Monday, November 28, 2011

Christmas ideas for Hana

Hana with her first Bully Stick March 2009

I like to get Hana Christmas presents every year and I thought I could share some of her favorite things with you, I made a visual on Polyvore http://www.polyvore.com/, but I also wanted to share some of my favorite websites and local businesses.  This year I would like to buy presents for charity.

Included in this post is a video about a boy who inspires me and makes me want to buy dog toys that benefit charity.  I'm planning on opening an Etsy next year (2012) that will sell thrift, vintage, and homemade items and some of the proceeds will go to an animal charity.  I'll keep you posted on the shop.

I found a great website called Fetchdog http://www.fetchdog.com/Shop, that has safe and natural toys for dogs.  They also have a section for charitable shops http://www.fetchdog.com/pet-supplies/charitable-shops that has gifts for dogs that benefit charity.

Jane Goodall
One of my favorite charities is "The Jane Goodall Institute http://www.janegoodall.org/."  When I was a young teenager, my Dad took me to see Jane Goodall at Civic Auditorium in Portland.  She told her stories of studying the lives of chimpanzees and the habitats surrounding them.  I was inspired and moved because I have always had a soft spot for primates and would love to be able to be with one up close.  Please visit her website and learn more about her cause.

Locally I would like to encourage you to go to pet stores like "Healthy Pet's NW."  I have one close to me in Multnomah Village and I buy most of Hana's bully sticks and her food there.  I love that they are a local company and their staff is really knowledgeable about the products.

When I adopted Hana from the Oregon Humane Society, we purchased most of her supplies in their pet store.  One-hundred percent of the proceeds go to the Humane society.  They also have a knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Shopping resources in Portland, Or:

http://www.healthypetsnw.com/

http://www.oregonhumane.org/services/best_friends.asp

doggy wish list

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Boarding pets for the holidays

I am going to Chicago for a week for Thanksgiving and before I leave I thought I would share some boarding ideas for people.

When we leave for short trips (overnight, two days) we leave the kitties at home with plenty of food and water and make sure a friend is available to check on them.  We always board Hana (our dog), and our cats if the trip is longer.

Some people don't recommend boarding your animals, but we don't always have someone available to stay with Hana - which is the best option.  luckily we have a vet we trust who has caretakers that live at the office that can take care of Hana 24 hours a day.  She get's a huge kennel and plenty of outdoor time.  We make sure she has familiar items from home, such as her: bed, blanket (she makes nests with blankets), food dish, toys (something harmless). Write a list of medical or special dietary needs.

Make sure when you leave your pets alone that you don't leave them with any collars, harnesses on because they can get caught and things.  Also don't leave them with dog chews.  Dogs should always be supervised when consuming dog chews (bully sticks, rawhide, etc) so they won't choke.

When you board your per make sure they have current rabies vaccine, bordetella http://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/pet-travel/kennel-cough.htm and their license, I.D tags.  You should know their microchip# too.

Provide a friend or family member with a key to your house and the information for the vet/kennel, in case you have delays in your trip or you are too far for immediate attention.  Use this person as your emergency contact.  Make sure you choose someone you can trust and who you know is available. Here are some articles to help you choose the right place to board your pet:
 
   ASPCA:http://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-sitters-and-boarders.aspx

 "The Bark:" http://www.thebark.com/content/tip-sheet-choosing-daycare-or-kenne

Seperation Anxiety:
My dog Hana has intense separation anxiety.  Sometimes I don't go where I am going because she looks so crestfallen when I try to leave. If you are worried about leaving your pet at a new boarding facility I recommend doing small visits at first, even a couple of hours, rewarded with a treat so they know you're coming back.  You can try training your dog with a monosyllabic word too, we tell Hana to "wait," and she knows that means we'll be back http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/overcoming-separation-anxiety.aspx

Local boarding information:  

West Hills Animal Clinic

4325 SW Beaverton Hillsdale
Portland, OR 97221
503- 246-3321
The American Boarding Kennel Association at (877) 570-7788 or (719) 667-1600.  

National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
(856)439-0324
http://www.petsitters.org/
Pet Sitters International
(336) 983-9222
http://www.petsit.com/

 

Resources for todays post:
Animal Planet: http://animal.discovery.com/
ASPCA: http://www.aspca.org/
The Bark: http://www.thebark.com/

Monday, November 14, 2011

For the love of birds

This article http://wsutoday.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=28748&TypeID=1 reminds me of one of my favorite books http://www.wesleytheowl.com/.
If you love birds and would like to devote some time to helping them in Portland go to http://audubonportland.org/about/volunteer

If you would like to learn more about birds of prey the Oregon Zoo has an internship program
http://www.oregonzoo.org/Intern/show.htm

happy birding!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

The story behind the name


Medvjed means “Bear,” in Croatian.   My Dad was a Croatian American but was raised with a deep appreciation for our Croatian heritage.  My father also had a fondness for bears, which I think was because he was a big man, like a grizzly bear.
I love all animals and if I could I would spend my life devoted to saving animals and working for their rights.  I feel like my love of animals is genetic.  My great uncle was a veterinarian, and my family has always had lots of pets.  Pets are part of the family and also therapeutic.
I would like to make people more aware of ways we can contribute to animal rights, locally and globally. I feel like all people are capable of compassion towards animals if they understood the way they have been used and treated throughout centuries.
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