This may become a regular series, the way we’re going! We had our home inspection this morning for the kitten fostering we’ve been looking into, and have been approved!

Within the next few hours we’ll be getting a litter of four kittens who will likely only be with us overnight, as we’ll have to take them into Petco tomorrow for an adoption event, and there’s a very good chance they’ll all find new homes. I’m very excited just the same, and think this is going to be a great experience for all of us.
If you’re interested in cat fostering, get …read more

According to the Humane Society, 63% of American households have pets, but only 10% of owned dogs and 18% of owned cats are adopted from shelters. So many great companion animals need you. If you’re looking for a new pet, I highly encourage you to visit your local shelter. If you want to research online first, there are plenty of resources.
Where to search online for shelter pets:

Shelter Pet Project, a fun site that asks you questions before revealing your matched pet results.
Petfinder, a valuable resource utilized by many shelters and rescues.

As you may know, I’ve been featuring special needs pets …read more

Marcy Mary is the “first-person” tale of a dachshund puppy accidentally separated from her mom. Mary goes on to learn about life, teaching a few lessons along the way, with her adoptive family — the Anthonys.
This is author Kathleen Chamberlin’s first book. She returned to her original love, creative writing after retiring from work as a healthcare executive. As a special treat for Blisstree readers, Marcy Mary, has written a story all about dachshunds. Enjoy!

Dachshunds: The Long and the Short of It
By Marcy Mary, Dachshund-American Princess (as told to Kathleen Chamberlin)

So you are thinking of inviting a dachshund into your …read more

Up until today it was thought household pets couldn’t catch the H1N1 virus (also known as swine flu), but an Iowa cat has just proved earlier assumptions wrong!

The 13-year-old indoor house cat, who has fully recovered from the illness, reportedly caught the virus from one of two human household members who were sick with H1N1. It isn’t believed that the cat has passed the virus on to anyone — or anything! — else. An IDPH Public Health veterinarian says it’s actually not that unexpected, and that other flu strains have been found in cats before.
Up until today the H1N1 virus …read more

All dog owners have been there: trying to juggle either an armload of bags and parcels — or maybe just a drink and a cell phone — all the while grabbing onto the end of a leash with our four-legged friend(s) on the other end.

The Shabby Dog has taken this problem and turned it into a “why didn’t someone think of that sooner?” They’ve created a wrist cuff that turns a leash into a hands-free lead (and the cuffs are cute too)!
Simply attach one of the stylish cuffs to your wrist, attach the leash, and you’re good to go. Made …read more

Phelps is a 7-year-old sweet and friendly Retriever mix taken in by Last Hope Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation, a small private rescue that helps dogs and cats from local shelters. He presently lives at Last Hope’s Dog Center on Long Island.

As you might guess, Phelps is a very good swimmer. In May, he was found swimming across a large canal in Babylon, NY. He spent three months at the Babylon Town Shelter before being fostered at Last Hope. In August, Phelps had a lump removed from his hind leg. It had previously tested benign, but it ended up being a …read more

Thanksgiving isn’t typically a holiday that you think you need to worry about your pets, unlike say, Halloween or the Fourth of July. Though there isn’t much around to scare a pet (unless you have a lot of family ringing the doorbell!), there are hazards readily available that you might not even give a second thought to.

Last year I provided a bunch of tips that included info on feeding dogs bones and table scraps, which many people know about, to lesser known issues like hidden toothpicks and skewers that dogs can easily choke on.
Another thing that occurred to me last …read more

This week is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. One of the best ways to show your appreciation is to adopt a pet that needs a home. Adopting a special needs pet is even better if your life allows it.
I’d like for you to get to know a special cat who needs a good home, and perhaps she may even find a home with you!
Willamina is a three-year-old domestic short hair gray tabby. She lives at the ASPCA in the Upper Eastside of Manhattan in New York City, but she wants to find a special home of her own.
She was rescued …read more

Yesterday my family and I stopped at the pet store to pick up some dog food. In the front of the store they had cages set up with cats and kittens available for adoption, so of course we had to take a little detour.

While my girls ooh’d and ahh’d over the kittens, my husband and I got to talking with one of the volunteers about the three cats we already have. Though we’re not “in the market” for any more pets we do miss having kittens around (and the girls have never had kittens!), the volunteer mentioned that they can …read more

Inspired by Life to the MAX, this gift package is on sale for the holidays. First, what’s Life to the MAX?
Max is a dog. More specifically, Max is a wild, wiry Airedale Terrier with lots of wisdom. Life to the MAX is told in Max’s own words (translated by his Mom, of course).
The book follows Max and his family through funny, poignant life tales and lessons with real-life photos and colorful graphics. Robin Reynolds, of Tempe, Ariz., is the author of this book inspired by her family dog.

The Life to the MAX Gift Pack retails for $50, but is available …read more