PetSugar -- Girl's Best Friend.

Do Tell: Do Your Pets Snore?

PetSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:00:58 -0700

Although those kitty eyes are open wide now, the biggest problems come when Hazel's taking her catnaps! TeamSugar is petsitting for a friend and has been sharing tales about this delightful feline . . . turns out the furball snores up a storm and keeps waking poor Team up during her sleepytime. My pooch definitely has his "old-man-who-smoked-too-many-cigs-for-too-many-years" snoring sound, as many smooshies do, how about your pets?

Do Tell: Renting With Pets?

PetSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:00:53 -0700

I spent agonizing weeks searching for pet-friendly apartments both in New York and San Francisco – it wasn't easy to find a place that welcomed my lil guy! The Dogs Trust offers these helpful tips for finding a home with your animals:

Write a pet résumé including dog's breed, size, age, activity level, and special accomplishments or training.
Get pet references from prior landlords, trainers, or others that know your pet well.
Offer proof from a vet of vaccinations, neutering, and any deworming and flea medications.
Explain his daily routine (e.g., visitors, dog walkers, daycare) to show how your pet will be cared for in your absence.

Have you ever had trouble finding a place to live that would also open its doors to your furry friend? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!

Source

Do Tell: Comparing Yourself to Mommies of (Human) Babies?

PetSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:40:45 -0700

I know it's not the same thing, even if you don't call yourself mommy, but pet parenting can seem very similar to human parenting at times. You've now got a dependent who needs you for his basic needs, and there are changes that need to be made to your day-to-day lives . . . sacrifices that nonparents sometimes can't understand. From working late or grabbing happy hour drinks to staying over at a boyfriend's house or taking off on a moment's notice for the weekend, there are things that aren't always possible with furry family patiently waiting for yums or walkies. Have any of you had to make changes or explain to friends that you can't do something "because of the dog?" Please share it with all of us in your comments below – I know I can empathize!

Source

Is Your Cat Crazy For Catnip?

PetSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:40:51 -0700

Now my childhood cat reeeeally enjoyed her fragrant toys, but somewhere out there you'll find furry felines that love staying catnip free. Bottles, blossoms, or birds, can your cats ever get enough of the green stuff?Source

Is Your Cat Crazy For Catnip?

My cat needs to attend Catnip Anonymous.

My cat's a recreational user.

My cat steers clear.

Other – I'll share in my comments below.

I Need Your Help . . . Dealing With Irresponsible Pet Owners

PetSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:40:18 -0700

Turns out it's not just pet owners leaving doodoo on the sidewalk, but other places pups play as well. A TeamSugar user wrote in about this problem encounter:

I like to run every day and often I run on the track at my local public high school. There are way more dog walkers than joggers there! While I don't have a problem with dogs, the vast majority of them are not on leashes. Over a year ago while I was running there a dog came charging at me and I thought it would dodge or run alongside me, but it ran straight into me and knocked me over! I was fine and the owner apologized and was very concerned. What if I had been an elderly person? I could have gotten hurt.

The other problem is that most of the dog owners don't carry poop bags and there's a lot of doggy doo on the football field. I doubt the high school would be happy to get a call about the matter, but it's unlikely that they'll do anything. I sometimes want to tell dog owners to put their dogs on a leash, but that feels like it would be rude and there are so many irresponsible dog owners doing this. And there's no way of knowing which dog exactly is pooping on the field. What should I do?

I'm assuming this isn't officially a dog-friendly space, but I know from experience that makeshift dog runs turn up in the most surprising spots in places with limited fenced-in areas or safe parks – there's a tennis court near my apartment that's commonly used for this. It may be a problem for the officials, but please share any tips in your comments below.

The Scoop: JetBlue Doubles Prices for Underseat Pets

PetSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:30:15 -0700

All this talk of what the airlines are charging for the details, got me thinking about my lil detail, North. He loves being included in my life – and lets me know when he doesn't feel that way – but, boy, can the price of plane tickets get us down! When looking into a summer trip with my pooch this week, I realized a very shocking (and troubling) fact: JetBlue has doubled the price of a cabin pet from $50 to $100. I spoke with a representative from the airline's corporate communications department who shared some information on this change. Learn what I found out when you

Do Tell: Does Your Pet Have a Fave Spot at Home?

PetSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:15:39 -0700

Whenever my friend's pooch is feeling moody, or if there are too many people in the apartment, the dog heads straight into the bedroom and takes cover under her boyfriend's desk! During muggy summers in NYC, North loved to lie down on the cool bathroom tile floor and now, whenever I take a bubble bath, my naughty pup tries to hop up on the couch for snuggly shuteye before I can shoo him. Do your pets ever take refuge in a favorite spot . . . for better or worse? I wanna hear all about the nooks and crannies your furry friends call home in your comments below.

Source

How Many Times a Day Do You Feed a Pet?

PetSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:30:28 -0700

Even though many vets recommend that growing puppies eat three times a day, by adulthood, some choose to feed a dog once a day and some kitty owners leave just one meal out all day long. Regardless of how often dinner (or breakfast or lunch) time comes at your home, make sure you follow the directions on the bag – it usually lists portions based on daily servings. Divide accordingly for multiple meals (and don't forget to factor in the treats, too). What's this process like at your house?Source

How Many Times a Day Do You Feed a Pet?

Free grazing – I leave food out all day.

I feed my pet once a day.

I feed my pet twice a day.

I feed my pet three times a day.

Other – I'll share in my comments below.

Does Your Pet Try to "Use" the Toilet?

PetSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:30:51 -0700

So I already addressed toilet paper and poor Bella's failed toilet training attempt of Milo and Minou but what about the toilet itself?! Many pets show interest in the ~~magical fountain~~ toilet . . . either drinking the water or, like this clever cat, flushing it! Do your pets exhibit any of these bizarre behaviors?

Does Your Pet Try to "Use" the Toilet?

Yes, my pet loves (to try to) drink the water.

Yes, my pet's a flushing sensation!

No way, my pet definitely doesn't care about that.

Other – I'll share in my comments below.

Protect Toilet Paper From Nosy Paws!

PetSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:00:57 -0700

Pets get into the darnedest things! From the valuables coming with electrical cords to the unmentionables in the trash, having a furry friend in your home means always being out the lookout with pet-proofed spaces. There are many dogs and cats that love to unroll paper towels or toilet paper (like our POTD B-Bop), and lilsugar told me about a great product to keep your TP safe from baby hands . . . that works just great for puppy paws and kitty claws, too! Find out what it is when you

Trend Setters: Scotties

PetSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:30:53 -0700

I must have Scotties on the brain lately! But, it's not just me. I'm seeing their spunky lil silhouette pop up all over the place . . . on TeamSugar, in my May Must Haves, and all over ShopStyle. I've gathered some of the cutest Scottish Terrier gear I could find . . . accessories for you, that is. Check 'em all out – and learn where to pick 'em up – in this slideshow!

What's Your Fave Thing to Buy for Your Pet?

PetSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:30:58 -0700

I must have a weakness for street punk style, since I've acquired plenty of rockin tees and sweaters for North to wear around town, or even just around the house when it's chilly. I know some pets who are totally spoiled rotten and get their blueberry facials more often than I can even get to the nail salon for a manicure! I know we all like to pamper our four legged balls of fur, so tell me, what's your favorite thing to buy for your pet? Source

What's Your Fave Thing to Buy for Your Pet?

Fashionable collars, leads, and harnesses

Bedding

Clothes

Jewelry and accessories

Grooming or spa treatments

Something else. See my comments below.

Do Tell: Does Your Dog Have a Fave Play Partner at Home?

PetSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 17:00:17 -0700

When North was just a puppy, I had to go to London for several weeks. Not wanting to leave my lil guy in care of strangers, I brought him to my parents' house for safekeeping. I checked in often, but one day my dad had a funny story to share. He decided to go into my bedroom and gather up all of North's toys (that I brought in a travel pack from my apartment), and bring them into the living room where my parents were sitting. I guess my pup watched my dad do this . . . and then, one by one, my silly pooch carried each of his toys back into the bedroom and came back into the living room and laid down. Ouch.

