Amy Shojai's Blog, page 144

Feline Friday: Ask Amy–Why Does My Cat Spray?

"Mine don't stink--it smells GOO-OOOOD!"

Why does my cat spray? For the same reason that dogs leg-cock and "baptize" objects. Cats use urine to mark territory. But it goes beyond that.

To the cat, his own urine smells like him/her. Think of it as kitty cologne and spritzing that familiar scent all around makes the cat feel happy and comforted the same way you entering Grandma's house and smelling cookies baking "reminds" you of familiar safe things. So that means when your cat feels stressed, a way to calm upset kitty feelings is to turn on the (ahem) water works.

I've also known cats that spray over top of smells that either frighten them or that they associate with with something or someone they love. The cat who sprays the new boyfriend's shoes, for instance, might be trying to make him smell "safe" while spraying your pillow could simply mean "I own this space because it smells like my beloved so other cats STAY AWAY!"

Whatever the meaning or the cause, spraying can lose cats their homes or lives. People rarely consider spraying to be the back-handed compliment it is. Hit or miss potty behaviors are the top behavior complaint I receive and the number one cause of cats ending up in shelters. When I was a contributing writer for my colleague Franny Syufy's outstanding cats.About.com site I wrote a whole series of articles on the subject so you can learn more here. Often the spraying arises due to conflicts between multiple cats sorting out their social standing, and my book PETiQuette offers specific help for multiple cat homes.

The Ask Amy video offers several suggestions for helping with this issue. My colleague Marilyn Krieger specializes in Bengal kitties and can be contacted for specific advice regarding this glorious breed. What are some other suggestions that have worked for you with your cats?

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 Tagged: Amy Shojai, Bengal, cat behavior, cat books, cat care, cat spray, cats, Complete Kitten Care, http://www.shojai.com, Marilyn Krieger, why does my cat spray, www.amyshojai.com

Woof Wednesday: Dog Water Maniacs

Magical-Dawg as a baby LOVED to play in his water bowl--messy!

Is your dog a water baby? Today's Ask Amy responds to a reader with a "water maniac" dog who can't seem to stay dry no matter what. Some dogs come by the urge due to breeding, such as retrievers who live for diving into water. But even my Magical-Dawg thinks chasing the water from the hose is nearly as good as Frisbee Fetch.

But how do you handle waterlogged pooches as the weather gets cold? Water play and games can be a wonderful pastime in hot weather. Some parts of the country continue to suffer unseasonably warm weather and you can refer to these tips including water games to keep hot dogs cool.

My concern, though, would be for Magic to become used to splish-splashing in the tank (that's Texan for "man-made pond") and then try to do the same and fall through winter ice. There's probably no chance of that this year–our drought has dried up the tanks–but drowning can be a problem for water-loving hounds. Just because they can swim doesn't mean they won't drown if they can't get out of the water. Here's an article on drowning first aid and water safety as a "just in case" that I hope you'll never need.

Are your dogs water fanatics? Or do they avoid getting furry tootsies damp? How do you keep them safe? What other suggestions would you have for the owner of the doggy-slob in this Ask Amy?

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, Bling Alert!, Woof Wednesdays Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, dog behavior, dog swimming, dogs, first aid, puppies.About.com, water play, www.amyshojai.com

Tuesday Tips: Dragons, Mountains & Publishing

I miss my mountains!

Last week I was in the mountains of Colorado–BLISS!–communed with nature, beverage, bling, friends, and fictioning (not necessarily in that order). The past several week's Tuesday Tips have been a great help for me sharing insight from best-selling thriller authors. And I harvested a bumper crop of all-things-writerly and meant to include them in yesterday's Monday Mentions but there were just too dang many. So you'll find 'em here. But first a little introspection.

Meet Maurice, my dragon muse who keeps my fictioning ass-ets on target.

Like many bookworm rabid readers I thought that I could write a novel. And I tried, oooh how I tried! My first agent told me my work was wonderful, awesome, spectacular and that when the movie-of-the-week came out, I should play the lead. Wow! Of course, that was long ago in a galaxy far away when I'd only just fallen off the writerly turnip truck and PAID said agent for those glowing reviews. (See WRITER BEWARE blog listed below). Four novels later that agent got dumped–hey I was a slow learner!–and I'd begun selling articles while I searched for another agent for the fiction.

Low and behold, the articles garnered my first book contracts when an editor from Nooo Yawk contacted ME to write The Cat Companion followed by several other pet books–all without an agent. The search for an agent continued, and one in particular turned down the fiction but wanted to see nonfiction efforts–together we sold probably 15 pet care titles. I guess you could say the fiction gave me my book career, yet that success shoved novels and article writing aside.

