Scratchings-and-Sniffings

We Have the Right...

A note from Scratchings and Sniffings, the erstwhile mascots of this blog: pets have rights, too!

Yes, we know that times are hard and sometimes our Moms and Dads have to drop us off at a shelter. We don't quite understand it when you go away and don't come back, but...we love you, nonetheless.

Because we're not able to talk to you - the way you talk to each other  (we use different language - the language of emotion; that happy wag of our tail and our hey, look at me, bark...or our rubbing against your legs, and that pitiful meow at dinnertime), we must resort to other means to stand up for ourselves.

Over at Doctors Foster & Smith, they have this GREAT page on Pet's Bill of Right...some of which we thought we'd share here, today. For pet parents who are just learning the ropes...this is a good start:

The Pet's Bill of Rights by... anonymous (complete list over here, at this link on the Fosters & Smith pet education page)

 1. We have the right to be full members of your family. We thrive on social interaction, praise, and love.

3. We have the right to regular exercise. Without it, we could become hyper, sluggish...or fat!

5. We have the right to quality health care. Please stay good friends with our vet.

10. We have the right to live with dignity - and to die with dignity, when the time comes.

If you follow these rights, and the rest of them listed at Foster & Smith, we will be happy and healthy and we will help you stay happy and healthy, too. That's our job - give us the best tools to do it right!

Now, come over here for a big, sloppy kiss....

Allergic to Pets? Here's Help.

We haven't heard from Scratchings, lately. I guess he's the house dog, now that we don't have Carmie.

Scratchings wants to know if any of you have allergies, specifically, to dogs and/or cats? He knows that I do. I am allergic to cats. That has never stopped me from having a cat, though! I bet some of you feel the same.

Back a few years ago, I did visit an allergist to find out exactly what I was allergic to - knowing I have had reactions now and then from cats (mostly when I worked at the Cat Dr., where I was surrounded by cats on a daily basis). The allergist, in his infinite wisdom, said I was allergic to everything! Really. And I had to be stuck by about a hundred needles to find this out!

He advised me to get rid of all my rugs and drapes and any pets I had. Clearly, the man was delusional and didn't realize who he was talking to. I got rid of none of those things, especially not Wabby and Carmie!

A Little Link Love from Around the Net

Scratchings has been itching (pun intended!) to share some link love. As you know, this blog gets a lot of attention from a lot of folks who love their pets. We often feature dogs more than cats, but that's just the way it is. It doesn't reflect a preference on our part...I personally LOVE cats...and dogs. So, share cat stories...knowing that I will do my best to post on them, but...sometimes I just can't.

Anyway, here are some Monday links and stories straight from Scratchings...

Over at Celebrate Your Pet, the Petbook Lady reveals that Oscar has had his stitches out. Oh my! What happened to Oscar, her little Bichon? Well, Oscar was hit by a car a couple of weeks ago. Lisa, his Mom, reports..."Oscar is doing well. He has no fractures. Just the skin of his right leg was slashed ...showing his bone and tendons." She reports that he is wearing the "cone"..."We told him it's a satellite dish," she reports..."and that he can pick up intergalactic cat signals from outer space."

Hey, works for me and Scratchings! Here's to a healthy recovery, Oscar.

Rescue Dogs: Video from German Wirehaired Pointers

Scratchings, the S&S mascot, wanted me to share this video with our readers, from the German Wirehaired Pointers rescue site. How could I resist? Mary Murray from GWP Rescue sent it along and I am all for all manner of dog rescue, so do watch and enjoy and... act, if you are of a mind to.

Watch for more rescue stories. Let's support our barky, four-legged, furry friends. We are partial to them all. Have you visited your local Humane Society, or the rescue org nearest you, today? Scratchings urges us to remember all the pets that still need homes.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Brrrr!!! It's Cold Out There!

Hey, it's cold out there! Scratchings wanted to let you know. Those of you in the warmer states. We're shivering in our boots up here in the North. Carmel doesn't much care - she's giving Yvonne the evil eye (what? Oh, Yvonne says it's not 'evil eye', it's just a sad, sad look of disappointment). But, hey, it's ccccoooollllddd out there!

In fact, I heard Yvonne telling Carmel that some news article at the Herald-Leader had a great article on "Winter pet care tips." Some of the things in the article are that pets need more food, to keep warm. And, they should not be put out in biting, freezing winds. Sounds a bit like common sense but...sometimes it's hard to say no when the puppy is by the door begging to go for a walk. In that instance, it's good to remember they could get frostbite if you're out too long, and always check their paws for salt and deicing stuff.

Yvonne even says that when she was holding Wabby Wibby this morning, Wabby's whole body was so cold, Yvonne wonders if she should keep turning the heat down so low every night.

Hope you're mindful of your pets during these bitter winter days. 

Why We All Love Dogs

Dogs are creatures of habit - their most endearing habit is to continue loving their owners, unconditionally. Just ask Scratchings... he's so lovable who can resist him?

That's why it breaks my heart to see dogs caged in pet stores or at the Humane Society (and cats,too - who seem less lovable to some people, but are very affectionate to others) . I'm not criticizing anyone here. Shelters are to be applauded for their good work, and the pet stores I frequent are clean, friendly, and health conscious. I'm stating a fact: it breaks my heart to see puppies and grown dogs abandoned or neglected...and I wish I could adopt them all.

Today I came across a Dog Story that bears sharing. Over at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Bill McClellan has a wonderful story about a man and his dogs. About the wonderful relationships one builds with these happy creatures...and how having one brings joy (and more) to our lives.

