Amy Shojai's Blog, page 136

Ask Amy-Why Is My Dog A Licking Maniac?

Sometimes licking goes a wee bit overboard! This is Sebastion and Mabel (thanks to Copr. Esagirl for sharing!)

Dogs lick for all kinds of reasons. We like to think of those slurpy tongue-swipes as canine kisses, and certainly they can be a way for your pet to show affection. In puppies, licking can be a way to show deference to an older dog and even adult dogs may use licks to show respect to their people. It may even be a way for dogs to show their love.

Dogs also use lip licking as an appeasement gesture. These are signals that other dogs  interpret, "I mean no threat."You may catch your dog lip-licking when he feels stressed in a strange environment at the vet, for example.

Licking also is used to self-groom, but that can get out of hand when a dog lick-lick-licks a sore such as a hot spot. Other times, dogs just lick out of boredom when it becomes a habit or they're rewarded in some way for the behavior.

Magical-Dawg loves to lick my hands after I've used lotion. Or when I've eaten (by hand) KFC or something similar. I've also heard reports of dogs who lick-lick-licked a particular spot on the owner that–once examined by a human doc–turned out to be cancer! While licking has many potential reasons, from serious to innocuous, it shouldn't be shrugged off, either.

Today's Ask Amy describes yet another licking issue. Yes, dogs can have OCD problems. Have you ever had a dog who displayed obsessive-compulsive behaviors? Magical-Dawg is pretty obsessive about his Frisbee (he has a 6-Frisbee-A-Day habit). That's the way I keep Magic happy–how do you know your dog is happy? How would you deal with a dog that licks everything all the time?

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, "like" me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!

Filed under: Ask Amy Videos, Dog Training & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, dog behavior, dog calming signals, dog care, dog licking, dog training, hot spots, obsessive compulsive, video, www.amyshojai.com

KURVES Pictures

Maxine enters and opens up MAXINE'S GYM.

"Mabel, It looks like you've got a sack of grain in your pants--I'm saying yes, your jogging suit makes your butt look big."

Jane singing..."Someone must see my heart."

Ronnie singing, "I've got to fit, fit into the picture..."

Fingers sings, "Need a friend, I'm not a baby..." Boots sings, "Need a car to woo a lady..."

"Well heloooo, and what's YOUR sign?"

"Tell them a story, stall for time, blow some smoke!"

"Don't cry, you make my eyes sing, sweetheart."

Maxine tries to sneak a call for help.

Boots sings, "Hey there, be my baby, please say yes--or maybe, maybe..."

Boots sings, "My flame for chicks burns like a zippo, I like 'em thin. I like 'em hippo..."

"Yes, you're the chick for me!"

Maxine sings, "Curves, when the road seems straightest there'll be curves, when the path seems safest there'll be curves..."

Celia arrives and Boots breaks the key in the lock.

Celia sings with Ronnie and Jane, "Dreams for sale...don't let what others say, rule your day, I have your secret to success!"

Celia sings, "How'd this work-aholic get her everything?"

Ronnie and Jane get the drop on Boots.

While Maxine and Mabel trap Fingers.

"My sister, in the most beautiful dress in the world."

"Oh this ring? It's nothing, just a memory from a long time ago."

Company sings, "Life happens that way, forget your intentions, your best interventions get kicked to the curb every day." END ACT ONE

Celia sings, "I had a dream, gave you my best...and now you're here it's not all it seems..."

"He's a man?! I thought it was two guys and five babes..."

"All you do is complain. None of you know how truly lucky you are."

"It's time to stop your bellyaching."

Mabel sings, "Suck it up, sweetheart, luck's a crock sweetheart..."

Mabel sings, "When life's a bitch sweetheart, and you've got the itch sweetheart...just remember me!"

Max sings, "...a penny may be asking too much."

"And I've actually walked into the ladies room with you, Max, talk about a man of mystery."

"To say I'm sorry isn't enough, is it?"

