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Thanks to Sue and Bonnie
Puppy Training Basics - How to Get Your Puppy to Stop Taking Clothes
by Kelly Marshall
Puppies are like little kids in that they always need discipline and a very close eye to be sure that they can learn the rules of your home. Some puppies have huge behavior problems, while others show the typical scenarios, such as taking clothes and other small items around your home as if it were a game.
Puppies are known for taking anything that they can get their mouths on and then run away with it. At the beginning this little cute habit is very comical. However, after a while it needs to be seriously addressed because as the puppy grows older into an adult doghood, he will think that he is allowed to eat anything within your home, including your expensive shoes and nice furniture.
There are many ways to handle a puppy that is taking your clothes and other belongings from around the home. One way to get your puppy to drop something from his mouth immediately is to simply walk out of the room and close the door behind you. For instance, let's say you are in your room and your dog grabs a shoe from the corner closet and runs around the room avoiding you at all costs. This is just a game to him, but maybe not to you. So, what you need to do is immediately have him lose interest in the game by just leaving the room with the door shut. In less than 15 seconds your puppy will drop the shoe and start crying for you to come back.
Another way to distract your puppy from taking clothes and other small belongings is to distract him by running to the door and shaking your keys so that he knows that you are going to take him outside (dogs immediately associate the jingle of keys to someone leaving the home).
Simply take the dog into the yard or the sidewalk for just a few moments. If you do this enough, sooner or later your puppy will be able to stop playing his little annoying game anytime you shake your keys. It's all about distraction and training your puppy's mind to associate something else of importance whenever he tries to break the rules.
Lastly, as I always recommend dog owners who have behavioral problems with dogs, get yourself a small water bottle that you can use to spritz (squirt) him big time. Of course you do not want to torture your dog by spritzing them in the eye or anything like that, but a little water can actually go a long way when trying to get your dog to stop whatever annoying behavioral problem he keeps getting himself into.
Whenever you see your puppy grabbing something that doesn't belong to him and running around the home with it, give them a quick water spritz and a firm "no" command. He will be so surprised and shocked that he will immediately drop anything from his mouth while learning that this is one house rule he cannot break.
About the Author
Article by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies - to find ceramic dog bowls to match any decor, go to http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-bowls/
Eileen Mitchell - SF Gate
Such traitors, our dogs.
Traitors. In spite of the fact that we love them, feed them, walk them, nurse them, buy them pricey treats and toys. Traitors, even though we take them with us on vacations and, when it comes to their health care, spend numbers that rival the GNP of Switzerland. Traitors, yes, but still we adore our canine Benedict Arnolds. That's because, in return, they enrich our lives with unconditional love.
Well, usually.
There's no doubt that my mother's dog, Lucy, adores her guardian. It's apparent the way the little white greyhound traipses after Mom throughout the house, wanting to sit with her, sleep with her, play with her, be with her. Lucy loves my Mom, sure.
But the little traitor worships me.
I could attribute this to the good dog karma I've always enjoyed. Well, except for that small black-and-white mutt sitting next to his owner on some church steps in Florence, Italy. During a vacation two years ago, I was missing my own greyhound, Elvis, and I found myself instinctively approaching any dog I saw for a quick dog fix. When I saw this cute little fella, I started to ask the owner if I could pet his dog. But before I even opened my mouth, Guido morphed into Cujo, snapping and snarling at me with such a froth-mouthed viciousness that even his surprised owner had trouble controlling the diminutive demon. Had the dog sprung loose, he would have gone straight for my jugular. And I have no idea why.
And then there's Sam, a 9-year-old yellow Lab who belongs to my friend Pat. Again, for no rational reason, Sam has disliked me from the time he was the size of a fleece slipper. When I visit Pat, she has to cordon off the staircase where Sam sits, glaring at me with the intensity of a cheetah studying its next meal.
