Keep Your Pet Cool

This summer has been extra hot! Not only am I suffering from the heatwave but so is Winston when he goes outside. Luckily our house is air conditioned but as soon as that flat Pug face steps into the heat you would think he was dying. Here are some tips to keep your dog/cats cool the rest of the summer.

* Hydration is key! Always have plenty of water available for your pets. Dehydration is easy in such high temperatures and if your pet spends a lot of time outside make sure you keep a big water bowl outdoors as well as indoors.

* If you like to lounge in the outdoors and your dog likes to be right next to you, like Winston is always glued to my hip, make sure you have a shaded area for them and even a kiddie pool for them to lay in.

* Instead of walking your dog in the afternoon during the hottest part of the day, do it really early in the morning or wait until night when the sun has gone down. A good rule of thumb is if you can't handle the heat of the asphalt on your bare feet then your dog can most definitely NOT handle it on their sensitive paws.

* For your cats give them a big box to lay in. The cardboard stays cool and they also have a little play area. I always save a few boxes from Costco and let the cats have free reign of them.

* If you don't have air conditioning a simple hack is to put a tray of ice cubes in front of a box fan and let it blow on them. It mimics air conditioning and will cool down your cats or dogs. I have even taken a cold wash cloth and rubbed Winston's belly with it or used an ice cube. A good investment though is a Cooling Bandana which you can find anywhere from Petco to Walmart. Winston loves his and it instantly cools him down on extra hot days when we go to my parent's house that doesn't have air conditioning.

* In general when you go anywhere with your dog make sure you have water with you and a bowl. These are my necessities when taking Winston places.

Have a fun summer but also a responsible one!

Winston Wednesday: It's All About the Little Things

To say it has been a stressful week is an understatement but I have survived my eight days in a row of work and now I have three blissful days off to relax and recover. Working in retail it's easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of crazy shoppers you encounter on a holiday weekend and to say I almost lose it sometimes is another understatement...it's hard to not yell at the people who yell at you and treat you like their personal assistant or the ones who throw clothes on the floor and trash tables. I just don't understand how someone can walk into a store and be so disrespectful to the people working there and create such a mess. Plus it drives me crazy that it was Memorial Day and as a country we choose to ignore the real meaning of the holiday and instead use it as an excuse to bargain shop. Sorry for the rant...I will move on. My point is that when I am having a stressful day or week it's amazing to come home to Winston and see how excited he is to have me home. He immediately grabs the nearest toy and runs circles around me with it in his mouth while he snorts and wags his curly tail. Just that little act of love and excitement he shows me makes everything a million times better. I know on Saturday he is going to be very excited because my husband and I are taking him to a huge Pug Event and I will make sure to take a ton of pictures to post! For now here are a few of him relaxing at home.

Meow Monday: Benefits of Spaying/Neutering

One of the most important health decisions you will make in your pet's life is whether to spay/neuter them. Spaying and neutering offer life-long health benefits to your pet which is why it is something you should have done. Spaying is where a female pet's ovaries and uterus are removed. Neutering is where the testicles are removed from your male pet. Each procedure is now easily affordable due to most states having low cost spay/neuter programs. I will provide a link to these at the end of the post. Here are some legitimate reasons to have your pet spayed/neutered.

+ Neutering not only prevents unwanted litters but it also prevents testicular cancer if done before six months of age.

+ Spaying your pet offers protection from uterine infections and breast cancer which is fatal in 90% of cats and 50% of dogs.

+ An intact male will do anything to find a mate which includes digging out of your yard which increases his chance of getting hit by a car or getting into fights with other males. If he is neutered he will not want to roam away from home.

+ A spayed female won't go into heat. Female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. They will yowl and urinate more frequently - even all over the house - to advertise themselves to mates.

+ Unneutered dogs and cats tend to mark their territory by spraying strong smelling urine all over the house. They also tend to be more aggressive and these aggressive behaviors can be avoided by early neutering. A neutered male will be much better behaved.

+ The cost of spaying/neutering your pet is a lot less expensive than caring for a litter. It is also a lot more cost effective to spay/neuter than it is to pay for treatment when your unneutered pet gets into a fight.

+ Spaying/neutering your pet will not make them fat. This is an old excuse people use to not get their pet spayed/neutered. As long as you keep up your pet's exercise and don't overfeed - they will stay the same size.

+ It is good for the community to spay/neuter your pet. Don't add to the over population of pets. There are already so many strays out there. Every year millions of cats and dogs are euthanized or suffer as strays. Unplanned litters result in these high numbers and they could have easily been prevented by spaying and neutering.

+ If you think you are teaching your children a lesson on the miracle of birth by having a litter you are mistaken. Don't breed and add to the pet population when you can just go the less traumatic route and go to the library to teach your child about birth.

