News about amazing animals, pet care information, the best ways to spend time with your furry friends, great products for pets and for animal lovers, and much more information for people who love their pets
Thank you for visiting this year, as well as for the comments and likes, which are truly much appreciated. Here’s hoping 2022 is a great year for everyone!
We’re sharing the word that Deviantart.com, a site where artists of all ages and skill levels share their work, is having a online holiday card “drive.”
For their Holiday Card Project 2021, intead of collecting physical cards, DeviantArt is collecting online cards for hospital patients.
According to the site, “Since 2004, the DeviantArt Holiday Card Project has led the DeviantArt community to use its artistic talents to design and create uplifting, physical greeting cards for hospital patients during the holiday season. To date, over 32,000 cards have been distributed to patients around the globe.”
To enter: Create a card and submit it to DeviantArt with the tag #DAHolidayCardProject2021 so it can be collected and distributed to hospitals.
Digital cards can be shared with many patients, maximizing the impact of your contribution. Plus, you get a good excuse to “do art.”
Combining the magic of the holidays, pets, and mid-century modern, are these Christmas illustrations, which you can get on an ornament, on card and more at:
The article linked to above focuses on, “How the feline form in the mid-century evoked a cool yet spiritual persona with an aura of mystery,” and it’s a highly-recommended read for anyone who is interested in cats and art.
This Halloween, PetSmart is offering spooky costumes and safety tips for small pets.
PetSmart has a variety of small pet costumes, like a unicorn or ladybug costume.
PetSmart’s Resident Veterinarian, Dr. Gregory Costanzo, says that pet parents should take specific precautions to ensure that small pets are safe in Halloween costumes.
“The bottom line is, when dressing up any kind of pet, pet parents should take it slow and watch for any negative reactions to ensure pets are happy and safe,” said Costanzo in a press release.
PetSmart Tips for Dressing up Small Pets & Reptiles in Halloween Costumes
Find a good fit. Ensure your pet’s costume is not uncomfortable or interfering with their movements.
Costumes should not cover their eyes or nose and should not be too tight.
Use treats. Costanzo recommends using treats to let pets know that dressing up can be fun.
“Positive reinforcement has been shown to work with small animals when doing basic training,” he said. “This could help your pet get more comfortable with clothing.”
Do not leave pets unattended in their ensemble. Pet parents should always directly supervise their small pets while wearing costumes or clothing to ensure they are comfortable and safe.
Watch for signs of stress.
For small pets like guinea pigs, Costanzo says signs of stress would include increased respiratory rate (breathing), hunched posture, closed eyes, tooth grinding, pinning their ears back, increased vocalization, aggression or attempting to physically remove the costume.
Be gentle during photo opps. Small pets like guinea pigs are easily startled by bright lights and loud noises, meaning pet parents should be careful taking photos, according to Costanzo, who added that pet parents should avoid using the flash.
For more information, including PetSmart’s Halloween collection, visit petsmart.com/halloween.
Reading Time: 2minutesOf course everyone is excited to ring in the New Year, and, apparently January is also National Oatmeal Month. It is also the month of some frightening-sounding events, including No Pants Subway Ride Day (January 10, 2021) and Kiss a Shark week (Jan. 24-30). We think we’ll pass on those, but there are some special pet-related celebrations coming up in January to be aware of too.
Thus, it sounds as if there will be plenty for people and pets to celebrate in January. Did we miss any pet-related dates? Are there any of the above you’d like to know more about? Let us know in the comments section.
Reading Time: 3minutesThere’s nothing like the joy of giving and giving to our pets is no exception.
But, while looking for some gifts for our own pets, we came across some interesting options that are unusual to say the least, but maybe they will work for the cat that has everything?
FUZZU Donald Trump Special Edition Political Parody Novelty 8-inch Cat Toy
Whatever your cat’s political leaning, what kitty doesn’t need an 8-inch Donald Trump doll to play with or consult with about series meow-ters of state? And it’s catnip-filled to boot.
2. Kitan Club Cat Cap – Pet Hat Blind Box Includes 1 of 6 Cute Fruit Styles
Is your cat fashion forward and/or into looking like fruit? This fruit hat for your cat is available in six styles, including a banana, apple and strawberry. And, for added fun, you get a randomly selected fruit, so you won’t know for sure what kitty will get until it comes in the mail.
What could be more fun than a toy that is also a toothbrush? Not much, if you ask us. But this rubber toy, which is also apparently good for your kitty’s teeth, can be made even more appealing by tucking some catnip (included) inside it and afixing a bell (also included).
If your kitty has her mind on her money and her money on her mind, give her a safe and fun place to scratch her claws and take a nap with this faux money cardboard, scratcher house. And, maybe save a real stack of money in the process if it helps kitty stop scratching the furniture.
Reading Time: 2minutesSo, my sister sent me an email today strongly recommending this Christmas tree ornament that she found on the I heart dogs website.
According to the iheartdogs.com site, “This gorgeous 3d layered, wooden ornament does something wonderful – it feeds shelter dogs.” Purchasing it provides 10 healthmeals for hungry pups in need.
As a nice surprise, my sister noted that it also came with a scratch off ticket:
As you can see, there are dogs in sleighs, trains, and other styles of cars as well.
Of course everyone is excited to ring in the New Year, and, apparently January is also National Oatmeal Month. It is also the month of some frightening-sounding events, including No Pants Subway Ride Day (January 10, 2021) and Kiss a Shark week (Jan. 24-30). We think we’ll pass on those, but there are some special pet-related celebrations coming up in January to be aware of too.
As you can see, there are dogs in sleighs, trains, and other styles of cars as well.