Mad About Pets!

Barbara Lampert and Charlie

Thank you so much for hosting me on your site. I love its name, Mad About Pets – it’s perfect!

You asked me to talk about Charlie, my Golden Retriever who is the subject of my dog memoir Charlie: A Love Story, about the impact he had on my family, and about what living with any dog means to a family. Great topics – and fun to think about!

I love all dogs and have all my life. I’ve had a number of them, at one point four dogs and two cats, which was paradise! Mostly I’ve had Golden Retrievers, whom I just adore. For me they’re the perfect family dog: smart, very playful, and endowed with an abundant emotional intelligence that makes them very sensitive to people’s needs and wants. They love people, adults and children, and other dogs, so they fit easily into a family. But because of these wonderful qualities, don’t look to the Golden Retriever to be a great watchdog! If you want protection, I suggest almost any other breed.

Because dogs are pack animals, the family group is perfect for them, one most of them love and can enhance. Most dogs love unconditionally, are enthusiastic and joyful, love to play, are loyal, can be made happy by the simplest of things, live in the moment, and prefer being close to nature – in their essence, they remind us about what’s important in life. These qualities of these very special beings are great gifts for a family.

Charlie brought these gifts and more. Starting when he was very young and throughout his life, what he wanted most was to be with his family and in his house. That meant everything to him, far more than being out and about. Sometimes when Charlie and I would be out walking, he’d decide we’d gone far enough. So he’d sit down and not budge until I capitulated and said we were going home. He’d then stand, tail wagging energetically, and walk to his home.

Charlie was extremely empathetic, had an uncanny ability to tune in. I always felt understood by him. Lots of people did. So many times I’d hear other people say, “He seems almost human…It’s like having another person around.” Charlie was very grounded and solid. No jumping and barking unnecessarily, no shaking or pulling when we went to the vet. There was a calmness about him which he carried with him always, even through a number of very difficult circumstances. In the words of Fran Lewis, a reviewer on Goodreads:

“Charlie had a special glow, energy, strength that most of us wish we had in times of illness, strife and stress… He truly lived his life to the fullest.”

Charlie brought all this to our family, and to me. He was easy to be with, a Buddha, no matter what was going on. Problems for Charlie were like gnats going by. He’d get through them calmly and then bounce out of them with joy, at times doing much better than before the problem happened. He was like this for his entire life – every single year and every single minute. He was exemplary. Even just after a surgery or other serious health event, there he’d be, raring to go after having encountered what many dogs probably would not have pulled out of. Charlie taught us to forge ahead, no matter what. He was a master, indomitable.

His whole life Charlie also had a wonderful sense of humor. When something he did made people laugh, I could see him actually be pleased with himself. One of his nicknames, given to him by our housekeeper, was “Funny Charlie.” To this day, when I think of Charlie, I smile.

Let me tell you about a few of his funny ways. Charlie threw his paw high in the air when he wanted something, usually to be petted. For such a large dog, that was the cutest behavior. And if I sat on the floor cross-legged, Charlie (all one hundred pounds of him) would back up like a truck, plop himself backwards into my lap, and then turn his head and, with a big smile, look at me. Of course I’d be laughing as he did this.

And then sometimes I’d lie on the floor with my knees raised, to rest my back, and as soon as Charlie saw me doing that, he’d come over and lie across me, actually pinning me down, again with that great big grin on his face. I’d be laughing hysterically and usually would need help to get him off of me. He was so proud of that behavior. Of course, because Charlie saw me laughing so hard at things he’d do, that would encourage him to keep on doing them. Even when Charlie didn’t feel well, it was sometimes difficult to know that, because his sense of humor seemed to override everything.

Charlie was an old soul, yet one who acted like a puppy all his life. He was generous of himself, giving so much to me and to our whole family. His character made him a central grounding figure in our family. Even now, I still ask myself, “What would Charlie do?” And I think Charlie’s beautiful, wise, and very solid character contributed to his long life.

Charlie served as an example of how to live. He was an extraordinary being. Who lived an extraordinary life. And ours was an extraordinary relationship I feel blessed to have shared with him.

