Guess Brody isn't the only one with a thing against library books: From Kristen Smithberg Beckman over on Facebook. It was too good not to share! If you're bored on the weekend, check out the Saturday Blog Hop- all pet blogs, all weekend! This is my first time checking it out and it looks like fun! ... Read more »
Archives for July 2010
In Violation
When I'm at work, I try to be sympathetic to the fact that I am consistently doing things to pets who have no idea why this stranger is poking and prodding at them. They're no dummies. By about the 16 week point they get the wary look of an animal thoroughly expecting to have their temperature taken. Unless you're one of those extremely conscientious owners who takes their pet into the vet for kisses and treats for no reason whatsoever, pets learn very quickly that when they come to the ... Read more »
Am I Bored By This Book? (clue: no)
When I was at Blog Paws in Columbus, I attended a panel featuring Edie Jarolim of Will My Dog Hate Me. An accomplished travel writer already, Edie was indoctrinated rather late in life compared to the rest of us crazies in the world of dog obsession. She made up for it admirably, though. Am I Boring My Dog is the happy result of what was clearly some pretty thorough crash-course research into dog ownership, a soup-to-nuts guide to pretty much everything you need to know when bringing a ... Read more »
In Judgment
Last week, I mentioned that I had to do a euthanasia where the owner chose not to be present, and it was a little emotionally challenging for me. I was more upset about the day than the fact that the owners left, and I mentioned it only to illustrate that I needed to lean on my techs to help me out with the part that I normally do without a problem (comforting the pet.) I didn't mean to set that up as a "oh no these irresponsible owners how could they" sort of thing, but it certainly opened ... Read more »
The Pawcurean: Frosty Paws at home!
It's hard to tell from the gloomy grey skies outside, but theoretically, it's the height of summer. That means grilling corn, runny popsicles, and coming up with ways to help the fur-bearing house dwellers beat the heat. Linda over at the 7MSN Ranch sent me a link to her blog post detailing a way to make a homemade version of Frosty Paws, which I have shamelessly replicated here. Even if you don't want to make Frosty Paws, you should go check her blog out. It is awesome. It has a lot more types ... Read more »
The Hairy Hambone
As you may have heard, this weekend marked the annual Comic-Con. What this means in practice is that over 100,000 of the world's hardiest hardcore nerds descend upon our fair city, bringing with them their finest Storm Trooper costumes and zombie paraphernalia. Each year my husband, a lifelong attendee, takes this opportunity to bring out his dusty boxes of comics from his youth to flip through them and figure out if any of them are worth anything. They never are. In honor of this festive ... Read more »
The easiest, biggest FREE donation you could ever make!
Special News Alert from the Pawcurious News Desk: I don't know if you all saw this on Facebook- it kind of slid quietly in there on the Be the Change for Pets page- but the Hartz company is donating a pallet of treats to the first 65 shelters to respond. That is SIXTY FIVE pallets of food. Something like 45,000 pounds. Shipping is free. Responding is free. All you need to do is get your local shelter in contact with them. There are still plenty of spots left! Here is the text from the ... Read more »
Napoleon’s Hot Wheels
I admit things have been a little, well, extraordinarily depressing around here the past few days. It's the nature of life with animals. But with lows come highs, so let's end the week on a good note, ok? This is Napoleon. Cute, isn't he? He was discovered cowering under a porch of a house in Tijuana, Mexico. The homeowners contacted their friend, a veterinarian, who got him out and realized he did not have the use of his back legs. Tijuana does not have an animal shelter. In most ... Read more »
And then
I appreciate all the thoughtful comments yesterday, and especially I appreciate everyone who sent me a picture of their beloved pets to be included in yesterday's video. It was wonderful to see how many people knew what this day would mean, because you all have had this kind of day too. Yesterday was shaping up to be the same type of day I have been (thankfully) having for quite a while lately: simple and uneventful. And then. ... Read more »
Tumbleweeds
As I was driving home yesterday, I was thinking about Emmett and how much has changed in the past year. One year ago, I said goodbye. One year ago, I sat 10 feet from where I am now with my head on his neck for the last time, while he sighed into my hands, too tired to even roll over for a belly rub. It was a bad day. I was thinking about how, after he died, our house was the cleanest it had been in years. The tumbleweeds were gone- the ever present little hair balls that found their way into ... Read more »
Vets get jealous too
This one's for my fellow toilers in this profession. One of the great things about not owning a practice is that I don't have to worry about a lot of the things an owner would. Payroll, for example. Sick technicians. FMLA. Leases. That sort of thing. One of the bummers about not owning a practice makes itself apparent whenever I find myself at a continuing education conference, walking through booths of shiny bright tools and pieces of equipment I can't buy. The sales rep turns to me with ... Read more »
Be the Change: Dog Days of Summer Shelter Shower
I keep changing the name of this Be the Change food drive. Sometimes it's the Be the Change Food Drive, Shelter Supplies Drive, Give them Something I Don't Care What Drive. Today it is "Shelter Shower" because I've been to something like 4 baby showers this month, and no doggie or kitty showers. So regardless of the name, here's the deal: Between TODAY, July 19th, and July 31st, I'm asking everyone- yes, YOU!- to donate something to a local shelter or rescue. It can be a bag of food, an ... Read more »
Picture of the week
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The scar remains
One year ago today, I wrote what turned out to be a rather iconic post. If you aren't familiar with why I keep referring to my undying hatred of Kevin, that post explains it. The anniversary of Emmett's passing is next week, and I am already dreading it. I have lost dogs before, and will, I am sure, go through it again though I am hoping that day is far from now. Over time, the sharp pains of grief turn into more of a dull ache, which in time recedes into the corners of one's mind and only ... Read more »
Blog the Change: Pet Fire Safety Day is today!
One of the greatest gifts of being involved in a pet blog is finding a greater sense of cause and community with like-minded people. Whether you are a cat person, dog person, bird person, ferret person- each with their own distinct personalities and interests- everyone is equally interested in improving the lives of animals across the world, and that is something I love. Driven by the desire to bring community-minded bloggers together to make a difference, Kim Clune at This One Wild Life and ... Read more »
Let’s play a game
I like this game. It's harder than it looks. You'll get a series of hints. Slam the buzzer when you know the answer. An owner calls and says his dog is itchy. BUZZ! FLEA ALLERGIES! Ah yes, very good guess, but you haven't even seen the dog yet. The dog is not on flea control. BUZZ! IT'S TOTALLY FLEA ALLERGIES! Look, I get that is a reasonable assumption, but we need a little more information to make an accurate diagnosis. ... Read more »
Be the Change is BACK! And easier than ever!
People who have been reading my blog for a while know that I am a big proponent of helping animals in whatever way you can. It's easy to be intimidated by big productions and think, "There's no way I'm going to organize a $200,000 fundraiser. All I have is $5/an old towel/5 minutes to spare." This spring, I was fortunate enough to meet some amazing people at BlogPaws- people who felt, as I did, that there is no bottom or top limit on what determines importance. Anything, and everything, ... Read more »
Product Review: Alopaw Hawaiian Dog Treats
We recently received a bag of Alopaw Hawaiian Dog Treats for the pups. Founder Shannon created her vegan treats after learning her adorable black lab Kona was born with a liver shunt and would require a very specialized diet. So we receive a bag of treats from a dog named Kona, with a picture of a black lab on the front- is there any question who should get to do the product review? My husband and I were just discussing how Koa deserved to be featured a little more than she has ... Read more »