Lorrie Shaw

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Lorrie Shaw is a pet blogger, a regular contributor to AnnArbor.com and owner of Professional Pet Sitting, and has extensive experience with animals including dogs, cats, exotic birds. Contact her via e-mail.

A little over two years ago, a dear client of mine from Ann Arbor passed away at the age of 12 1/2. I was brought into her life by her owners two years prior to that, since they wanted reliable care for her when they were away periodically. After meeting Mom, Dad and dog, it was clear that this big girl - a malamute/lab mix - and I were fast friends. Her Dad especially was very attached to her and despite his initial apprehension, I think that he could see this new relationship was going to be well cemented. I spent considerable time with her over the next two years while her parents were away, and during the last few months of her life, when she started requiring a little more consideration on occasion with potty breaks mid-day and eventually an assistive device was needed to help her get around as her back legs were affected by Degenerative Myleopathy. There's been quite a hole left by her passing felt not just by me, but obviously her owners. The empty quiet, the lack of well worn dog toys, the absence happy dog sneezes; it was tough to get used to. It took quite awhile for them to be 'ready' to accept four new paws to romp around the house. For the first couple of months of this year, there were brief mentions of their inklings about a new pup.

A trip over Easter was a pivotal point for my clients. Spending a few days in the mountains down south on spring break reminded them of several trips that they had taken with their girl that they missed so much. The Three Musketeers, they were! It became pretty clear that it was time to welcome a new puppy. The serious hunt began a couple of months ago, scouring PetFinder.com and the websites of animal rescues in the area. My clients liked Petfinder's format as it enabled them to look around to see what puppies - and adult and senior dogs - were available for adoption in the area. Petfinder is linked to rescue group sites as well as classified listings of pets. It was a tough search. "They are all so cute and need homes... they're heartbreakers!" they would call and say. Weighing their strong desire for another set of paws to share their life with, and staying mindful of finding the right one - a breed mix and temprament that felt was a match for them - they stayed in touch with coordinator at Last Chance Animal Rescue. The family got word from her that there was a litter of lab/mix puppies that were due to become available within days - right up their alley. After a couple of meet and greets with the litter mates, I am delighted to say that their search has ended. The beautiful mixed breed pup is a perfect fit for her new tribe. I got a call from her blissful Mom and Dad this past weekend announcing her arrival home. Alternating between sleeping, playing, eating and going potty, the yet un-named 8 week old is getting quickly settled into her new digs. She even has that unmistakeable puppy smell.

I stopped by on Sunday evening to meet the new addition, and that hushed calm that only dusk avails gave way to the mutual enthusiasm that she and I had. Mom and Dad brought her outside and set her down on the deck. I approached, dropped down to get on all fours, and met her halfway. She sniffed me thoroughly, wagged her tail and began to play - evidently giving final approval. I'm going to be a big part of her life. This week, we've spent a lot of time bonding, playing and just getting to know each other. I'm not just her pet sitter. I'm her caregiver. It's amazing what the experience has done. When I entered the house Sunday evening, it was evident that this puppy has transformed the very essence of the home that she inhabits. Seeing the new doggy dishes on the floor, the crate set up, the bag of puppy food, the age appropriate toys strewn about, her family's joy: there's a sense of energy, life and expectation of a new phase of the family's journey.

Lorrie Shaw is owner of Professional Pet Sitting, a pet blogger and a regular contributor to AnnArbor.com. You'll find her in neighborhoods in the area dog walking and caring for other pets. Stop her and say hello or contact her via e-mail.

Have you ever taken your pet to see the veterinarian for a routine (or not so routine) visit and really didn't know what to expect, what to ask - or where to start? You're not alone! It can be a little overwhelming when taking your pooch or cat in, especially if you're a new pet owner or you think that your pet might be ill.

Here are a few simple recommendations to greatly improve the quality of your time in the exam room:

*When calling to schedule, be sure tell the staff the nature of your visit. If it's for a checkup and vaccinations, tell them. If you're bringing in your pet because you've noticed something might be wrong, be specific. Typically more time will be scheduled in those cases. Also, if your pet has a cough, do not hesitate to say so before bringing your pet in.

*If you are seeing the vet for the first time, request that your previous vet send your pets' records over before your visit, or bring them with you.

* If there are physical or behavioral changes, and you're unsure if they may or may not be an issue, make a point to jot some notes down before your visit and bring them with you to discuss. Even better, keep a journal of things that you notice - includes dates, times of day, frequency, etc. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember everything, and it will help. Talk about any changes like eating habits (less or more food, vomiting), water consumption (again, less or more), behavioral changes (think about anything out of the ordinary... tendency to hide, acting withdrawn, hyperactivity, lethargy, appearing confused, bumping into things, etc.)

* Know what kind of food your pet is eating - brand, type, quantity.

* Regularly check the integity of your pets' stool. Yes, really. After a bowel movement, have a look at the consistency. Is it firm, loose, milky, signs of blood, grainy, tarry/dark? This should be done on a regular basis; a lot can be surmised from what is present. Conveying this to your vet can be extremely helpful in diagnosing problems. I give a BM report in my daily logs to clients when I'm pet sitting, for that reason.

*Weight changes can tell a lot about health. Talk about any ups or downs that you notice. Weight loss/gain, even without an increase or reduction in food consumption, can signal something that needs attention.

*Bring a list of medications that your pet is taking. This includes supplements - even glucosamine or fish oil. Bring the bottles in with you.

*Don't be alarmed if your pet behaves differently during your visit. I recall on one occasion years ago, our cat Silver was suddenly deathly ill... not eating, high fever and lethargic one morning. After arriving at the vet, he seemed completely capable.

