Beevo On A Budget

Meow..Meow..Zzzz

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:53:00 +0000

Clean Pet Ears

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Cleaning your pet's ears is like changing the oil in your vehicle. You don't want to, but you have to. It's good preventative maintenance. Keeping the ears free of wax and debris are the first step in avoiding painful, costly ear infections.

You can take your pet to your veterinarian or a groomer and pay up to $30 to have this routine maintenance done, or you can arm yourself with the essential supplies and do it at home in 5 minutes.

Multipurpose ear cleaner. You want to have a cleaning solution and drying solution in one. Without the drying solution, liquid trapped in the ear canal creates moisture and a pleasant environment for yeast and bacteria to flourish. The ear canals of dogs and cats go straight down and then make a 90 degree turn towards their brain. Our ear canals go straight in towards our brain. That turn in the canal of the dog and cat is the reason moisture gets trapped so easily. You don't want to rely on their head shaking to eliminate all of the liquid.

Soft cotton balls and gauze squares. Both of which can be purchased at your drug store. Cotton balls are soft and absorbent for the initial wiping. The gauze squares fit nicely over your finger and are more textured which allow you clean in the nooks and ridges while still being soft and gentle.

You can also make your own inexpensive ear cleaner/dryer at home.

Mix witch hazel and vinegar at a 50/50 ratio and store in a dropper bottle for easy dispensing. Witch hazel is very economical and can be found in the market or drug store. It can be purchased with or without alcohol. Typically, the percentage of alcohol is 14% which is acceptable for routine cleaning. The alcohol will act as the drying agent in this homemade cleanser. However, alcohol can be overly drying to sensitive ears and opting for alcohol-free version will be just as effective.

Put a generous amount of cleaner in each ear and massage the base of the ears for thirty seconds. Then stand back and let your pet shake his/her head. It will be helpful to do this outside with a towel handy for wiping up the excess on the ear flaps and head. Wipe the visible part of the inner ears with a cotton ball or gauze and repeat until all the debris is removed.

Your pet and your pocketbook will thank you for maintaining clean, infection-free ears

Cat v. Tail

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Cat v. Tail captured mid-match.

Summer Lives In A One Room Shack Down By The River

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Summer the cat here.

I'm a dilute-tortioshell that came to live with my family as an adult, so I'm not sure how old I am. I moved in the same month that Travis joined the family. Travis and I lived at the hospital together for a few weeks and became buddies swapping stories of street life. I'm glad we got to stay together.

I spend my days starring at the shiny things around the house and chasing my tail. I am grand-champion of a game called Cat v. Tail. Not only do I chase my own tail, but the tails of my housemates. I wait on the couch for somebody to walk by and then, slap, slap, slap, I get their tail. Everyone's tail 'cept Ed's. I'd like to live to see my next meal.

I am the resident tattletail. I take careful note of all the wrong-doings in the house while the human is at work and then give her the run down over dinner. By taking this position, not only are my decision making skills in question, I can't form alliances with anyone but the human lest I lose my edge(and also my safe spot on the bed). Because I am the smallest and the weakest, I found my angle and went with it.

Shampoo For Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 17:18:00 +0000

It's bath time for the dogs. There are decisions to be made. Bathe them at home or drop them at the groomer? Bathing at home adds a second tier or decisions. Bathe them inside or outside, to blow dry or air dry, buy expensive dog shampoo or use my shampoo?

Here are the answers. At home, outside, air dry, expensive dog shampoo.

Wait..What?

The typical visit to a groomer for a bath and blow dry only is $30 in addition to getting your dogs in the car, travel time and gas to and from, plus a tip for the groomer for a job well done. Also not included is the toy you will buy for your dog on the way out for being brave enough to leave the house and have the hands of a stranger on every inch of his/her body.

I'm not opposed to professional grooming. I'm pro-groomer(please don't send me hate mail, groomers. I'm on your side here). Economically and professionally speaking, the groomer's services should be reserved for maintaining appropriate hair cuts. The intermediate bathing can easily be done in the comfort of your dog's familiar area. Your dog will benefit ten-fold from the hands-on, personal time you spend together.

Here's how you are going to save time and money and still have a fresh-as-a-daisy dog friend hogging up your pillow at night.

