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Old is not Disposable, it Should be Cherished

What a day! Working with the public is mentally and physically taxing! Exhausted. Energy depleted. Need. To. Open. Door. AAAAAAGGGGGHHHH!!! Managing to turn the key in the lock; I walk heavily through the front door and wearily drop my backpack on the floor. I am unconcerned where it lands. I don’t care that it landed right in front of the door. All I want is to kick off my shoes, get into my pajamas, cover my head with my pillow, and sob. I search for the light switch and turn on the kitchen light.

Sluggishly, I kick the backpack out of the way and then I see. Watching me are three pairs of brown eyes. They stare at me with loving affection. Three toothy grins meet my glazed gaze. I am being stared at in a flirty and mischievous kind of way. As if to say, “So, whatcha been up to?” “Glad to see ya!” “We feel your pain.” “NOW, let us outta here!” Suddenly, I forget all the heaviness, all the angst, all the upset. How can I remember any of these things when I am greeted with so much devotion and unconditional love?

My dogs greet me like this every single time I walk through the door. I am greeted like this every time I walk into a room. Privacy? Well, there really isn’t any with my three kids: Topanga, Miekko, and Peanut. When I need to do personal things I am adoringly followed. It is hard to believe that each of them were given up, not wanted, and basically thrown away.

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Topanga is my most well-adjusted child. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact she was rescued as a young puppy and didn’t experience a lot of trauma. Or, it could be, that she is a female. Either way, my dear, sweet, sixteen-year-old lady is much loved and cherished by me. Now, my other two children, Miekko and Peanut, are equally loved and cherished; however, these two are full of whiskered mischief and mayhem. It may be, because of their traumatic pasts or that they are males wired for mischief and mayhem. Either way, they are a devilish doggy duo made in a shaggy Shangri La. It is a good thing, too.

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Miekko and Topanga have lived together for more than eleven years and remind me of an old married couple. They are extremely close and do most things together. When Miekko joined our family he had experienced a lot of trauma. The known facts of Miekko’s past are sickening. Topanga was not liking having a younger brother in her home. She loved being the only child. In time though, both of them adjusted to each other and are now inseparable.

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I love watching them. They show more love and respect to each other than many humans. But, watching them breaks my heart, too. I know at 16 Topanga’s time here is dwindling. I also know Miekko’s heart will be broken when he loses his best friend and wife. After all they have been married for over eleven years. Being aware of Miekko’s pain put me on a quest! I needed to find the perfect addition to our loving family nucleus.

Starting this search was easy. All of my animals have been adopted. The challenging aspect was finding a match for my two alphas and one that would tolerate Topanga’s aged ways and be gentle with her elderly body. I wanted to adopt a dog.

I had been searching and thought I found the perfect fit, but once arriving at the shelter I found out the dog I wanted to rescue would not work within our family dynamics. My spirit was crushed. Three of the shelter’s animal handlers suggested a 40 pound beagle. Between sobs I explained that wanted a larger dog and wasn’t looking for a smaller one. I love large dogs and I came to meet a two-year-old pitt bull terrier. Meeting a beagle was not the plan and it was totally unexpected.

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One of the handlers said, “You are here now.” “It wouldn’t hurt for you to meet him.” She looked me square in the eyes and nodded her head in Miekko’s direction and asked, “Besides, who is this friend for: You or Miekko?” Anna, my young travelling companion, became very excited and begged to meet him. She loves beagles and also had one. He had recently passed so meeting this dog was something special for her.

I said, "Okay. We will meet him." It seemed an eternity before the door opened and out stepped a small, multi-colored, floppy-eared, short-legged dog. My heart sank when I looked at him. He had tears running from his big, brown, hamburger eyes. His face was long. His tail was tucked between his legs. And, the first thing he did once stepping through the door was to sprawl his legs seemingly in an attempt to glue him-self to the floor. Anna began bouncing up and down, “Oh, Ms. Paula, isn’t he cute!” Can I let Miekko go to him?" The question was pointless. Before the question was even completed Miekko had lumbered off his chair and was nose-to-nose with this beagle. Miekko then proceeded to lick the tears from his eyes. It was an emotional experience watching the interaction between these two brought tears to my eyes. My misconceived opinions were totally wrong. Miekko chose his new friend! Miekko said, “This is my new companion!

