Homeless Pets Parents with Their Heart-warming Stories

If you love your pet with all your heart you will take care of him even when you are homeless. Studies have found out that nearly 10% of the homeless people in Australia have pets living with them. We wanted to know how they manage their daily lives so we got moving and interviewed a few homeless people with pets in Australia.

Here are a few true stories that may well melt your heart so keep some tissue paper ready (if you have a soft heart).

Clive Gibson, 21, Mandurah, Western Australia

I have been living on the streets of Mandurah for approximately two and a half years now. How I landed here is something I never thought would happen. When I was about 19, I lost both my parents in a massive car crash. I had no relatives or family except my two-year-old Labrador named Buster. Losing my parents was the worst thing ever because I didn’t know what to do or how to survive.

My parents did not have an expensive house, just a normal one. I was forced to sell it because I was in dire need of money and selling my dog was not even an option (though I admit, I did think about it once).

Two and a half years have passed and to this day, despite still being homeless, I made the best decision of not parting ways with Buster. There were days when I felt like ending my life but Buster has given me so many reasons to live and appreciate life. I am so lucky to have a dog like him. So what if I don’t have a home, I have Buster and he has me.

I clean dishes in a nearby restaurant to earn some cash so that we both can get at least some food to nibble upon.

Lleyton Harris, 29, Geelong, Melbourne, Victoria

I am a 29-year old man who used to live in a rented apartment in Geelong. I was compelled to leave because the rent got too high for my liking. Plus, the janitor job that I had, it was never going to be enough to pay the landlord. So I moved here, to the outskirts of Geelong and built a tiny tent. I have been residing here for about three years I reckon.

During my initial painstaking days, life was tough. Living became so unbearable that I literally felt like enough was enough. I was on my way to do something drastically horrible when a cat appeared from nowhere. It walked towards me and scratched my legs with its paws.

In that very moment, my heart sunk and I gave it a warm hug and some food to munch on. I first thought it was someone’s cat but for days no one came asking for a lost cat so I adopted him.

I named him Billy and ever since that day he is with me. My life took a drastic turn as Billy became a valuable part of my life. I live for him and he probably feels the same about me. Animals can indeed change your perspective towards life.

Shayla Atkins, 34, Orange, New South Wales

I have been a widow for two years now. After I lost my husband to the deadly Parkinson’s disease, I had to sell our little home due to financial difficulties. Living on the streets was difficult but I had my pug Wendy with me so I was not alone.

Honestly speaking, there were days when I thought of selling Wendy because I needed money for food. Today, whenever I think back to that moment, I’m like ‘how could a thought like that even come to my mind’.

Wendy has been an integral part of my life and I cannot imagine my life without her. She keeps me going despite all the problems and difficulties. Her being there beside me means the world to me. There’s a saying “home is where the heart is”, and my heart is solely with Wendy. She’s my home; my everything.

The above three stories just go to show how important pets are to most of us. A famous person once said, “A life lived without a pet is no life at all.” It would be pale and empty

Even in our darkest days, if we have our pets with us, we know we can withstand any storm. Hence, if you don’t have any pets, what are you waiting for? Go get one and see how your life will change for good.

Save Your Cat From Lungworms Today – Here’s How

Thin hair-like worms which are roughly 1cm long and that can cause severe respiratory problems are called lungworms. These parasites can dwell in your cat’s lungs and over time produce larvae which can be spotted in the feces. They can be life-threatening and mostly affect kittens, older cats and cats with a weak immune system.

Common Types Of Lungworms Affecting Cats

There are numerous species of lungworms but the most common ones affecting are –

·        Aelurostrongylus abstrusus – Cats consuming animals who have been feeding on snails and slugs such rodents, birds, etc can get infected by this type of lungworm.

·        Capillaria aerophila – It is a nematode that infests the respiratory tract in your cat. During its adult stages, they live in the epithelium trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles.

Symptoms Of Lungworms

Majority of cats hardly show symptoms when they are infected by lungworms. The following can assist you in detecting whether or not your feline has lungworms or not.

-      Wheezing and coughing

-      Difficulties in breathing

-      Fast heart rates

-      Open-mouthed breathing

-      Lethargy

-      Bacterial pneumonia

-      Loss in appetite

-      Bronchitis

-      High fever

If your cat shows any of the above signs, consult a vet as quickly as possible.

Treating Lungworms

Lungworms can be treated through proper de-worming treatment. The following products can help treat lungworms.

-      Advocate for Cats

-      Popantel for cat

-      Profender Allwormer

-      

Preventing Lungworms

Prevention is always better than cure. Hence, follow these tips to prevent your cat from getting infected by lungworms.

