Saturday, December 19, 2009

Merry, Merry Holidays!

Hello all my furr guardians, can you believe that Christmas is NEXT WEEK! I hope you have all finished your holiday shopping, and bought a special something for your furr kid(s). Blackjack has his stocking hanging up, and I have been getting a lot of funny comments about his 2009 holiday card photo. Believe me, it wasn't an easy task getting a good shot of him, but I think the final product represents just how mad he was during the shoot.

For all of you new furr parents who have recently joined our extended family of furr kids, here is his picture.













HOLIDAY HELP

Needless to say, we have had an avalanche of last minute holiday bookings, and I was lucky enough to bring on Nanny Samantha's Mom for some holiday help! What better person to be a SVPN Nanny than the Mom of one of our best! Her name is Kayne, (pronounced Cane) and her and Samantha will be acting as a duo this holiday season. She is a life long animal lover, and throughout the years have owned all sorts of furr kids and currently has a horse! She's awesome, and will do a fabulous job with your furr kids.

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK

I hope that some of you were able to get out to take a look at our tree at Christmas in the Park this year. We had a great time decorating it, and I think it looks awesome! If you weren't able to get a photo over to me this year, please make sure to email one to me so your furr kid can be a part of our tree next year.













TOP 10 TIPS TO KEEP PETS SAFE

Yep, it's my annual tips to keep your furr kids safe and healthy this holiday season. Make sure to make a note of these very simple tips to ensure your furr kid enjoys the holiday with you.
  1. Ribbon and wrapping supplies: to cats and dogs, that snowflake ribbon you were planning on using for a gift just looks like a toy. Make sure that you designate a special closet or sealed container to place wrapping supplies. Ingested ribbon can cause intestinal obstruction or bunching of the intestine, conditions that could be fatal. If you place gifts under the tree make sure that they are ribbon-free or wait until Christmas morning to put them out. Avoid tying ribbon around your pets neck for the same reason.
  2. Chocolate, coffee, tea, grapes/raisins, xylitol: Chocolate, coffee, and tea contain theobromine, an ingredient that's extremely toxic to pets. Be especially careful of dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate, which contain the highest doses of theobromine. Grapes are a common item on holiday cheese platters, while raisins often find their way into cookies and breads. Beware: both are toxic to dogs and can cause acute renal failure. Xylitol, a sugar substitute often found in chewing gum, and candies, is also toxic to dogs. As it gains popularity among the health-conscious public, it is also found in more homemade baked goods. It can cause vomiting, internal hemorrhaging, and liver failure. Be sure to place foods on tables and counters that are too high for animals to access. Likewise, don't place boxes of wrapped chocolate or food of any kind under the Christmas tree.
  3. Raw dough/unbaked bread: Raw dough that contains yeast can "rise" once a pet ingests it, causing gas to build up in its digestive tract. Not only is this highly uncomfortable, but it can also cause the stomach and intestines to rupture from the pressure.
  4. Antifreeze: During the cold months, antifreeze is often found dripping onto a garage floor or driveway. Just a lick or two could result in death for your pet. Although animals do find it tasty, even pets that don't "get into things" can walk through it and accidentally lick their paws. Antifreeze causes kidney failure and it only takes 1 to 2 teaspoons to kill a cat or a small dog.
  5. Holly Berries and Mistletoe: All parts of the mistletoe are toxic, although the berries are especially bad for pets. Be careful that if you hang mistletoe from the ceiling that the berries do not drop on the floor. Signs that a pet may be suffering from mistletoe poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, urinating more than usual, and a fast heart/respiratory rate. The same holds true for holly berries.
  6. Christmas Trees (Cedar): Pets who eat the bark may come down with a stomachache, while the sap can cause an itchy skin rash. Tinsel is a bad idea, since much like ribbon, it can become stuck in a pet's intestines.
  7. Poinsettias: They're festive, but the sap can cause blistering in a pet's mouth as well as stomach irritation.
  8. Turkey/Ham/Fish bones: Never share these with your pets--they can splinter and cause intestinal tearing or become stuck in the pet's throat, resulting in choking. Choose a better alternative like a piece of rawhide or chew toy that is sold especially for pet consumption.
  9. The garbage can: Items like raw meat, juice-soaked string used to tie up roasts, and plastic/foil wrap can have fatal consequences for pets if ingested. Raw meat may be infected with bacteria or parasites like T. gondii, E. Coli or salmonella, while string and plastic/foil wrap can cause intestinal obstruction or choking. Make sure your trash can has a tight-fitting, secure lid and is stored in a location that cannot be accessed by pets. Furthermore, keep a close eye on pets when cleaning up after a holiday soiree. Turning your back on Fluffy, even for a second, could spell disaster if she snatches those salmon bones and runs under the bed with them.
  10. Tobacco products: You may not smoke, but what about your friends and family? If ingested, tobacco products can cause pets to seize, or collapse and die from cardiac arrest. Keep all tobacco products, (including patches, nicotine gum, etc) out of their reach and empty your ashtrays often since cigarette butts contain 1/4 the amount of nicotine present in an entire cigarette.