"Thirty years is a long time, Max, I can't just pick up where we left off."

"I disappeared all those years ago to protect you."

"Very nice to meet you, Willy. I'm Mabel. And I'd love to see your lunchbox."

"What is wrong with you people!"

"Stop it! What does the reason matter. Do you still love him?"

Boots and Jane duet, "Please give me jazz for my new hook, I want to taste a new flavor tonight..."

"I don't say stuff all el-o-quent-ish the way educated people do, but I'll do my bestest."

"Bogy said it best when he said, "Here's lookin' at you." Nothin' I say comes out just right, and that's why I am blue..."

Celia sings, "Am I happy? What does happiness mean?"

"Go away, let me be, go away, set me free, I don't need you, can't you see?"

Troy enters through the back door. "Ronnie! Mother called, she was getting worried."

Troy says, "I was worried, too."

"The back door's jammed, I nearly broke my...whatsis trying to get it open."

Troy says, "The feds just located a boatload of missing cash...traced to some old time mafia hit man."

Troy sings, "Because you fit, you're part of my picture, we both fit, we're inside the frame..."

"That mafia hit man, his name was Joey...something."

"The guy died in prison 15 years ago."

All is forgiven...Celia has "outgrown" her sparkles."

"It fits!"

STAY TUNED FOR AUDIO OF THE SONGS!

Learn more HERE

Filed under: Theater & Performance Tagged: Amy Shojai, Cheri Anderson, Craig Sturm, Frank Steele, Joe Maglio, Johnny Flowers, Kurves, Leah Martin, music, musical, pictures, playwrights, The Rialto, theater, Theresa Littlefield, www.amyshojai.com

Monday Mentions: Writer-icity & Pet Talk

Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Some of this "schtuff" can be hard to categorize and may fit more than one topic so I urge you to at least scan them all.

Awesome Shirt Folding Tips! from Margaret Miller's Blog, this is amazing, you gotta see!

Own Your Beauty–It's Contagious from the awesome blogger Myndi Shafer

Facebook Timeline Tips from Lorie Huston

WRITER SCHTUFF

Kansas Writers Association "Scene 2012″ Writer Workshop, and yes, I'm a speaker offering sessions on "kindle-ization" and "media training for authors." Come say howdy…I'll be wearing the sparkles (surprise!)

AgentFest, a part of Thrillerfest with some awesome opportunities for writers (yes, I'll be there)

Branding For Sissies Hey if I can do this so can you. Just sayin' . . .

Book Club for Authors/Readers a fee-based sign up for authors to get works-in-progress in front of readers for feedback.

RWA®'s Kiss of Death Chapter presents~~ The 2012 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery Suspense

Heightening Suspense from Guest Blogger Jodie Renner

Gorgeous Mousepads! for spiffing up you office decor (yes, I want one of these…)

Writer Beware on Trusting Sources (or Not)

Turning Author Site Into A Store tips from Jen Talty

Tribr How-To from the awesome Jenny Hansen

PINTEREST SCHTUFF

Pinterest for Biz

How Pinterest Engages Better than Twitter Et Al,

How Random House Uses Pinterest

Pinterest Boo-Boos to Beware

Embrace Your Inner Doberman from Sonia Medeiros, good info for anyone including writers

PETS & ANIMAL SCHTUFF

VAFA Shelter Now on PetFinder yeee-haw! This is the FIRST animal shelter in Iran, and dogs fostered in the US now can find their forever-homes via PetFinder connection. Here's a video you MUST SEE of two rescue GSD-mix pups on grass for the first time.

Pet Industry Estimates $53 Billion Spending

9 Dental Issues You Share With Pets, my latest at Huffington Post

Zero Odor Wins Product of the Year Award! If you haven't tried this product, check it out

A Beloved Horse Lost–and Found! this is a 3-hanky story you'll love!

Lost Woman's Cat Never Leaves Her Side

Australia's Love-Hate with the Dingo

Greyhound Races Thing of the Past?

