Hello, My Name Is…
From monogrammed sweaters and personalized food and water bowls to digitized collar tags and hand-made treats, owners embrace their pets as true members of the American family celebrating their fluffy, finned and feathered companions with their very own belongings

Come on....you know you've done at least a few of these!  It's okay! We all do!  Why? Because our pets are becoming more than just animals to keep around the house.  They do much more for us than chase mice and hunt food. According to a recent report from APPA, pet's are much more important to us than we thought.

• Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)
• Pets Help to Reduce Stress Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)
• Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
• Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
• Pets Help to Fight Depression Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship) 

With all that said - don't you think its time to do something about keeping our pets healthier and happier for  a longer time?  Visit us at www.caseypets.com to see just what we can do to help!

To see the entire report from APPA, click here. 

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said,

'Jesus knows you're here.'

He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze.

When he heard nothing more , after a bit, he shook his head and continued.

Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard
'Jesus is watching you.'

Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice..

Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.

'Yep', the parrot confessed, then squawked, 'I'm just trying to warn you that Jesus is watching you.'

The burglar relaxed. 'Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?'

'Moses,' replied the bird.

'Moses?' the burglar laughed. 'What kind of people would name a bird Moses?'

'The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus.'
 

This past weekend I had a small emergency with my little dog Poloka.  It was a typical case of her eyes being bigger than her stomach.  She was happily chewing on her raw hide chew bone and she had gotten one on the knots off the end.  With one good swallow, a 2"X3" piece went straight down her throat - or so we thought.  Seems she almost got it caught in her throat, choking a bit (and scaring her mother half to death) she finally got it down but something wasn't right.

She came over to me, hanging her head, she looked at me like something was seriously wrong.  As a vet tech, my first thought was to get the chew out and that meant getting her to throw up.  I reached for the hydrogen peroxide and went outside to do my best.  The problem is, my dog HATES to throw-up!  I couldn't get her to vomit and she started looking worse and worse.  I brought her back inside, wrapped her in a nice warm blanket and sat at her side.  I was hoping that it would just pass and she would be just fine.

A few hours of babying her and some moaning and groaning on her part seemed to be helping as she finally rested and fell asleep.  I went to bed as well.  The next morning, she wouldn't move and I was beyond my comfort zone so I called the vet and took her in.  Funny thing, she seemed so much better when we got there!  I think all the excitement helped things pass along in her stomach.  After a thorough exam, I was given a few options - ultrasound, x-rays or wait it out with a few medications to be sure her stomach felt better.

I chose to give her some fluids and some medications but the thing I really appreciated was that I was given all the choices.  Many times I hear that veterinaries assume that people can't afford the best treatments so they don't even offer them.  I would like to be able to make that decision for myself.  This is why it is imperative for pet owner's to ask and talk to your veterinarian.  Let them know you want ALL the options for everything...even vaccines!  Don't assume that what you are being told is the whole story. 

Here is a story that I read that shows the extreme of what happens when not all options are offered or discussed.

And to those opossums that were under my home....I hope you find happiness out in the forest...not in my wall!

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As the Thanksgiving approaches, many people start talking about what they are thankful for this year.  Their family, their jobs, etc. All legitamate thanks but what about our pets?  I hate to admit it but I know I take my pets for granted.  I don't choose to, it just happens.  What would our lives be like if we didn't have that wagging tail to come home to or that soft nudge of a head to wake us up from all our worrying.  They don't ask much from us....a shelter, some food and perhaps a pet or two, that's it!  Who do you know that would give their devotion to you with just that in return? 

I like to think back at all the time my cat has been there for me.  Although he can't litterally speak to me, we have had many conversations, he's been there through many of the hard times and good times, he has comforted me when I was sick, and he has snuggled close to me when nites were cold.  My dog keeps me laughing and what is more important than that? 

If you have a special story about why you are thankful for your pet this holiday...or whenever...please let everyone know!  Your pets deserve recognition!  Happy Thanksgiving!