It's that time of year again. Time to clean up the house, get out the Joy of Cooking and prepare for the onslaught of family and friends. We're having sixteen people. I'm in charge of the booze.
While you've been stressing about it for a couple of weeks now, your pets are blissfully ignorant about what's to come. Some of the more astute pets may be picking up on your stress level and staring at you moon-faced in anticipation, but most are unaware that they are in any danger at all. Yes, I did say danger.
In addition to the 4th of July, the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are prime time for pets getting lost.
You can imagine how this might happen. Family and friends in and out of the house at all times of the day, doors left open, pet sitters, kids volunteering to take the dog for a walk. Add that to the stress the pet feels with all the hullabaloo and you can imagine how they might be tempted to bolt for calmer pastures.
The best way to prevent this from happening is to take a few common sense precautions.
1. Is your dog or cat wearing his collar and tag and is the info on the tag up to date? You'd be surprised how often this happens. It was almost a year after we moved to New Mexico before I discovered that Darcy's tag had old information.
2. If your pet is
micro-chipped make sure the info in his database with the microchip manufacturer is up to date, too. According to these people the number one failure in reuniting lost pets with their owners is incorrect or outdated information in the database.
3. Make some rules and let guests know what's up. Where is the dog allowed to go? Can you just let him out the back door? Keep an eye on the dog or cat when you are coming and going and keep the windows closed. The dog really does not like to be ridden by small children, poked in the eye or tortured in other ways. Walk only on a leash etc. etc.
4. How is the cat with strangers? If you have a mellow kitty that's great, but some cats see the mother-in-law the same way you do: Evil intruder. Make sure the cat has a safe haven complete with water, food and litter box. If your cat is less than tolerant with kids make sure they know it's not a good idea to grab her by the tail.
5. The dog and cat
have their own food. They won't feel left out if you don't give them giant hunks of turkey skin, turkey fat, dressing and gravy and most of all, hold the fruit cake. In fact, don't bring the fruit cake this year. Fruit cake is not for pet or human consumption and just looking at it makes most people uncomfortable.
Not only will they not feel left out by staying with their usual diet, they won't bless you with vomit and diarrhea to add to the holiday festivities.
6. And finally, pay lots of attention to your pet. They need their cuddles and walks at this time of year, probably more so. And you'll need a dose of unconditional love, too.
That and a refill for the prozac. (of course, I'm kidding!)
Happy Thanksgiving.