Lorrie Shaw

As a pet parent and a pet professional I have run across a lot of standard injuries, illnesses and infections with the animals in my life. Typically, most can be dealt with fairly easily. In our family, as many others as well - chronic issues can pose a lot of frustration for both pets and humans alike.

One thorny issue that I hear frequently is with regard to ear infections. Ear infections occur more commonly in dogs with pendulous ears (those that hang, rather than stand upright), but any dog or cat can experience irritation or infection. The infection or imbalance in the ear can be due to fungal overgrowth, microbial infection or the inside of the ears can be just plain inflamed. Symptoms include shaking of the head, scratching of the ears and at times odor. An initial diagnosis should always be made by your veterinarian if your pet is experiencing these symptoms. Many of us pet parents are all too familiar with our pets' specific symptoms and standard protocol includes ear medications prescribed by the vet for usually 10-12 days, and they do work well.

In some cases, especially when allergies are the culprit behind the ear problems or for drug resistant infection - there is an alternative that is vet recommended and that a couple of my clients have had success with. Zymox Otic is a unique product that contains 3 enzymes, lactoperxodase, lactoferrin and lysozyme. Zymox is effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, viral activity and fungi. It is especially helpful for the maintenance of the ears during allergy season, since there is no risk of resistance. (yippee!) Zymox Otic is available with or without hydrocortisone, as you will learn.

The company that produces Zymox, Pet King Brands - also produces Zymox products to address skin issues, as well as oral care products that include a water additive for good oral health, without brushing. As you may or may not know, oral health is so very important for the overall health of your pet. Good oral health supports a healthy heart. Additionally, it can help your pet have good dentition well into their later years, enabling them to eat solid food that contains proper amounts of fiber (encouraging a healthy digestive tract) and nutrients to support overall health. What I like best about this stuff is that it is a more holistic approach. I recommend that you research the products and the company to edify yourself and to then dialogue with your vet to see if Zymox might be right for your pet.

This long holiday weekend turned out to be one of the most fun in recent memory. It was busy, but the way that everything worked out we got to do all of the things that were important to us and we got the most out of them.

The itinerary consisted of some work (lots of pet sitting for me!), some quality time spent with family, spiritual reflection, cooking (my joy), goofing off and just enjoying life.

The holidays are always pretty busy for me. I have so many established clients who book a couple of months in advance for each holiday to care for their pets for days or weeks at a stretch, and it always fun to spend quality time with all of the animals. Pet sitting is such a rewarding part of my life. There have been a many times when there has been significant snowfall or ice storms and you always hope that day will end up working out ok, with no significant glitches. I am just thankful when there are only a few extra things to do like shovel and salt the drives & walkways, and clear a path for the short-legged dogs! I do worry when there are bad storms, and the possibility of power outages, damage to my clients' homes or tornadoes. I usually make extra trips out to be sure that the power is still on and the air conditioning/heat is still working, for my peace of mind and then update my clients, where ever they are. This holiday went off without a hitch - woohoo! Ironically, I just finished the last of my appointments for the day and it just starting to snow - heavily!

Chris and I had the good fortune of some great friends of ours from Marietta, GA come up to stay with us for few days. (Sadly they left this morning to drive back to GA - they are missing the heavy snow that is falling now!) I was glad to be able to laze around a bit with Dave, Jen and their kids - even for just a bit. Dave and Jen were kind enough to get great tickets for everyone to attend the Red Wings game on Friday evening - what a blast! We parked ourselves at the Detroiteron Beaubien St. for a bit before the game, and took their bus over and got dropped off at the door to The Joe. The game got reallyexciting during the last couple of minutes... the tied score was broken and the house was electric! It was a great crowd, and I am looking forward to going back to see another game. We decided to take a walk near where we were parked in the Greektown area and it was so nice to see everything decorated and lit up for the Holidays. Many thanks to Dave and Jen for getting tickets and sharing the evening!

