We Need Each Other, Please Stop!

"Much smoking kills live men and cures dead swine."
George Dennison Prentice

Humans never seem to be satisfied. They like variety, seek out thrills.... always want something bigger and better. Good is bad, bad is good. Simple moments ignored.... the smell of the neighbors barbecue, chasing the same ball for hours, eating the same food night after night, peeing on the same tree day after day, now this is good stuff. Us dogs, we like repetition. We are satisfied by a "good boy", long walks, chasing squirrels.......

Many humans like to bring fire to their face.... what the heck!? The smoke rolls in and out without a cough, while we (your dog and cat) are over here with red eyes, coughing and sneezing..... is the place burning down?

Well believe it or not your harming us as much as yourselves. Secondhand smoke can cause cancer in your pets but that isn't the only risk!! Many people are now trying the electric cigarettes, nicotine patches and gum. All of these products are concentrated nicotine, a little goes a long way, right to the emergency clinic. Even the butts your squishing out on the driveway, poison dude, poison.

Let's look at the facts:

1. We don't live very long compared to a humans life expectancy. Hard to swallow I know and we cherish every moment we have with you! The average life expectancy of a dog is 10-12 years, the cat is a little longer, 12-19 years. Secondhand smoke can cause lung and nasal cancer in dogs, and repeated exposure of smoke to a cat doubles their chance of developing Lymphoma, as well as asthma and bronchitis.

2. Quit smoking. Did you know on the average a person who smokes a pack a day spends approximately $1000 a year on cigarettes? But let us also talk about your veterinary bill. Quit now and you will save money on your vet bill (or at least smoke outside).

3. E-cigarettes can be fatal to your pet! It takes only 5 milligrams of nicotine to cause problems for your pet. A regular cigarette has approximately 15-20 milligrams of nicotine, e-cigarette refill cartridges can have anywhere from 6 to 24 milligrams, then take into account that a package can have five to one hundred cartridges. According to the Pet Poison Hotline, the number of calls about nicotine poisoning from these new products has doubled. One cartridge could cause toxic signs in a 50 pound dog, but in a ten pound dog it could be fatal. Yikes!! And their flavoring them!!! Banana Cream Pie anyone???!!!

4. Nicotine poisoning happens rapidly in pets, typically within 15-60 minutes after ingestion.

5. Signs in dogs and cats: vomiting, diarrhea, irritation, increased heart and breathing rates, depression, tremors, seizures, coma, and cardiac arrest.

6. React quickly, because of the rapid onset every moment counts. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect nicotine poisoning.

I've heard how hard it is to stop sucking in all that smoke (my human mom was hooked and quit "cold turkey" when she fell in love with my dad). If you really love your pets you should think twice about lighting, vaping, whatever you want to call it. Quit today, we want you around as much as you want us around. If you can't do it (we know you can), then please take it outside (and don't drop that butt, it's lethal).

Tata for now
Oli

for more information check out these links:
Secondhand smoke harmful to pets as people: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/secondhand-smoke-as-harmful-to-pets-as-people/
E-Cigarettes and Pets Do Not Mix: http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/e-cigarettes-pets-mix/

claws and spit

I never really have gotten the hang of "hanging" with cats. When I try to get friendly they spray spit on me, make weird screaming noises and then run. I always get in trouble when I chase them... isn't that what they want? Why would they run if they didn't want to get chased?

"You either like um' or you don't" I hear my dad's clients say all the time at the veterinary hospital. I really understand why! Cats are finicky, self-centered, egotistical, and uppity! From a dogs perspective they're nothing but spit and claws!

Even the pigs love them! What gives? Everyone gets along with these stuck-up critters except me. I get yelled at every time I try to play with one of them!

So how many of you have tried to introduce a new cat into your household and lived through more grief then you care to remember? You gotta handle them with patience, give them time, caterer to their whims.... (I hear the veterinarians talking with clients all the time about trying to make two cats get along). My remedy, get a dog!

Here are some helpful tips to add a new little fur-ball to your happy, stress-free household (or just get a dog).

Oliver's S.O.S. Plan

Step One:
Slow introduction. For the first few days keep them in separate rooms. Let their yucky smells permeate their surroundings.
Step Two:
Once a few days have passed, switch the rooms and allow them to get use to each other's smells. Groom them with each others brushes to further introduce the smells. Caution: bring their own litter boxes with them, cat's don't typically like to share their toilets.
Step Three:
Spray. Have a squirt bottle ready for their first nose to nose introduction. If things get out of hand, squirt the water at them. Cats aren't real fond of water and a squirt gives them something else to think about hating (other then each other).

A little patience and lots of love. It may seem like the spit will never stop flying, but tincture of time solves most issues. Or just get a dog!
Tata for now.....