365 Ways to Live Happy (29 page)

Some animal caregivers and veterinarians, too, advocate a regular daily examination of your pet for early signs of ill health or a recent injury. An excellent time to check your dog, for example, might be right after an exercise period when she has been running with you along the beach, on a track, or through a park. Tell your vet if your cat or dog walks with a different gait than usual, suddenly has the sniffles, or is constantly licking a particular area. Also, notice any changes in appetite, sleep patterns, or a desire to play as these can be warning signs of illness or injury. Keep your pet healthy and she'll reward you with her devotion and love.

Spay your pet. The animal shelters across America and the Humane Society advocate it because the numbers of homeless dogs and cats has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, and millions of those animals must be euthanized. Before an animal can be adopted, many centers require them to be neutered or spayed. There are a number of low-cost, affordable programs for spaying. And contrary to what some people believe, spaying does not make your animal fat and lazy, although it can make a pet more docile and get rid of his desire to roam. Animals get fat from a bad diet or overeating and not exercising enough. For more information, see
www.adoptapet.com//files/03/81/97/f038197/public/spay_and_neuter/
. Happier pets make for happier owners.

Volunteer your free time at your local animal shelter. You will be a volunteer parent to a lonely, even possibly abandoned or abused, animal. You may be asked to help in various ways, including transporting animals to their veterinarian appointments, participating in community activities that foster animal adoptions, educating the public about the need for humane treatment of animals, cleaning out animal cages, and reuniting lost pets with their owners, to name a few. For animal lovers, such work can not only be satisfying, it can give meaning and purpose to their lives. And those are vital elements of life satisfaction and happiness.

As a rescuer, you will be contacted by a shelter or a rescue organization when volunteer help is needed. Helping creatures that cannot help themselves can give your life purpose. Whether it is a beached dolphin or whale, or a bird of prey such as a falcon or an eagle with a broken wing, you and the other rescue team members may be able to give that animal another chance to live out its life in the wild. Even if you cannot volunteer time, you can make a monetary donation or contribute items on a local shelter's wish list. A California shelter has on its wish list peanut butter, plastic bags, bath towels, pet carriers (all sizes for all kinds of pets), and good-quality canned dog and puppy food, for example. See a need and fill it. The resulting good feelings are yours to keep.

Whenever you can steal away for a little rest and relaxation, think about taking along your pet. There are numerous hotels and RV parks that now welcome pet owners. You might find one in your local area or desired vacation destination by searching
www.dogfriendly.com
or
www.pet-friendly-hotels.net
or checking out various books and guides for day, weekend, or longer trips If you hesitate to take your pet along on a vacation because of her tendency to suffer canine motion sickness, talk with your veterinarian to learn about new ways of dealing with that issue. Nondrowsy drugs for motion sickness are available for dogs. And, you can work with your dog on shorter outings to acclimate her for a longer trip. Your pet will appreciate the change of scenery as much as you.

Your family perhaps already knows the safety procedures and evacuation plan in the event of a disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, fire, or flood. But have you figured out the plan to ensure the safety of your pet? If not, call a family meeting to discuss evacuating the animals. Each year, animals perish in unexpected natural disasters. When Hurricane Katrina struck, volunteers were needed to rescue thousands of animals, many of whom perished. During that crisis, an untold number of pets waited weeks for owners to return or for help to arrive and, in many cases, help never came. A good, solid plan for your pet's safety means you won't fail him when such a crisis hits.

Dogs and cats can suffer tooth decay, gum infection, and even tooth loss. In animals, the pain of tooth decay and gum disease can be excruciating and protracted. If you aren't already ensuring that your pet gets regular dental exams and brushing her teeth, begin soon because the possibility of decay and infection is more likely if you disregard this important task. An animal can't tell you why she isn't eating, why she's losing weight, why she's got terrible bad breath (could be a digestive problem), or even starving to death, so it's up to you to ensure she can eat and get the nutrition she needs. As her owner, your responsibility is to ensure she gets to live a healthy and happy life.

Whether your pet is a small animal or a bird, you'll want to keep your pet's cage clean. A clean cage provides a healthy environment and contributes to the well-being of your pet. It also means the cage and its contents won't be a source of noxious odors. Remember to wear gloves to protect against the dust of droppings that can cause illness. Soap and water is usually sufficient for cleaning a cage, even if it has lots of crevices and surfaces. Your pet is more likely to be healthy living in a clean environment, so do your part to contribute to his longevity and ensure your own peace of mind.

Consider volunteering at your local equine therapy center. Horses and kids are able to forge bonds in special ways; equine centers with a focus on education or offering therapy modalities have become a vital source to help at-risk kids make good choices, and provide positive experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses. Some centers focus on children and teen learning, emotional growth, and mental health. Other centers focus on riding as therapy for a physically challenged child. Help a child succeed. If you love working and caring for horses, consider a generous weekly donation of your time at an equine center near you.