A Nurse's Journey » Pets

How much is love worth?

Lillie — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:12:21 +0000

Recently I read an article about a couple who spent over three thousand dollars for surgery for their six month old puppy who had made a meal out of some cds. I know that there are families with children that have no health insurance or some lacking meals. It may seem shallow to some. But if you are a true pet lover, they are family and I would personally spend what I could to save my fur child.

One of my golden retrievers had allergies. I did not have to fork over thousands of dollars at one time. But over her fourteen years I spent thousands for her special food, medications, and special weekly baths that the mobile groomer lovingly gave her. Since she was spoiled beyond belief, she and her sister got to drink beef flavored bottled water once a day.

How much is too much? Well when her sister was sixteen years old when she lost the use of her back legs. An operation might have helped but at her age she had a poor chance to survival. Being retired and now on a fixed income I did not have the money for the surgery. Three years later I still feel I failed her. But if I had been working I would have tried to save her.

Love has no price for a family friend. If you have the means and a way to save your friend. Do it! They give your more in return than money can buy.

Sugar and Spice

Fein knows the way to San Jose

Lillie — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 18:43:28 +0000

Unlike the cry of Dionne Warwick, Fein the eight week old puppy, does know the way to San Jose. Just get on the flight for Portland Maine and Delta will send you to San Jose California!

Fein’s human parent bought him from a breeder in South Carolina. The breeder put him on a flight to Atlanta. All went well until he got to Atlanta. Then the bottom fell out. Fein was then shipped out to San Jose. When his mom went to pick him up no one was able to tell her where he was until the next morning. Delta then put him on the red eye and got him home.

Folks this is the same airline that botched two kids flying on their airlines this past week. Sending one child meant to be in Cleveland to Boston and one meant for Boston to Cleveland. To make this right Delta refunded their fare.

But with Fein, someones fur kid, they have not uttered a word of apology or explanation. The person that took the complaint even got huffy with Fein’s parents!

As a dog lover I would be throat ripping out mad. We dog lovers are as passionate about our dogs as our kids. Why pay all the money that you shell out for airlines to take care of your kids whether they have fur or not if they can’t provide the service that they were paid for?

Old age or stupidity

Lillie — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:43:37 +0000

A well renowned chef in Italy thought it was OK to share with his watchers that cat stew was a delicious dish. He went on to impart that during the war poor people ate this wonderful dish. I am not a cat lover but I would not eat one. If meat became scarce I would eat veggies before the furry friends would pass my lips.

It seems that this 77 year old chef refused to listen to his cohort or his producers and stop telling his tale about how good this dish is. Needless to say the phone rang off the hook with complaints. Is there any surprise that his show was pulled from the airways?

I want to know was this a case of a stubborn old man wanting to get his thought across or is this another case of a famous person who thought he could say what he wanted without repercussions? Either way chef Giuseppe Buyazzi now has time to enjoy the sites of the Italian country side.

Famous people you are only where you are because of the love of your fans. So get with the program. If you insult our senses you can fall like a stone. Enjoy your leave of absence! We pet lovers won’t miss you!

I understand but do not approve

Lillie — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:49:49 +0000

I am a big dog lover and believe they should be treated as one of the family. This includes their health care. A recent article stated that pet owners were having their dog’s vocal cords clipped so that they could not bark. I think this negates the reason for having a dog. They are alarms for intruders. And a fireman told me they let you know if there is a fire before a smoke alarm does.

On the others side of the coin, yes I can understand why it is done. If you live in a building where neighbors would complain about your dog and could cause you to be evicted I might think about the procedure. But I would have thought twice about getting a dog.

Then there are those with big aggressive dogs that drug dealers have that want their dogs quiet so if an intruder does come in, the dog will attack them without the warning of a bark. But that’s a whole other story.

So where do I stand. NO surgery on any dogs of mine to silence them. Owners need to give them the love and attention to teach them to live without being a nuisance to others.

Oh no she didn’t say that!

