Adopting an Older Golden Retriever

Pictured here is "Emma" our neighbour's dog who stopped by on one of her daily walks to let us see her boots which are used to protect her feet from the extreme cold of a northern winter.

If you would love to own a Golden Retriever but aren’t ready to go through the problems associated with getting a puppy, you should look into adopting a mature Golden. Older Golden Retrievers prove to be great in homes where they are allowed to spend a quality amount of time by themselves. Golden Retrievers are a very adjustable breed, because they are mild tempered. No matter how old the Golden may be, she will quickly become a valued member of your family in little to no time at all.

Many times, breeders will have older dogs for sale. There are several reasons for this, which include show dogs that have lost their potential, studs that have been used for breeding and are now ready for retirement, female Golden’s that have been bred a few times then retired, or where a breeder is helping a friend get rid of his or her Golden Retriever. There are other reasons as well and whatever they may be, the adult Golden Retriever will be available for anyone who wants her or him.

Older Golden Retrievers are already housebroken and know how to adapt to many situations, which will allow them to adapt to a new and loving family. Although it will be a little hard on your new pet at first, if you give her plenty of love, attention and patience, she’ll be just fine. You need to keep reassuring your new Golden on a regular basis because she has just gone through the trauma of moving from familiar surroundings into strange ones. Let her know that you are her new owner and that you love her and you are glad she’s a member of your family.

If you have been thinking of adopting an older Golden Retriever, you should make sure that you learn everything you can about her. You should also determine her temperament and whether or not it’s compatible with your family’s lifestyle. You should also learn other important things as well, such as her diet, likes, dislikes, daily routine and her habits. Before you decide to take her, you should always make sure that the members of your family meet her as well, so you can talk it over and decide whether everyone wants the dog to become a member of your family.

With an older dog, you need to provide a lot of attention for the first few days and let her know where everything in your home is located. You’ll need to show her where she sleeps, where she should go to the bathroom and where to eat her food. Take your time and be patient with her, as it will normally take her a few days to learn how things in your home work. A friend who lives down the street has a Golden that he got from a family member who lives is a different part of the country. He takes her for several daily walks and spends a lot of time with her. She just adores him, because he meets all of her needs. He fusses over her and walks her to ensure that she gets the exercise she needs to remain healthy. When he goes out in the car, he ensures that she accompanies him. As a result of the interaction, the needs of the pet and the owner are met, which benefits them both.

You should always give your new Golden Retriever at least a month or so to get used to her new environment, before you start her new obedience training. Even though your new dog may have some prior obedience training, you should still enrol her in a new class. This way, she can brush up on training and you can work with her to help her understand your commands. Once you have finished training, she’ll understand your commands better and both of you will get along just fine.

All Golden Retrievers, regardless of their age, love attention. One thing that you may have to take into account when considering an older Golden is that she may have medical problems. You shouldn’t let this stop you from getting an older Golden Retriever though, because the rewards that you’ll get will be far greater than any cons. Although many people don’t give a lot of thought to getting an older Golden Retriever, they are perfect for families who don’t want to take the time and trouble of raising a puppy, which can certainly be onerous at times.

Until next time,

Teia

Six Tips for Finding a Good Pet Sitter

A good pet sitter can help make your life easier, especially if you are away from home frequently. Pet sitters can not only take care of your beloved pets while you're on vacation or a business trip, but they can make your house look lived in by turning lights on or off, opening and closing the drapes and bringing in the mail and newspaper. Even if you're not on a trip, a pet sitter can come at noon to walk an over-active dog, administer medications, or give potty breaks.

The first person to consider as a sitter for your pets is a family member that lives nearby. They will be familiar with your pets and your pets will be familiar with them. If you do not have a family member living within reasonable driving distance, or a trusted neighbour who will look after your pets, then you will have to consider hiring a professional pet sitter.

If you've never employed a pet sitter before, or you've had trouble locating one, here are some tips that will help you.

1. Word of mouth is always a great way to find a pet sitter. Ask around. If your neighbour, friend, or co-worker has a pet, check to see if they use a pet sitter. If they do and they are satisfied with the sitter, then give the sitter a call and arrange for an interview.

