How companion animals advise and teach us
Anyone who’s loved an animal has experienced firsthand the numerous benefits of sharing our lives with…
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Becoming better neighbors
This is the story of a friendly cat named Pickles who caused a rift between neighbors…
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Good Advice
Sometimes a simple question leads to a big answer. Recently a group of kids asked for a bit of my help with a project they were working on. Just before our scheduled meeting I was at the barn with my horse and casually asked if any of the horses had advice for the kids to help them with their project, which involved improving life for zoo animals and others kept in captivity. Three horses immediately showed interest. Their advice, dispensed freely with love, in the spirit of a nurturing mentor, is so universal that I wanted to share it with you.
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Pet Quirks: “Why do our cats drink bath water?”
“After anyone takes a bath in our house, when the water has drained from the tub our two cats can’t wait to jump in and drink the water that’s left. They don’t seem to be attracted to the soap – we tried 5 different soaps and shampoos and they still do it. They drink from their water bowl so it’s not lack of clean water. We don’t mind that they do this, but we wonder why.” Their two young cats explain.
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“Aaaaand…. That’s a wrap!”
At the end of a long trying day, I found I needed to wrap my horse’s…
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What name has your pet selected for you?
Do you ever wonder what names our pets have selected for us? It’s a question often asked by curious pet owners who wonder just what their pets think of them.
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‘What I did on my summer vacation’
In a twist on the classic back-to-school assignment, pets of school-age kids answer the questions: How did you spend your summer vacation? What made your activities special or meaningful? What did you learn?
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Pets help kids with homework
The emotional benefits to kids from having pets are well known, including helping kids feel calmer and more confident, reducing stress and improving self-esteem. What might surprise some people is that this help goes beyond simple passive support. Many pets assist their kids to focus, model good behavior, give hope and encouragement and lighten the mood when it becomes too stressful.
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Methods matter
Trying to force pets may lead to temporary compliance but ultimately resentment. Long lasting positive changes occur when we treat them with the respect they deserve, try to understand their point of view, explain our own, and ask for cooperation.
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Do pets daydream?
Pets daydream in the same ways we do and derive the same pleasure from it. Here they talk of their daydreams which include idealized views of their world, pleasant reviews of their day, wishes to act in ways their bodies don’t allow, as well as pure fantasy.
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What do pets dream about?
Have you ever wondered what your pets dream about? Do they relive their fun day at the park, dream of endless treats and snuggle time, or perhaps worry about the future? What are they dreaming of when their legs start moving and their whiskers start twitching? To find out, I interviewed 4 dogs and a cat about their dreams.
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Answer Your Cat’s Question Day (January 22)
What do your cats think about? Their next meal, cuddle time, and finding the perfect nap spot, for sure. But there must be more going on inside those curious minds. To help us understand I asked some cats at random if they would share a question they’ve been pondering for a long time. These are actual questions as posed by the cats, with responses provided by two dogs, a pony and a pig
