Heartland Pet Peace of Mind QC

02/06/2023

The answer to last week's Trivia is:

c) It was his Birthday

The question was:

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs, which is why people all over the world choose to bring Goldens into their homes as four-legged family members. But these dogs can do more than just make great pets! Recognized by the American Kennel Club in the United States, the Golden Retriever is also a popular choice as a disability assistance dog, including the important task of working as guide dogs for the blind and hearing dogs for the deaf.
In addition, Golden Retrievers are trained to be hunting dogs, detection dogs, and search-and-rescue participants. The breed’s friendly, gentle temperament means it is unsuited to being a professional guard dog, but its loveable quality has also made it the third-most popular family dog breed in the United States.

The special day was chosen by Kristen Shroyer in 2012, the 3rd day of February. Why did she choose this day?

a) He passed away on this day
b) He only lived for three years
c) It was his birthday
d) He had three special traits
e) Number three is her lucky number

Thank you for playing. I hope everyone has enjoyed seeing our weekly posts.

02/03/2023

Good morning! Today is National Golden Retriever Day!

Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs, which is why people all over the world choose to bring Goldens into their homes as four-legged family members. But these dogs can do more than just make great pets! Recognized by the American Kennel Club in the United States, the Golden Retriever is also a popular choice as a disability assistance dog, including the important task of working as guide dogs for the blind and hearing dogs for the deaf.

In addition, Golden Retrievers are trained to be hunting dogs, detection dogs, and search-and-rescue participants. The breed’s friendly, gentle temperament means it is unsuited to being a professional guard dog, but its loveable quality has also made it the third-most popular family dog breed in the United States.

The special day was chosen by Kristen Shroyer in 2012, the 3rd day of February. Why did she choose this day?

a) He passed away on this day
b) He only lived for three years
c) It was his birthday
d) He had three special traits
e) Number three is her lucky number

Good Luck! We’ll see you back here next Monday for the answer.

02/01/2023

Good morning and welcome to “Woof Wednesday!”

The Boxer is ideal for an active, adventurous family. It is very attentive, patient, playful, likes to romp, is reliable, cheerful, polite and friendly. It will shower its family with love and it gets on well with animals (wether dog or cat), that it has been raised up with. Boxers are often used as therapy dogs because they are incredibly intelligent, like to play the clown and show funny antics. You really have no choice but to take this dog to your heart.
It can be reserved and sometimes even aggressive towards strangers and other dogs. Before buying a boxer you should also know: Boxers snore, fart, hair and drooling. Well, nobody is perfect ...!
History and Origin
The Boxer comes from Germany and developed from the bulldog and a dog, with a somewhat strange name: the Bullenbeisser (german for bull-biter). This breed no longer exists. In the middle ages it was used for bull-baiting. Today these fights are forbidden (luckily!). Where Does the Name Come From? Sometimes it's too easy: Boxers have their name because they really do box! But they don't box against other dogs or humans. When they play, they often stand on their back legs and kick out their front paws. This looks a bit like boxing.

01/30/2023

Good morning and welcome to “Did You Know Monday!”

While a pet is generally kept for the pleasure that it can give to its owner, often, especially with horses, dogs, and cats, as well as with some other domesticated animals, this pleasure appears to be mutual. Thus, pet keeping can be described as a symbiotic relationship, one that benefits both animals and human beings. As the keeping of pets has been practiced from prehistoric times to the present and as pets are found in nearly every culture and society, pet keeping apparently satisfies a deep, universal human need.

The history of pets is intertwined with the process of animal domestication, and it is likely that the dog, as the first domesticated species, was also the first pet. Perhaps the initial steps toward domestication were taken largely through the widespread human practice of making pets of captured young wild animals. Eventually, a working relationship developed between the dogs and their human captors. The dog was swifter, had stronger jaws, and was better at tracking prey; therefore, it could be of great use in hunting and guarding duties. From human beings, on the other hand, the dogs were assured of a constant supply of food as well as warmth from the fire. There is indirect evidence that the dog may have been domesticated and kept as a pet since Paleolithic times, as can be surmised from the paintings and carvings that archaeologists have found in ancient campsites and tombs. In Mesopotamia, dogs that look remarkably like the present-day mastiff were shown participating in a lion hunt. Domestic pets were often depicted in the scenes of family life in ancient Egypt; hunting dogs of the greyhound or saluki type accompany their master to the chase, and lap dogs frequently sit under the chair of their master or mistress.

