Karen's Best Friend, Maisy

Maisy, my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is eighteen months old.
She is absolutely my best friend in the entire world. I couldn't be without her. She has been my support system during a long period of ill health, and my doctors agree that without her I would have ended up back in hospital, so she is, quite literally, a life-saver!

Thanks for sharing Maisy with us, Karen - Trish

Caring For Elderly Cats

Cats can easily reach 16 or 17 years of age and with good feeding and medical care, old-age can be a very pleasant and contented time for them.

Feeding - Dry foods (biscuit or kibble) can still be fed, although wet foods (canned or sachets) are particularly useful for elderly cats who have lost some or all of their teeth.There are many proprietory brands that provide 'senior diet' foods specially formulated to cater for the nutritional requirements of elderly cats. Remember though, to keep a close watch on how much is being eaten as one of the first signs of illness will be a diminished appetite.

In cases where specific illness has been diagnosed (such as kidney disease, diabetes etc), your veterinary surgeon will be able to advise you and offer specialist 'prescription' diets that are suitable for your pet.

Warmth - It is very important to older cats to have somewhere to rest that is warm and comfortable - in the winter months, many will sleep for almost 24 hours! My own cats' favourite is a radiator bed. In summer, cats will often find the sunniest spot in the garden to bask, so they should be checked regularly as they can overheat. Always make sure they have plenty of fresh water available.

Medical Care - It is a good idea for elderly cats to visit the veterinary surgeon regularly; many vets offer 6 monthly 'senior pet' clinics where routine check ups are performed and potential problems discussed. Early diagnosis is best as even minor illness can quickly become complicated.

Troubles of Old Age

Teeth - Teeth can be a common cause of discomfort and loss of appetite and
elderly cats often require dental extractions or descaling. Although it is worrying to submit your senior cat to a general anaesthetic, you will usually find that your cat's well-being will improve dramatically once the cause of the discomfort has been removed. Your pet will find it much easier to eat with hard healthy gums than with bad teeth.

Nails - As cats get older, their joints often become stiffer. This means that claws no longer wear properly and the cat can have difficulty in retracting them. Regularly trimming off or filing the overgrown tip of the nails will help. Some examples of suitable clippers and files can be found here.

Constipation - Sometimes elderly cats can suffer severly from constipation, usually caused by deterioration of their muscle-tone, although it can also be due to lack of exercise or swallowing large quantities of hair when they are moulting or shedding (hairballs).

There are several proprietory remedies available, milk is also a natural laxative, or your vet may provide some stronger medicine to alieviate the problem. Never ignore constipation in your pet, as it can lead to more serioius complications if left untreated.

Incontinence - Unfortunately, elderly pets can lose control of their bladder and/or bowels and this can make both yours and their lives very difficult. Please never blame the animals as this is something that they cannot help. Discuss it with your vet at check-up time - there may be some medical help available. Your vet will also be able to tell you if you can expect any improvement in your cat's condition.

All-in-all, cats are much like humans as they get older. They slow down a bit, like some extra comfort and attention, are often a little fussy with food and possibly start to show some signs of elderly illnesses. However, in spite of this they will suddenly surprise you by leaping up and chasing a ball of paper or trying to catch a flying insect. Enjoy them!

Choosing Your Dog's Collar and Lead

Pet shops can stock many types of collars and leads. Generally,your choice will depend on what you prefer, but there are a few points to take into consideration.

Leads (leashes),collars and harnesses are usually made from rope, leather, chain or nylon webbing.

Choosing Your Lead
Leather and Chain Leads: If you dog is one of the large breeds, you'd be advised to select a strong lead made of leather or chain with a leather handle. Dogs that chew their leads will also benefit a chain lead.

Nylon leads: These are lightweight leads and usually washable, so they're useful to put in your pocket on a long walk or in case of an emergency.

Rope Leads: Slip leads (with a loop that goes around the dog's neck) and showing leads are often made from soft rope.

