🎈 Two Rescue Dogs in Love 💌

_{Did you know?
When a cat purrs, the sound actually comes from
a bone near its vocal cords!}

💌 A Tail of True Rescue Love

🐩 The New Perfume for Dogs

🌾 Letting Your Pets Outside

⭐️ $75 Lotto Winner (at bottom) 

^Heartwarmers
These Rescues Have to be Together
 

• These two Pittie rescues are literally in love.

• When Pippa arrived at her forever home, she was nervous and shy. Then she met her big brother, Maverick.

• You won’t see a pair that’s more bonded than these two. It’s amazing to see how gentle they are toward one another. If there’s ever a time when they’re apart, they let their owner know that they need to be reunited.

• Warm your heart this morning with this beautiful video:

^{Apparently, dogs are wearing perfume.}
Dolce & Gabbana’s New Dog Perfume

• “Fefe” Costs Over $100 Per Bottle 🙀

• If you’ve got a little fashionista on your hands, Dolce & Gabbana has released a new alcohol-free pooch perfume.

• As you’d expect with any Dolce & Gabbana product, the price could be prohibitive to most of us.

• That’s okay, though, because there’s nothing like the all-natural new puppy smell that comes free with all dogs 🐾 ❤️

• It appears that the company has a sense of humor about this product, as you can see in the commercial below! We have to admit, it did give us a little chuckle.

^{Front Page Pets}
Crowds Swell as Hounds Hang 10

• We reported a few months ago on the revival of the World Dog Surfing Championships which were almost cancelled due to rising costs.

• Thanks to a crowdfunding effort, the event was saved and carried out last week in Pacifica, CA.

• The Championships came back even stronger this year, with massive crowds showing up to give their support and cheer on the amazingly talented dogs who truly know how to ride the waves!

• Watch some of this year’s highlights below.

^{The Pet Owner’s Predicament:}
Is It Safe to Let My Pet Outside?

Yards aren’t always dog friendly, and housecats are often content staying indoors, so is opening your garden up to pets a wise move? 

We want our beloved animals to be happy. Some people consider it cruel to keep housecats inside, or to restrict dogs only to walks around the block. Surely their lives would be richer if they were allowed into yards to sunbathe and dig holes in the lawn?

In many cases, the answer is no.

Letting a cat outside may transform it from a placid observer of the passing world to a fiercely territorial creature, exhibiting redirected aggression whenever another cat enters ‘its’ space. Meanwhile, the inquisitive nature of dogs means there are numerous potential threats in domestic gardens, from wildlife and plants to gardening equipment. 

Letting your pet outside safely requires a surprising amount of thought.

Now, we know every pet is different and some of our readers are long-time outdoor cat owners. Who among us hasn’t known a friendly neighborhood cat that seemed to be in excellent health?

The fact is, there’s no right or wrong way to do things. We just want to highlight some of the tips and tricks we’ve picked up along the way to share with you all in case you’re curious.

_{^{The risk of running}}
“The Great Escape”
 

Even if you’re not planning to let pets out, they could escape through an unattended window, or get out as you open your door. That’s fine in apartments with communal corridors, but in houses, we’d recommend using a side door which has some sort of pet-trap, such as a laundry room where a separate internal door can act as an airlock.

Speaking of air, leave windows on vent rather than wide open and ensure screen doors are latched shut so they can’t be pushed open.

We’re not expecting your yard to contain landmines or bear traps, but there could still be dangers afoot (or apaw!) These are some of the key things to consider – including whether pets should even be allowed into your garden.

_{^{Wait a minute…}}
Does Your Dog Want to Go Out?
 

Dogs thrive on fresh air and exercise, but a walk round the block or a visit to the park often provides all the activity and stimulation they need. A yard may lack interest or excitement, especially if they’re unaccompanied.

Dogs love doing things with their owners, so wandering around a garden on their own could be a lonely or unsettling experience.