Fast forward to the present–Nooo Yawk no longer calls or even picks up the phone or opens the email for pet books unless the author also has a network TV show or has slept with the wrong famous person. Print magazines that launched my own and others' careers are gone or fading fast. Online writing for pennies a page or for the "glory" of a byline has begun the new paradigm. Agents can't sell books because editors are afraid to buy.

Ebooks are the (current) king! Scary crappiocca but exciting, too. Never before have writers and authors had so much control–IF they take that leap. Once I'd finished pounding my head bloody against the wall and gnashing teeth over the changes, my books took that Ebook plunge and Internet articles became my bread and virtual butter. So how are you managing the changes in your writing life? Still angsting over schtuff that you can't change or taking the bull-hocky by the ballz and making a difference in your career?

Oh, it's still scary. Y'all know that now I'm the Puppies Guide at About.com, and they've just announced ABOUT.COM LAYOFFS, YIKES!  The "contributing writers" program at About.com (a New York Times company) was summarily dumped last week with little more than a week's notice to the freelancers providing 12 or more pieces of "content" per month to various guide sites. In addition, 15 "channel editors" were laid off as well (see the link). After working for nearly a year as a contributing writer (CW) to the cats.About.com Guidesite before creating the spanking-new puppies.About.com Guidesite this comes as a shock to me and others working for the company. CWs are encouraged to apply for open Guide positions or the new "Topic Guide" program.  And any other writer with the credentials may also apply and find it a rewarding venue.

I'll be releasing new nonfiction pet books in the months ahead but there's never been a better time to return to fiction. I'm taking a fun Email course from Lawson Writer's Academy from Tiffany Lawson Inman on the Triple Threat Behind Staging A Scene. I won the course (YAY!) from my blogging buddy Jenny Hansen. See? you can find all kinds of kewl schtuff reading, sharing and commenting on other folks' blogs! Speaking of blogs and other writer-icity tips, take a look at the following for some great insight, tips and inspiration.

BLOG DESIGN 101, some helpful tips on color, font and more

8 TIPS FOR WRITING THE PERFECT BLOG from Lorie Huston, great writer and animal lover (she's a vet, too!), all about keywords and tags and more.

PLEASE SIGN MY KINDLE!  here's how...

PERFECT STORM LOOMS IN PUBLISHING from Bob Mayer's Write-It-Forward

AWESOME NOVEL DIAGNOSIS TIPS, a peek inside the head (wowie!) of Kristen Lamb

REVISING & POLISHING YOUR NOVEL, guest blogger Jodie Renner at DP Lyle's blog.

AMAZON'S KINDLE FIRE (TABLET), blog discussion from David Gaughran, and another great post on the topic from Jason Pinter

WRITER BEWARE! Aspen Mountain Press and also a great post on BAD CONTRACT CLAUSES

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 Tagged: Amy Shojai, Bob Mayer, David Gaughran, DP Lyle, http://www.amyshojai.com, Jenny Hansen, Jodie Renner, Lawson Writers Academy, Lorie Huston, puppies.About.com, Tiffany Lawson Inman, writer beware, writers conference, writing

Monday Mentions: Dogs, Cats, Babies and Treats

Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo links and blogs and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Today we're celebrating lots of dogs, cats, babies and sweet treats. Some of the PEOPLE SCHTUFF at the bottom may appeal to writers for plot twists and the like. ALERT–I had so much writer-icty info that it's been bumped to tomorrow's Tuesday Tips blog so stay tuned, you won't want to miss that.

Please don't be shy about sending me your own links or suggestions for others to highlight. I love doing a SNOOPY-DANCE-'O-JOY! in celebration of all the savvy writers and animal advocates doing the work of the angels–and to a few angels as well.

Defending the Defenseless: A Guide to Protecting and Advocating for Pets a new book by my colleague Allie Phillips, outlines how you can do more to help companion animals. I've not yet had the pleasure of reading this book but it sounds wonderful, as it covers the people and organizations who are taking extraordinary steps to help animals. The book can show you how to get involved, from the simplest of tasks to more extensive involvement. Allie writes, "If we all just take one small step to help pets, we will launch the tipping point to end cruelty and homelessness." Amen to that!