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Anna was in an a jubilated frenzy. “Look Ms. Paula! They like each other! They really, really like each other! Oh, Ms. Paula he looks just like my Peanut!” Turning to the handler holding the beagle’s leash she asked, “What’s his name?” Anna was answered, “Peanut.” I don’t believe in co-incidences, I do, however, believe in Divine Intervention. I requested to see how Miekko and Peanut interacted with each in a freer area. Needless to say, I went home that day with an eight-year-old, hamburger-eyed, floppy-eared, multi-colored, short-legged, forty-pound beagle named Peanut.

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There are some special considerations when adopting an older dog, but when adopting any animal there should be considerations. Peanut is the perfect addition and has become an important and vital part of our family. He is house-broken. He knows most common commands. But, the most important thing is what he has introduced to our home. There are numerous differences between a younger and an older dog. Some of them are quite obvious, but what I didn’t expect are the innate abilities that an older dog gains through life experiences. And that adage, “You can’t teach an old dog, new tricks!” is a complete false-hood. An old dog can be taught new tricks.
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Peanut seems to be extremely intuitive and instinctively knowing. He possesses an uncanny sixth sense. Personally, I don’t think these abilities can be taught. From the moment Peanut placed his paw in his new fur-ever home, he knew his place in the pack. He arrived here having never met Topanga. Being the Grand Dame of the domain, she is naturally snarky. She exercised her authority every way she could from chasing Peanut away from his food and water to refusing to let him be next to me. Within one month Peanut and Topanga had become close friends. He is very sensitive to Topanga’s needs and takes it all in stride without retaliation.
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For me, adopting an older dog was the perfect decision. Peanut is the perfect companion for Miekko. He is a considerate companion for Topanga. I never intended to adopt an older dog, but I am over-joyed that I adopted Peanut. Peanut has taught me so much about unconditional love and I have been exceedingly blessed. Of all the lessons learned, I think the deepest one is that animals are not disposable. And, older dogs shouldn’t live their last days unwanted in a kennel. If anyone has the chance to adopt an older dog please do it!

Written by Paula Masci, you may find her on Twitter @TangerineSkies2

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Fun Simple Homemade Toy for Cats

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Instructions on making a cat toy:

1. You need some yarn and pieces of thick fabric or scraps of carpet and few wine corks.

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2. Tie the yarn a bunch of times around the thick fabric (carpet pieces) or cork until you've made something that looks like the above picture. Tie up the ends together.

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3. If you wish, you might leave few strings hanging from the toy and create multiple layers by attaching corks and carpeting wrapped in yarn. Have fun and improvise, braid yarn, add more corks, experiment with colors and shapes...

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4. Please, make sure you let play your cat only under your supervision. Strings, yarn and other pieces might be dangerous  to pets if swallowed, so always keep an eye on your kitties while playing.

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If you have ideas to add, feel free to add comment below...

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Enjoy!

 

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Post, idea, execution and pictures were done by Patrick Vinson, you might find him on Facebook under the same name.

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Healthy Homemade Cat Treats Worth Royals

My Meowmy was watching well known shopping network and she came across of the video on which they were preparing homemade treats for dogs. She realized she would love to have healthy, wholesome, tasty treats for me, her beloved kitty! I am extremely finicky sphynx and my favorite food in the whole wide World is.... tuuuuunaaaa!!!

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I love treats which are made with wheat grass and tuna or cheese in them. Mom, who is obsessed with my diet, noticed that most cat treats (besides frozen dry proteins such as : poultry, meats, seafood) are packed with sugars, corn, preservatives, colors, salt, by-products or just plainly bad recipes. It is the main reasons she gives me only few types of treats. Today she decided to try to make me some goodies which would include my favorite proteins: tuna and organic, grass fed beef.

You must know she is not the greatest of cooks. Once she was preparing cake from the package for her friend and by mistake read one more zero behind the volume of water she should add. So instead 100 ml she read 1000 ml ! She placed her "diluted cake" in the oven. Two hours later she was really surprised cake was still runny. Then she looked at the box again...

This story gives you idea how clever she is in the kitchen. So if she could do treats for me, so can you for your cat.

