NEWS letter June 2015 edition Why Hire a Professional Pet Sitter? Pet Sitters International says more and more pet parents are hiring professional pet sitters to care for their fur babies in-home while they are away. Here are the facts: 1. Pets experience less stress and are happier while you re away if they remain in their own home. 2. Your pet s diet and exercise routines will go uninterrupted. 3. Travel trauma for your pet - and you - is eliminated. 4. Your pet s possible exposure to illness is minimized. 5. With a professional, there s no need to call on untrained and likely unwilling friends, family members and neighbors. 6. In-home, professional pet care provides peace of mind. Call us today at 603-888-8088 to schedule your pet s visits! Independence Day is right around the corner! Keep in mind, this U.S. holiday is no fun for most dogs; the sounds of fireworks causes many dogs to panic and run, resulting in a high number of lost dogs ever year. What can you do to help Fido remain calm? 1. Relocate. If your canine companion reacts poorly to the loud, bright fireworks displays, bring him to a quieter location, such as a friend s house or a even a pet-friendly hotel. 2. Exercise. Take a nice, long walk before the festivities begin, in an effort to drain his energy, making him less likely to become overly excited when the noise begins. 3. Disguise. Cloak the sound of the fireworks by playing loud yet soothing music, such as classical; or turn on a doggy dedicated TV channel, like DOGTV. You may even opt to try dog-safe ear protection to muffle the sounds. Mutt Muffs are specifically engineered to meet the contour of a dog s head, staying in place to protect your fur baby s sensitive ears. 4. Distract. As fireworks explode, try engaging your dog in playtime activities to re-direct her brain from fright to fun. 5. Restrain. If you must be outdoors during the festivities, keep your pup on a leash to avoid him running off should fright turn to flight. 6. Maintain. Display calm and assertive behavior once the fireworks begin. Go about your business, don t make a big deal of it, and hopefully Fido will sense there s nothing to fear and follow suit!
Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act Proposed U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire introduced to Congress this month the PAWS Act, which aims to protect victims of domestic violence from emotional and psychological trauma caused by acts or threats of violence against their pets. The U.S. Senate reports multiple studies have shown domestic abusers often manipulate or intimidate their victims by threatening to harm or harming their pets. The Act would prohibit threats or acts of violence against a person s pet; it would also require full payment of any costs incurred for veterinary care resulting from harm to the animal. As well, the Act would direct the government to carry out programs providing special housing assistance and support services to victims of domestic violence and their pets. Pet Friendly New Hampshire State Parks The Department of Parks and Recreation realizes your pet is a member of your family and, as such, has numerous parks in our beautiful state that allows them to join you on your recreational adventures. The following are less than a one hour drive from the Nashua area: Annett Wayside Park in Rindge - Pets are permitted with no restrictions. Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown - Pets are permitted in the campground and on hiking trails only. Greenfield State Park in Greenfield - Pets are permitted in the campground and on hiking trails only. Miller State Park in Petersborough - Pets are permitted with no restrictions. Pawtuckaway State Park in Nottingham - Pets are permitted on hiking trails only. For details on all New Hampshire State Parks that allow pets, visit nhstateparks.org/ explore/ visiting/traveling-with-pets.aspx. Happy Trails! No, that s not a mop it s a dog! The Komondor, a large, muscular breed from Hungary, has worked as a sheep and cattle herder for ten centuries in his homeland. It comes as no surprise this breed is mostly known for his dense, protective coat of heavy white cords that form naturally as the breed matures in age. His coat helps him blend in with his flock and protects him from weather extremes; it can weigh up to 50 pounds and consist of over 2,000 cords! He requires daily grooming, with his cords separated regularly, making him quite the high maintenance pup.