Animal Sounds Around the World you say toMAtoe, and I say meow…

NPR Transcript Discusses Animal-Human Bond Benefits

So…what's the cat saying? And does the toddler understand? Are both "learning" from the communication?

Totally tongue-in-cheek how animals talk (or beak in feathers…)

Westchester Cat Show Interview

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, "like" me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!

Filed under: Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care, Writing Advice & More Tagged: Amy Shojai, at behavior, blogs, cats, dog training, dogs, funny, pets, publishing, videos, writer conferences, writing advice, www.amyshojai.com

Feline Friday: Ask Amy-Why Cats Hate Cars

"Nice bed...as long as it doesn't move, Mom..."

I've blogged about traveling with pets before. Chances are, you won't have to worry about cat plane travel with your kitty-kids, but every pet must at least visit the veterinarian for well pet exams.  My Seren-kitty is due a vet visit this month, too, and she'll be wearing her brand-new cat-designed Thundershirt to see if that helps calm her down (stay tuned for a review!).

A halter and leash gives you something to grasp, other than slinky-kitty.

Kitty crate training goes a long way toward helping cats feel more comfortable about the car ride. But to date, I've found a number of things help keep my cat calm for the ride. I sit in the back seat with her while my husband drives to the clinic. Should we have a fender bender, the airbag from the front could crush a pet, so the fur-kids always ALWAYS stay in the back.

Meanwhile, Seren wears a halter and leash. The snug fit of the halter uses the same principle as the TTouch body wraps, which I suspect are what prompted products like Anxiety Wrap for dogs and the Thundershirt. I like having her secured with a halter, though, for something to grasp if she gets wiggly, even though she stays in her carrier.

By scheduling appointments so dogs (spit!) aren't around when we enter the clinic, and so she's seen immediately, Seren has less time to angst. I'll also admit that part of choosing this clinic was they're less than a 10 minute drive away–again, less time for the kitty to get wound up on the ride. It's awesome, though, that our veterinarian not only takes great care of the Magical-Dawg but also has managed to get a hands-on full exam of my 7-pound devil-kitty without blood-letting.

Do your cats tolerate, love or hate the car? How do you manage the trip? Please share your tips! The Ask Amy video answers the question, but what else would you add? For those of you with kittens, now is a GREAT time to teach car-etiquette to prepare for the adult feline life (kittens tend to be clueless about such things!). You'll find crate training tips in Complete Kitten Care.

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, "like" me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!

Filed under: Ask Amy Videos, Cat Behavior & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, Anxiety Wrap, Ask Amy, cat behavior, cat books, cat care, cat training, cats, cats and cars, fearful cats, Thundershirt, video, www.amyshojai.com

Woof Wednesday: Ask Amy–Why Do Dogs Love Underwear?

You asked, and I delivered– finally I've recorded more Ask Amy videos, and this new one is a doozy. For all the cat folks out there, I've previously written about why cats (and dogs) follow us to the bathroom so the answer has something to do with the same issues.

My Magical-Dawg loves socks. Not clean ones, he wants those my husband has worn all day, and hordes and stockpiles them so I must go on a sock-hunt each laundry day. The underwear love affair (hey that rhymes! could be a future lyric, hmnnnn) has to do with smells as well.

In keeping with the theme of underwear day, y'all might want to check out Kristen Lamb's Pants Of Shame, or take a look at Jenny Hansen's Undie Chronicles. WARNING! do not read while sipping beverage. Now consider how your dogs feel about those sorts of (ahem) undie indulgences.

So do your dogs love underwear? How do you manage to defend from furry marauders? What is your answer to the dilemma, below? Do tell…I mean really, please, DO TELL!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, "like" me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!

Filed under: Ask Amy Videos, Dog Training & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, dog advice, dog behavior, dogs and underwear, dogs underwear, video, www.amyshojai.com

Monday Mentions: The New Baby & Suck It Up, Sweetheart!