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Cranberry Infused Tuna Cat Cookies

1 can of tuna in oil,drained

2 tsp original cranberry juice

1/4 -1/3 cup of unbleached flour

1/5 - 1/3 cup chicken broth (you might use beef broth as well or just water)

2 tbsp of quality oil (EVOO or Grape Seed Oil)

1) Drain tuna and blend until smooth.

2) Place flour in bowl, add tuna and cranberry juice.

3) Mix together by spoon or (clean) hand.

4) Pour few tbsp of chicken broth until it's easy to make shapes out of the dough (keep adding either chicken broth or flour to get desired consistency).

5) Add oil, it should make easier to roll dough and cut out shapes with cookie cutter. You might also mold little treats with hands (as Meowmy did).

6) Preheat oven to 350ºF.

7) Place shaped dough on greased baking sheets.Bake until golden brown for about 20-30 minutes (every oven is different , so the first time just test one cookie before removing them all), also bake longer if your cookies are thick.

8) Let stand on baking sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes, then remove them with a spatula to wire racks to cool completely.

Crispy Organic Lean Beef Cat Biscuits

1/2 cup of grounded organic lean beef ( or protein of your choice)

1/4 - 1/2 cup of unbleached flour

1/4 -1/2 cup of chicken broth 3 tbsp of quality oil

1) Cook beef in 1/4 cup of chicken broth until medium done.

2) After cooling blend meat, it's juices and oil into a smooth paste.

3) In a medium bowl put flour, blended meat paste and mix all ingredients together.

4) Repeat steps from 4 to 8 from recipe above.

 

Some cats love catnip, you might ground some and add to your batter. Now it's time to let your cat decide if she approves of your creation. You must remember to break treats to small size morsels before serving, because you cats can't grind food.

 

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You might also crumble them on the top of the wet food to make cats' diet more exciting. If you take your kitty out a lot (on the leash, "purrse" or in a stroller) cat treats make a purrfect, healthy snack on the go.

Those recipes and ingredients are here to inspire you to become future "gourmet pastry chef for your cats", you might change few things around, experiment as you go and add your cat's favorite food.

Meowmy didn't put cheese because she really believes hard cheeses are over-processed. But in case you wanted add some good quality cheese, you are welcome to. It brings a little " funky aroma" which we cats go for. You might sprinkle treats with grated cheese, right after you took them from the oven (it will melt on the top).

Work on ingredients, experiment with different flavors, textures. You might add wet or baby food into a batter. Homemade treats will save you few dollars and they are healthy, natural option to ones bought from the store. You can store them refrigerated in tightly closed jar up to 2 weeks.

If you prepared too many, freeze some. Making treats with your cat is fun, yet creative way of spending your time together. So enjoy designing your treats and spoiling your kitty!

 

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Meowglish Dictionary:

Meowmy- human mom of the cat

Purrse- purse or bag to carry pets in

Purrfect- perfect

Funky- stinky

Tuuuuunaaaa- tuna

Meowglish- English used by cats

Written by Coco-Mau Aqua

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Pet Monarchy Couture Independent Review

As most already know my Meowmy and I are Pet Couturiers and Designers.
One of our couture dresses were tailored to measure to be featured by Pepper Pomeranian on Global Pet Expo 2014 in Orlando, Florida.

Here is Pepper in "Gone With The Wind" Dress made by us:

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If you would like to know what Pepper -famous reviewer, and other pet lovers think of Our Designs you might visit Pepper's Blog under this link: Pet Monarchy Couture Review

Here is Pepper wearing our dress with Connie from "Modern Dog Magazine":

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Just for all fashion Divas: the dress was made of silk chiffon and silk lining. Even our labels are made of silk! We used 2 yards of rhinestones to bring some sparkle to the event!

You might contact us anytime and order tailored specially for your needs apparel. We always keep pets' comfort and unique, yet sophisticated style on our minds. You could also visit our Pet Monarchy Boutique and choose from ready clothing made by us or by other best in Pet Fashion World companies we are authorized dealers of.
Keep us on your "Fashionistas" lists as we will change the way you look at Pet Fashion!

