How will you celebrate with your Pet Valentine?
The best thing you can give them is....YOU!

Spending extra time with your pets is priceless. Make Valentine's Day special for them by tossing the ball a few (dozen) more times; walking a new trail or letting them unravel that old knitting project to play with the yarn.

Looking for something that both dogs and cats love? Belly rubs! They don't cost a thing. A belly-rub followed by a tasty treat is even better.

Need some official gift ideas? How about an ALLURE Be Mine Heart - it's plush, corduroy and just the right size for toting and chewing. Or, as a treat, the all-natural Dogswell Happy Heart Chicken Breast Jerky or some Cosmic Kitty Herbs, a highly nutritious cat treat with the extra added attraction of genuine Cosmic Catnip. All of these items are available at our online pet shop.

Want to help homeless animals? Visit the MSPCA site to learn how: http://www.mspca.org/adoption/boston/valentines-weekend-event.html 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Have a cute pet photo? Show us the love! Share your favorite pet "lovey-dovey" photos with us and we'll include them in our Valentine's Day album! 
Email petpics@zoomingroomin.com

In a recent FOX NY report, a puppy (and pet parent) is suing a New York City pet store for pain and suffering.

In the NY lawsuit, the pet parent is trying to get her puppy named as a "living soul" as opposed to inanimate property, which doesn't have feelings. Her puppy was born with congenital defects and has had to have thousands of dollars of surgery and medical attention. The attorney for the puppy's parent says the suit is designed "to stop improper breeding of animals that leads to health problems".

Are puppies living souls? Of course! All animals are and we applaud the efforts being made to have it recognized by law in order to ensure the good health of every breed. Just like us, they experience physical and emotional feelings which include pain as well as happiness, sadness, excitement and more. As we've always said, pets are people too.

In fact, we'll go so far as to suggest that not only are they people too, they are extremely intuitive.  How else can we explain why they go to the door or window several minutes before we even drive into the driveway?

As we usher in the New Year, armed with the same resolutions we've had for a number of years now 
(eat healthier, save money, use the gym membership, etc.), we've come up with a few new resolutions to add to the list that should be much easier for us to keep.  What sets these new resolutions apart?  They directly affect the ones we love - our pets.  These resolutions will help to enrich their lives and keep them healthier.  

Here are our New Resolutions for 2012:

-Take frequent walks or schedule more trips to the "doggie park".
-Watch their weight.
-Brush their teeth daily.  Perhaps schedule a dental cleaning with the vet.
-Research and consider pet insurance.
-Make cat and dog playtime a daily activity.

Our New Year's resolutions are win-win.  Pets are people too.  By enriching your pet's life, you will enrich your own in the process.   

Happy New Year!

Be sure to take care of your pet's paws in winter weather. Use ice-melt that is safe for your pet.  After walking in snow, ice, sleet or slush, wipe your pet's paws with a damp, soft cloth.

Tis the season!  As the baking, decorating, shopping and making merry comes full swing, be mindful of potentially unsafe escapades your furry friends can get into during the hustle and bustle of the holidays.

Be careful that your "people" treats such as chocolate, candy, nuts, raisins, cranberries and grapes (to name just a few) don't become "pet" treats.  Whether something is dropped on the floor or that family friend just can't help "sharing" her plate of holiday goodies with your pet, watch what your pet ingests.

Decorating with fresh greens?  Be aware of holiday plants and trees that are toxic to both dogs and cats including: Holly, Mistletoe (and the berries), Amaryllis, Christmas Rose and Norfolk Island Pine.

Mind those tree ornaments!  Pets don't understand that the ball hanging from the tree is glass and not rubber and s/he may bat it down or try to fetch it.  Either way, it could spell disaster and an emergency trip to the vet if s/he walks in broken glass or worse, ingests it.  Even unbreakable or fabric tree decorations can tempt a pet who may view these items as food or nice bits of clothing to chew on.  (Some dogs have a fascination with socks, others with crocheted snowflake ornaments...but that's a story for another day.)

If you believe your pet has ingested something dangerous/poisonous, contact your veterinarian immediately or Animal Poison Control Center http://www.aspca.org/Home/Pet-care/poison-control.aspx.

Happy Holidays to all of our furry friends and pet parents! 

Did you know that the Pilgrims had dogs?  
Although in early America, they were considered working dogs rather than "pets".  They were kept and bred as hunting and guard dogs.

The first dogs to come to America with the Pilgrims on the Mayflower were the Mastiff, as a loyal, 200+ pound watchdog and the English Springer Spaniel, for their great rabbit and game-bird hunting skills.
This is understandable since the powerful Mastiff was an ideal protector against wolves and other predators and the English Springer Spaniel helped the Pilgrims put food on the table.

This Thanksgiving, let's give thanks to all the wonderful pets, from large to small, who enrich our lives every day.  Enjoy our video and have a Happy Thanksgiving!  

There are a lot of conflicting opinions from both animal professionals and pet parents about whether or not dogs need to wear a sweater or coat outdoors when it's cold.

Generally speaking, unless your dog is running the Iditarod (and is not a Siberian Husky) s/he does not necessarily need to "suit up".  Most dog breeds have a coat that suits them in any type of weather and the addition of pet apparel may in fact cause them to overheat.

But, there are exceptions.  Older dogs, greyhounds and small dogs (especially those with very short/smooth coat such as mini-dachshunds) do get chilly as the temperature drops, and you'll be able to tell because they tend to shiver.  A good rule of thumb regarding whether or not your pooch needs to wear winter apparel is to simply check their comfort level when they are outdoors.  Shivering is your best indicator.  If your pooch doesn't seem at all fazed by the cold or snow, then s/he is already adequately "dressed" for the weather in her/his own coat.

Announcing our Halloween Pet Photo Contest! Email petpics@zoomingroomin.com with the cutest photo of your pet in his/her Halloween costume for inclusion in our Facebook Halloween album and a chance to win best photo! Winner will be announced on Halloween!