Chris and I @ the Wings game

On Thanksgiving Day, Chris and I drove to Temperance and spent some time with my family, in between pet sittings. Later that safternoon we enjoyed some (roasted chicken, roasted onion gravy, potatoes and fresh green beans) and spent some extra time with our pets. The next day I decided to make soup out of the leftover poultry bones and meat, so I headed over to the grocery in between appointments to gather the other ingredients that I needed to make it. I asked the meat man if he had any chicken feet and he said, "you're making soup, right? Sorry, no feet!". With no chicken feet available, I decided on wings to enrich the stock and headed home with dill (it adds sweetness to the stock - try it sometime) veggies, egg noodles and spaetzle to start cooking. I was a happy girl! Give me a meal to prepare and some jazz or standards playing in the background and I'm set. We enjoyed the soup that day, the following and today we will finish it, along with some liver pate and good bread.

I was glad to spend some time with a dear friend of mine yesterday, she is in her mid 80's and I always learn so much from her. We did a little shopping down the street from her apartment, since the weather was so favorable. I did the remainder of my pet sitting appointments and headed home to get some more of that soup and did a little reading, meditation and ended the day with a steaming mug of hot cocoa, topped with fat free Reddi-Whip.

One of my regrets was not getting over to Le Dog for lunch at some point. I am never able to get over to that part of A2 during that part of the day. Perhaps this coming week. :)

Now Chris and I are now enjoying the remainder of the day, with a cozy fire going in the fireplace, a beautiful snowy view from out the front window - and laughing our dogs witnessing the first significant snow in our area this season. What better way to end an awesome long weekend?

How did you spend your holiday?

I love this time of year. The heightened sense of goodwill is abundant. There’s such a sense of anticipation. I think the expectation of the coming season makes us think more about loved ones - a sense of wanting to feel more connected to others. Perhaps it’s the luxurious opportunity to be able to spend a little more time at home this time of year that helps, too! Animals are natural part of this… they never seem to lose their sense of unity and they remind us of our inherent responsibility to others, because of their authentic attentiveness and joy.

It is certainly easy to get caught up in all of the spirit of the season, and I frequently hear about folks making the decision to get a pet as a gift for a loved one for Christmas. I usually cringe when I hear this. Now, I do know that there are very responsible, well meaning individuals out there who enter this process the right way and everything works out great because they were properly prepared. But, sadly I get visions of people traipsing over to a pet store (or private owner who’s dog got tangled up with the neighbor’s dog that got loose… OOPS!) to pick out a cute puppy as well as a leash, food/water bowls, a bed, a few treats and a bag of food. (Actually, I have seen people do this.) With very little real preparation or forethought, they bring everything home, they surprise their kids with a puppy (what is the breed again???) and everything is great – for about a week. By this point, Mom and Dad are fed up with the kids not pitching in to get said puppy outside to potty in time (or at all), the accidents, the chewing of personal belongings, etc. On top of this, everyone goes back to work, school, and dance class twice a week, sports practice three times a week, and puppy sits home alone. No one realizes how much time and care a puppy needs to be properly trained to become a well adjusted member of the household. Nor does anyone have the time or patience to carry out the consistent job of age appropriate training and housebreaking. Puppy grows into an unmanageable adolescent dog that isn’t so cute anymore. Dog is given away to someone else because family cannot manage the responsibility anymore. Hopefully the new family will have the ability to give the proper attention that the dog needs. Hopefully. Can you imagine how confusing and sad it is for that dog to be shifted from one home to another like that?

Having an animal is an extraordinary experience. There are no pets that are ‘low maintenance’, period.

Welcoming a new pet into your family takes a lot of consideration & research to prepare for, regardless of the animals’ age or breed.

• All breeds of cats and dogs are different, from their dietary needs, behavioral attributes and health issues. Did you know that some breeds of cat actually like to play fetch like dogs do? Some dogs are more prone to cardiac issues, liver dysfunction or disorders like ‘mega-esophagus’ (and need to be fed a specialized diet of slurried food, by hand, so that they don’t choke to death.)

It is a considerable financial obligation, too – over the life of the animal.

• Do you have the financial means to pay for the food? What about vet visits every 6 – 12 months for vaccines, check-ups, medicine… what about more serious medical issues?

The life expectancy of a pet is important to consider as well.

• Depending on the breed, dogs can live anywhere from 7 – 16 + years
• Ditto for cats, but their life expectancy can upwards of 20 years. (Yes, really.)
• Ditto for exotic birds, but it’s more like 30 – 70+ years.

