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  • 9 tips to keep Pets safe during Diwali

    9 tips to keep Pets safe during Diwali

    Diwali, the festival of lights is the most awaited festival of the year. Houses decorated with lamps and crackers galore, it’s party time for us. Sadly, amidst all our glorious celebration we spare no thought to the ones that are most likely to be affected by the noise and pollution that is our pets.

    Due to lack of proper care while bursting crackers the numbers of injured dogs, cats and birds are increasing every year during the festival. A lot of pets have reportedly gone missing during this season. The hearing ability of dogs and cats are several times that of humans and the impact of the bursting of a bomb is so great that it could cause heart attack among them. Firing of rockets is also not a good idea as it would injure or even kill birds that are quietly resting on trees

    Here are a few basic tips on how to handle your pet during the festival:

    1. Take your pet for a walk and feed him before the crackers bursting begin in your neighbourhood. He will feel a bit relaxed
    2.  Ensure that the room your four legged buddy is resting has minimum windows and is away from the noise. Pets are known to escape from the windows so make sure all the windows are closed.
    3. When your pet gets frightened keep a tab on the place where he likes to go into hiding and allow him easy access to that place
    4. Keep him engaged by playing soothing music to distract him from the noise or if you are having a house party make sure he has lots of familiar faces around him.
    5. Keep the crackers away from your pet’s reach as even licking or sniffing it could lead to toxic poisoning in your pet.
    6. As your pet is sensitive to the crackers noise you can either put cotton or muffs in his ears.
    7. Ensure that the crackers and lamps are away from his reach and always keep first aid kit in handy.
    8. Have a talk with your vet on how to manage your pet’s anxiety and if you feel his level of fear is high then you can administer the prescribed medication to soothe him.
    9. Lastly, give him a whole lot of love and make him feel secure. Shower him with toys and other goodies to keep his mind off the fear. Make sure he has a wonderful time of his own during the festival.

    Have a safe and a Happy Diwali with your loving pet!

    Article by Harshitha

  • Scooby used to Cuckoo instead of Bow-Wow

    Scooby used to Cuckoo instead of Bow-Wow

    We live in Coimbatore and had a fawn labrador named Scooby, he was such an adorable and disciplined pet. We never used the word DOG for him. I used to correct my children too when they initially used the word DOG.
    We have an empty plot next to our house with a lot of trees. So a Koel-the Cuckoo bird used to sit on the tree and coo every morning. Scooby learnt that sound as a pup and whenever he wanted to call us he would coo. It was strange how he could imitate the sound of a bird, that was his grasping power.
    He could understand all instructions and he loved to listen to our conversations. He loved fruits, vegetable and would fuss only for banana and idly’s. But if idly was given with coconut chutney as my son used to offer, he would gulp it in a minute. He was a voracious eater and his size bore testimony to that.
    Once we hosted a group of people at our house from the girls side relating to marriage. Scooby barks the moment he sees an unknown person. So I had told him about this and requested him not to bark when we have them at our place. To everyones utter surprise Scooby remained silent till they left for nearly two hours with no indication of a Dog at home. This obedience of him speaks for itself how adorable he was.
    Unfortunately we lost him to cancer on13th December, 2013. Though we had him operated twice he left us shattering in pain. Those 7 years he showed us what true unconditional love is.
    Article by Vasanthi John
     
  • How to cure separation anxiety in dogs

    How to cure separation anxiety in dogs

    You come home from work and are greeted with a little bundle of energy pawing you, barking at you and are shocked at the storm of wreck he has caused to your living room! Your favourite shoes all nicely chewed up, scratches on your new sofa and the stench of urine. If this is a familiar scenario then your dog is suffering from separation anxiety.

    Dogs are used to living in packs and when they are left all alone they exhibit behaviors like scratching at the doors or windows, whining and howling, chewing and urinating and defecation.