What do you do if you pet ingests something you suspect is toxic? You will want to call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Established in 1978, the APCC is the only 24-hour, 365 day facility of its kind staffed by 30 veterinarians, 12 of who are board-certified toxicologists/veterinary toxicologists. For more information on potentially dangerous substances in the home or to reach the APCC, please call (888) 426-4435

SO HEARTWARMING

This just goes to prove that there are still some wonderful people out there in the world. We could all take something from this story.

"When family and friends announced they were hosting a bridal shower for Brynne Johnstone, 25, and fiance Andrew Salmon, 26, last month, guests asked where the couple had registered near their New Hampshire home. Their answer: Nowhere. Instead of mixing bowls and bread makers, this couple just wanted kibble...and a few more bits for needy pets.

"Between the state of the economy and our love for animals, we asked guests to bring gifts we could donate to the New Hampshire Humane Society in Laconia," Johnstone, who has volunteered there and also adopted three cats from the shelter, tells PEOPLEPets.com. "Andrew and I just built our dream house, and we have everything we could ever need. The Humane Society needs us, and it is the charity of our choice."

Johnstone and Salmon, employed by the Tilton, N.H., police department, were in awe at the response of their 55 friends during the four-hour, Nov. 28 shower. They received dog and cat beds and crates, food, toys and donations, ample supplies to help animals in need at this non-euthanizing shelter, one of the oldest facilities in the state.

"We were very excited and our friends thought the whole thing was so awesome they plan to do the same thing when they have birthdays, weddings and other occasions," says Johnstone, who shares four cats and a German Shepherd puppy with her fiance.

The positive reaction encouraged the unselfish couple to continue giving to the Humane Society. For their upcoming April 17 nuptials, Johnstone and Salmon will continue their creative pet philanthropy. Instead of spending from $300 to $500 for wedding favors, the couple will donate that money in the names of their attendants.

"There are so many better uses for money today than to buy things for people who don't need them," Johnston concludes. "I am glad others think the same way. I hope we have started a trend that will benefit animals. Helping them have a better life makes me so happy!"

WOW, I just thought that was the coolest article! I know full well how the economy has impacted most people, and we can't all contribute like the above couple, however if you have a dollar or two and would like to donate to some great animal causes I encourage you to check out these charities who are near and dear to my heart.

13th Street Cat Rescue - www.13thstcats.org

Humane Society Silicon Valley - www.hssv.org

The Cat House on the Kings - www.cathouseonthekings.com

Any donations are more than appreciated, and not just money, you can donated towels, sheets, and cat or dog food too! Just as last year, we will be donating $1.00 from every visit we do to the 13th Street Cat Rescue, and hope you may help as well.

NEW YEAR CHANGES

The new year will bring some new changes for your beloved SVPN! I have finally found an AWESOME gal to service Campbell/Los Gatos, and she will even go into the Santa Cruz mountain area. Her name is Carolyn, (yep, that's right) Beck and she has done a fabulous job with her first round of furr kids...I'm SO happy to have her on board!

We are also going to be bringing on a Nanny to service the Morgan Hill/Gilroy area, which will be really great!

With the sad state of the economy I have decided to not impose a rate change for this coming year, although my rates have not changed in about 3 years. I will however be changing our overnight price from $65.00 to $70.00 which will put us in line with many of the other pet sitting agencies out there.

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

The office will be closed on 12/24, 25th and 26th as well as the 31st and 1/1. Don't worry...we will be busy, busy, busy visiting your furr kids, but the office work will have to wait.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I hope you and your family, (furr and human) have a wonderful holiday, and a safe and happy New Year. Give your furr kids a kiss from their nannies, and we look forward to another fun filled year with them.

HERE'S TO 2010!!!!!!!