Betty White once said, and I wholeheartedly agree: “Once someone has had the good fortune to share a true love affair with a Golden Retriever, one’s life and one’s outlook are never quite the same again. A warm afterglow remains that lasts a lifetime.”

All my dogs have given me the feeling of being a part of a wonderful family, Charlie maybe more than most. But then again, dogs are family for me.

Again, thank you!

And happy reading to all!

Barbara Lampert is the author of "Charlie: A Love Story" and a psychotherapist specializing in relationships. She lives in Malibu, California. Her passion is dogs.

Mad About Pets' review of "Charlie: A Love Story" can be found here.

It's a fact: most kids love animals, and most kids love helping animals. Why not foster that love for animals early by helping your child support their local animal shelter? Here are three fun and creative ways your child can help animals in need.

Photo credit: thelastresortrescue.com

Most kids already have way too much stuff. The last thing they need is another action figure or doll! Use your child's birthday party as an opportunity to teach him/her "it is better to give than receive" by asking party attendees to provide gifts for the shelter animals rather than gifts for the birthday boy/girl. Contact your local animal shelter to see which supplies are most needed (towels, detergent, food, toys, etc.), and provide a list of those items on the birthday invitation. Some bigger shelters even have a party room to hold birthday events! Your child will be very proud when they deliver all the animal gifts to the shelter, and may even get a feature on the shelter's website thanking them.

Photo credit: my.hsj.org

There's nothing wrong with a little healthy competition, especially when it helps out animals in need! Contact your child's school administrator to see about hosting a pet supply drive. To give it a little extra incentive, make it a classroom competition. Whichever class raises the most donations wins! You could also consider a "Can the Principal" type of drive, where pet food donations are placed in the principal's office with the goal of accumulating so many items the principal temporarily loses his office (for a good cause, of course!)

Photo credit: freepik.com

Somehow kids manage to amass a small army of stuffed animals at an alarming rate. Encourage your child to pick out a few meaningful favorites, and donate the rest to the dogs at your local shelter. Many dogs enjoy carrying around stuffed toys, and even cuddle with them in their pen at the shelter! Make sure you contact your local shelter to ensure they accept this sort of donation before you go herding up bags of plushies, though. It's also best to wash stuffed animals with an unscented detergent and thoroughly dry them before offering them up for donation. Kids might be sad to see some of their stuffed toys go, but they'll be glad to know their old teddy might be keeping a lonely shelter pup company.

Teaching your kids to support shelter animals at an early age will help them learn more about pet adoption and  the importance of practicing kindness to those (both human and animal) in need.

Many parents come to fear the moment their precious children ask for a pet. Not only does this bring on the endless begging from your doe-eyed little bundles of joy, but it also brings visions of filthy hamster cages, puppy chewed shoes, and potential vet bills. Even for those of us who adore animals and wish to have a family pet at some point, the decision to get a pet for your young child is never a simple one. Pets can play an endlessly important role in your family structure. Pets instill lessons in responsibility, provide beautiful opportunities for entertainment, and are simply wonderful additions to a household at times. However, the choice of what pet to get and when to get it should be made carefully and as an entire family unit. When considering a first time pet for the young children in your household, consider these three animals are wise and safe choices.

Photo credit: themomcrowd.com

For many, a family may not feel entirely complete without perpetually hairy furniture and a wagging tail to greet you when you get home. Dogs are a classic choice as the family pet. Of course, dogs are one animal that requires a large amount of care and consideration, making it not necessarily the best choice for very young children. But, if your heart is set on getting a puppy for your youngster, there are a few particular breeds that can be easier to care for than others. Before running out and getting the cutest puppy you can find, you want to evaluate your household structure. Who will be the primary caretaker of the dog? Where will the dog go in the house? What will the dog do throughout the day? These are all things that should be considered. If you evaluate things and find that a dog suits your family well, next you want to find the right breed. Research what breeds have the right energy levels, temperament, and common care needs that will work for you. Larger breed dogs are often considered better choices for young children both because they can put of with the children handling them more easily and because they tend to be friendlier with small kids. If a dog is too much responsibility for your family and youngsters at this time, there are many other starter pets that can be great fits for first time pet owners.