I've tried sweet-talking Sam, ignoring Sam, tempting Sam. Waste of time in dog years. Pat speculates that maybe he doesn't like my glasses because he also dislikes her other myopic friend. Whatever. Since I harbor no desire to become Sam's next meal, I've learned to keep a healthy distance between us, although I'm perplexed that a dog could hate me so - writer about dogs, rubber of bellies, me!
Ah, but Lucy.
This dog loves me beyond anything I've ever experienced. When Lucy sees me, her joyous enthusiasm is evident in her tail, which wags with the velocity of a Cessna 177 propeller, and Mom is reduced to an invisible roadblock in front of the only thing in the room that matters: me. Lucy dances in circles around me, showers me with her newest squeaky toys, and tries to snuggle her 65-pound body in my lap the second I sit down. Resting her head against my chest, she gazes at me with such adoration that teeny cartoon hearts seem to shoot out of her eyes. When I leave, Mom notes (with some annoyance, I might add) that Lucy runs to the window looking for me, crying and howling.
"Such a traitor!" Mom snorts, a tad hurt. I've tried downplaying the obvious, saying she's just an enthusiastic dog. However, that didn't fly when Mom and I returned from a recent two-week family cruise to Alaska and entered her home together. It could have been a classic "Sophie's Choice" scene with Lucy hesitating before deciding whom she would go to first, but no. The dog immediately dived into my arms, almost knocking Mom over in her quest to get to me. And I couldn't help but agree that for reasons unknown, Lucy may live with Mom, but her heart belongs to me.
Just like my Elvis, right? Right?
Before our trip, I left Elvis with his favorite doggy sitter, Ellen, who has three greyhounds of her own and a backyard the size of a Wal-Mart parking lot. I've tagged her home Doggie Disneyland because, as a retired flight attendant, she enjoys the luxury of time, indulging her hounds in twice-daily hourlong walks, endless ear scratching and undivided attention.
After leaving Mom's house, I drove to Ellen's place to retrieve Elvis. When I called his name, he ripped across the yard, pushing through BJ, Champ and Gunny to wiggle his way into my open arms. And I was again reminded that however great the vacation, there is nothing like returning home to the pulsating euphoria of my beloved boy. Although ...
Wait. Was that a hesitation I sensed as I attached his leash and steered him toward my car? Naw.
"C'mon, Elvis," I urged.
Nothing. He froze like a purloined ice sculpture from our ship's midnight buffet. Then he turned and gazed at Gunny with the longing of a dieter at an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord.
"Elvis and Gunny got along really well," Ellen explained. "They were inseparable, in fact. Played all day, slept side by side."
So it appeared. Because Elvis was in no apparent rush to leave Doggie Disneyland. "You go on ahead," his look said. "I'll catch up later."
And my mother's words resounded in my head: "Such a traitor."
ASK THE VET
Q: Why do some animals, such as tigers, have the same patterns on their hide as their hair? Was this of any evolutionary help? And do other cats, such as leopards or cheetahs, have this pattern? What about other animals, like zebras or giraffes?
A: Many animals, including leopards, cheetahs, giraffes and even some domestic cats, have skin patterns that mimic their fur. Scientists have attempted to explain these patterns for years, mostly agreeing that they are meant for camouflage or territorial and breeding displays. Skin and hair color are created by variations in the presence or absence of the pigment melanin. The cells that create this pigment, melanocytes, migrate during early embryonic development to the skin and hair overlying it to create patterns. The hair color that we see results from a combination of the melanin and the way that light hits it. So having the skin pigmented the same as the hair may help to intensify the pattern in natural light.
Another possibility for the duplication of pattern may be related to fur shedding. Unless the pattern is also in the skin, it is much less prominent when the hair becomes thinner.
Zebra are an interesting case. Most scientists agree that they have dark skin, except in the lighter pink areas where the pigment is not present. Natural light then plays a funny trick on us, making the hair overlying the pink skin appear white, thus the stripes.
- Dr. Andrea Goodnight, associate veterinarian, Oakland Zoo
Parents Can Help Pets Adjust to the Arrival of a New Baby
By Alandra Johnson / The Bulletin
When she was nine months pregnant, Bend resident Lani Chroninger remembers looking down at her chocolate lab, Porter, and thinking, “How could I ever love my baby as much as I love you?”
