which ended around midnight). The Wag Hotel required more vaccinations than Cici has plus their hours would mean that instead of Cici playing with other dogs, she would mostly be in a strange room by herself. So I opted to leave Cici home. I figured that she would do better in her own home environment with familiar smells and items, toys and food.

It did not occur to me to look for a pet sitter. I called upon the driver gal (since she knows my dog and has worked with dogs) and my neighbor to look in on Cici. If the gal would walk Cici and feed her around 4 pm and my neighbor would check on her about 9 pm, I thought she would be OK.  She mostly sleeps from 5 pm on most days/nights.

On Thursday, the gal drove me shopping and to dinner and I paid her and gave her the key and instructions.

On Friday, we left around noon and arrived back home around 3 a.m. Imagine my shock, when I saw that she had not bothered to show up and feed and walk my dog. Thankfully, Cici was just fine. I had left the door to the backyard open for her so she could do her business any time she wanted. And she must have spent the time sleeping away. Still, she was VERY happy to see us. And was rewarded for NOT tearing the house apart with some bacon and sausage we had brought back from breakfast at Denny’s.

The next morning, after a few hours of sleep, I discovered there was NO message on my phone, email or Facebook page from this person. What the heck was going on?  I expected that at the very least there would be an explanation and apology. Instead there was nothing. As time went on, I became more livid. My neighbor came by and told me he just plain forgot to come by. He apologized and gave me the key back. I should have gotten his phone number to remind him since I knew that he has a bad memory. But what was up with the driver???  I sent her a nasty Facebook direct message and received no reply, no phone message.

By Monday, I decided to call the police and/or a lawyer (I have Legal Shield) for advice. Thinking about things this person told me about themselves had me more and more concerned. She has an arrest record for shoplifting and is not allowed to go into Target. She is very young with a five year old daughter who lives with her mother but she lives with a drug addict friend. She was concerned about being evicted and on her Facebook page she put up very strange, provocative (sexual) images and sayings. She was supposed to be going to Heald college to become a police officer yet this is how she conducts herself?

The lawyer said that he would call her and tell her to get the money and key back to me by Wednesday. She told him that her car broke down and that she would get me the friggin key and money whenever she could. Nasty and cursing at a lawyer. The lawyer did say that he managed to tell her that if anything happened to this house (if it were to be broken into while she still has a key), that she would be liable.

Now I do not believe for a minute that her car broke down.  If so, and she were an honest and responsible person, she would have called and left me a phone message and apologized at the very least. Otherwise, she should have found a way to get here and GET THE JOB DONE (a ride from a friend, a bus, whatever). I have been told that people with arrest records cannot ever become police officers. And so I now believe this person to be a liar and a thief.

I sent her an email (after unfriending and blocking her on Facebook) letting her know that I do not believe her and that she needs to get the key and money to me by tomorrow. If she is unwilling to do anything else, she can MAIL the key and money.

I tried calling some professional pet sitters for tips how to avoid such a situation. One tip was to get references. Another was to not  pay the person ahead of time. What would you do?  I think that this situation is unique and I am endeavoring to learn from it (while processing my anger). I am thankful that I never drove down to Morro Bay with this person. And thrilled that Cici is such a rock star. I have left her alone for 2-4 hours maximum in the past. I would not ever leave her alone for 14 hours but next time, she will be with a reliable pet sitter who will love her and do the job.

Does a pet sitter need to be bonded and insured in order to be hired? Would you have a written contract even for a one time situation?

The Marriott Hotel nearby the Sofitel charges a $100 nonrefundable pet fee. There are other less expensive hotels in the area that are also pet friendly (Good Nite Inn, Motel 6) but not nearly the same quality of hotel accommodations and amenities for humans.

I have another driver in my neighborhood taking me shopping tomorrow. But so far, the drivers have not been very reliable. One gal could not even drive her own stick shift vehicle. Should I find another source to hire people other than craigslist? I cannot pay much but I try to go above and beyond (fed the other gal, took her to the movies one time, and accommodated her schedule and requests). A courteous, responsible and professional person communicates honestly and GETS THE JOB DONE NO MATTER WHAT. At least that is my standard. No More Flakes Need Apply.

DogVacay.com and other organizations provide in-home dog care while you are away. What do you do when you travel and cannot take your pets???

