© Hazel Ketko
Please visit her gorgeous
blog PawsomeOldies.com
Showing posts with label ?. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ?. Show all posts
2020/02/02
2020/01/27
2020/01/18
2020/01/09
7 habits of wonderful pet parents
I admit it. I’m
“one of those dog moms”. You know, the ones that are crazy about their dogs and
love to talk about dogs, and schedule their lives around their dogs? That’s me.
My dogs are my life- they’re my fur-kids and my source of joy and comfort.
After I lost my
Great Dane and best friend Truman to doggie cancer, I was devastated. I never
thought I’d recover and surely never believed I could love another dog. Time
passed, and I fell in love again and found there really was room in my heart
for a new dog. I wanted to be the very best pet parent possible, for Truman’s
memory and for the sake of all the dogs I’ll love for the rest of my life. I
wanted to do it better. So I set out to learn what the best pet parents do.
Here’s what I found.
1. They know their dogs.
And I’m not
talking about knowing what time they eat or how many times they pooped that
day, these pet parents really know their dogs. If the dog is anxious, cranky,
overly tired, scared, or lonely these parents pick up on it instantly. It’s
almost like they have ESP and can read the dog’s mind!I later learned they were
just really, really good at reading doggie body language and had observed their
dogs’ normal behavior very closely in the past. When anything unusual occurred,
it was a red flag for them because they were always tuned in to what their dogs
were doing, even when they were busy other things.
2020/01/03
2020/01/02
Dealing with the loss of a dog?
Dealing with the loss
of a dog? Here are 10 tips to help you grieve
Dealing with the
loss of a dog can feel impossible. Here are some tips to help manage the pain.
There are few
things worse than losing a beloved pet. As a loyal and loving family member,
you become accustomed to sharing daily life with your four-legged friend. When
they go for the final walk across the Rainbow Bridge, the pain can seem
unmanageable. If you recently lost a pup, here are 10 ways to help you deal
with the heartbreaking loss of a dog.
Allow Yourself
Time to Grieve
Like losing anyone
in your life, time is necessary for grieving. While there are always a million
things on your to-do list, allowing yourself the time and space to grieve is
crucial. There is no “set” amount of time for grieving a pet; take as much time
as you need to fully experience your emotions.
2019/12/29
2019/12/24
2019/12/20
2019/12/18
The top 5 mistakes owners make with their dog’s toys
Buying dog toys
seems super simple. You pick out something, remove packaging, give it to your
dog and you’re done. But managing your dog’s playtime, including which toys you
choose for him, can directly affect his quality of life – and yours! If you’re
making any of the following common dog toy mistakes, know that changing up even
one of these things can make a big difference for you both.
1. Not Replacing
Worn-Out Toys
We don’t ask our
dogs to be gentle with their toys, because it’s just not going to happen. Dog toys
are made to be chewed and can withstand a lot, but no matter how well-made and
durable a toy is, eventually it’s going to give out. Worn-out toys break down
into worn-out pieces that your dog can choke on or swallow. The moment you spot
a toy that looks like it’s nearing the end, put it in the garbage and treat
your dog to something new. A new toy will be a lot cheaper than a trip to the
vet.
2019/12/17
5 signs that your dog actually loves you
We love our dogs
as if they are members of our families – because to us they really are! We show
our dogs we love them in so many ways outside of just their regular care and
maintenance, by doing things like buying them special treats and toys. But how
do our dogs tell us they love us? We have a good feeling that they do, but it
would be awesome to know for sure. Sometimes it might feel like a one-sided
relationship, but if your dog does these 5 things for you–then this means they love
you right back just as much!
#1 – Playing and
Roughhousing With You
While it seems to
come at the most inopportune times, our dogs sometimes get playful and try to
wrestle with us. This is their natural way of playing! If you’ve ever watched
your pup play with another dog, you’ll recognize he’s offering the same
behavior to you. Doing a little wrestling with your pooch is certainly safe and
fun, and will even give you a new game to play to keep your relationship
strong!
2019/12/15
Missing you at Christmastime (14)
At Christmastime and ever since, the day that you were taken,
the lovely memories you've left, have never been forsaken.
