Immersive Summer Camps For Children Who Love Animals

You know how we love to share information about pets and children because, well, they go so wonderfully together, like cake and ice cream. In fact, we just brought you a story about canine camp counselors a few weeks ago. The camp, kids and pets combo just got dialed up a few notches by our good friend, Caroline Golon, one of the co-founders of BlogPaws and the author of several cause awareness and fund-raising blogs, like Romeo the Cat and The Happy Litter Box.

   Camps with kids?  I love kids!

Since Caroline is both a parent of young humans and pets, she decided to create another blog, Crayons and Collars, that offers education, resources, activities and entertainment for pet loving children. Caroline and her latest blog are featured in this AP article that highlights immersive summer camps especially for children who love animals. And guess who sponsors these camps? Local animal shelters! According to this article, "thousands of youngsters ages 6 to 17 will attend day camps this summer at hundreds of animal shelters across the country." And the benefits to the animals, the kids, the shelter and the community are many: "They are designed to introduce children to animals and show them how the creatures fit into their world", says one of the shelter education directors. "Campers learn to feed, exercise, wash, train and care for dogs and cats", and older campers can even watch surgeries and monitor an animal patient to test whether they might be interested in a career helping animals. 

Caroline first learned about these camps a couple of years ago when she heard about shelters across the country that were offering birthday parties for kids, and wrote a story on that phenomenon for Vetstreet.com, touting it's win-win-win outcomes. Yep, kids and animals go together like cake and ice cream! She soon realized that the shelters and communities were offering "fantastic options for animal loving kids...[and] not enough parents know about these wonderful programs." Caroline promptly established a national database of these camps on Crayons and Collars to help remedy this problem, and so far she's listed over 250 shelters with camp offerings. What an incredible resource!

                                A famous kid and his famous dog...

Caroline says, "I'd love to see more families be aware of these programs so this next generation of kids truly understand what we can do to combat our pet overpopulation problem and be better to all animals. My site, Crayons and Collars is designed to support that goal. I'm on a personal mission to get more families and kids involved in their local shelters, humane societies and rescues!"  We couldn't agree more, Caroline. Thank you!

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Don't Make These Kitty Litter Box Mistakes!

You know we enjoying sharing healthy pet tips from one of our favorite holistic veterinarians, Dr. Karen Becker, and today we thought these litter box strategies would help you start spring with a healthier, happier cat and a tidier home.

  A healthier, happier cat? Now you're talkin' my language—MEOW!

First, don't fix what ain't broken: If your kitty is using his or her litter box like a pro, don't change a thing! Just keep the box scrupulously clean, and keep an eye out for any changes in stool or urine or deviations from her regular litter box use.

Dr. Becker also reviews the various types of cat litter on the market and her opinion of their pros and cons. She advises against scented litters or litter with odor control additives, because cats don't seem to like them, and since cats clean themselves so much, they can ingest the added chemicals over time. Parental Unit transitioned me to a corn litter many years ago, and I've been a happy kitty ever since.

If you're a part of your cat's staff, let us know what type of litter you've chosen and how it's working. And if your cat is having "litter box" issues, check out "The Happy Litter Box", a great resource for everything concerning cats and their "bathrooms".

Well, that's enough advice for me...I'll think I'm ready for a snooze...

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Disco The Parakeet Talks Up A Storm!

Disco is one special and chatty little birdie, and now, a YouTube sensation. Why not indulge yourself a few minutes and listen to what Disco has to say...

Our friend, Caroline Golon, an inveterate blogger (check out Romeo the Cat and The Happy Litter Box), marketing specialist and freelance writer, had the pleasure of chatting with Disco and his parents for this charming article—we hope you enjoy!

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Going "Green" For Spring Cleaning Supplies Can Still Harm Pets

Have you started your spring cleaning already and are feeling all smug and self-satisfied that you've finally made the switch to all "green" or "eco-friendly" cleaners? Well, hold on a dang minute! It turns out that those green cleaners (what's non-toxic or less toxic for you humans and the planet) may still be dangerous to your precious pet. This article in the Washington Post, published just days ago, explains why these green cleaning products may still harm your pet...and what you should do about it.

For example, if a product says "'keep out of reach of children', keep it away from pets too," says Dr. Camille DeClementi, a senior toxicologist at the Animal Poison Control Center, run by the Urbana, Illinois ASPCA. Dr. DeClementi also says that "although most commercial green products are safe for animals...owners should still exercise the same precautions as with chemical alternatives, such as keeping pets away from an areas being cleaned, not using sprays directly on a pet, and making sure that your dogs don't chew on the products." While these recommendations sound like "givens" in the abstract, compulsive cleaners like Parental Unit, often forget what their doing and spray cleaning solutions wildly around, no matter the four-legged friends nearby. In fact, Bella, our kitty often plays on the just Murphy's Oil Soap-washed floors while they're still wet because she likes chasing the mop-much to Parental Unit's chagrin.

We also wanted to point out that one of the people quoted in the article is our friend, Caroline Golon, one of the co-founders of BlogPaws and author of the wildly popular blogs, Romeo the Cat and The Happy Litter Box.  Cool! And happy and healthy spring cleaning, everyone!

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Finding Your Cat's Inner... Prey Preference?

