Clean Your Room, Save Your Dog's Life

Some of us are just messier than others. It's OK, you don't need to be ashamed! If you were a messy kid, maybe you grew out of it into a more organized adult. Maybe your parents made you keep your room neat and tidy but things got jumbled as you got older. Or maybe you started out a little messy and just kept it up once you became a grown-up. (I can be guilty of this myself sometimes.)

May 10th is National Clean Your Room Day.  I would like to focus today’s newsletter on cleaning, but not just because of this...I'd like to pay attention to it today because it can save your dog's life.

Spring cleaning is a yearly ritual that many of us take part in. Unfortunately, cleaning also means that a lot of people are bringing out lots of toxic chemicals and harsh cleansers. Do you know how to clean safely with a dog around? Here is a great article with tips on how to spring clean with your dog in mind. 

When you're cleaning, I want you to keep an eye out for things that can hurt your dog. Now is a GREAT time to look over the kinds of items that your dog can reach, and consider whether they pose a threat. You might be familiar with some of these, like toxic plants, but others such as chewing gum can also pose a significant threat.

Don't forget, look out for small objects that your dog can easily swallow or chew. These items can get lodged in your dog's digestive system and become what is known as a foreign body. Learn to recognize the signs of these and of poisoning in dogs so if they do get into something you will be prepared.

During cleaning you might come across a well-hidden potty accident. Regardless of how it happens (sickness, new puppy, etc), cleaning up the stains and odors can be a real pain. This gets more difficult the longer the mess has been sitting. It is very important to completely remove traces of the accident so that your pooch isn’t encouraged to go again in the same spot. This article is filled with information on how to remove the stains and smells from carpet and upholstery. 

Good luck with your cleaning, and hug your dog for me!

Is Pet Insurance Right for You?

The economy has been tough for awhile, and especially now right after tax time people are trying to find new ways to cut costs and save money. I've heard some pretty far-out ones...things like making your own laundry detergent and stealing ketchup packets from restaurants. But today I'd like to talk to you about spending money to save money.


In these hard times it might seem frivolous to get health insurance for a pet, but is it? A lot of my readers have never heard of pet insurance before and have a lot of questions about it. I've put together some things that you should know about pet insurance in case you're curious.


If you're not sure about whether pet insurance is right for you, this article is full of information and can help you determine whether it's worth considering getting insurance for your puppy: Is pet insurance right for you puppy?

Did you know that 9 out of 10 veterinarians recommend pet health insurance? Those numbers might seem high, but that's really the truth.   Read this article to find out what the experts have to say on the subject

Of course, nothing can compare to hearing about real-life experiences. Here's a story from a dog owner explaining how having health insurance for their dogs has saved lives.


Our pets are our families; they not deserve the same care that we would give to ourselves. Getting pet insurance is a big choice to make, but one that could help save your pet AND your wallet in the future.

What if your pet becomes sick or is critically injured, and they need expensive care that you can't afford?

What can you do? What WOULD you do? It's not something that's pleasant to think about but it is a reality that people do face. And veterinarians face it almost every day.  And trust me, it is not a problem that we take lightly. Veterinarians would rather work on making your pet better, not deal with the financial issues that involve good pet care-or have to give anything other than the best care because of expenses. What's even sadder is when owners put off taking their furry friend to the vet in the first place because they fear they won't have enough money to treat the condition. While I understand why someone might do this, it really isn't a good choice-and can end poorly for your dog. Do you know how to recognize a canine emergency?  Some conditions can cost an astonishing amount to treat. A glance at this list of the most expensive pet conditions shows totals upwards of thousands of dollars. So, what can you do if your pet has a problem that you can't afford to treat? I'll give you some tips. 1. Credit cards and checks: Consider asking the clinic if they accept checks and credit cards. Many do, and if this is a financial possibility it can help the situation. 2. Care credit: Ask if the hospital accepts "care credit". Care credit is a line of credit that you can apply for on an emergency basis. It's designed for medical needs and it can give you immediate access to more funds through a credit line (often at a fairly reasonable rate).  3. Ask for help: Most vet hospitals will give you time to make calls to family and friends or to visit a bank to come up with the required resources or deposit. 4. Arrange a payment plan: Some clinics will let clients arrange a monthly or weekly payment plan. This has the advantage of spreading the total amount due over a longer period of time, lessening the financial impact of expensive treatments. 5. Consider other options: Now is not the ideal time to make a new budget, but cutting some expensive lifestyle choices can free up the funds needed to treat your pet. You might also find that a local mobile pet care clinic or veterinary hospital offers the same treatment at a less expensive rate than your current clinic.