    Here are a few tips to ease dogs suffering from separation anxiety:

    • Take your dog out for a walk before you leave: Physical stimulation is always good for both dog and his master, so start your day by taking your four legged buddy for a jog or walk. Then reward him with food and water when you get back. The key is to get him to a quiet and resting mode before you take off to work.  
    • Start by leaving him alone for 5 minutes: You can start of by leaving him alone for 5 minutes. Keep him busy with new toys and games while you go about doing your work at home. Then gradually increase his time alone to 10 minutes and then slowly to an hour and before you know it he would be quite comfortable with you away even for a few hours! It all needs a little time and patience to cultivate this habit in your pet.
    • No eye contact: When you leave for office or when you are back home try not to make it a big deal of it. Do not have eye contact with him before you leave and avoid him for a bit when you are back and then after a while go ahead and pet him. It is difficult to follow this in the beginning but on the long run it will make your pet independent and stronger emotionally. You can also leave with him your recently used tee shirt or shoes, something that reminds him of your smell. It will make him feel comfortable.
    • Establish a cue: You can say goodbye to your pet long before you actually leave. This works well for the master as it will ease your feelings of guilt and anxiety when you leave your pet at home. Also use action or reassure him with words that you will be back soon.   

    If you are still not able to ease the anxiety symptoms in your pet you can contact your vet for professional help. Happy parenting!  

    Article by Harshitha

  • She came in my dream to say her last goodbye

    She came in my dream to say her last goodbye

    Each dog is special to its master. They have their own endearing qualities that make them unique. Renu was one such special dog. She was handicapped.

    A Pomeranian who was born deaf. Yet, she was the sharpest dog in the house. Just by sniffing she could hear someone at the door and bark at the same time they would ring the bell! We always used to communicate through sign language as we could not train her the normal way with commands, we used a lot of hand gestures. One of the most special quality about her was that no words were necessary between us as she used to just look at us and understand what we were trying to tell her. She could judge when we were angry, happy or sad and reassure us with her calming presence.

    She was a robust dog who died at the grand old age of 18, and just before she closed her eyes one last time she came in my dream to say her last goodbye as I was not at home and was at the hospital undergoing a knee surgery. Just as I was gaining conscious I dreamt of her and the very next moment my sister called me up to say that Renu had just passed away! It was indeed a very powerful experience. We as a family learnt a lot from Renu, especially the fact the words are not necessary for communication, and there are more subtle and spiritual ways to communicate with the ones you love.

    Article by Harshita

  • We named him Snowy – Inseparable companion of the Menon’s

    We named him Snowy – Inseparable companion of the Menon’s

    “How is it to be loved, to be loved day-in and day-out, through gloomy and bright days equally?” ‘Snowy’, is that feeling.

    For our never ending thirst of having a canine family mate had finally ended, when this lovely little ball of fur arrived at our door-step in a beautifully woven bamboo basket. Within an instant me and brother knew that he would be called ‘Snowy’ – the infamous character from ‘Tintin’, which we had planned years ago.

    He was not more than a sibling to me & my brother and not less than a son to my mum & dad. He followed us like a shadow. It wasn’t too late until we realised that he was leading us instead, in discovering the hidden corners of joy from within. Often, I think about the times we spent alone with each other… whether, he understood all that I spoke to him… whether he wished to let me know how he felt through those long stares… whether there was something deeper within the love we shared that nobody would ever know.

    Happiness is the only other word that could be attributed to him.  From that day until he breathed his last, he has taught us that the purpose in life is to love, laugh and live in the moment.

    Here is a little something that I scribbled down off our memories.

    You squeaked and you whined
    but when you barked, your eyes shined.

    You were cute and you used to drool
    But your looks made you Mr.Cool

     You were so nice, wise and bold
    In my heart you shall never grow old

     My buddy, my friend, my brother
    We grew up under the same mother

     Those eyes, those nose and those ears
    I shall never forget in my years

     This I promise you for ever
    Your place shall be taken by none for ever

    Article by Govind Menon

  • Vaccines for your dog : Very Important

    Vaccines for your dog : Very Important

    One of the most important job for you as a pet parent to do when your little bundle of joy arrives home is to ensure they are vaccinated.

    Vaccination protects your pet from falling prey to serious canine illnesses like distemper, rabies and hepatitis. Getting him regularly vaccinated not only protects his health but also the health of the family members as some canine diseases can be passed on to humans as well.

    There are basically two types of vaccinations; Core and Non Core vaccines.