We're excited to pass on to you some fascinating and helpful information about your indoor cat, but first we must thank Sara Czukal, a young designer that Parental Unit had in her class last fall, for sharing her research with us. That class is designed to help industrial design students write their senior thesis, and the main idea of Sara's thesis was that indoor cats need some sort of external enrichment, likely provided by their owners, to have the most psychologically healthy lives. In fact, she argued that many common behavior problems could either be lessened or eliminated by making sure that your cat has enrichment that meets their instinctual needs. Check out Sara's blog here: http://www.czudesigns.blogspot.com

Sara had help shaping her thesis from an expert: Dr. Tony Buffington, who heads up the Indoor Pet Initiative at The Ohio State University's School of Veterinary Medicine. Check out their website, overflowing with useful information, here: indoorpet.osu.edu/  (By the way, this valuable resource started as the Indoor Cat Initiative, but quickly expanded to include other indoor pets.)

Here's a story that Sara wrote and sent to Parental Unit that illustrates the serendipitous discovery of her own cat's "prey preference". " Huh? What preference," you ask? We knew cats were persnickety, but now you're telling us that they even turn up their noses at certain types of "prey"? Well, yes, it turns out that not all cats are wild about mice. In short, "prey preference" (as paraphrased from the Indoor Pet Initiative website) is defined as the specific creatures that your cat prefers to hunt. For example, some cats do prefer to chase mice, while others may prefer to catch birds or bugs. "Identifying your cat's pray preference allows you to buy or make toys that your cat will be more likely to play with rather than ignore."

 Take it away, Sara!

I was in the kitchen making pasta, and my two cats were lounging on the living room floor.  I once heard that the best way to check if pasta was ready is to throw a noodle at your kitchen cabinet, if the noodle sticks then the pasta is done. I carefully picked a noodle out of the pot and tossed it against the nearest cabinet.  It hit the wooden cabinet and held there for about three seconds before it fell to the floor. I was just about to pick it up when suddenly my cat, Vinci, bolted into the kitchen and pounced on the piece of vermicelli lying on the floor.

With one dramatic swoop he captured the noodle and ran off with it. Down the hallway, across the living-room and back, he pranced with the noodle dangling lifelessly from his mouth. I watched the noodle dance as he pounced, tossed, nibbled and kicked it around my one bedroom apartment.  Meanwhile, my other cat and I stood in awe at Vinci's sudden rowdiness. I began to examine the play session more closely.

As the noodle flipped through the air it changed shapes.  It never landed the same way twice, and if tossed at just the right angle it would stick to the wall and wiggle down.  I could see how this "toy" would be so much fun for a cat, but had never expected it! I had purchased mouse after mouse and not once did Vinci show any interest.

I came to find  out that cats actually have a prey preference. Often times their preference is based on the diet they were fed by their mother as kittens, or by the types of prey they first  hunted. Most owners don't realize that for an indoor cat, playing is hunting.

By recognizing my cats interest in a particular toy, I have identified his prey preference. Now I can set up a situation in which he has access to this type of enrichment (whenever I'm hungry for pasta). I can also look for toys that have similar qualities. Now, when Vinci hears the clamoring of kitchen utensils, the sound of running water or the shaking of pasta inside a cardboard box he comes running. He begs not for the meat I may be browning or the chicken I'm sauteing but for the noodle! Because he doesn't get to play with this kind of toy every single day it's almost like a special treat. He never loses interest!

Felines need enrichment!  If your cat doesn't seem to get excited about the toys you provide for her then maybe you're not providing the right toys. The Indoor Pet Initiative has some great tips on finding your cat's prey preference.  You can read the full article here.

And remember even if they don't go for the toy - they'll love the box it came in! 

Well? Do you know your cat's prey preference? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

P.S. Sara is now gainfully employed and pursuing her passion as a pet toy designer at OurPets, an Ohio based company that creates a variety of pet products. (Her two cats are graciously serving as interns at the company). Stay tuned for a review of one of their products coming soon!

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Saturday Pet Blogger Hop And "Timmy's Weekly Disaster" Contest!

Happy Saturday to everyone-and whadayasay we go hoppin' right away?!

We'll meet at the Old Elm Tree, chase some squirrels, and then visit everyones' blogs together-how does that sound? P.S. And if Timmy steals the roasted chicken off the counter, eats it and makes a huge mess, so be it!  We're chasing squirrels and blog hopping! Note: we can't get the linky-thing to work today, so the winner of this week's "TImmy's Disaster contest" is Caroline Golon, author of two blogs: www.thehappylitterbox.com, and www.romeothecat.com. check them out-they're both great!

Photo by www.rachellaurenphotography.com

Here are just a few, easy-to-follow rules for joining this hop:

__ Use the Linky tool provided to sign up. Note: if your blog is not pet-related it will be removed from the list.

__Follow the three hosts at the top of the list (and while you're at it, follow us-we'd appreciate it!)

__ Peruse these fabulous blogs and follow and comment as you desire.

Don't forget to enter our "Timmy's weekly disaster" contest next week. Here's the initial write-up of the contest to get you started: boccibeefs.blogspot.com/2011/03/announcing-fun-contest.html.
And a hearty congrats to our sixth week's winner! We had a hard time choosing among all of the excellent (and hilarious) submissions-thanks! Just click on Timmy's red text above and congratulate the winner yourself!

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