Christmas and Pets

[azflycaster]

It is the holiday season and I thought it would be a good time to remind people to be careful with your pets. Here is a link to the ASPCA site which talks about how harmful holiday sweets can be for your pet.
ASPCA: News Alert: This Week's News Alert
We almost lost our yellow lab last year when she decided to eat the new growth of a Sago Palm tree.

My dogs (Bandit, Smokie and Gracie) wanted me to wish your pets a very happy holiday season! BOL (Barking Out Loud)

[LI Pets]

Well now your talking about what do animals!

Yes and don't buy pets for the Holidays without knowing their needs, requirements and how big they get as adults.

[Minnie's Mate]

About a year and a half ago I lost my beloved Max to kidney failure after 4 years of indulin therapy for diabetes. He was almost 15 years old. My wife was eager to get a new dog for the family; I was not.

We got another cocker spaniel nearly identical to Max and he has become an intergral part of our family. When he went in for his first annual exam, we discovered that he was about 6-8 LBS over weight. His vet recommended cutting his already reduced calorie adult dog food (we knew he was a little pudgie) and supplement with green beans. He has since lost a little over 2 LBS. He truely loves the green beans, but still begs for snacks. It is difficult to not give in to his pleas for between meal snacking. Point is, take care of your family members including the four legged kind. He has plenty of presents under the tree...he has been trying to open some of them already!

Merry Christmas to all and to all of your pets!

[Uberlanders]

And by the way, my friend discovered that putting tin foil around the bottom of the Christmas tree does not discourage her kitten from climbing it. Instead of being scared of the noise and feel of the tin foil, she came home from school last week to find the kitten wrapped in the tin foil having the time of its life playing and frolicking with it.

Kathleen

[LI Pets]

Owning a pet will lower your blood pressure

[azflycaster]

MM-
Our smallest and oldest (14 1/2) dog (Bandit) had gotten seriously over weight a few years ago. She had a problem with her back and the vet put her on pain killers, steroids and mussel relaxers. We were feeding her chicken and mashed potatoes (sounds good) to prevent any stomach problems due to the strong medications she was on. In a few months she went from 15 to 20 pounds. I heard about the green bean thing from a friend of mine and asked my vet about it. It told us to cut her food in half and replace the dog food with green beans. It took several months, but she is now 15 pounds again and she loves the green beans. We buy them by the case at Costco and all 3 dogs get some every day.

[maxandgeorgia]

What's the deal with the green beans? ?? Our non-standard-big Weimaraner hit 125 lbs last year just before we relocated to our new home with pond. Formerly a water-hater of the worst kind, he discovered the pond and fish in it, became an ardent swimmer, and shed his flabbies. He is aging quickly, very achey in his hips and shoulders, doesn't swim as much as he did last year, but he weighs about 95 now, a great change for him. Rrff, arff, a-oooooooooooooooooooooo! That's Merry Christmas wishes to all the forum furries from Wally, our Weimaraner, and Moose, our German Shorthair pup

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Lipets

Owning a pet will lower your blood pressure

You obviously don't have our pets.
One has decided the (artificial) tree needs to be watered regularly, the other one thinks she is a Christmas present, sleeping under the tree, as often as not right where pet #1 has recently watered said tree. If nothing else, pet #2 is getting bathed frequently.

[Uberlanders]

Originally Posted by maxandgeorgia

.... and Moose, our German Shorthair pup

YEAH! Another proud GSP owner! Don't you just love them! We will have two for Christmas. We are taking in a friend's 10 month old pup for Christmas. I'm hoping the tree will stay upright amonst the twirling.

Kathleen

[Sugarfoot]

Originally Posted by overlander63

You obviously don't have our pets.
One has decided the (artificial) tree needs to be watered regularly, the other one thinks she is a Christmas present, sleeping under the tree, as often as not right where pet #1 has recently watered said tree. If nothing else, pet #2 is getting bathed frequently.

Speaking of watering, here's a little Christmas ditty someone sent me:

Christmas Carol for Your Dog
(Sung to the tune of "Winter Wonderland")
Dog tags ring, are you listening'?
In the lane, snow is glistening'.
It's yellow, NOT white, I've been there tonight,
Marking up my winter wonderland

Smell that tree? That's my fragrance.
It's a sign for wandering vagrants;
"Avoid where I pee, it's MY pro-per-ty!
Marked up as my winter wonderland."

In the meadow Dad will build a snowman,
following the classical design.
Then I'll lift my leg and let it go, man,
So all the world will know that it's
mine-mine-mine!

Straight from me to the fence post,
flows my natural incense boast;
"Stay off my TURF, this small piece of earth,
I marked it as my winter wonderland."
-- William B. Thacker, 1998, Columbus, OH


Merry Christmas from all the K9s, Lulu Sugarfoot, Maggie Mae, and Sonya.
May your stocking be stuffed with your heart's desire.

[Silvertwinkie]

I'm glad you posted this. I always thought that chocolate was an issue and folks would disagree, but I was glad to see it posted so...not that I'd feed my pets chocolate though.....

[maxandgeorgia]

Originally Posted by uberlanders

YEAH! Another proud GSP owner! Don't you just love them! We will have two for Christmas. We are taking in a friend's 10 month old pup for Christmas. I'm hoping the tree will stay upright amonst the twirling. . .

What is it about the twirling?? Moose spins, all the way one way, back around, half there and back again, and again, and again and all the time he is bouncing up from his front paws--so excited, he cannot tell where he should be, and his body is rock hard! He's whacked my knees so many time spinning in place and all around me that I'm permanently pained! He'll try to sit, for a pinch of a minute, and then it's bounce and spin again. I think he's half gazelle. Love him, but good grief!! Is this just a GSP thing? ~G

[Uberlanders]

Yes the twirling is a GSP thing. Sometimes the twirling will happen in the air as well, those will wipe you out for sure, if you are within wacking reach. They are amazing acrobats.

Kathleen

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, First Christmas in twenty five years without pets. [dogs] All have gone to doggie heaven. Maybe [an other, new to us dog] by next Christmas, after retirement and new home somewhere else.


Bob