Whoopie -a Walk by the Lake

I just had to take some pictures the other day as my dog and I walked along the beach at the nearby Lake and feeling the warm spring weather I felt that there is nothing more simple and pleasurable as a walk with your dog.

You forget about the madness of your job, and the people that disappoint you through their own shortcomings and the state of the world today.  You tend not to think about how greed has brought us to a world economic disaster on one particular street in New York.  It slipped my mind that “One Manical Psychopath” is shooting rockets over in North Korea and they are aiming the missels in our direction.

What I did feel positive about was that I keep my dog healthy and happy for the rest of its life – and give it as much love as possible for life is fleeting and terminal at some point.

My dog Whoopie- has a very positive effect on my life – she brings me a laugh when I need one…and playfulness to keep my heart young.  I was reading in the chair the other day and she brought me one of her stuffed toys and just left it hanging in her mouth.  It cracked me up with laughter -just the expression of ” hey..forget the nonesense”  – let’s play for a while.  Well I did and it took me away from a very negative occurance.

Life is short and pets certainly in this world provide such comfort to us – especially in hard times.  If you do not have a pet in your life -go and adopt one in an animal shelter after you have considered what dog adoption entails.  You will never regret owning a pet of your own and there are many who need homes right now. Get in touch with the Human Society or your local Animal Shelter.

TAGS: Youtube video of Whoopie, dogs, dog adoption, Human Society, Whoopie, my dog, walk by the lake.

As the economy worsens and the recession has many people facing harder times our pets are becoming a financial burden as vet bills have not adjusted to the fact that pet owners will not meet high priced vet visits.

The hardship is so unbearable that many are euthanizing their pets. As one pet owner realized in Bloomsdale, Mo., her 2 year old beagle ran into an oncoming car. The vet bill was $ 3,200.00, the vet would not reduce his bill and with her husband losing his job -they put Daisy Mae down. The horror stories of pet owners not being able to afford vet bills is becoming epidemic.

If veterinarians had the health and well being of your pet in mind instead of high prices, he will be able to work out either a payment plan or if he is too greedy you can ask your  local Care Credit Company that provides credit services for vet bills on a payment plan.

You can also contact your Local Human Society or Animal Shelter that may offer you some assistance although they are probably very busy with many requests.

It is up to the Veterinarian Associations to send letters to Vets asking them to offer payment plans or partial payments and the best way is to reduce their charges.  If a vet had the long term in mind I would rather have a long term customer -than to have one that had to put their dog down because they could not afford the costs.  With a broke leg at $ 3,000.00 not many could afford such an high charge when they cannot afford food on the table for what amounts to saving a dog’s life.

Tips to Keep Your Dog Healthy in a Recession:

Keep your dog healthier by using the recipes found on this page which is less pricy and healthier than commercial dog food.

Avoiding commercial pet foods and opt for home made dog food will assure your pet will live longer without expensive vet bills. Get to know a local butcher and find cheaper cuts of meat and/or meaty bones for your dog.

Give your dog a daily multiple vitamin with omega oils or fish oils which will strengthen you dogs immune system against diseases.

Get plenty of exercise for you and your dog at least twice a day take your dog for a walk either in a park nearby or by going around your neighborhood.  Exercise will prevent diabetes and unhealthy diseases.

There are more resources for you here by contacting:
The Pet Fund
IMOM.org
American Animal Hospital Association

photo credit: fPat

As lawyers of the grandchildren of Leona Helmsley wrangle the legalities of Leona’s will which left approximately 8 billion dollars to her Maltese dog named Trouble, but will her wishes be carried out as she instructed?   There must have been a good reason why she did not leave anything to her grandchildren and what good is a will if it is overturned in a courtroom?

There is a message in this legacy for Trouble her beneficiary and that is : a dog is a woman’s best friend “ and she loved hers dearly.  Some animal protection groups could use the funds to protect dogs and cats from many threats to the pet population and donations to these groups could go far to assist animals in danger.

The Human Society could do a lot for dogs and animals like solving the pet explosion problem, banning dog fighting, and taking care of dogs left after disasters like the floods along the Mississippi River. Independently a woman in China is responsible for saving 100 dogs abandoned after the China floods.

Think of putting an end to puppy mills which requires stricter controls of dog breeding inhumanly for profit. There could be a fund set up for those who cannot afford healthcare for their dogs due to the economic constraints today of rising prices. Another benefit could be the increased adoption of retired greyhound dogs that deserve a good caring home after their years of running for the profit of their owners.

Protecting your dog in a Pet Trust is a good idea for most pet owners to make plans and think about who will take care of your dog in case you can no longer do so. Dogs are often abandoned after their owners die or become too sick to take care of them any longer.

Tips on Preparing for Emergencies:

1) Find a relative or friend who knows your pet and can take care of it in an emergency.

2) Write down your vet’s name, address, and phone number for care of your dog.

3) List medications, feedings, type of food, exercise and the daily exercise habits

of your dog.

4) Set up a living trust for your dog or a dog fund, in case something happens that specifies  how you want your dog to be taken care of and your wishes.

In this day and age being prepared for unforeseen disasters will insure your dog or any other pet will be safe and comfortable for the rest of its life.

Written By: Teri Salvador

Tags: Leona Helmsley leaves billions to her dog, dogs, emergency care, pet trusts, Human Society, puppy mills, dog fighting, dog fund.