Gayle Irwin's Blog, page 9

Seniors Need Love, Too: 5 Reasons to Adopt an Older Pet

Rhiann sat on a maroon wing-backed chair inside Riverside Veterinary Clinic. Beside her lay Rae, the elderly beagle. In front of her, Colter’s silver-haired veterinarian, Dr. Henry Black, leaned back in a leather chair behind his walnut desk.

“I’m sorry about Rae, but with her age, diabetes, and the glaucoma’s progression, there isn’t much we can do at this stage,” he said, as he steepled his fingers.

Rhiann nodded. “I thought as much. I wish my grandmother’s friend had contacted me sooner. With her own eyesight dwindling, though, she most likely didn’t know how bad Rae’s condition had gotten.”

“That was very kind of you to take her dog.”

Rhiann smiled. “Grams wouldn’t have it any other way. Eleanor was a friend, and we felt it was the right thing to do when she had to move in with her daughter.” Rhiann stood and extended her hand. “Thank you, Dr. Black. I appreciate the opportunity to work with you, both personally and professionally.”

The veterinarian stood and shook her hand. “I look forward to our association, too. I’m sure we’ll be sending clients to one another.”

Rhiann looked at the napping beagle. “Come on, Rae. Time to pick up Jax from the groomer.”

As he walked her to the door, Dr. Black said, “I admire you for planning to establish a rescue here. With our ruralness, I often get in strays and sometimes even pets that owners cannot care for anymore. It will be nice to work with you to ensure these animals find new, loving homes.”

       - Excerpt from Rescue Road - A Clean, Contemporary Romance  

In my recently-released novel, Rescue Road, my primary female character, Rhiann, rescues dogs. Rae, the elderly beagle mentioned in the above book excerpt, has diabetes and glaucoma, two conditions that not only can go hand-in-hand, but are conditions that often affect aging pets. Arthritis and kidney disease are also common in elderly dogs and cats. As humans age, we also tend toward greater illnesses and afflictions. Yet, for some reason, many people dispose of their senior pets. Perhaps, as in my story, an elderly person goes to live where animals aren’t welcome or that elderly person passes away and no one in the family wants the pet that’s left behind. Whatever the reason, according to an article in Dogtime, "old dogs and cats have higher euthanasia rates or even live out their lives in a shelter kennel.”
 
Even though older pets aren’t adopted as quickly as younger animals, there are several good reasons to do so. Below are five:
 
1. Older animals are likely already housebroken and senior dogs more likely to know basic obedience than younger canines.

2. Senior pets make great companions for senior and less active people. They are content to enjoy a leisurely walk around the neighborhood or yard (yes, even some cats are leash
-trained!)


3. They often make great therapy animals, both for the adopter and for certification, going into senior living residences, libraries, schools, and hospitals (yes, old pets can learn new tricks!)

4. Senior animals still have lots of love to give and are devoted to the person caring for them.

5. What you see is what you get. You already know the animal’s size and temperament when you adopt a senior dog or cat.
 
Find additional reasons to adopt an elderly dog or cat here:
https://www.cleartheshelters.com/Benefits-of-Adopting-Senior-Pets-386522941.html
 
https://iheartdogs.com/10-reasons-why-you-should-adopt-a-senior-dog/
 
https://www.thesprucepets.com/reasons-to-adopt-an-older-cat-4160026
​
 
November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month. My household currently 
consists oftwo eight-year-old dogs (older, but not yet quite 
senior) and two 14-year-old cats. We adopted Jeremiah, our Shih Tzu
, two years ago and Sadie, our springer spaniel, we adopted less than two months ago. The cats, however, have been with us nearly all their lives; we adopted them at 10 weeks of age just over 14 years ago (they were born in August 2005 and we adopted them in October of that year). We love and adore each pet. They bring us companionship, laughter, and love and they help us exercise, socialize, and relax. I relish cuddle times with them, reading a book, watching TV, or simply 
lying in bed. They give their devotion and are always happy to be near. There’s nothing like
coming home after work or errands and having the dogs greet me at the door with happy dances and tail wags and the cats meeting me in the bedroom as I change clothes purring and wanting attention.
 
