Cat-n-tonic State

Thanks to his sudden realization that the dog and the toddler are NOT temporary.

Dog-sausted

Toddler Overdose.

Does The Scarf Make Me Look Fat?

How To Make Dinner With A Toddler

1)  Irrationally hope for the best. Give him toys while you start dinner.

2)  4 minutes after that tactic fails, put in a DVD. Long live Elmo!

3)  2 minutes after Elmo fails, encourage a sing-a-long-you're-screwed tune.

4)  Reluctantly unlatch 1 childproof cabinet.

5)  Allow him to obliterate the kitchen.

6)  Quickly, throw something together.

7-12)  Repeat steps 4 and 5 as needed.

13)  If all else fails, allow toddler to humiliate the dog**. Again.

**No pets were harmed during the making of this post.

Dog. The Bounty Hunter.

Guilty admission: Yes. I occassionally watch it.

Haiku - Hopeful

Animal Shelter
here we come to donate food.
My heart melts like ice.


yes this pup needs a home

Haiku - Guilt and Cat Vomit

Can't keep up with blogs
'Mark All As Read' clicked often
I am so sorry.

* * *
New carpet installed
Cat already puked on it
Remodeling joys.

How To Remove Blood Stains

Wow, I never imagined I'd be writing that post title. I suddenly feel like a Soprano.

Recently, our dog was ill and got blood on our white carpet. Happy days have since returned and he's fine.

Vinegar with water is an excellent all around stain remover, but it did not remove the blood stain.

After doing research, we poured household salt (or sea salt) directly onto the bloody area. The salt completely absorbed the stain. We then vacuumed up the salt and voila, the stain was gone. As an FYI, the stain should be wet, if it's not simply pour cold water on it first. It worked for us.

Wake Up Call

Sometimes I don't appreciate how good normal days are. Sometimes I get bored with routine and the everyday drama that unfolds. Sometimes I get overly upset at the little things without any real reason.

Like last week, my beloved golden retriever (whom we shall call Pooch) placed fresh grass strains on our carpet. I was (too) furious with him. Self: get a clue, dirt happens.

This past weekend Pooch got very ill. What started with vomiting, bloody diarrhea and refusal to eat, ended with 2 separate vet visits and a hospital stay. At one point, the vet muttered he hoped it wasn't a grave situation.

My eyes welled up with tears. My heart free-fell to my feet. And I didn't hear another word he said.

Pooch is my true blue. He has co-piloted me through countless trials, tribulations and tumultuous times. He was by my side for every one of of Bear's feedings and awakenings. He is at my feet for every blog post I write and read.

In the past few days he has made a complete turnaround and we think he will be okay. He is wagging his tail again. The vet guesses he ate something he shouldn't have.

It's the little, everyday, mundane things that I instantly wanted back when, for a moment, I thought they were fleeting. I needed a wake-up call. And I got it.

Save $$ - Generic Pet Medication

Our Golden Retriever has really bad allergies. As a result, he is at the Vet (ka-ching) far too frequently.

Last week I asked our vet if there was a generic equivalent to the ear drop medication he was subscribed.

Much to my surprise, there was. It was $10 cheaper than the brand name equivalent. Mr. Vet said they, by default, just subscribe the brand name. Gee thanks.

So be sure to ask for the generic version on your furry friend's next medical subscription.

Click here to subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.

Best Diet Tips

Since the New Year has started, I've been dieting my flabolous self. Below are the top diet tips we have found to work for us.

1- Don't buy or keep junk food in the house.

2- Drink lots of water or calorie-free beverages to fill yourself up.

3- Instead of a snack, try drinking tea.

4- Don't eat after dinner.

5- Portion size and moderation is KEY.

6- Eat slower. Allow your stomach and brain to catch up to one another.

7- Stock the kitchen with healthy convenience foods.

8- Exercise. Start slow and work your way up.

9- Fad diets and pills are just that. Make a realistic, long term plan.