Frank Steele and Amy Shojai prior to the closing night performance of KURVES premier run.

A new "baby" was born this past weekend. That's me with my writing partner Frank Steele outside the theater, just before curtain time on KURVES, THE MUSICAL. I'll have more pictures and even video very soon to share, but for now, wanted to offer a brief recap of one of the most awesome experiences of my professional life.

Many of you who read this blog are writers–published or someday-published–and I'm hear to tell you that DREAMS DO COME TRUE! But first, you have to dare to dream. And then you gotz-ta reach out for that brass ring. When you fall off the merry-go-round, it's tempting to lay there in the dust and watch all the pretty horsies keep racing round and round, just out of reach.

Nobody becomes successful without eating a few dirt sandwiches along the way. You don't have to like the taste, but you do need to get used to it, and remind yourself where that dirt belongs–in the litter box (or litter-ary toilet!). So grit your teeth, swallow and it'll all come out in the end where it belongs, but only if you GET UP and keep reaching for those shiny objects. You can't catch anything unless you open your hand.

View from the stage--waiting for the house to open.

My best advice? Try. Ask. Risk. Surround yourself with those who share–or at least support–your dream. Not yes-bots, but reality-peeps with gentle sage advice willing to give you a butt-kick when needed along with that shoulder to cry on, and support your toddler steps.

What's the worst that could happen–you fail. So what? Here's a lesson learned from dog and cat behavior–the only way pets learn on their own is to make mistakes, so failure is value-added. Each setback stings but also adds wisdom that comes with a callous on your nether regions for future protection. Thing is, dogs and cats learn REAL FAST compared to humans. People are just wired to be stupid sometimes, and it takes head-banging angst before I learn there's an open doorway just waiting for me to walk through.

I have a confession to make. For years, I wanted to write a play and compose music but never got around to it. I was like all those wannabe writers (not YOU of course!) who like to say, "I've always wanted to write a novel…" and have every excuse in the book to postpone the dream.

Ya know what it took to get me to actually get off the "wannabe" pot? An insult from someone that really didn't matter in the scheme of things. Yet I let those hurtful comments undermine my confidence and drive me away from something I desperately loved. To fill that hole in my heart my good friend Frank and I decided to create our own show, and KURVES (and the wonderful cast and crew!) put those careless comments right where they belonged–the litter box.

The Kurves set awaits . . .

The older I get, the more I realize that life's too short to let others rule your day or take the shine out of the sparkles. We give others the power to take away our joy sometimes–it's easy to do but I'm getting better about recognizing that in myself. And, as one of the songs in KURVES says, instead of giving in to the urge, SUCK IT UP, SWEETHEART!

Do you have someone or something–comments, an event, a disappointment–that colors your future expectations? Does it hold you back, or spur you to by-damn prove 'em wrong? How do you manage the nay-sayers in your life? They say that success is the best revenge, so is it true?

I don't know where KURVES will take us but this toddler seems to have strapped on roller blades and it may be we're in for an exciting ride. So stay tuned! Oh, and you can scroll down a bit for the usual Monday Mentions mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week.

Opening night cake courtesy of the Kurves cast!

In honor of the "new baby" the playwrights were presented with flowers, candy cigars and monogrammed "onesies." Jury is still out whether it's a boy...or a girl.

Opening night flowers from the cast.

Closing night flowers from my husband--awwwww!

WRITING SCHTUFF

Time Waster or Time Investment? Social Media for Writers from Laurie Huston

Ebook Pricing for Writers from Dean Wesley Smith, he's actually done some research, an interesting read

Kindle Nation Survey on reader habits, interesting info

PayPay vs Naughty Pink Bits oh no you DIDN'T?! from Susan Brassfield Cogan's Blog

Audio Books Anyone? Some how-to info

French Seize Digital Rights?! Writer Beware awesome blog!