Scientists, including medical officials at the Centers for Disease Control, say having a pet makes a person healthier, mentally and physically. If you’re considering adopting a pet, don’t overlook the older and senior animals. They will fill you with joy and give you undivided loyalty. We can all use more of that in our lives. My character, Rhiann, would agree.
 
 
 
Rescue Road is a clean, contemporary romance set in the beautiful state of Montana and is now available, in time for Adopt-a-Senior Pet Month. The book can be purchased
 on Kindle, Nook, and Kobo as an e
-book and in print from Amazon. Visit my website to learn more about the book: http://www.gaylemirwin.com/novels.html
 
Rescue Road purchase links:
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2W7fpBe


Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/2W7fpBe


Barnes & Noble Nook: http://bit.ly/2BAvqWZ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2PaUOus



 
If you buy the book, you’re eligible for two additional resources: A recipe e
-book of autumn dishes and the first chapter of Book 2 in the Pet Rescue Romance series I’m writing - both FREE to you when you purchase Rescue Road. Simply email
me a copy of your purchase receipt and I will email these freebies to you. My email address is wyoauthor@yahoo.com. In the subject line, please put Rescue Road Giveaways. I hope you enjoy the story and I look forward to hearing from you! Feel free to share
this information with other readers and pet lovers you know!

5 Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe During Halloween

They will soon be knocking

 at our doors – ghouls, goblins, witches, vampires, storm troopers, and many more! These creatures can be scary, especially to our pets.
 
The end of October is often a frightening time for animals, especially for those left outdoors. Halloween brings out a lot of spookiness, including threats to black cats. Some statistics show an increase in animal cruelty during Halloween, and because black cats are surrounded

 by myth and superstition, companion animal groups caution pet owners to keep their cats (and dogs) secure during Halloween. Between doorbells constantly ringing and strangers standing at the door covered in make-ups and masks, our pets can become stressed, even frantic. Plus, the opening and closing of the front door provides an opportunity to escape into the night. Therefore, make sure your pet is in a secure place, such as a different room or in his/her crate, during trick-or-treat time.
 
There are many safety concerns for pets during this time of year. Therefore, as Halloween descends, here are a few tips to keep your beloved pets safe:

Keep candy and other treats away from pets. Many human foods are dangerous for dogs and cats to eat; therefore, stash your goodies stash! However, if you believe your animal snatched and ate some candy, or something else toxic, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately.Ensure Halloween decorations are not reachable by your pets. Candles, lights and wires, and other things can be dangerous, whether tipped over or chewed. Therefore, make sure your cat or dog cannot reach the decorations.If you dress up your pet, make sure the costume is safe. According to the ASPCA, “make sure the costume does not limit his or her movement, sight or ability to breathe, bark or meow. Check the costume carefully for small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that could present a choking hazard. Ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.” Don’t wait until Halloween night to put the costume on your pet – like anything new, if your dog or cat has not worn a costume before, doing so will take some adjustment time. Sometimes just a good old-fashion bandana works just as well - and they can be found
 in autumn colors and with Halloween designs on them.If your pet trick-or-treats with your family, make sure everyone wears reflective costumes or tape. Ensure everyone’s safety while walking sidewalks and streets by having reflective costumes or tape on those costumes. Drivers cannot see dark costumes and like joggers or walkers wear reflective gear while exercising in the dark, so should your children and animals wear such while out trick-or-treating.Ensure your pet has identification in case s
/he escapes your house and gets lost. Having collar and ID tags and a microchip helps pets return home more quickly. Therefore, make sure your pet’s ID is 
UPDATED
 before Halloween and that s
/he is wearing a collar and ID tag and is microchipped
 in case s
/he slips outside.  
You can find additional tips here: https://phz8.petinsurance.com/ownership-adoption/pet-ownership/pet-holidays/5-ways-to-keep-pets-safe-on-halloween.
 
