older and wiser: considering the senior pet

August 23, 2013 Kristen Carr

Blog Paws has designated August as senior pet month and has provided this informative graphic to illustrate the importance of senior pet care and some interesting statistics about our aging animals.

Whenever you are considering adopting a pet, it is just as important to consider their life span and care they will possibly need as they age. Knowing your pet's life expectancy and common health issues for the type or breed is key in determining if the pet is a good fit for your family. It is important to remember that your pet won't be that cute little baby for long!

There are many senior pets available for adoption, and they can make excellent additions to your family! Although you miss out on the baby book photos, there are definite advantages to a senior pet. The shelter or foster family can often provide you valuable information about temperament and behavior, so you'll know if the pet gets along well with other animals or with children. Senior pets are usually not as active as younger animals, so exercise requirements and energy levels may be a great match for some families. And, best of all, your adopted senior may already be potty trained or know some fun tricks. Older and wiser is a great thing.

There are organizations nationwide that specialize in the care and adoption of senior pets, so consider that option if you're looking to grow your family!

natural pet care: keep your eyes peeled on Hybrid Rasta Mama!

August 20, 2013 Kristen Carr

HRM When I heard that Hybrid Rasta Mama was looking for a writer to contribute posts about natural pet care, I had a feeling it would be right up my alley. So while I acted all cool on the outside, on the inside, I was stretching my hand in the air screaming "pick me! Pick me!" Well, guess what? She picked me!

I'm super excited and honored to be starting as a contributor on Hybrid Rasta Mama. Our ideas align in so many ways. She's a wealth of knowledge that I know I will benefit from (and of course pass along to you). The Hybrid Rasta Mama blog is all about "conscious parenting, natural living, holistic health, real foods, and more."

I'm just tickled to be helping her add a natural pet care facet to her amazing body of work. Please check out her site, especially on the second Wednesday of each month when I'll be featured. Come visit me there!

photos giving shelter dogs a second chance

August 19, 2013 Kristen Carr

You know that photographer who does the awesome photos of dogs underwater? You've likely seen them and shared them...

That photographer is Seth Casteel, and he does more than just take groundbreaking photos of pets. He does groundbreaking work for pets.

In addition to his life as a world-renowned photographer and New York Times Best Selling Author, in 2007, he started volunteer work to help homeless pets find loving families. Through photography, he showcases these animals-in-need in a positive light that captures their true personalities. Casteel created a Web site, Second Chance Photos, that is dedicated to this quest. The Web site explains

When a dog or cat arrives at an animal shelter, it often is scared, dirty and disoriented. As part of the intake process, the animal has their photo taken, and this untimely photo is the face that people see when looking to potentially adopt a pet. An inaccurate headshot can hurt its chances of adoption, but an uplifting, hopeful portrait can save its life.

Check out this before & after:

AMAZING, right? Which dog would you be more likely to adopt? Wait–it's the same dog!

The Second Chance Photos Web site aims to educate shelter photographers, offering technical guidance and even a free pdf of shelter pet photography tips. Another goal of the organization is to increase awareness about rescue and adoption. Second Chance Photos also orchestrates fundraisers so shelters can purchase better photography equipment. Casteel and Second Chance Photos also conduct workshops for shelters.

The work they do is amazing, and something that often gets overlooked. But, oh, what a difference it makes! Connect with Second Chance Photos on Twitter and Facebook.

so what about dog sharing?

August 18, 2013 Kristen Carr

Do you share well with others? Books? Food? Your dog? When I heard about dog sharing on the news several months ago, I was surprised and had mixed feelings about it. I didn't completely understand why a person would want to share their dog, so I checked it out.

citydogshare.org Web sites such as City Dog Share of California are popping up for reasons of convenience, economics, and philanthropy. So what's this all about? At it's foundation, it is a pet sitting co-op. Owners seeking someone to watch their dog are paired with strangers who are looking to spend time with a dog. It's touted as a great way for people to test out a breed before taking the plunge. City Dog Share says:

People with or without dogs are encouraged to join. If you are looking to foster or adopt a dog, but still not sure which type of dog is right for you, maybe meeting up with someone and sharing their dog can help. They will help guide you with all the tips and tricks that are best for their dog. And maybe that can help you find a dog that's right for you.

