Dear Fisher,
I love summertime and the road trips I take with my family, but sometimes I cause a few problems for them and I need advice. It’s the same routine every time. We are all excited about the trip. Usually I am the one bouncing up and down and getting the most excited. I am in and out of the house “supervising” the packing of the car and making sure there is no chance I get left behind. I get more pets and scratches because I am pretty much in the way and they don’t seem to care. I love that!
Then, about three or four hours into the trip, it happens. All of a sudden my stomach just turns and “oops and AAAAAAARRF” and now I made a mess in the back seat. I never have this problem on our short trips. What can I do?
Goofy
Dear Goofy,
Thanks to the remarkable description of your problem, I can fully understand your concern. The solution is really quite simple, but you will have to get your family in on it.
It is very common for humans to overcompensate for any possible missed meal times you may encounter while traveling long distances. They only want the best for you – whether you ask for it or not. Their solution is usually to load you up with an extra big breakfast just before that early break away out of town. This process naturally disrupts your own normal intake and output, if you know what I mean. The timing and the excitement add to the problem, although those should not be changed.
Somehow you will need to refrain from eating up everything they put in front of you and concentrate more on preparing for your trip. Here are a few suggestions:
• Check directly with the hotel you are staying at to make sure they accept pets.
• Also check on Emergency Veterinary Clinics in the area to which you are headed.
• Make sure you have all the required vaccinations and take your papers!
• Make arrangements for car travel safety, i.e. sudden stop protection.
• Never EVER let anyone leave you alone in a hot car!
Find out more great information at Pets Welcome. They have lots of ideas on travel and lodging.
Remember now - just a small snack plus all the excitement is plenty to get you through at least the first four hours. Your people will definitely get more involved with your plan when they see the remarkable difference in the back seat.
Your friend,
Fisher
published in tbt Tampa Bay Out There weekend edition
Dear Fisher,
I’m a pretty big dog, and I love to go for car rides. But, now, they are teaching me new rules. I have to keep my head inside the window and I have to sit in the back seat. How can I make them go back to the old habits?
Lou
Dear Lou,
Your humans are absolutely right to change the rules – it is for your own safety. Let’s start with the basics. When you are riding along with your head out of the window, the danger of debris in the air can cause a lot of harm to your eyes and even your ears. Anything that is in the air is going to hit you at the speed the vehicle is moving. Imagine, a small twig aimed at your eye at 50 miles an hour! Riding in the back of a pick-up truck or in a convertible is even more dangerous. Showing the whites of your eyes and looking cute as a ploy to get your humans to give you what you want will not work if your eyes are badly damaged, or even poked out! So, do not feel foolish when the car pulled up next to you sports a little fluffy dog who laughs at you and your confinement.
A small speck of dust or a miniscule bug flying through the air at high speed could cause a serious eye infection. If your folks allow you to stick your head out there, they need to diligently monitor you for any redness, tearing, or any changes to your eyes. If that happens, they should get you to the vet as soon as possible!
Of course it is tough to learn new rules, but the safety for you and your people is important. It is widely known that the safest place for a pet is in the back seat of the car. A sudden stop, or an accident, could throw you right through the front window. Or, if you happened to slip off the front seat and start to tumble, you could fall under the steering wheel, right on top of the gas pedal or get mixed up with the brakes. Even an air bag going off could do a lot of damage. Now there’s an accident waiting to happen!
Our friends at PAW, The Partnership for Animal Welfare, have published an extensive list of good tips for dog car safety:
- * Make sure your collar cannot slip off when entering or exiting the car and keep your I.D.. tag with an easily accessible number, such as your cell phone number, attached to it.
* Airbags can pose hazards to smaller people and pets.
* An unrestrained pet can interfere with driving and become a hazardous projectile in the event of an accident or sudden stop. Your could injure a passenger or even knock out the driver!
* Crates or sturdy pet carriers are an ideal way to restrain pets in cars, and should be secured, or, install a pet barrier to keep pets in the back seat.
* Keep just a small window space open - dogs can make themselves very skinny in order to escape through a window, even in a moving vehicle.
* Secure the dog so that he cannot hit buttons for electric windows, adjustable mirrors, etc. There goes your fun and games!
So, I guess I can’t help you get things back to the old ways, but I sure can give you some things to think about. Humans take great care to keep their little kids in car seats and obey all sorts of auto safety laws. Doesn’t it make you feel pretty good to know you are just as important?
Your friend,
Fisher
Dear Fisher,
Cat to cat, I need help. Spring has sprung and I am about to be unsprung. There is talk around here that I need to have an operation. I think it is called something like neutering.
Do you believe that I will be affected to the point of becoming less of a cat and that my attractiveness will be compromised by this procedure? I must admit to being a very vain cat and all things considered what are my options here?
