Spring Pet Care Tips!

"Hey, whatcha' doin' in there?" Nosey asked, scratching on the closed bathroom door. "Cleaning," I replied. "Can I come in?" she asked, scratching harder and whining. "It is 'may I come in,' and no, you can't." "Why?" she howled. "Because I'm using harsh chemicals and you're not allowed to be around them." "Why?" she whimpered. "Because you are a puppy and you get into everything and I'm keeping you safe." Spring is here and it is time for cleaning the house, getting the garden planted and celebrating Easter and Passover. So, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind pet owners to be mindful of their animal companion's safety this season. While you are spring cleaning keep cleaning supplies out of the reach of your pets. Store them in secure cabinets, far away from your pets food and treats. While you are cleaning, put your pets in a separate room so that they can't inadvertently drink out of a bucket of soapy water or get squirted with window cleaner. This goes for dogs and cats as well as caged birds and pocket pets such as hamsters and gerbils. Caustic fumes can cause these tiny creatures harm. When you are getting ready to clean, take up your pet's food and water bowls. If you can't move fish tanks, take special precautions not to use aerosols in the same room. A great trick is to put plastic wrap over top of the aquarium for the short time it takes for you to clean in that room. Don't leave it there for long, but it will keep the water from becoming contaminated. When you are washing windows or installing screens for the season, be especially careful to contain your pets. Dogs, cats and ferrets are curious and can escape in the few moments that a window is open and your back is turned. A fall can cause serious injury. If you have birds, make sure that they are securely in their cages. I can't tell you how many times I have heard of pet birds taking the opportunity to fly out the window never to be seen again. Pet birds are very vulnerable outdoors to predators. They also don't have the skills to fend for themselves and many who are lost starve or die of thirst. This is the time of year when pets like to be outdoors, so make certain that dogs and cats have good fitting collars with your up-to-date contact information on the tags. You might also invest in getting them micro-chipped. It is the start of flea, tick and mosquito season, so check with your veterinarian to start up a preventative regimens. Gardening is fraught with hazards for pets. Try to be as organic in your gardening activities as possible, avoiding the use of pesticides and herbicides. There are many alternatives to harsh poisons, so check with your lawn and garden center for pet-friendly products. Many bulbs are poisonous, so keep them out of paw's reach or avoid them altogether when planning your garden. Some examples of toxic bulbs are daffodils, Easter lilies, morning glories and rhododendrons. Eye injuries can be caused by thorny plants such as roses. The popular cocoa mulch should be avoided as it can be ingested and is harmful to pets. You'll also want to be careful when planting spinach, rhubarb, onions and garlic. These can cause severe gastrointestinal problems and even death if eaten by pets. During Easter and Passover celebrations, keep pets away from chocolate and especially the artificial grass used in Easter baskets. Spring is a wonderful time of year. Make it safe for your whole family by doing just a little planning ahead. For more pet care tips, visit www.marsiesmenagerie.com. If you have any ideas for future stories please contact Marsie Hall Newbold at marsolete@insightbb.com.

Our Indeterminate Duration...

Last week, the day I had hoped would never come, did. Our darling dog, Nipper died. Tom and I are broken-hearted, though we are comforted by knowing that we gave him a long, wonderful life and did everything humanly possible at the end.

When we first picked Nipper up at the breeder 15 ½ years ago, I remember holding him on my lap when Tom wrote out the check. I looked at his dear little puppy face and thought, “I don’t love you yet, I don’t even know you, but I know where this is going to go. So now, I am going to promise you that I will love you for the rest of your life and give you the best care possible. And when the end comes, I promise that I will make the hard decisions in your best interest, no matter how badly it hurts me.”

We fulfilled that promise…

Our family and friends have rallied to our side with love and support. Nipper had lots of friends, even a little fan club made up of the children who live on our street. Every day the mail brings more sympathy cards. We could not ask for more.

Tom and I do not have human children. Nipper was our “child” as much as it was possible. We took him everywhere, even on special doggie friendly vacations. He gave gifts on holidays and we always signed his name and drew a paw print on any greeting cards or letters we sent. On his 15th birthday in June, we threw a special birthday party and invited all of his canine and human pals. I baked a three-tied birthday cake and decorated it with salami, hot dogs and bacon. The dogs drank from my Mother’s sterling silver punch bowl. Tom and I had a saying, “You are my darling, I am your darling and Nipper is our darling.”