Enjoy the festivities and keep your special four-footed friend safe this Halloween! 

October Observances for Pets and Pet Lovers

October is not just for dogs with National Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month and October 22 designated by Subaru as Make a Dog’s Day - cats have a few special days of their own this month. For example, National Feral Cat Day falls in October, and National Cat Day in the United States, which falls on October 29.
 
Why this special designation on that particular day? Founded by Pet and Family Lifestyle Expert Colleen Paige, who also founded National Dog Day, National Puppy Day, and National Pet Day, this day celebrates cats and their importance in our lives. Rescues and shelters are encouraged to bring greater awareness of the need to adopt cats, and people are encouraged to showcase their furry feline friends with photos across social media.
 
The American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates more than 3.2 million cats and kittens enter U.S. shelters every year. Of that number, only about 5 percent of strays are reclaimed by their owners and more than 850,000 are euthanized. Many live out their lives at no-kill shelters. There is greater need for increased cat adoption.
 
The end of October is often a scary time for cats and other pets, especially for those left outdoors. Halloween brings out a lot of spookiness, including threats to black cats. Some statistics show an increase in animal cruelty during this time of year, and because black cats are surrounded by myth and superstition, companion animal groups caution pet owners to keep their cats (and dogs) secure during Halloween. Whereas some countries and cultures view black cats as “bad,” others feel the opposite. In fact, England and Scotland are known
to see black cats as lucky instead of unlucky.
 
No matter what type of pet you have, keeping your beloved furry friend safe is key during Halloween. Just opening the door for trick-or-treaters can cause your pet to run out the door. Therefore, keep your pet in a secure room while dishing out candy. Sweet treats eaten by dogs and cats can cause healthy
issues; therefore, put the yummy treats out of reach of your pets. For more Halloween safety tips, visit this ASPCA web page: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/halloween-safety-tips.
 
October is not only a time to keep your animals safe, but also a time to celebrate the joy dogs and cats give us. These special days and months should help us remember the amazing ways companion animals impact our lives and give us reason to honor and celebrate them each and every month and day. Spoil your pet in a special way today … and remember to keep them safe!

We Rescue Dogs, and They Rescue Us!

The man at the dog park told my husband he was traveling the country with his furry friend, an Australian shepherd mix. He also said the pair were visiting as many dog parks as they could, and that this stop, in our community in Wyoming, was just one of many. The man went on to say he’d been in a car accident a few years previous, and that his dog became a reason for him to get up, do his therapy, and improve his health. He said his dog “saved my life.”
 
Dogs do that. There are the K9s in the military and on police forces; there are the service dogs for blind and wheelchair-bound people; therapy animals that visit hospitals and nursing homes; and search and rescue dogs who find the lost (read a recent story from Ohio about such a canine who found a missing young child).
 
Next week, American Humane’s Hero Dog Awards will be shown on Hallmark Channel. This program, in its seventh year, showcases the many wonderful dogs on duty, and this year, the categories include Shelter Dogs. This is wonderfully appropriate since October is National Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month. Car company Subaru recently announced its first Make a Dog’s Day, being celebrated on Tuesday, October 22. This month is certainly “going to the dogs,” and that’s just fine!
 
The ASPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) estimates more than 3.3 million dogs enter America’s animal shelters every year. Some come in as strays and may be reunited with their owners; others are turned in by their people for various reasons. About half (1.6 million) are adopted and nearly 700,000 dogs are euthanized. October offers shelters, rescues, and others the opportunity to showcase the many wonderful dogs in need of homes through promotion of adoption.
 