Next to the dog, horses and cats are the animals most intimately associated with human beings. Surprisingly, both these animal groups were domesticated rather late in human history. There is no evidence that horses were domesticated in Paleolithic or Mesolithic times, but by about 2000 BCE horses used in chariot battles were an established phenomenon throughout the Middle East. It seems that riding astride horses was a practice developed a few centuries later (see horsemanship). The cat too does not seem to have been domesticated as a pet until the New Kingdom period (about the 16th century BCE) in Egypt. This is all the more strange as the ancient Egyptians had tamed many types of animals, such as lions, hyenas, monkeys, the Nile goose, and dogs, since the Old Kingdom period. But once cats were finally domesticated, their popularity was enormous. Gradually, the cat became one of the most universally worshiped animals.

01/30/2023

The answer to last week's Trivia is:

E) All of the above

The question was:

Have you noticed that just like humans, there are some dogs who adore snowy days, while others prefer to bury their heads under the covers and wait for the snow to melt?

There are many reasons why your dog likes or doesn’t like the snow, but regardless you need to pay attention to signs that your dog might be uncomfortable due to the cold. Which is the correct answer?

a) Shivering
b) Anxious behavior
c) Lifts their paws off the ground
d) Whining, whimpering or barking
e) All of the above

Thank you for playing!

01/27/2023

Good morning and welcome to “Fun Trivia Friday!”

Have you noticed that just like humans, there are some dogs who adore snowy days, while others prefer to bury their heads under the covers and wait for the snow to melt?

There are many reasons why your dog likes or doesn’t like the snow, but regardless you need to pay attention to signs that your dog might be uncomfortable due to the cold. Which is the correct answer?

a) Shivering
b) Anxious behavior
c) Lifts their paws off the ground
d) Whining, whimpering or barking
e) All of the above (Answer)

Good luck! Come back Monday for the answer.

01/25/2023

Good morning and welcome to “Woof Wednesday!”

According to a study conducted by Psychology Today, pet owners tend to have greater self-esteem, be more physically fit, are less lonely, more conscientious, are more socially outgoing, and have healthier relationship styles.

If just owning a dog can have these benefits, imagine the possibilities of actively working with dogs to support the well-being of vulnerable members of the community. This is the rationale behind therapy dogs.

Officially, therapy dogs are dogs that have been trained to provide affection, comfort, and support to people who need it, often people that are in hospital, retirement homes, nursing homes, hospices, schools, libraries, or disaster areas.
Therapy dogs are different from service dogs, which include guide dogs for the blind as well as diabetes detection dogs. Service dogs have been trained to complete very specific tasks for a particular disabled individual. These dogs are granted special access to public places so that they can accompany their owner at all times.

This right is not extended to therapy dogs, which are usually granted specific access to the locations where they are working.
Therapy dogs are also different from Emotional Support dogs, which are prescribed to support individuals by a mental health professional.

Dogs must pass a series of tests in order to be certified as therapy dogs and be permitted to work. Exact requirements depend on the authorizing organization, but usually include being social around people and other animals, not jumping and barking, and being able to walk loosely on a leash.

See the Alliance of Therapy Dogs for more information.
Therapy dogs have a long history, and it was in fact Florence Nightingale that pioneered the idea of animal-assisted therapy, using dogs to relieve the anxiety of patients living in psychiatric institutions.

Sigmund Freud would also sometimes use dogs in his work to put patients at ease and help them open up. In 1976, Elaine Smith started a program to train dogs to visit institutions, and since then the use of therapy dogs has grown rapidly.

Today there are two general types of therapy dogs:

~Therapeutic Visitation Dogs – these are usually household pets that owners take to institutions such as hospitals and nursing homes to engage with patients in a social way.

~Animal-Assisted Therapy Dogs – these dogs are generally based in an institution and, as well as providing emotional support, they are usually trained to complete more specific tasks such as walking patients through activities to help them practice certain motor skills.

Therapy dogs have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression as well as just generally boosting the moods of the patients that they engage with.
They can support patients in developing social skills, and they can make patients more open to participating in the therapy process and just feel more comfortable in what is often a strange situation.

01/23/2023

Good morning and welcome to “Did You Know Monday!”

Feral, stray, and pet cats are all members of the same species; they are all domestic cats. But stray cats and feral cats are also different from each other in a very important wayin their relationship to and interactions with people.
Whether you are a shelter worker, veterinarian, or cat advocateor you just share your neighborhood with community cats knowing how to tell the difference can help inform how best to interact with a cat or what, if any, intervention would be in each cat’s best interest.
What is the difference between a stray cat and a feral cat?