-      Keep your cat indoors as much as possible to prevent them from contacting any rodents, birds, and other animals.

-      If your cat goes outdoors, be alert and make sure she does not eat anything that she shouldn’t be eating.

-      Provide ample indoor play time to curb her natural instincts of wanting to go out.

-      Keep your surroundings clean and her bedding too.

-      If you detect something is wrong with your cat, immediately visit the vet to ensure that its nothing serious.

-      Feed your feline proper cat food. Do not give her food you leave after your meals.

-      Give your cat regular baths and groom her regularly to maintain proper hygiene. Lungworms are generally not dangerous but they can be fatal in some cases. Thus, it is necessary for you to do your best and protect your feline pal from contacting lungworms. Always remember, health comes first. 

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Tips To Help Your Cat Restore It’s Lost Appetite

Cats not eating their food can be a cause for concern. There are numerous reasons why cats stop eating. Some reasons include - feeling unwell, fed up of eating the same type of food again and again, etc. It can be life-threatening if your cat goes without food for days. Thus, before that happens to make a visit to the vet or read on to know how you can regain your feline friend’s appetite for food.

Things To Do or Not Do When Your Cat Does Not Eat

Your cat is not eating her food? Well, follow these tips and make her eat again.

#1. Are You Keeping The Bowls Clean? – One of the main reasons cats stop eating is because of a dirty bowl. Previous nights leftover food that remains in the bowl can create a bad smell which refrains the cat from eating. Ensure the food bowl is properly cleaned before giving your cat her meal.

#2. Time For A Change In Diet? – Your cat may not eat because it is probably fed up of the same food intake day in and day out. This calls for maybe a change in diet but makes the change gradually. For instance, add 90% of old food and 10% of the new food on day one. The next day add 75% old food and 25% new food. Do not do a complete change because it can cause problems like stomach upsets.

#3. Did You Mix A Tablet In Her Food? – Finicky cats or cats that hate taking tablets leave you with no other option but to mix it in their food. Most of these tabs have a bitter taste which causes your furry pal to avert their meal. Try and avoid it.

#4. Have You Tried Warming It Up? – There are days when by the time you give your cat her food, it gets cold allowing her to walk away without even smelling it. In such a situation, try warming her food by either microwaving it for a few seconds or by adding lukewarm water. Warming it up helps to boost its smell.

#5. Tried Exercising Your Mate? – Sometimes the problem lies within. If your cat is lazy then make her run around the yard. Running around will help to increase her appetite. So get those running shoes out and take your furry mate for a run.

#6. Out Of Options? Well, Try This Last One – If after trying everything your cat still doesn’t eat a morsel then its time to ask your vet to syringe feed it. Syringe feeding helps to liquify the food so that you can feed your cat easily.

If one doesn’t work, try the other. We’re hopeful that at least one of them will help your cat get back to eating ways. If it does not, then you must reach out to your nearest vet so that he can examine your cat and find measures to treat her.

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“My Dog Eats Poop” – 6 Tricky Solutions to Stop Your Dog Eating Poop

One of the most common questions that usually go viral around the dog community is

“WHY DOES MY DOG EATS POOP?”

Lot of pet owners will work harder to stop their pooch from having that shit however, some may be just wondering what on earth they can do to stop that doggy from licking that ‘stuff’. Gross - it may sound, you must have come across many instances where your Fido may be hogging on poop.

If you are wondering why your dog eats that stuff, no wonder there are no one or two reasons but various reasons that may keep you wondering.

Tricky Reasons Why Your Dog Eats Poop?

Being the finest species on the earth, humans very well know what they are eating and remember next time what they are going to eat.  As the famous saying go - LIVE IN THE MOMENT, animals will eat anything what comes their way if they feel it necessary.  The grossly stuff as it may sound to humans is something appetising, valuable and a source of diet for dogs.

Moreover, it also depends on the personality of a dog.  Some do like to savour it, whereas for others it’s just a nose rising.  Now the story does not end here. Lack of nutrients in diet also triggers the taste buds in dogs to yearn for this dirty stuff and savour it. In such cases, you can check with your vet for proper diet plan.

This is interesting to know though it seems gross - usually mothers eat poop of their new born offspring in order to keep the den clean.

One more theory prevails that dogs eat their own poop in order to cover the tracks when on a journey as a lone traveller. This helps in case a group of rival come looking for whereabouts through smell.

What may be the reason for your dog to eat that “sucking stuff”, it falls into your power to handle this behaviour and ensure that your furry pal avoid this nasty eating habit.