Purchasing a high-quality shampoo is the first step. All of the unsafe chemicals you avoid for your own shampoo should also be avoided for your pet. This includes sulfates, propylene glycol, ethanolamines, and parabens. These chemicals are toxic irritants to you, your pet, and the plant life the soapy water comes in contact with. Using a shampoo that is labeled "soap-free" reduces the amount of harsh detergents in the bottle, but doesn't insure there aren't artificial colorings or fragrances. Also, a soap-free shampoo will not wash away any topical flea and tick preventatives you may occasionally use, which will save you additional dollars.

Here is where you see your expensive shampoo purchase save you money. High-quality cleansers are not meant to be used full strength. After selecting your shampoo, purchase a large, multi-purpose spray bottle. Mix your shampoo with water at a 4:1 ratio. Adjusting your sprayer to the stream function will allow you to apply the shampoo directly to the skin and undercoat where the dirt and stink lives. It also allows you to wash around the delicate parts of your dog's face with accuracy. You are effectively using less shampoo and getting a more effective clean.

If you would like to avoid prepackaged shampoos entirely, here's a recipe for homemade shampoo.

2 cups water
2 Tbs aloe vera gel
2 tsp liquid castile soap
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 drops essential oil of your choice

The essential oil is optional, but it allows you to customize bath time according to fragrance preferences, skin ailments, or insect repellent needs. The apple cider vinegar acts to maintain skin pH levels and control the growth of unfriendly bacteria on the skin which leads to odor and infection.

When deciding on bathing inside or outside, the obvious answer is outside. It's fresh air and sunshine for you and your pet and no hair to rake out of every corner of the bathroom. Don't forget that dogs shake the excess water from their bodies a hundred times during a bath. Blow drying a dog's coat is neither time or energy efficient. Most dogs don't love the whir of the blow dryer. They also can't tell you when the air is getting too hot for their doggy skin. After the bath, towel drying the coat and hitting the road for a long walk will expedite the drying process. By the time you are home, your dry dog is ready for brushing, a drink, and a nap. My guess is so are you.

Consult your veterinarian before deciding on which essential oils are appropriate for your homemade shampoo.

Bones For Beevo

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 22:40:00 +0000

The pet toy industry loves to see us humans coming. We sit at home, watch the commercials, look at our bored pets and decide that our dog can't possibly go on living without the latest version of the Wondermutt Wondermatt complete with fog and light show. New and Improved!

I have spent many dollars and minutes in search of the perfect living room entertainment for my pets. I continue to act bewildered when the toy makes it out of the bag and into the garbage in the same evening. This trend is the opposite of budget-friendly.

The best day ever is when the dogs each get their own frozen marrow bone. Hours are spent studying the bone's every curve until they are picked clean. At $1.99 per pound at the local butcher, the bones are an economical, natural alternative to the expensive, synthetic, and often flimsy pet toys.

Once the meat and the marrow is cleaned from the bones, the dog is left with real bone that continues to provide comfort and entertainment for months. The center of the bones can easily be refilled with a variety of treats to motivate your pet to spend quality quiet time in the house. The most important part of refilling the bones, after avoiding harmful foods, is to keep the treat thick enough to stay in the bone on it's own. A puddle of mushy food on the rug ends fun time for everyone.

Here are some Choose Your Own Adventure bone refilling options. Pick one base ingredient and one or two additional ingredients. Mix well and refrigerate unused portion for later enjoyment. It's extra helpful to have a little dish in the fridge ready to go for next time.

Base Ingredient
1/4 cup peanut butter-creamy or crunchy
1/4 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup canned pumpkin

Additional Ingredients
1 tbs unsweetened applesauce
1 tbs plain yogurt
1/2 smashed banana
5 smashed berries
chapped carrots or celery
1 tbs cottage cheese
a few drops of honey

A variation to saving the extra mixture in the fridge is to refill the bones and store them in an air tight container in the freezer until you're ready to hand them over. After your pet enjoys the treat, the bones should be collected and washed before reusing. The bones can be washed in the sink with the same non-toxic dish washing liquid that you use for the plates and forks. They should be well rinsed and dried.

For your pet's safety, always supervise them while chewing on any bone or toy.

Beevo Sees Cupid.

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Travis dreams of Hoffman's Chocolates.

Bark...Bark...Zzzzz..

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Over Here Guys! It's Me! Travis!

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 17:57:00 +0000

Hi guys! I'm Travis! How's it going'? What are you doing'? Can I come? Oh, you're eating lunch. I like potato salad. Can I have potato salad? I won't tell the others. It will be potato salad for Travis! Ha! Potato salad for Travis!

