Archive for: pets

Why Wait for New Year’s? Change can begin any day…

CarlyFor what seems like a very long time, I’ve been trying to be more active and spend less time sitting in front of a screen (my laptop during working hours, my TV during downtime). I love to walk, but I can come up with any number of excuses not to:

  • It’s too cold/hot/rainy/snowy/windy
  • I’m too busy
  • There’s no one to walk with

They’re all terrible excuses, especially when you consider how much I enjoy walking, and of course the health benefits. Each one can be countered:

  • Dress appropriately
  • A break will allow me to clear my head and re-energize
  • I can listen to music, podcasts, or recorded teleclasses on my iPhone

Self-discipline obviously wasn’t cutting it, so I’ve just undergone a major life change that’s going to make it so walking is no longer optional, but a mandatory part of each and every day. Yes – I’ve adopted a dog!

Carly is about two years old and apparently a cross between a Border Collie and a Chocolate Lab. We have already become good friends and I look forward to many walks with her. Hopefully my cat will soon come out of hiding long enough to make friends with her too!

If you’d like a new furry friend in your life, I highly recommend adopting a homeless pet. Most shelters and rescue groups do a thorough screening to make sure you choose one that’s right for your family and your lifestyle, and it’s very rewarding to know you’re providing an unwanted animal with a home. If you don’t want the stress of raising a kitten or puppy, there are lots of adults, both young and old, ready to love you. Just click on the logo below to begin your search.

Petfinder.com - Adopt a Homeless Pet

Looking for a Good Time?

Are you in the Hamilton area? What are you doing this weekend? Would you like to make a new special friend?

No, I’m not promoting a new singles bar or dating service! Whether you live alone, with a friend or significant other, or your family, there’s probably room in your life for one more.

On Saturday, November 27, from 9:00 to 6:00, The Pride Rescue is holding a day of fun, games, prizes and more to help raise funds to help stray, abandoned and otherwise forgotten cats. Volunteers will be on hand to share information about spaying and neutering, caring for and managing stray and feral cats, and various ways that you can help. You’ll also have a chance to meet many of the cats and kittens who are waiting to be adopted, and although no adoptions will take place at the event, you’ll be able to complete an application and learn more about the adopting or becoming a foster family.

When Scott* and I decided we needed a new furry friend, we felt that an adult cat would be easier to handle than a kitten, having found that kittens who haven’t yet learned proper manners can be really rambunctious.  I searched through the available cats on Petfinder and found one that was a perfect fit for us.

Tasha

Can you honestly say you don’t have room in your home (or your office) for one of these?

Of course, pet ownership is a responsibility, and no animal should ever be brought home before you’ve thoroughly investigated what’s involved in their care and know that you’re up for the job. But along with that responsibility come great rewards, and anyone who’s ever had a cat (or a dog) will testify that they quickly become important members of the family.

Whether or not you can make it to Pride Cat Rescue Day, I hope you’ll consider opening your home and your heart to an animal in need. If a pet just isn’t for you, you can still help by clicking on the banner below.

The Animal Rescue Site

*To this day, Scott denies having any part of this decision or any attachment whatsoever to Tasha, but his actions say otherwise. :)

Introducing Tasha

Since I received so many comments to my post Life Lessons Learned from Dusty, as well as lots of interest from my friends on Facebook and in real life about my cat situation, I’m sure you’d all like to see a picture of Tasha, who joined my household yesterday.

She is still getting settled in, so I’m giving up my blog writing time today to play with her, but if you were hoping for some great business tips, you might want to read two of my articles that have recently been added to other websites.

Enjoy your weekend!

Life Lessons Learned from Dusty

This week I had the difficult task of saying goodbye to a dear friend. As members of our family since 1995, Dusty (along with her adopted sister, Bitey, who left us less than nine months ago) was with us through many significant life events.

If you’re a cat lover, I don’t need to tell you about the joys they can bring, and if you’re not, no words on your computer screen can make you understand. However, while thinking about my special memories, I’ve realized that there is a lot we can learn from our furry friends, and I’d like to share some of my thoughts with you.

Read More→