Tips And Tricks To Stop Your Dog Eating Poop

·         After your dog finishes his stuff, take him away from that place to ensure that he is not attracted to have it.

·         Before letting him out for his natural calls, check around in the garden to scoop out the stuff, if any.

·         If you catch your dog having it, just command him to follow you. Or walk away giving him choice to follow you.

·         Many dogs do weird things in order to attract their masters. If you find your dog is doing so just ignore him and walk away.  This makes him turn away from such weird thing to attract you.

·         Train your dog from day one to move away from such stuffs.

·         Even if your dog does this rarely, to be on safer side, do not allow him to lick anything. This implies that he will not check on any other stuff.

Dogs have their own set of instincts that help them to survive in the wild and those are carried out through generations though they are now our family. Living in secure, posh, cosy house does not change their innate nature. So, you don’t need to be harsh but you can train him to stop looking forward for having that lousy meal.  

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Finest Dog Friendly Parks in Every Australian State

Australia is known for its tons of beaches and parks for humans. They are not far behind in parks for dogs too. More than one thousand dog-friendly parks can be found across the six Australian states and Tasmania. With so many dog parks to choose from, it may get a bit problematic for you to pick the ideal one. Fret not, we’re here to erase all your difficulties and help you select the best dog-friendly park for your furry friends.

Dog-Friendly Parks in Every Aussie State

Here’s a selection of the best dog-friendly parks in each Australian state. We’re quite certain you’ll want to take your dog to these places after getting the details.

 •    Wintersun Caravan and Tourist Park, Carnarvon, Western Australia - It is more than just a park - it’s a way of life. This is a family owned park and your pooch is highly welcome here. There are numerous chalets and cabins specially made for your pet. An off-leash pet area is available at the rear of the park. Other facilities include a designated washing machine, doggy bags, extensive pathways to exercise your dogs and portable cages for hire if required.

•    Yarralumla Dog Park, Banks Street, Canberra, ACT – This dog park is arguably one of the best dog-friendly parks in Canberra. It is well fenced so that your pooch cannot run away when unleashed. It also has separate enclosures for big and small dogs. During rainy days, it gets muddy which dogs really love but pet owners don’t. All in all a great spot to enjoy your time with your furry pal.

•    Tuckeroo Park, Nudgee Road, Queensland – This dog-friendly park includes a large dog off-leash area and also allows your canine to swim in the lake nearby. It is an adventure park for your beloved dogs with a ‘Doggy World’ obstacle course. You can also take your furry pal onto the tidal section near the Nudgee Beach but make sure he is on a leash.

•    Burrell Road Dog Park, Spring Farm, New South Wales – It boasts of a beautiful scenery coupled with a play area for your Fido that includes trick-training stations such as hurdles, loops, steps, etc. With plenty of open spaces in an around the area, your pooch will surely cherish every minute  of it.

•    Eastfield Dog Park, Croydon, Victoria – It is situated in front of Eastfield Park on Eastfield Road. This dog park includes a properly fenced area with double entrances, time-out zones for younger dogs, rock mounds, sand pits, agility equipment, drinking water fountain, extensive screen planting, and bins to dump your dog poo. Also, it is to be noted that your dogs should be vaccinated and is at least six months old.

•    West Torrens Dog Park, Moss Avenue, Marleston, South Australia – This dog park is split into two sections – one for big dogs and the other for smaller ones. It has plenty of seating areas for humans and a huge area for your canine to run around. It also has a very cool water fountain with a stretch extension to give dogs a shower, if needed.

•    Suncoast Dog Park, Tinderbox Road, Blackmans Bay, Tasmania – A huge well-fenced area so that your dogs can enjoy without being on a leash. The stretch of land has tables and benches with a loop bush trail. A water tank is available for dogs to quench their thirst. With an amazing view and loads of spaces for your pets to run around, this park is simply a must visit place.

Things To Take While Going With Your Dog To The Dog Park

Before making the trip with your fuzzy friend to the dog park, ensure you have all the necessary items which you will be requiring. The following are a list of things you must carry with you.

ü  a leash

ü  a collar

ü  tasty dog treats

ü  travel bowl

ü  towels

ü  dog bedding

As Kinky Friedman famously said, “Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail.” So love your dog with all your heart and make sure to take him to dog parks (if not the above-mentioned ones then to any nearby dog parks) and other wonderful places.

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PET TENT – THE BEST GIFT FOR YOUR PET

Camping in a floating tree tent at a place close to nature where you have fresh air, greenery, hills and your pet - can be a definition of a perfect weekend get away to relieve the stress of a whole week. But, taking your pet with you is not going to be that easy as there are many preparations that you need to do. Like buying a pet tent or a tent in which you and your pet both can sleep soundly.