My husband and I recently adopted a rescue dog named Sadie from English Springer Spaniel Rescue of America. She may not be a service dog, military K9, or therapy dog, but she has rescued us. We lost our other springer, Mary, to cancer in April. That loss, like most pet losses, left a hole in our hearts, and left our Shih Tzu, Jeremiah, without a canine friend. Sadie is filling both voids. She and Jeremiah haven’t drawn as close and he and our other springer, but when Greg and I are away from the house, she at least provides companionship for him. Sadie has bonded strongly with my husband. She stays with him in his home office, goes for walks in the dog park and around the neighborhood, and spending time on the couch watching TV as well as outdoors in our back yard. That hole left by the passing of our other springer is slowly healing, thanks to a hyper springer spaniel named Sadie.
 
I’ve heard others say the same. After the passing of one pet, the adoption of another helps the healing from the loss. Dogs (and cats) help us in other ways, too. They fill a gap, for loneliness, for service, for recovery, for friendship. We rescue dogs, and they rescue us in many, varied and special ways.
 
So, this month, consider adopting a dog in need. And, if you can’t adopt, do something else to help, like volunteer, donate supplies or money, attend events. And always remember to be the best responsible pet parent as possible! We rescue dogs and they rescue us.
 
NOTE: My forthcoming novel, Rescue Road, is about second chances, both for the humans and the animals in the story. Releasing next month in honor of both October’s National Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month and November’s National Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, the book highlights the importance of pet rescue and adoption and provides resources to do just that at the back of the book. Rescue Road will be available in both print and e-book format and is scheduled for release on November 9, 2019. Learn more about the novel and watch a short book trailer here: http://www.gaylemirwin.com/novels.html
​

Book Review: Pick and Chews – A Barkery & Biscuits Mystery

Mystery stories haven’t always been my reading genre, but recently, due to two Wyoming authors who have “hit the big time” (Craig Johnson and CJ Box), this line of writing has captured my attention. Therefore, I was thrilled to learn about Linda O. Johnson and her works that weave pet rescue and animals in general into several of her books.

Pick and Chews is one of those stories.

Told in first-person point of view, a vet tech named Carrie sleuths murders in her community, and in this story, it’s the man she loves that’s a suspect. That guy, Dr. Reed Storme, is a veterinarian at the clinic where Carrie works; he and other veterinarians are at the top of the police’s suspect list for the murder of a woman vet who decides to open a competitive practice in town.

Witty, fun and adventurous with some twists in the story, Pick and Chews gives insight into several people who could be the murderer, including Dr. Storme. Additionally, readers are introduced to some of the wonderful dogs owned by the characters as well as ones available for adoption through the community’s rescue organization. I like how the author weaves the importance of pet rescue and adoption. Carrie, who is also a baker of both people and dog treats, hosts adoption events at her business. As the murder mystery deepens, Carrie’s own canine is threatened, causing the amateur detective to reconsider her sleuthing. Who’s the culprit? Read the story and find out!

Johnston has written numerous books, and Pick and Chews is just one of this Barkery & Biscuits Mystery series. A fun, cozy, clean read, pet lovers and mystery book lovers alike will enjoy this story! Check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Pick-Chews-Barkery-Biscuits-Mystery/dp/0738752452.

​As autumn turns to winter, if you’re looking for some enjoyable reading, you might consider some of Johnston’s works.

Training Your Pet With Food Rewards Helps Drive Positive Behaviors

My husband and I recently welcomed Sadie, a springer spaniel, into our home. We adopted her through English Springer Spaniel Rescue of America's Rocky Mountain chapter, who had pulled Sadie from a shelter in Utah. At eight years of age, a person would think her training days are over. But, not so!
 
Dog Training
Sadie came to us knowing a few basic commands: sit, shake, and (not as much) come. Her “come” command is much better as is her “down” command. According to dog rescuer, trainer, and TV show host Brandon McMillan, a dog should know seven basic commands: sit, stay, down, come, off, heel, and no.  
 
