How to give a cat a pill

1.   Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat’s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2.   Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa.

Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3.   Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.
Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

4.   Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl, and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.

Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws.

Ignore low growls emitted by cat.

Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth.

Drop pill down ruler and rub cat’s throat vigorously.

5.   Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap.

Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains.

Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit.

Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

6.  Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans.

Drink glass of water to take taste away.

Apply Band-Aid to spouse’s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

Retrieve cat from neighbours shed.

Get another pill.

Place cat in cupboard & close door onto neck to leave head showing.

Force mouth open with dessert spoon.

Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

7.   Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges.

Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus jab.

Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road.

Apologise to neighbour who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat.

Arrange for SPCA to collect cat, and ring local pet shop to see if they have any goldfish.

How to give a dog a pill

1. Wrap it in bacon.

This is another good one…

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can eat the same food everyday and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when loved ones are too busy to give you time,
If you can overlook when people take things out on you,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can face the world without lies and deceit,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can do all these things, ……………

Then you are probably the family dog.

This is the website I got these from:

http://www.petsplace.co.za/humour.htm

The postman comes into the garden and to the front door (the den) most days and puts mail through the letterbox, some dogs see the mail as potential danger which they try to ‘kill’ and bark, growl and demonstrate threatening behaviour and the postman walks away. The dog is triumphant, his behaviour has been successful as the postman never enters the house but instead submits and walks away. Remember your dog does not rationalize, he believes his behaviour has kept potential danger away and he has protected the pack. In a dog’s mind, he has done his job extremely well and will certainly repeat that behaviour should the postman dare to return.

Dog owners can become upset and frustrated with their dog’s reaction during this time, which further confirms to the dog that there is something to worry about, enhancing the dog’s ferocious determination to keep the postman away.

Food for thought the next time the postman comes to your door!

If you think I’m exaggerating just look at some of the many benefits and symptoms it works with:

• Creates a healthy digestive system.
• Stops and prevents diarrhoea.
• Yeast infections and urinary tract infections can be cured by using acidophilus supplements.
• Stops unpleasant wind and smelly stools.
• Rectifies bad breath caused by the digestive system not working effectively.
• Relieves muscular and arthritic pain.
• Prevents shedding and scratching caused by stress related to the improper functioning of the digestive system.
• Antibiotics, anti-fungals and wormers can destroy the natural bacteria required for a healthy digestive system. Acidophilus replenishes the good bacteria and any side effects caused by taking the medication disappears.
• Improves your dog’s immune system.

What is Acidophilus?

Acidophilus is known as a probiotic and is part of a group of beneficial intestinal bacteria called lactobacilli. L. acidophilus is present in the intestines at birth and is eventually joined by another well known bacterium called L. bifidus. Both are highly beneficial to the proper function of the intestine and to overall health and may be the most important bacteria of over 400 species in the digestive tract. It helps maintain a normal balance of health flora (bacteria). This ‘good’ bacteria is beneficial to both human and dog’s digestive tracts and assists in the optimal functioning of the body. It is thought to also play an important role in supporting a healthy immune system.

Dosage

If you are using a human acidophilus supplement use the recommended dose for children for smaller dogs and the adult recommendation for larger dogs. You can get acidophilus specifically for dogs which will have the dosage specified on the label.

It comes either in powder or in a capsule so it is easy to put straight onto your dogs dinner. It has no flavour so dogs are happy to eat it and rarely know that it is there.

Is Acidophilus Safe for Dogs?

Acidophilus is free of side effects as it contains all natural ingredients. You can also use live natural yoghurt instead as this contains live cultures which are beneficial for a healthy digestive tract. However, acidophilus is a great solution for dogs that are lactose intolerant and cannot be fed yogurt for correcting their troubled intestines. Please check with your vet if you have any concerns.

Where can you buy Acidophilus?

Vets often sell acidophilus which will be specifically for dogs. You can also type in google ‘acidophilus supplements for dogs’ to see a range of on-line companies that sell this product. Please do shop around as the price can differ quite considerably.

Please note – If you also suffer from any digestive disturbances taking acidophilus could seriously improve your health too. Give it a go!

http://www.zapiks.fr/index.php?action=playerIframe&media_id=52372&width=640&height=360

The coolest dog in the world !

•           When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

•           Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

•           Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

•           Take naps.

•           Stretch before rising.

•           Run, romp, and play daily.

•           Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

•           Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

•           On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

•           On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

•           When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

•           Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

•           Be loyal.

•           Never pretend to be something you’re not.

•           If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

•           When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

When you’re happy, do you dance around and wag your entire body?! I love watching my 2 dogs do this, I’m going to put this on my ‘to do daily’ list, it looks like fun to me!

How dogs cool themselves down

Dogs breathe in air through their nose which is then cooled in the nasal passage before it reaches the lungs. Short nosed/flat faced dogs (technically known as ‘Brachycephalic’ dogs), such as British Bulldogs, Boxers and Pugs are at more risk of overheating during the hot weather due to the length of their nasal passage and muzzle. When a dog’s body temperature rises they do not perspire through the skin like humans but pant in order to cool themselves down. Dogs do sweat through their paws but do not release enough perspiration there in order to be effective and panting is the main way they regulate their body temperature.

Dogs left in cars

Cars heat up like an oven, even on a cloudy day and many dogs suffer heatstroke or die in cars every year. Leaving water down in a vehicle or the window open is not going to stop your dog from overheating, please do not leave dogs in cars this summer.

Dogs and Heatstroke

Symptoms of a dog suffering from heatstroke include:

A raised body temperature, heavy and rapid panting, laboured breathing, weakness, wide eyes, red tongue, rapid pulse, disorientation, exhaustion, diarrhoea, vomiting and distress. If left untreated a dog can also collapse and go into a coma.

What you can do to help cool down a dog with heatstroke:

• Ensure the dog is in a cool or shaded area.

• Offer water but do not force the dog to drink.

• Dogs cool themselves from their paws upwards. Using a wet towel soak them in cool water (not freezing) or ideally stand them in a paddling pool or a shallow bath of cool water.

• Stay calm and be a reassuring presence to the dog – anxiety in you will create anxiety in them.

• If you have access to a phone, call a vet immediately for advice on what to do next.

Exercise – Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun – Noel Coward was right!

Avoid the hot times of the day to exercise your dog (usually between 10am – 4pm). Choose places that are naturally shaded (such as an old railway track with overgrown trees) and avoid pavements and open spaces if you do not have a garden and need to take your dog out to toilet during the day. When you go out always remember to take water for both your dog and you!

Dogs get sunburn too!

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from sunburn too, particularly in areas that have little hair such as the tips of the ears, bridge of the nose and around the tummy area. In the same way pale skinned people burn more easily the same is true for white dogs (such as white American Bulldogs and Bull Terriers) due to a lack of skin pigmentation.
You can buy sunblock cream especially made for dogs, ensure that the cream is fragrance free and non-toxic as many dogs will try and lick it off in areas they can reach!

I wish you a fun, happy and healthy summer with your dog.