To buy a personal pet tent for your companion or to buy a tent feasible for both of you is your choice. But buying a personal pet tent would be highly preferable.

Buying a personal pet tent for your loved companion can be a perfect gift. Whether you go for a camping or not it will be helpful in both the ways. You can setup the pet tent in your lawn and let your pet have fun in open because even they get bored by staying in the house. And if you are going out for camping, this is the best buy.

Here Are The Benefits Of Buying A Pet Tent

Personal space

It gives you and your pet a personal space, if you are going out for camping with your partner. Your pet can have his/her privacy and you and your partner can have yours. You can spend quality time with your partner but ensure that your pet’s leash is tied to your tent or his/her tent. Otherwise your pet will go out for a long walk and then get lost in the surroundings.

And if the pet tent is used in your lawn it can give the much needed comfortable shelter in the open.

Protection

It provides protection from many factors that can hinder your pet’s enjoyment. Protection from harmful UV rays, moisture, dust, and most importantly parasites like fleas and ticks, which can easily annoy your pet. 

WIDE VARIETY

There are wide varieties of tents available for pets according to their sizes. They come in different colors and features. You can go on any shopping website and choose from a vast range of designs that are fit for cats, dogs and birds. Material of these tents is designed in such a way that they are scratch proof. A window mesh is provided to make sure a flow of air and for ventilation a mesh is fitted at the top in most of the tents. A door is also provided to allow them to go in and out. In tents, which are used in cold environments, walls and the floors are padded to insulate the tent. There are many tents which come with bedding which is more comfortable for pets to sleep.

It is said that freedom is the best gift that you can give to anyone and if you are thinking to buy a gift for your pet then pet tent can be the best gift to give because it will give freedom to your pet from the routine and staying inside the house. It will also give you freedom to take your pet outside freely.

One of the most important things to consider before going on camping is you have to always ensure that the pet is secured by regular flea and tick treatments. Because, fleas and ticks can be found anywhere whether in your lawn or in the wilderness. Once your pet is protected from fleas and ticks, you can then take them anywhere for camping to cherish the most beautiful moments.

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Scientific Reasons - Why You Should Never Leave Your Pet In A Parked Car

For pets, summers are the critical part of the year. As the sun blazes too hot, most pet parents worry about the health of their furry friends. Not just flea and tick infestations or the risk of being infected with heartworms through mosquito bites is high but also there are other factors that the pet parents are concerned about. And, one such trivial but very crucial aspect is leaving your pet in a parked car. Some pet owners may be not so well aware of the severity that a pet faces when left all alone in a car especially when the temperatures are too high. Thus, there are numerous dangers that your dog may pose being left in an unattended car.

On a warm day, you may be feeling comfortable outside your car neglecting the fact that how hot it may be in a closed parked car.

Check Some Facts About This:

• A warm day that may be having 72 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the temperature inside your car can heat up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit within an hour.
• When the temperature is 80 degrees F outside, inside your car the temperature can rise up to 99 degrees F within 10 minutes. So, just ponder that how much a 10-minute short visit to a shop leaving your pet inside the car can be dangerous.
• Moreover, rolling down those windows in your car has no to little effect on the temperature inside a car.
• Leaving a dog in a car is not only life-threatening and unintentional on a dog owner’s part, but it is also illegal in the eyes of the law. In major states of US, it is stated that intentionally or unintentionally leaving a dog or a cat alone inside a car in an unattended car for even a short period of time is against the law.

Things To Act On When You Find Your Pet Showing Signs Of Heat Stress

When you see that your dog is panting heavily, showing sign of a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, glazed eyes, a staggering gait, or deep red or purple tongue, immediately take steps to make room for him.

• If your pet is overheated, try to lower his body temperature immediately.
• Apply ice packs or cold towels to your pet’s head, neck and chest only.
• Move your pet in a shady or cool area.
• Put cool, not cold water all over the body gradually to lower the temperature.
• Allow your pet to drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.
• In case, if you find an animal in other’s car left alone and showing the signs of heat stress, then immediately call your local animal care agency or sheriff department.

Pets when left alone in a car not only face the danger of heat stress but also come across the threat of being stolen away. Every year, numerous cases of pet theft are being recorded and there are no whereabouts where these pets might have taken away.

Coupling the reasons, it is crucial that you take care of your pet when going out on a ride. It may be fun and frolic taking your pet with you on a drive. On the contrary, many pets prefer to stay within the comfort and cosiness of your home. So, don’t forcibly take your pet out on a drive even though it’s for a short ride to your neighbourhood store. 

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