Twitter Tips for Tweeps from my writing buddy Nita Beshear

2012 International Digital Awards contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America.

DK Seeks Online Marketing Manager

Christina Katz: Author of The Writer's Workout from Jenn Nips blog

Firearms For Writers a conference speaker April 14 in Ohio from an RWA chapter, looks good!

PET SCHTUFF

10 Ways You Know Your Cat Rules You

AKC Names Most Popular Dog Breeds  is yours here?

Learn the Benefits of Play from Kitty from awesome blogger Angie Bailey

Owners Concerns Re: Euthanasia & Care

Birthday Surprise: Wife gets namesake pet-adoption center

Tough Job…NOT! Perfect for writers–get paid to stay home with the dog!

from VetStreet as well as

Why Cats Run the Internet and sell sell sell!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, "like" me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!

Filed under: Theater & Performance, Writing Advice & More Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat behavior, cats, dog behavior, dog books, http://www.shojai.com, Kurves, publishing, theater, writers conference, writing, writing advice, www.amyshojai.com

Feline Friday: Cat Snuggling 101

Snuggling works! Copr. Wendy Christensen

Today once again I share blog-space with an awesome cat writer, artist and behavior purr-son (I wear her jewelry…just sayin'…). Please help me welcome my colleague Wendy Christensen, who manages her clowder with a velvet paw as they provide furry inspiration. There's a reason they call her the "Cat Herder" and those who love cats will recognize their own cats' foibles in Wendy's experience. The more cats you have, the greater the chance for (ahem) cat-astrophes. How many cats do you have? How do YOU do it? Take a lesson from Wendy and please share your experiences in the comments. Take it away, Wendy!

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"Cats do what they do because it works." This insight, offered by ethologist and author Myrna Milani, DVM, has long guided my approach to cat-keeping.

Just like us, cats have problems to solve. The solutions they choose make perfect sense to them. They just don't always make sense to us. A cat chooses a behavior because it solves a problem for her in the most satisfying and acceptable way she can devise at that moment. Her solution is not always what you would choose. If you don't like her solution, it's up to you to devise a superior – from the cat's point of view – alternative. And that's the essence of the cat-keeper's job: figuring out what works, and what doesn't, for both cats and humans.

When it comes to cats, one should never say "never" (especially if the cats are calicos), but there are a few things that never work (yelling, hitting, force, punishment) and a few things that, intelligently deployed, can work wonders (praise, petting, play, pampering, diversion, persuasion).

My life with cats is a work in progress. I don't just live with my cats, I study them. I'm no animal communicator (I wish I were), but I try to get into their furry little heads and figure out what they're thinking, what they want, and what's important to them.

What I've discovered is that what cats want is: plenty of everything, plus extras. Extra litter boxes. Extra treats. Extra cat trees. Extra toys. Extra attention. They constantly crave reassurance that the resources they care about will remain plentiful and accessible. They're extraordinarily good at sharing, but hate being forced to share. They're quite savvy about managing resources among themselves, as long as they possess a general sense of abundance and continuity. What I've learned is that the cat-keeper's job is to be a good provider.

Their lack of opposable thumbs means cats can't tinker with their environments to the extent that we can. But the cat is a practical animal with an engineer's curiosity about the world, and cats can make more sophisticated problem-solving decisions than we sometimes give them credit for. They try something. If it works, they keep doing it. If it doesn't, they tinker with the solution and try again.

Like my cats, I have a practical engineer's curiosity about what works and what doesn't. Whether I'm building a piece of cat jewelry, painting a cat portrait, or offering cat behavior advice to puzzled cat owners I focus on efficacy and efficiency: finding the simplest, most elegant solution that works. Over time, my collection of favorite products, tools, tips, tricks and techniques grows.

In managing our shared environment, I'm perpetually searching for what's going to work best for the cats and for me. I identify problems, tinker with this and that, consider possible solutions. Sometimes, the cats beat me to it.

