Pet Care And Style - A Time & Place For Every Toy

Pet Care And Style - A Time & Place For Every Toy

By Sueann Brown

November 15, 2005

Today many dogs are looked at as just another member of the family, like a regular child. They sleep in the same beds , eat the same food, and are often dressed in - albeit a smaller, modified version - the same clothes we wear.

Mitchie, a lovable, spunky Shitzu-Poodle mix consented to be TeenAge's pooch model. Dressed in his harness and collar, he loves cheese and prefers to play indoors or in a shaded area rather than out on hot asphalt.

Indeed, this one-year-old male is quite cultured, as according to his owner Kerry-ann Samuels, he still doesn't lift a leg but continues to squat to do his doggy business! Mitchie and his canine counterparts need special dog care from their human family members.

TeenAge spoke with Dr John Josephs of Noah's Ark Veterinary Centre for tips on taking care of our four-legged canine friends.

1. Bathe your dog every ten days. Lathering up more often than that can dry out the dog's skin.

2. Use gentle shampoos, with aloe or oatmeal, to soothe any skin irritation under thier furry coats. Dr. Josephs reccomends Sergeant's Fur-So-Fresh and the locally made Smart Line shampoos.

3. Be sure that your pet is wearing proper and clear identification, to ensure thier safety and your own peace of mind.

4. Also never self-diagnose your pet's ailments. Take them to a veterinarian; using medicated products on a healthy animal can be quite dangerous.

Pet Care During the Holidays

Stephane Ferry loves Cassie and Annie as if they were his own pets.

"They've been clients of mine for quite some time and we've become quite attached to each other," says Ferry.

He sees them daily, as a pet sitter who knows that for their owner, they're much more than pets.

Ferry says, "They're my client's kids. These are her children. These are her life. And she trusts me with them and I won't ever let them down."

As the owner of Columbus PetPal, Ferry says when you're making your holiday plans don't forget to plan for your pet.

"Last night I got a phone call from somebody that needed service to begin today, they were going out of town, and unfortunately, I mean we're booked," says Ferry.

He says you wouldn't call a babysitter the night before you begin your vacation; you'd make arrangements weeks in advance.

Ferry says, "Well you need to do that with your four legged kids as well."

It turns out that kennels and petsitting services are often booked up four months before the holidays. 10TV couldn't find a petsitting service that could watch an animal for Thanksgiving, and every one 10TV talked to said they were nearly full for Christmas.

Ferry says you have to do what Beagles do. Put your nose to the ground, get to work and make your reservations now for December before you're left out in the Christmas cold.

More info about pet care, please visit Jamaicaob Server.