What is your lifestyle like? What is your life going to look like in 7-8 years?

• What is your living situation like now? Do you own, rent… will that change?
• What is your schedule like? How many hours do you work?
• Do you like to travel?
  
• Are you married, single… do you have kids - have you had kids yet? What will life be like once kids go off to college?

If and when you decide that the time is right for you to welcome a pet into your home permanently, please think about a pet that needs re-homing. Nearly 11 years ago, I welcomed our Silver, a domestic shorthair from an acquaintance who had a habit of getting pets, and then needing to get rid of them because of their perpetual unstable living situations. A year later, I adopted Gretchen - a St. Bernard/Shepard mix from a private owner at the age of 5 1/2 weeks after learning that the owner of the mother dog was going to have the last two pups of the litter destroyed in 3 days. (The other pup was adopted by someone else). My partner, Chris Glahn, adopted Bruiser, our yellow lab mix many years ago from a family who could no longer care for him. We are very blessed to have these pets in our life and they count on us. There are so many pets in need of homes of all ages – but you might even consider adopting a pet who is elderly. You could make a huge difference in their final years, and they have a lot to give in return.

For extra karma points, drop off a bag of pet food, cat litter or other needs to your local animal shelter!!

If you are thinking ahead (or not!) and are considering securing the services of a capable, compassionate pet sitter for your critters, I welcome your inquiry. I would love to meet with you to see if we are a match. Please get in touch either by phone or e-mail.

Tuesday morning was gorgeous - the above picture was what I awoke to. On the way out to start my day I listened to Morning Edition as I normally do. Amid all of the gloom and doom about the present and future of Michigan's economy and real estate market, I heard that the west side of Michigan got their first significant snowfall; the Saugatuck/Douglas area got 6 inches! Hearing that, I cheerfully recalled a trip that my significant other, Chris Glahn and I took to Saugatuck, and I recalled just how much Michigan has to offer.

A short 2.5 hour drive from home, the Saugatuck/Douglas area proved to be a great choice for a getaway. A quaint coastal town on the west side of Michigan, Saugatuck, a family friendly town - is known as the 'art coast of Michigan', and boasts close to 40 art galleries in the vicinity. Whenever we travel to different cities, Chris and I make a point to visit the art district. With a range of genres and media, there was truly something for every art afficionado - we were not disappointed. Before we left, we consulted TripAdvisor as we always do to help plan our trips. Chris and I like to stay in Bed & Breakfasts for the more personalized service and feel, and it's a good way to meet people and to get their take on what to do while in town. We located a wonderful B&B in the downtown area that proved to be a great choice overall. Willa, our Innkeeper at the Twin Oaks Inn was so gracious, and a great cook. She pays close attention to detail. Our well-appointed room always smelled and felt fresh, had a private bath, cozy robes and a day bed in the nook (which was great when I could not sleep one evening and wanted to read without disturbing Chris). One evening, we played horseshoes after returning from dinner. Willa's screened porch was peaceful to sit in and read on the couch. We were able to walk from the B & B to all of the action in a few short minutes. Additionally, we discovered a great way to get around if you did not want to walk - the Interurban. One of the gallery owners told us about the Interurban when he overheard us talking about trying to call a cab. For a $1 per person, you call them up and they meet you outside your door, and you get a one way trip from place to place. What could be better?

Whether we wanted to go to the shops, or Oval Beach (which was beautiful and only a short drive, as we did not want to climb over Mt. Baldy to get there), everything was easy to get to. We happened upon the USS Keewatin, a 350-foot passenger steamship that once navigated the Great Lakes, is now a floating maritime museum moored in Douglas. We decided to pass on a tour of the ship, but we realized that we found a great little bar/restaurant called the Red Dock that is adjacent to the USS Keewatin. Probably one of the best kept secrets of Saugatuck, the Red Dock is a little bar/cafe on the waterfront that in my opinion, had the best food and drinks in the area and the price was unbeatable. The atmosphere was phenomenal - it reminded us of being in Key West... reggae music playing on the outdoor speakers and live music I am told on the weekends. If you visit the area, go there and take your kids! They will love seeing the duck boats launch and watching the birds float by. Get the Reuben or the Curry Rice Salad. You won't leave hungry! We hit the Olive Mill - a great place for foodies like me to taste artisan olive oils and balsamic vinegars. There were also good wineries that offer tastings, among other specialty shops. Chris and I trekked down the coast a few miles one day to visit South Haven and enjoyed that as well. Beautiful beach, there. Great for kids.