Here is a link for low cost spay/neuter programs across the country.

And of course a Meow Monday wouldn't be complete without pictures of my cats. Enjoy!

Jasper showing a little tongue.

Jasper and Rusty being sleepy. 

Charlie mid yawn.

Obviously they all have a case of the Mondays. I was going to harass them with more pictures but they looked like they needed to catch up on some sleep since they kept me up most of the night playing and biting my feet. It's hard being a cat.

Happy Caturday

Winston and I hope everyone has had a great week but more importantly we wish everyone a happy Caturday! Winston celebrates every Caturday by spending extra cuddling time with his feline siblings. Sometimes I think he believes he is just one of the cats. I wanted to share some cute pictures I took this week of all four of the pets. Enjoy!

Jasper giving me attitude.

Charlie always has to be touching Winston when they are sleeping. 

My beautiful Rusty. She is a sweetheart.

Charlie showing off his cute toes.

Winston sleeping with his eye open. He does this a lot.

Charlie's tummy makes the best chin rest.

Three out of four babies on the bed.

He jumps up here and waits by the front door until we get back home.

Jasper decided Charlie needed a bath in the middle of playing.

Princess Rusty. She knows she is royalty.

Charlie - a snowball with a cat head according to my dad.

The cutest face you will ever see.

Make sure you check back Monday for a new post! Have a great rest of the weekend and please check out my gofundme page on the right side. Thank you!

Most Common Toxic Plants to Cats and Dogs

Overall there are 405 toxic plants to cats and dogs combined. It would be insane for me to list all of them so I am going to list the most common plants to cause toxicity - the ones they get into most frequently. I will include a picture of the plant and a list of symptoms when ingested.

Scientific Name: Aloe Vera

Family: Liliaceae

Toxicity: Cats and Dogs

Clinical Signs: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, anorexia, tremors, change in urine color.

Scientific Name: Amaryllis sp.

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Common Names: Belladonna lily, Saint Joseph lily, Cape Belladonna, Naked Lady

Toxicity: Cats and Dogs

Clinical Signs: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, tremors

Scientific Name: Rhododendron sp.

Family: Ericaceae

Common Names: Azalea, Rhododendron, Rosebay

Toxicity: Cats, Dogs, Horses

Clinical Signs: Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. The toxic principle interferes with normal skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and nerve function. Typically within a few hours of ingestion clinical signs begin such as digestive upset, excessive drooling, anorexia, diarrhea, depression, loss of coordination, weakness, stupor, leg paralysis, weak heart rate and recumbency for 2 or more days at which point may result in a coma and then death.

Scientific Name: Colchicum autumnale

Family: Liliaceae

Common Names: Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron

Toxicity: Cats, Dogs, Horses

Clinical Signs: Oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage, bone-marrow suppression. 

Scientific Name: Begonia spp.

Family: Begoniaceae

Common Names: There are over 1,000 species and 10,000 hybrids

Toxicity: Cats and Dogs

Clinical Signs: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing. The tubers are the most toxic part of the plant.

Scientific Name: Ricinus communis

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Common Names: Castor Bean Plant, Castor Oil Plant, Mole Bean Plant, African Wonder Tree

Toxicity: Cats, Dogs, Horses

Clinical Signs: Castor Beans are very toxic and cause oral irritation, burning of mouth and throat, increase in thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, convulsions. As little as one ounce of seeds can be lethal. Signs typically develop between 12 to 48 hours after ingestion and include loss of appetite, thirst, weakness, sweating, difficulty breathing, trembling, loss of coordination, progressive central nervous system depression, and fever. As the syndrome progresses bloody diarrhea may occur as well as convulsions and a coma can precede death.

Scientific Name: Anthemis noblilis

Family: Compositae

Common Names: Chamomile, Manzanilla, Garden Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, True Chamomile, Corn Feverfew, Barnyard Daisy, Ground-apple, Turkey-weed

Toxicity: Cats, Dogs, Horses

Clinical Signs: Contact dermatitis, anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, allergic reactions. Long term exposure can lead to bleeding tendencies. *NOTE* Just because Chamomile calms and relaxes you...that does NOT mean that you can give it to your pets. I have heard of a few people who thought it was a great thing to give to their dogs. They thought it calmed their dogs...well yeah because you were slowly poisoning them. 

Scientific Name: Cyclamen spp

Family: Primulaceae

Common Names: Cyclamen, Sowbread

Toxicity: Cats and Dogs

Clinical Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, salivation. The highest concentration of the toxic component is in the root of this plant. Heart rhythm murmurs can occur and fatally. 