Photo Credit: sharpmoms.com

The goldfish is a classic option as a child's first pet. The goldfish requires relatively little maintenance, but is a great way to give your child some responsibility. They will have to feed the fish each day and keep the tank clean regularly. It's important to consider the initial costs of getting a fish. While the fish itself is typically very inexpensive, setting up a nice tank with rocks, plants, and a pump (if needed) can add up more than you might expect. These are all things that have to be maintained carefully and will require adult supervision when caring for during cleaning. It's typically smart to get at least two goldfish so that they can keep each other happy, and you should know that they can live up to 25 years (woah!).

Photo Credit: thepetscentral.com

Hamsters can be a great choice for a child's first pet. For many of us, the hamster was our first pet as children. They are little fluff balls of cuddle—adorable and very easy to care for. Like goldfish, hamsters are very small so they do not take up a lot of space inside your home to take care of. Hamsters can also be very sociable and fun once they get used to your family and being handled. There are, however, a few things that parents should keep in mind before getting a hamster for their youngster. Hamsters are nocturnal. This means that they will likely not be very playful or active during the daytime when your kids will want to play with them. This also means that they will be active and playful at night, which can be somewhat noisy. This is something to keep in mind when you are finding a place keep their cage at bedtime. Also, because hamsters are so small, they are also rather delicate. Very young children may handle them improperly and end up injuring them. It may be wise to get a pet hamster when your children are old enough to understand how to handle an animal carefully. Hamsters have a relatively short lifespan, living up to around two years.

The old wives' tale that cats sometimes maliciously kill newborn babies by sucking out their breath has been around since at least 1607. How is it possible that more than 400 years later, some people still believe the story has merit? It's difficult to fathom, but many people still give up their cats when they find out they have a baby on the way.

This is not only unnecessary, it can cause grief, both for the cat, and the ones who love it. Before you give up your feline friend in favor of your baby, take a look at the myth, the things you really need to be concerned about, and how to keep harmony in your home with both a cat and a newborn baby.


Cats and babies can live in harmony Photo credit: blisstree.com

The Myth

Think about it for a moment. How could a cat possibly suck the breath out of a baby's lungs? It's physically impossible as any reputable pediatrician or veterinarian will tell you. Not only that, the cat has no motivation to do such a thing, even if it could. While there is a possibility your cat may experience some jealousy when you bring your new baby home, he's unlikely to take it out on the baby in such a violent way.

The Real Risks

More than expressing feelings of jealousy, your cat may feel the need to defend its territory from this little interloper in the crib. The most likely way he's going to do this is by urinating in the crib. It's called "marking," and nearly all cats—both male and female—do it if they feel their turf is being encroached upon. A cat may also urinate someplace besides the litter box if they feel stressed, and bringing a new baby home can certainly be a source of stress for other members of the household, including your pets.

A greater risk is, in fact, suffocation, but it's not intentional. As a cat owner, you know your furry friend likes to cuddle up against you to sleep. Doing this provides both warmth and security. But a cat doesn't know that a baby is vulnerable, and can possibly snuggle up against the baby's face, impeding its breathing. A newborn that can't yet turn its head will have no way defense against a cuddling cat. Remember that this danger is just as prevalent with pillows, or too many blankets or stuffed animals in the crib.

The Better Solutions

You don't have to give your cat away. Behavior issues may occur from time to time. It's all part of owning a pet, and addressing those issues is part of being a responsible pet owner. For some people, the immediate response is to try to give the cat pet meds, like sedatives, to calm the cat and stop the marking behavior. This may be a viable treatment, but it's likely a last resort. Only your vet can determine whether your cat needs any medication. Before you go that route, try a few other solutions.

Properly introducing your cat to the baby is essential Photo credit: essentialbaby.com.au

Introduce Your Cat to the Baby

When you first get home with the baby, take a few minutes to give your cat some uninterrupted one-on-one time. Play with her, pet her, give her a treat, cuddle her if she tolerates it. Let her know she's important to you.