    Core Vaccines:

    – Rabies Vaccine: Since rabies is incurable and can even harm the lives of humans it is been made mandatory by law to administer rabies vaccine to your dog. It should be administered when your dog is 16-18 weeks of age. An additional jab should be administered after a year and thereafter boosters must be given every three years.

    – Distemper combination vaccine: This vaccine protects your pet from diseases like Distemper Virus, Parvovirus, Adenovirus and Para influenza Virus in a single injection. This should be administered to your pet when he is 6-8 weeks of age. Booster should be given every 3-4 weeks till he is 6 weeks old.

    Non Core Vaccines:

    – Bordetella Vaccine (Kennel cough vaccine): This vaccine protects your dog from bacteria called Bordetella Bronchiseptica which cause kennel cough in dogs. It should be administered to puppies if they come in contact with a large group of dogs. It can be taken annually or semi-annually depending on the risk factor of your pet coming in contact with other dogs.

    – Lyme disease vaccine: Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Bordetella Bronchiseptica. This bacteria is carried through ticks and tick bites may lead to various cardiac, kidney and neurological disorders. Your pet must receive two shots of this vaccine three weeks apart and then receive annual boosters to be free from this disease.

    The welfare of your beloved pet is in your hands so make sure he receives all his vaccines periodically before mingling with other dogs. Also taking them to the vet for regular checkups would help him to lead a happy and healthy life.

    Article by Harshita

  • Maharaj – He was the King of our Good Times

    Maharaj – He was the King of our Good Times

    A furry bundle that became an integral part of our life for 10 years. The wagging tail and wet nose woke me up each morning, such a vibrant good morning that left me overwhelmed every time. Being the first pet in the family he was completely pampered and meant the world to us. He made us stronger as a unit and loved his master, my dad to the core.

    He lived true to his name “Maharaj”, his life was king size. His love for ice-cream and refusal to eat dosa without chutney still makes me think of him every time I eat either. His extreme intelligence and loyalty earned him the title of the third child in the family. His death left a huge hole in the family. There was a sense of loss akin to that of a person parting from us. It came suddenly, out of nowhere and left deep unhealed scars in all of us. Maharaj was highly loved and is terribly missed. He will always be the first child of my family

    True story by Aishwarya Mani

  • Pet friendly restaurants in Bangalore

    Pet friendly restaurants in Bangalore

    The weekend is around the corner ! You are all fired up to hang out with a couple of friends at a happening restaurant. You put on your best party clothes and are about to leave when you see your four legged chum gazing at you with such sad eyes. You immediately crumble and decide to spend the weekend with them. This is a common problem that pet owners face as they cannot take them to any restaurant of their choice. But there are quite a few places in the city where you and you can take them along.

    Let’s look at a few places that you can hang out with your four legged buddy:

    Counter Culture, Whitefield: Known as the live performance café. You can enjoy some lip smacking food along with live performances and other art programmes. If your dog enjoys music as much as you do then this the place for you to go.

    Spoonful of sugar, Indiranagar: As the name suggests this place is guaranteed to satisfy all your sugar cravings. If your pet has a sweet tooth, you know where to treat them.

    Rasta Café, Mysore road: If you feel like a long drive away from the city with your pet then this is the place to head to. The drive would be an enjoyable one with smooth roads and no traffic! It will all be worth it as you get to enjoy their famous nachos and double decker burgers while your pet would enjoy running wild in the open spaces at the café. If you do not feel like a long drive then you can head to their branch in Kalyan Nagar

    Sunny’s, Lavelle road: Named after the owner’s golden retriever this restaurant has multiple dining spaces, a bar and a garden and is quite spacious and allows your pet to move freely.

    Green Theory, Convent road: If you crave for vegetarian food then this is the place to go to. It is eco friendly and lush with greenery and offers heavenly vegetarian food that you and your pet can enjoy.

    Bite me cupcakes, Indiranagar: As the name suggests this bakery offers delicious cupcakes as well as ‘pupcakes’ to treat your little furry pal.

    The Hole in the Wall café, Koramangala: This place is a bit crowded and you will have to wait in que for a while but this homely café is worth going to for its beef burgers and wholesome breakfasts guaranteed to be enjoyed by you and your pet.