I'm Travis and I'm happy to be here with you guys. The humans aren't sure how old I am exactly. I was running the streets, already an adult, when I got dropped off at my person's work by an annoyed neighbor for being a pest. My person fostered me so I could get medical care and that was 6 years ago. We all decided I would stay forever. I'm not sure who my parents are, but I look most like a Chihuahua/Dachshund/Jack Russell terrier of sorts.

During my developmental process, I stalled out at toddler hood. I'm impulsive and not remotely in control of my emotions. As far as I know, the world doesn't extend beyond my skin. All requests of me receive the same reply, "What's in it for Travis?". While my attention span is painfully short, I'm cute and funny and give my family all of the love I have to give. Except for that Beevo. He thinks I'm a cat. He spends half of his day trying to herd me into a huddle with the real cats. I may need to file a formal complaint. Since Beevo heads up the Grievance Department, I don't think I have a voice.

I work hard to remember my manners and like to have my good behavior reinforced with affection and, of course, food. Because I am not cautious or fearful of anything, special care has to be taken to make sure I am not allowed to wander off or otherwise get into a jam. Hey! I like jam guys! Is it blackberry? My favorite!

Meow.. Meow.. Zzzzzz..

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0000

A sleeping Ed is a quiet Ed.

Joint Supplement For Cats

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Ed is no spring kitten. He occasionally experiences stiffness in his hips and knees. This stiffness is due in part to his advancing age and the other part to his days as a world-class fight-picker. Ed's been in a few cage matches in his prime. Stop judging me, Cat People. He now lives strictly indoors.

Arthritis, the general term for abnormal changes in a joint, is a common ailment that most of our pets will eventually experience. While surgical intervention may be an option when a single joint is affected, operating on both knees and hips and elbows may not be reasonable. Treatments for arthritis can now be so closely tailored to your pet's specific needs that medically managing arthritis is always an option.

Nutraceuticals are increasingly common in pet care and prevention. Glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM(methylsulfonylmethane), and omega fatty acids are among the most used chondroprotectives and have been proven to aid pet's with osteoarthritis.

I have tried numerous variations of products; capsules..tablets..powders..oils...magic beans. All of these products vary in active ingredients, bioavailablity, and price. The options can be overwhelming really. I think I am done looking.

Pet Naturals of Vermont makes a product for cats called HIP+JOINT. They are formulated into a chicken liver flavored soft chew that Ed totally digs. The recommended dosage is two chews a day. Because Ed eats salmon and sardines, which also supports joint health, he gets one chew a day as a supplement. This system of supplementation is a standout in quality, convenience, and easy on the budget. One 2 ounce bag contains 45 chews and I pay about $5.00 a bag. This is the best more-for-less joint supplement that I have tried. Because I don't have to put on my gloves and get in the cage with Ed to get him to eat it, I am willing to keep HIP+JOINT a part of his routine.

28 Days Dedicated To Clean Choppers

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:00:00 +0000

When considering ways to keep pet care budget-friendly, focus on prevention. February is Pet Dental Health Month. Your pet's dental health today could be the preemptive strike on a number of painful and costly health conditions in the future.

Bacteria is a normal inhabitant of the mouth, but when allowed to overgrow, it will form plaque and tartar. Tartar buildup sets off a chain reaction of inflammation and infection. The tartar on the teeth causes the gum line to recede, which causes painful bleeding, infection, and bone loss of the jaw. The bleeding gum line is the open door for the bacteria to enter the bloodstream and into the heart. The heart then pumps the infection to the liver and kidneys causing your pet to become ill and require treatment.

At-home dental care is both simple and cost-effective. The supplies needed are pet-friendly toothpaste and a soft tooth brush. For families with multiple dogs of different sizes, a dual-headed pet toothbrush can be purchased that has a small head and a large head. A pediatric toothbrush from any drugstore is just as effective. As long as the head is an appropriate size for the smallest dog's mouth, it will easily work for all of the mouths. In addition to brushing, providing durable toys for chewing will keep the gums healthy by allowing proper circulation and fresh water will help flush away left over particles from meals and treats.

There's lots of choppers to be brushed. Your adult dog has 42 permanent teeth and your adult cat has 30.

Always ask your veterinarian if your pet is a candidate before starting any at-home care.

Ed Steals Your Chair.

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 03:40:00 +0000

Meow guys. I'm Ed.

First, I don't care what that Beevo tells you, but I run things around here. Second, that's all you need to know. I own these lightweights with one eye closed.