Scientific Name: Allium sativum

Family: Liliaceae

Common Names: Garlic, Stinking Rose, Rustic Treacle, Comphor of the Poor, Nectar of the Gods, Serpet Garlic, Rocambole

Toxicity: Cats, Dogs, Horses

Clinical Signs: Breakdown of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia, Heinz body anemia), vomiting, weakness, blood in urine, panting, tachycardia (high heart rate).

Scientific Name: Cannabis sativa

Family: Cannabaceae

Common Names: Marijuana, Hashish, Indian Hemp

Toxicity: Cats, Dogs, Horses

Clinical Signs: Prolonged depression, incoordination, vomiting, sleepiness or excitation, dilated pupils, hypersalivation, low blood pressure, low body temperature, seizure, coma, death in rare cases.

Scientific Name: Nerium oleander

Family: Apocynaceae

Common Names: Oleander, Rose-Bay

Toxicity: Cats, Dogs, Horses

Clinical Signs: Poisonings of Oleander can occur from access to fallen branches and prunings. All parts of the plant contain a highly toxic cardiac glycoside and can cause diarrhea, colic, sweating, incoordination, shallow/difficult breathing, muscle tremors, recumbency, and possibly death from cardiac arrest.

Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum

Family: Araceae

Common Names: Pothos, Golden Pothos, Devil's Ivy, Taro Vine, Ivy Arum

Toxicity: Cats and Dogs

Clinical Signs: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, vomiting, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing.

Scientific Name: Cycas revoluta, zamia species

Family: Cycadaceae

Common Names: Sago Palm, Coontie Palm, Cardboard Palm

Toxicity: Cats, Dogs, Horses

Clinical Signs: Vomiting, melena (black "tarry" feces associated with a gastrointestinal hemorrhage), icterus (jaundice; yellow color of skin, eyes, mucous membranes), hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, excessive thirst, coagulopathy (condition in which the blood's ability to clot is impaired), liver damage, liver failure, death.

Scientific Name: Tulipa species

Family: Liliaceae

Common Names: Tulip

Toxicity: Cats, Dogs, Horses

Clinical Signs: Highest concentration of toxin is in the bulb. If ingested vomiting, depression, diarrhea, cardiac abnormalities and hypersalivation will occur. *NOTE* If you have a dog who likes to dig and you have Tulips in your backyard be very careful and watch your dog. 

Scientific Name: Taxus sp.

Family: Taxaceae

Common Names: Yew, Japanese Yew

Toxicity: Cats, Dogs, Horses

Clinical Signs: Sudden death from cardiac failure. The early signs are: muscular tremors, dyspnea, and seizures in dogs.

These are some of the most common plants that cause high risk toxicity to cats and dogs. I didn't include many Lilies because there are so many varieties but the more dangerous, potentially fatal lilies are true lilies of the Lilium or Hermerorcallis species. Some examples of these dangerous lilies include: Asiatic hybrid, Day, Easter, Red, Japanese Show, Tiger and Stargazer. All of these are highly toxic to cats. Even a small ingestion of 2-3 petals or leaves can result in severe, acute kidney failure. Even the pollen or water from the vase! Lily of the Valley is another dangerous lily but it does not cause kidney failure, it can instead cause life threatening heart arrythmias and even death when ingested by cats and dogs. If you see your cat or dog ingesting any plant and you are not sure whether it is toxic please take your pet to the Veterinarian immediately. The sooner you take them to the Vet after they ate the plant the sooner they can be treated and have a better chance of a full recovery. 

Meow Monday: Curiosity Can Harm Your Cat

Spring has sprung and Easter is almost upon us. In many households this means decorative colorful plastic grass, chocolate bunnies and Easter lilies. In a cat's eyes this means new stuff to investigate and play with which is not safe for your kitty (or your dog). If you have a cat/s in your household you will want to keep any of these items away from your cat's curious trouble making ways. My cat Jasper is a plastic chewing aficionado which is why no plastic is allowed near him. Plastic grass may be decorative and cute during Easter but it can pose a real hazard to your cat's health in the form of a digestive tract obstruction as well as vomiting and dehydration. That green plastic grass isn't so cute anymore is it? Easter lilies are very popular around this time of year and they are extremely toxic to your pets as well as any chocolate bunnies. So when in doubt make sure all of it is locked away tight where your furry friends can't reach it. Spring is also the time of "Spring Cleaning" - a time-honored tradition in many households. Clean all you want but please make sure you keep all cleaners and chemicals away from where your pets can get into them. Almost all chemicals in cleaners are harmful to your pets. So make sure you properly use them and store them. Wanting to grow a beautiful, bountiful garden? Fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them. When buying these products always read the labels and make sure that your pet does not need to stay off the lawn or garden area for a period of time after their use. Then when you are done using them properly store them out of harms way. Just some quick Spring time tips. Tomorrow check back for a post on poisonous plants. Now since it is Meow Monday let me leave you with some pictures of my brood and a precious video.