    Toit, Indiranagar: This popular brew pub has opened doors to pets as well when they opened the outdoor seating area. If you are planning to take your pet you need to make an advance booking as they have limited pet spots.

    French loaf, Frazer town: Although they have branches all through the town, this one in Frazer town with its outdoor ambience is a perfect setting for you and your hound to relax, sip on some coffee and share a piece of chicken with fresh bread with your four legged companion.

    Chez Mariannick, Whitefield: Known for its authentic French cuisine, dig into delicious baguettes, croissants and crepes in company with your four legged companion.

    Urban Solace, Ulsoor: Enjoy the best of standup comedy along with live music while digging into delicious continental fare, all in company with your devoted hound.

    The Fat Chef, Whitefield: Known for its continental and Thai cuisine this place works for pet owners who come in large numbers because of its outdoor seating.

    Bistro Claytopia, Koramangala and Indiranagar: Popular with the student crowd, this joint offers variety in burgers and its outdoor setting

    Urban Adda, new BEL road: A cool place to hang out with your friends as well as your pet if you are in a mood for fast food while passing the time playing board games

    Art of Delight, Residency road: This is the place to go if you and your pet have a sweet tooth as they have an array of ice creams and frozen desserts. They have a small garden area with granules which your pet will absolutely love.

    The Black Rabbit, Indiranagar: Enjoy the best of contemporary Asian and European cuisine while your pet gets to move around freely at its outdoor section. The staff is also pet friendly as you get water and any special item from the kitchen for your pet by your request.

    Courtyard Café, Shanthinagar: This open garden café is quite a hit with pet lovers as they have an exclusive menu for dogs. Catch a game of snooker, basketball or volleyball while your pet gets to move around freely in the garden area.

    To contact any of the above mentioned restaurants click on the pet outing tab of the Tailslife App. Happy Dining!

    Article by Harshita

  • How to handle a finicky eater

    How to handle a finicky eater

    Is your dog looking at you with soulful eyes as you help yourself to a tasty meal, hoping for a morsel or two as you ignore him and reach for your dessert? You then go ahead and point out his dinner to which he solemnly walks towards and takes a bite or two, but he gets back to your side and gives you this yearning look that you immediately cave in and feed him tidbits of your meal! Well, it is your fault really that your pet becomes a fussy eater as he gets used to tastier food!

    Here are a few tips on how to handle fussy eaters:

    • Get a little creative. Give him a bit of variety in his food by adding a different ingredient each day, like adding a dash of buttermilk in his kibble.  
    • Some pets are attached to a particular family member, so he may not eat when that person is away. Make him independent, make sure there are other people around there for him so they make up for that person’s absence.
    • Make sure he gets proper exercise to improve his appetite and to avoid obesity.
    • Set his meal time to about 30 minutes and take his bowl away even if he does not finish it. Avoid feeding him tidbits from your meal and limit the number of treats you give him. He may rebel for a while but will slowly cave in
    • Sometimes the problem could be psychological. If there is disharmony at home, if no one his spending quality time with him or strict( It is always advisable to consult your vet if you are unable to help your pet’s appetite.)
    • cause stress thereby affecting his appetite.
    • It is always advisable to consult your vet if you are unable to help your pet’s appetite.     

    Article by Harshita

  • How to Toilet train your Pup

    How to Toilet train your Pup

    Toilet training your dog has to start from the time they are puppies. Just like babies, puppies urinate frequently. You must be observant enough to anticipate their needs and allow them to relieve themselves every two hours. So, all it takes is a little vigilance and patience on your part to successfully toilet train your lovable hound.

    Here are a few tips on how to toilet train your dog:

    + They must be taken out as soon as they have woken up. Once they reach the spot command them to ‘go now’. They learn faster if they see other dogs relieving themselves. The key is to take them out every two hours and as soon as they eat or drink something.

    + You can train your dog on newspapers. It takes time with puppies as they are capable of urinating more than 12 times a day. So get them to urinate on papers and then gradually start moving the papers outside.

    + You must praise your dog when they relieve themselves outdoors. You must never punish them when they have already urinated inside as they would not understand why they are being punished unless you catch them in action.

    Article by Harshita