Clearly North was not feeling into playtime (and protective of his toys), but now my doggie often ignores me if I've got friends over. He tries to present his toys to them instead – I guess he loves his playtime any way he can get it or maybe he's giving me a break? Do your pups seem to favor playing with one person (or other pet) in particular or is it all equal on the homefront?

Source

Did You Have Class Pets As a Kid?

PetSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:45:36 -0700

It's time to think back to your elementary school days – did you ever have a creature in class? My friend's school had an "office dog" that belonged to the principal . . . and I know if, I went there, I would have been trying to find excuses to go to the office! Remember that plotline from several sitcoms in years' past, child would take "pet" home, pet would meet its untimely end, and the frantic search for the replacement would begin. From official school pets to animals visiting with their owners, was this the case with you? As always if you remember the exact type – and name – of a school pet, don't forget to share in your comments below. Source

Do You Own a Purebred Cat?

PetSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0700

If you share your home with a kitty, I wanna know more about your cat. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) has 39 pedigreed breeds that it recognizes (and allows to compete in shows) and I'm curious how many of you own a purebred feline. I know some of you have exotic pets like this Tonkinese belonging to DearSugar's mom, while others have cats with lineage that's a bit harder to trace. After all, many times a rescue like a domestic shorthair still resembles pedigreed breeds like the American Shorthair. As always, feel free to share which type of cat you own in your comments below!

Do You Own a Purebred Cat?

Yes.

No.

Other – I'll share in my comments below.

Do Tell: Picking Up After Other Dogs?

PetSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:00:39 -0700

While I walked across town to meet friends for brunch over the weekend, I witnessed a woman's dog do his business in front of me while she stopped and pretended not to notice . . . and then they just kept on walking! I was rather surprised because there were other people on the sidewalk yet no one said anything. If I had a bag in my purse, I would have stopped and handed her one . . . but I wasn't in the mood to get into an altercation on the street corner. And she looked like she couldn't be bothered with being responsible as she was clearly averting her eyes from the situation. I think not picking up after a dog makes all pet owners in the area look bad so, do tell, have you ever picked up after another pooch? How would you handle this situation?

Would You Get a Tattoo of Your Pet?

PetSugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:30:34 -0700

I've heard that tattooing can be totally addictive – once you get one, you'll never stop. I have been with some pals while they've gotten their first ink, and I'm not entirely sure I could work up the courage to dive in. The thought of pain and especially the sound of the tattoo gun made me want to take cover in a corner somewhere! So when I came across some pet tattoos featured on The Bark Blog, it has me convinced that these are some pretty devoted pet owners . . . not only to get a tattoo of their beloved pets, but to brave the actual act of getting it in the first place! Obvs, I'm not too hip on the whole tattooing craze myself (and I don't see myself changing my mind anytime soon). Until then, I'll be the one in the corner cowering away from the dentist-drill-sound of the tattoo gun – how about you?Source

Would You Get a Tattoo of Your Pet?

Yes, people get tattoos of other people, why not their pets?

No, that's just silly.

Maybe, if I could stand getting a tattoo in the first place!

Something else. See my comments below.

Do Tell: Reprimanding Other Dog Owners?

PetSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:00:50 -0700

Last night I enjoyed a relaxing evening with some friends at one of our fave wine bars. It's in an old warehouse-type space so the windows are not at street – or seat – level. As we're chatting at our table by the door, I happened to look up as someone was coming in and saw a beautiful, fluffy Golden Retriever tied to a parking meter. Eeks! It gets pretty chilly here in SF at night and I certainly wouldn't want to sit outside. And, of course, once we spotted the pooch, we couldn't take our eyes off of her – each time someone came into the place, we would check to see if the dog was still there. It was at least 40 minutes from when we first noticed her to when we left . . . and, sure enough, she was still there when we walked out. To hear the rest,