BABY SCHTUFF

Many of y'all know Pam Johnson Bennett as a cat behavior expert and author–the QUEEN of cat wisdom! But did you know she's also mom to two-legged kid? She conspired with another screamingly funny mom to create COOKIES FOR DINNER because they say mothers don't need another "how to" book on parenting. What they need is to know that they're not the only ones who stand on the supermarket checkout line and share potty training horror stories with total strangers. (Lordy, sounds like me talking about the puppy poop-athon keep-away game, urk!). Amazon share this about the authors and book:

"Pam and Kae are two mothers who bravely (or insanely) fess up about the roller-coaster ride of motherhood. Kae went into labor four months after her husband left to move in with his girlfriend and also the precise day her house was tented for ticks… yes, ticks! Pam is a worrying germophobe who, at the ripe old age of 47 entered into the world of diapers and all things poop… You'll also discover when it's appropriate to have a conversation with Guatemalan insects and what it's like going to bed with normal-sized breasts the night before giving birth and then waking up with the equivalent of a dairy farm on your chest."

RISKY BABY BUSINESS from Jenny Hansen is a new blog (Saturdays) for anyone who has ever had a less-than-routine pregnancy–offered with compassion and not a little humor. I love all of Jenny's blogs but this one is particularly helpful for parents-to-be.

SWEET DOGGY & KITTY SCHTUFF

Kawai Cat Sweets

KITTY TREATS FOR PEOPLE, YUM!  And no, I'm not talking about munching kitty toes–these are feline theme only.

MORE KITTY TREATS–BLING!--helping ACR cats via Wendy Christensen cat jewelry, and that's MY kind of treat! Here's the necklace that I have…and no you can't have it!

DOGTOPIA PRIMPS PETS IN THE PINK for breast cancer awareness. Dogs across the country will get primped and pampered in October, all in the name of breast cancer awareness and research. Dogtopia, a full-service dog day care, spa and boutique with locations throughout the U.S. is 'fighting for the cure' in their second annual "Paws for Pink" campaign.

DOGS HELP FIGHT BULLYING  It makes sense. Having a dog nearby cools a kid's stress, which more than likely fans the flames of bully behavior. So if a bully breed can chill the chillun, I'm all for it. Great program! And you don't even need a REAL dog to make it work (although hands-on-petting certainly is more fun for everyone involved).

HARRY POTTER'S DOG NEEDS NEW HOME, say it ain't so!

FERAL CAT COLONY SUCCESS by feline-fantastic blogger Sally Bahner, and another neato torpedo story about FERALS WIN BIG AT CAT SHOW.

STAINED GLASS ANIMAL ART CONTEST, ooooooooooooooh, shiny! Submit any animal design in art glass, ceramics, mosaics or jewelry (Wendy, are you listening?). Some of y'all know in my spare time I make stained glass windows and lampshades (yes, I bleed for my art). This contest is way tempting.

KITTY CAME BACK after a flood–whew! Rough experience but happy ending from Darlene Jone's blog

HOME EUTHANASIA FOR PETS, a kinder, gentler final gift of love?

PEOPLE SCHTUFF

BIRTH CONTROL PILLS ALTER MEMORY….for what? Read the article.

WORLD RABIES DAY in BALI by Sophia Yin, DVM

DEPRESSED? GET CAFFEINATED! Coffee may keep depression at bay (yee-haw, vindication!)

DEPRESSION PREDICTS DEMENTIA?   So I'm increasing the caffeination quotient, how about you?

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: Howls & Hisses, Monday Mentions, Wags & Purrs Tagged: ACR, Allie Phillips, Amy Shojai, cat behavior, Darlene Jones, dogs and bullying, Dogtopia, harry potter's dog, http://www.amyshojai.com, Jenny Hansen, Pam Johnson Bennett, Sally Bahner, Sophia Yin, stained glass and pets, Wendy Christensen

Feline Friday: In Your Face!

This gorgeous kitty face, courtesy of mhstrp2009 illustrates that face-to-face, in-your-face, face-off behavior that kitties so often seem to want. While they may appear to be shrinking violets who hide under the bed–as does the little cat in the Ask Amy video below–they really want to be close to us.

But on THEIR terms!

Do you have a shy cat? You can reduce kitty anxiety with these tips.  What about bed-sharing kitties? When Seren was a baby my husband couldn't sleep with her on the bed because her purr kept him away. These days, of course, the Magical-Dawg hogs the pillows. Are the cats avoiding the bedroom or swiping the covers? Maybe they sleep under the bed or chase each other and play midnight tag with your toes? How do you deal?

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, Bling Alert!, Feline Fridays Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, cat behavior, cat books, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, kittens, shy cats, why cats hide

Woof Wednesday: Eat Dirt! & Other Schtuff

Pups commonly eat sticks--not a good thing!

Owners fill bowls with nutritious food to keep dogs healthy. So why do dogs eat weird, disgusting and even dangerous stuff?

