All the Creatures

Late winter and early spring mark the beginnings of dog, cat and horse show season. Cat shows often start in early winter since they are a mostly indoor venue. Dog and horse shows can take place both indoors and out so weather plays an important role.

To find out where dog, cat and horse shows take place near you, look in the following places:

• local newspapers in the classified sections under announcements
• the website for the local fairgrounds, they often list up coming events
• for dog shows check the AKC website, they list sanctioned dog shows
• horse show announcements are often posted at the local feed store
• talk to the personnel in the local pet store or groomers, they are a wealth of information regarding the show circuit.

Now that you know how to find out about a local show near you, go out and watch one. Visit the areas “back stage” of a show and talk with the owners. Shows are not just all about winning ribbons and bows-n-ties, it is meeting people and talking about your favorite breeds and bloodlines. Some shows even have demonstrations for new owners as well as the all important concession stands and shopping areas.

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I am not talking about spoiling your pet, I am sure we are all guilty of that at one time or another, I am referring to treating your pet like a human child with expectations of that pet acting very much like a human. One of the most common “tricks” that some owners like to do is teach their dog or cat to “speak.”

“I love you,” is the most common phrase that is captured on video and put on YouTube and AFV, that dogs whine out. Dogs are not alone, cats can utter sounds that to us could be a phrase or word.

Speaking is just one step towards the pet being treated like a human child, some pet owners even go as far as acquiring a small primate and dressing it up, buying personalized baby gifts for their “child” and even throwing elaborate birthday parties.

The problem with all of this is that pets will not react as human children do. Pets will react as their instincts tell them to. To treat an animal with the same expectations as we expect of a human child would be a disservice to that animal.

So why do people treat animals like children? There are a few explanations. One would be that they want a substitute for the human child they never had or to replace a human child they had lost. Another explanation would be to copy something they have seen on TV or to copy how someone they know treats their pet. The last explanation would be that the trend is slowly becoming more acceptable to our society. I remember when dressing up your dog was limited to the 5 year old child having fun, not the current trend of buying elaborate costumes for special occasions and then taking out your pet to show it off.

Whatever the reasons, people need to keep in mind that their pet might react in a way that they did not expect it to when being treated like a child.

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Like it or not, illegal drugs are a part of our society. Your neighbor or even someone in your home may have a drug habit. What you need to be aware of is the fact that your pets maybe affected by illegal drugs.  Drugs that can easily be absorbed through the skin is what you need to be on the look out for. Heroin, cocaine and opium all can be easily absorbed through dogs and cats paws. Both animals are likely to lick their paws if they have walked through something that irritates them. That increases the odds of exposure. Dogs are easier to control their wanderings but cats, unless they are kept inside 24/7 are more likely to become exposed.

So what can you do? Unlike humans that can undergo a rapid opiate detox program, pets are quite different. They will be more quickly affected and because of their small size they will need a trip to the vet fast. Rapid breathing and heartbeat which can lead to a heart attack or respiratory failure are a the main worries.

Keep your pet safe and suspect illegal drugs or toxins should your pet start to act “strange,” after a trip outside.

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