PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

Okay, we all know that you can donate a bag of dog food or a cat carrier to the animal shelter, or that you can volunteer or foster, right? But the truth is, shelters can put a variety of items to good use, many of which have nothing to do directly with pets. I’m willing to bet you even have at least one item on this list lying around the house unused.

1. Blankets and Bedding:

If you’ve got an old sheet set from a mattress given away years ago, extra receiving blankets from your nephew’s arrival, or the puke green afghan Aunt Sally gave you for your wedding gathering dust, you’ve got a perfect donation for your favorite animal shelter. Concrete floors are no fun to sleep on, so shelters collect pet beds and blankets for the animals. Baby receiving blankets are perfect for most shelters’ cat cages. Larger blankets will be put in dogs’ runs, where they can sleep on them or play with them, providing enrichment as well as comfort. Crowded municipal shelters are particularly in need of bedding, because most pets won’t have a bed or toys unless some are donated.
More →

Okay, I’ll admit that I’m a huge cat lover. I put up with a lot from these furry four-legged purr machines, but the one thing that drives me crazy is the frequent up-chucking. Yuck. I think almost every one of my cats has puked at one time or another. And I’ve had a lot of cats. One time, I had 14, mostly kittens from a failed attempt at breeding polydactyls (extra toes), but we won’t get into that.

Anyway, apparently a cat’s digestive tract is susceptible to regurgitation - evacuating the stomach quickly after consumption. Cat’s also frequently cough up hairballs, but I’m talking about that disgusting process of scarfing down their food and then promptly vomiting it back up, usually on or under the furniture. I think they really enjoy finding the most difficult locations to puke up their dinner, but I digress. Over the years I’ve found out that some degree of regurgitation is actually a normal, albeit annoying, action in cats. It’s most likely to protect them from ingesting poison or spoiled food.

More →

Dear Petlvr Mailbag …

Is declawing a cat a good idea? I have people giving both sides, and although I think it is sad, what are the alternatives to torn up furniture?

Signed,

gtcathey from Ima Blogger

  More →

This fall make sure to check out the various pet shows that will be happening in the U.S. and Canada. Not only will your pets appreciate a snout full of fresh air, they will enjoy being a part of the pack.

The 250^th Halifax Kennel Club Dog Show will be held at Exhibition Park in Halifax from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1. The show will include obedience trials and drill team performances. Also pet supply vendors will be there so you can stock up on of your doggy needs.

More →

Dear PetLvr Mailbag ..

I have two cats. The boy is tall and strong, and the other (female) is a runt. She’s 4 years old but looks like a kitten, she is so tiny. Anyway, my question is if I should separate them when they fight, or just let them work it our on their own. I’ve had the girl all her life and the boys I just got a little under a year ago from a shelter. He’s very bossy. As time passes, the female is getting more timid and jumpy. Should I intervene?

–Stuck in the Middle with Cats

More →

Spinal degeneration, disc disease and herniated discs are no longer preventing pets from having the ability to walk thanks to Eddie’s Wheels for Pets in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. When pets become disabled, they lose a quality of life just as humans do when they become disabled, and when surgery doesn’t work or isn’t an option, a custom wheelchair is the next best thing.

A Doberman named Buddha who had spinal degeneration and disc disease was the inspiration for Eddie’s Wheels for Pets. Ten-year-old Buddha took to his wheelchair quickly and even waded in the river with it on. Now that Buddha happily lived out his life, a Dachshund named Daisy is now the company’s mascot. She has five wheelchairs including one in pink.

More →

Gas, food and living expenses have increased significantly — so much so that some people are unable to pay their mortgage and are now facing foreclosure. What makes the situation even more heartbreaking is the fact that some people cannot afford to take care of their pets or even take their pets with them to their new home. Moving from a house to an apartment is an adjustment and not all apartment complexes welcome pets. It’s estimated that an approximate 1.4 million additional homeowners will experience foreclosure during 2008. While this is a difficult position for homeowners to be in, there are ways to reduce the stress on the family pet.

Making The Transition

More →

My name is Marina, and I’m a new author on the “LVR” series of blogs. You can find my author page here. I have three cats and two dogs, which definitely help make life more interesting and enjoyable. Lily, Bella and Oliver are a family of cats that I rescued and Paisley and Sebastian are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Here on PetLvr, I’ll be blogging about pets in the news, pet agility shows and celebrity pets. But first I’d like to introduce my pets and myself in more detail.

I recently graduated from Youngstown State University and received a degree in Professional Writing and Editing. I own a writing and editing business called Cat’s Eye Editing, LLC. I’m passionate about environmental issues as well as animal rights, and I would like to try to make a difference with my writing. I definitely believe that the way people treat animals is a reflection of their character.

More →

Does your cat allow only a certain number of strokes before turning and nipping your hand? If so, you’re in good company. Many cats, of all genders, ages, breeds, sizes, and personality types, have the clearly defined behavioral pattern known as “petting and biting syndrome.” Most of these cats allow the same number of strokes during each petting session before biting, but others vary the number of strokes permitted.

The Problem

More →

I was thinking of pets that I have now and pets that I have loved and lost and I wanted to share a special story of how wonderful animals are, how heart wrenching their passing can be and how welcoming their comfort is. This story is one about my cat Colonel when we lost him due to the food recalls a year and a half ago.

The day we lost Colonel was a cold and miserable day in January.The year was only a few days old and somehow the magic left over from Christmas and all the promises of the new year ahead vanished as we gently lifted our small gray cat into the carrier.

More →