We are working on all of those. Heel, off, and no are the most difficult for her. Her springer instincts drive her to explore, whether every blade of grass or tree trunk on a walk or the food on the table or kitchen counter. However, she is responding more positively to those instructions each day.
 
Because she is food motivated, receiving a treat reward for her positive responses to the commands given works with Sadie. In fact, according to a recent study, dogs do respond better to food rewards in training than any other type of motivator, including praise and pets. McMillan uses treats when training the dogs on his show or in private. “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan also touts the benefits of using food during training exercises, and the American Kennel Club stresses the use of small, easy-to-eat tidbits for training.
 
What About Cats?
Cats can also be trained using treats. You should also use a clicker, a small device that makes a clicking sound. Command, click, treat; command, click, treat. Cats can be taught to walk on a leash, to shake hands, and to come. A woman in Nebraska even taught her cats agility in order to increase their activity level and stimulate them mentally using a clicker and treats.
 
Celebrity cat behaviorist and trainer Jackson Galaxy encourages cat owners to use protein treats to train their cat(s). He notes you may have to try a variety of types to find one your cat likes.
 
Training your dog or cat whether that’s basic obedience or fun tricks to provide them with physical activity or mental stimulation is best accomplished through positive reinforcement. Punishment or other negative techniques are not only harmful physically and mentally, but also can damage the bond between you and your pet.
 
Watch and listen to Brandon McMillan on this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgZro-RvMrE
 
Watch and listen to Jackson Galaxy discuss some tips on training a cat here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJcWoksdlOM

5 Ways to Keep Your Cat Happy & Healthy

This month is a celebration of our feline friends. September is Happy, Healthy Cat Month! How can we ensure our kitty companions are happy and healthy? Here are five ways:
Feed your cat nutritious food. Last month, Reviews.com produced a list of the best cat foods, both wet and dry, that pet parents can feed their feline friends. Some of the best brands they found included Orijen, Canada Fresh, and Holistic Health Extension.Take your cat to the vet regularly. Keeping kitty healthy with regular check-ups and vaccinations also keeps her happy, ensuring she's not in pain or dealing with an illness or injury.Keep your cat at a healthy weight. Obesity in pets is like obesity in people - on the rise. Good food and regular medical checkups can help curb obesity - so can exercise. Many cats sleep for hours and hours, especially as they age. Engage your kitty companion in games of fetch, chase the feather, and find the catnip mouse, among other games. Did you know some cats can be taught agility? Earlier a guest blogger wrote about her experiences teaching her kitties agility; check out that post here: Also, provide a scratching post and cat tree for her to climb, both of which also promote exercise.Teach your cat to walk on a leash. Having a cat wander outdoors can be dangerous; cars and other animals can easily injure, even kill, your cat. Leash training provides opportunity to walk your cat outdoors, allowing her to explore, engage her senses, and keep her safe while also providing activity.Prevent pests. Fleas, ticks, and other pesky pests can inflict your cat with disease. Avoid this by providing your furry friend with the preventatives he needs. Cost for preventative care is much less than treating a life-threatening disease like Lyme disease and plague. 
Find out more about ensuring the health and happiness of your cat at these websites:
https://www.felineliving.net/happy-healthy-cat-month/
 
https://consciouscat.net/2019/01/02/healthy-and-happy-year-for-your-cat/

Honor your feline friend by keeping him/her happy and healthy!

Welcome Our New Furry Friend – Miss Sadie Anne!

Last week I wrote about timing and adoption. Well, for my husband and I, the timing was just right. Our family unit changed last weekend – we adopted another dog! Our springer/cocker mix Mary died of cancer in April, leaving our shih tzu Jeremiah without a canine companion - and my husband without one as well.
 