If your dog does show an interest in your garden, there are several things to consider:

1. Are The Boundaries Secure?

Dogs aren’t normally escapologists, but if they spy something interesting in the distance, instinct could carry them towards it without thinking.

You’ll face different challenges securing a garden for a chihuahua compared to a golden retriever – in either case, check for gaps in fencing and ensure any gates are lockable from both sides, with spring-shut hinges keeping them closed.

Also ensure bigger and more athletic dogs can’t jump over low gates or picket fences.

2. Does Your Garden Contain Water?

Water is a potential hazard at any time of year but especially in winter, when ice could break under a dog’s weight, or when water features might contain poisonous chemicals intended to prevent pumps freezing up.

Even in warmer months, a pup could get tangled up in weeds or struggle to escape from deeper ponds or streams. You might need to fence off bodies of water more than a few inches deep, or build/buy a cover.

3. Top Tip

If you’d like to let your dog out in the yard but there are potential hazards, take them out on the leash. They’ll be used to that from walks, and you can immediately intervene if anything poses a danger. It also ensures you’re beside them, ready to throw a ball or clean up poop!

_{^{Wouldn’t you love to sleep all day, too?}}
Is Your Cat Happy Indoors?

While dogs need daily walking and opportunities to toilet outside, cats can live indoors quite happily. As mindful animals, cats rarely aspire to more than they currently have.

Being indoors avoids territorial disputes with other cats (which occasionally become vicious), stops them catching birds or insects, and means you can always account for their whereabouts.

Outdoor cats sometimes vanish for days on end – could you sleep at night not knowing where your beloved kitty was?

Cats with scratchy posts to climb and toys to play with are rarely bored, especially with other cats for companionship. If you still think your cat would benefit from venturing outside, here’s what you should consider.

1. Are There Any Fences?

A cat could easily climb up a timber fence post or mesh fencing to escape, but they can’t climb brick walls or concrete surfaces. Look into cat-proofing fence panels with a variety of overhangs, plastic sheeting or horizontal ridges. Even acro-cats can’t climb upside down!

2. Have Your Cats Been Vaccinated?

Cats contract infections through airborne particles, so an unvaccinated cat is at risk if it’s allowed outside, even if neighboring cats are on the other side of railings or mesh. Ensure their booster jabs are kept up to date – this is also necessary if you’re planning to board your cat during trips away.

3. Top Tip

If your cat likes to roam free, fit a GPS tracker. These normally come in the form of collars with disc tags which enable you to follow your cat’s movement (and current location) on a smartphone app. This provides peace of mind, and will help you locate and rescue them if they end up locked in an outbuilding…

_{^{Plan for plants…}}
Natural Threats

 
You might regard wildlife like foxes or poisonous toads as the biggest threat to your pets as they roam around your grounds, but plants could also be harmful. 

The ASPCA has published a comprehensive list of toxic plants found in America.

You’re able to filter results for cats or dogs, and there are separate guides to non-toxic plants to help you eliminate harmless flora and fauna like gherkins and – surprisingly – Canada hemlock.

Remember flowers like lilies are poisonous to cats, while dogs may become unwell after eating anything from perennial bulbs to ragwort weeds.

Our Favorite Finds This Week ⬇️

^{Paws of Kindness}
Man Gives Foxes Ice Water in Record Heat

Heartwarmers
Biking Dog Becomes New York Sensation

^Heroes
Spend the Morning with a Sheepdog at Work

^{Prime Minister of Meow}
Support for The Last Parliament Cat

^{A breakdown:}
Last Week’s Poll Responses

It looks like many of your pets have the same job as Lola & Herbie! They take it upon themselves to rambunctiously disturb the cleanliness of your tidy home, but you wouldn’t have it any other way!

Here’s what a few other readers had to say about last week’s comic:

• “Reminds me of my house when I get home everyday!”

• “I just have dogs but I feel that this is what they think their job is.. to do zoomies as well. Lol.”

• As a Mommy of three cats and a border collie I can relate!!”

^{Share this newsletter, get stylish prizes!}
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