Leo the cat found himself in a shelter at 6-years-old, waiting for a loving family to take him home, but his health issues made it difficult for the ginger cutie to find a home. Nonetheless, a couple that had been going to the shelter trying to find a buddy to adopt felt like Leo was the perfect match and after a couple times, they decided to make it official. “Each time we left without him our hearts broke, so we knew he was the one. He does have some health issues, however, which is probably why he had been in there 4 months and not been adopted. We didn’t care though,” the couple shared. Leo had to get dental surgery to fix an issue he had in his gum and although it took some saving, his humans managed to give the feline the medical help he needed and he’s now living happily, being the most loving cat. “I highly recommend adopting an older cat! They have less chance of ever being adopted. It’s such a good feeling to be able to give them the love they deserve.” To read more on this story, click here:6-Year-Old Cat Finally Finds Loving Home After Spending A Long Time In Shelter
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On Wednesday, Meghan Markle was reportedly seen walking her dog and cleaning up after it—or was she? Miami-based reporter Lisa Petrillo tweeted a photo that appeared to show the Duchess of Sussex walking her pup outside of Kensington Palace, but palace sources denied that the woman in the photo was Meghan. Petrillo insisted on Instagram that she met the Duchess and pet her dog, and though some royal watchers believed her, others remained skeptical. But even if we never learn whether that dog walker was Meghan or not, we can't help but wonder: Do royals even walk their own dogs in the first place? And do they clean up after them? "Members of the royal family are just like you and I when it comes to walking their dogs. From the Queen to Princess Anne and even Duchess Kate, they have all been spotted walking their four-legged friends around the numerous royal estates and parks over the years," royal commentator Omid Scobie tells BAZAAR.com. "And yes, when it comes to dealing with a dog’s, ahem, business, no royal has been too proud to handle things themselves," he added. To read more on this story, click here:Does the Royal Family Actually Walk Its Own Dogs?
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A pet company in Japan has opened a nursing home for older dogs which will provide round-the-clock vet care, a specialist guy, and even a swimming pool! This is offered as a positive option for families with older pets that can be harder to care for. Hopefully, this will keep people from just abandoning their older dogs, or putting them down. Aeonpet Co., which is a subsidiary of the Aeon supermarket chain, is the company responsible for starting the idea. The first site is opening at a shopping mall east of Tokyo, and has spots for an initial intake of 20 dogs. “We decided to open the nursing facility because so many dog owners have requested something like this,” said Nanako Oiishi, a spokesperson for the company. “Many Japanese people have pets now, but of course they get old and it can be difficult to care for them.” Along with having vet services with a dedicated doctor on call at all times, there is a large grooming room, and owners will be able to stay with their animals as they live out the last days of their lives in comfort and luxury. The care will also incorporate some services offered at the company’s luxury pet hotel at Tokyo's Narita Airport, including an hourly room temperature check and webcam so owners can look in on dogs day and night. Prices will vary depending on the size and type of canine, although the company expects it will set the average owner back about $1,000 per month. Aeonpet’s president said his intention is to use the first dog retirement home as a method to establish a second to none and available nowhere else. They also hope to “establish an industry standard” in care for our older pets. “We hope to eventually expand operations nationwide,” Akihiro Ogawa, Aeonpet’s president, said. Aeonpet is already the largest pet company in Japan. There are more than 170 stores, and 59 hospitals for pets in operation throughout the country. Improved living conditions and health services for animals mean that the majority are living far longer than in the past, while new laws that went into effect in Japan last year make it a legal obligation for pet owners to take care of their animals until they die.
