In my world, everyday is Be Kind to Animals week.  As a pet sitter it’s my job – that’s why I became a pet sitter.  I’ve always had a special relationship with dogs and feel that we need them as much as they need us.

Annie and Tommy

Be Kind to Animals Week was started in 1915 by American Humane to celebrate the relationship we have with our pets and to educated people on how to treat them with kindness and love.  I couldn’t image a world without pets. The joy and love they bring to our lives everyday can’t be measured.  It’s constant and so complete.  You can always count on a dog to lift your spirits and fill your heart with so much love that you think it’s going to burst!

It’s only right that we help other people who may not feel the same way to treat our furry friends with kindness.

As my part for this week, I devoted my ezine to adopting or getting a new dog.  If you want to do your part, here’s what American Humane suggests.  They also instruct you on how to accomplish these suggestions when you click on the learn more button.

Speak out for the animals:  This can be done through legislation, reporting animal abuse (see my prior post about animal abuse) or just speaking out on animal issues that you’re passionate about.  They have an Action Alert if your interested in knowing more about policies and legislation.

Respect wildlife in your own backyard: I know there are lots of pests that eat gardens and plants such as rabbits and deer, but there are humane ways to deter them from your door.  The American Humane has lots of suggestion how to humanely get rid of unwanted animals in your yard.  Or, how about starting a butterfly garden or have bird houses so they have a safe place to live.

Rescue of pet from a shelter: In my opinion, this should always be your first choice when getting a new pet.  Not only are you being kind, but in some cases, you’re saving their life.  All they want is someone to take them home and give them the love they deserve.  It’s a win-win situation. 

Taking care of your pet: Once you get your pet from the shelter, you have to give them the very best.  Number one on that list is nutritional pet food.  This is the foundation of their health and you can avoid costly vet bills if they are getting the proper nutrition.  Get a soft, warm pet bed, brush their teeth on a regular basis, give their coat a good brushing, bathe them, take them on daily walks, provide them with adequate shelter, shade and water, make sure they have their identification including getting them micro chipped and get them the vaccinations they need to keep them healthy and happy.

Most of all love them with all your heart and the love they give back to you is nothing short of miraculous.

Chris L Wagner

I’ve never owned a cat and actually had to ask people how they got their cat to go in a litter box.  What I’ve gleaned from their answers is that they just magically do it somehow.

I think this cat needs a 12 step program!

Obviously, I’m a big dog lover and didn’t know much about cats until I started pet sitting and had to get to know them very quickly.  I have learned that not all cats want to scratch your eyes out and hiss at you.  I’ve grown to appreciate their beauty and  their subtle affection.

But, what is it about the catnip?  I’ve always been curious about how catnip effects cats and why does it make them go crazy.

Here’s what I learned:

• Catnip is a perennial herb in the mint family – Labiatae.  It originally came here from the Mediterranean, but it’s now native to North America and Canada.

• The active ingredient that makes cats react is called Nepetalactone.  This chemical goes through their olfactory system that only cats have a receptor for.  This is what makes them roll around in it, rub their bodies and for a few minutes act like their having an LSD trip.  It only lasts for about 15 minutes at most and can’t happen again for over an hour or so.

• It’s not the smell of the catnip herb that makes cats go crazy but the Nepetalactone that triggers this response. They’re not sure why the cat’s brain reacts in such a way.

• If you have tried catnip toys,  but don’t see any response, don’t be alarmed.  Not all cats will react to it.  Very young kitties and older cats are less likely to have a reaction to catnip. Actually, the reaction to catnip is hereditary.   That’s why some cats will have a huge reaction and some won’t.  About 10-30% of cats don’t have any reaction no matter what age they are.

When I chose to offer catnip on my store, I wanted a natural, organic choice.   Waggy’s organic catnip is harvested in the USA and is USDA certified organically grown with no stems or fillers, and it’s Oko-Tex Certified Safe!  You can read about Oko-Tek in the prior post, Eco Friendly on Steriods – Oko-Tex Standard 100 certification.

I think I’ve satisfied my curiosity and hope that you’ve learned a little something too.

Now go out and give your kitties and nice scratch behind the ears!

Chris L Wagner

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In addition to writing this blog and having an online pet products store, I’m also a pet sitter.  90% of my business is privately boarding dogs in my home and Christmas time is crazy around here, but it can be a real blast with the right combination of dogs and temperaments.

I’ve been in the dog boarding business for over 4 1/2 years now and have the luxury of only taking my regular clients.  This makes it so much easier because I know the dogs very well and they know me and my family.  Some of the dogs even have their own place on the couch that they love to sit in.

Now that I have my blog, I thought I’d chronicle the comings and goings of my furry friends over Christmas and New Years in pictures.  So far only about 3 ornaments have broken and one bowl of dog food has been taken off the kitchen counter and consumed.  At least this year no dog has urinated on the tree YET!

The pictures started on Friday December 18th.  I hope you enjoy them and I’ll be updating everyday.  If you would like to send me your Holiday pictures, I’d love to put them on my website.  Please email them to chris@waggyspetsitting.com.

On Friday came Cooper the Cocker and Goldie a Lab Mix

On Saturday came Lucy the Labradoole and Libby the Lab with Goldie and Cooper

Monday, this is my son Dylan with Angel the Lab, Goldie went home, and Cooper, Libby and Lucy are still here to join in the fun

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover to Another

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Ever wonder if the chemical exposure in the textiles for  your pet’s beds and toys are harmful to them?  The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification takes the guess work out and eliminates harmful substances for the consumer and the environment.

Organic Bumper Bed with Oeko-Tex Certification

I remember the 70’s very well with polyester being all the rage.  It made clothes easy to clean and was practically indestructible.  Gotta love those high waisted pants with big bell bottoms!  (My kelly green pants come to mind)

However, the outcry from consumers that the chemical exposure in certain materials were harmful elicited the need for a standardized test for chemicals.   In fact, the people were crying,  ”Poison in Textiles”.   So in 1992, The Austrian Textile Research Institute (ÖTI) and the German Research Institute Hohenstein created the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 which created the first uniformed  safety standard tests for the textile and clothing industries.  The motto “Confidence in Textiles – Tested for Harmful Substances” was born.

Eco Bones with Oeko-Tex Certification

How does this relate to pets?  Well, these same standards can be found in products for your pets with no harmful substances whatsoever.

Okeo-Tex accomplishes this by using a 4 step Textile Ecology certification process:

• Production Ecology involves the production processes on man and the environment.  Which means everything from operational safety, water and energy use, to dust and noise generation.
• Human Ecology deals with the effects of the textiles and the chemicals in the textiles on the well being of the consumer.
• Performance Ecology looks into the effects of washing, dry cleaning and care on the environment.
• Disposal Ecology involves at all aspects of disposing the material from recycling to dumping.

As you can see, they have looked at all angles to bring you the very best .  Today here are currently over 9,000 textile and clothing manufacturers in more than 80 countries that use the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification label for no harmful substances and is the most well known test label in the world.

That’s why we are so proud that Waggy’s Pet Products is able to offer products with the Okeo-Tex Standard 100 label for your pets.  We know that you love your pets and want the very best for them.

I hope this was helpful in arming you with the knowledge you need to give your pets the best.

Chris L Wagner

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