Happy Meow Monday! 

Officially Back in Washington!

I am excited to report that I am officially living back in Washington state! YAY! After a few days of stressful travel I am very pleased to be back in my home state. I don't recommend driving over 2,000 miles with 4 pets in the car but you do what you have to. Obviously my husband and I took turns driving and we rested in California for a couple days visiting some family. That way we could get a nice break and so could the pets. We also would make frequent stops to let Winston out to go potty and then we set up a litter box in the backseat and would let each cat out of their crate to use it (which none of them did because they were curious about the car). I am a very anxious person and I was worried the entire time about my three cats and getting them to use the litter box and eat/drink so it was eating me up inside and making me feel guilty when they wouldn't use the box. Fortunately all the cats actually did pretty well and Charlie only meowed for like the first two hours then they all slept and were little angels. Then once we reached California we set up a litter box and Rusty and Jasper used it immediately. Rusty being fifteen years old scared me to have her traveling so far but she only had one accident in her crate while we were driving which wasn't a big deal because I had anticipated that and had put training pads down in her crate. Charlie actually didn't use the litter box for a whole two days which I didn't like but he ate and drank water and acted like his normal playful self so I knew he was just adjusting. When he finally did use the box I was extremely relived. While in California I met a bunch of my husband's family and caught up on some sleep. We stayed for 2 and half days and then packed up the pets and drove straight through to our final destination in Washington. Right now we are staying at my parents house in my old bedroom. The cats have free range of the bedroom and they all seem very happy. Winston is loving it here too because my parents have a dog who he gets to play with. My parents also have a cat that Rusty used to live with but they never got along. In the next month I will be looking for a part-time job and Alex will be hopefully getting a full-time one. Our goal is to buy our first house in the next couple months. I am excited for the next couple months to see what they hold. On Monday I will have a new Meow Monday post so definitely stay tuned for that and then Wednesday will be a brand new Winston Wednesday post! I just wanted to update you guys on life and let you know that my weekly posts will be back starting on Monday! I would also LOVE to start posting some YouTube videos regularly so hopefully I can make that a reality. Well I hope everyone has a great week! Pugs and kisses!

All of my babies on the bed last night. 

Crazy Wrestling Cats

I hope everyone had a great Monday! I just wanted to make another quick little post to share some things that will be coming up within the next week on here. I am going to be going into detail on dental hygiene in your pets and also talking about Winston's new diet he started. So keep an eye out for those this week. Also it would be awesome if I could get more subscribers on here and make sure to click the links on the right to follow me on other social media sights! Now I am going to leave you with this awesome video of Charlie and Jasper.

If you enjoyed that then make sure to check out a longer video of them playing on my YouTube account!

It Has Been Awhile

Sorry I have slacked on posting on here but I have been lazy and kind of down the past month. So to make up for my absence I wanted to share this adorable video of Winston after his birthday. So here is the video:

We had Bella and S'mores over to play with Winston on his birthday and he had a blast! As far as the cats they have been great. 

Well that is all I am going to post tonight but I should have two new posts this next week so keep an eye out for those!

Introductions

My name is Jacquelyn and I am the mother to a handsome Pug named Winston and his three kitty companions Rusty, Jasper and Charlie. I am 23 years old and married to an amazing man named Alex who is in the Navy. We are originally from Washington but are currently living in the midwest. I am a stay at home wife so I spend all my time with Winston and he keeps me thoroughly entertained and happy. This blog is to chronicle our day to day life and the shenanigans Winston gets into. To start off the introductions lets put a face to all these names!

This is a picture of my husband and I on our wedding day almost 3 years ago.

Here is Rusty our 14 year old cat...she is my darling girl who my dad and I rescued after our neighbors in Washington up and left in the middle of the night leaving poor Rusty behind. I have had Rusty since 6th grade.

This is Jasper who is going to be 3 this year. Alex and I adopted him when he was 8 weeks old at the Humane Society.

This is Charlie who is about a year and a half. Alex and I rescued him from a neglectful owner who was living across the street from us. He never fed Charlie and treated him horribly. The guy ended up losing his house and left Charlie behind so Alex and I took Charlie in. He is currently fighting an infection in his leg from what the vet thinks is a bite wound. 

And last but not least this is Winston who will be 3 years old on April 28th. Alex and I have both always loved Pugs and wanted one so after being married for about 5 months we decided to get one. We found Winston and fell in love with him instantly. We really went to just look at Pugs but ended up loving Winston so much we bought him. It was kind of a spur of the moment decision and it is the best decision we have ever made! 

Well that is all of us! I hope to use this blog to show how much my pets mean to me and to include meaningful posts not just about them but also about life in general.