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Make It Illegal to Eat Cats and Dogs in Switzerland

This article is short, yet very dear to my heart. Please follow the link to sign a petition to eat dogs and cats in Switzerland. We all know they are being consumed in China, Thailand, South Korea, Philippines to name few.... But Switzerland is not a Third World Country and doesn't struggle with poverty as much as Asian territories. I believe they can ban eating cats and dogs easily, since there are plenty of other sources of meat in Switzerland.

Follow the link to sign the petition via Force Change:
Make It Illegal to Eat Cats and Dogs in Switzerland - ForceChange.

 
Sign the petition via Causes:
Legislation to ban eating cats and dogs in Switzerland

 

 

I recommend you read those wonderful, independent articles, to understand both sides of the story and decide if you should sign the petition:

Forget Chocolate or cheese, cat and dog meat is Swiss delicacy

Cat and Dog meat eaten in Switzerland

Those 2 articles above show enough information for us humans to take an action now. Please, sign both petitions and share with friends.

May all cats and dogs be safe and live in peaceful, painless, proper conditions. Let's change their life for better!

Below are DRASTIC PICTURES, please be advice not to scroll if you don't wish to see them.

 

 

 

 

 

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New Leaf in Pet Monarchy

Hi Pals,
It's been a while since I wrote... If you ask me why... Long story but it involved mad, unexpected stalker and my human being naiveté.
Since I had so much to say but was taken by sudden dramatic turns, I decided to stop to write.
NO MORE!
No one will stop me. And on the top of it , I decided to write straight from the heart and go with first version.
So my Darlings: expect short, but surprising posts from me. And as usual pet lovers everywhere, you are welcome to contact me and I gladly will publish your pet related stories.

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First of all wanted wish all of you Best Year Yet!
Second please make sure you improve quality of your pets life in 2014. Just pick one solution and implement it step by step.
It could be healthier (modern, holistic, natural) diet. Or it could be that you take your dog for longer walks. Or that you microchip and tag your cat... Possibilities are endless and you are more than welcome to write some suggestions in comments.

Also you may consider to dress your pets, to prevent from freezing or damaging effects of the Sun or simply make them look purrfectly fashionable.

And don't forget to make time to take care of yourselves, humans. Because healthy, happy people are pets best caregivers and friends!
Meow Woof have a pawtastic 2014 and adopt, love, spoil and enjoy your pets.

 

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Holiday Tips for Pets' Owners and Pet Fashion Trends

 

Hello Anipals,

my Meowmy, Joanna was on the radio the other day.  She was talking about pets safety during Holidays and Pet Fashion Trends in 2014... I will sell one secret according to her biggest Trend is to Adopt Pets, not Shop for Them!!  If you click on the link below you can hear whole Radio Show. Those tips are useful all year long if you live with pets.

CLICK  ON THE LINK BELOW TO LISTEN CATHERINE AND JASON FIRST HOLIDAY TALK SHOW WHERE WE WERE A SPECIAL GUESTS: 

 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/catherineandjasonshow/2013/11/20/first-annual-holiday-show

 

CATHERINE AND JASON, THANK YOU SO KINDLY FOR INVITING US AND LET MY MEOWMY TALK SO MUCH . 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL PETS AND THEIR FAMILIES

MAY ALL BE SAFE AND HAPPY

 

King Moo

My 5 Furbabies by Susan Stacy

 

 

 

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My mother-in-law had taken in a stray cat and named her Boots. For some unknown reason, she had not gotten Boots spayed, but Boots didn't have kittens until the year after my mother-in-law died. My husband Clayton and I were preparing her house for renting so we were there to feed the cats every day. I became very attached to one of the kittens and started calling it Carter after the handsome doctor that Noah Wyle played on the TV show ER.

One afternoon my best friend and my son's godmother called me and told me the strangest story. She had been to the auto body shop just below the house we were preparing to rent and ran into my husband there. After Clayton left, they noticed a little kitten in the corner crying. My friend Sandy, being as cat crazy as I am, naturally took it home. When she called me to tell me about it and described the little kitten, I exclaimed "That sounds like Carter!". Sandy brought it down to my house and sure enough it was Carter. She took him to the veterinarian to be neutered and they called her later that morning to tell her that Carter didn't need to be neutered but spayed and that he was not Carter but was Carterette. We both had a good laugh out of that one. She changed the kitten's name to Sweet Pea and has her to this day.