We returned home after a short drive rested and ready to get back to 'life'. We didn't have to go too far, or spend too much money. That was just one of many trips I've taken around the state. Michigan is a great place to live or visit. I was born in Michigan and have lived in the area my whole life. You're never far from something interesting, fun, educational, cultural, beautiful. The state is full of history. I can name many places throughout the state, from the Traverse City area (go to Interlochen!), to the Upper Peninsula, to the Tunnel of Trees (along the L. Michigan shoreline - gorgeous!), the Fridge, art museums, lakes everywhere, the Henry Ford, concerts at Meadowbrook or DTE (too bad tickets are so expensive),hockey... I could go on. There are so many things that I would miss if I moved away.

Yep, Michigan is good.

As any homeowner knows, selling your home can be challenging. After listening to your Realtor's urging to get your home decluttered, changing paint color, getting the yard in order, fixing those little things that have been broken for years - and possibly staging your home, things are looking pretty good! Woohoo!

You now have your abode on the market, and your Realtor wants to get an open house scheduled. Great!You start thinking... '...what are we going to do with the dog for a couple of hours during the open house? Oh, we can go to a park and run errands and she can go with us...' That works just fine, usually. What if after the open house, you have a potiental buyer who wants another appointment for a second look 'round, and they want to come on a weekday afternoon while you're at work? You call me, that's what! As a professional pet sitter, I can stop by before the Realtor and potiental buyer arrive to take your dog out for a long walk, or even to the pet store to browse around. Why not avoid the chaotic scenario of your pup getting freaked out by strangers trapising through 'their territory'?

Your real estate professional might have suggested that your pets' bedding/bowls/litter box might need to be moved to a less conspicuous area of the house. They might be right! Do keep in mind, however that most animals are very set in their routine and changing abruptly can be a disaster. I have a few pointers to make the transition easier, and to keep your home feeling and smelling fresh...

Dogs and Cats:

• Bedding - Most pet beds can be laundered. (Thankfully!) Usually removing the outer cover and liner and tossing in the washer with environmentally friendly laundry detergent (I like Mrs. Meyer's), and 1/2 cup of borax. Dry as usual, without using fabric softener - use 1 c white vinegar instead. On sunny days, you can set the inner part of the bed out on the deck to air out. Sunlight helps to kill bacteria and freshen, as does fresh air. Repeat this process as needed. I try wash our dog beds at least once a month.
• Cats DO NOT LIKE their litter boxes to be moved. Period. Mine doesn't anyway. If you must move the litter box, do so by moving it only a few feet each day until you get it where it's new place will be. If cats are not happy with where their litter box is placed, they will not use it, and may decide to use an area unacceptable to you - or your potiental buyers. Be sure, as always to scoop the litter clean each day to keep the box clean. I highly recommend using EverClean litter (Charcoal Formula), as it clumps very hard and scoops clean. No odor. Period. When scooping litter, please wash your hands well immediately. If you are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system - it's advisable that you not handle litter at all to avoid the possibility of getting toxoplasmosis. If you must handle litter, use disposable gloves, and wash your hands immediately. Under no circumstances use pine or cedar-based litter, or litter containing fragrances or essential oils like lavender. Lavender, pine, cedar, tea tree oil & rosemary all contain naturally occuring phenols, which are toxic to felines. None of these should be used in any capacity around felines.
• Remember to pick up the poop in the yard. :)
• For pet odors, even cat urine, I highly recommend a biodegradable product called Push, by the Betco company. I have used it for years, and it is safe - and very inexpensive.
• Invest in a Swiffer! I could not live without one!
• Vacuum regularly (don't forget the furniture!)

I hope that these tips help. If you live in the Dexter or Chelsea area, please call me for rates and availability for dog sitting during your open houses or showings. I would be happy to meet with you and your pets, to assess you needs and to see if we are a fit!