Along with the aforementioned tips, Dr. Amanda Critchfield, DVM of Chelsea Animal Hospital also gave me more ideas to help you partner even more effectively with your vet. When asked what one of the biggest difficulties that she finds in her practice is, she noted, "The Internet. It's great to be informed, but it's important to not believe everything you read." She went on to say that there is a lot of information out there, and it's not all accurate. She suggests that if you do read something, print out the information and bring it with you so that it can be discussed.

Dr. Critchfield, who - along with Dr. Paula Rode, DVM - practices largely with canines, felines and occasionally rabbits - offered that logging onto VeterinaryPartner.com is an excellent resource for pet owners to research for general animal health and medical conditions, medications, therapies, surgery and behavior. The site is fueled with information by specialty veterinarians, so you get the accuracy that you need.

Another aspect that makes getting resolution to problems difficult in the doctor's experience: non-compliance. When your pets' doctor recommends a solution to a health problem, it's important to follow that advice, treatment plan and prescription directions. She noted that things can seem overwhelming, or you can be uneasy about administering medication, like at-home injections for diabetes. If you don't understand, or don't feel comfortable - do not hesitate to speak up. There might be a more palatable way to deal with an issue or room for adjustment in giving medicine or even tips on how to deal with a fussy, uncooperative pet to help you help them. Whatever the reason, follow the vets' advice to get the best outcome.

Equally important, speak up if there are other factors affecting the way that your pet can be cared for - especially if the reason is financial. In this economy, when a crisis arises with your pet, you might find it hard to pay for the care that they need. Voice your concerns. Your vet may be able to put together a treatment plan that is less expensive, and/or better understand where you are coming from. Communication is key.

What were the best pearls of wisdom that I got in my discussion with the doctor? YOU know your pet better than anyone. Although it might feel as though you're all thumbs when it comes to addressing your pets' welfare, you are the first line of defense in arming your vet with the information that they need to make decisions in putting together a treatment plan that is effective. "Be confident in your knowledge about your pet; trust yourself." Sage advice, I'd say.

Look for more on my discussion with the doctor in a forthcoming post. Chelsea Animal Hospital has office hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. -8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Following her bliss, Lorrie Shaw is owner of Professional Pet Sitting and lives in Dexter Township with her family that includes a small brood of pets. As a contributor in the pets section for AnnArbor.com, she's always striving to provide interesting, fresh information on pet related topics. Contact her by e-mail.

This morning I was watching Fox 2 Detroit and saw this segment on a new canine bed. I have to say that I was impressed. As the owner of 2 large breed dogs - one who is approaching her senior years - and a pet sitter, this product seems like it's right up my alley. I've clients who are approaching their elder years, too and anything that I can do, or pass along, to facilitate a more comfortable existence for any of them is perfect. I'm usually not inclined to go for 'the latest thing', especially in the pet industry. To pass muster with me it has to be unequivocally helpful to owner and pet.

Great product, all the way around: it serves a practical purpose in easing arthritic joints, it's soft and comfy yet supportive; it's also great for incontinent pets and those that slobber. Gertie Gear beds are going to be a great thing to have in our home, because I wash our dog beds frequently and need to restuff them. Best of all, it's "Made in Michigan"!

Can I get an Amen??

Lorrie Shaw is owner of Professional Pet Sitting, as well as a regular contributor to AnnArbor.com's Pets section. She can usually be found cheerfully walking around local neighborhoods, on the other end of the leash. She resides in Dexter Twp, MI with her blended family that includes 3 pets. She welcomes your contact via e-mail.

As humans, we are capable of emotions that are all over the board. There is a myriad of reasons behind our mood and sometimes we are not even aware of how we are behaving. Our minds are busied with our 'to-do' lists, places we have to get and keeping other people happy. We have a tendency to ignore our non-verbal communication and the energy that we send out - and how it affects others around us. Most everyone else around us are simultaneously experiencing the same bustle of activity and emotion that we are individually. We walk around mindlessly, sometimes. Paying attention to our reactions really can affect and improve the way that we get along with other people along the course of our day; our body language, tone of voice, speed of our step, the measure of our breath. Funny how we can immediately notice when someone else is irritated, but fail to recognize when we are doing the same. (Maybe we pay attention to non-verbal communication more than we think!)

Animals rely on non-verbal cues so much more than we do, mainly because they lack the capacity for language, physiologically. Our pets pick up immediately on what we are feeling. They know when our mood isn't exactly up to par, and we don't even have to say a word. Our energy can directly affect the way that our pets behave. Humans - not pets, in many cases set the tone for how a training session, a trip to the vet or any given Tuesday will go. Being conscious of how you are behaving can directly impact the outcome of any of those situations. If you're having a particularly difficult day, perhaps try to avoid a training session and focus on constructive playtime or just go out and play a simple game of fetch. We are all guilty of not behaving at our best, and our pets can help us identify when we are, since they mirror our energy most times. Notice - "is my dog acting tense, uncooperative? Are they avoiding me?" I think in many cases, it's not the animal who has the problem, it's us. When this happens, I take a minute, inhale, exhale and quickly surmise what really going on. Moments like that remind me to try and always behave as though my pets are with me.

Lorrie Shaw is owner of Professional Pet Sitting and is also a regular contributor to AnnArbor.com's Pets Section. She lives in Dexter Twp. with her family that includes a small brood of pets. You will see her walking her charges in neighborhoods local to West Ann Arbor, Dexter and surrounding communities. Contact her by phone at 734-904-7279 or ppsa2mi@gmail.com