Mary was primarily Greg’s dog, although she greeted everyone with a wag of her stubby tail. He missed his furry friend and about a month ago, we began looking. Greg’s one stipulation: we had to adopt another springer spaniel, or springer mix. Last week, we learned of one in our region that needed a home. We filed the adoption application, spoke to the foster “dad,” and made an appointment to visit on Sunday afternoon. Sadie, an 8-year-old springer spaniel, spent Sunday night in our home, thanks to English Springer Spaniel Rescue of America.
 
Adopting a new pet is an exciting adventure! A new life, a new friend, a new routine, all wrapped into a bundle of joy, love, and loyalty ... and in our case, energy! Sadie may be considered “middle-age” in years, but her energy level is that of a teen-pup. We’ve nicknamed her “Rocket Dog!” First thing each morning, she jettisons from her sleeping kennel, runs through the house to the back door, and launches herself into the backyard. She runs, and runs, and runs. The spaniel smile she displays captures a person’s heart. The joy she exhibits for life inspires … and wears a person out!
 
We knew to expect this behavior. She lived in her foster home for nearly a month; therefore, the family experienced her energetic, OCD-like, behavior. She receives medication daily to help calm her through the day, and she responds well to the drug. Greg also takes her on two to three walks daily, and she is learning to slow her stride better each day. Fortunately, we own recreational property not far from our house, and this weekend, we plan to take Sadie there for the first time. There’s an enclosed area there that Greg built last year for Mary that will become our new dog’s “off-leash” area, and we know she will enjoy that special space, even more probably than she does our fenced backyard.
 
Sadie and Jeremiah get along fine … except when the bigger dog doesn’t watch for the smaller one and steps on him. However, Jeremiah stands his ground and lets out a growl to help her understand she needs to keep a better watch where she’s going! I hope they become good friends, for Jeremiah and Mary relished a special bond, and I know he misses that connection. He and Sadie may never have the same relationship as he did with Mary, but Greg and I would love to see them lay next to each other on the couch or dog bed in the near future.
 
Adopting a new pet is not only exciting, but it can also be challenging. Integrating an animal into the household, especially a home with already-established pets, changes dynamics. Sometimes the pets already in the house don’t readily accept a new addition, and sometimes that acceptance just takes a while. A new pet can come with physical or emotional issues, as Sadie has, but that doesn’t make the animal “less than,” any more than such challenges makes a human child “less than.” Patience, perseverance, and understanding are critical in these situations, and being willing to go the extra mile for that animal in need is vital.

Greg and I are committed to helping Sadie feel secure and loved. What we will receive through the journey is priceless – the trust and loyalty of a beautiful creature. She’s already given us kisses, and a week hasn’t even gone by yet.
 
Rescued pets give us what many people do not: unconditional love and devotion. A person’s life is enriched by those things that money can’t buy. We’re blessed to share our home and our lives with Sadie, and the many other animals who have graced us with their presence over the years.
 
What animals have you adopted over the years? How have they enriched your life? Feel free to leave a comment.

When Should I Adopt a Pet?

​Our springer/cocker mix, Mary, died in the spring due to cancer. Our household is emptier without her. Her happy personality, enjoyment of people and the outdoors, her comforting presence is greatly missed. We needed time to grieve. Now, we feel ready to add another dog to our family.
 
How does a person know when the time is right to adopt a pet?
 
That all depends on the person. I’ve known individuals and families who have lost furry friends and never adopt another. I’ve also known people who missed their animal so much, they took hardly any time to bring home another pet. Only you know for sure when the time is right.
 
Whether you’re considering adding another dog or cat to your household as we are or if you’re looking for a pet for the very first time, you should do some preparation, not only mentally but physically. For example, make sure your house is ready to welcome a furry friend. If you’re looking to get a cat, make sure you have a litterbox and cat litter, some catnip mice and other toys, and a climbing/scratching post as well as food, water, and dishes. Therefore, when you bring Kitty home, she’ll have all the basic things she needs right away.
 
