A Leash Above

Exceptional pet care under your "woof"...

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March is Pet Poison Prevention Month

POISONS

FOODS

PetPoisonsAlcoholic beverages, avocado, chocolate, coffee, fatty foods, macadamia nuts, moldy or spoiled foods, onions or onion powder, raisins or grapes, salt, yeast dough, garlic, products sweetened with xylitol.

MEDICATIONS

Ibuprofen, cold medications, diet pills, antidepressants, anticancer drugs and vitamins. Only give medications approved by your vet.

FLEA CONTROL

Always read labels. When flea-control products are used, problems can result. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, muscle tremors and seizures. Don’t use canine flea control products on cats. The ingredient permethrin can be deadly to cats.

PLANTS AND GARDENS

LilyPoison
Toxic to Cats: Adam-and-Eve, African Wonder Tree, Alocasia, Aloe, Amaryllis, Ambrosia Mexicana, American Bittersweet, American Holly, American Mandrake, American Yew, Andromeda Japonica, Angelica Tree, Apple, Apricot, Arrow-Head Vine, Arum, Arum Lily, Asian Lily, Asparagus Fern, Australian Ivy Palm, Australian Ivy Palm, Australian Pine, Autumn Crocus, Azalea, Baby Doll Ti Plant, Baby’s Breath, Barbados Aloe, Barbados Pride (and Pride 2), Bead Tree, Begonia, Bergamot Orange, Bird of Paradise, Bird’s Tongue Flower, Bishop’s Weed, Bitter Root, Black Calla, Black Laurel, Black Nightshade, Bobbins, Boxwood, Branching Ivy, Brazilwood, Bread and Butter Plant, Brunfelsia, Buckeye, Buckwheat, Buddhist Pine, Burning Bush, Buttercup, Caladium, Calamondin Orange, California Ivy, Calla Lily, Cape Jasmine, Cardboard Palm, Cardinal Flower, Carnation, Castor Bean Plant, Ceriman, Chamomile, Chandelier Plant, Charming Dieffenbachia, Cherry, Chinaberry Tree, Chinese Evergreen, Chinese Jade, Christmas Rose, Chrysanthemum, Clematis, Climbing Bittersweet, Climbing Lily, Climbing Nightshade, Clivia Lily, Coffee Tree, Coleus, Common Privet, Coontie Palm, Cordatum, Corn Plant, Cornstalk Plant, Cow parsnip, Cowbane, Cuckoo-pint, Cutleaf Philodendron, Cycads, Cyclamen, Daffodil, Dahlia, Daisy, Day Lilies, Deadly Nightshade, Desert Azalea, Desert Rose, Devil’s Backbone, Devils Ivy, Dieffenbachia, Dock, Dog Daisy, Dog Hobble, Dogbane Hemp, Dracaena, Dumbcane, Dwarf Poinciana, Easter Lily, Eastern Star, Elephant Ears, Emerald Feather, English Holly, English Ivy, English Yew, Eucalyptus, European Bittersweet, European Holly, Everlasting Pea, Exotica, False Bittersweet, False Queen Anne’s Lace, Feather Geranium, Fern Palm, Fetter Bush, Fetterbush, Fiddle-Leaf, Fig, Figwort, Fire Lily, Flag, Flamingo Flower, Fleabane, Florida Beauty, Florist’s Calla, Foxglove, Franciscan Rain Tree, Garden Calla, Garden Chamomile, Garden Hyacinth, Gardenia, Garlic, Geranium, Geranium-Leaf Aralia, Giant Dracaena, Giant Dumb Cane, Giant Hogweed, Glacier Ivy, Gladiola, Gloriosa Lily, Gold Dieffenbachia, Gold Dust Dracaena, Golden Birds Nest, Golden Pothos, Golden Ragwort, Good Luck Plant, Grapefruit, Grass Palm, Greater Ammi, Green Gold Naphthysis, Ground Apple, Groundsel, Hahn’s Self-Branching English Ivy, Hashish, Hawaiian Ti, Heartleaf Philodendron, Heavenly Bamboo, Hellebore, Hercules’ Club, Hibiscus, Hills of