Lillie — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:42:46 +0000

Oprah Winfrey is one of the richest and most influential women in America and maybe the world. But on the 29th of January 2010, she made the statement that her live in boy friend didn’t want her to have new dogs. He relented and said she could have two but not the third she wanted.

Now folks I don’t have her wealth and I don’t get in front of people every day and pass out advice. So who am I to say that she is a big joke. But I will say this. If it was my house and I brought in the kind of money she does, the dogs would come in and he would go!

I know this to be true of myself because when my ex left and a male wanted to come into my house, he thought I should put my little poodle outside to live. I told him I was not the girl for him. The dogs were staying and I sent him packing back to Atlanta!

Oprah do you need that man so badly that he calls the shots? You can afford to hire people to take care of your pets so they wouldn’t be a problem. Steadman is pushing you around and you let him.

Get a gripe girl! At fifty you should be strong enough to stand on your own two feet.

Is Oregon going Anti dogs?

Lillie — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 04:27:14 +0000

Since I am a big dog lover, I thought that living in Oregon might be nice except for the rain and my arthritis. Dogs in Oregon have, until now, been welcomed in most places. Even those that served food. Now they have banned dogs from places’ that serve food even drink isles. I can understand the reason behind it if there had been problems health wise. But I wonder after all these years why now? I have seen children I would rather ban than dogs!

I am sure if the city father’s do a turn around in their policies of being a dog friendly town, they will have an uproar like they have never heard. Pet owners are a stanch breed and will go to great lengths to protect the rights of their furry children.

Keep the food areas safe and clean but do not take away the rights of owners to take their fur friends out to share needed time with their care takers.

Dogs: Angels without wings

Lillie — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:23:06 +0000

Dogs have long proved that they are more than furry bundles of love. They become guide dogs and helpers for the handicap. On the home front they patrol and guard our living space. Many will take up the chore of being a companion to our children with only the asking price of a good meal, a clean bed and medical care when needed.

For my sixteenth birthday I got a mixed border collie. He was beautiful and oh so smart. I worked after school and made money that went to feed this friend the finest food including chicken and hamburger. He would not eat the peasant food from the can. After my mom told him he had to eat it when I went off to school he acquiesced.

My mom’s ears went out from an infection so temporarily she could not hear the ringing of the phone but could hear the voices. Husky made it his job to bark and run to the phone when it rang. How did he know to do this? Some dogs go to greater lengths to show their love for being taken in and loved.
This year’s pet of the year is Chichi a rescued abused little Chihuahua.

While sitting at the beach in his chair ignoring the playful cries of a child feigning drowning Chichi dozed in the shaded salt air at the beach. As the beach cleared out and later in the evening, Chichi began to bark in a frantic way. His owners saw two elderly women being pulled out to sea by the riptide. Chichi’s owners saved the women. They were so happy they went up to pet the new hero. But they were rebuffed with a growl. I guess he can save their lives but please, ” don’t touch me!”

Sports fans unite

Lillie — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:22:24 +0000

I am red faced, foot stomping mad. If I thought I could get off of the floor I would fall down and kick my feet like a child. The owner of the Philadelphia Eagles have decided to taint their roster with Michael Vick .

Yes dog lovers, this abuser of our furrier friends has been allowed back in the NFL. Some people say he deserves a second chance well I DON”T. I saw no remorse from this man. Jjust the look of someone who was sorry he was caught. The look on his face was one I have seem so many times in my work as a Registered Nurse, cold and disinterested. Will he do it again? YES! But he will be smarter this time as to not get caught.

I wish I had the money to travel to each game and picket it. I am not a big fan of PETA but if they are really on the side of animals they should be at every game.

PETA leave the children alone at McDonalds and make the Eagles sorry they took Michael Vick. He should not ever be rewarded for his horrendous behavior.

Bark is now worst than bit

Lillie — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:58:24 +0000

If you’ve been following this blog, you all know that I love dogs. These little bundles of love covered in fur are my best friends. I was disturbed by a story about a dog who was a habitual biter having his fangs shaved and capped to prevent further biting incidents. This seems extreme but was it necessary? I wonder if they tried medication? Dogs, like humans, can have anxiety problems. I must give the human family kudos since they seemed to have tried everything from obedience classes to sessions with the dog whisperer.

