Paws For Reflection

01/18/2025

My dog Chester, who just passed, suffered from dementia and had a version commonly called Sundowners. He was 16 and had some noticeable cognitive decline around age 15. We moved last year and it triggered full blown dementia. We did not sleep at night for the past six months. It was super hard on all of us in the home. I found this link and one more I will put in the comments section. If you can start the supplements early on as you notice decline, you might be more successful in supporting your 4 legged friend.

If your dog is 10 years or older, he's at risk for dementia, or canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS). While there are six signs of CCDS to watch out for, this symptom can be one of the most troubling for human companions.

01/08/2025

For my SoCal clients, get yourself to safety when asked and this might be a resource for you. Praying for calming winds. Holding you all. ❤️‍🩹

If anyone affected by the Palisades fire needs help with their animals please let me know …[email protected] I have an old veterinary hospital in Marina del Rey we can use to house animals. Please spread the word and let me know if anyone needs help.
Xoxo
Dr. Annie

12/27/2024

Consider coming off of raw poultry for cats for now or cook it. And feeding raw milk.Symptoms look like this: “What are the symptoms of bird flu in cats?
Cats sick with bird flu might experience loss of appetite, lethargy and fever.

If your cat is usually playful and likes to look out the window, but instead has been sleeping all the time or hiding from you, take note, Bailey said. “There’s something wrong,” he said.

They could have reddened or inflamed eyes and discharge from the eyes and nose. They might have difficulty breathing or have tremors or seizures.

If your cat is sick, call your veterinary clinic and keep the cat away from anyone with a weakened immune system.”

The death of an Oregon house cat from bird flu and a pet food recall are raising questions about how people can protect their pets

12/23/2024

The problem is real!

11/27/2024

Not sure if you knew of this amazing human. He flew many animals to new lives. He died doing what he loved. It’s a sad day…

A volunteer pilot known for helping transport rescue animals to shelters died in a plane crash in the Catskill Mountains in New York on Sunday while transporting three dogs to a no-kill shelter.

10/23/2024

It's that time of year again - when people yell at strangers on the internet about proper pumpkin care and wildlife health.

Things to consider this spooky season regarding your delicious orange porch snack, aka, your decorative pumpkin:

✨ Remember: Critters will likely eat (or at least nibble on!) your carved jack-o’-lanterns. Squirrels, raccoons, deer, moose, foxes, mice and insects might feast on the tasty treat you left out near your front door. “How nice of you!” they probably think as they eat their weight in slimy pumpkin goodness.
✨ Painted pumpkins can make for an easier way to create a fun or creepy jack-o'-lantern. However, a painted pumpkin can potentially be toxic to wildlife if they eat it. If you choose to paint your pumpkin, please keep it indoors and away from any critters who might feast on its painted flesh. You can also explore nontoxic paint options made with natural ingredients when possible.
✨ In recent years, social media users have posted various “tricks” to keep a carved pumpkin from rotting so quickly. Keep in mind that letting nature take its course is always an option. Carved pumpkins are eventually going to decompose one way or another. Always follow the directions of any product you’re applying to a pumpkin for your safety and others’ (including wildlife!).

Check out the comments to see more tips on how to keep pumpkins safe for wildlife.

Graphic by USFWS

10/23/2024

We all play!

10/17/2024

Reminder!!

09/15/2024

Great advice!

Walk with me; don’t just walk me. Slow down and see the world as I do. I know you’ve got things to do, places to be. But out here, with the ground beneath our feet and the sky above us, there’s a whole world worth noticing.

The autumn chill is in the air today, crisp and full of new smells. It’s different from yesterday, and different from the day before. Every day is new. The leaves crunch under my paws, and I stop to breathe in the rich, earthy scent of them. To you, it might just be a pile of leaves, but to me, it’s a story—one I can’t help but dive into, nose first.

There’s a squirrel somewhere nearby, I can sense it, darting up a tree, its tiny heart beating fast. And the wind carries whispers of things far away: a family cooking dinner, the trace of a cat that passed by early this morning, and the faint perfume of flowers holding on to their last bit of summer. It’s all here, swirling around us if you just take the time to notice.

You tug on the leash, eager to move on, and I can tell you’re thinking about something far away from here. But when we walk, truly walk, you and I can be in this moment together. Feel the cool air brush against your skin, let it wake you up. Notice how the sun filters through the branches, casting shadows that dance on the pavement. Hear the crunch of the leaves beneath our steps, like a secret rhythm just for us.

To you, it might be just another walk, a daily routine to tick off the list. But for me, every step is an adventure. Each scent is a clue, each sound a piece of a puzzle. When you walk with me, really walk with me, you’ll see it too. The world is bigger than what we’re rushing toward. It’s right here, in the small moments, in the quiet spaces between your thoughts.

So, slow down. Breathe. Let the chill fill your lungs and the colours fill your eyes. Walk with me, don’t just walk me. See the world as I do, if only for a little while. It’s all waiting for you, just beneath the surface.
Natalie P
2024
Picture created with AI