Snow, Holly, Horse Chestnut, Horsehead Philodendron, Horseweed, Hortensia, Hosta, House Pine, Hurricane Plant, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Impala Lily, Indian Apple, Indian Borage, Indian Hemp, Indian Pink, Indian Rubber Plant, Inkberry, Iris, Ivy Arum, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Jade Plant, Japanese Show Lily, Japanese Yew, Jerusalem Cherry, Jerusalem Oak, Jonquil, Kaffir Lily, Kalanchoe, Kiss-me-quick, Klamath Weed, Kudu Lily, Lace Fern, Lacy Tree Philodendron, Lady-of-the-night, Lantana, Larkspur, Laurel, Leatherflower, Leek, Lemon, Lenten Rose, Lily, Lily of the Palace, Lily of the Valley, Lily-of-the-Valley bush, Lime, Lobelia, Locust, Lord-and-Ladies, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Maidens Breath, Malanga, Maleberry, Marble Queen, Marijuana, Mauna Loa Peace Lily, Mayapple, Mayweed, Meadow Saffron, Medicine Plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Milfoil, Milkweed, Mistletoe, Mock Azalea, Mole Bean Plant, Morning Glory, Morning-Noon-and-Night, Moss Rose, Mother of Millions, Mother-in-Law, Mother-in-Law plant, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Mum, Naked Lady, Nandina, Narcissus, Needlepoint Ivy, Nephthytis, Nicotiana, Nightshade, Norfolk Island Pine, Octopus Tree, Oilcloth Flower, Oleander, Onion, Orange, Orange Day Lily, Oregon Holly, Ornamental Pepper, Pacific Yew, Painter’s Pallette, Palm Lily, Panda Plant, Paper White, Paraguayan Jasmine, Peace Lily, Peach, Peacock Flower, Pencil Cactus, Peony, Perennial Pea, Periwinkle, Philodendron Pertusum, Pie Plant, Pieris, Pig Lily, Pigtail Plant, Pinks, Plantain Lily, Plum, Plumosa Fern, Poinciana, Poinsettia, Poison Daisy, Poison Hemlock, Poison Parsnip, Portulaca, Pothos, Prayer Bean, Precatory Bean, Pride-of-India, Primrose, Privet, Purslane, Racemose asparagus, Ragwort, Ranger’s Button, Red Emerald, Red Lily, Red Princess, Red-Marginated Dracaena, Rhododendron, Rhubarb, Ribbon Plant, Ridderstjerne, Rock Moss, Roman Chamomile, Rose of China, Rose of Sharon, Rosebay, Rubrum Lily, Running Myrtle, Sabi Star, Sacred Bamboo, Saddle Leaf, Sago Palm, Satin Pothos, Schefflera, Seaside Daisy, Seven Bark, Shamrock Plant, Shatavari, Showy Daisy, Silver Dollar, Silver Jade Plant, Skunk Cabbage, Snake Lilly, Snake Plant, Solomon’s Lily, Sowbread, Spanish Thyme, Spindle Tree, Split-Lead Philodendron, Spotted Dumb Cane, Sprengeri Fern, Spring Parsley, St. John’s Wort, Staggerbush, Starch Root, Stargazer Lily, Starleaf, Stinking Chamomile, Straight-Margined Dracaena, Striped Dracaena, Superb Lily, Sweet Pea, Sweet Potato Vine, Sweet William, Sweetheart Ivy, Swiss Cheese Plant, Tail Flower, Taro, Taro Vine, Texas Umbrella Tree, Ti-Plant, Tiger Lily, Tobacco, Tomato Plant, Tree Philodendron, Tree Tobacco, Tropic Snow, True Aloe, Trumpet Lily, Tulip, Umbrella Leaf, Umbrella Tree, Variable Dieffenbachia, Variegated Philodendron, Vinca, Virgin’s Bower, Wahoo, Wake Robin, Wareneckei Dracaena, Water Flag, Water Hemlock, Water Hyacinth, Wax-Leaf, Weeping Fig, Western Yew, White Heads, Wild Arum, Wild Calla, Wild Carnation, Wild Coffee, Winter Cherry, Winterberry, Wisteria, Wood Lily, Yarrow, Yellow Oleander, Yesterday/Today/Tomorrow, Yew, Yew Pine, Yucca.