Cory
Dear Cory,
Vanity is one of the most universal cat personality traits. After all, so many of your ancestors were gods and goddesses, creatures honored among kings and serfs alike. You are, for all practical purposes, dignified and regal.
The phrase, “Spring is in the Air” is almost synonymous with the phrase, “Love is in the Air”. The combination of your youthful age and the onset of springtime has probably propelled your people into thinking action is required. With medical modernization, changes in attitude regarding spay/neuter of animals is really in your favor.
Susan Little, DVM, explained in her article “Early Spay/Neuter in the Cat”, for the Winn Feline Foundation, “Early age altering refers to spays and neuters done between the age of 6 and 14 weeks. Altering pets between 5 and 7 months of age was established by tradition rather than for any specific medical reason. Years ago, when safe pediatric anesthetic techniques were not available, waiting until a patient was older increased the safety of surgery. But we no longer need to delay altering for this reason.”
Dr. Smith aptly states, “While surgical sterilization remains the most effective means of population control, delaying the surgery long enough for sexual maturity to occur defeats the purpose.” In other words, bad habits like spraying and early morning wailing may have already formed.
The American Humane Association endorses early neutering as a “feasible solution to decreasing pet overpopulation and the tragedy of resulting deaths.” The American Veterinary Medical Association supports the concept of early neutering. Many other animal rescue organizations are working vigorously to get the word out to all pet people.
Right here in the Tampa Bay area, SPOT, Stop Pet Overpopulation Together is continually working to solve this problem. Do you know that one cat or dog and their offspring can produce over 500 cats and dogs in one year? Wow, that is a lot of fur! But more importantly, it is a lot of homes to find, shelters to fund, and tears shed.
Now that you have some of the background, let us consider your options. SPOT recognizes some very neat behavioral and personality changes as a result of spay/neutering of pets:
•No more trying to escape to find a mate – make the ladies think you are playing hard to get
•No more fighting with other male cats – become a SNAG (Sensitive New Age Guy)
•No more howling all night – a “Yo Dawg!” from Randy, Paula will think you are adorable, and how about a thumbs up from Simon Cowell!
•No more spraying on the furniture – Hello fresh air!
•No need to mark your territory – much less worry and work, and much more time to nap
•No more paternity suits due to accidental litters! Peace in the neighborhood!
You and your humans must sign up, even if it does mean a little temporary discomfort to you. It is humane. You will survive. And, when you walk proudly among the enlightened, you WILL be admired.
Your friend,
Fisher
Dear Fisher,
Oh dear, oh dear! The young woman I live with just got a new job and she is really excited about it. She keeps looking at me like now we have to make some changes. What about Boots, she says. Well, what about me? I say.
Seems she will be traveling quite a lot. What do you think she should do about me?
Boots
Dear Boots,
Keep your mind on the upside of this new change. Think - new better job means new better snacks! Your human would probably not bring up the subject if it was going to be bad for you. The same critical thinking she used to get the good job is likely in play working things out at home.
In most cases, it is unacceptable for humans to take their pets on business trips. It is a great idea for a cat who loves to travel, but pitching an ad or going for a contract would just not be the same if you are in your carryall under the table whining because lunch is late. Finding a good pet sitter can be a great solution for you and your roommate.
You must first learn everything you can about your future pet sitter. Get references, and call them. If that person is dependable and dedicated to the task, you have found yourself a new friend. It is imperative for your human to know she can trust that person with you, your house, and your belongings. You must get fed, the littler box needs cleaning, and best of all, there should be plenty of time left over for some ball toss or catnip capering.
Remember that when a pet sitter is hired, it is a single person, not someone who is looking for a nice home to hold a family reunion. Your young woman should plan on a daily check-in. Short trips are recommended until everyone is satisfied with the arrangement.
There are many benefits for you and your caretaker when you hire a good pet sitter according to The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. All together, it is a winning combination for both of you.
• You get to stay at home in your own safe environment
• You are surrounded by all your familiar sights, scents, and sounds
• You can still have some quality playtime and human interaction
• If you really mess up, someone is responsible in case of an emergency
• She knows you are in caring, loving hands
• She has confidence that the pet sitter can deal with your grooming
• You two do no have to impose on family, friends or neighbors
• You should both feel home is more secure with someone visiting every day
The NAPPS has great advice on how to find, select, and interview a potential pet sitter and will also give you referrals. Consult your local phone book, or call them for assistance at Pet Sitters (800-296-PETS). If you know what to look for when hiring someone for this very important position, you are much more likely to make a good match. I will be fun to be the first cat on the block with a Nanny!
Your friend,
Fisher