It's that time of year. The weather will soon start cooling down, our children will be back in school, and we have to say goodbye to our relaxing summer days. Right now is an incredibly busy time for parents. Back to school shopping, getting our kids back on an early bedtime routine and what have you. During all this, one thing often gets overlooked. Our pets. Believe it or not, they feel the stress of changes around them. Dogs especially get so used to routine, and having their mini humans home with them every day. And they love it. So when all that comes to a quick halt, our dogs feel that. Some will even get upset about it. To read more on this story, click here:Back To School Affects Our Pets: Here's How You Can Help
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Anyone with a furry friend can tell you that keeping up with a dog’s shedding is a full-time job. Some dogs can grow 100 feet of fur per day...that’s adding up all the new strands covering the entire animal end-to-end, including the fluff between your dog’s toes. So it’s easy to see why taking care of your dog’s coat can sometimes seem overwhelming. But all that fluff’s got real substance! You may not know it, but your dog’s fur:
Is eight times warmer than wool
Is fire-resistant
Wards off dirt
Repels static
Protects from parasites
So how do you keep your dog’s coat healthy and handsome? Use these tips and tricks from the experts! A Healthy Diet Like humans, dogs are only as healthy as what they eat, says Michael Weiss, a veterinarian at All Creatures Veterinary Care Center in Sewell, N.J. Two things to look for in your dog’s food: Protein If your dog lacks this vital nutrient, its body will dedicate protein to muscle first, leaving its fur and skin dry and dull. Make sure your dog’s food is rich in protein. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. These essential building blocks keep your dog’s coat healthy, thick and lustrous. They may also help reduce itching, dandruff and allergy-related skin problems. On the ingredients panel, look for fish oil, fish meal or flax, all excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Exercise Exercise not only keeps your dog slim, it may also help keep her fur in top condition. Weiss says regular exercise benefits your dog’s overall health -- and a healthy dog is more likely to have a healthy, shiny coat. Grooming The fact is you can’t keep your dog from shedding. But with a few key products and techniques, you can easily take great care of your dog’s coat at home to keep it looking its best: Brush at least once a week. In order to keep your dog’s mane manageable, give the fur one good brush each week with a de-shedding brush to get out the undercoat, says New York City-based groomer Lisa Caputo from the dog service company Biscuits and Bath. Part the hair and brush from the skin out to avoid matting, moisture and heat build-up, which can cause yeast and bacteria. For an even slicker look, give your dog a quick brush every day. Bathe with gentle shampoos and conditioners. If your dog has sensitive skin, try a hypoallergenic or oatmeal shampoo. It is recommended that you wash your pooch every four weeks. Medical Checkups If you notice your dog has consistently itchy, uncomfortable skin or is shedding more than usual, your best bet is to take him to a veterinarian. It could be something as small as a food allergy to a more serious problem, like ringworm.
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Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection caused by the bartonella henselae bacterium. The bacteria can be carried in a cat's saliva and is usually contracted by being bitten or scratched by a cat. The cats probably get it from fleas, but this has not been established. CSD is an opportunistic infection that is usually not serious for patients with healthy immune systems. About 40% of cats carry the bacteria in their saliva at some point in their lives, cats that carry Bartonella henselae do not themselves show any signs of illness. Most people contract the disease after being scratched or bitten by a cat. Since these bacteria may also be present on cat fur, it is possible to contract the disease from petting a cat and then rubbing your eyes. Kittens are more likely than older cats to carry the bacteria and to transmit the infection to humans. Sometimes people who get cat scratch disease do not recall ever being scratched or bitten by a cat. Symptoms A person who has had contact with an infected cat may show common symptoms, including:
Bump (papule) or blister (pustule) at site of injury (usually the first sign)
Fatigue
Fever (in some patients)
Headache
Lymph node swelling (lymphadenopathy) near the site of the scratch or bite
Kevin Raffee had waited until nearly the last minute. His wife, Julie Lamacchia, had already left their seaside home in Wilmington, N.C. But on Wednesday morning, the “life-threatening” force of Hurricane Florence churned closer, and it was time to leave. So Raffee started packing the nine-foot moving van in the driveway — dubbed the “Fluffy Bus” — with what really counted: nearly two dozen cats and dogs the couple saved from possible euthanasia. For many pets that have been left behind or abandoned after their owners fled this coastal county and surrounding communities, the final days before the storm hits could mean life or death. [These cats and dogs were moved to safety as Hurricane Florence bears down on the East Coast] Local, government-run animal shelters were filling up fast, and in many jurisdictions, such as Pender County, shelters that hit capacity must “make space,” Jewel Horton, manager of Pender County Animal Shelter, told The Washington Post on Wednesday. To read more on this story, click here:Shelter in Hurricane’s Path Warns it Will Euthanize Animals if it Can’t Find People to Adopt Them
Baby flamingos who were abandoned by their parents have been learning to walk around the Prague zoo. This will help to socialized so they can easily reintegrate with the rest of the flock.
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