Toxic to Dogs: Adam-and-Eve, African Wonder Tree, Alocasia, Aloe, Amaryllis, Ambrosia Mexicana, American Bittersweet, American Holly, American Mandrake, American Yew, Andromeda Japonica, Angelica Tree, Apple, Apricot, Arrow-Head Vine, Arum, Arum Lily, Asian Lily, Asparagus Fern, Australian Ivy Palm, Australian Nut, Australian Pine, Autumn Crocus, Azalea, Baby Doll Ti Plant, Baby’s Breath, Barbados Aloe, Barbados Lily, Barbados Pride (and Pride 2), Bead Tree, Begonia, Bergamot Orange, Bird of Paradise, Bird of Paradise flower, Bird’s Tongue Flower, Bishop’s Weed, Bitter Root, Black Calla, Black Laurel, Black Nightshade, Black Walnut, Bobbins, Boxwood, Branching Ivy, Brazilwood, Bread and Butter Plant, Brunfelsia, Buckeye, Buckwheat, Buddhist Pine, Burning Bush, Buttercup, Caladium, Calamondin Orange, California Ivy, Calla Lily, Cape Jasmine, Cardboard Palm, Cardinal Flower, Carnation, Castor Bean Plant, Ceriman, Chamomile, Chandelier Plant, Charming Dieffenbachia, Cherry, Chinaberry Tree, Chinese Evergreen, Chinese Jade, Christmas Rose, Chrysanthemum, Clematis, Climbing Bittersweet, Climbing Lily, Climbing Nightshade, Clivia Lily, Coffee Tree, Coleus, Common Privet, Coontie Palm, Cordatum, Corn Plant, Cornstalk Plant, Cow parsnip, Cowbane, Cuckoo-pint, Cutleaf Philodendron, Cycads, Cyclamen, Daffodil, Dahlia, Daisy, Deadly Nightshade, Desert Azalea, Desert Rose, Devil’s Backbone, Devils Ivy, Dieffenbachia, Dock, Dog Daisy, Dog Hobble, Dogbane Hemp, Dracaena, Dumbcane, Dwarf Poinciana, Eastern Rose, Eastern Star, Elephant Ears, Emerald Feather, English Holly, English Ivy, English Yew, Eucalyptus, European Bittersweet, European Holly, Everlasting Pea, Exotica, False Bittersweet, False Queen Anne’s Lace, Feather Geranium, Fern Palm, Fetter Bush, Fetterbush, Fiddle-Leaf, Fig, Figwort, Fire Lily, Flag, Flamingo Flower, Fleabane, Florida Beauty, Florist’s Calla, Foxglove, Franciscan Rain Tree, Garden Calla, Garden Chamomile, Garden Hyacinth, Gardenia, Garlic, Geranium, Geranium-Leaf Aralia, Giant Dracaena, Giant Dumb Cane, Giant Hogweed, Glacier Ivy, Gladiola, Gloriosa Lily, Gold Dieffenbachia, Gold Dust Dracaena, Golden Birds Nest, Golden Pothos, Golden Ragwort, Good Luck Plant, Grapefruit, Grass Palm, Greater Ammi, Green Gold Naphthysis, Ground Apple, Groundsel, Hahn’s Self-Branching English Ivy, Hashish, Hawaiian Ti, Heartleaf Philodendron, Heavenly Bamboo, Hellebore, Hercules’ Club, Hibiscus, Hills of Snow, Holly, Hops, Horse Chestnut, Horsehead Philodendron, Horseweed, Hortensia, Hosta, House Pine, Hurricane Plant, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Impala Lily, Indian Apple, Indian Borage, Indian Hemp, Indian Pink, Indian Rubber Plant, Inkberry, Iris, Ivy Arum, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Jade Plant, Japanese Yew, Jerusalem Cherry, Jerusalem Oak, Jonquil, Kaffir Lily, Kalanchoe, Kiss-me-quick, Klamath Weed, Kudu Lily, Lace Fern, Lacy Tree Philodendron, Lady-of-the-night, Lantana, Larkspur, Laurel, Leatherflower, Leek, Lemon, Lenten Rose, Lily of the Palace, Lily of the Valley, Lily-of-the-Valley bush, Lime, Lobelia, Locust, Lord-and-Ladies, Macadamia Nut, Madagascar Dragon Tree, Maidens Breath, Malanga, Maleberry, Marble Queen, Marijuana, Mauna Loa Peace Lily, Mayapple, Mayweed, Meadow Saffron, Medicine Plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Milfoil, Milkweed, Mistletoe (American), Mock Azalea, Mole Bean Plant, Morning Glory, Morning-Noon-and-Night, Moss Rose, Mother of Millions, Mother-in-Law, Mother-in-Law plant, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, Mum, Naked Lady, Nandina, Narcissus, Needlepoint Ivy, Nephthytis, Nicotiana, Nightshade, Norfolk Island Pine, Octopus Tree, Oilcloth Flower, Oleander, Onion, Orange, Oregon Holly, Ornamental Pepper, Pacific Yew, Painter’s Pallette, Palm Lily, Panda Plant, Paper White, Paraguayan Jasmine, Peace Lily, Peach, Peacock Flower, Pencil Cactus, Peony, Perennial Pea, Periwinkle, Philodendron Pertusum, Pie Plant, Pieris, Pig Lily, Pigtail Plant, Pinks, Plantain Lily, Plum, Plumosa Fern, Poinciana, Poinsettia, Poison Daisy, Poison Hemlock, Poison Parsnip, Portulaca, Pothos, Prayer Bean, Precatory Bean, Pride-of-India, Primrose, Privet, Purslane, Queensland Nut, Racemose asparagus, Ragwort, Ranger’s Button, Red Emerald, Red Princess, Red-Marginated Dracaena, Rhododendron, Rhubarb, Ribbon Plant, Ridderstjerne, Rock Moss, Roman Chamomile, Rose of China, Rose of Sharon, Rosebay, Running Myrtle, Sabi Star, Sacred Bamboo, Saddle Leaf, Sago Palm, Satin Pothos, Schefflera, Seaside Daisy, Seven Bark, Shamrock Plant, Shatavari, Showy Daisy, Silver Dollar, Silver Jade Plant, Skunk Cabbage, Snake Lilly, Snake Plant, Solomon’s Lily, Sowbread, Spanish Thyme, Spindle Tree, Split-Lead Philodendron, Spotted Dumb Cane, Sprengeri Fern, Spring Parsley, St. John’s Wort, Staggerbush, Starch Root, Starleaf, Stinking Chamomile, Straight-Margined Dracaena, Striped Dracaena, Superb Lily, Sweet Pea, Sweet Potato Vine, Sweet William, Sweetheart Ivy, Swiss Cheese Plant, Tail Flower, Taro, Taro Vine, Texas Umbrella Tree, Ti-Plant, Tiger Lily, Tobacco, Tomato Plant, Tree Philodendron, Tree Tobacco, Tropic Snow, True Aloe, Trumpet Lily, Tulip, Umbrella Leaf, Umbrella Tree, Variable Dieffenbachia, Variegated Philodendron, Vinca, Virgin’s Bower, Wahoo, Wake Robin, Wareneckei Dracaena, Water Flag, Water Hemlock, Water Hyacinth, Wax-Leaf, Weeping Fig, Western Yew, White Heads, Wild Arum, Wild Calla, Wild Carnation, Wild Coffee, Winter Cherry, Winterberry, Wisteria, Yarrow, Yellow Oleander, Yesterday/Today/Tomorrow, Yew, Yew Pine, Yucca.

WEED KILLER/INSECTICIDE

Follow label instructions and do not allow pets access until the recommended amount of time listed by the manufacturer. Store lawn and garden products in areas inaccessible to animals.

CHEMICALS

Paint, oil, gasoline, other dangerous chemicals: Store in areas inaccessible to animals.

GARBAGE

Secure your garbage cans.

WEATHER HAZARDS

Animal toxins (toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions); blue-green algae in ponds; citronella candles; cocoa mulch; compost piles fertilizers; flea products; outdoor plants and plant bulbs; swimming-pool treatment supplies; antifreeze; liquid potpourri; ice melting products; rat and mouse bait.

HOLIDAY HAZARDS

Christmas tree water that may contain fertilizers and/or bacteria; electrical cords; ribbons or tinsel; batteries; glass ornaments; Easter lilies.

COMMON HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS

Fabric softener sheets, mothballs, post-1982 pennies (high concentrations of zinc).

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT POISONING

ASPCATake a minute to collect items you believe have been ingested. If you take your pet to the vet, take this with you. If your pet has vomited, collect that in a sealable bag and bring that with you as well. Sometimes there are delayed reactions to toxins.

If it is during office hours or if your vet has after-hour services, contact them. If they do not, you can call several pet poison hotlines. The ASPCA has one. The fee is $65.00. Their number is: (888) 426-4435

There is a free 24-hour poison control hotline with Kansas State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for pet owners and veterinarians. They can be reached at (785) 532-5679. The service has been available since 1969.

CREATE AN EMERGENCY KIT BEFORE A CRISIS

PetPoisonPreventionPic

A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent USP (to induce vomiting)
A turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe (to administer peroxide)
Saline eye solution
Artificial tear gel (to lubricate eyes after flushing)
Mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid (for bathing an animal after skin contamination)
Forceps (to remove stingers)
A muzzle (to protect against fear- or excitement-induced biting)
A can of your pet’s favorite wet food
A pet carrier

Kittens Available for Adoption

I got a phone call from a woman yesterday who asked if I could put the word out about this adorable kittens she has for adoption. In her note she said, “Attached is a photo of them and one of the mom, who was a stray who decided to have them in our garage. We have found a home for her already. The kittens were born August 28; they are litter trained and have been handled by us so are people friendly. They are very fuzzy and will be longhair like the mom. I appreciate anything you can do, as we already have 4 cats and just cannot keep these.”

This is the mom

This is the mom

These are her ADORABLE babies!

These are her ADORABLE babies!

 

If you would like to adopt one of these adorable fur babies or know of someone who might, please email me at Hilda@aleashabove.com and I will contact the person who contacted me and provide introductions.  Please forward my blog post to try to get the word out.

Why You Should Scoop The Poop

In changing over the “going-green” consciousness, the top reason I am finding people do not scoop their yard of dog poop is to let the sun break it down naturally. Actually it is quite the opposite. Ecofriendly dog owners should be picking it up.

The poop contains viruses, bacteria, and other microbes. They will end up in your/our water supply. A heavy rainstorm and water-outlet run-off will end up in the water table. Any water that flows into a sewer goes into a body of water without being treated. Imagine a deer coming up to drink from the stream where your dogs’ waste now resides. Kids might also play in these bodies of water and they are notorious for not being germ conscious. They think, “its water, therefore it is clean.”

Putting it in the garbage is also not an eco-friendly idea as it will wind up in a landfill somewhere. You could use biodegradable bags that are compost friendly. You can always just come home and put the poop in your toilet. Your poop is good enough to be there, so why not your dogs? It then can be treated in the same fashion as human waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency has classified pet waste as a dangerous pollutant, a classification made over 20 years ago. The CDC confirmed that dog poop can spread parasites. Even if the poop is picked up, eggs linger for years. So your dog, your dogs’ toys, your kid, and even you could come into contact with it and risk getting a parasitic infection.

People think dog poop is a great fertilizer. It’s actually toxic to your lawn (just look at the grass and the discolorations), having a high amount of nitrogen. It also likes to form cooperative relationships with other harmful bacteria like E. coli.

If the health side of the equation doesn’t move you, there are communities taking this a step further by imposing a ticket to anyone who lets their dog poop without picking it up. Fees vary per community, but upwards of $1000 can be common.

It might surprise you that in Texas, a state that is heavily Republican and Republicans scream over governmental interference in private lives, an apartment complex in Plano, Texas is keeping track of the dog poop DNA to match it up with your canine. It is not the first community to do it. Some places in New Hampshire and Florida have been doing it for a few years now. The apartment complex in Plano gave residents a time period where they needed to come in and have their dogs swabbed and DNA registered (for free). If your dog has pooped and the DNA matches, you can be fined $250.

We are part of a global community and even though you believe that what you do in your yard should be your business, when it comes to water it is a shared resource. What affects one affects all.

Holiday Pet Poisons

There is a great webinar coming up soon that will be conducted in December by Pet Poison Hotline.

When: Monday, December 3rd, 2012 | 12 PM CST (1 PM EST, 10 AM PST)

Cost: $10 (with 10% of proceeds going to Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization.

(Press from the site): While the holidays bring joy, family, friends, new decor and foods to our homes, they can also bring a bit of stress for both you and your pet. Join the veterinarians from Pet Poison Helpline for a jam-packed, one-hour webinar to learn about common holiday dangers so you can keep your pet safe this holiday season. Weíll discuss ìmust knowî toxins such as lilies, alcohol, unbaked bread dough and grapes. We’ll also do some myth-busting and provide you with the real scoop about commonly mentioned toxins such as poinsettias, chocolate and more.

Being Prepared for an Emergency with Your Pet

The fire department has given you 30 minutes to evacuate your home. You need to get all everything you need for your family and your pets in that amount of time. Are you prepared? Do you know which shelters in your area take animals (not all will)? With hurricane season fast upon us, August and September are the busiest months for activity for the Gulf of Mexico. We are barely prepared with enough hurricane supplies as human beings, as evidenced by the number of people who flock to the grocery store, the gas station, and home improvement stores to get things at the last minute. If we have not prepared ourselves for a possible tropical event, it would be even more doubtful that we have thought about our pets. Here is some advice on how to be more organized prior to an emergency event:

1. While preparing your family plan, make specific plans for each one of your pets.

2. If you have multiple family members and multiple pets, make each person in the family responsible for locating and caring for one pet each.

3. In your plan, if you become separated from each other (like for example, a fire), decide where to meet up afterwards.

4. Who can you call outside of your area? If communications are down locally in your area, your out-of-town contact should know your disaster plan and family meeting place.

5. Include others in your disaster plan including family, friends, neighbors, your vet, and your pet sitter.

6. Contact hotels and motels in advance to see which one take pets. Also, check local humane societies and emergency clinics.

7. Develop a phone tree. One person phones 2 people to see if they need help. Those 2 call two more. Support each other.

8. Create a supply kit for you and your pets to take with you on the road before the disaster hits. Remember 30 minutes is not a long time to have to leave quickly. If you shelter in place, make sure which neighbors have stayed and find a place where your family could go as a backup until the storm has passed and repairs can be made to your home.

9. Stay current on vaccines for your pet. Make sure you have a written note from your vet of your pets’ vaccination status in case of evacuation. That should become part of your emergency disaster kit.

10. Practice with your pets in your fire drills at home to get them used to sudden actions.

11. If you use a pet sitter, make sure they have an emergency plan. Most professional pet sitters do. If you are away when disaster strikes, you and your pet sitter should have already discussed in advance the best plan of action. Your local emergency contacts will be essential to a well-rounded plan for your pets.

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters has a great guide to prepare for disaster. Once at the site from this link: NAPPS Click on The NAPPS Disaster Preparedness Plan for Pet Owners (free 20-page booklet).


Don’t forget to come like us on Facebook (people anyway can participate in this contest) by August 31, 2012 for a chance to win a $50 Petco gift card. The Woodlands area residents also can get 25% of their first contracted service (or next contracted service), or 25% off the first Monday-Friday month of contracted midday services if services are booked by November 30, 2012 and used by December 31, 2012.

Dog Seeking Job

Again, this is not mine and I don’t know to whom credit is due, but it is wonderful:

A local business was looking for office help. They put a sign in the window saying: “HELP WANTED. Must be able to type, must be good with a computer and must be bilingual. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.”

A short time afterwards, a golden retriever dog trotted up to the window, saw the sign and went inside. He looked at the receptionist and wagged his tail, then walked over to the sign, looked at it and whined. Getting the idea, the receptionist got the office manager. The office manager looked at the dog and was surprised, to say the least. However, the dog looked determined, so he led him into the office. Inside, the dog jumped up on the chair and stared at the manager. The manager said, “I can’t hire you. The sign says you have to be able to type.” The dog jumped down, went to the typewriter and proceeded to type out a perfect letter. He took out the page and trotted over to the manager and gave it to him, then jumped back on the chair. The manager was stunned, but then told the dog, “The sign says you have to be good with a computer.” The dog jumped down again and went to the computer. The dog proceeded to demonstrate his expertise with various programs and produced a sample spreadsheet and database and presented them to the manager. By this time the manager was totally dumbfounded! He looked at the dog and said, “I realize that you are a very intelligent dog and have some interesting abilities. However, I still can’t give you the job.” The dog jumped down and went to a copy of the sign and put his paw on the part about being an Equal Opportunity Employer. The manager said, “Yes, but the sign also says that you have to be bilingual.” The dog looked at him straight in the face and said, “Meow.”


Don’t forget you can like us on Facebook by 8/31/2012 and receive an entry for our $50 Petco gift card; if you happen not to have a Petco near you, another equivalent prize will be awarded. You do NOT have to live in our area to participate. Our site, Facebook, and Twitter feeds are for all animal lovers. Bonus offer for people in The Woodlands, Texas or surrounding communities is that you will receive 25% off your next service with us that is good until the end of the year. Must have an initial consultation by 11/30/2012.

How Many Dogs/Cats Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb

Original author unknown.

How Many Dogs Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb?

Golden retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, weíve got our whole lives ahead of us, and youíre inside worrying about a stupid burned-out bulb?

Border collie: Just one. And then Iíll replace any wiring thatís not up to code.

Dachshund: You know I canít reach that stupid lamp!

Rottweiler: Make me!

Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark.

Lab: Oh, me, me!!!!!!!!! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb? Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeze, please, please, please!

German Shepherd: I’ll change it as soon as I’ve led these people from the dark, check to make sure I haven’t missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation.

Jack Russell Terrier Iíll just pop it in while Iím bouncing off the walls and furniture.

Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? I’m sorry, but I donít see a light bulb!

Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.

Chihuahua: ? Yo quiero Taco Bulb. Or “We donít need no stinking light bulb.”

Greyhound: It isn’t moving. Who cares?

Australian Shepherd: First, I’ll put all the light bulbs in a little circle

Poodle: Iíll just blow in the Border Collieís ear and heíll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

How many cats does it take to change a light bulb?

The Cat’s Answer:

Cats do not change light bulbs. People change light bulbs. So, the real question is, ìHow long will it be before I can expect some light, some dinner, and a massage? All of which proves, once again, that while dogs have masters, cats have staff.


If your breed is not listed in that joke, how would you word it for your dog?


Don’t forget our great contest ending 8/31/2012. Like us on Facebook and you can get 1 entry into our contest for a $50 Petco gift card.† If you don’t live where there is a Petco, other arrangements can be made for an equivalent prize. Also follow us on Twitter and tell us about your furry kids!’

Launch Date Special

Launch Date Special

Our launch date is very near. Social media is key to promoting us higher on the Google search engines. It does not matter whether or not you live in our service area–our web site, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest accounts are geared towards all animal lovers everywhere.

In order to generate buzz, we have two offers occurring:

Offer #1: Like us on Facebook. Everyone who likes us on Facebook between today and 11:59 p.m. central daylight time August 31, 2012 will receive an entry for a $50 gift card to Petco. You do not have to live locally to qualify. Winner will be announced sometime on September 1, 2012. Any person who has already liked our page prior to today is automatically entered.

Offer #2: Like us on Facebook and call for an appointment to meet your pet(s) and set up a service time prior to December 31, 2012. You will receive 25% off your first service contract or 25% off your first month of Monday-Friday service. Please see the description of our services for more details. When we have our free initial consultation, please mention this offer (coupon code FBLAUNCH). Offer expires November 30, 2012. This cannot be combined with any other offer. We will book up quickly for the holidays and this does not guarantee a service date if we are already booked.

Spread the word!

And So It Begins

The web site is up and this is my first blog post for my new business, A Leash Above. It is so surreal. I’ve taken all the right steps to ensure I set up this business the correct way — insurance, bonding, professional pet sitting membership. People will be putting a great amount of trust in me and I intend to rise to that challenge. I look forward to what each encounter will teach me along the way.

Growing up in a culture where the client is always right will help ensure I have a strong code of professional ethics. I was also taught that to win over hearts and minds you must work hard to earn and keep that trust, to go the extra mile, to stand out. When it is time to add employees, my previous employer stands out on how to approach that the right way, to take care of your employees as you would family.

There are many people who I need to thank. Stephen Mott, my web designer and friend, who put a lot of time and effort into the site to make it look professional and user friendly. To Kelly for helping make the company’s logo. To the “malcontents” (inside joke) who are a constant source of love and support. To Frith who helped me edit some of my thoughts so you wouldn’t read 3 pages of my life. To the many friends and family members who gave me feedback during a first look at the site before it went live. And to my immediate family–my exceptional son with autism who inspires me every day and my amazing husband who has given me tremendous support in pursuing something I love.

The official launch date is August 15, 2012–a new chapter in my life begins.