Dogs use their mouths the way we use our hands. They pick up objects and explore their world by mouthing, tasting, and chewing. That sometimes gets them into trouble if they swallow something they shouldn't.

Does your dog eat grass? What about poop–urk. Actually puppies tend to do more potty snacking than adult dogs and you can find tips to curb the nasty habit here. Adult dogs may continue treating the cat's litter box like a snack bar–unless you've got a Kitty Comando like my Seren-kitty that keeps all *sniff* DAWGS at bay.

What about eating toys or rocks or other non-edibles? The latest Paw Nation article "Weird Stuff Dogs Eat" offers some explanations. And courtesy of one of my Facebook friends, the Ask Amy video addresses the issue of dogs eating dirt.

So how do you manage your dog's odd snacking tastes? What's the weirdest thing your pooch has ever swallowed? I remember one of my Grandma's puppies gobbling up a favorite necklace pendant of mine when I was a kid. Yep, I recovered it later when the puppy passed it back to me–ahem–but never felt the same about wearing it again.

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, Video, Woof Wednesdays Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, dog behavior, dog books, dogs eat dirt, dogs swallowed objects, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, Paw Nation, puppies.About.com, video, why dogs eat grass

Tuesday Tips: Carla Buckley, Pacing Ebb & Flow

I've spent the last several days head-down-slash-and-burn editing the thriller WIP, and the past several weeks' worth of Tuesday Tips have been a great help for me. Hey, it's my blog so I can post what I like! For all you fiction-lovers out there and those who aspire to do this brain-numbing-writer-crappiocca, I hope it's been helpful to you, too.

Here's the last installment of tips from Thrillerfest 2011. I've shared video tips from Karin Slaughter, a video of Michael & Daniel Palmer's Thrillerfest Song, as well as a video of the Thrillerfest interview with master author R.L. Stine, and Ken Follett. I shared an interview of John Sanford and pacing and Jeffery Deaver and Andrew Petersen weighed in on pacing. The awesome Joseph Finder offered three words that make all the difference in pacing and last week Jamie Frevelletti spoke about high-octane pacing. Today I've got the next installment of that panel. You can check out a boatload of Thrillerfest pictures here.

Where else but Thrillerfest could you get so much bang-for-your-buck with James Rollins interviewing a whole panel of best-selling-authors! This next video features another take on the question of pacing, this time answered by best-selling author Carla Buckley, author of The Things That Keep Us Here.  This is a deceptively quiet book, with an ebb-and-flow to the pacing that tightens the tension like a silent scream.

That's right, it doesn't all have to be car chases and machine guns to create pacing. We've talked thrillers on the blog–cuz it's my blog and I happen to love the genre–but ALL fiction needs tension and good pacing. There's no cookie-cutter recipe that works for every book and author. How do you manage your WIP? Readers, what do you like in your book-o-the-moment choice? Is it character angst, plotting twists, a combination or none of the above? Please share!

This video is only a small taste, of course. You can get the full deal recording (and those of the other panels) of CDs, MP3s and DVDs of Thrillerfest here. And even better, you can come to Thrillerfest 2012 and see the big show in person! Registration info is now available.

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 Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, books, Carla Buckley, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, James Rollins, pet books, publishing, Thrillerfest, writers conference, writing

Monday Mentions: PUBSlush, Dolphin Tale & Birdbrain Video

Greta, a lovely girl--image copr. Ryan Chronister Photography/Flickr

Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo links and blogs and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Get a load of that GORGEOUS dog in the photo! Today we're celebrating lots of doggy AND kitty content, plus some interesting writer tips and links. As a treat, there's even a clever parrot video, enjoy!

Please don't be shy about sending me your own links or suggestions for others to highlight. I love doing a SNOOPY-DANCE-'O-JOY! in celebration of all the savvy writers and animal advocates doing the work of the angels–and to a few angels as well.

WRITER SCHTUFF

Copyright Violation Protection information in this detailed article about what to do and how to do it. An additional tip that can help is to BLOG about your article as soon as it's posted and include a link to that article. Apparently Google registers blogs quicker than articles so this can help the author get "first dibs" on the content you create.

PUBSlush PRESS is an interesting alternative pub opportunity but there are still questions–as the fine folks at Writer Beware point out.

FUN PET LINKS, BLOGS & INFO

JACQUIE LAWSON Animated E-cards are simply a treat to view and to send. They often feature animals (especially dogs and cats) and are appropriate for any age or occasion from funny, celebratory or poignant. You can subscribe for a nominal fee. Here's one of the newest–featuring Fluff the kitten.