They'll always stay as vivid, just as though you still were here,
and especially are cherished, at this special time of year.
There's never a day goes by, without joyful thoughts of you,
for, no one could bring happiness, in the way you used to do.
(Author unknown)
2019/12/13
Judy - No Better Friend
Judy, a purebred
pointer, was the mascot of several ships in the Pacific, and was captured by
the Japanese in 1942 and taken to a prison camp. There she met Aircraftsman
Frank Williams, who shared his small portion of rice with her.
Judy raised morale
in the POW camp, and also barked when poisonous snakes, crocodiles or even
tigers approached the prisoners. When the prisoners were shipped back to
Singapore, she was smuggled out in a rice sack, never whimpering or betraying
her presence to the guards.
The next day, that
ship was torpedoed. Williams pushed Judy out of a porthole in an attempt to
save her life, even though there was a 15-foot drop to the sea. He made his own
escape from the ship, but was then recaptured and sent to a new POW camp.
He didn't know if
Judy had survived, but soon he began hearing stories about a dog helping
drowning men reach pieces of debris after the shipwreck. And when Williams
arrived at the new camp, he said: "I couldn’t believe my eyes! As I walked
through the gate, a scraggly dog hit me square between the shoulders and
knocked me over. I’d never been so glad to see the old girl!"
2019/12/12
2019/12/11
Science explains why hearing a dog cry can break your heart
Dog parents: If
the sound of a whimpering pup makes your heart melt like a wet Wicked Witch,
you’re not alone.
A new study
published in the journal Royal Society Open Science found that dog parents find
the sound of a crying dog equally as sad as the cries of a human baby.
For the study, 500
young adults listened to the sounds of dogs whining, cats meowing, and human
babies crying. What researchers found overall was that people who lived with a
cat or dog were more sensitive to the sounds of dog crying than those who
didn’t, and that both dog and cat parents rated the sound of whimpering dogs
more negatively than the sound of meowing cats.
In fact, all
participants regardless of whether they were pet parents or not rated dog cries
as more negative than cat meows.
2019/12/10
Missing you at Christmastime (13)
Now that you're no longer here, I hope you'll always know,
your memory is with me, everywhere I go.
Christmas has descended now, and happily I find,
that thoughts of all the fun we shared, are always on my mind.
I wish you peace at Christmas time, wherever you may be,
and thank you for the memories. They mean the world to me.
(Author unknown)
2019/12/09
Daisy und Olaf: Weihnachtsgeschichte (Teil 3)
Daisy
und Olaf: Das Ziel – eine Weihnachtsgeschichte
Olaf
hob den Kopf. Ein schwacher Geruch wehte zu ihm herüber. Er kam ihm so vertraut
vor. Ein Ruck fuhr durch seinen Körper und er rannte los. Immer der Witterung
hinterher.
„Olaf,
HIER!“
Er
ignorierte das Rufen seiner Menschen. Er musste zu diesem Duft hin. Der Schnee
bremste ihn aus und er kam nicht so schnell vorwärts, wie er es wollte. Endlich
hatte er die Stelle erreicht, von wo aus der Geruch herkam. Er konnte es nicht
glauben. Im Schnee lag Daisy. SEINE Daisy! Wie kam sie nur hierher? Aber viel
wichtiger war, lebte sie noch?
Er
stupste Daisy mit der Nase an. Sie rührte sich nicht. Nochmal probierte er es.
Nichts. Sie blieb reglos im Schnee liegen. Aufgeregt fing er an zu bellen,
damit seine Menschen zu ihnen kamen.
„Daisy,
Daisy, bitte wach auf.“
„Olaf,
was hast du da?“ Sein Frauchen, sein Herrchen und dessen Sohn waren bei ihm
angekommen.
„Oh
mein Gott, das ist doch der kleine Hund vom Park, wo wir gewohnt haben!“. Olafs
Frauchen kniete sich sofort neben Daisy.
