The Purrfect Nanny & Purrfect Pet Health Blog

I loved this article, forwarded to me from a friend… It seems I’m not the only crazy pet owner who considers my pets part of the family!

When it comes to pampering pets, the sky’s the limit
BY JEFF SEIDEL
DETROIT FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

When the stock market took a nose dive this summer, Steve Sturn was bummed about the performance of his 401(k). But the uncertain economy didn’t stop him from splurging on Bruno, his French bulldog. Sturn bought a $15.95 bone-shaped cake from Three Dog Bakery in Plymouth to celebrate Bruno’s one-year birthday.

“He loved it,” said Sturn, 31, of Ann Arbor, who works for a mortgage company. “He went at it.”

Sturn, who is engaged, doesn’t have any children, unless you count Bruno and his other dog, Rod, a 10-month-old Boston terrier. “They are like family members,” Sturn said. “This is a special occasion. It’s like a kid’s birthday.”

Despite a weak economy, pet owners continue to spend big money on their pets, pampering them with everything from massages to treats to teeth whitening.
Read the rest of this entry »

Time to brighten your day…

The Purrfect Nanny thanks the wonderful parent/dog owner who originally took these photos and uploaded them onto the web. They’ve been circulating the web and emails for a while, but perhaps you haven’t yet seen this fantastic tutorial for dogs!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPERLY HUGGING A BABY
(from a dog’s point of view):

1. Uh, find a baby.

Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Jane Bicks has some good points here in her article about “Why do cats purr?”

Most people believe cats purr when they are content or happy. While cats do purr when they are content, researchers attempting to uncover the answer to this 3,000-year-old mystery are finding the answer more complicated than previously thought. All domestic cats purr, as well as many wild cats, like pumas, ocelots, lions and cheetahs. Purring can occur in a variety of situations. When cats purr in the presence of other unknown cats or kittens, the behavior may serve to convey submissiveness or a friendly greeting. While it is true that cats purr contentedly while on their pet parent’s lap, they also purr when they give birth, when they are frightened, severely injured and even while dying. Because kitties clearly cannot be content in all these situations, contentment or friendliness cannot be the only reason they purr.

So why else would they purr?

Continue reading here!

In order to get more informative newsletter from holistic veterinarian Dr. Jane Bicks, please sign up to her newsletter

We recently found out about Diningwithfido.com an awesome website based in Atlanta. Suddenly there is even more reason to be dreamy of warm sunny Atlanta weather. Dining With Fido lists Atlanta Restaurants by neighborhood that have Doggie Friendly Patios.

Check out Dining With Fido’s tips for Patio Ettiquette:

1.Always call ahead to make sure tables are available.

2.Nobody knows your dog better than you. To minimize frustration and embarrassment, be sure of your dog’s public manners and ability to be calm around food and strangers.

3.Exercise prior to a meal outing can be very helpful to keep your dog relaxed and well behaved.

4.Let your dog go potty before getting seated.

5.Sometimes it is a good idea to bring your own water bowl on hot days.

6.Bring a leash that allows your dog to be tied to a post, your chair, or under the table. Leashes too long can be dangerous for the servers.

Boy, I can’t wait for Spring!

A rare disease normally found in horses has hit local Paulding County Animal Shelter. The shelter is currently under quarantine. The Georgia Department of Agriculture closed the doors of the shelter on January 19th after the sudden mysterious death of several dogs. A necropsy, by the University of Georgia, revealed that one of the dogs had succumb to Streptoccocus equi subsp. zooepidemicus. This disease is treatable in early stages by antibiotics and all exposed shelter animals are receiving antibiotics at this time. Once the shelter has gone seven days with out any additional illness it will be allowed to reopen.

For more information on Streptoccocus equi subsp. zooepidemicus check out this helpful data sheet link.

For more information on this story check out the AJC article Shelter closed after 12 dogs die from illness.

To find out more about Paulding Animal Shelter visit the Paulding Humane Society site at PauldingHumane.org.

We received this call for help and share it with you in hopes that you or someone you know might be able to help bring these horses to safe pasture.

“This past weekend it was brought to our attention that a herd of horses was transported to Modoc,SC near McCormick for auction. As it turns out these horses belonged to Jim Fisher, who as most of you know is in really bad health.

There were 18-20 which were purchased by one individual who is planning to ship them to Oklahoma on this coming Saturday …. we all know what that means even though when approached he denied those claims.

All of the horses are registered and most are Sweepstakes nominated. The horses were bought at auction for minimal amounts. There is an opportunity to purchase from the buyer before Saturday for $300 or less is buying multiples. If you have pasture room and income to support them please contact Dean Howell at 864-429-1320, he is currently in possession of these horses and they are currently located in Laurens, SC.

Let’s rescue these horses.
Patti”

We have received a list of horses available from Tina, who wants us all to share the list

Bay 10 yr, Filly
Bay, 3 yr Name is Ariboske
Bay 15 yr Filly, Name is Elation
Chestnut, 10 yr Filly
Chest, 4yr Filly, Name Della A Rose (Star and r-Front)
Bay, 8 yr, Filley Name is Calley
Chestnute, Geld, 7yr Name is Razzan
Bay 15 yr, Filly Name is Texas
Bay Filly, 10 yr
#0437446 SBERICA Kane, Gray
#0491578 Bay MCA Xanabu 1993
#0409380 Bella Lyric, Bay Mare 1988
Bay, Mare, 8 yr Roxies
Bay Mare 18 yr
Chestnut, 12 yr mare Name is Magnolia
Chestnut, 8 yr Mare Large Blaze
Bay, 220 yrs Name is KC
Bay 8 yr, Bay Star and white on nose

Dean said if anyone could take these he will haul them to you. Please lets save
them. They are on their way to Oklahoma on Saturday morning.

