Old Dog, Old Cat, Old Companion… it’s the Same
October 18, 2022
Trudy Mae passed away yesterday. She had a mouth full of cancerous tumors. I didn’t know that and I certainly didn’t see losing her. At least not yesterday.
Sami Moves Inside
February 6, 2022
I just came across this photo of Sami yesterday. Also known as Sami Sosa and Grammy Sam (because she is a grandmother), she showed up outside the fence in the back yard sometime in the first half of 2016. Pregnant. She found a crook in a tree that had fallen across the fence during Hurricane […]
Ice Cream Drama Queen?
October 22, 2020
Do cats get brain freezes or is this cat just overly dramatic about ice cream? This makes me laugh.
Letting Go is Really, Really Hard to Do
October 31, 2019
It’s been more than a decade and a half since that late Friday afternoon when a skinny, white kitten walked out of the woods across the street from my house just talking, talking. What exactly he was saying, I am not sure, but he was talking and walking towards me. When he was just a […]
“There’s a special place in heaven for you.”
July 26, 2019
When someone hears of the large number of cats and dogs I have or have had, they often respond, “There’s a special place in heaven for you.” And quietly in my brain a thought bubble pops up and says, “I hope so because this work has certainly been hell at times!”
FREE Rescue Alert Sticker for your Home
October 18, 2018
FREE and almost free rescue alert stickers! You download them, print them, add your info and put in a window or on your front door. Or order them online for a small fee.
Treat or Poison to Cats
January 22, 2016
This Treat vs Poison infographic shows you which common snacks may be harming your cat, and highlights a few healthy options you may not have considered before. Source: Vet Medic
Fun Cat Facts
November 2, 2015
Did you know that there are more than 73 million domesticated cats in the United States and more than 500 million worldwide?
Late Night Home Treatments
July 3, 2015
This information is meant as a guide for you in an urgent or late-night situation. It is not meant to replace the examination and diagnosis of a veterinarian. These treatments are generally safe when administered as described, but may not be appropriate in every case. Use this information at your own discretion. Vomiting – Remove food bowl […]
How to Pick the Right Pet Sitter
July 1, 2015
What to do with your pets when you go out of town or are away from an extended amount of time? The simplest — and least stressful — is to do nothing with them. Leave them home in the environment they know the best and have help come to them. Hire a pet sitter! But how […]
Home Treatment of Diarrhea in Cats
January 22, 2015
Note: If your cat appears to be in distress or severely depressed, you should seek IMMEDIATE veterinary attention. Episodes of mild diarrhea/soft stools lasting no more than a few days are not unusual. If your cat is eating and alert, there is no cause for alarm. Switch to a bland diet and feed a normal […]
12 Homeopathic Remedies For Your Dog
October 13, 2014
Homeopathic remedies number in the thousands and are made from anything and everything. But you only need to learn some of the rules of homeopathy and have about a dozen remedies to be off and running. You may want to go out and purchase these commonly used remedies to have on hand in case the […]
Top 10 Reasons Dogs & Cats to Visit the Veterinarian
October 12, 2014
Dogs Skin Allergies Ear Infection Non-cancerous Skin Mass Skin Infection Arthritis Upset Stomach/Vomiting Upset/Diarrhea Periodontitis/Dental Disease Bladder or Urinary Tract Disease Soft Tissue Trauma (Bruise or Contusion) Cats Bladder or Urinary Tract Disease Periodontitis/Dental Disease Chronic Kidney Disease Excessive Thyroid Hormone Upset Stomach/Vomiting Diabetes Intestinal Upset/Diarrhea Lymphoma Upper Respiratory Infection Skin Allergies Resource: Vet Practice […]
Feline Constipation Remedies
September 20, 2014
Untreated cat constipation can lead to a chronic problem called megacolon, where the colon abnormally dilates and becomes too enlarged. As a result, the colon loses its ability to contract, which can cause obstipation – a complete blockage. To avoid health complications in your pet, consider the following home remedies for cat constipation: 1. Pumpkin […]
Touched by a small angel
September 22, 2011
For a couple weeks quieted away from the world, we shared a marvelous time and I shall never forget how the personality of this tiny tyke changed into such a sweet, loving and giving guy. How happy he was.
Pet Food Pantries and Assistance Programs
August 14, 2010
Pet Food Pantries and Assistance Programs in the US
So, O-T-Y… where do we go from here?
