Q: I really love my cats. I think some of my friends think I’m weird because I talk about them a lot, but they’re just awesome. Is it messed up to love your pets?
A: I am very likely the wrong person to answer this question. My sister and I talk about this a lot. We share pictures of our pets via text message and she tells me how much she loves her “kids.” I actually think loving your pets is awesome. If more people truly loved their animals, we may not need animal shelters. I know there are people in the world who absolutely don’t get it. They don’t understand the attachment we have to our animals – and really, that’s fine. To each his own, you know? But for those of us who get it – who understand the connection we can make to a four-legged friend – I think it’s one of the most special relationships you can have. Pets can make our lives whole. They can add a dimension of truly unconditional love that can be incredibly powerful. A purring cat or a tail-wagging dog can make even the worst day a little better. So, go right ahead and love your babies and talk about them until your heart is content – you’ve got some real friends for life and that means a lot in today’s world.
Ask the Shelter:My kids played with stray kittens. Should I be worried about diseases?
Q: My dog will sometimes eat bird droppings. Is this bad?
A: Oh, if you can at all help it, you need to keep an eye on your pooch and make sure he’s not eating bird feces. Our pets can develop all kinds of problems from bird droppings – ranging from bird flu to other forms of bacteria. In the case of very young or elderly dogs, exposure to this type of thing can be fatal. In addition, we can get it as well. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your pup and watch what he’s doing when he’s out in the yard to keep him away from the substances that are not good for him. Some people seem to think that the bacteria found in bird feces isn’t all that harmful because a lot of it is already in a dog’s digestive tract, but I would err on the side of caution with allowing your pup to eat bird droppings – just don’t let him.
Ask the Shelter:A heads-up about UTIs and cats
Ask the Shelter is a weekly feature aimed at pet education. If you have a question, contact Jennifer Vanderau, publications and promotions consultant for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, at cvascomm@cvas-pets.org or 263-5791.