Last week we acquired a puppy, a Basset Hound named Nosey Anne. This was not to replace Nipper, but to fill a puppy sized hole in our hearts. We decided to get her to help us to move on, as an affirmation that love is our greatest renewable resource and to keep us busy as we grieve our loss. The truth is, it is hard to lie about and weep when you have a wiggly, active, 8-week-old puppy clowning around, tripping over her own ears and needing to be let out. Her silky fur has soaked up many of my tears. I think of holding her as “Warm Puppy Therapy.”

The loss of a pet leaves a hole in our lives that never truly goes away. Other pets may come into our lives, but those unique bonds are never broken. We never really say goodbye. Memories are bittersweet, but as the days, weeks, months and years go by, we form new ones. Instead of crying when we remember something fun we did with another pet, we find ourselves laughing.

Many years ago I clipped a quote from the newspaper and taped it inside my prayer book. Unfortunately, I did not write down the name of the person who wrote it, so I hope they will forgive me for that. It holds a great deal of meaning to me and I offer it to all of us who are suffering the loss of a much loved pet of any species:

“Bless you for your devotion, bless you for your canine commitment to remain with me, if not for days without end, then at least for our indeterminate duration.”

Facing Pet Loss?

Dr. Stan Szotek, D.V.M., owner of Faithful Companion Pet Cremation Services says, “Sadly, we usually outlive our pets. Their lifespans are never long enough. In most case, we have to make a decision to euthanize. It is important for people to realize that this is a very serious and loving decision.”

He says that when a pet is aged or very ill it is very important to get good, solid advice from your veterinarian about what is going to happen.

“The most common question I get from my clients,” he says, “Is, how do I know when it is the “right” time? You as the owner live with your pets, you can see the changes. Do they still like to eat and play? If they have lost their appetites and their spark for play and just lie around, they are telling you something. Their life is becoming quite a struggle.”

The problem, he believes is that owners actually can see it, but they want not to believe it is real. But as a loving owner if they are not doing those three things you have to question if your little friend is happy.

Grief, he counsels, is an individual thing. “People who love pets need to have them around,” he says. “At some point, you will need to get another pet. So many times people feel as though by getting a new one they are somehow betraying their old one. That is not the case. In a certain respect, you are honoring that pet by getting a new one.”

Faithful Companion Pet Cremation Services
11815 Highway Drive
Suite 700
Sharonville, OH 45241
(513) 733-1900
www.faithfulcompanion.com

Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens!!!!

My friend Jenny Durbin keeps fancy show chickens as pets. Today I went to her house and played with them.

As a "city-girl" I had never held a chicken before. They are soft and even, dare I say, cuddly. You can sit and hold a chicken on your lap and it will coo and snuggle sort of like a dog or a cat. Who knew? One even laid an egg while I was there! It was magical holding an egg straight from the hen! It was all warm from her little body... Tonight I'm going to cook it for Tom!

My next "Marsie's Menagerie" column in the Community Press papers is going to be about Jenny's chickens. Perhaps you'll be inspired to build a coop of your own!

Until then...cock-a-doodle-do!!!!!!

Move Over, Benji... Nipper is a TV STAR!!!!!!

Nipper with Sheila Gray!

Nipper meets Rob Williams!

The ingredients all laid out and ready to go!

Nipper with Tracey Johnson!

Nipper and his very own "Mama Rose"... ;)

It really happened! Nipper made his television debut on FOX19's new morning program, "FOX19 Morning News Extra" on Tuesday, December 21st, and as dedicated "stage-parents," Tom and I couldn't be prouder. That little black and barely white fuzzy faced guy did his Mommy and Daddy proud, chowing down on those dog biscuits like nobody's business!

I demonstrated how to bake "Nipper's Favorite Chicken Liver Dog Cookies" along with the help of Tracey Johnson, the new co-anchor. (For all those who haven't met her yet, she's a delight!)

Doing cooking demonstrations is fraught with possible catastrophes. I've done dozens, yet once forgot the eggs for a demo at a library. It made it kind of difficult to make "Birdie Bread Waffles" as my big finish. *Sigh!* All those successful presentations and that is the only one I still think of first.

The hardest part is the prep-work, choosing a recipe, making lists, measuring everything out and putting it in cups and ramekens so all you have to do is dump everything into bowls, etc. Then, you have to make a finished product so you can show the audience how the dish is supposed to look. If this is for a morning news program and you want to serve something hot so the interviewers and crew can taste-test, this might mean getting up at 3 a.m. or even staying up all night so that everything is timed out perfectly. Thank goodness "Nipper's Favorite Chicken Liver Dog Cookies" can be made the night or even days before and don't have to be served warm!