“He was my baby, he was our everything,” Chroninger said.
But that was four years ago, before sons Aiden, 4, and Cole, 2, came into their lives.
Chroninger worried about how Porter would adjust to having to share affection. Her husband, Jim, brought a baby blanket home from the hospital to get Porter used to the new baby’s smell. But it was Chroninger who had the toughest time adjusting.
“I didn’t think I would push (Porter) away so much,” she said. “I felt guilty.”
But her loyalties and attention had naturally shifted to her son. After all, “they are dogs in the end,” she said.
Still, she wanted Porter to be a part of the family. She discovered the more attention they gave Porter, the better he behaved. Now, she feels the dog is a fully integrated part of the family. Her boys love to play with the pooch, and she and Jim regularly take time out to sit down and pet him.
Not every family, however, is able to mesh pets and new babies so well. Many pet owners feel overwhelmed after the arrival of a new baby and end up looking for a new home for their dogs or cats. Also, some pets don’t react well to the new family member.
Employees with the Bulletin’s classified department say that the arrival of a new baby is a common reason people give for placing an ad to give away a pet. Also, a quick search of Bend’s Craigslist brings up a handful of pet owners looking for homes for their pets because of a new baby.
An ad for a tabby reads: “I just had a baby and can no longer give her the attention she needs.” Another woman is looking for a new home for her Siamese mix because the cat has started urinating and defecating on the baby’s things.
Community Outreach Coordinator Lynne Ouchida, with the Humane Society of Central Oregon, says the arrival of a new baby is a relatively typical reason pet owners give for handing over their dogs and cats. And Bonnie Baker, with the new local nonprofit Cat Rescue Adoption and Foster Team, says they receive numerous cats from new parents. “Often the parents never give the situation a chance or think it through. The pet who had been an integral part of the family then becomes disposable,” she said.
Families that anticipate potential issues and prepare accordingly can typically find a way to make it work, according to Ouchida. But it does require effort.
Allison Tracy’s two beagles, ages 3 and 2, interact really well with her son Noah, 9. But she still took precautions when bringing home her new daughter, Rowan, now 2 months old. Her husband Aaron built an outdoor dog kennel so the pooches could spend more time outside. They brought home a beanie Rowan wore right after she was born for the dogs to smell. Tracy has been pleased with their response. Both dogs welcomed Rowan and seem to want to be around her.
Still, the Tracys are cautious. Every day, Aaron takes the baby outside so the dogs can smell her and adjust to her presence. “They are definitely important members of the family,” said Allison. But now, they spend more time outside and separated from the family.
Problems: dogs
Dogs see babies as little things with jerky, strange movements and new, odd smells, according to Ouchida.
It is much easier to train dogs before babies arrive, according to Meredith Gage, the owner of the Pawsitive Experience training service in Bend. But most of her clients seek help after the baby has arrived and they are experiencing problems. The most common problems are anxiety and overcuriosity. Aggression is more rare. Dogs can sometimes become obsessed with the infant and try to guard it, even from parents.
“Your number one priority, obviously, is to keep your baby safe,” Gage said. Sometimes, issues don’t occur until after the child begins to crawl or walk.
About 4.7 million people, most of them children, are bitten by dogs each year, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Of those, about 800,000 require some kind of medical attention and about 12 people die each year from dog bites.
Certain types of dogs can be particularly challenging. These include dogs with strong prey drives, such as German shepherds or other protection dogs, according to Ouchida. Herding dogs can also be tricky if they have a strong herding instinct, because they can nip at little ones to keep them in line. Terriers, which were bred to go into holes, remove vermin and kill them, can also be problematic. Gage has seen problems with children and smaller dogs, which tend to be more anxious.
That said, Ouchida says parents can never assume a dog will act in a particular way — a golden retriever has mauled a little girl and pit bulls have made perfect family pets. In general, pet owners should consider their dog’s temperament. Shy, nervous and unsocialized dogs will be problematic. Dogs who tend to guard things can also be tough, says Gage.