Several of my cats have always been rather prickly about snuggling up "too close" to other cats. They had to maintain a certain perimeter of dignified separation. Despite my efforts to encourage sharing, my bed's cat-carrying capacity remained stubbornly at about three. Then came the ice storm of 2008 – no heat or power for five days. It started out cold, and got colder. I put out multiple blankets and kitty beds so the cats could bundle up in (relative) coziness. But they didn't retreat to their kitty beds. They piled up on top of me. All ten of them.

This necessitated a rapid and wholesale breakdown of the "dignified perimeter" theory. Ever since, mass snuggling has been the norm. It turns out that sharing works. So, though cats generally hate changes, they're not afraid to change their minds when they discover something that works.

Time to share, now that we know it works. Here are some of the things that work for me and my cats:

Interior screen doors
ZeroOdor
Hard floors with sealed edges
Da Bird
Washable everything
Febreeze Laundry Odor Eliminator
Extra-large litter boxes, on wheels
The Drinkwell-360 cat fountain
Cat trees in every room
DeLonghi steam cleaner
Fleece throws in every color (cats love fleece!)
Hills t/d (as treats)
Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat litter

OK, your turn. What works for you and your cats?

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I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, "like" me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!

Filed under: Cat Behavior & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat art, cat behavior, cat books, cat jewelry, cats, Wendy Christensen

Woof Wednesday: Doggy Assistant, Excuse, or Both?

Today I sniff out new territory and welcome my first-ever GUEST BLOGGER! Please help me welcome my colleague Natalie Markey, who balances a writing career, marriage, motherhood, and special-needs dog–in other words, she's like many of us who call ourselves freelancers. There can be pitfalls when working for yourself, though. I often tell folks that my "boss" is a b*tch who always knows when I'm goofing off–but truly it can be hard to toe the line and juggle all those balls (and Frisbees). How do YOU do it? Even if you don't have the two-legged children, the fur-kids and significant others demand attention, too. Natalie shares her answers to these questions. Take it away, Natalie!

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I traded in my fancy suits and briefcase from the "corporate world" for college t-shirts and Victoria Secret sweats (they are comfy) to write full time from home. Some people turned to working from home when the economy went south. The truth is, more and more professionals are working from home as freelancers, consultants and writers. Some companies even allow employs to work from home as incentives to save on gas and long commutes.  And then there are the brave stay-at-home-moms AKA CEO's of the home. Whether you work professionally from home or deal with the normal daily chores that faces us all, dog owners all have one thing in common— Our dogs and if you're like me your dog wants to help with everything!

My dog, Oscar sees himself as the man of the house whenever my husband isn't home. Gosh, sometimes he still probably feels that way when my husband is home! As a working from home mom and author I've learned from my experiences how to manage my schedule so that I can be a great mom, dog owner and professional. I'm currently prepping my next Writing Moms workshop and I'm reminded that so much parenting advice can be applied to anyone with a dog.

If you have children and dogs then you will probably agree with me that children are in many ways easier. I can take my daughter to the grocery store, church, etc. Most places don't want to see eighty-pound Oscar, even though I know he is such a gentlemen and anyone who knows him is blessed. Oscar is my other baby.  So how can you use that to help you with your work?

Your dog can help you around the house, whatever you are working on. Treat him like an assistant. Don't let him be an excuse for not getting things done.  Arrange your routine to incorporate him. I work in my office so I made him a comfy bed set up under my desk. When I write, he lays on my feet keeping them warm and providing company.

Before I set up his addition in the office he would constantly be trying to get me away from work to spend time with him. He doesn't get as much mommy/Oscar time as he use to because of our daughter. Whenever she naps, he wants to spend time with me. Of course I do give him my full attention throughout the day but when I'm working I've made it possible to combine time with Oscar with productivity.

There are many things you can do to incorporate your dog into your daily routine. Start with your relationship with him. Know your dog and you will know how to best incorporate him into your work, chores and goals.

How has your dog become part of your routine at home?

I'm giving away a "seat" in my March Writing Moms class, which begins Monday March 5. To participate visit my blog and leave a comment. I will put your name in my virtual hat and draw!