2. Go to the professionals. Call your veterinarian or groomer and ask them for recommendations. They may know which pet sitters are good through conversations with clients, or they may have personal experience with pet sitters themselves.

3. Real estate agents are a wealth of information about anything going on in the community. If they don't have suggestions for you, they can at least point you in the right direction for finding the information.

4. Go online and search for a pet sitter in your area. Many pet sitters have websites these days and this can be a good way to locate them. Look at their websites carefully and make sure they service your area. They're likely to turn you down if you live outside their territory due to high gas prices. In addition, read over any testimonials they may have from clients and when you call them, ask for references.

5. Sometimes, you'll find that the good pet sitters are already booked. Ask them to recommend other pet sitters that they would trust with their own pets. Most of them will know other pet sitters and can steer you clear of any that don't have stellar reputations.

6. A number of stores have bulletin boards, particularly grocery stores. Check bulletin boards for advertisements posted by pet sitters and record their names and phone numbers so you can set up appointments to interview them. Note! DO NOT post a request for a pet sitter to contact you. You are alerting the criminal element that you will be away from your home, which could lead to someone stealing all your valuables and possibly harming your pet(s) or letting them out of the house to fend for themselves.

A good pet sitter can be hard to find if you don't know where to look. Using these tips should help you locate one, which will make both you and your pets happy. It will be a big relief to know that you have one less thing to worry about when you're planning your next trip.

Until next time,

Teia

PS. Please refer to “Ten Steps to Finding the Perfect Sitter for Your Pet” posted March 24, 2009. This post will give you further suggestions and also tell you about the problem mom and dad had with the sitter they hired. It may help you avoid a similar disaster.

Tips for Buying a Golden Retriever Puppy

Anyone that has ever been around a Golden Retriever knows that they are beautiful, obedient, and make great family pets and hunting dogs. Golden’s, as they are frequently referred to, also make great guide dogs for the blind, narcotic detection dogs and even tracking dogs for finding missing people. Although there are many other dog breeds out there, Golden Retrievers remain one of the most versatile and most astonishing breeds that you can get.

Before you rush out to buy a Golden Retriever puppy, you should first take the time to learn a bit more about the breed. You can attend dog shows, meet with various owners of Golden Retrievers and even go to your local kennel club. Most people who own Golden Retrievers are extremely proud of them and will be more than happy to share their enthusiasm with you.

When you buy your Golden Retriever puppy, it’s worth considering the possibility of buying it from a backyard breeder. Backyard breeders usually know and care a lot about the breed. Usually backyard breeders aren’t just in it for the money - they actually care about their dogs and want you to get the best Golden possible.

You can also visit the Golden Retriever Club of America or their local member clubs, as they can supply you with a list of breeders in your area. If these breeders don’t have any Golden’s for sale themselves, they will be more than willing to help you find what you’re looking for. If you do not have a club in your area, then check with your local veterinarian. Since veterinarians usually treat most dogs in the area, they are familiar with any local breeders. By dealing with someone from a Golden Retriever Club or veterinarian recommendation, you can get a Golden from a very reliable source.

Whatever you do, you should never rush into buying a Golden Retriever. You should always take your time, because when you buy your puppy, you want a healthy puppy that will grow up to be a fine testament to the breed. By taking your time and making a careful decision, you can save yourself a lot of time and money later on down the road.

Golden puppies that are of poor quality, are normally produced by breeders who just want to have a litter or breeders who are just looking for the profits and care very little about giving thoughts to looks, quality, or temperament. If you buy a puppy from either of these types of breeders, you’ll more than likely end up with a puppy that has poor health, poor temperament and even flaws in relation to the breed standards.

When you get your puppy, you should always think long term. If you buy from a quality breeder, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Always remember that you aren’t just buying a Golden Retriever puppy - you are buying a companion and a friend for life.

Until next time,

Teia

Dog Breeds: The Old English Sheepdog

If you've ever previously owned or had a chance to play with an Old English sheepdog, then you know that they have a sweet demeanour and that they are very intelligent. Their soft fur matches their personality. These dogs are very hard workers, but if given loving attention and plenty of exercise, they have adjust well to being family pets. As well as being friendly, sheepdogs provide great companionship to their human families. Go to the library, or do some online research and you will understand why they are so popular in both the country and the city.

