Happy New Year 2012!

We want to wish everyone a very happy new year! We hope that we can help make 2012 the best year it can be for both you and your pet. Please let us know if if we can make your visits with us better in any way!





Don't let mother nature get your pet down this winter; here are some tips to help keep your pets active and happy until warmer weather arrives!

1. Winter storms have you trapped inside? What better way to spend the day than playing with your pets? Play hide and seek games with your pup by stowing treats throughout the house. Your pet will make a game out of sniffing down the treat. If you have a cat, use a mouse toy or yarn to play chase games with.

2. Make your pet work for food by putting some of the meal in a dispensing toy or throw pieces of food or treats across the floor to get them moving and, for cats, you can engage their hunting instinct by placing their bowls in different places in the home so they have to find it.

3. Send your dog to a pet day care for a break. This will allow him to socialize and burn off some excess energy, which is good for both of you!

4. Many cats and dogs will chase laser pointers. If you have stairs, see if they will chase it up and down the stairs for a good workout. Be sure not to shine the laser in any pet's or person's eye.

- If your pet has several favorite toys, put most of them away and rotate different ones every day or two to make them new again.

5. Have an indoor play date. Invite a friend with a pet over to mingle. Just make sure you know that both pets get along beforehand.

6. Take your pet on a road trip. Whether you just drive around so that your pet can see the view or take him to run errands with you, he will appreciate the time out of the house. Just be sure not to leave him in the car while temperatures are low!

7. Encourage your cat's favorite home alone activities, including bird watching and exploring paper bags or boxes to keep him mentally stimulated.

Remember, that with nothing to do, dogs and cats are forced to find ways to entertain themselves and often, their activities of choice include the behaviors we work so hard to avoid, like excessive barking or meowing, gnawing on shoes, raiding the garbage, eating houseplants and scratching furniture.