Can your pets eat ....

Turkey? The answer is yes and no.  Turkey meat without the trimmings/seasonings (found mostly on the skin) is fine for your pet in small amounts. 

Dressing? No. Dressing contains a combination of ingredients that may be toxic to your pet like onions, as well as other seasonings that could easily cause a stomach upset. 

Gravy? No. Gravy is not good for your dog for the same reason as dressing, the seasonings, plus there is the added fat that your pet does not need.

Casseroles? No. Casseroles contain a variety of ingredients, best left for human consumption.

Sweet Potatoes? Yes, but only the cooked sweet potato without butter and seasonings.

Desserts? No! Sweets and many nuts are not good for pets and chocolate can be fatal. Xylitol (artificial sweetener) can be lethal.

Foods with  seasonings, spices, butter, and other ingredients are often too rich for pets and can cause pancreatitis or other digestive ailments. an be very toxic to dogs. Onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs, so be sure that these ingredients are not added to any food that you are considering sharing with your dog.

To be safe, just refrain from giving them anything that is served at the table for human consumption. 

Is there anything they can eat?  They can eat some PLAIN food without added seasonings in moderation such as: Turkey meat (no bone or skin), plain potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, peas, apples. Doesn't sound too exciting, but it's better than having a sick pet. 

You can also keep a supply of  healthy pet treats on hand so that your pet can feel included in the celebrations!  Happy Thanksgiving!
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There are many good reasons to adopt an older pet. 

• With age comes wisdom!  Senior pets are mostly trained and already know basic commands. This means they probably won’t chew up your Christian Louboutins (if you own a pair) or your John Richard Ottoman (if your feet are propped on one) or the legs of the “Rooms to Go” sofa that you are working to pay for. In short, they are over that crazy chewing stage! The same goes for senior cats. Nothing is cuter or more fun to watch than the antics of a playful kitten. Of course, it is not very cute when their claws shred the upholstery on the cushion of your chair. An older cat may well be trained to use a scratching post.  
• Potty pros! They are likely already trained to pee and poop outside and sleep through the night. So you don’t have to worry about cleaning up messes in the morning or waking up at ungodly hours to let your pup out. 
• Calm as a clam! Their energy has slowed, no longer needing long, fast-paced walks and games of pitch and fetch, so they are perfectly content to join you on the sofa in front of the TV. And there is nothing more charming or restful than a mellow senior cat/dog dreaming contentedly by a fireplace or on your lap.
• Be a hero! By adopting a homeless older pet, you may be saving its life! Many people are quick to adopt younger pets, overlooking ones that are 5+ years old. Sadly, older pets have a greater chance of being euthanized if not adopted in a timely manner. 
• Be an advocate for love at all stages of life. One very important  reason to adopt a senior pet is that you will be standing up for the value and beauty of life at all ages and stages. The sad fact is that many older pets have been abandoned because their owners simply no longer want to take care of them. 
  
  

Overall, the older pet is less demanding than a young one, requiring less of your energy, but appreciating your love and companionship just the same.  
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Yes, there are many issues that come with an aging pet, but they are a very small price to pay for the priceless love they can offer! 

“To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring - it was peace.”
Milan Kundera

Minnie is a sweet but anxious little dog who needed a person that could be around her most of the day.  Cute as she is, she got a lot of interest and had a few trial adoptions that sadly fell through.  We really wanted Minnie to end up in the right home so we were prepared to give her as much time as she needed. 
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Did you know what you were looking for when you walked into our Adoption Center? ​​ What was it about Minnie Penny that attracted you to her and made you pick her?
When I adopted Penny I had no preconceived requirements. Penny’s eyes were the view into her soul.  She looked so alone and I was too.  I’m so happy to have her in my life.

Penny was 7 when you adopted her. Has there been any challenges to adopting a senior dog?
As always,  when we age life is just harder, she is my joy and although there will be some challenges we haven’t experienced any this far.  She eats and drinks and uses the doggy door for her “business”.  

What are the benefits of adopting a senior dog?
Benefits of a senior dog is most are house trained and can manage on their own as far as daily routines.  

The Senior to Senior Program* is such a financial help for those of us on fixed incomes.  Thank you for the service you provide.  ​

How is Penny doing now?
In a word - wonderful!  She loves to cuddle now.  I was afraid that might not happen but it has and I love it!  She has the run of both my yard and my landlord's yard as we have a doggy door in his fence so his dogs and Penny come and go as they please without worry of escape.  When we came home the day I adopted her, we got inside the fence and I removed her leash and she ran circles around the whole perimeter of the yard about 3 times before she was ready to come inside.  

Would you encourage others to adopt senior dogs?
Yes, I would and do encourage my friends to adopt Senior animals because of many reasons.  They are usually trained either crate or house trained.  It’s much easier for them in a one to one situation. 

Here are some tips to help keep your furry family member in tip top shape, especially with the forth coming holidays that will be filled with company and parties.
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Brush it! Start a home routine of good grooming habits when your puppy is new to your home.  If you have a rescue, start slowly and time will usually make a good brushing something your dog will look forward to. Gentle brushing feels good, keeps the hair from matting and distributes the oils in your dog (and cat’s coat) just as it does in your own hair.
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Bath time? Some dogs take to it, others not so much. 

• Test the water! Literally. We assume that what feels good to us will feel good to our pet, but not so. Our bath water temperature is too hot for them. Make sure the water is lukewarm, 90 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure the area where you are bathing is not drafty and is warm enough. 
• Protect their ears and eyes from soap as you would a child’s and use only pet shampoo and conditioner on their coats. Putting cotton in their ears will help keep water out.  
• ​Blow your pet dry to get the best results for the coat and to keep your dog from catching a chill.  Again, continue to move the dryer back and forth and check the heat with your hand to make sure you don’t burn their sensitive skin.

Don’t overlook their teeth.  Brushing with a soft brush or finger brush and a pet approved toothpaste helps prevent tooth and gum problems. 

Nails may need trimming, too.  You can do this yourself or rely on the groomer if you are unsure about cutting them, but make sure they do not get too long as this causes problems with splayed toes, broken nails, etc.  

Follow these simple rules and your four to six weeks visit to the professional groomer will be easier on everyone, and sometimes less expensive.  Groomers often charge extra for a matted dog.