Senior pets rock

September is Senior Wellness month and to celebrate Spring Naturals wants pet parents to know what to do as their dog ages. Below are tips including, what nutrition senior dogs need, as well as what to look for and how to be proactive as your pup grows.

Whole Dog Journal included Spring Naturals on their Top New Dry Dog Foods for 2013 list.

Implementing some these tips now can help your dog live a long and healthy life!

And we are also doing a giveaway.  Comment here and / or on our Facebook page about your senior doggie, include a photo of your pooch on Facebook and say why they would love to receive some yummy Spring Naturals dog food.   You have until Wed., September 25, 2013 (deadline). Thanks.

Whether you got a puppy or adopted an older dog you want them to live long and healthy lives. To help your pet age gracefully take a look at the tips below for what to do as your dog ages. And even if your pup isn’t at that senior stage quite yet, many of theses tips are beneficial to add to your pet’s routine now and to keep in mind for the future.

·       Maintain a Healthy Weight – Good nutrition is important at every age, and even more important as your dog’s metabolism and activity levels slow down. And extra pounds means more stress on your pet’s body, such as their joints and internal organs. Top veterinarian and senior pet health expert, Dr. Ernie Ward, has commented that, “Proper nutrition can help keep dogs playful and fight signs of aging.” As they slow down pets need fewer calories but they still need a diet that is has protein, good fats and is especially high in fiber. Fortunately, Spring Naturals dinners and treats have all of those healthy benefits because their recipes include whole fruits and vegetables, with five percent fiber, as well as real meat as the first ingredient.

·       Focus on Antioxidants – Antioxidants can increase the effectiveness of dog’s immune system. Antioxidants like fish oil with Omega-3 fatty acids and L-carnitine are beneficial in helping prevent senile dementia in dogs, while vitamin E and beta-carotene help eliminate free radical particles that can cause damage to body tissue. And you’ll find all of those in Spring Naturals’ Senior Dinners, which have the same whole fruits and vegetables in every recipe and provide lots of antioxidants from blueberries, cranberries, carrots, and apricots. The senior recipe also includes chicken for it’s lean protein, salmon oil for its high amount of Omega-3 fatty acids, L-carnitine and beta-carotene to battle free radicals, vitamin B12 supplement for energy, and vitamin E for extra joint health.

·       Keep it Clean – It’s not just your dog’s coat that needs to be looked after. It’s important to also make sure areas such as their teeth, eyes and ears are regularly cleaned, doing so can prevent major health issues and also save you high vet bills in the end.

Teeth: Not brushing your dog’s teeth can lead to gingivitis and many other periodontal diseases, which can actually lead to other issues, such has heart disease and diabetes. Regular teeth cleanings can prevent more severe problems in the future as well as help keeping doggie breath at bay. Every week take a look at your pooch’s teeth, making sure the gums are pink and not white, red or swelling. Also, check if there is any tarter on their teeth, if there is you might want to consider getting their teeth cleaned at the vet to avoid future issues.

Eyes: While antioxidants can help prevent vision loss in pets, regular cleanings can also help Fido’s sight. Every few days, using a damp cotton ball or cloth, clean your dog’s eyes by starting at the inside corner of your dog’s eye and wiping outward to remove any dirt that developed around the eyelid. If you do see signs like eye discharge, constant tearing, crust along the eyelids, and unequal pupil sizes take your dog to the vet to get everything checked.

Ears: Checking your dog’s ear consistently will help you dog maintain good hearing. The inside of your dog’s ear should look pink and not white or red. To clean the ear, take a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide and gently swipe it over the inner-ear skin, make sure you never insert anything in your dog’s ear canal. You don’t need to clean your dog’s ears too frequently, but it is important to check them. See a vet if you witness ear discharge, redness, swelling, brown or black ear wax, or dark wax that resembles coffee grounds. If you do see anything like that, get them to a vet, don’t try to clean it yourself.

·       Regular Vet Visits – Taking your dog to the vet is a practice your family should implement regularly, getting an annual checkup or “wellness” visit at least once a year. Each time you go, make sure they do thorough exam where they listen to your dog’s heart and lungs and examine their coat, teeth, eyes, ears, and internal organs. And as they age make sure to talk to your vet about getting checkups more frequently. It’s been recommended that healthy senior dogs should see the vet around every six months. Vets can also advise if your dog could be susceptible to other issues that have to do with breed or location factors, and give you tips on ways to prevent them.

