Kate Woodviolet of the Los Angeles Pet Rescue Examiner’s article about an emerging fad, “The Rescue Pet” is worth reading for prospective pet owners. She writes,

You’ll find them in the homes of your friends and coworkers, who no doubt love to tell their friends, “This is Ginny…she’s a rescue dog…” then a pause, presumably for the benefit of the Nobel nominating committee.

Animals rescued from shelters are certainly a nice way to adopt a pet for the home. It usually will be more a cost-effective alternative than going to a breeder or pet store. But make sure your heart is in the right place when making this decision.

Woodviolet notes,

Often, but not always, it means the animal was abused. More certainly it means the dog or cat was neglected…

That means that the care and affection required for these pets may be even more difficult. There could be behavioral and psychological challenges as well.

If you or someone you know is considering adopting a pet from a pet shelter, pay attention to the following:

• Be sure to understand the temperment, space/time requirements and other needs of the specific breed or mix of breeds.
• Understand the life expectancy of the animal. As an example, there are birds that can live 60+ years.
• Research and understand the costs associated with owning the animal. There’s more to owning a pet than just food and water; consider vaccines, spay/neuter and routine checkups or even emergencies.
• Make sure to identify a local veterinarian.

It’s not that rescuing a pet from a shelter would ever be a bad thing, but just remember the responsibilities and expectations of pet ownership never change. Pets don’t think that their adopted families are just today’s hot trend.

Closeup of Tigger sleeping

Closeup of Bandit sleeping

The Kittens with Smokey, resting all together

AskVetAdvice.com reader Marlene sent us this photo of her granddog Meka, a beautiful, gentle Siberian Husky that loves everyone. From Marlene: “I don’t know what we would do without her!”.

Thanks for sending such a wonderful photo!

Our Relationship With Our Pets

Unfortunately, we live in a time when EVERYTHING is believed to be easily replaced and/or “disposable”, and this to me is a disturbing trend. For these animals, over the years, we have established a relationship, a bond in which we have becoming their everything-provider, protector, and friend. It is very sad to see how common it is that people can give up so easily and succumb to this idea that a pet is disposable, and better off elsewhere. Consequently, this is far from true. And in far too many cases, this results in the euthanasia of millions of animals each year- some because they are considered too old to be placed, and others because people assume they were “bad” with children and therefore do not want to take a chance with these pets.

It is a very common situation for a pet, which has lived as the “apple of one’s eye” for many years, to be a bit curious, upset by, or show resentment toward a newborn. To them it is the equivalent to being replaced by a new pet. Only in this instance, it is one that takes up all of their owners’ time, is sometimes kept away from them, makes horrific sounds/smells at times, and to which they are denied access thus preventing them from using their natural need to explore with all their senses.

A Time Investment in Getting Your Pets Comfortable

If one wanted to give a pet a chance to remain a member of their family, they would need to dedicate some time (frequently/intermittently) to allow each (the pet and the baby) exposure to the other, in a controlled situation. Over time, in many instances the pet would likely adapt, perhaps even become protective of what they may grow to see as “their new charge”. The child in turn, as it grows in understanding, may be taught appropriate means of interacting with pets, and how to enjoy their “new pal”.

Getting Professional Veterinary Assistance

Should one find they are having a more difficult time in getting their pets to interact appropriately with a child, then aid of an expert should be sought. A veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist, as a professional, can be called upon to give specific means of attempting to bring about a positive relationship. A behaviorist may even visit one’s home to see the pet in its natural surroundings and watch the relationships/interactions in person. They will then give their honest opinion of the likelihood that change can occur, and input as to how to bring about this change.

Final Thoughts
I do think it is best, if one has tried to follow the above-referenced path and to no avail to consider another circumstance for the pet, but only if there is NO OTHER WAY. As I have mentioned far too many of these pets are destroyed with minimal attempt in getting them a new home. And as “pet lovers” and civilized people, how can we knowingly contribute to an already sad statistic and betray a pet that we have sworn to love and provide for during its lifetime.

Sonsy was a foundling back in 2001 … one of a big litter found wandering a rural highway.

She is a tortoiseshell, only black and yellow with no white on her. Apparently she’s quite an acrobat and loves playing with mouses that rattle.

She’s just the littlest thing with the biggest love for her pet owners and unfortunately has asthma so they do their best to help her fight through it. Right now though, she’s in good health, thanks to great parents!

“I don’t know who made this mess; I’m just reporting the crime!”




Kobe - A 6 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier




Meeko - One proud pet owner’s best friend and companion




Here’s Pup - He loves digging, going for walks and snuggling at bed time




Theo - a lutino/seagreen lovebird and highly photogenic!




Vinnie - Vinnie is always left out by his friends at home. Poppy (the Dalmation) and Hank (the Tabby) are best friends and never let Vinnie sit with them on the bean bag…




Many thanks to our readers for their pet photo submissions. A new pet of the month coming soon!

No more than 15 minutes or so is alright, unless you are taking them for a walk or they are participating in another aerobic activity-hunting, luring, racing, etc.

Types of Animals We Worry About Most
Animals we worry about especially during the colder temperatures are the very young/old who may not have the best immune system and/or fat reserves to keep them warm, or pets who are naturally extremely lean and thin-coated (e.g. Greyhounds).

This category of animals can quickly become hypothermic, and get frostbite very rapidly, especially as temps start dipping below 35 Fahrenheit.

No pet should ever be left at home out of doors unattended. In Massachusetts there is actually a law against doing this.

Remember also if the temps drop below freezing, any water that may be left outside for our pets will freeze too.

For those adventuresome pets, or those we like to take with us during colder weather, there are coats, as well as booties made to protect our pets from extreme temperatures and trauma.

Though some pets (like mine :-)) think of this as torture, and some people may think you are “nuts” for dressing your dog, this is not so.

You can legitimize your actions by saying that you are helping protect their feet from ice which can injure their pads, and helping them to maintain a normal body temperature in more extreme/inclement weather.

Another consideration that most of us forget is that the caloric intake needs for many pets will decrease if their activity level diminishes with decrease in temperature.

If this is true for your pet, you may ask your vet about how to decrease their feed so as to not promote obesity.

Obesity is one of the number one causes of many disease conditions in our pets that can eventually lead to severe pain & even death.

Way back in September we received this beautiful photo of Kyra, looking forward to her first winter.

Kyra is now 1.8 years old and one of the younger registered pet therapy dogs for Caring Canines – visiting patients in all kinds of care facilities in the Boston area. She loves her new job!

Thank you to the Snow Family for sending us such wonderful photographs!

About This Month’s Pet of the Month:
“Loves taking photos, kisses, tummy rubs, and biting toes.”