The story is about a "Bearded Collie" which the owner did not know he owned. He found the dog as a pup, apparently, at his local shelter... listed as a Golden Retriever. But, it grew up to be a Bearded Collie. And, it helped save this man's life. (this pic is borrowed from petsplace.co.za) 

Note how his "savior" was someone connected to him via a man he met at "the Bearded Collie Camp at Purina Farms in Gray Summit." It's a place folks with these dogs go every two years. A place where pets and their people commune and make friends and where human beings follow their dogs' lead and give some love and attention to new friends and old, just because.

What can be greater or better than that? 

Sharing the Furry Link Love for the Holidays

It's that happy, frolicky, get out and shop time of year. Scratchings is hoping for some outstanding presents under the tree. He (and Carmel and Wabby Wibby) will not be disappointed. All the pet stores are bursting with great stuff for our furry friends. And, all the other pets we "humans" like to adopt.

Let's talk a moment about that...about adopting a pet at this time of year. Over at the Seattle Post Intelligencer, this article on "How To...Give a pet as a gift" has some great points. All of which Scratchings approves...of course. My personal favorite is the advice to shops at your local shelter. That's where my furry pets come from. Our shelter always has adorable pets in need of a home. The other great part of this article is the advice to pick "an appropriate breed." Remember - animals have personalities, too. Some breeds are very kid friendly, others may not be. ASK, if you don't know.

My friend, Andrea, sent me this link to a site that has "Green Goods for Modern Dogs." Going green is great, of course. We should all be doing it. And, helping our pets be green, too. Olive, the green dog site, is doing just that. Here's their homepage greeting, "Olive is dedicated to bringing you the largest variety of healthful and environmentally conscious dog products the big ol' internet has to offer. Many of Olive’s green goods are one of a kind-- comfortable, hip and eco-friendly." Wonder when they'll start a site for cats?

From my good sponsors, Purina, I found this cool book that was created for kids to read aloud to their pets. Quoting from the press release, " “Banjo Gets a B-A-T-H” was inspired by pet lover Tony La Russa and his daughters, who were home schooled and read to their own pets to improve their skills. Based on the success his daughters experienced, Tony and ARF developed the “Reading with Animals” program,   where pre-school and grade-school age children read to ARF’s pet therapy team animals." And the name of it isn't bad,either: All Ears!  The program is also sponsored by our friends at Target. Although, a search of the website using the title of the book, turned up nothing. Oh well.

So, that's it for now. Visit the petbook lady, any of the pet sites listed in previous posts, and Purina for more great ideas on how to show your pets you love them.

Working Dogs

Little point of view post from Scratchings.

Yvonne received an email last week, from a good friend, about taking your dog to work. Now, personally, as a dog (cartoon though I am) I think dogs should be allowed everywhere that people are allowed. I mean, what's wrong with that? The NY Times [sort of] agrees, barring the slobbering and fear factor of very large breeds.

Apparently, some people find being pet-friendly objectionable. Despite the health benefits, and there are health benefits, some people have pretty negative opinions about this. The article in the Wall Street Journal got so many comments, I could hardly keep up. Ok, yes, Yvonne read them to me...and I have to admit that maybe taking your dog to work isn't always a good idea. I mean, truth is - some people are either allergic or... they aren't into pets. It's hard to believe, isn't it? Certainly, you could at least bring ME to work with you.

Still, I bet you will enjoy reading the article yourself. Hop over to this link, "Is Bringing Your Dog to the Office a Good Idea?" and don't forget to read the comments. Then, come back and tell us what YOU think.

You are Smarter Than Me and We Are Smarter Than Me, Too!

Scratchings wants me to tell you a little bit about the book We Are Smarter Than Me... which was brought to our attention by the so delightful Lyn Townsend - you remember her, we talked about her in a post some time back. Anyway, Lyn is the inventor of The Strock, which you can read about over at Best Buddy Pet Products.

Looks like Lyn's been busy over at The Strock site... we're very happy for her.

But, on the We Are Smarter Than Me... Lyn is being featured in the book and has a podcast with an interview that I recommend to all of you. The reason Scratchings wanted to talk about this, and I agreed, is because these are talented, energetic, innovative folks writing a book together, online... and they're the kind of people we think should be pet owners.

But, wait! There's more! Yesterday Dr. Larry and I did a dry run of what will be a weekly series on this  blog - discussing some serious topics such as how dogs are a part of the wolf family, how dogs got domesticated, and even some interviews with breeders and other veterinarians or pet product people. Your suggestions for what we discuss are welcomed.

Join in. The principle of We Are Smarter Than Me is that the crowd rules.

Isn't social netowrking proving that? What do you think?

Doggie Talk: Do You Understand?

Scratchings wants me to talk about communication. I guess he doesn't think I communicate well enough with him. But, he's just a cartoon!

Now, Carmel and Wabby Wibby - I think I communicate just fine with the two of them. I know their little nuances pretty well. For instance, Carmel has a certain look that says, "When are we going for a walk?" If we don't take her when she's ready, she pouts for hours. When dinnertime rolls around, she knows we are likely to get takeout for ourselves (cooking is not my forte) so she sits by the door and stares at it intently... as if she can will Tom to get home faster! And yes, she gets a nibble here and there.

Wabby is a little trickier. She doesn't meow... she chirps, like a bird. Except lately. Lately she's been coming in the bedroom late at night and meowing quite loudly. I'm not sure why. I pick her up and cuddle with her, which she likes, but... almost as soon as I put her down, she's meowing again. I'm not yet tuned in to what all that means.

This isn't news to pet lovers, I know. And, Scratchings can whine all he wants about being misunderstood - aren't all puppies? As I was thinking about this post today, lo and behold, what came in the mail but a small magazine from Beneful - which is a Purina product. By golly, didn't it include an article on communication?

According to writer Laurie Dent,