June 6, 2010
O-T-Y is what I call Otis to his face. Cats seem to like names that have a sound, so all the cats have a name that has evolved into a sound. Otis is O-T-Y spoken as letters but with an emphasis on the O. Sorry, I can’t explain it much better than that, but if […]
A homecoming… nonetheless
June 4, 2010
This morning’s quiet was broken by Layla’s meows. “Ah,” I thought, “my baby is awake.” When I looked into her carrier, I could tell by her stillness that she had just passed. There is a difference in the energy that surrounds a living body and one whose spirit has left.
Times, they have to change.
April 24, 2010
Pet overpopulation is a myth. A word that justifies killing. Demographics show that more people will be looking for pets this year than shelters kill. Please adopt a rescue or shelter pet. If you aren’t ready to adopt, consider fostering a cat or dog.
An update on “one who always smiles”
April 22, 2010
I have to admit that I am always smitten by the underdog rescues. The ones that can test your meddle, but heap you with such passionate rewards. And when the opportunity arises to see the success of such efforts, it’s breathtaking and wordless at the same time.
We can’t save ’em all
April 14, 2010
I am not at all comfortable with that statement. I feel it gives us permission to not try as hard as we might. It gives our heart an “excuse” when things don’t work out. And for some, it gives reason to not even get involved in the first place because “we can’t save ’em all.”
Our simple bounties
April 6, 2010
I am struck by how we overlook the simple bounty we have all around us. We take it for granted that the sun will rise each day, that our dog will poop outside and that our cat will sleep on top of us at night.
So, what’s new this week?
February 17, 2010
So, what’s new this week? Here’s a small capsule from the Bit-by-Bit Ranch…
Vaccinations: What you Need to Know
February 12, 2010
The most important thing for you to know is that annual revaccination of your pet is unnecessary! This information is based on scientific studies conducted by Dr. Ron Schultz, a very well respected veterinary immunologist.
Helping the Animals of Haiti
January 22, 2010
Just a quick post to give you some links to websites for updates on animal rescue efforts in Haiti following the recent earthquakes. If you know others I have missed, please let me know so we can add them.
Faces of the Homeless
January 5, 2010
Looking through some messages on Facebook this morning, I found a post that includes three photos: homeless women and their dogs — photographer(s) unknown. I was immediately drawn to the photos. In the hard times, the scenario could easily be any one of us. It could easily be me and my “kids,” knock on wood.
Iowa: Pet Food Banks, Pet Food Pantries, Pet Care
December 29, 2009
Iowa: Pet Food Banks, Pet Food Pantries, Pet Care
Ivermectin Poisoning from Parasite Prevention Drugs in Dogs
December 28, 2009
This toxic reaction occurs especially in dogs that are genetically hypersensitive to ivermectin, an anti-parasite medication most commonly used for heartworm prevention, or to treat ear and hair mites, which can lead to mange. Ivermectin prevents or kills parasites by causing neurological damage to the parasite, resulting in paralysis and death for the parasite. But dogs genetically sensitive to the medication have an anomaly that allows the ivermectin to pass the dog’s blood-brain barrier and into its central nervous system, which can be lethal for the animal.
Pet Food Pantries and Spay/Neuter Assistance for the US
December 10, 2009
Pet Food Pantries and Spay/Neuter Assistance for the US
Dogs, cats and swine flu’s promiscuity
December 1, 2009
Swine flu started in pigs (although we don’t exactly when or where), adapted to and passed to humans who returned the favor and passed it back to pig herds. Then we heard that turkeys in Chile had contracted the virus, followed by ferrets and a house cat.
Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pets
November 30, 2009
Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet, an ALL volunteer 501c3 nonprofit public charity formed in January 2005 after learning that military service members across the country had pets that needed a caring, loving, and safe home to care for them during the pet owner’s deployment to fight the global war on terrorism (combat or peace keeping missions), but had been unable to find someone to care for them.
The Special Needs of the Senior Cat
November 15, 2009
Just as people are living longer than they did in the past, cats are living longer too. In fact, the percentage of cats over six years of age has nearly doubled in just over a decade, and there is every reason to expect that the “graying” cat population will continue to grow.
Merchandise
More Places to Find Us
RESCUES -- the faces of some of the rescues who have shared my life.
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