Natalie C. Markey is a seasoned freelance writer including popular columns like the Special Needs Dog Care Examiner. She is the author of "Caring for Your Special Needs Dogs," and also writes fiction from her Arkansas home, where her dog Oscar assists her. Follow her on Twitter, Pen to Publish blog, and her website.

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I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, "like" me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!

Filed under: Uncategorized

Monday Mentions: Cat Fonts, Book Reviews & Animal Stars

Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Some of this "schtuff" can be hard to categorize and may fit more than one topic so I urge you to at least scan them all.

For the next three nights we'll be rehearsing and fine-tuning the premier performances this Thursday, Friday and Saturday of KURVES, THE MUSICAL! Last week our preview performance received raves, and we got a GREAT REVIEW in Sunday's paper, yee-haw! (see comments on the KURVES page) and ticket sales continue to be enthusiastic. But I know that I'll be worthless this week, and am grateful to two terrific guest bloggers who will provide your Woof Wednesday and Feline Friday furry fixes while I pursue thespian endeavors.

Meanwhile, I've been busy creating more puppy-licious content (some of it listed, below). To start the blog off on the right paw, check out these two new books by awesome colleagues and authors. Whether you have the urge to gift a pet-loving friend with a title, or indulge yourself, you can't get better.

They say that confession is good for the soul–and Alia Zobel Nolan channels her 'inner dog' to get to the bottom of some of your furry miscreant's antics. This fun gift book with gorgeous photos is great fun and leave you second guessing your own dogs' motivation. Read my review here. Oh, and for the cat-centric folks, Allia has another great companion book titled I'd Rather Be A Cat: The Official "Better Than Dogs" Cat Book.

Touching, inspirational stories abound in David Frei's latest book. Angel On A Leash celebrates therapy dogs as well as the therapy dog organization of the same name. Check out my review here.

WRITER-ICITY SCTHUFF

The Publishing Pole Vault, from traditionally to self publishing, interesting blog

Giving Away Books–Huh? Here's why it's a good thing

Bob Mayer on Story Ideas & Conflict, a must-do online workshop!

Why Poets Should Avoid Agents

William Bernhardt Writer Workshops

Left Coast Crime Conference 2012 in Sacramento!

Writers League of Texas Agent Conference

2012 Oklahoma Book Awards Finalists Named

WG2E–New Online Bulletin Board for Self-Pub'd Writers

WEIRD BUT FUN SCHTUFF

Prevent Sinning with The Sin Collar from the awesome blogger Jenny Hansen…where does she find this stuff!?

Cats As Fonts This could go under any of the cat-egories today.

PET SCHTUFF

World Spay Day February 28

FixNation is an LA-based nonprofit that works with more than 7,000 volunteers to implement TNR (trap-neuter-return) of feral cats. They loan traps out to the community, teach volunteers how to trap and provide information about colony management and seek funding to maintain this level of outreach. To date, they've "fixed" more than 65,000 cats and also offers low-cost services for companion cats.

Cat Hero Saves Owner's Life Hours After Adoption! You may have heard of diabetic-alert dogs–well here's a cat doing the same thing, and more!

Ohio Pit Bull Discrimination Ends

Animal Abuser Registry?

Where Do Research Cats & Dogs Come From? You'd be surprised…or maybe not. New rules …

Toxoplasmosis–the Truth! neat info from the Worms and Germs blog

Westminster Benching Moves from the Gardens!

Hybrid Vigor? Baloney! Interesting article from a vet, no less.

Update on Canine Heartworm Disease, in honor of February being American Heart Health Month.You can also help support feline heart health with donations to the Winn Feline Foundation's Ricky Fund that seeks solutions to feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

February is National Pet Dental Care Month so check out these articles on puppy teething (when does it STOP!), a how-to primer on brushing puppy teeth, and an informative article on canine dental health.