The Hero Dog Awards Celebrity Auction is live! The auction will run from September 19, 2011 to October 7, 2011, with proceeds supporting American Humane Association's mission to create a more humane and compassionate world by ending abuse and neglect of children and animals.

Cat Therapy Helps Jail Birds from Petside.com Blogger Jo Singer.

NO ANIMALS WERE HARMED Review Blog from American Humane (check out Winter the dolphin's story here!)

Shakespeare's Cats, a whimsical blog-look at the Bard's roles played by felines. If you liked that, you'll also enjoy the pictures of Yoga Kittens as well as Yoga Puppies, aroooooooo!

Snakes Are Snacking and wreaking havok on dogs and cats–know the signs and get them help! Great info from Raya-the-Vet's blog.

Adoption Pictures MATTER!  Improved pet photos increase adoptions–a Texas photographer shows you how, very kewl!

Partnership Launches Cat Health Initiative, with some movers-and-shakers in the world of vet medicine research.

Musings of Natasha Finkel, the Fashionista Felina–fun blog your cats will want to read.

CAT HERO–DIABETIC ALERT FELINE, you've heard about the dogs–well kitties care, too. Lovely touching story from blogger Angela Wallace.

Houses Designed for Cats! Warning…don't let YOUR pets get a look.

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: Monday Mentions, Writing Tips Tagged: American Humane Hero Dogs, Amy Shojai, Angela Wallace, books, cat behavior, cat health initiative, cat therapy, dog behavior, Jacquie Lawson, Jo Singer, Morris Animal Foundation, Natasha Finkel, pet photograph helps adoptions, petside.com, puppies.About.com, Shakespeare's Cats, snake bites and pets, veterinary care, writers conference, writing, Yoga Kittens, Yoga Puppies

Feline Friday: Kitty Drinking Problem

Some cats will do anything for a treat!

The truth is, cats tend not to drink ENOUGH water, and we humans bend over backwards (OUCH!) to ensure they get what they need. I've gone through three "water fountains" with Seren. She's enjoyed them all and I don't know that a kitty vote would come paws-down in favor of one over another. There are a number of products on the market and the best option is what works best for your fur-kids. These are the ones my cat has used and enjoyed.

The Pet Mate Fresh Flow (black on the right) was the first cat fountain and I won the product at the Cat Writers Association event. It contains a clear plastic chamber that you fill, and water runs down a smooth cascade into a reservoir. Seren loved this and drank from it for years where it sat next to the sink in my office bathroom. It was a big awkward to fill because the plastic tank had to come out and be filled. After several years (6? 7?) the motor finally quit. The motor had been a bit noisy.

So I quick-like-a-bunny ran out and got a Drinkwell fountain (left, light blue) because–well–it was on sale and I had a holiday gift certificate to the pet products store. So far we've had this fountain for about 2-3 years I think and it's still going strong. The water spits out of the trough and falls with a splash into the reservoir and Seren-kitty drinks quite a bit from this one. The water can easily be replenished by dumping a glass full into the pan. The motor has a constant hum that I've finally gotten used to but must remember to shut off when recording a radio show or Ask Amy video.

The latest kitty water fountain is the Cat-It Fresh & Clear Fountain, that the kind folks at Hagen Pet Products sent to me for review. Or rather, for SEREN to review. The water burples up (yes, I made up that word) through a center hole in the canister-shaped device. The motor is nearly silent. Like the Drinkwell, to fill it I simply dump another cup of water into the well. I set it up next to the Drinkwell. For the first week, Seren ignored it, and the Drinkwell water level continued to go down. The next week the sneaky-puss started testing the new fountain but never when I could see her. I know she did because the water level began to drop–but so did the water in the Drinkwell. Several days later, the Drinkwell water level remained constant and the Cat-It burpling fountain clearly got Seren's vote. She now drinks in front of me but runs when I get out the camera. So you'll have to check out the Ask Amy video for her other favorite drink-spot.

So what's your cat's favorite way to drink? Does s/he have a fountain? Demand a bowl? Kibbitz for milk, or drink from the sink? 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, Bling Alert!, Feline Fridays, Video Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, cat behavior, cat books, cat care, cat drinking, cat health, Cat-It Fountain, Drinkwell fountain, http://www.amyshojai.com, http://www.shojai.com, PetMate Fresh Flow

Woof Wednesday: Less Adoptable? More LOVE!

Natalie's "Tess" doing well after surgery!

Last week I shared a blog on Adopting Other-Abled Pets  prompted by the amazing Petfinder.com initiative on adopting less adoptable pets.

That blog received lots of feedback, and this past Monday the puppies.About.com blog shared tips about how to help blind puppies. After all, blind pets rarely consider themselves "disabled" and still become wonderful companions.