The same goes for a dog. Do you have toys, food, pans for the food and water, a dog bed, collar and leash? Do you have a yard and plans for exercising your pup? Are you mentally prepared for the responsibility of caring for a dog?
 
September is considered Dog Ownership Responsibility Month, a time to remember that pet owners are responsible for the life and care of their animal. Ownership responsibility is EVERY DAY of EVERY MONTH. Therefore, the very first thing you need to recognize before adopting a pet is to accept that responsibility for the animal’s life. blDo you have time to properly care for a pet? Are you willing to spend time, not just feeding and watering your dog or cat (or whatever type of pet you have), but engaging with the animal, exercising, exploring, playing, even sitting on the couch and watching TV. Know the activity level of the pet you’re considering; if it’s a herding or hunting breed, like a border collie or springer spaniel, that dog will need lots of exercise and engagement. If you’re considering adopting a cat, you don’t have to walk it or go to the dog park, but you should still plan playtime, especially for a kitten or young adult.
 
If you have other pets in the house and are looking to add another, as we are, make sure the animal can accept coming into a household with other animals. And, have a plan of introducing, say your new dog to the cats in your household. Our home includes two elderly cats and a middle-aged shih tzu. We have experience introducing a new dog into the household; we adopted Mary in 2013 and had the cats then as well as an aging cocker spaniel. Mary’s laid-back personality and the fact we brought the elderly cocker with us to meet her helped make the transition easy, even with the cats. When we adopted Jeremiah, the shih tzu, he and Mary spent time in the car and in a hotel room together, helping to seal their bond immediately. We introduced Jeremiah to the cats slowly, intentionally, and within a few short months, the household was peaceful, although anxiety reigned for the first few months. That’s to be expected as everyone gets used to each other.
 
There’s a lot to think about when considering bringing a pet home, whether it’s your first adoption or your tenth. There are many resources, including pet adoption checklists, that you can review and may find helpful; find a few below:
 
https://images.adoptapet.com/public/guides/permanent_pet_adotion_checklist.pdf
 
https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/dog-adoption/dog-adoption-checklist/
 
https://www.petfinder.com/pet-adoption/cat-adoption/cat-adoption-checklist/
 
When should you adopt a pet? Whenever you are ready!
 

Pet Blogs That Help and Humor Animal Lovers

It's a new month and a new season is on the horizon. With the dawning of September and autumn just around the corner, I thought I'd create a quick, yet helpful and fun post about pet blogs.

In addition to my little corner of the dog and cat writing world, there's a plethora of other pet bloggers out there who want to help dog and cat owners (and guardians of other creatures as well, such as parrots, ferrets, guinea pigs, rabbits, lizards, and other creatures) as well as provide some laughter to our world. Pet Life Today recently created a list of noted pet blogs, which you can find here: https://petlifetoday.com/best-pet-blogs/.

Over the years, I've guest-posted for some pet blogs; you'll find a short list of those sites below:

Front Seat Ryder: https://frontseatryder.com/

A Heart for Shelter Dogs: http://www.aheartforshelterdogs.com/sample-page/

Lincoln Pet Culture: https://lincolnpetculture.wordpress.com/

Black Dog Animal Rescue: http://www.bdar.org/news

And a few years ago, I was interviewed for Coffee with a Canine:
https://coffeecanine.blogspot.com/2016/03/gayle-m-irwin-mary.html

There are many wonderful resources on the web for pet lovers, including great blogs such as those noted above. There are hundreds, if not thousands, more. Take some time to see what other pet lovers have to say, the recommendations they give, and the wonderful animals they love and help. Even some veterinarian clinics post blogs as do many rescue organizations, such as Black Dog Animal Rescue in Cheyenne and Best Friends Animal Society in Utah (https://bestfriends.org/blogs)

As I look to release my novel next month, I'll be guest-posting, as well as be interviewed, at different blogs, and I will announce these as they come along on my website.

Meantime, enjoy the content I and other pet lovers provide to help and to entertain you.