„Mama,
lebt der Hund noch?“
2019/12/08
Daisy und Olaf: Weihnachtsgeschichte (Teil 2)
Daisy
und Olaf: Die Reise – Weihnachtsgeschichte
Daisy
machte sich auf den Weg in die Hintergasse. Sie kam nicht oft heraus aus dem
Park und doch kannte sie fast jede Straße in ihrem Ort. Am Anfang war sie noch
alle Straßen abgelaufen und hatte sich die Gegenden eingeprägt. Sie wusste
damals genau, wer wo wohnte, wer nett war und bei wem sie lieber Abstand hielt.
Irgendwann war sie nur noch im Park und die Straßen Drumherum geblieben. Dort
hatte sie ein Dach über den Kopf und genug zu Fressen gehabt. Sie hatte nicht
herumstreichen müssen, das war reine Energieverschwendung.
Sie
kam in der Hintergasse an. Das Haus mit der Nummer 3 lag verlassen vor ihr. Sie
senkte ihre Nase und nahm den Geruch auf. Ja, hier hatte Olaf gelebt. Sie
konnte ihn immer noch riechen. Langsam ging sie auf das Grundstück und roch den
Garten, die Terrasse und den Eingangsbereich ab. Hier hielt sich Olafs Geruch
noch am stärksten. Irgendwann würde auch dieser sich verflüchtigen. Wieder
liefen Tränen aus ihren kleinen Äuglein heraus. Wie sollte sie Olaf finden? Sie
wusste nicht, wo seine Menschen hingezogen waren.
„Hey,
verschwinde!“
Daisy
war so in dem Geruch versunken gewesen, dass sie gar nicht mitbekommen hatte,
dass sich der Briefträger genähert hatte.
„Ich
habe gesagt, verschwinde du Köter!“
Daisy
erschrak und rannte las. Sie huschte dem Briefträger durch die Beine, der sich
ihr in den Weg stellen wollte.
„Du
verdammtes Mistvieh!“
Bei
dem Versuch sie zu treten, war er zu Boden gegangen. Die Briefe und Zeitungen
verteilten sich um ihn herum.
Fluchend
und schimpfend sammelte er die Post wieder ein und stapfte davon. Daisy hatte
sich in der Zwischenzeit hinter einer Hecke versteckt und wartete bis der
Postbote abgezogen war. Wieder näherte sie sich dem Haus, diesmal drauf
bedacht, auch alles im Blick zu haben.
2019/12/07
Daisy und Olaf: Weihnachtsgeschichte (Teil 1)
Daisy
und Olaf: Der Anfang – Weihnachtsgeschichte
„Wir
werden für immer zusammen sein!“ Olaf sah Daisy tief in die Augen. „Das
verspreche ich dir!“
Die
Beiden saßen am See und sahen den Enten beim Schwimmen zu. Daisy legte ihren
Kopf an Olafs Hals.
„Ich
hoffe du hast Recht.“
Ein
Rufen unterbrach die romantische Stimmung. „OLAF komm hier her!“
„Ich
muss gehen“, seufzte Olaf. „Aber morgen sehen wir uns wieder.“
Er
rieb seine Nase an ihrer und lief dann schnell zu seinen Menschen hin.
Daisy
sah zu, wie diese Olaf anleinten und mit ihm Richtung Parkausgang strebten. Ein
kurzer Blick von Olaf und ihr kleines Herzchen hüpfte wie wild herum.
Daisy
war wieder alleine im Park. Wie gerne hätte sie auch eine Familie. Am liebsten
natürlich, die von Olaf. Dann würde sie für immer den ganzen Tag mit ihm
zusammen sein können.
Vor
einigen Jahren hatte auch sie eine Familie gehabt. Allerdings war es ihr dort
nicht gut gegangen. Ihr Herrchen hatte immer nach Alkohol gerochen und wenn er
dann ganz doll betrunken gewesen war, hatte er nicht nur seine Familie
geschlagen, sondern auch Daisy getreten und dann draußen an die Hundehütte
gekettet.
2019/12/05
Missing you at Christmastime (12)
Christmas brings us peace and joy, tut it brings us sadness too,
and just like many others will, I'll spend it without you.
I miss you more at Christmas, than any other time of year,
my greatest Christmas gift by far, would be just to have you here.
But I know you're within a world of light, where you softly lie asleep,
and within my heart will always stay, Christmas memories that I'll keep.
(Author unknown)
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