Jingle Dogs & Cats Tunes

I'm not usually one for stupid pet tricks and do not advocate making any animal behave un-animal-like for the sake of human entertainment but, as I continue to see promotions for these Jingle Dogs & Cats, I just had to see what the hype is all about. And I found, the Jingle Dog's rendition of Jingle Bells is well worth the click and the Jingle Cat's tunes are, well, interesting!

Not sure I could listen to it on a regular basis nor am I willing to fork over $15 for the CD but I did get a good chuckle listening to the freebies a couple of times -- might be willing to pay a buck for a one-track download.

Check it out. It's bound to get a snicker or two out of your office mates.

The Jingle Dogs & Cats Assurance/Disclaimer:

"No animals were harmed in the making of this record. Some of them prefer not to be... oh nevermind. No really this has nothing to do with any kind of animal treatment at all. The dogs line up on command and sing these songs for the simple reason that they love music. Isn't that wonderful!"

More on Holiday Hazards

As we have warned before, the holidays can be a dangerous time for pets.

New plants, decorations, treats and even guests can add both stress and hazardous conditions for unsuspecting dogs, cats, and rabbits.

Rather than try to restate all of the potential hazards, we have found a great resource from American Humane.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Holiday Hazard: Fact or Fiction?

There is no doubt that the holidays, any holiday, can put pets' safety and health at risk. The addition of decorations, foods and candies, plants, and guests can all take their toll on our furry friends. So it is imperative to take precautions, but one of the "greatest" dangers I have heard of over the years and one of the most highly debated is the poinsettia.

Many pet owners and shelter employees live under the unspoken rule that poinsettias are toxic and potentially deadly to pets, while some say this is purely myth.

So what is the truth? Well, there is an entire website created to debunk common myths that claims the poinsettia rumor is fictitious, while HSUS stands by the thought that poiinsettias are, in fact, dangerous to pets.

Personally, I would be inclined to take my final word from the AVMA but they only go as far as to state that the leaves and stems of poinsettias have a low toxicity but they they do not state anything about the danger of the plant's flowers or explain the effect of low toxicity. Hmmm.

Well, looks like this myth will neither be proven nor debunked today. My suggestion? Better safe than sorry. If you want to add holiday foliage to your home, why not use silk flowers? They don't have to be watered, they won't wilt or die, and they probably won't taste very good to Fluffy. Dilemma solved!

Respect Wildlife

As the weather gets colder, it’s best to appreciate local wildlife from a distance. Feeding hungry wildlife during colder months is not necessarily doing them a favor. The more we feed wildlife, the more they depend on our generosity and become less able to sustain themselves.

What about bird feeders? Feeding birds seems to be second nature to many bird lovers and doesn’t have to be detrimental to a bird’s health, but it’s best to keep a couple of things in mind before feeding the birds. If you put out an overabundance of bird food during the warmer months, it may also affect the birds’ ability to take care of themselves, as well. Plus, bird seed is often shared by squirrels and other rodents which may in turn attract larger predators such as foxes and coyotes, so be prepared, and if you call your local shelter for advice on evicting these predators from your yard, the first thing they will probably advise is to lose the bird feeder.

Pet Loss Support

Losing a beloved pet is painful and leaves an enormous void in one’s life. I know this is true as I recently lost my dog. This has neither made me the expert on pet loss, nor am I willing to rehash my feelings over the loss of my pet. What I do know is that those of us who have lost pets do need support and guidance. I am lucky to have family, friends and co-workers that truly understand, but not everyone has the same support system. Fortunately, many local shelters and animal organizations offer support groups. I recommend visiting a support group in your area.

And, please find comfort in the story of the Rainbow Bridge; I did.