Benefits of Spaying and Neutering We ve all heard the request Please spay and neuter your pets. Bob Barker used to sign off every episode of The Price is Right with the appeal. The most obvious and talked about reason for doing so is to prevent unplanned litters in an effort to curb pet overpopulation, but did you know there are also health benefits for your four legged friend? Spaying surgically removing the cervix and ovaries of a female prevents pregnancy and offers lifelong health benefits. A spayed female is less likely to develop uterine tumors, perineal fistulas (lesions around the anus), uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. And, it goes without saying, that spaying eliminates your furry companion s chances of developing cervical or ovarian cancer. Finally, from a sanitary perspective, spaying your female will eliminate her heat cycle in which she passes bloody fluid for up to ten days. Yuck! With female cats, the heat cycle also includes yowling and urinating excessively sometimes throughout the house and yard to attract potential mates. When should you spay your pet? Before her first heat cycle, as it offers the best protection from these diseases and inconveniences. For the furry male population, neutering the removal of testicles prevents testicular tumors and may prevent prostate problems, especially if performed when your pet is younger than six months. Neutering may also reduce his risk of perineal fistulas and may lessen his chances of developing diabetes. A behavioral benefit of neutering may be a more mild-mannered, less aggressive male who is not easily distracted by females in heat. Spaying and neutering are the most common surgical procedures performed by veterinarians. A mild anesthesia, minimal hospitalization and few days recovery time can result in a healthier pet and prevent accidental breeding and pregnancy. While the health of your pet is vital, it is also important to remember millions of animals are euthanized annually due to unplanned breeding. Help break the chain please have your pet spayed or neutered. Cat Superstitions In Italy, a cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it. A strange black cat on your porch brings prosperity, according to the Scots. But a black cat crossing your path in America is bad luck. There s cold weather ahead in England if your cat sleeps with all four paws tucked under. Some Americans believe, when moving to a new home, cats should be placed inside through the window, rather than the door, to prevent it from leaving. The Dutch believe cats should not be present for private family discussions as they would definitely spread gossip around the town. Interesting Dog and Cat Facts Americans spend more money on cat food than on baby food. If a dog isn t spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate and their offspring can product 67,000 dogs in 6 years. A female cat may have three to seven kittens every four months. This is why having your pets spayed and neutered is so important. Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not sweat by salivating. They sweat through the pads of their feet. The term "dog days" has nothing to do with dogs. It dates back to Roman times, when it was believed Sirius, the Dog Star, added its heat to that of the sun from July 3 to August 11, creating exceptionally high temps. In a litter of kittens, there can be multiple father cats. Female dogs bite twice as much as males.
Hidden in the puzzle below are 40 of the most popular pet names, according to Bow Wow Meow, a website that creates ID tags for pets. Names can read frontward, backward and diagonally. See how many you can find (answer key is on the following page). GOOD LUCK!
How Well Do You Know Your Pooch? Sure, you know all there is to know about your pup s likes and dislikes, his preferences and personality. But how well do you know his anatomy and senses? Test your canine capabilities now! (answers are at the bottom of this page) 1. How many teeth does your normal, adult dog have? A) 34 B) 28 C) 42 D) 46 2. True or False - it is cheaper to raise a litter of puppies than it is to have your dog spayed or neutered. 3. Your dog s most highly developed sense is: A) Taste B) Smell C) Sight D) Touch 4. Through what part of his body does your dog sweat? A) Tongue B) Nose C) Paws D) Ears 5. True or False - your dog sees only in black and white. 6. Who has better hearing, you or your dog? 7. If never spayed or neutered, your dog, his mate and their offspring can produce how many puppies in six years? A) 1,500 B) 26,000 C) 66,000 D) 82,750 8. Name the #1 heath problem among dogs? A) Rabies B) Heartworms C) Cancer D) Obesity 9. A pup s eyes open at what age? A) 4 days B) 12 days C) 2 weeks D) at birth When it s hot outside, we belong here not in a car! Did you know, within 10 minutes on an 80 degree day, the interior temp of your car can reach a sweltering 99 degrees? Add on another 10 minutes, and it soars to 109! New Hampshire is one of only 16 states with statutes that prohibit leaving an animal in a confined vehicle. If you witness a pet locked inside an unattended vehicle and are concerned for his safety, please call your local police! Trivia Answers: 1. C 2. False 3. B 4. C 5. False 6. Your dog 7. C 8. D 9. B