Post a picture of your dog when you have a dog that needs to be watched. Include relevant details like the dates away, care needed, etc. Members can comment on the thread or send you a private message in response–it's that easy!

For many reasons, this seems like an awesome idea. In these troubled economic times, I'm all for helping each other out. In fact, I would have six inch gray roots, if it wasn't for the fact that I trade services with my hair dresser. She colors and cuts my hair, then I credit her pet sitting account with the value of the service. It works out great for both of us.

To think that strangers with complimentary objectives could be paired in the name of animal welfare is a pretty cool idea, however, I would be nervous about leaving my dog in the care of a stranger with no professional experience. It's not like trading landscaping services for housekeeping...this is a deeply loved member of the family! But, still...I love the concept and hope it can work. One person receives the dog care they need for free and the other gets to learn–before adopting or purchasing–what breed of dog might or might not work for them. How wonderful.

The City Dog Share Web site also includes sponsored services such as nonprofit foster and adoption organizations and professional services and currently have open groups in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles area, Humboldt County, Greater Portland, and Seattle Metro. They also facilitate adoptions and local canine social groups.

Under what circumstances would you be willing to share your dog?

what NOT to put on your dog's i.d. tag

August 16, 2013 Kristen Carr

Technology is constantly improving in the dog-finding arena, as it is everywhere else. Microchipping your dog is basically expected, and now we even rely on social media to help us find Fido. We even have apps for that! I recently interviewed FindingRover app CEO and founder John Polimeno about how that tool will literally change the face of the lost dog problem (you have that app, right?).

With all of this awesome technology at our fingertips, we still shouldn't forget the good ol' fashioned dog tag. If a dog has one, it's the quickest way to communicate information to a good samaritan. It's also the quickest way to communicate information to dog nappers and the likes of would-be Michael Vick wanna-bes. Sorry, but it's true.

The one thing you don't want to put on your dog's tag is probably what's on the first line: your dog's name. That's right...don't put your dog's name on his tag! It's super-cute for him to be able to "tell" everyone his moniker, but not safe. Knowing a dog's name allows anyone to call him sweetly forth, beckoning him into a situation where he might be sold or held for ransom–or worse. He could be used for fighting or could be part of an even darker fetish.

Sorry to go there, but it's true.

So what should you put on your dog's i.d. tag? Well, if you have a dog that tends to stick pretty close to home, your phone number should suffice. A cell number is best in case he goes lost while you are traveling. If you have an escape artist or the type that likes to roam in spring with the birds and the bees, you should consider adding as much information as possible. All of your phone numbers, and also phone numbers for a neighbor, friend, family member, or pet sitter as a back-up in case you can't be contacted right away. Most people will want to help, but not everyone is willing to board your dog if you're in the middle of a dinner date and don't pick up the phone. Your found dog may then be released back into a life on the streets. If you have four individual's phone numbers on the tag, your odds are better.

Should you include your address? Possibly. If your dog gets out and is a regular at the neighborhood park, then his address might be helpful for a finder, other than that, it's just taking up valuable real estate for all of those phone numbers.

Speaking of real-estate: if that tag is just too small, feel free to add multiple tags! Many tags are quite light and, aside from the possible jingle, wouldn't be a bother for you or your dog at all.

And with your added real estate, you could consider adding a kind message for the person who finds your dog, such as "Thanks for finding me! My family loves me and must be terribly worried. Please call them for me. I left my cell phone at home." You never know. That personal touch just might make the difference for your pooch.

Let him be friendly and found. And let him be anonymous.