Your cat will naturally be curious about the newcomer. While you're holding the baby, allow your cat to approach, sniff, and generally check things out. The more you try to keep them apart, the greater lengths your cat will go to in order to get a peek at the weird, noisy thing, including possibly jumping into the crib or onto the changing table, possibly startling or scratching the baby without meaning to. Let her see the baby, and get used to the new scent. Chances are, she'll become bored pretty quickly, and move on to other things.

As your baby grows, remember to keep the kitty safe, too. Babies will be just as curious as cats, and will want to grab and pull at their tails, ears, and fur, or poke their shiny eyes. This can provoke the cat to scratch or bite to defend itself. It's up to you to keep them both safe, and as he grows, teach your child to respect your pet.

Make time to play one-on-one with kitty Photo credit: rextalkingdog.com

Keep The Cat Out of The Crib

You'll undoubtedly set the crib up well in advance of bringing the baby home. In the meantime, don't let the cat sleep in it. A crib can be a nice hiding place for kitty, but don't let him start thinking it's his territory or you run the risk of him coming in to mark it when he finds a baby in there.

Make Time For Kitty

A new baby will demand nearly all your attention. But try to make a few minutes every day for your cat. Most cats are very independent, but this doesn't mean they do well being completely ignored. They still need attention and care.

Try not to let your hectic baby-feeding schedule cause you to forget to fill up the cat's food and water dishes. Above all, make sure you're keeping the litter box clean. Letting it get out of hand because you're short on time is a sure way to cause the cat to start urinating in other places, like the sofa or your bed.

With a little planning, some education, and a lot of patience, you can bring your baby home to a loving family that includes your beloved cat.

Jackie is a writer for 1-800-PetMeds and loves to help and support the pet community. You can follow PetMeds on Twitter or connect with PetMeds on Facebook.

From the Dane County Humane Society:

Registration opens February 1, 2010. Spots are limited and fill quickly so don't forget to register early!


For more information on Camp Pawprint click here.

Looking for something to do over spring break? Check out Club Whiskers!

From the Dane Co. Humane Society:

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Club Whiskers is a one week spring break day camp! Campers enjoy a fun-filled, animal-filled, and laugh-filled camp! Activities could include an animal-trivia scavenger hunt, “adopting” and caring for a shelter animal for the week, and learning how to “speak” to different types of animals without using your voice. All campers also spend time interacting with our camp animals, learn about their care, and get hands-on experience providing their daily care and socialization. Animals used in the camp program vary daily and are approved by our behavior department.

Sessions
Camp meets 9am-3pm Monday through Friday each week.
March 29 - April 2 (Ages 7-11)
April 5 - April 9 (Ages 7-11)

Fees
$165 - DCHS Members (If you are a current member of DCHS)
$200 - Become a Member (Includes the cost of one $35 year membership, and the discounted member price of camp)
$225 - Non-member (If you are not currently a member, or choose not to become a member)

Registration
Registration for Club Whiskers 2010 began December 1, 2009. Spots are very limited, so register early!
Click here to register.

Questions?
For more information, contact the Shelter Educator at esteinwehe@giveshelter.org.

Do your kids love to bowl? Does your family want a fun way to support the Dane County Humane Society? Then sign your children up (age 7 and older) for the Pins for Pets fundraiser being held at multiple Badgerland Bowling Centers throughout Dane County on December 6! Just collect a minimum of $50.00 in sponsorships from friends and family and receive:

-3 games of bowling
-Pizza and beverages
-a chance to win great prizes!

Those with the three highest sponsorships at each location and the top bowlers in each age group will win prizes! The kid who raises the most overall money in sponsorships will win a Nintendo Wii. All proceeds go directly to helping the many homeless animals at Dane County Humane Society. The event will take place from 12:00pm-3:00pm.

Registration is due Monday, November 23, 2009  Tuesday, December 1, 2009 so make sure you sign up ASAP! To register contact Cory Neeley at 608) 838-0413 ext. 118 or cneeley@giveshelter.org .

Click here for more information, to download a pledge sheet, and for participating bowling centers.

Two winners from each grade level will be selected to receive a supply of pet products. Their classroom will also receive a $1000 scholarship to help further pet-related education.

The clock is ticking, so kids....happy writing! Check out the website for all the contest details.