Call Tina if you need more information. All of these horses are in great health
and were cared for by local Vet in Augusta Georgia.

Thank you
Tina 706-831-2543

Wow my news feeds these past couple of days have been loaded with pets living REALLY long lives!
I hope ours live that long!

Check out the oldest dog, Otto, a 20 year old dachshund-terrier mix. That’s almost 145 years in doggie years!

One of the oldest cats, Caterack, passed last week at age 30! While that is quite old, the oldest documented cat lived to 38 years old!

Looks like the chances of our pets living this long are increasing!
Check out this article on the longer living trend in household pets. A gentle reminder that having a pet is a lifelong commitment.

How old is your pet?
Have you had a pet live longer than average?
Share you story with us!

Rescuing and Rehoming Labradoodles and Goldendoodles throughout North America

International Doodle Owner’s Rescue is a group close to my heart and my home.
We were able to find our goldendoodle Barley through a rehome and have had the pleasure of fostering a few labradoodles on their way to their forever homes. Our current foster Kramer is really learning his manners well and becoming an AWESOME dog!

IDOG Rescue is always looking for foster and transportation volunteers, the more foster homes that are available the more dogs that can be rescued. If you have ever considered adding a dog to your family, volunteering as a foster can be a great way to find the perfect dog. Of course, not all fosters will come to your home with perfect behavior. Here are some things IDOG recommends you consider:

Are you ready for a rehome or rescue doodle?

Do you have some extra time to devote to the dog as he first arrives?
Do you have a secure fenced yard or are prepared for lots of walks?
Do you understand that the doodle is an indoor dog and should not be left outside unattended for long periods of time?
Do you have a total commitment by ALL members of your family?
Do you have a support network to help you get through the tough times?
Do you have the flexability to change how you help the doodle if what you are doing isnt working?
Do you have patience to let the dog adjust on their terms/timeframe and not yours?

Expect:

You will have potty accidents (even with adult house trained dogs) and you will have to either train or remind the dog to potty outside.
You will need to enroll into a training class once the dog becomes adjusted to his new home.
If you already have a doodle, do not expect the rescue/rehome doodle to be like your current dog. Different breeding, different life experiences, different temperaments create different dogs.
Expect to adjust your life at least for a while to help the doodle adjust to the new home.
Expect to keep very close attention to the dog for a while.
Expect to have 100% supervision of children while around the doodle.
Expect that it will take some time for the doodle to learn to fit into your family and learn to assoicate with other pets in the home.
If the doodle is highly submissive, frightened or fearful training will need to be much slower and approach to situations will need to modified.

But speaking from experience it is a very rewarding endeavor! And IDOG is an awesomely supportive team.
If you would be interested in becoming a foster or volunteering to transport rescue dogs please sign up!
This is a nationwide rescue group, so even if you are not in the Atlanta area we could use your help.
For more information check out the IDOG Volunteer pages.

To find out more about Kramer and the other doodles available for adoption through IDOG please take a look at the IDOG Petfinder page.

With Halloween just around the corner everyone is out to find the Purrfect Costume.
This includes the family pets too!

Petsmart is having a Pet Costume Event in stores on October 20th at 6 pm.
Bring your pet in for fun and prizes!

Can’t make the party? Submit your favorite costumed pet picture to their online Howl-O-Ween Costume Photo Contest.

Need help taking pictures of your pet?
MSNBC has a great article on how to get the Purrfect picture of your pet all dressed up for the occasion.

Will your pet be dressing up this year?

As the economy has many of us tightening our belts, it is great to know that we do not need to sacrifice the health of our pets!

Atlanta Animal Alliance is pleased to announce that they will now be offering low-cost rabies, vaccination and microchip clinics with the City of Griffin, Spalding & Cherokee County Animal Controls!

September 18, 2009

9 am - 2 pm

Elks Lodge (across from Animal Control)

1512 Williamson Road
Griffin, GA

October 2, 2009

9 am - 2 pm

Cherokee County Animal Control

1015 Univeter Drive
Canton, GA

Pets can receive an annual rabies vaccination for only $10, with no office visit charge! Dogs, and cats who are 12 weeks of age and older are required by Georgia State law to be vaccinated against rabies annually as it is a fatal virus transmissible to humans and pets.

Annual vaccination packages including a 1 year rabies vaccine, DHLPP-C (dogs) or FVRCP (cats) annual booster & de-worming treatment for round and hook worms is only $35!! That’s a savings of nearly $70 when compared to other metro Atlanta prices. And we’re just getting started on the savings…Microchips INCLUDING lifetime registration are only $25!

Annual cat & dog boosters, treatment for parasites, heartworm tests, Feline AIDS and leukemia tests and microchip ID’s will also be available. Cash and credit cards will be the only accepted method of payment. No appointment is necessary.

Animal Alliance encourages all pet owners to keep their dogs and cats up-to-date on vaccinations. Annual boosters are essential to keep pets healthy and prevent the contraction of deadly diseases.

For more information about the Atlanta Animal Alliance’s other programs such as the low-cost spay & neuter clinics and WellPet Humane - our low-cost veterinary clinic, go to www.AtlantaAnimalAlliance.com.