Even though they didn’t have any children at the time, Chroninger and her husband specifically wanted to get a good family pet when they adopted Porter. They wanted an active dog who would be good with kids.
Problems: cats
Aggression in dogs can be more dangerous than aggression in cats because dogs can do more damage, but Ouchida says problems with cats are actually more common. The basic issue is cats don’t like change and are “very, very territorial.” Cats are also very hard to train.
Pet owners should consider their cat’s personality. Some cats, female calicos or tortoiseshells in particular, can have very dominant, sometimes aggressive, personalities. Ouchida says it is essential to make changes early on for these “queen cats.”
Some people believe cats will smother babies because they are attracted to the baby’s warmth and try to “capture” milk from the baby’s breath. Ouchida says she has not been able to verify any instances of this ever happening, and many vets and pediatricians believe it is an urban legend. Some cats do try to climb into a baby’s crib, which is generally a bad idea. This proximity increases the likelihood of the baby being scratched, bitten or exposed to allergens and parasites.
Another common concern is toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by a microscopic parasite that can cause vision loss, mental retardation and even death when pregnant mothers pass it on to their unborn children. Humans can sometimes get the disease through cleaning a cat’s litter box. Some precautions can help prevent this. Cats contract the disease through eating rodents or birds or eating raw meat. If cats are kept indoors and fed only cooked or canned food, they should not get the parasite.
Pregnant women can ask another member of the family to clean the litter box or can wear gloves and wash hands well afterward. Further, many people with cats have already been exposed to the parasite and have then built up their immunity to the disease, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
General tips
• Make sure pets are healthy. Pet owners will want to ensure their dog or cat is up to date with vaccinations and deworming.
• Check out resources . Many parents have recommended the book “Childproofing Your Dog,” by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson, but many other books, Web sites and magazines also offer helpful tips and advice.
• Test the animal’s reaction. Invite an infant or toddler to the house and, under very close supervision, see how the pet reacts. Tracy watched a friend’s 6-month-old and her dogs “were great.” This helped put her more at ease.
• Prepare pets for smells and noise. “Animals see the world through their nose, and not their eyes,” said Ouchida. Parents can get baby powder and lotions well in advance. Parents can even buy tapes of a baby screaming. (Gage warns that many dogs are afraid of mechanical swings.)
• Bring home the baby’s scent before the baby. Some parents like to bring home a baby blanket or piece of clothing with the little one’s scent on it for the dog or cat to smell before the infant comes home from the hospital.
• Let animals go at their own pace. “Make introductions slowly; don’t force it,” said Ouchida.
• Offer positive associations. Babies mean less attention for pets, but parents can balance this by giving treats or toys when a baby comes into the room.
• Maintain routines where possible. Parents can continue to let cats sleep at the foot of the bed or walk the dog at a specific time. Breaking this continuity will increase the chance of anxiety.
• Don’t let bad behavior go unchecked. Generally, the longer parents wait, the more ingrained the behavior will become and the harder it will be to change.
• Never leave kids and pets alone together . It’s a basic rule of thumb Ouchida tells parents.
Dog-specific tips
• Pay less attention to dogs. Some expectant parents may try to spend extra time with the dog before the baby’s arrival. In fact, parents should do the opposite and slowly try to spend less and less time with their dog to get them ready for the change.
• Make sure dogs know commands. Pooches should know basic obedience commands before the baby arrives. Gage says key commands include: Leave it, drop, back up, go to your bed, no jumping and no licking. Owners should teach dogs to go to a spot, such as a doggy bed and stay there, according to Mare Shey, owner of doggy day care and training center Dancin’ Woofs.
• Prepare dogs for the interactions. Parents can pull a dog’s tail, poke the pet in the eye, lift up the pooch’s ear and generally try to get the dog used to how a small child may treat it.
• Consider using props. Some parents use a doll and stroller to get their pooch ready for the presence of a baby and for walking alongside a stroller.