By this time, Boots had disappeared and the mother of Sweet Pea had a litter of kittens. We also found homes for these kittens with the exception of one that my son John picked out that he wanted to keep. It was a little black and white boy that John named Moo because he looked like a little moo cow. Since then he has had several nicknames such as King Moo, Moojus Poojus, and Moo Moo. Because he sits on their cat tree in the window and watches everything that happens in my Mom and Daddy's house next door and watches down the road, my Daddy began calling him the Mayor of Mimosa Street. My son John was about 12 years old when we got Moo and he jokingly named everything after him using his nickname Moojus. For example, there were Moojus books, Moojus shirts, Moojus lights, Moojus everything. One day when I was out of town with a good friend, she wanted to go to Best Buy to purchase a scan disc for her computer. Neither of us could remember what it was called so she phoned my son to ask him since she knew he was proficient in computers. I didn't know what he told her until we got into the store and she asked for a Moojus stick. I had to walk away because I was laughing so hard. I would love to have been able to capture the look on the employee's face as he excused himself to go in the back supposedly to see if they had any Moojus sticks in stock.

King Moo remains the alpha cat in our house. He walks around like a tiger and thrives on tormenting Princess Puff. He growls at people he sees outside that he doesn't recognize and always growls at the water meter man. He can be so sweet and lovable one minute and the next he's cat cursing, mumbling and growling. He is one of the most unique cats we have ever had. As tough as he acts, he is horribly frightened of storms and hides under the bed half an hour before they hit. Another interesting thing is that Sweet Pea and King Moo are the only cats that we know the whereabouts of that are the decendents of Boots, and they belong to my best friend and I.

 

 

 

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Cat Bath by Coco-Mau Aqua

 

Human follows me around, kisses and pets me since the morning...

"Oh, human, I feel something fishy... and it's not an aroma of fresh tuna neither bonito flakes". I decide to nonchalantly show indifference. I meow out loudly to order the breakfast from this obviously lazy person. If she keeps up this way, I will have to cut her benefits.

Surely enough around the noon everything becomes clear: bathing time. It's not a big deal since I love to keep my purrfect body clean and fresh.

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She grabs me gently and carries to a tub. "Hey, hey! Check first if water is not too cold! Do it!... Yeah! Now, after you checked the water, put me gently in...yes, not too bad".

I always have to remind her what to do: "Oooh yeah , a little more under my belly. I said under belly, don't splash soapy water all over my eyes!! So clumsy!! Aww it stings"

To watch video of sphynx Coco-Mau Aqua in a bath click on this sentence

"OK, that's enough, I don't want my paws to wrinkle up like raisins. I want out. Use soft towel! Now!!"

My human needs my constant supervision, she hopefully will learn tricks soon... Not soon enough if you ask me. Why do humans think they are having higher IQ than animals?

Bath makes me tired... I will take a quick nap.

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I'm blissfully sleeping, wrapped in cozy blanket, dreaming about bird hunting and here she comes again. She puts her face in my space and grins like she  just found fresh treat. I can't have any peace at all! And she talks gently, almost innocently... "Oh no!!" I know she is up to no good, and this is just a trap.... " Wait, wait, what do you have in your hands, human? Why is it shining?? Is it..?!!!??"

"Oh noooo!!!  You have no permission to cut my nails!! Absolutely not, I say nooo!!!"

Don't ask me silly questions, of course I put fierce fight. But she doesn't understand what my 'no' means. I told you already that humans aren't so smart after all.

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She casually cuts my nails for no apparent reason. Within minutes she destroys weeks of me caring and growing my beautiful, long, well manicured nails. How does she dare to do it so carelessly? I was proud and happy that will soon be able to try to buff my purrfect claws on our comfortable sofa. Yuck, cat even can't have her own dreams and ambitions!

How I will show up in public places now? How embarrassing I look with cut nails? Does she forget I am purrse kitty? She damages my sphynx diva image!

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The truth is: I can't be upset with her for too long. She dances and coos, tall Monster, seduces me with favorite treats. I think she tries to apologize and cater to my needs.

Finally I give in and let her pet behind my ears... Let's see what else can I get as an apology...

 

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