Although very few records were kept of the origins of Old English sheepdogs, they were first shown in England in 1873 as the “Shepherds Dog.” During the 1880’s they were exported to the United States where they became very popular, particularly with the wealthier families. During this time they also came into prominence in western England where they were used and bred for herding and protecting sheep. Obviously the breeders succeeded, as they created a dog that is intelligent, hardy and protective of its charges.

Since they came from hardy stock and they were bred for working with sheep where they do a lot of running and herding, these dogs need plenty of exercise, both physical and mental. They need to run around outside for physical exercise and they need mental challenges to keep them from getting bored.

When they get these physical and mental stimulations on a regular basis, they are extremely playful and sweet. They make excellent companions for active children and other dogs. Because they are quite intelligent, you may also find that they will sometimes be headstrong and stubborn.

Since they were originally bred to herd and protect sheep, these dogs require something to take care of, which is why they are such great companions for children. They are also excellent stock dogs for farms that have animals that need protection. Since these dogs need activities, exercise and purpose in their life, they will suffer if they are neglected. Old English sheepdogs do their best when they are surrounded by loving attention. So, make sure that you are ready to give this breed the care, attention and activity it needs.

Looking at their long, fluffy fur, you would expect that it would be difficult to take care of their coat, however, it is only marginally more difficult than taking care of a dog with a shorter coat.

Puppies should be brushed regularly to help them get used to being groomed. This will insure that when they grow up, they will be used to having a thorough weekly brushing. Because a thorough brushing can take close to an hour, many people simply clip their sheepdog's fur short during warmer weather and let it grow back for winter. This will cut down the time for the weekly brushing, but it does change the appearance of the dog. You won’t recognize it as a sheepdog. A neighbour a few doors down the street does this with his old sheepdog. The first time he did it, I didn’t recognize the dog and wondered what it was. The old dog felt good though, as he was prancing about the neighbourhood which contrasted with his usual slow gait.

In conclusion, the Old English sheepdog is a great family dog, especially if you have a large yard for it to run in or have time to take it for daily walks or runs. You should also try to have a family member at home as much as possible so the dog isn’t alone all day. As previously mentioned, they do not do well when left alone for extended periods. Old English sheepdogs need social interaction to keep them happy and healthy.

Until next time,

Teia

The Story of Reggie

I do not know who the author of this story is, or how long it has been around. It was sent to my dad as an email. He read it to me and I knew I just had to include it as a post on my blog. It is a great story…and according to all the research I have done…it is just that, a story. Snopes claims that it is 97% certain that there is no truth to the story, but that it does show the sacrifices that members of the military have to make when they are sent off to war. So, as a tribute to their sacrifices so that all of us can live in freedom and “do our own thing,” here is the “Story of Reggie.”

"They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill and the people really friendly. I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in, but it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to.

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel" and he'd follow them - when he felt like it.

He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cell phone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "damn dog probably hid it on me."

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter.. I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me.

Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number.

But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice."....


To Whoever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time...it's like he knew something was wrong. And something is wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it right.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw it, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really - don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once and it almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones - "sit," "stay," "come," "heel." He knows hand signals: "back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. He does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.

I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people and me most especially.

Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new.

And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you....

His name's not Reggie.

I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine. But if someone else is reading it, well...well it means that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanour if he's been giving you problems. His real name is Tank.

Because that is what I drive.

Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with...and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq , that they make one phone call to the shelter...in the "event"... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word.

Well, this letter is getting too downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family. But still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.

And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things... and to keep those terrible people from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope I honoured him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.

Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.

Thank you,
Paul Mallory


I folded the letter and slipped it back into the envelope. Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies.. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.

The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright..

"C'mere boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months.

"Tank," I whispered.

His tail swished. I kept whispering his name, over and over and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball? His ears perked again. "Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?" Tank tore from my hands and disappeared into the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth."

I hope you enjoyed the story and that it brought a lump to your throat and a tear to your eye. It did for me!