• Find ways to keep pooches separate from the family, but close by. Gage recommends new parents try using “tie downs,” a practice in which leashed dogs are tied to a piece of furniture. Shey likes exercise pens, or x pens, which can serve as temporary barriers inside a home. This way the dog has its own space, but is not being isolated.
• Keep the dog active. The less exercise a dog gets, the more likely the pooch is to engage in more attention-seeking behavior, according to Shey.
• Watch for warning signs. Parents should contact a vet or trainer if they see signs of anxiety, depression or aggression. Signs can include not eating or playing, pacing or hiding, mounting, guarding resources and growling.
Cat-specific tips
• Prepare the nursery in advance. Ouchida suggests parents try to set up the nursery as soon as possible to give the cats time to adjust, particularly if that room was a favorite spot for the cat or where the litter box was kept.
• Discourage cats from climbing on the baby furniture. Parents can cover the items with foil, plastic wrap or soda cans filled with rocks. Cats will not like the sound or texture.
• Don’t leave baby bedding or clothing on the floor. Particularly early on, cats may want to try to put their scent on these items by spraying or urinating.
• Prevent scratches. Parents can trim cats’ claws or purchase Soft Paws, little soft covers that fit over the cat’s nails.
Tips for Taking Your Dog to a Summer Gathering
by Ron Ayalon
It's the height of summer, and everyone you know is having a barbeque. You've been invited to go to three million fabulous parties, but what will you do about your canine companion? After all, doesn't Fido deserve a little fun as well? Taking your dog to a summer party can be a fun and rewarding experience, but you have to know some tips and tricks before taking your canine companion into a crowded public situation. Below we have some helpful tips that will hopefully make your dog's attendance at a summer gathering a smooth and enjoyable experience. After all, they aren't called the "dog days" of summer for nothing!
Is the Event Dog Friendly? The first thing you have to find out is whether or not the event is dog friendly. Generally event is much more appropriate for dog attendance. Also, if the gathering is in a public place, like a park, they may have rules as to dogs being on the premises or leash restrictions. The final call however, comes down to the host of the party. Always ask the host if they are comfortable with you bringing your pet. If they say "no", shrug it off and don't bring it up again. If they say yes, you're in for a fun time!
Know your Dog If you don't know what your dog will do in just about any situation, you probably shouldn't bring him. Is he friendly around other dogs? Chances are he won't be the only canine at the party. Does he have to be leashed or fenced, or will he stay close to you without restraints? Many parties take place in outdoor spaces with no fencing, and hanging on to a leash for the entire party would get a little wearying. How does your dog react around kids? Chances are if dogs are allowed, then kids will be too. Kids like to touch and grab animals, even if they are polite and well mannered. If your dog doesn't like high pitched voices and sudden movements, he may be more comfortable at home. This is the point where you have to be really honest with yourself about Fido's personality. Some dogs just do better when left at home.
Feed your Dog Before you Go You'll want to give your dog a good lunch of kibble before you go to a gathering, because the smell of roasting hot dogs will send any canine into hunger overdrive. If he is full, it will help curb his hunger and begging. There is nothing more annoying or embarrassing than a pooch who will not leave you alone until he gets a piece of your bratwurst. Make sure your pet also knows a command to go lie down while people eat first.
Keep a Leash Handy Your dog may be the most obedient animal at home, but sometimes when you take a dog into public he goes bananas. In the unfortunate event that he does loose is cool, you need to be prepared. That is why it is essential to keep a leash with you at all times, even if your dog usually goes off-leash. You don't want to be stuck with a dog that you have to control without a leash. Besides, some public outdoor spaces have leash laws, and you need to be prepared if a park ranger comes by to enforce those laws. Bring Water Just like any other animal, dogs need a lot of water when it is hot. But what if you go to the party and there's only beer and lemonade? Neither of these is exactly healthy for your dog. Make sure to take an empty milk jug full of water and a bowl for your dog to drink from. This way he won't get sick and dehydrated while you are having fun.