*Pet and stray cats are socialized to people.

*Feral cats are not socialized to people. While they are socialized to their feline family members and bonded to each other, they do not have that same relationship with people.

Stray:

A stray cat is a cat who lived indoors and was socialized to people at some point in her life, but has left or lost her home, or was abandoned, and no longer has regular human contact.
Over time, a stray cat can become feral as her contact with humans dwindles.

A stray cat may be socialized enough to allow people to touch her, but she will become less socializedor even feralif she spends too much time without positive interaction with humans.
Under the right circumstances, a stray cat can also become a pet cat once again. Stray cats that are re-introduced to an indoor home after living outdoors may require a period of time to re-acclimate; they may be frightened and wary after spending time outside away from people.

Feral:

A feral cat is an unsocialized outdoor cat who has either never had any physical contact with humans, or human contact has diminished over enough time that she is no longer accustomed to it. Most feral cats are fearful or people and are not likely to ever become a lap cat or enjoy living indoors.
Kittens born to feral cats can be socialized at an early age and adopted into indoor homes.
Alley Cat Allies does not, in general, recommend trying to socialize a feral kitten over 4 months of age. Socializing is time consuming, especially for older kittens, and results are not guaranteed. Learn more about socializing kittens.

Why does it matter?

Understanding the many degrees of socialization cats can exhibit will help you determine the best way to care for, help, and protect them.
Stray cats can readjust to living with people and may be good candidates for adoption into indoor homes if people have the time and means to foster and adopt.

Stray and feral cats can be difficult to tell apart, especially when they are trapped or frightened. Scared stray cats often need time to relax and show their level of socialization.

Adult feral cats are not socialized to people, which means they cannot be adopted to indoor homes. As a result, they are likely to be killed if picked up by animal control or brought to shelters, so it is in their best interest to continue living outdoors.

Trap-Neuter-Return saves feral cats’ lives, and benefits all community cats, regardless of their level of socialization. Cats who are part of TNR programs are humanely trapped, scanned for microchips, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, eartipped and microchipped (if they don’t already have one). Stray cats who are thriving and don’t have microchips indicating they are lost can be returned to their outdoor home or fostered and adopted.

How do I tell the difference when the cats are outdoors?
Since it is difficult to determine each cat’s socialization during a stressful event such as trapping, it’s a good idea to observe cats on their own outdoors using the guidelines below.

NOTE: There is a lot of variation on the Socialization Continuum. Cats may not fit solidly in either socialized-stray or unsocialized-feral categories.

Socialization to Humans

Stray: May approach people, houses, porches, or cars
Feral: Will not approach and will likely seek hiding places to avoid people
Socialization to Other Cats
Stray: Will likely live alone, not part of a group
Feral: May belong to a colony
Body Language
Stray: Might walk and move like a house cat, such as walking with tail up, a sign of friendliness. Will probably look at you, blink, or make eye contact.
Feral: May crawl, crouch, stay low to the ground, and protect body with tail. Unlikely to make eye contact.

Vocalization

Stray: May be vocal, meow, or “answer” your voice
Feral: Won’t meow, beg or purr
Schedule
Stray: Will be visible primarily during the daytime
Feral: More likely to be nocturnal; occasionally out during the day

Physical Appearance

Stray: Will probably be dirty or disheveled; will not have an eartip.
Feral: Will probably have a clean, well-kept coat. A male with a big head and thick neck, muscular body, and/or scars from fighting is more likely to be feral, since these are traits associated with intact males (and only 2% of feral cats are neutered in the U.S.) He may also have a spiky coat from high testosterone levels and less time spent grooming; may also have “stud tail”hair loss, greasiness, or bumps at the base of the tail due to hormones. Will likely have an eartip if neutered as part of a TNR program.

As cute as those outdoor cats that you see or even feed daily, may be, if you have the urge to want to bring one in to keep, call your vet or a shelter first to see what they recommend. If you see a cat that appears to be a lost pet, call your local police station, also, because someone might have called them with a missing cat report.

01/23/2023

The answer to last Friday's Trivia is:

C)8-19 bpm

The question was:

Experts say that hibernation isn’t quite the accurate term for a Grizzly bear’s long winter rest. True hibernators include squirrels, mice and bats, who experience long periods of deep sleep, heart rate decreases and a drop in body temperature. The last component is where bears miss the hibernation benchmark, with body temperatures dropping only slightly from their summer averages. The technical term for their winter sleep is instead “torpor” which refers to a long period of rest without a completely dormant state.

