Pet Column
Classics
A selection from our over 800 Pet Columns
Connecting Pets, People, and
Community While Saving Lives
Children & Pet Loss – Pt 2
Hi my name is Daisy. I am following up on last week’s Second Chance Pet Column on helping children cope with the loss of a pet. This week I guide you in what to say (or not say) when discussing a pet’s death with a child.
Children & Pet Loss
A recent study of the mental health impacts on children from the death of a family pet is showing that this experience can effect children more than we have realized. For many parents this may not be news as the bonds children form with pets resemble secure human relationships in terms of providing affection, protection, and reassurance. But how do we help children cope with the loss of a pet?
Cattitude
There continues to be a lot going on in the people-world this year. Whether you are cat person or not we are here to help you through these times with our feline wisdom. This week’s Pet Column offers up some much needed cattitude, as well as some post-election week updates on whether cats can really vote…
Leena’s Story
Hi, my name is Leena. I am a two year young cattle dog mix. This week’s Second Chance Pet Column is devoted to me and my journey to recovery, because it is a special story and I am a special dog.
Eye Boogers
So, eye boogers…kind of a normal natural bodily function but somehow makes you humans queasy. Would it help if I called it leaky lookers instead? Or I could stick to the more technical term “ocular discharge”, although somehow that almost sounds worse. Anyway, pet parents are worrying about an increase in this “activity” due to all the smoke in the air these past weeks so I wanted to address this.
Hairy Balls
Hair balls. Yep, in last week’s Pet Column Zola wrote about saving the world and this week I write about slimy balls of fur. Somehow that seems unfair to me but I’ll tell you what, dealing with partially digested, then regurgitated, balls of hairy goop is real too. Fur balls need to be openly discussed and not swept under the carpet (where they would just get moldy and stinky).
The Butt Wiggle
People are fascinated by the grace, athleticism, and agility of the feline. Warriors mimic our effortless movements, hunters channel our intense focus, espionage teams mirror our stealth, scientists study our aptitude and dogs, well, they just envy us. But one aspect of our hunting repertoire still remains a mystery. The butt wiggle.
What is Humane?
What does it mean to be humane? Many would answer with the use of words such as compassion, just, kindness, benevolence. Others would answer that it means accepting the role and responsibility as stewards of the animals and planet. Some would say it would be to treat all living creatures as you would a human. But some humans don’t treat other humans well so how can that be used as a measurement? To complicate things further, some humans treat animals better than they do other humans. Do we just need a new definition for humane?
Assertions from a Puppy Mill Survivor
Hi my name is Merle and I am a puppy mill survivor. I am learning that many people don’t fully understand what that means. I believe that as more people understand what that means the less dogs will have to suffer in puppy mills. So please read on, and don’t worry, my story has a sweet ending.
Be an Advocat!
As a shelter cat here at Second Chance Humane Society I have been witness to what I believe is a growing disparity between the feline versus canine connection with humans. There are some strong indicators in shelters nationwide. For example, stray dogs are far more often reclaimed by their owners than stray cats and there always more cats in the shelter than dogs. This is not the cat’s fault and it needs to change.