I am a tuxedo-patterned domestic shorthair and my age(and weight)is confidential. I came to live with the human long before any of the others, so we're pretty tight. I enjoy following her around meowing, sitting on the back of the coach while she eats dinner, and sprinting for every open door I see. If I were human, I would be considered pushy and rude. Fortunately, my feline status buys me the "endearing" and "opinionated" labels.

I've got needs and preferences. I want to share my thoughts so everyone is informed and, most importantly, qualified to drop what they are doing and tend to me. I will share with you the magic that is Ed.

Well, I'm off. Got some meowing to do. Later.

Beevo Introduces Himself

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:53:00 +0000

Beevo here. Nice to meet you.

I am an Australian Cattle Dog and my work day never ends. I am a friend, an adviser, a psychiatrist, a frisbee-catcher, and resident cat-herder. Somebody's gotta keep those felines in their place(that means you, Ed). Anybody that isn't me is a cat.

Anyhow, my friends and I are here to offer information that will help your family's budget stay pet-friendly. Times can be tough and budgets can be tight, but we dogs, and, I guess, those cats, are members of the family and we kinda like it that way. It would be devastating for us to be separated from you.

My human(also a cat)has worked in the pet care industry for ten years and knows that families have cut back their budget on pet care. We have done a little cutting back around here too, but we don't mind. We just like to be together.

Beevo The Pharmacist.

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 02:42:00 +0000

Sharing our lives with our animal friends is full of fun and love and happy times. Sometimes they need to visit their doctor between their annual examinations. Providing veterinary care is necessary and can prove costly.

When your friend's veterinarian recommends a treatment, while you are more than willing to give pills and apply ointments, you may also be clenching your jaw while waiting for the bill.

Ask for written prescriptions.

When your pet's treatment plan is being explained and prescribed medications are being sent home, consider asking the veterinarian for written prescriptions to have filled at your human pharmacy. The majority of veterinary prescribed medications for your friend are human drugs given in a weight-appropriate dosage for your pet. If the correct dosage can be accomplished with the human drug, your pharmacy can easily accommodate your pet's needs. This method is especially cost effective given that the major chain pharmacies(Walmart, Walgreens, Target)now offer low cost prescriptions on commonly prescribed medications. The Publix grocery store chain also offers up to a two week supply of commonly prescribed antibiotics free. Canines and felines are not exempt from these offers.

While having your pet's prescriptions filled at your veterinarian's office is certainly convenient, it is important to understand you are paying for the convenience. The markup on the medications is anywhere from 75% to 200% and the added dispensing fee of anywhere from $5.00 to $20.00.

Ask for generic or OTC options.

Opt for purchasing your pet's antihistamines over the counter at the human pharmacy. Generic is always available for a fraction of the name brand cost. Another example of a generic being more cost effective is Reconcile,a pet-specific brand of drug commonly given for separation anxiety. The drug name is fluoxetine, or Prozac, which is included on all of the discount generic prescription plans at the human pharmacies.

Splitting pills.

Ask the doctor if there is a stronger milligram strength medication that can be split into the appropriate dosage. If one tablet can be split into four doses, that is money saved. While not always an option, it's worth asking.

Purchase a larger quantity.

Often buying a three month supply is marginally more in cost than buying regularly given medications every month. Just ask the doctor how much can be authorized to buy at one time.

Being both an informed caregiver and mindful consumer can allow you to buy more for less. The money saved can then be used to get this hip machine washable plush toy for your animal friend as a reward for waking them from a nap to take them to the doctor.

*Always follow the advice and recommendations of your pet's veterinarian.

Welcome!

noreply@blogger.com (Travisina) — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:22:00 +0000

Beevo is on a budget.

At my house, my dogs and cats are my family. I am the sole provider and caregiver for three dogs and two cats. I am one girl and there are five of them. That equals five bodies to nourish, ten ears to scratch, and twenty feet to exercise. This does not include my body, ears, or feet.

In my quest to provide all of us with optimal health and wellness, I have to be frugal. Well, Beevo has to be frugal. He handles the budgeting around here. I know, it is an unusual division of labor. With our world being what it is, extra care is taken to budget the needs of both me and my friends. I am here to share tips and information that make our animal friendly budget a success even in our cool economic climate.

All five of my friends came to live with me by way of their own unique circumstances. I will introduce everybody as we go. I am interested to learn how your friends came to be part of your family. Please feel welcome to introduce yourself and your friends. Maybe we can set a virtual play date. Beevo also handles the scheduling.