At the end of the day bringing your dog to a summer gathering can be a fun and rewarding experience, if you do it right. Dogs, like children, require a lot of care and attention, but they will give you endless love in return. So next time you are going out to a barbeque, think about taking your canine companion along as well.
About the Author
For some adorable puppies this summer, visit www.WorldwidePups.com in Bellmore, New York, or call them at 516-679-7880 for more information. No matter what your lifestyle, Worldwide Puppies and Kittens will ensure that you will find the perfect puppy or kitten with the perfect size and temperament to match it.
Many pet owners don't recognize the signs of allergies in pets. People generally think of sneezing, runny noses and watery eyes as signs of allergies, but many animals with allergies have different clinical symptoms.
By Jennifer Blair , Minneapolis Pets
Many pet owners don't recognize the signs of allergies in pets. People generally think of sneezing, runny noses and watery eyes as signs of allergies, but many animals with allergies have different clinical symptoms.
Itching, licking and chewing
Pets with allergies can be extremely itchy and will often lick, scratch and chew at the affected areas until they cause self-trauma and secondary infections. The most common areas include the muzzle, eyes, ears, feet, belly, butt and flanks. Often, pets are brought to the veterinarian with secondary complications such as bacterial and yeast infections. These problems cause further itching and discomfort, and must be treated in addition to addressing the underlying allergies.
Two types of allergies
There are two main types of allergies in dogs and cats. Atopy is sensitivity to environmental allergens such as pollens, dust and molds. A food allergy is an allergy to a specific food item or ingredient. Atopy is more common, but clinical signs for both types of allergens are similar and many animals have a combination of both.
Since allergies can resemble other skin diseases, it is best to consult a veterinarian. Your veterinarian will perform an examination and may recommend several basic diagnostic tests such as skin cytology, skin scrapings or cultures.
Food allergies
Food allergies can develop at any age. To diagnose a food allergy, an elimination diet trial must be performed. A prescription hypoallergenic diet or a diet with a single protein (venison, rabbit, fish, duck) and carbohydrate (potato, sweet potato, pea) is fed exclusively for 8 – 12 weeks. During this time, your pet cannot have any other treats, table scraps, rawhides or flavored medications. If the elimination diet is not fed exclusively, the results will be inconclusive. A decrease in itchiness is considered a positive response, though in pets with both allergy types, this response can be difficult to assess.
Environmental allergies
If a diet change did not help, it is likely that your pet suffers from atopy. The best test available for atopy is the intradermal skin test. This test involves a veterinary dermatologist injecting small amounts of various allergens under your pet's skin and observing whether there is a reaction. A blood test is also available that measures the level of allergen-specific antibodies in the blood stream, but it tends to be less sensitive.
Determining appropriate treatment
Despite the many medications and topical therapies available for the treatment of allergies, no magic treatment exists that works for every pet. Therapy is generally tailored to each individual. All allergic pets should have good flea control, as flea allergies can worsen itching significantly. Pets with mild allergies may be managed with topical therapies alone, including shampoos, conditioners, topical sprays or ointments, and proper ear care. Omega-3 fatty acids are also commonly prescribed.
For moderately allergic patients, antihistamines may be necessary. Examples include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine, hydroxyzine and clemastine. Pets with severe allergies generally need steroid medications or cyclosporine (Atopica) to control their discomfort, though these medications have more serious side effects. It is important to consult your veterinarian prior to giving any medication to your pet, as even over-the-counter medications can have serious side effects.
For atopy that is unresponsive to symptomatic therapy, allergy injections are available. These injections are created from the allergens detected on the intradermal skin test or blood test. Systematically giving these injections helps to desensitize your pet to the offending allergens.
It can be a timely and expensive process to find the appropriate allergy treatment. Ideally, helping your pet avoid the offending allergens is the best strategy. In practice, however, this is often difficult to achieve. There is no cure for allergies. However, using a combination of treatments, most pets can be very comfortable.