Retractable leads: Some dogs need to be kept on their lead at all times e.g young or untrained dogs, deaf, blind or elderly dogs. Retractable leads are usually made from thin nylon rope or webbing on a spool that can extend 4 to 6 metres. This allows the dog to explore when out walking and allows you to keep control.

Choosing Your Collar
Leather collars: These are strong and durable and most dogs find them comfortable as they do not chafe the neck when fitted correctly. They're available in several styles - rolled, flat, studded etc. A leather collar 12mm wide is adequate for most dogs (larger breeds, bull terriers, greyhounds etc may need a wider collar - 2.5 to 4cm is usually suitable)

Nylon Collars: Smaller breeds are more suited to nylon collars as they are less durable than leather. They can also cause rubbing on the neck, especially if the dog pulls on the lead.

Chain Collars: These are made from several rows of chain with a buckle and leather strap. Care should be taken to use the correct size as they may pinch the skin of the dog's neck if too narrow.

Check Chains (Choke Chain): I advise against using a check chain unless absolutely necessary as very few people know how to fit and use them correctly. Half-check collars (a nylon band with a chain attached) are minimally better. They are a training aid only and should only be used when walking or training.

Puppy's First Collar and Lead - Arrived at that momentous time when you buy your puppy's first collar and lead? Here's some safety points to remember

• Don't fasten the collar too tightly - make sure you can fit three fingers under it.
• Never use a check chain on a young puppy - they can damage the pup's neck.
• Keep an eye on your puppy especially at first as sometimes they try and rub the collar off and can get it caught on anything projecting.
• Even when the puppy is very young, its a good idea to attach the lead to the collar and make it into a game - the puppy will get used to the feel of the lead and it will be easier for you when the time comes to start training.

Finally, remember to check your dog's collar and lead regularly for damaged stitching or wear and replace it before it breaks.

For Skyla, My Best Friend

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals that had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers.
Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

A Sad Dog Tale With A Happier Ending

Thanks to Pet Talk member Linda for sharing your story. I lost my old dog last month and your experience really hit home. Trish

I as many other millions of people I LOVE my dogs.

I have always had English Bull Terriers and love all animals. Last year I lost two of my dogs, Bruce and Megan, Bruce died first in his sleep, at the age of of nearly thirteen, at this time Megan had breast cancer, I was devastated she was twelve at the time.

After a brave long fight by my dog and my family, three cancer op's later we had to let her go. In my life I have never felt so helpless and such pain, that was it never again would I have a dog, the heart break was more than I could take. My son told my husband that he used to hear me sobbing in bed as my dogs were everything to me.

After a lot of thought by my family, a puppy was brought home. I thought I would never be able to bond with this animal, I felt somehow I was letting the memory of my other dogs down, crazy I know.
















Now I have a strong love and bond with my dog, he is eight months old now and his name is Bubba, and I now see things in him that remind me of my other dogs and he is a joy to have.

Seven Reasons To Buy A Dog!

One of my friends sent this to me, so I thought I'd share it with you. My apologies upfront to all our cat owners (just a tongue-in-cheek look at animal behaviour - I have cats and a dog at home!) Trish

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If you want someone who will bring you the paper without first tearing it apart to remove the sports section .....









Then buy a dog.

If you want someone willing to make a fool of himself simply over the joy of seeing you ..






Then buy a dog.







If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him and never says its not quite as good as his mother made it ....







Then buy a dog.










If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour, for as long and wherever you want ...












Then buy a dog.








If you want someone who will never touch the remote, doesn't care about football, and can sit next to you as you watch romantic movies














Then buy a dog.








If you want someone who is content to get up on your bed just to warm your feet and whom you can push off if he snores ....






Then buy a dog.







If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn't care if you are pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if every word you say is especially worthy of listening to, and loves you unconditionally, perpetually ...







Then buy a dog.










But, on the other hand, if you want someone who will never come when you call, ignores you totally when you come home, leaves hair all over the place, walks all over you, runs around all night and only comes home to eat and sleep, and acts as if your entire existence is solely to ensure his happiness .....



Then buy a cat !

Your Dogs

Thanks Fiona & Andrew, for your cute photo - keep 'em coming!