So as your pooch gets older, be sure to keep all these things in mind to help your dog live long and healthy lives, because you already know – life with a dog is always better!

To learn more about Spring Naturals’ fresh, new approach to pet nutrition, visit them atwww.SpringNaturals.com or any of their social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Ingredients: (Grain free) Turkey, turkey broth, vegetable broth, sunflower oil, carrots, peas, dicalcium phosphate, flaxseed oil, calcium carbonate, salt, guar gum, spinach, potassium chloride, carrageenan, lecithin, choline chloride, sodium acid pyrophosphate, salmon oil, dandelion greens, apricots, blueberries, cranberries, chicory root extract, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, calcium pantothenate, biotin, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid.

 

 

 

Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop  link

Pets over the bridge

Pet communication comes in various forms. It is amazing what we can learn from our pets when we are willing / open to listening to them. Sometimes, we just don’t know how or are so busy worrying or scattered, filled with our daily lives that we miss the subtle and sometimes not to subtle messages.

Here are a few of my experiences communicating with pets here and also some who have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge…

* a dog I hardly had a relationship with passed… and he came to me in a dream, he was a German shepherd, I think he just wanted to let me know he was safe and at peace…

* my cat Abundance of five years came to me in a dream a number of years after he had run away and he came to me sitting on my belly purring like he used to do in life… it was a visit that was very healing for me because i was devastated when he left and i felt at peace that he had come back to me after he had passed on

before Abundance left the earthly plane, we were having some amazing communications… I had interviewed Susan McElroy who taught me a bit about pet communication. She said to use images rather than words… I was practicing with my two cats Abundance and Precious while I was working at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary… one morning, I was sitting at my computer and Abundance kept meowing and bugging me… finally, I decided to tune into what he was trying to tell me. Immediately, I saw that I had accidentally put my other cat Precious in a room with a closed door with no litter box, no food, nor water… Abundance was meowing to let me know to get Precious out of there. I opened the door and sure enough, he was in there and scooted out.

* a white cat that i was feeding in the neighborhood, i found out a few others were feeding her too…. got that she was very sick, she was very very skinny… took her to a vet and the vet said she had cancer and not much to do for her, and would be very expensive but not much hope… suggested euthanasia as the humane choice, i cried all the way to the spca in pasadena with this cat… they let me be with her in a room before the procedure…. I prayed with her and saw her being lifted up into my father’s and family’s arms/hands into heaven while the procedure was going on… she was met by loving people when she passed…

* with my dog Cici, she responds MUCH MUCH better to me when I communicate telepathically to her than when I verbalize. She actually listens and does what i ask her to do (usually not always)…

how about you? are your pets psychically attuned to you? do you listen and decipher their messages easily?  is your pet telepathic?  Can you use your intuition with your pet to understand what they want/need?

I believe that we are all intuitive, people and pets. And that we can learn to “tune in or tap into” the messages. Just like learning to listen to a sound from a frequency that we are not used to being able to hear. We can become quiet within and within that stillness hear messages, see message and more. Our loved ones including our pets love to “speak” to us and love it when we listen to them.

The loss of a beloved pet can be truly painful and difficult to deal with. A compassionate ear and heart and having been there can help a lot. When I lost Abundance, a “friend” kept telling me, it’s just a cat. She surely did NOT understand what I was going through. To me, Abundance was MUCH more than “just a cat.” He was a beloved companion of five years and a family member. He was my heart and soul and every little thing reminded me of him. I was in a lot of pain and did not think I could bear it. The sadness and grief was overwhelming.

Have you longed to hear from a pet who has crossed the bridge?  I’d be happy to do a session with you and your pet(s). It can be one of the most healing experiences for a pet parent that is going through the grieving process.

Email or call me to set up a time (over the phone) at 702-225-8206.

Pet music

Interview with Lisa Spector, co-creator of Through a Dog’s (and now Cat’s) ear music…

About Lisa Spector

Lisa Spector is a concert pianist, Juilliard graduate, and canine music expert. By combining her passion for music with her love of dogs, she co-founded Through a Dog’s Ear.

As a concert pianist, Lisa has won first prizes in Chopin competitions in New York and Los Angeles and has performed in China, Poland, Spain, France, Italy and throughout the U.S.

