Paw Prints
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A blog by the friendly folks at Midland Humane Coalition
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The story below was shared by Cheryl Ives, MHC Adoption Center Staff member, Tiny Tim's former Foster Mom and new Forever Family Tiny Tim has made a perfect addition to our family and pack of “littles”. As a rescuer, I am drawn to the underdog and that is why I was drawn to Tim with his bad knees and his constant pain. However, the timing wasn’t exactly the best to take on another dog. You see, I wasn’t in my own home and we had just lost our big dog, Trixie, who died of old age during the days of COVID. I initially fought bringing him home because of this. It was actually my husband who kept asking about Tiny Tim and saying "just bring him home". Timmy was very stressed in the kennel environment and he was biting some of the staff members. It really did take him a good three months to feel totally safe in our home. He’s really settled in now and even plays with the other dogs. Tim is a really fun, playful dog and we really enjoy his little antics. He loves to chase a ball and now he uses his legs more and doesn’t have to be carried out for breaks. He really has brought joy to us in these trying times. I would encourage anyone to take home a special needs animal as it can be very fulfilling. It certainly has been for us!
How did you pick Tiny Tim? And what made you decide to adopt him? Sometimes they just pick you!! We did not intend to keep Tiny Tim, but after no one stepped up that really would care for him the way we knew we could, we decided to put a deadline of December 24 on him and my husband and I agreed that he would have a forever family with us if no one adopted him. Why December 24? I planned to adopt Tiny Tim on Christmas Eve this year because that was his drop off date in 2019 and we had not found anyone that was a good fit for him that is really committed to his care. What advice/tips would you give people who are thinking about adopting a special needs dog or cat? Really, I would just say not to shy away from the special needs animals. They can adapt and compensate for any deficits. I used to have a blind cat and she made a wonderful pet. Her sense of smell was so keen and you wouldn’t really know she was blind. All they really need is a routine and a lot of love. Here's a glimpse of Tiny Tim's life in his new home
Identify Fleas Fleas come in four forms: eggs, larvae, pupae and adults. Flea eggs are extremely small. They are covered with a soft, white shell called chorion. These will be very hard to identify if you’re not looking for them and often slip into hairs, carpets and cracks in sofas. Larvae hatch from the eggs. They look like tiny white worms, ranging from 2 to 5 mm in length. Larvae build up their nutrition and then transition into pupae. Pupae form after the larvae spin cocoons. The forming fleas lie dormant as they transition from larvae to pupae and finally to adult fleas inside their cocoons. Adult fleas shed their cocoon and emerge ready to eat. Since they’re between 1.5 - 3.3 mm long, adult fleas are still relatively hard to see; however, it’s much easier to identify fleas during the adult stage of their lifestyle than the other three stages. If you see small, dark brown pests crawling in your pet’s fur, you probably have a flea problem. Steps to Rid Your Pet of Fleas
After cleaning, the home needs to be treated with flea extermination products. This can be an intensive process. Products you find at the store may not do the job. It’s best to have professionals with experience, like Fox Pest Control’s Pest Pros, service the home. They will perform an extensive treatment and answer any questions you have. If a follow-up visit is needed, they’ll let you know.
No Fleas, No Worries By following this advice, you can get your flea situation under control. Your cat or dog will be back to normal in no time. It just takes a little hard work, consistency and trust in the professionals. Now’s the time to enjoy your pet.  Fox Pest Control. No Bugs, Simply Better.
The hunt for Dog Food When it comes to dogs, choosing a healthy dog food can be confusing when you go into a pet store and see the hoard of pet foods and brands available today. Then, to complicate matters, there are differing opinions on what is best. Some say grain free is the way to go, others say include grain. Once dry food was suggested as better than canned, but now processed kibble, fed exclusively, is in question. Breeders say raw is the way to feed and nutritionists say cook human-grade food and vegetables. And then there is the internet that will sell you the priciest pet food, loaded with promises of healthy coat, long-life and regular, to your door, delivery. Oh, my! So how do you decide what to feed? There are some basics to consider when choosing a dog food.
Some people don’t have the luxury of cooking fresh food for their dog every day. If feeding raw, you must be careful and know what you are doing. You can’t feed spoiled food to a dog any more so than to a human. Although the human quality premium pet foods may be an excellent choice, not everyone can afford them, (animals, like humans, need regular medical care to keep them healthy, as well as a nutritious diet). And always remember that marketing is directed at the pet owner, not the pet. Also, when selecting a food, consider that your dog goes through different stages in his or her lifetime including puppy, senior and pregnancy that require different nutritional needs. Assuming you have a healthy dog that does not require a special diet for medical reasons, here are some tips you might consider when choosing a pet food. 1. Talk to your vet for suggestions. In fact, always talk to your vet for advice regarding your pet (we can't stress this enough). 2. Consult an informed person at your pet store. But remember, they got their information from the vendor selling the product, and premium and price are not always a good gauge of quality. 3. When shopping for dog food, check out the ingredients:
4. When you have selected a food, store it in a proper container at home and keep bowls clean. 5. Monitor how your dog responds to the food. If your dog is gaining too much weight or losing weight, having stomach issues or not eating, talk to your vet and go back to square one if necessary. The search for Cat Food
Here are some tips you might consider when choosing a food for your feline: 1. As always, the first step is to consult with your vet for suggestions on what to feed your cat. Your vet will know the best food for your cat's age, size, as well as specific nutritional requirements for any medical conditions they might have. 2. Do you research and keep an eye on ingredients. Also, like dogs, cats go through various stages in their lifetime that require different nutritional needs. Be sure they're getting the right type of food for their age. Commercial Cat Food
3. Once you've decided on cat food that works, store their food properly, keep their bowls of food and water clean and in a low traffic area where they feel comfortable. 4. As always, look for signs from your four-legged family member. We know they communicate with us! Canine or Feline, your pet deserves to thrive and enjoy his or her meals. Bon appetit!
The Loneliness Epidemic Current studies show that America is experiencing a loneliness epidemic. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over a quarter of the U.S. population -- and 28 percent of older adults -- now live by themselves. Living alone can be gratifying for some people, as long as they have strong and meaningful social relationships with family and friends. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Plus, in today’s world of technology it is easier than ever to meet daily living needs while rarely leaving your home and thus, allowing television and social media to fulfill social needs. Studies were already being done on what is called “The Loneliness Epidemic,” a current way of life that has ambushed Americans, and then last year we got waylaid by the “COVID Pandemic,” which has further isolated us from one another. What does this loneliness and isolation do to us? Physically, loneliness can have the same effect on one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Wow! Emotionally, think of the song lyrics, “Hear the lonesome Whippoorwill. He sounds too blue to fly. Like me, he’s lost the will to live. I’m so lonesome I could cry.” Physically and mentally, it’s not good! Not everyone can change their living arrangement, and we must follow the guidelines for ridding our country of the COVID virus. However, studies have also been done on factors that can ease loneliness, and one of the most paramount is having a pet in your home.
Studies have shown that many therapeutic effects take place in people who own pets such as:
While isolation and loneliness can trigger symptoms of depression, companionship can help prevent illness and even add years to your life. Caring for a live animal can help make you feel needed and wanted, and take the focus away from your problems, especially if you live alone. Most dog and cat owners talk to their pets, some even use them to work through their troubles. And nothing beats loneliness like coming home to a wagging tail or purring cat. If you're feeling a little isolated and could use companionship from an animal, consider adopting one from the city shelter, a local rescue or stop by our Adoption Center to meet your new best friend! Check our our current Adoptable Pets: www.midlandhumane.org/adoptables
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