Despite not truly hibernating, grizzlies undergo pretty incredible changes during their winter rest. Their heart rate drops from a typical 40-50 beat per minute to what?

a) 10-20 bpm
b) 30-40 bpm
c) 8-19 bpm
d) 15-45 bpm
e) 5-15 bpm

Thank you for playing!

01/20/2023

Good morning and welcome to our “Fun Trivia Friday!”

Experts say that hibernation isn’t quite the accurate term for a Grizzly bear’s long winter rest. True hibernators include squirrels, mice and bats, who experience long periods of deep sleep, heart rate decreases and a drop in body temperature. The last component is where bears miss the hibernation benchmark, with body temperatures dropping only slightly from their summer averages. The technical term for their winter sleep is instead “torpor” which refers to a long period of rest without a completely dormant state.

Despite not truly hibernating, grizzlies undergo pretty incredible changes during their winter rest. Their heart rate drops from a typical 40-50 beat per minute to what?

a) 10-20 bpm
b) 30-40 bpm
c) 8-19 bpm
d) 15-45 bpm
e) 5-15 bpm

Good luck! Come back next Monday for the answer.

01/18/2023

Good morning and welcome to “Woof Wednesday!”

A Mini Goldendoodle is the best blend of two breeds. The ever-popular Golden Retriever and a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Their size makes them favorites as pets. Fans of the Retriever breed and the highly intelligent Poodle appreciate this diminutive cousin for its cuteness factor. They also go by the moniker Mini Golden or Mini Groodles.

Here’s why these Miniature Goldendoodles are so popular:

Aside from an easygoing temperament, smaller Mini Goldendoodle breeds are ideal for condominium or apartment living. This cross breed is a great canine companion.

Mini Golden doodles have become a great addition to many families because of their dog ancestry. This mixed breed takes a genetic footprint and matches the best traits of purebred Golden Retrievers and Miniature or Toy Poodle breeds.

A purebred Golden Retriever and Poodle share superior intelligence, trainability, and a strong sense of family loyalty. They quickly become obedient additions to any family. Poodles are also water dogs, bred as water fowl retrievers in Germany or France. They also belong in the top five of the AKC’s most intelligent dog breeds.

History of the Mini Goldendoodle:

“Goldendoodles” aren’t such a recent or modern invention. In the 1960s, breeders looked to develop a breed mix with a hypoallergenic feature. As the breeders hoped to create the perfect service pet and therapy dogs with a docile yet fun-loving disposition, they stumbled on a magic combo.The actual popularity of this Miniature Poodle Retriever mix didn’t reach the masses until the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Poodle mixes are the designer mutt mix of a perfect dog. Since their initial breed-mix success, they have dominated and ventured into other popular crossbreeds like Labradoodle, Cavapoos, Cockapoos, and other poodle dog breeds.
Goldendoodles also make good therapy dogs because they’re intelligent, good natured, loving dogs.

Poodles are often chosen as therapy dogs for their intelligence and because they’re hypoallergenic — less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Golden retrievers make good therapy dogs because of their calm, friendly personalities. Goldendoodles bring the best of both breeds.

01/16/2023

Good morning from Pet Peace of Mind QC! Welcome to our “Did You Know Monday!”

Do Pets Dream?

Based purely on the number of hours they sleep, one might guess that pets do dream, just like their human counterparts. Many dog and cat owners witness behaviors that suggest dreaming, such as pawing the air, growling or snapping. And others notice their cat twitching in sleep and other movements.

Humans and animals dream when they enter the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) stage of sleep. The name comes from the fast eye movement exhibited under the eyelids during this portion of the sleep cycle. While animal and people might seem more active during this stage, this is actually a portion of the sleep cycle when organisms experience a deeper , more relaxed sleep. During this period, pets and humans do not stir as easily. It will be more difficult to wake them up and they’ll breathe more deeply.

What do dogs dream about?

Researchers say that dogs dream about the exact same things that we do. Like us, dog dreams are inspired by their day-to-day life. Their dreams are a reflection of what they experience while awake.

Dogs dream about their fears, loves, anxieties and simple pleasures. They probably dream about toys, going on walks, not getting extra snacks or chasing after the squirrels they love to chase! Dogs see differently than people-colors are ore muted and they only see shades of yellow, blue, and grey. Their dreams are also limited to those colors.

What do cats dream about?