Note:  July 4th and Fireworks. Many dogs have issues with loud noises from thunderstorms and fireworks. Many run off and go missing on this holiday. My Cici does not usually have any issues with fireworks unless big noises are up close and personal… and this year, it sounded like some big KABOOMS were right outside our door… she was looking a bit concerned. so I put on our Through a Dog’s Ear calming canine music (thanks to the wonderful Lisa Spector and Cici calmed down, was sleepy, then I jumped into bed with her and cuddled, and we both just slept thru all of the noisy fireworks for about three hours)… zzzzzzzzzzz… the music really conks Cici and me out…

Lisa has been busy creating an IPawd for doggies with ALL kinds of canine calming music…   Through A Dog’s Ear is clinically demonstrated to relieve canine anxiety issues.  ICalmDog is a portable, compact player with built-in speaker and battery. With an auto-repeat function, the 4-hours of pre-loaded Through a Dog’s Ear music can be played for 12 hours at a time.

http://throughadogsear.com/samples/Calm_Canine_Companion_2/01-Vivaldi-Winter-Largo.mp3

http://throughadogsear.com/icalmdog/

and she has also created music for felines that is similar to the doggie calming music CD’s but specifically for cats.

what is different (between the cat and dog music)?

from Joshua Leeds

Joshua Leeds is a sound researcher, music producer and educator. He is one of few published authorities in the field of psychoacoustics—the study of the effects of music and sound on the human nervous system. Publications include Through a Dog’s Ear (Sounds True, 2008), The Power of Sound (Healing Arts Press, 2001), and Sonic Alchemy (InnerSong Press, 1997).

Sonic Anchoring is experimental. Our goal is to create a mental and emotional sense of safety that arises from familiarity. We accomplish this through a recognizable sequence of notes. The music on Through a Cat’s Ear is repetitious by design. Of fifteen tracks, six interludes are melodic fragments from Bach’s “Rondo Espressivo.” While people hear these interludes as repeating melodic intervals, cats may categorize this information as a familiar frequency matrix. As much as cats are hearing the music, they are feeling a sequence of vibrational frequencies. Like sensory information we instantly recognize—a favorite taste or aroma, our best friend’s voice, a mother’s touch— familiar sensory cues can have a profound and calming impact on the nervous system while providing psychological security.

Frequency Modulation (FM) can be defined as the alteration of sound. To further focus the therapeutic impact of Cat’s Ear, we’ve removed higher frequencies from the re-arranged piano music. FM also takes place in the mid- and low-frequency ranges. Through progressive modulation, “arousing” frequencies are reduced and “soothing” frequencies are increased.

how are people responding to the cats music?

Initial response is wonderful. Like Through a Dog’s Ear, people are also finding Through a Cat’s Ear very relaxing for themselves.

Comments from an email today:

“Thank you for this fabulous CD for cats.  I am having construction in the house and my Abyssinian cat, Simba, has been extremely distressed about being locked in a back bedroom and hearing loud construction sounds.  He has been a nervous wreck with poor appetite, howling, and he even tried to run away. Your wonderful cat  CD came yesterday and I have been playing it for him this morning in a calm setting.  That cat is limp.  Purring.  Smiling.  

By the way, I love the music. Thinking of using it myself to help with sleep issues. And my dog, Suki the mini-poodle,  is draped upside down in her bed listening to the CD.

I think this is one of the best CDs you have done.  You and your colleagues have created something truly special.”

do cats hear differently from dogs?

Yes, they hear a much higher frequency than dogs. Their hearing range goes up to 65K Hz. However, the most important thing is how the frequency of sound affects the feline nervous system.

do cats have different traumas/fears phobias than dogs?

Yes, cats rarely have separation anxiety. But, they have much more of a need for consistency than dogs. Most dogs get very excited when a visitor comes to the front door. Many cats run and hide under a bed when visitors come in. Changes in their environment cause them stress.

what kinds of music do cats like?

That conversation is still up for exploration. When clinical studies of Through a Dog’s Ear were done, it was based on research in the shelter environment by a behaviorist, Deborah Wells. She tested a variety of types of music in the shelter environment and it showed that classical music calmed the dogs. So when we went into the recording studio, I played a variety of types of classical music, including re-arranged, slowed down, simplified versions of classical music that later became Through a Dog’s Ear.

However, there hasn’t been any music studies on cats. So we are not starting from the same place. We are very eager for researchers to run with this project and to put Through a Cat’s Ear and other music through clinical testing.

For more info and for listening samples:

http://throughadogsear.com/tace/

http://throughadogsear.com/samples/

Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop  link