The Pet Set

Though the phrase “doggy paddle” exists, not all dogs know how to swim instinctively. Many conditions can even impair the ability of a dog that DOES know how to swim. Falling in the water can often prevent a human from getting the dog out, breeds with low body fat like Doberman Pinschers and Boxers can have trouble in the water that can lead to hypothermia, older dogs tire easily while swimming; and breeds prone to hip dysplasia or other joint disorders can lose their ability to paddle. Statistics show that 1 out of 1,027 pets drown a year in America.

If you’d asked me two months ago to state my opinion about pit bulls, I would have said this: Humans have made some of them dangerous, and this doesn’t make pit bulls undeserving of life and companionship. They can be as gentle, loyal, and loving as any other dogs. And pit bull bans just hurt innocent animals and their families—the people who love them.

For the past six months, our 17-month old terrier mix, Willis Magillis, had a problem with his kneecaps—they kept popping out of place. Strangely enough, he never appeared to be bothered by the malfunctioning joint, but merely inconvenienced as it interrupted his running and wrestling. So, he would tripod around until I could catch him in mid-sprint to slide the cap back where it belonged on the joint. Eventually, his right knee would no longer stay in the joint at all and it was clear that his left knee wasn’t going to hold out very long either.

We’ve been itching for spring at our house, furry residents included. The dogs live for long walks and days when they’re free to come in and out of the open kitchen door as they please, both cats have been anxious to sit in open windows and watch squirrels, and Willy wants to get out and explore. Yes, now that warm weather is arriving, you, dear readers, will soon get all the details of Willy and Matty’s very first experiences with grass and ground, as we procure kitty harnesses and take the plunge.

Editor’s note: Four Paws pet training product is in no way connected with St. Louis’ Four Muddy Paws pet store.

Ahhh, spring is here. What a perfect time to add a puppy to the family! While the vision of FiFi pouncing in the grass and tossing squeak toys around seems ideal; it is crucial to remember that there are not so wonderful times with a puppy as well.

A typical shopping trip for Denise Taylor finds her carefully reading food labels. “Organic is a great word to see on a bag,” she explains. “I also look for a complete list of ingredients that I can easily read and understand.”

Taylor is among the growing local population of shoppers in search of a healthy diet free of preservatives, fillers and unknown ingredients. But on this particular shopping trip, she’s looking for the same qualities in a food for her pets.

I became the caretaker or “doggy nanny”, for six Olde English Bulldog puppies two weeks before their arrival. Trying to gain the trust of Gianna, the pups’ very pregnant mother was no easy task. It took a while before I figured out what could fix her “pregnant jones,” and it turned out to be nearly anything liver-flavored. After four days, she was allowing me to rub her sides and touch her belly for an early introduction to my soon-to-be clients. On Feb. 29, they burst into the world in a successful race to win me over.

Friends, family, and acquaintances often shake their head and comment, “I don’t know how you do it” when they learn that, as a freelancer, I work at home. And though some of them mean, “I don’t have the discipline for that” or “I have to get out of the house,” just as many mean, “I don’t know how you work with all those animals around.” And often, I don’t know how I do it either.

I planned—and very much wanted—to report back to you about the kitty harnesses in this column. But fate intervened in the form of a sweet-faced, big-hearted pit bull who has been consuming life around here for roughly a month, leaving little time for cat harness training. The kitty harnesses and outdoor adventures are still coming, so don’t give up on me just yet; just give me another issue or two. For now, we have two other matters to cover: cat bowls and, briefly, the aforementioned dog.