Dear Dr. Abbie: We live in a Mobile Home Park for retirees. We are only supposed to have one dog. We had one, but when she had puppies a few years ago, one of the pups got returned. He was always our favorite so we kept him. Our daughter got an opportunity to study abroad for a year so we agreed to take the dog while she was away. She’s had the dog since she was in elementary school. We think one of our neighbors ratted us out about the dogs because the park owner told us “You have to get rid of two dogs or move.” We are pretty confident the young dog will get a new home easily, but our daughter’s dog is a 14-year-old Lab, and so far we can’t find a rescue that will take her. We just don’t know what to do. The vet just gave her a new lease on life by cleaning her teeth and starting her on pain medicine less than a month ago. We may have to put her to sleep. Do you have any suggestions? Sign us, Heartbroken
Dear Heartbroken: My dear old Aunt Pat would declare, and rightly so “That’s mean spirited!” Doesn’t the park owner know the facts of life for a 14-year-old Lab? She’s like 88 years old in human years! The life span of a Lab is 12 years – any day over that is a miracle and a blessing. Your family must have taken very good care of her. I can certainly see why you are heartbroken. Taking her back in when your daughter went abroad may have broken the rules at the mobile home park, but you did the right thing for your dog. Common sense and kindness would dictate that the old girl gets to stay for her last days, and you promise not to have more than one dog in the future. It seems hopeless, but perhaps there are still a few options.
I’m sure by now you have tried sanctuaries where dogs can spend the rest of their lives. Many of these are nice, and take good care of the pets they are entrusted with, but they can be very expensive. There are rescues that specialize in elderly animal care, but placements are hard to get. If you put positive energy towards a good home for the younger dog a good home will come along where he will be happy and loved.
If a placement does not come up for your dear old Lab and you do have to euthanize her, try to find comfort in the fact that her last days were healthy and pain free and she was with her loving family, which is right where she always wanted to be. You will not have to wonder what happened to her. She will go straight to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for you. This is terrible position to be placed in, and it will take a long time to work through, but you will get through it. Peace and blessings, Dr. Abbie
Dear Dr. Abbie: Why do cats go crazy for catnip? Our cat, Goober goes nuts for the stuff! He rolls around and acts like a complete fool. Then he gets a really spaced out look on his face. What’s in that stuff? Does it do the same thing for people? – Shelly
Dear Shelly: Animals and people have been using plants for thousands of years to alleviate all sorts of life’s dilemmas from stomachaches to repelling insects. Catnip, a member of the mint family is one of those plants. As with many plants in use for centuries modern science has shed some light on the subject for us.
When animals use plants to help themselves with ailments they may have scientists call it ‘zoopharmacogsnosy.’ Broken down it is ‘zoo’- animal, ‘pharma’- drug, ‘cog’- know, ‘nosy’- ailment. Broken down into its parts it is not so frightening. It turns out, neither are the mysteries of why cats love catnip.
An article in the February issue of “Veterinary Practice News” by Narda Robinson, D.O., D.V.M. sites catnip as enjoying some new research into its benefits for people as well as cats. Beyond its use in folklore as a sedative, and anti-gas agent it was discovered by psychologists in the 1960’s that catnip is a sex pheromone. It causes cats to exhibit the rolling and playful batting with forepaws exhibited by females in heat. Unfortunately, for people it just seems to have the sedative, and not the aphrodisiac effects. It is in most of the relaxing “night time” tea blends.
Catnip oil is useful as an insect repellent, which may also be why cats like to rub it on their fur. I think I may start adding it to my horses’ fly spray mixture. I just hope catnip oil does not have an aphrodisiac effect on my horse! Thanks for your question. – Dr. Abbie
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