Do you share your home with a "less adoptable" pet? How did you find each other? Has living with an "other-abled" pet affected your life in positive ways? I encouraged folks to  share pictures and stories and today you'll find some of them in the blog! I gotta admit, y'all made my day-week-YEAR with these heartwarming experiences. After reading them, check out the ASK AMY VIDEO at the bottom of the post for some tips about adoptions and shy dogs.

NATALIE HARTFORD'S "TESS"

Our older animals deserve all the love and attention in the world as much as our puppies do!! I am not sure if you saw on my blog that my dog's been getting older. She turned 10 this year and just before her birthday, she ruptured the ligament in her knee. She had to have surgery and hubby and I have invested well over 150 hours of physio into her recovery. She's recovering wonderfuly and at her 9-week check up, the vet said she's walking amazing and is doing exceptionally well – all swelling is gone – and we can move towards gradual return to all activities.

The 3 months has been hard but the most wonderful thing has also come out of it. Hubby and I both feel more bonded and connect to Tess. We've spent more time with her, touching her, working with her, healing her, and loving her…it's just filled us with joy! And to see her come through this with such an amazing spirit, unconditional love, and happiness – just amazing.

I know that this means her arthritis is going to kick into overdrive sooner rather than later. And I know we've already got some hip issues. But I don't care. She's my baby and I'll be with her to support her and work with her as she ages….because that's what I committed to! Because I love her. Because I am here for her for the long haul no matter how hard or easy it is. If she were human, she'd do no less for me!

KARYL CUNNINGHAM'S "JODI"

Karyl with Freckles and Jodi.

Jodi is the dog I grew up with. She was 6 months younger than me, so we had her as long as I can remember. Half beagle, half who-knows-what, she was the pick of her litter and the best dog a family could ask for.

Now, when I was very young, I was diagnosed with epilepsy. Turned out we had arsenic in our water, which the testing company had told us was safe. I had been exposed to that water before I was born, and drank more water for my body size than my parents or sister, so I was the only one in the house affected. Well, we ended up finding out that Jodi had epilepsy too –The dog and I grew older, and we had a pretty solid bond. Partly, I think, because I knew she had the same disease I had.

She is, by far, the smartest dog I have ever known. It took us a while to figure out, of course, being stupid humans.   She … grabbed a big mouthful of straw and dropped it on top of the food to hide it from the birds. Score one for the dog. When winter came, dad kept finding the tennis ball in her water bowl. Then he watched out the bedroom window one day, tennis ball in the water bowl that was now frozen over. She walked over to the bowl, pulled out the ball, took a drink of the unfrozen water beneath the surface of the ice, and put the ball back in. Nobody taught her this – she learned it all on her own.

We cannot forget that the vets said she wouldn't live to see 10. So, around the time we both turned 10, I started spending hours out with her alone, telling her I loved her, telling her when it was time to go, not to worry because we'd be okay. I promised her, every night, that when the time came I would say goodbye.

And she lived on. She started slowing down after a while, we were worried it was getting close to time to say goodbye… But when that puppy Freckles joined the family, she sprang back to life.Eventually she started to slow down again. One day I came home from school, and my parents told me they had taken her in. . .  I was more devastated that they hadn't told me. I had promised her… promised her every day I would say goodbye, and then I wasn't given the chance.

Karyl's cat Simba, blind in one eye (maybe both).

I'm told when they gave her the shot, she fought it the whole way down. Mom thinks it's because she wasn't done protecting us… was hoping she could teach Freckles how to before she went. I think she was waiting for me to come say goodbye. The vet said she wouldn't make it to 10. She would have been 17 that spring…

I still miss her. Nearly 10 years later and I still miss her…Some things never go away.   (Edited for length, see the whole post here)

There was mom's old cat Shoebee (so named because he would come up and sit on your shoes to be petted when he was a baby) who was born without a breastbone… and liked to swim in the bathtub as my sister found out once by surprise.  Then there's the recently departed Timbit who we found on the side of the road, who never really fully developed – kept part of the blue of her kitten eyes, never really grew at all, was always a bit sick. And my Simba who has been mostly blind in one eye after an injury of unknown origin when she was still living outdoors. We thought she was going to lose that eye, she never did. She now appear to be going blind in both eyes in her old age.

George …seems to have some neural problems, as well as deformed legs, so she wobbles and flops around a bit. Still hunts, though, but my parents have to watch her because she once fell out of a tree and broke her hips.

Maggie's Harley, a furry blessing!