5th annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event More than 200 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists throughout the U.S., as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, are estimated to provide free sight-saving eye exams to thousands of eligible service animals. Registration for service animal owners and handlers begins April 1, 2012 at www.ACVOeyeexam.org

Birdy Movie Star! visits Dr. Rayya, you don't want to miss this gorgeous parrot

MORE Animal Stars in time for scene stealing awards

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, "like" me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!

Filed under: Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care, Theater & Performance, Writing Advice & More Tagged: Allia Zobel Nolan, Amy Shojai, cat behavior, David Frei, dog training, pit bull bans, the sin collar, theater and performance, therapy dogs, toxoplasmosis, writing advice, www.amyshojai.com

Feline Friday: Beware Easter Lilies!

Copr. Home-and-garden.webshots.com

The gorgeous lily makes its appearance each year, decorating church, home, and garden. I can't have them in my house, though.  I won't to risk having an Easter lily anywhere near my cat Seren. For cats, the fragrant blooms can mean death.

Many lilies are lethal to cats. Easter lilies, stargazer lilies, and Asiatic lilies are the most dangerous, and different cats react in various ways. The plants contain a chemical that can damage the kidneys, and kill your cat. Just biting a leaf or petal, or licking up the water from the vase can be enough to cause serious kidney disease.

Artificial flowers may be just the ticket, as in this posed shot.

Dogs often gnaw leaves, dig up the plant, or eat the whole thing. Cats aren't as likely to eat plants, but just biting a lily leaf or petal can kill kitty. Felines more often paw-pat and shred leaves and stems during play, and may be poisoned when they later lick and clean their paws and claws.

Cats poisoned by lily toxin typically suffer kidney failure within 36 to 72 hours. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy or loss of appetite. Some cats suffer permanent kidney damage and lose their lives, while others can recover if treated in time with dialysis that gives the organs enough time to heal.

Roses can injure cats if they bite thorns, but aren't toxic and actually are edible...according to Seren!

The easiest way to protect your cats is to keep toxic plants out of reach—or out of your house altogether. Besides lilies, other potential harmful plants include rhododendron, sago palm, kalanchoe and schefflera. Azalea can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, coma and death. Eating or chewing caladium, dieffenbachia or philodendron makes the tongue and throat swell up so breathing is difficult. Mother-in-law's tongue (snake plant) causes everything from mouth irritation to collapse. Crown of thorns and English ivy will prompt thirst, vomiting and diarrhea, stomach pain, and death in one to two days. Holly also causes stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea.

Peace Lily

You can keep your pet family members safe and sound by choosing only pet-friendly safe varieties for your garden and home. Calla Lilies (below) and peace lilies (above), which don't belong to the Lilium genus, are harmless to cats.

Calla Lily

There are many other plants that prompt mild problems, such as excess salivation or mouth discomfort. Keeping these out of reach of curious paws may be sufficient to protect your animals. But pet lovers should steer clear of the worst plant offenders, both inside and out. If you see your pet with one or more of these signs, particularly if a suspect plant is within reach, get help immediately! First aid can save the cat or dog's life. Then take the pet to see the veterinarian as quickly as possible.

Different poisons require very specific first aid. Usually that will be either 1) induce vomiting, (cats do this on their own very well–but never when you want them to!) or 2) give milk or water to wash out the mouth and dilute the poison. Making the pet vomit the wrong poisonous plant, though, could make a serious situation even more deadly, so you MUST know what to do for each type of plant.

Detailed advice for dealing with the most common plant poisoning is available in the book The First-Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats. The ASPCA Animal Poison-Control Center is available for telephone consultations (1-888-426-4435) in case of poisoning emergency.

What cat-safe plants do you have in your home? How do you keep the cat from destroying/eating them? Have you ever had a kitty-plant encounter of the dangerous kind? Please share!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you'd like answered? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, "like" me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter with pet book give-aways!

Filed under: Cat Behavior & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat books, cats, dog books, Easter lily, first aid for pets, poison, poisonous plants, www.amyshojai.com