I have only had one dog that had a problem with nipping. This family was nipped even if they only walked past him. Our dog, “Stuffy”, used to love to lie on your feet. And the warmth felt great. But if you forgot that he was on your feet and moved them, he would attack your feet while growling at you. It was funny to us as he never broke the skin and being a large size family we looked funny skipping around this very tiny dog. I blamed his bad habits on having been raised in a household I would not have left dog or kids with. All of our love could not change his habit of nipping. As the owner of dogs who were raised to be a part of the family and had very kind temperaments’ it’s foreign to think that the family pet could be such a problem. I have never had excessive barkers, biters, or pets that knocked down visitors.

I truly think pets, like children, if raised with love and a kind strong hand, will respond with good manners. It takes a responsible parent to make sure this happens!

Elite Pet care

Lillie — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:57:18 +0000

In the economic turmoil that is today’s world, if you want to start a business you had better have a really unique idea to make it work. Well hats off to the couple that has just launched an all pet airline!

Now for those of you who are not pet lovers this might seem a little excessive. But to those of us who love our pets, we know this is long overdue. Many pets have been given poor treatment at the hands of regular airlines by being placed in cargo bays where they have no human interaction and the climate is unstable. The heat is almost as bad as locking your pet in the car with the windows rolled up. Pets have also been lost. I remember the case of a show dog that was lost in NEW York some years ago never to be found again. It was frighten and got out of its crate when there was no one attending to this animal during a stop over.

This will no longer be a problem with pets whose human caretaker buys them a ticket where they will fly in the cabin reserved just for pets. They will have attendants to care for them. There will be no snack served but there will be walk breaks, individual carriers for each pet and potty stops.

The savvy couple who started this company is Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel, who recognized the need after having a problem with their Jack Russell on a conventional plane trip.

Well good luck with this great business. I hope I will soon get a new pet and it can fly in the lap of luxury!!!

Fourth of July alert for your pet

Lillie — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:18:05 +0000

Unfurl and hang your flags, the fourth of July is here again. We will celebrate our freedom from the oppressive countries across the pond. As we deck ourselves in all things red, white and blue, drag out the grill and lawn chairs, let the parties begin. The neighborhood will be alive with the smells of hamburgers. hot dogs and steaks. Let’s not forget one member of the family that this time of year can be a problem for. Our fur kids!

With all the rich food around, our furry friends will be practicing their “poor me” looks to entice treats from you. Well don’t fall into that trap. These foods are not good for Fido or Fifi. To much can cause them problems and in some cases their lives. If you can’t resist their sad eyes have a pet friendly treat ready for them and then don’t overdo it. Unfortunately pets to can become obese also.

With the hot grills and pets running around this can be a real problem. Try confining them in an area away from the fire. The smell of cooking food is a real magnet for hungry pets.

As we wind up the day by loosing our belts and leaning back in the lawn chairs to watch the beautiful fireworks, remember that pets don’t share your love for the loud noises. Some pets are not bothered by the noise. Others are comforted by just being near their owners. In more severe cases pets tremble, shake drool, try to hide, and some may even run away.

Using a pet carrier to give your pet a feeling of security may help. If outdoors use a leash. Taking your pet for a walk may prevent a “mistake” later. Be sure that the pet has proper identification in case it should get loose. In very severe cases, medication may be needed. But this is something to talk over with your vet.

Just remember fireworks may be fun for the humans in your family but the pets may not share your fervor. Reduce the stress on our furry friends and they will continue to provide you with many years of love and companionship!

What Next

Lillie — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:59:26 +0000

I wish someone would just build me a very large plastic bubble so I can stay safe from all the harmful things we are told to avoid. I am a lover of dogs. Dogs are to me the best friend you can have. They love you in good times and bad. All they ask is a good meal, fresh water, a clean bed, and lots of love and medical treatment when needed. When I read a recent article that pets are transmitting MERSA to their owners, I was upset. Is this something else I need to give up?

