Deborah Howard’s Blog

Trimming your cat’s nails can be a challenge if not a downright nightmare. It takes patience, composure, and a lot of love. If you thought the process was traumatizing for you, place yourself in Fifi’s paws. Not only is the fuzz ball yanked away from her (or his) favorite snoozing spot, but you’re rubbing off your icky, human smell and touching her precious legs! Invasion of privacy, anyone?

Yeah- it’s not easy. Yeah- you have the battle scars to prove it. The bottom line is: you still have to take out those nail clippers. Not only are you helping the furniture stay safe and sound but, if you have other pets and children running around the house, you can prevent scratches that can quickly become infected (how do you think cats tidy up their litter boxes? We assure you, it’s not with the scooper). Read the rest of this entry »

Staying indoors during those beautiful summer days can spell misery for you and for your rambunctious buddy. The sky is clear and blue, the birds are singing and chirping, and all your friends and neighbors are finally out of hibernation mode. The only thing keeping you inside, besides the locked door, is the sweltering heat outside. It hits you like a wave every time you step out the cool sanctuary- so why bother? Even though turning up the a/c and remaining oblivious to the high temperatures outside sounds tempting, you and the barking pooch need some quality time in the sun. Not only is it fun, but it helps burn away those extra pounds you both probably gained during the winter. Read the rest of this entry »

We love companion animals. They are more than just “pets:” they cuddle with us in the sofa, lend an ear during boring drives, accompany us on long walks, and keep us safe during the night. Sadly, a great number of dog and cat lovers are highly allergic to certain proteins found in pet dander, urine, and saliva. Regardless of the money spent on Benadryl, cleaning products, and vet visits, at the end of the day (sneezing or no sneezing included) our precious friends are always there to greet us with a happy face.

If living without a barking/meowing pal is NOT an option, follow these simple tips to reduce the sniffles and prohibit watery, itchy eyes from dampening the wag-a-tail, barks-for-free mood: Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re an avid CAPS blog reader, you should know how serious we are about kitty litter (if you missed out, here’s the entry!). By taking the scoop regularly and sifting thoroughly, you’ll keep your home stink free and your feline friend purring in approval. But what happens when the problem goes beyond the precious, confined space of “the box?” Take a deep breath (of fresh air, that is) and worry not! To every smelly problem, there’s a fresh, cleaning solution. Read the rest of this entry »

Imagine you just found the perfect apartment. It’s not only close to work, but it includes all utilities, a washer and dryer, and, shockingly enough, it’s downright affordable. You pinch yourself to make sure it isn’t a dream, this is too good to be true… until you see the fine print and read that your landlord requires you to declaw and devocalize Princess Meow-Meow. The lovely dream suddenly becomes a nightmare.

Sadly, this is not a hypothetical situation. Many people have to face such demands in order to live in a nice home. Perfect living arrangements are obtainable at the expense of a dog’s vocal chords or a cat’s sharp claws and many veterinarians go ahead with the barbaric procedure.

It’s cruel and unfair, but is anybody doing ANYTHING about it? Read the rest of this entry »

Today we celebrate Earth Day, 24 hours out of an entire year dedicated to that beautiful planet we call home. We all know by now that our decisions play a key role on the environment’s health. If you changed your light bulbs, switched to organic food, came home with a compost heap, commuted, and rode your bike to work, rest assured there’s more you can do. Just like humans have a carbon footprint, animals have a carbon paw print. Read on to learn about the many ways you can help nature and your yapping best friend by making wiser, if not healthier choices: Read the rest of this entry »

Mother’s Day is coming up (May 9th, folks! Mark your calendars!) and we’ve got some purrfect ideas for the animal loving mom. Don’t fret over expensive gifts that don’t always hit the spot (yeah, we know about the unwanted insert tacky item gathering dust in the closet!). Avoid the long lines at the mall, the frantic brainstorming, and the inevitable, empty pockets. The following gifts will not only make the queen of the house happy, but they’ll help organizations such as CAPS and ABC Basset Hound Rescue continue their much needed work with companion animals. Read the rest of this entry »

Nobody enjoys talking about animal poop (yeah, it’s awkward), but there’s no way of avoiding the subject: it always comes down to either taking your dog for a walk or cleaning up a stinking litter box. Most of the entries posted so far have been canine-related. Even though I’m sure doggie doo doos can be somewhat overwhelming, especially on a rainy day, we’re going to focus on our other frisky companions: CATS!

Sifting through clumps of litter is disgusting. Kneeling on the floor, mastering the use of the scooper, and keeping your pet from jumping in as you clean is dishonorable. The embarrassment of a visitor catching a sniff of the ammonia can reach mortifying levels. And lets not forget about the gag factor.

But you love your cat and you make amends, embracing all responsibilities, including the dirty ones.

Read the rest of this entry »

CAPS celebrity Beatrice was all about her SPA treatment last month. As our readers know by now, she’s the princess of the Howard household- meaning: she usually gets what she wants. Regardless of her royalty status, the droopy-eyed cutie has some severe health issues, including deformed elbows (congenital luxation of the elbow’s radial heads) and glaucoma. After carrying the heavy pooch around and getting a shoulder injury, CAPS president Deborah Howard decided to make an appointment for some doggie physical therapy. Bea experienced a new sensation in the doggie world: underwater treadmill therapy. Read the rest of this entry »