Well, enough rambling... Needless to say, the whole thing went off without a hitch and Nipper's extended fan club gave him rave reviews. His eating technique was impeccable and his timing...awesome!

That's our boy!!!!!

Peanut Butter Doggie Biscuits Earn Rave Reviews! Nipper Gives Them Two Dewclaws Up!!!

Nipper getting caught with his head in the cookie jar.

I made peanut butter dog cookies today and Nipper couldn't be happier. Here's the recipe:

Marsie's Menagerie Peanut Butter Doggie Biscuits

(Makes about 2 dozen depending on the size of your cookie cutters)

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup water
• Cooking spray

Method

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
• Combine ingredients in a large mixing bowl. (I do it with my hands and wear non-latex medical gloves.)
• Mix until ingredients form a ball.
• Roll out on a floured surface (about 1/4 inch thickness).
• Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
• Place cookies on cookie sheet and place in oven.
• Bake for 25 minutes and cool on rack.

BONE APPETIT!!!!!!

I Died and Went to Doggie Heaven! Guess What? It Looks a Lot Like Mt. Adams!!!

Well, it finally happened... I officially died and went to doggie heaven at the 20th Annual Mt. Adams Reindog Parade yesterday. I was asked to represent "Marsie's Menagerie" as judge for the "Best Owner/Dog Look-a-like" category.

The Reindog Parade is truly one of the greatest events in the city of Cincinnati. Everyone there is happy and smiling; proudly showing off their dogs (who are dressed to the nines in holiday attire) and very chatty! It is a great big dog party and people are at their best. (If not goofiest.) I have always believed that dogs are an extension of their owners and taking them out is like walking your heart on a leash. The hills of Mt. Adams were truly awash in furry love.

All days should be as happy as Reindog Parade Day. Too bad it only happens once a year...

Why I Am The Way I Am...

MEXICO

TURTLE

My goldfish died last week. It’s not the first time this has happened or will it be the last. As I pressed the handle and flushed him/her to that great aquarium in the sky, I thought back on how my mother handled these situations when I was a child. Back then, I had dozens and dozens of fish and turtles, those types of pets that tend to give up the ghost on a regular basis; so I just know that she had to have been a mighty deperate woman.

Then as now, I was a great big drama queen. Age has only given me the gift of restraint, but believe you me, I feel it just the same. When I was a kid, I had no filters. That’s not to say that I can’t pitch a big old hissy-fit now and then, but I reserve them for the passing of warm-blooded creatures with fur. There’s a big difference and you have to draw the line somewhere.

One of the biggest lies that my mother told me was to stave off a “State Funeral” over my turtle Speedy Gonzales when I was five years old. I went to feed him and his bowl-mate “Slow Poke Slugger” and Speedy was gone. Now I was never the greatest at math, but I certainly grasped the concept that one was less than two. I checked under the plastic palm tree and on the table around the bowl. Getting down on my hands and scabby little knees I checked the floor. Realizing that he was well and truly gone, I shrieked so loudly that my mother had to think fast.

“Oh, Marsie…,” she said sorrowfully, “Speedy Gonzales is gone.”

“Gone?” I asked, wide-eyed, my chubby little chin beginning to quiver.

“Yes, gone.” She sighed dramatically for emphasis.

“Your Daddy and I found his shell in front of the kitchen door this morning.”

“His shell?”

“Yes, he ran away and the only way he could fit under the door was to take his shell off and leave it behind.”

Even at that tender age I had enough sense about me to not believe that a turtle could remove his shell. “

How could he do that?”

“Well, I don’t know, but he did,” she replied, summoning all of her “I’m the mother and know everything” authority.

She followed me into the kitchen where I was busily examining the small sliver of space between the door and the floor.

“He left a note,” she continued, lying through her teeth, probably hoping against hope that I wouldn't ask to see the evidence.

“It said that he was sorry, but he had to go home and visit his family in Mexico.”

“But what is he going to do without his shell?” I wondered.

“It’s warm in Mexico,” she said with a perfectly straight face, “So turtles don’t need to wear them there.”

That’s where my memory fades. Something tells me that Speedy Gonzales died and my parents found him first. But to make sure I’m going to Google “Naked Mexican Turtles.”

You just never know…