MERSA, the super bug, is known in formal settings as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, and has been seen in hospitals for years. It was borne from the over and improper use of antibiotics causing them to become stronger than the nasty germs they should be killing.

The first article made it sound like dogs, cats, and even horses were just waiting to pass this super bug to adoring owners with just an innocent nip or scratch. Further research led me to understand that MERSA is being passed back and forth between pets and their owners. This now makes sense to me. Any open wound can be a gateway for the MERSA infection and once you or your pet has it, the germ can be passed on to other humans or pets.

What can we do? Wash our hands after playing with our pets. Keep any wounds clean and covered. Never demand antibiotics from your doctor. Doctors know which illnesses need antibiotics. If given antibiotics, use them as prescribed. Do not just stop when you feel better! Take them all.

There is one other thing. MERSA is found in gyms and pool areas. In fact it can be found anywhere there are people with large areas of uncovered skin that could have open wounds. Beware and when possible keep your skin covered and use disinfectant.

MERSA is here! Be proactive whether it’s with your pets or the gym. It could mean your life.

The power of love

Lillie — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:27:28 +0000

Dogs are my special love. I have been the friends of these little furry companion since I was sixteen. All but for the years I was away at nursing school. Each and everyone had their own personality. And I could regale you for hours with tales of their loving ways, but today I read about the wonderful spirit of a special dog, who with the care of her human mother, has learned to walk uright once his front legs were removed.

Her owner saved her from being put down and used different types of therapies to get her to the point where now she walks upright. She has become quite the celebrity. Her owner has stopped working and is now traveling around to TV shows and other venues, to teach people that just because you have a handicap you don’t give up. What we can learn is that love and caring can bring about miracles. Even without a perfect body one can have a perfect soul. Want to read more about this wonder? Read her book, “With a little Faith.” You can see a video of the dog walking on two legs here.

Profit over Safety

Lillie — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:53:34 +0000

How many times in a country where the knowledge of food safety is readily available to companies, does the recall of tainted foods have to go on? These unsafe foods cause sickness, and yes death. This is unacceptable!

Right now we are in the throes of having one of societies best loved foods, Peanut Butter, recalled due to 508 cases of illness and eight deaths. And one family pet was also a victim.
The company that is responsible is Blakely Georgia Company. I watched the television interview of a young man fired for whistle blowing about the filth found in the plant. He stated that there were often rat droppings around and that the roach problem was huge. He also stated that he saw a rat roasted with the peanuts. For reporting this, he lost his job. The company had been cited for past infractions of cleanliness problems but failed to clean up their act.

Why was nothing done? Was it a case of having to spend too much money to solve the problem or was it just a case of indifference? Whatever the reason, the penalties should be stiff and swift. No small monetary fine is appropriate. Maybe a charge of attempted murder would make it more real to do the right thing!

Peanut butter is the stable of young children everywhere as well as older fok who don’t want to cook. This same group of people are the ones whose systems can’t take the onslaught of an attack of Salmonella.

There has got to be a better way to make sure companies are not killing those we love. Hire more inspectors and shut down plants that don’t make the grade.

MY LOST LOVE

Lillie — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 07:09:00 +0000

Its been many months since I have been able to look into your warm liquid brown eyes and witness your love for me. We had sixteen years together and I miss you so very much.

I remember all the time we spent together, side by side, sharing the love only true loyal friends can get strength from and never take for granted.

Watching you enjoy your walks in the yard as I watched from the door unable to join you but took joy in your unbrideled fun of being outside getting some “front-side air.”

I can still feel the pride as others told me how handsome you were and how we seem so happy together. I can still feel the pain after the doctor told me your time was short. My heart ached like nothing that can be explained.

I try to be thankful for the time we had. But nothing replaces the feeling of your warm breath on the back of my neck and turning over seeing you smile at me. I still hear the soft foot steps next to my bed and still find little tufts of your golden hair and wish I could see you one more time but that is not to be.

Spice and Sugar you may have been dogs to others but you were my friends, companions, and protectors. My love for the both of you still runs deep. When we meet again, I will love you all the more for the years of love and joy you brought to me.

Sugar and Spice