Thank you to all the men and women of the Military who keep us safe and free.

Until next time,

Teia


PS. Today’s Grandma’s 89th Birthday…Happy Birthday Grandma!

How to Prepare a Raw Diet for Your Pet(s)

In spite of mom and dad’s concerns about raw food diets, these diets seem to be more popular than ever. With that in mind, I chose this article for today’s post.

Before there was such a thing as commercial pet foods, dogs ate table scraps and the leftovers, including bones from on the farm butchering; cats usually lived on the rodents they caught around the house or outbuildings, occasionally supplemented by a bowl of milk or a squirt of milk from a cow’s teat during milking in the barn.

The acquisition of pets by city dwellers and their need for a more convenient means of feeding their pets gave rise to the pet food industry we have today. However, after the pet food disaster of a couple of years ago, more and more people have come to realize the dangers and inadequacies of commercial pet foods.

The Most Highly Touted Benefits of a Raw Diet.

Numerous articles and books have been written about raw pet food diets. In fact, they have become so popular that now commercially prepared raw diets can be obtained in fresh, frozen or dehydrated condition. The most commonly mentioned benefits of raw food diets include increased health and vigour, a much more glossy coat, cleaner teeth and longer, healthier lives.

Cautions that Should be Followed.

Discuss any change in diet with your veterinarian. Ill or aging animals may need to be eased into a raw food diet. You may want to start with lightly cooked food, particularly if their digestion or immune system is compromised in any way. For the safety of your dog, bones should initially be ground or be large enough so the dog will chew off any meat and cartilage but not be able to break and ingest bone fragments.

The "One Hundred Percent Complete" Myth.

Most commercial diets on the market are usually advertised as "100% complete and balanced." This was the case back in the 1970’s when pet food diets did not contain taurine and pets were dying from heart problems because no one realized taurine was an essential nutrient. Now, quietly, taurine is also being added to previously "complete" pet foods. What nutrients will be “discovered” as being essential in the next few years?

As an example in human terms, the cereal Total (R) is advertised as 100% complete -- would you feed your child nothing else for her entire life? I don’t think so! It is nearly impossible for a manufactured food to be 100% complete because we simply don't know everything there is to know about nutrition, either human nutrition or pet nutrition. And, since we do not know enough, how can we manufacture 100 % complete food products?

Diets for Dogs.

Dogs, while technically carnivores, are opportunistic scavengers. They will grab anything that smells good to them and run away to gorge themselves on it. No matter how well trained, most dogs will grab any food item that they can reach on a counter, table or window ledge and some have been known to grab meat off a BBQ. If allowed to run free, they also spend time searching through human garbage for tasty tidbits. A dog's diet can consist of a wide variety of foods; however, meat and bones should still be the primary ingredients. If vegetables are included in your dog’s diet, they should first be blanched and frozen to break down cell walls and release nutrients for the dog to absorb. Carrots are very hard for dogs to digest, so they should be pureed. Since some dogs like fruit, this can be provided to them, but avoid grapes, raisins, nuts and onions, which can be toxic, especially to small dogs. Feed garlic only in moderation. Grains are not required and in fact can be harmful to some dogs. However, if your dog needs to gain some weight, then rolled oats, brown rice, or barley will help. Dogs will also like an OCCASIONAL piece of whole grain bread as a treat, but be warned that this will quickly cause your dog to gain weight and overweight dogs tend to develop diabetes or heart problems more easily.

Diets for Cats.

Cats are completely carnivorous animals, which means that they MUST eat a meat-based diet. Almost all commercial cat diets are completely inappropriate with their grain and vegetable fillers. Obesity, diabetes and irritable bowel disease are some of the most common problems in cats that are continuously fed a dry food diet. You should choose a variety of raw meats and organs to provide a good diet. Most cats like their food ground, however some enjoy gnawing on raw chicken wings and necks.

Keeping the Balance in Your Pet’s Diet.

