Another Chance to Run

Over the years, I've seen several dogs and cats making their way with three legs. In this picture from Nanjing, China, a stray dog is getting fitted with an artificial leg. It will be interesting to see how animals take to adjusting to a prosthesis, and it's great to see the technology being adapted to benefit our pets.

The Journey

A friend found this piece last week, although he didn't get the attribution for it. I've tried to find it myself to no avail, but it's such a beautiful essay that I'm going to post it here. If someone knows who to give credit to, let me know, and I will update the info. In the meantime, enjoy...

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey - a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage. If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.

Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures - jumping leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound.

You will learn the true measure of love - the steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together." Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race.

And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be - the one they were proud to call beloved friend.

I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go.

A pet's time on earth is far too short - especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for awhile, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left.

The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray.

Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return.

When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead - young and whole once more. "Godspeed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

Cool Stuff

It's time to go shopping! Here are some cool new things I've discovered in the latest catalogs:

Poop Pouch


I received a sample pouch and I gotta tell you, I love this thing! But I'm not using it for its intended use - instead, I have it holding my keys, cell phone, latte money, and of course, an extra doggie bag or two. It's perfect! There are a variety of styles you can choose from, including leather, and you can also get a matching bandana for a full on stylin' effect.


Vibrating Massage Mitts


A version is available for both cats and dogs. I have no idea how the five-battery powered mitts will be received by the brood, but it's a nice idea for taking pet massage to the next level. The website is currently for wholesale and retail purchasers only - if you like them, your local boutique dealer can order for you.


Companion Charms


Not only is this a cute item to share with your pet, some of the $39.95 sale goes to Canine Companions for Independence to train dogs for people with disabilities. You choose whether you use the unit as a key chain for you and a collar charm for your pooch, or as a valet key. Either way, it's very stylish gift.


Going Glam

For the pet who has everything, here's a selection of $350 pet houses for your dog or $395 kitty condos for your cat. Will definitely make a conversation piece in whatever room of the house you put this in.


Bath Time


Almost half of us (47 percent) bathe our pets at home in the bathtub, showers, kitchen or utility sinks, according to the water fixture maker Moen. Since I'm one of those, I'm always looking for great shampoos that not only make my job easier in washing a dog who hates bath time but also provides the benefits of a good bath for as long as possible. Pet Aromatics's products are 100% chemical free with a variety of very nice, and possibly doggie approved, scents, including "Woodsy Woof".


In Memoriam

In my many years as a pet owner, it means so much to receive a message of condolence from someone who understands how much our pets influence our lives. This makes a lovely gift for someone who is grieving their pet's loss, or as a gift to yourself as you honor the memory of your own beloved pet.

And Now for Something Completely Different

Apparently the newest trend is to put a wig on your dog. At the recent New York International Gift Fair, Ruth Regina introduced a variety of wigs that can complement the already hot-selling tiaras, dresses, and designer bags for dogs. Regina expanded her already successful human wig business in Florida to support pets. Wiggles is her new site, named for her Yorkie, which has hair (fur?) pieces starting at $29. You can choose either a lightweight, washable synthetic material or something custom-made with real human hair ''to match the owner's hair if they like or to go with their outfit,'' Regina says.

Whoa - the thought of Chocolate wearing my hair makes me shudder, but some dreadlocks could be really cool... :)

Burk's Ark

Steve and Barbara Burk live in South Florida, where hurricanes are a part of life. For their large brood of pet family members, there's necessary planning in how they're kept safe when a storm approaches - it's an amazing story, entertaining and fascinating at the same time.

Here's an "at a glance" list of pets in their household:

• 14 horses
• 12 goats
• a baby llama (Buddy, pictured here)
  
• two Pekin ducks
• two bearded dragons
• a blue hyacinth macaw
• a red-footed turtle
• a fountain filled with koi fish
• an 80-pound Siberian lynx.

The article includes a video showing how everyone knows their own emergency route - my favorite is seeing the lynx jump off the kitchen counter, a far cry from my swooshing Minnie away as I make my daughter's lunch each morning.

Pet True Stories

For those of you who love reading the stories of other pet lovers, you will enjoy visiting the Pet True Stories Blog. There's also an opportunity for you to share your favorite story. I've linked it here as one of my favorite blogs. The story on The Miracle We Call Diesle is wonderful... enjoy.

Are Brits Funnier than Yanks?

Being surrounded by Brits these days, I've got a lot of pride riding on this, but these are two pictures floating around in their mailboxes, and I must admit, they're pretty funny... note that the dog guardian sign is from Vancouver, so while a Brit might have taken and distributed the shot, Canadians aren't doing so bad in the funny department either.

Happy Weekend...