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Dear Fisher,

I really enjoyed your blog and would like to submit the following information on a pet photo contest. As you can see, we want to get the word out because the deadline is near! It’s AAA’s PetBook Photo Contest, sponsored by Best Western. Entries must be received by November 30, 2009. Just submit a photo and your pet may appear on a cover of the next edition of Traveling with your Pet: The AAA PetBook. To enter visit AAAPetbook.

Two winning entries will appear on a cover of the next edition. The “Best in Travel” winner will also receive $350, five complimentary copies of the book, plus a $150 Best Western Travel Card. The second-place winner will receive $200 from AAA and two complimentary copies of the book. Photos and completed forms must be submitted by Nov. 30. Check the AAA web site for rules and information on past contests.

Heather

Dear Readers,

I love to travel! How about you? Humans, have you traveled with your pet? Submit a photo and you may appear on a cover of the next edition of Traveling with your Pet: The AAA PetBook. Visit now and enter. Happy tails.

Your friend,
Fisher

Disclosure: Ask Fisher is a personal blog written and edited by my staff. A publisher or manufacturer may contact us with a request and we may accept. We may receive samples, which may be considered a form of compensation. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. We always give an honest opinion which is the bloggers’ own. Information about products or services should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question. Reviews are done only if the product is deemed of interest to our readers, whether positive or negative.

Dear Fisher,

Cosmo here, and I am writing for me and Cookie (aka, Cosmo-Not). Is there a doggie counterpart for cat nip? My human is very concerned about giving me too many raw hide roll-up chew toys, for health reasons and also because of animal rights issues.

I consider myself to be an omni-chewist, and nearly anything will keep me occupied. Once, when my grand-human was visiting, I had a wonderful time with her dentures. If my human knew about a doggie-nip type plant, I am sure she would fetch it for me and my house-mate Cookie, right away.

Cosmo

Dear Cosmo,

Your Grand-Human’s dentures? Oh my! I have to wonder if she ever came back for a visit. Never mind that my readers are all chuckling over this, we must remain sensitive to our guests. But first, we need to address the issues of having too many rawhide roll-up chews and whether or not you should break the habit. We will start there and then I will tell you some surprising news, but I want to caution you against breaking one bad habit by starting another.

Let us first discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of the rawhide chew bone:

1. The Good: They are made of natural elements such as hogs ears and animal hides, seasoned to taste for your gnawing pleasure, satisfying your innate need to chew.
2. The Bad: Rawhide bones can sometimes be hard and brittle, and while fun to chew, they can also be a choking hazard or end up making a mess of your digestive system.
3. The ugly: Have you taken a good look at that wet, slimy thing on the kitchen floor?

The alternative is a type of chew bone that leans to the side of animal rights issues. Made of a synthetic polymer, they, too can satisfy your need to chew. I do not know for sure, nor do I want to find out, but I imagine they taste much like your Grand-Human’s dentures. However, they will not splinter off into little pieces causing digestive disorder or get stuck in your throat. You can find extensive information on chew bone safety and value at The Daily Puppy.

OK, here is the big surprise: Aniseed. According to my friends at wiseGEEK, you can grow aniseed in your own back yard. This semi-bushy plant is safe for children and dogs to eat. It can grow to 3 feet or higher. Some dogs will have the same response to the aniseed plant as cats do to the catnip plant. You will want to protect the plant in its early stages so it does not get devoured.

The one drawback of this catnip for dogs alternative is that it will not satisfy your need to chew. Grand-Human’s dentures are still at risk, but maybe if you share your plant with her she will not care. Again, I do not know, for sure, nor do I want to find out.

Your friend,
Fisher

The dog is not allowed in the house.
Okay, the dog is allowed in the house, but only in certain rooms.
The dog is allowed in all rooms, but has to stay off the furniture
The dog can get on the old furniture only.
Fine, the dog is allowed on all the furniture, but is not allowed to sleep with the humans on the bed.
Okay, the dog is allowed on the bed, but only by invitation.
The dog can sleep on the bed whenever he wants, but not under the covers.
The dog can sleep under the covers by invitation only.
The dog can sleep under the covers every night.
Humans must ask permission to sleep under the covers with the dog.

From “My Dog is the World’s Best Dog” by Suzy Becker.

I love mail. It is really exciting is when it comes to me via the US Postal Service – sealed, stamped, delivered. I received a lovely letter signed “Dog Cat” (two different signatures, so I know it is authentic). These two creatures described their lives with the human companion over a period of five years. They tell me in the early stages everything was perfect. New home, new beds, new toys, and new experiences every day. Many of us can remember those days.

Then, they say things took a turn for the worse:
“In essence, our lives as pets have become pretty boring. We lay around, hoping that our human companion will reconnect with us, live a more joyful rich life with us, and get the most out of having us around. But, it hasn’t happened yet. That’s where you come in.”

That got my attention! They sent me a new book to read, Cat Lover’s Daily Companion, in hopes that I, as a very respected cat (thank-you very much) might ask their human to purchase for them so the spark can get back in their relationship. After reading this wonderful book, I am not only recommending it to their human, but to all of your humans as well.

Cat Lover’s Daily Companion is a richly bound high quality book written by Kristen Hampshire, Iris Bass, and Lori Paximadis, containing 365 Days of Insight and Guidance for Living a Joyful Life with Your Cat, brought to you by Quarry Books, members of the Quayside Publishing Group. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention there is a Dog Lover’s Daily Companion as well, but I have not read it. I would expect it to be just as delightful for dogs and their humans. Note to Dog and Cat: If your human happens to get the 2 books mixed up, your day may be a little more adventurous than you had anticipated.

The authors advise on best use of the book. Of course many will be compelled to read the book cover-to-cover as my staff did. But the real impact for both humans and pets comes about if they use the book as a daily reminder. The cat lover’s year is brilliantly formatted with days of the week and a weekends section. 365 days! All you have to do is make sure the book is readily available to your humans, lest they forget. Drag, push, or scoot it so it is within site. Do not overdue and become annoying. Always provide extra purrs and snuggles to show your delight. It’s a win-win situation.

Daily examples:

1. Mondays – understanding your cat’s needs – example: Cat-Proof Your Home – don’t panic, it is for, not against
2. Tuesdays – engaging cat tales – example: The Idiomatic Cat – concepts to remember
3. Wednesdays – explore feline health – example: What You Can Catch from Your Cat – are you intrigued?
4. Thursdays – ideas for cat-friendly home, crafts, and house tips – example: The Apartment Cat – never once does it suggest you have to do the dishes
5. Fridays – Introduction to cat breeds – example: Oriental Longhair – you may find your looks are not the most unique, but you are still adorable
6. Weekends – bonding, relationship building, and special occasions – example: A Cat’s Role in the Wedding – Oh, dear!

In my opinion, the best use of this book is for new pet- human relationships. Everyone starts out by falling in love with a puppy or kitty, but then many do not know what to do with them. I know, sad but true. If you are giving the gift of a pet, which is only recommended in very special circumstances, present this book as well. May your daily read and practice become addicting.

Your friend,
Fisher

For daily giggles, sign up to have I CAN HAS CHEESEBURGER delivered to your email. Enjoy!

Your friend,
Fisher