MAGGIE ROSENTHAL'S "HARLEY"

I adopted Harley from Downtown Dogs because his story touched my heart; not because my brain was engaged. What was I thinking bringing an adult dog with no known history into a licensed day care setting ?  The first time I took him to church, to be blessed, he took off down a ½ mile driveway looking for the highway to Tennessee.  The first time I took him to the beach he attacked

Harley with a special friend.

a dog two times his size.  And the first time I tried to license him in Massachusetts they refused to do so because they didn't believe he is a lab hound.  (They are probably right, but his sweetness won them over in the end.)

Harley is very handsome, except when he falls asleep and his tongue pushes out where teeth should be.   Harley is WONDERFUL with children.  From the infants to the students who come back to visit, he is gentle, patient, and forgiving. A baby climbing over him elicits a happy thumping tail. Getting to ride shotgun in the school van elicits a happy thumping tail. And dinner ? Ecstasy!

He no longer starts fights with other dogs, because he has learned to read my body language and knows I will be there for him.  His willingness to trust is a direct reflection of the love and support of the women at Downtown Dogs. Their prediction that he would always be by my side, however, was wrong. As his confidence has grown he is very happy to take off without me and ignore my first and sometimes, second call.  He is the proverbial bull in a china shop, but he does step over the cockatiels, instead of on them. A skill I greatly appreciate.

Adopting a skittish, almost toothless, adult dog and expecting him to adapt to young children twelve hours a day was unrealistic at best.  And during the first few months I wasn't sure he would be able to meet the state guidelines for dogs at day care centers; but he has. He hasn't stolen a pizza off the table in months.  He's learned to wait outside the doorway while the children are eating, with no closed door to remind him. And he happily shares the couch with one of the four year olds, during quiet time.

What no one knew when I adopted Harley, was that he would develop seizures; making him a physical and mental special needs dog.  If being the offspring of bully breeds, being dark, being skittish and almost toothless hadn't been enough against him, the addition of epilepsy would have removed him from most adoption lists. Thankfully, we didn't know. And instead of being one more dog euthanized, he has become a full time volunteer at a day care program and a beloved member of the pack.

MICHELLE JAMES, PRESIDENT, DOWNTOWN DOGS GROUP

PUTTING ON THE DOG   Amy, I am co-founder of a small rescue organization in Tennessee, the only rescue in our area that focuses primarly on adult and "special needs" dogs. Your post was serendipitous for me today, as I read it literally 5 minutes after receiving an email from a local citizen criticizing our rescue. She wrote, "I really don't understand the point of saving animals that have broken legs from being run over, or other really bad injuries, and spending hundreds or thousands of dollars for vet bills doing that, when it's $40 to end their misery and put them to sleep."

The public, and even some rescuers, often express that opinion to us; it's their attempt to "fix" our problems of lack of space and funding. It's so cut-and-dried to them: sacrifice the few to save the many. I try to let such negative comments roll off, but some days are harder than others.

We are SO excited about your special post for these amazing creatures! Since our inception a little over 2 years ago, we have rescued and successfully rehomed a deaf pit bull, a blind dachshund, a 3-legged mixed breed dog, a one-eyed cat, many middle-aged and older dogs (some who were initially feral). We have provided many life-saving surgeries and medical treatments, including several heartworm treatments. We did all of this in spite of advice to spare the resources and euthanize these animals so we could move more puppies out of the area. Our response is always, "There are plenty of other rescues moving puppies – we are here for the ones considered the misfits of the misfit world." Here are a few of their success stories.

Boy George:  Our first "other-abled" rescue is a white pit bull, named Boy George because he looks like he is wearing eye-liner   Because Boy is such a celebrity, he has his own video. (Amy's note: It's a Kleenex moment…HAPPY tears!)

Losing a leg doesn't slow Walker down!

Walker:  We got a call a few weeks ago about a small dog with a leg injury running loose in our downtown area.  Good samaritans had been feeding the little guy, but he was too scared to come near anyone.  One of my volunteers was able to catch him.  He was terrified, and the injury to the leg was severe: a gash near the joint that was extremely infected.  Although Dr. Walker was unable to save the leg, little "Walker" has recovered fully from the amputation and has no idea anything is missing in his life.  He is loving life as Melissa's foster dog, all of his fears have faded away and he is a total social butterfly.  Walker will soon be ready for adoption into a permanent loving home.

