FairyDust News

Loss of Our Best Friends

I want to honor the life of an incredibly special pet, Sadie. She was the grand dog of the extraordinary creator of our beautiful newsletter.

Ms. Sadie's life began sadly being tied to a rope for 7 years. She was saved from that horrible existence and provided a home filled with love and the best of care. She experienced many adventures, went on many trips, and thoroughly enjoyed the best ever life with her beloved family.

To Have Lost a dear pet friend is devastating and the grief washes over us, engulfing us in a deep sadness. Our pet never truly leaves us however, their memory always remains in our hearts. I feel sure they are always watching over us and waiting for us on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.

Spend as much time with them as possible, share your love with them, treasure, and cherish them. What they give in return is unconditional love for which we should be infinitely grateful.

Hugs and love to all of you whose pets are no longer here with us.

Crate Expectations

Crate training your pet is widely recommended by dog trainers and veterinarians. Yet many people resist using a crate because they feel confinement is cruel or unfair. These same people happily put their child in a playpen to keep them safe, so why not your dog or cat? If a crate is used correctly - not as punishment - your best friend will be easier to manage, and most pets will see a crate as their bedroom and go in them willingly when they need some quiet time.

Once people understand that a crate can protect their buddy and make training easier, they usually come around. Furthermore, your dog may need to be crated someday. If a summer trip involves airplanes, hotels, or riding in the car (a crate is the safest restraint for car travel), it's much easier if your pet likes his crate. Should your pet need to spend a few days with your vet, they will be put in a crate there. In case one of these scenarios arise, it's a good idea to get your pet familiar and comfy with a crate. Cats are usually transported in crates, but often not happily. Start early with a kitten, so they feel content in their carrier.

Using a crate with a puppy can help with housebreaking and chewing. If you are busy and can't watch your pup (they get into trouble so quickly), putting him in his crate with a toy or a kong keeps your pooch safe and happy. Teenage dogs can still be unpredictable behaviorally, so leaving Fido in a crate when you have to go out is the best plan. Crates are also great for older dogs that may need a break from household action or a senior dog with cognitive or vision issues who may need to be contained now and then for their safety.

Don't buy a crate and compel your pet in it without training; it should be a gradual and fun experience for them. If you force your friend, he may never warm up to a crate. If you need to leave your pet in a crate for a while, you should keep them naked (no collar which can get stuck in the bars). Pets shouldn't be left in crates for hours on end. We'll be happy to come by and give your friend a walk and playtime while you're gone. And remember never use the crate as punishment.

If you are patient and use treats, your critters will be happy to spend some quiet and safe time in their crates.

This article covers the benefits of crate training. But don't worry, we have a few "how-to" links to share with you:

Can't Find the Cat? Check the Bathroom!

If you're a cat owner, you know that most cats have a fascination with our bathrooms. Why is that? Well, it turns out bathrooms are a lot of fun for cats.

Although many cats don't like being in the water, most love being around it - what better place than a bathroom! If you have a leaky faucet - excellent; cats will play with dripping water for hours on end. Other cats may sit on the edge of the tub while you're bathing and dip a paw in now and then. 

Bathtubs are also great for zoomies and snoozes. If you want to watch your kitty have a blast, put a ping pong ball in the empty tub like these people did (click for video)!

Of course, many pets love TP. Cats find shredding the Charmin pure joy! If they get bored with destroying it, they will just unroll it all. This TP video is a few minutes long but worth every minute!

Closed doors are also captivating for cats. Felines are naturally curious. If you go into the bathroom and shut the door, you'll probably hear your kitty meowing or scratching to come in. She needs to know what the heck you're doing in there!

Additionally, cats don't understand privacy. And we've trained them, perhaps inadvertently, that when the human is in the bathroom, it's a great time to get attention. How many times has your cat kept you company while you're using the bathroom - and 9 chances out of 10 you reach down and scratch their ears... hence you've trained her that bathroom time is the perfect time to get plenty of loving attention.

Lots of cats love sleeping in the bathroom sink. Think about the shape of the sink and the shape of your cat all curled up - they are a perfect fit for each other. During the summer, the sink feels cool, and in the winter, your cat will warm it up, so it's nice and cozy.

The bottom line is our cats love us, love playing with water, and love attention. We might as well use the bathroom time for some serious feline bonding!

The Great Escape!

Is your pet an escape artist? Although the ingenuity many a fugitive pet demonstrates when escaping is impressive, at best, it's frustrating. And each escape may put your best friend in grave danger. Some pets are just opportunists, they see an open door or gate, and off they go on an adventure. Other pets are professional escape artists and will do anything to gain their freedom. But expert or not, you need to keep your Houdini safe.

Most pets are happy being contained; others have wanderlust in their souls. Please understand that your pet isn't trying to get away from you; he likes heading out on a reconnaissance jaunt. Below are some things you can do to lessen the chance of escape.

If you can figure out how and why your pet is hitting the road, that's a big step to solving the problem. Many pets have a high prey drive, so they patrol the neighborhood for hunting prospects. If your pet isn't neutered, they may be looking for love (often in all the wrong places). Other pets take off because they lack stimulation and are lonely. Pets that are fearful or have separation anxiety think they can run away from their fears.

Next, try and figure out how they are escaping. Is it through an open door? You may want to use gates in your house to limit door access. Are they digging or scooting under the fence? Maybe they are jumping the fence or vaulting over it off the dog house? Shore up the yard, fencing, doors, gates, and screens. Move things they could climb on away from your fence. If your buddy is tunneling under the fence, install some chicken wire that extends from the bottom of the fence into the soil. Please don't leave your dog unattended in the yard; he may get bored and look for trouble outside the yard.

A few other ideas....Get your pet fixed, make sure both cats and dogs have plenty of toys that stimulate them physically and mentally, teach your buddy to have a good recall, spend time cuddling with them, schedule some doggie play dates, and be sure they get a lot of exercise including frequent walks. Pets that have anxiety problems may need to see the vet for some medication, or left in a crate when you can't keep an eye on them. Cats may enjoy having a window seat or a cat tree near the window so they can watch the world go by.

With tight fences, gates in the house, and exercise, you can probably foil your escape artist. Just in case, be sure your pet has a collar, ID tag, and a microchip.

Great Pet Links!

Great links we found around the internet this month. Enjoy!

August is: