Animal Chatter By Iris Winston Think about the pain you would feel to have the first joint of each of your fingers removed. Consider the discomfort associated with cosmetic procedures — even if you made the decision that the surgery would be worthwhile. Animals don’t have any say in the matter of surgery inflicted upon them...
Tag - pets
Animal Chatter By Iris Winston It looks attractive, but… Those were the words from a friend of mine as she looked at the illustration accompanying one of my pet columns. It showed a cute white dog on a long leash walking far ahead of an older man holding the leash. It brought to mind a life-changing accident for my friend. She...
Animal Chatter By Iris Winston Every tail has a tale to tell as dogs communicate with each other and with their humans. Most of us think that a wagging tail is the sign of a happy dog. Often this is true, but the speed of the wag, the position and direction of the tail, whether it is stiff or relaxed—together with other...
Animal Chatter By Iris Winston Photos by Hannah Lopes A single bark at the door signals that Emmie has dropped by for a visit. Emmie is the very friendly Labrador/Golden Retriever cross who lives next door. She and Marnie, my Irish Setter, are good friends, who, after a quiet discussion about sharing such items as rawhide...
Animal Chatter By Iris Winston Protect your loved pets from the elements As soon as you pick up the car keys, your dog is on alert. “I don’t care where we go,” the bright eyes and pricked ears seem to say. “I just want to come along. Togetherness is what matters most to me.” Togetherness matters to loving owners too. I...
Animal Chatter By Iris Winston The good news for seniors considering moving to a retirement community is that the majority are pet-friendly these days. Knowing the connection with a much-loved animal will not be affected by what will probably be the final move makes the decision much easier. It is also good for a person’s...
Animal Chatter By Iris Winston Caregiving is a two-way street. Just as we look after the animals we love, so they return that love and caring in spades. And the stronger the bond between the animal and the human, the stronger the love and understanding of just what the other needs. I am not talking only about dogs with jobs...
ANIMAL CHATTER By Iris Winston On the first hot weekend, complete with such signs of summer as shorts, sandals, burgeoning leaves and the sights and sounds of barbecues and lawnmowers in action, came the first report of an animal’s life being endangered because he was left to roast in a hot car. In this case, a 10-week-old...
Animal Chatter By Iris Winston Rufus and Freya have distinct personalities and ways of communicating. Rufus regularly tells me how grateful he is to have a loving home. I am not sure how long he had to survive without one, when my cat, Freya, started bringing her new — then thin — ginger friend to my door. Did she tell him that...
Animal Chatter By Iris Winston The sadness and the joy Watching an old dog or cat grow increasingly frail as he nears the end of his life is so painful. We know we have the ability to end that pet’s suffering by resorting to euthanasia—a good death—so ending his pain and giving him peace. But determining the right time to take...