Hunter:  Hunter is also a new face at our sanctuary.  A volunteer searching for a lost shih-tzu in the area stubled across Hunter by accident, and called us to say she had found a very sick, starving dog.  When we arrived, Hunter could barely lift his head.  His bones were protruding, and abdomen severely distended.  Examination by Dr. Climer indicated that while only two years old, Hunter had advanced congestive heart failure from heartworm disease; in the days that followed, Hunter lost five pounds of fluid that had accumulated around his lungs.  Although the first weeks were touch and go, Hunter's lab work now looks great and he is well on his way to health!  He has been a fabulous addition to our sanctuary, and like all rescued dogs, he seems so greatful to be alive.  Most rescue agencies would have euthanized Hunter, but once we heard there was the slightest hope, we knew his life was worth fighting for.  We count Hunter among our miracles.

"I'm going HOME!!!"

Doc Hollywood:  Doc is the epitomy of the less-adoptable dog, as he is a male, black, mixed-breed, mid-sized model – the most prevalent of the rescues.  Doc has a white spot on his chest, what I've heard called a "southern kiss" because almost all these black mutts in the south have the white spot.  Doc was spotted by one of our volunteers rummaging through a dumpster in a very impoverished part of town, snacking on an old apple core.  Adoptions are so slow, especially with black dogs, so Doc was with us a year, and became one of the favorites in our rescue family.  I wish I had a story from his new adopter, but they have not yet become officially acquainted…Doc was just adopted, via website, by a wonderful couple willing to look past color and give this beautiful boy a new lease on life; he is on his way to his forever home in Connecticut today!

TAINA EDWARDS "VIOLET"

Violet and Miss Fran.

Michele James contacted me to send you the story about Violet.  Michele found Violet when she was only a few months old. She is 13 pounds and part Dachshund. Michele and I met at a "Downtown Dog Rescue" fundraising meeting.  My mother had just had to euthanize her dog after 17 years.  She was distraught, but I thought it was a good idea for her to have another baby. At the time she was 76. As soon as she got Violet I took her to my Vet and she referred us to Dr. Miller in Memphis to check her vision.  She had been born blind.  He told us that we could not have done anything if we had her earlier, nor could we do anything now.  Of course we cried, after having her for only two days, he gave us a book to read on "Living with Blind Dogs".  My mother soon after rescued another small dog, Prissy. My mother  had a townhouse, which was perfect for the two of them.

My mother passed away unexpectedly last December and she has come to stay with me.  The amazing point in this story is I have a large house with 700 acre farm land around us.  Because of the size I never intended on taking her.  Time after time possible adoptions fell through.  My mother's home flooded so I had to bring Prissy and Violet to my house.  Soon after that my yard was hit by a tornado.  Well you guessed.  Many friends and volunteers came to the rescue and the volunteers never knew Violet was blind!  She trooped through devastation and was just part of the crew.  Everyone has been amazed that her "ability" has overcome her "disability".  They have all fallen in love with her.  In addition to her I also have five other dogs and you can only imagine who is the boss!

It was close to impossible to find a good owner because of her blindness.  I was very concerned about bringing her here and how she would  adjust.  It just goes to show you how limited humans are in their rationale, yet one small animal can change our perception about our limitations to adjust.  Thanks for all you do for the ones that man has domesticated, yet abandoned .

PETFINDER.COM SUCCESS! I'm happy to say that Jane at Petfinder.com reported yesterday: "We have our first Happy Tail adoption story. Gwen, a 4-year-old deaf, visually impaired Great Dane who is a survivor of mammary cancer has been adopted!  "I am beyond thrilled to notify you that Gwen has been adopted into a wonderful home of her own," writes Teresa from Collar of Hope in Bremerton, WA. "Gwen is deaf and vision impaired. She lived for four years in a backyard with pressure sores and without ever seeing a Veterinarian. She was intact and had mammary cancer in one mammary that we had removed. Once all of her medical needs were met and she received soft cushioned bedding and a good diet, she flourished. She is loving, playful and of course goofy as a Great Dane should be."  Gwen now has a brand new home with two other dog companions to keep her company — an older Pomeranian and a 4-year-old Boston Terrier who both just love Gwen. See pictures of Gwen here. We can't wait to see the new family portrait!

When you adopt any pet there's a transition period for both you and the cat or dog. With older animals and those that have health challenges, the transition may take even longer to recover physically and/or emotionally. The greatest gift you can offer–after adoption itself–is patience. This Ask Amy video offers a few tips for dealing with shy rescues.

What have I left out? There's a wealth of experience represented in today's blog. Please offer your suggestions and best tips, too. After all–it's all for the pets!

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, Video, Woof Wednesdays Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, blind cat, blind dog, blind puppies, Downtown Dogs Group, http://www.amyshojai.com, Karyl Cunningham, Maggie Rosenthal, Michelle James, Natalie Hartford, petfinder.com, pets with seizures, puppies.About.com, Putting On the Dog, Taina Edwards