You do not eat the same thing every day and the same should be true for your pet. They need variety in their diet to obtain the best health benefits. When you first start feeding a raw diet, most likely you will start off with one meat source (most people use chicken because it is readily available and inexpensive). If you can get a frozen mix, like Oma's Pride, your job will be much easier, as it is made up of ground meat, bones, vegetables and organs (for dogs), or a variety of ground meats (with or without bones) and organs for cats. When planning meals for your pet(s), you must remember to balance the ingredients over time so the pet(s) get the full benefits of a raw diet. Meats from different animals, even different cuts of meat from the same animal, will have different nutrient content. By choosing a wide variety of meats and including organs as well, you can achieve balance over time. Add yogurt or cottage cheese (if your pet does not have an allergy to dairy products) and raw or cooked eggs at least once a week.

When feeding raw diets, puppies don't need special diets, however, they will require as much as 10% of their weight in food to start off with, gradually decreasing to the adult maintenance level of 3% by 1-2 years of age.

Working dogs and dogs involved in sporting activities should get 3-5% of their body weight in daily food. Judge the success of your feeding program by body condition which should show a definite indentation in the stomach area. The dog should be active, alert and have a good coat if the diet is balanced and adequate. Good meats for dogs include chicken, turkey, lamb, beef (for most dogs, although some dogs have shown allergic reactions to beef), also duck (for weight gain) and rabbit. Most of these are available from larger grocery stores, butcher shops or raw pet food distributors.

For cats, rabbit, chicken, and small amounts of fish make great choices that are "close" to their natural diet. Do not overdo the supply of salmon or herring as they contain quite a lot of oil and will tend to add weight to your cat if given too frequently. Try to pick less oily fish and keep the salmon and herring for special treats.

Feeding a raw diet to pets is not complicated although it is more time consuming than opening a can or dumping dry food into a bowl. Just follow these general guidelines, check with your veterinarian regularly and read as much about it as you can, and you'll be a pro in no time.

Until next time,

Teia

PS. I like my meat cooked. To me, raw meat tastes awful, so I won’t eat it unless I am VERY hungry. I LOVE table scraps though and I like raw fruit, particularly pieces of apple that have had the skin removed and pieces of cantaloupe and watermelon.

CATS ARE SMART!

If the right definition for the term “Intelligence” is “the ability to acquire and remember information and the capability to use that information while solving different problems”, then the cat is definitely one of the most intelligent animals there is.

Put an adult cat in a room in which she has never been before and watch how she inspects every corner of that room. This detailed search gives her valuable information about the environment, information that can save her life, in some cases. Actually, the curiosity specific to cats never harmed them; on the contrary, it gave them the reputation of having nine lives!

We all know that the ability cats have to inspect surroundings is legendary, but at the same time, it has been proven that this ability is superior to that of any other domestic animal.

The intellectual capacity of the cat is demonstrated by her ability to use information she already has to pass safely through certain situations. Cats are capable of forming “learning methods,” a characteristic that was supposed to belong only to primates.

Cats learn through observation, imitation, trying things to find a solution and of course, mistakes, just like people. The stories about cats being able to open draws or cupboards are many, but there are also cats that can turn on the lights or use the toilet and this is possible only by carefully observing the ones that know how to do these things, their owners. On the other hand, it can be taught by loving reinforced training too.

Considering the fact that the cat is the most intelligent domestic animal, it is very important that the owner knows very clearly the limits of her cognitive processes, because conferring the pet with human motives can cause damage and behavioural problems.

According to animal behavioural experts, a cat cannot reflect upon the past or think in perspective, so punishing her for something she has done only minutes earlier is useless, because the cat is not capable of connecting the punishment with her past actions. In the same way, cats can’t claim revenge for a past punishment. However, they do have memories and they will remember those who were mean to them and avoid them and those who were good to them and respond positively to these people. If they find a way to open a window in the house in which they live, when they want to go out, they will go to that window and open it again. Similarly, if they spend time in a cage or carrier and they learn how to open it, they will do so again shortly after they are placed in this restrictive place.

In conclusion, don’t underestimate the intelligence of your cat! Try to know your pet better and act in such a way that living together can be a beneficial experience for both of you.

Until next time,

Teia

PS. Grandma came home from the hospital yesterday, so dad was tied up getting her settled back in her apartment.