Westward Ho!!

Buster and I are headed West this week to check out Portland, which calls itself one of the most pet-friendly cities in the U.S. Buster is already packing his toys and can't wait to check out the famous Westin Hotels Heavenly Bed, which comes in a pint-size version just for pets. Check back later in the week. We'll be reporting live from the City of Roses on all the hot spots to see and be seen with your pet!

The Not So Wondra Litter Box

I was headed down the pet aisle at the local grocery store and happened upon two women who were in an intense discussion about litter boxes. Always looking for a better alternative to that onerous task of keeping the litter box clean, I joined the conversation. They were singing the praises of the Wondra litter box. I had never seen one on the shelf. They are so popular, they were always sold out. It was a rare day that they happened to be in stock, and between the three of us, we cleared out the inventory. Based on their testimonial, I couldn't wait to try it. It was supposed to be the ultimate in odor control and eliminated the need to clean the litter box. You just toss the whole thing out.

After about 3 days, I realized that the Wondra box was not so wonderful. My house had that distinct kitty box aroma. Did I mention that the same duo sold me on a new brand of clumping litter too? I looked in the litter boxes and found a soggy, smelly mess. So much for the Wondra box. I switched back to my tried and true pine litter mix in my plastic litter boxes.

Another great way to control odors around the litter box is to hang a bag of volcanic rocks near the box. They naturally absorb odors and last forever. You just have to "recharge" them every 8 months or so, by leaving them out in direct sunlight. The rocks are a much less expensive alternative to the odor-absorbing gels that work well, but have to be replaced every month. Drs. Foster and Smith sell the volcanic rocks under the brand name Pet Clear Crystals.

Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Bell

Recently I went to a pet trade show to see what was new in the marketplace. I am always amazed at the products that people dream up -- like the top that fits over your water bottle that adjusts the flow so your dog can drink from it too. Or the water bowl that adapts to the drink holder in your car. I could certainly use one of those. We've had many overturned water bowls on long car trips with the dogs.

But my favorite new invention was the doggie doorbell. At first, I thought it was a leash with bells, which would make for a very noisy walk. I had heard of something like this before. Some clever owner trained their dog to jingle a bell when they needed to go out. By only rewarding them for ringing the bell when they have to do their thing, and not for going out to play, they eventually learn to use the bell for what it was intended. And now some enterprising businesswoman came up with the Designer Doggie Doorbell. The doorbells are simple to make, but if you don't have the time or the inclination, you can purchase one to suit any decorating style at Poochie Bells.

Adopt a Rescue

When to get another pet after you've lost one is always a very personal decision. There is no right answer for everyone. After losing Lily, my sweet Collie, I stayed off of the pet sites and ignored rescue emails from well-meaning friends. I just wasn't ready for another dog. And Buster, my Chihuahua/Boston Terrier mix, seemed to be enjoying his status as an only-dog.

Then I happened to open an email from Best Friends Rescue. The group was trying to help Angel Dog Rescue place some dogs from south Georgia. Unfortunately the state has one of the highest euthanasia rates and lowest adoption rates in the country. Rescues in rural areas have an even tougher time getting adopted. When I clicked on the photo in the email, I was staring at the soulful eyes of a Treeing Walker Coon Hound named Bella. She had been fostered for 2 years by an 85-year-old woman who had just lost her husband. Single-handily managing a large property and multiple pets would be overwhelming for anyone -- especially if you were older. She needed to find a permanent home for Miss Bella.

Buster and I drove down to meet Bella to see what we thought. By nature, Coon Hounds can be a handful. After reading online about the breed, I was a little intimidated. But Bella had been fostered for 2 years, so I had a pretty good read on her personality. She didn't fit the Coon Hound mold and was the proverbial couch potato. We packed her up and took her home with us. Bella quickly adapted to her new life and lived up to her coach potato reputation. Within the first week, she had tried out every soft spot in the house, no matter how small. Much to the dismay of the cats, even their wicker bed was fair game, whether she fit in it or not.

Bella turned out to be a gem of a dog. She was house-broken, very sweet, and got along with everyone. Many people ignore rescues in favor a cute puppies. They forget it takes a lot of work to train them to become well-behaved dogs. Rescues may have bad habits that need correcting too, but at least you know what you are dealing with if they have been in foster care for any length of time. A vet can give you a list of rescue groups in your area, many which are breed-specific. And speaking of breeds, be sure to look for traits that suit your lifestyle. If you are a high energy, active person, you may be happy with a dog that needs a lot of exercise and is a part of your outdoor activities. Some people (like me), would be worn out just thinking about it. Animal Planet has a great interactive tool that helps match your lifestyle with the traits of different breeds to make sure that you AND the dog are happy with each other.