If a diet change did not help, it is likely that your pet suffers from atopy. The best test available for atopy is the intradermal skin test. This test involves a veterinary dermatologist injecting small amounts of various allergens under your pet's skin and observing whether there is a reaction. A blood test is also available that measures the level of allergen-specific antibodies in the blood stream, but it tends to be less sensitive.
Determining appropriate treatment
Despite the many medications and topical therapies available for the treatment of allergies, no magic treatment exists that works for every pet. Therapy is generally tailored to each individual. All allergic pets should have good flea control, as flea allergies can worsen itching significantly. Pets with mild allergies may be managed with topical therapies alone, including shampoos, conditioners, topical sprays or ointments, and proper ear care. Omega-3 fatty acids are also commonly prescribed.
For moderately allergic patients, antihistamines may be necessary. Examples include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine, hydroxyzine and clemastine. Pets with severe allergies generally need steroid medications or cyclosporine (Atopica) to control their discomfort, though these medications have more serious side effects. It is important to consult your veterinarian prior to giving any medication to your pet, as even over-the-counter medications can have serious side effects.
For atopy that is unresponsive to symptomatic therapy, allergy injections are available. These injections are created from the allergens detected on the intradermal skin test or blood test. Systematically giving these injections helps to desensitize your pet to the offending allergens.
It can be a timely and expensive process to find the appropriate allergy treatment. Ideally, helping your pet avoid the offending allergens is the best strategy. In practice, however, this is often difficult to achieve. There is no cure for allergies. However, using a combination of treatments, most pets can be very comfortable.
Jennifer Blair is a veterinarian and the owner of St. Francis Animal & Bird Hospital in Roseville.
Literary-Inspired Cat Names
by Claudia Escobar
Choosing the perfect cat name can be a daunting task. Seriously. In the words of T.S. Elliot, "The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter". After all, the name you choose for your cat will help define him. You can't give your cat just any name. Indeed, a cat's name must encompass the cat's true nature.
So how do you go about naming that special cat? First, you have to consider your cat's physical appearance and personality. Besides these basics, you can consider other sources. Certainly, there are many sources of inspiration: People names (Casper, Misty), animal names (Tiger, Lion), cartoon names (Garfield, Silvester), just to name a few.
Literature is another source of unique cat names. You can consider the names of both human and feline characters that appear on famous literary works. Indeed, cats have inspired many an author throughout history. So if you are looking for a cat name with punch and character, consider the literary names below. Some are only for girls, others are only for boys. And some are unisex.
T.S. Elliot believed that cats should have three names (!). And one of these three names should be a truly original name. This is a sample of cat names that appear on T.S. Elliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats : Alonzo, Bustopher Jones, Coricopat, Jellylorum, Mungojerrie, Quaxo. Maybe with the exception of Alonzo, these names are quite a mouthful, but they are definitely unique.
From The Tale of Tom Kitten by the beloved author and illustrator Beatrix Potter we get: Tom Kitten, Moppet and Mittens.
If you still need additional inspiration, here are other notable literary feline names for your consideration:
--Crookshanks (Hermione Granger's cat, which appears in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling)
--Dinah (Alice's pet cat in Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll)
--Thomasina (The feline protagonist in The Three Lives of Thomasina by Paul Gallico)
In addition to these literary felines, you can also consider human characters, such as: Hamlet (Hamlet by William Shakespeare), Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte) and Oliver (from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens).
And for the girls: Delicia (The Murder of Delicia by Marie Corelli), Ophelia (Hamlet by William Shakespeare) and Thelma ( from Thelma, also by Marie Corelli).
Most of these names are out of the ordinary, some are even quite out there. Certainly, some of the names are a bit difficult to pronounce. And some are truly beautiful. Hopefully, some of the names suggested here will help you in your search for the perfect cat name. Or maybe one of these names will be the perfect name for your cat.
About the Author
Claudia Escobar is an avid cat lover. For more on cat names and cat gifts visit her site at http://www.cat-lovers-gifts-guide.com. Feel free to publish this article. Just ensure that it is published in its entirety, that no changes are made and that this resource box is included.
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