Cats also dream about topics in their everyday life. So they might be experiencing dreams about endless mice or finches. Maybe they’re dreaming about not being able to find their favorite toy or they’re dreaming about snuggling with you in front of the tv. Cat’s don’t see color the same way people do so they likely only dream muted shades of blue, grey, and green.

01/16/2023

The answer to last Friday's Trivia is:

D) Cats do not recognize when you talk to them

The question was:

While animal cognition experts have learned quite a bit about what’s going on in the minds of dogs over the years, the cat brain remains a black box of sorts. Little research has been done to figure out what cats are actually thinking. Part of this is because our feline friends are basically “the world’s most uncooperative research subject,” as science journalist David Grimm puts it.

Chances are, this comes as no surprise to you if you’re a pet parent. What many of us love so much about cats is that they’re an endless source of intrigue. Although we still have a lot to learn about what exactly goes on in the brain of a cat, what we do know is super interesting.

Which answer below is not true about a cat’s brain?

a)The overall anatomy is similar to ours
b)The cat’s brain shares similarities with the brain of a bear
c) Cats can recognize your voice
d)Cats do not recognize when you talk to them
e)Cat’s brain’s are about the size of your pinkie finger

Thank you for playing!

01/13/2023

Good morning and welcome to “Fun Trivia Friday!”

If you often marvel at just how intelligent your cat is (or how bizarre and mysterious her behavior can be), you’re in good company.
While animal cognition experts have learned quite a bit about what’s going on in the minds of dogs over the years, the cat brain remains a black box of sorts. Little research has been done to figure out what cats are actually thinking. Part of this is because our feline friends are basically “the world’s most uncooperative research subject,” as science journalist David Grimm puts it.
Chances are, this comes as no surprise to you if you’re a pet parent. What many of us love so much about cats is that they’re an endless source of intrigue. Although we still have a lot to learn about what exactly goes on in the brain of a cat, what we do know is super interesting.

Which answer below is not true about a cat’s brain?

a) The overall anatomy is similar to ours
b) The cat’s brain shares similarities with the brain of a bear
c) Cats can recognize your voice
d) Cats do not recognize when you talk to them
e) Cat’s brain’s are about the size of your pinkie finger

Good luck! Come back next Monday for the answer.

01/11/2023

Good morning and welcome to “Woof Wednesday!”

Bichon Frise (curious/playful/peppy)….

The small but sturdy and resilient Bichon Frise stands among the world's great 'personality dogs.' Since antiquity, these irresistible canine comedians have relied on charm, beauty, and intelligence to weather history's ups and downs. A good-size Bichon will stand a shade under a foot tall at the shoulder. The breed's glory is a white hypoallergenic coat, plush and velvety to the touch, featuring rounded head hair that sets off the large, dark eyes and black leathers of the nose and lips. Bichons are adaptable companions who get on well with other dogs and children. Alert and curious, Bichons make nice little watchdogs, but they are lovers, not fighters, and operate under the assumption that there are no strangers, just friends they haven't met yet. Their confidence and size make them ideal city dogs. Bichons train nicely and enjoy performing for their loved ones. Finally, there's the happy-go-lucky Bichon personality that draws smiles and hugs wherever they go.

01/09/2023

Good morning and welcome to “Did You Know Monday!”

Have you ever wondered how animals survive bouts of extreme weather? Where do they go?

When a big storm or frigid weather approaches, humans head indoors to the safety of their homes. We bundle up if we have to brave the elements and take the necessary precautions in anticipation of any potential aftermath.

But have you ever wondered how animals, such as squirrels, butterflies, snakes, birds, or even larger ones like deer, survive nasty bouts of weather? Luckily, the answer is “pretty well” in most cases because they have developed ingenious ways to take even the worst Mother Nature can throw their way.

Smaller animals have an advantage when it comes to taking shelter from a storm. They can hide out in microhabitats such as thick underbrush or other vegetation. Some birds will find holes in trees and puff out their feathers, while other animals seek refuge in cavernous rocks or nooks and crannies offered by man-made structures.

Most animals (hibernators or not) instinctively fatten up prior to winter as a way to both stay warm and survive.

Alligators are also among those that will typically stay put in their normal habitat even during a hurricane. They will instinctively look for safety beneath an overhanging shelter on a riverbank where they can find fallen logs, for example. Word of warning, though: alligators that live close to humans will also use a porch or other manmade sheltered area for safety.

Animals are survivors because they have evolved to adapt. They instinctively know how and when to seek protection, including in severe weather. While these instincts will not always save these animals, they certainly give them an advantage.

01/06/2023

🥰

Dogs are just the best friends ever