10- Allow yourself to have 1 treat a week. Without treats, it isn't realistic.


What works for you?

The Rainbow Bridge

Sadly, recently friend's pets have passed on weekly it seems. Each time I dig around the web to send them my favorite pet loss poem. So here it is, once and for all. Queue the sad music.

The Rainbow Bridge
By Paul C. Dahm

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they miss someone very special to them; who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge. Together.


Here's the history of this poem. If you found this post interesting or helpful, you can get free updates via subscribing to the What Works For Us feed.

Hero Rescue Dog Dies

This story both breaks and warms my heart at the same time.

Jake, a 12 yeard old Labrador Retriever, owned by Mary Flood passed away of cancer this past Wednesday. This hero-dog searched for survivors on 9/11 and also for Katrina victims after the hurricane.

Jake was a 10 month-old abandoned puppy (with a broken leg and dislocated hip) before being adopted and later rescue-trained by Mary Flood. Before Mary had him put down, they went on a stroll in the fields and a dip in the water.

Here's more information on his heroic, touching life.

If you found this post interesting or helpful, you can get free updates via subscribing to the What Works For Us feed.

Ode To Pooch

Our dog was once terrified at the sight (and sound) of Baby Bear but he is now his best friend and loyal protector. For this, and so much more - here is my ode to you.

Ode to Pooch
You are so gentle
when your fur is pulled
you don't go mental.

You are so full of love
when you get smothered
you don't push or shove.

You are so kind
when awoken at all hours
you don't seem to mind.

You always have a smooch
whether deserved or not;
we love you pooch!

If you found this post interesting or helpful, you can get free updates via subscribing to the What Works For Us feed.

Oscar The Cat's Purr of Death

Pet stories always get my attention. This one kinda freaks me out.

Oscar the Cat has an uncanny knack for sensing when nursing home patients are about to die. He curls up to them a few hours prior to their death. His statistics are quite impressive (25 predictions to date).

I'm not sure I would have let this cat out of the bag, because if I'm a nursing home patient in that facility right now - I'm locking my doors so he can't do his rounds!

Maybe Alberto Gonzales should do the same.

If you found this post interesting or helpful, you can get free updates via subscribing to the What Works For Us feed.

Oprah's Golden Retriever-RIP

I am an animal lover (and a complete softy for all pet related stories).

After reading this month's O magazine I was saddened to learn that one of Oprah Winfrey's three golden retrievers, Gracie, died at only 3 years old. Gracie choked on a ball belonging to Oprah's Cocker Spaniel and consequently died. Sigh.

Here is the touching story in Oprah's own words. RIP Gracie.

If you found this post interesting or helpful, you can get free updates via subscribing to the What Works For Us feed.

Our Dog is Anti-Patriotic

Queue the Yankee Doodle music - it's that time of year again. Warm weather, food on the grill, fireworks and our big golden retriever hiding behind the sofa in sheer agony. When he was a puppy we'd try to coax him out from behind the couch and block all entrances ... but he eventually trained us otherwise.

Now we prepare ahead of time and make it a comfy enclosed area behind the couch for pooch. We shut the windows to minimize the noise level, baby him (even MORE than normal) and throw him a few treats. We find it makes him a tiny bit more relaxed (as he counts the hours to July 5th).

Phantom Fireworks released tips on calming pets during fireworks.

If you found this post interesting or helpful, you can get free updates via subscribing to the What Works For Us feed.

Flapjack's Ear Infection

For the past few weeks our golden retriever had "ear gunk issues". I cleaned his ears religiously with an anti-microbial ear cleaner and then pooch would flap his ears afterwards for hours on end.

I just returned from the Vet to find out he has a nasty ear infection and was told all my cleaning did was irritate his ears. The vet stated that new research indicates ear cleansing solutions should be used minimally if at all. So I'm giving pooch ear drops the next 2 weeks to resolve the infection . . . and the flapping continues.

I feel like such a bad dog-Mom.