November/December 07

12.12.07

It's better to give, but more fun to receive

I, Bumby, am an expert receiver of gifts. I have it down to a science to both make the giver feel extra happy about the wonderful item they have chosen for me, and to satisfy my ‘can’t wait to open it’ personality. I also know a good dog or cat gift when I see one, so I am here to help you during this difficult season of gift giving. First, if you’re planning to give your dog or cat friend treats or bones, don’t overdo it.

Happy holidays from "reindog" Bumby.

One nice food or chew gift is plenty. It just gets us too excited when we see a lot of fun treats and can’t eat them all at once, like kids and Halloween candy. (My favorite, and what I always give my dog friends, is a package of yummy Pet Promise jerky treats).

Second, no matter what you’ve heard about felines and balls of yarn, they just don’t mix. Don’t give your cat or kitten friend gifts with “strings” attached. I’ve known a couple of cats who ended up in the veterinary ER after sucking in string, thread and in one case, tape from a music cassette.

To help get you started, here are a few of my favorite gift ideas:

• Eco-friendly dog toys from WestPawDesign.com made from recycled soda pop bottles! (Check out their comfy beds too.)
• Cat toys from PurrfectPlay.com made from organic, dye and chemical-free natural fibers. (Don’t forget the organic catnip!)
• Hand-knitted dog sweaters from organic alpaca wool found at RobbinsPetCare.com. Not only are these soft and cozy, but they are designed and created by a Bolivian non-profit organization with all profits benefiting the rural women who knit them.
• Microchips for your or canine or feline friends. Admittedly, your pets may not think this is an especially thrilling gift, but imagine how excited they would be should any one of them accidentally stray outside of familiar territory and this present got them safely home.
• A donation of blankets, towels and good food to a local animal rescue group. While your own pet won’t thank you, you will feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Update: Bingo ‘home for the holidays’

Bingo, that little black kitten I was helping foster, has found a home! There were a couple of false starts, one where the resident cat made him feel very unwelcome and another home where the dog of the house wasn’t what you’d call cat happy. But Bingo always knew he’d find a loving home, and sure enough -- with a little help from his friends and lots of pictures of him posted around town, I’m pleased to announce he is now happily residing in a wonderful home complete with a feline friend and a really nice companion person to take care of him.

(Even though Bingo could be a pawful on occasion, I must say I do miss all the fun times playing with little pink jingle balls and his catnip mouse.)

I could tell you more, but I see Pumpkin cat batting around the squeaky toy I got last Christmas. Talk later.

Posted by Bumby at 3:32 p.m.

11.30.07

Cold nose, warm heart

It seems things are finally turning chilly in my part of the world once again -- and just when some folks were predicting that autumn might not arrive at all this year. It seems that only last month, I was trying to keep cool in the green grass, and the next thing I know the grass is all covered with red and orange leaves and I’m all decked out in my blue sweater or red coat. I’m happy, though, that I have a nice warm place to nap, and sometimes one of my cats will snuggle with me for extra warmth if it gets really cold.

My red coat has come out of the closet again for chilly evening walks.

So, as I did last fall, I guess it’s time for me to share some winter tips as well as some cool-weather mistakes I’ve already made this season.

First the mistakes.

Don’t tear open the big bag filled with leaves and scatter them all over the yard (although it was a lot of fun) and wait until those paws are cleaned off before jumping up on the couch and rolling. Also, with winter just around the corner, try not to eat too much snow, unless you want your tongue to freeze, and, very important, claim the prime, sunbeam-hitting nap spot before the family cat does.

It’s not easy being a small dog when things turn cold and wet outside. As I’ve said before, we dogs (with the exception of some heartier breeds such as Huskies) like to curl up where things are snug and warm in winter.

Here are 5 tips for “winterizing” your pets (with a little help from my friends at the ASPCA): 1. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars, and when the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. So if there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give any cat that might be there a chance to escape.

All of the cats I know prefer this set-up during the cold months.

2. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.

3. Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach following a walk through sleet, snow or ice. Dogs can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking their paws, and their paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

4. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. Also, be sure your dog is thoroughly dry after a bath before going out for a walk. If your dog is a short-haired variety, a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck that provides coverage from the base of the tail to the belly is a good idea. (For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.)

5. Since antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats, be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. (For more information, visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center).

I could tell you more, but a late-day sunbeam is calling me. Talk later.

Posted by Bumby at 4 p.m.

11.5.07

Reassigned to the kitten-sitting detail (and loving it)

Well, once again my services as a kitten-sitter have been called upon. My person is fostering a three-month old kitten named Bingo, and as before, I’m doing most of the work. Last time, I had to look over two kittens, so you would think one little Bingo wouldn’t be so hard, but this guy needs a lot of watching.	Baby Bingo
Here I am watching Bingo play with his pink ball.	My job is to sit with him and keep him company, during which time he walks all over me, sniffs my ears and sometimes pulls my tail. When I’ve had enough of kitten-sitting, I sometimes have to hide so he can’t find me and I can get some rest.

I also help keep all his toys together (he may have the largest collection of fuzzy mice and balls of any kitten in the world), cuddle with him if he gets scared, and make sure big Pumpkin cat doesn’t play too rough with him.

Bingo is also a Pet Promise kitten. He eats Pet Promise Daily Health dry food and Wild Salmon Formula wet food in the evening. He loves it so much that he makes funny, purry sounds when he eats. I'm glad he enjoys his Pet Promise, because one cat, eating Pet Promise for just one year, can help eliminate over 1000 doses of antibiotics that are fed to chickens. Little Bingo is making some big changes in the world already.

I really love Bingo kitten, but it’s a lot of work if you’re as dedicated as I am. Once he fell asleep on my paws and I didn’t dare move till he woke up. Hopefully he’ll find a good home soon, but till then, I promise to do my best to watch over him. I could tell you more, but it’s time to check in on Bingo. Talk later.

I always give Bingo a hug before bedtime.

Posted by Bumby at 4:20 pm