Pets and Holidays: Things to do with your pets

With holidays, it is always fun to find ways to include your pets in the celebration.  They are, after all, part of the family and should be actively involved in family activities.  That said, sometimes it is hard to find ways to do this that are fun for your both and will be safe for your pet.  

Since most of us own dogs or cats (no offense to the mice, gerbil, parrot, ferret, pig, etc.) here are a few ideas for you to consider this holiday season to help include your baby in all the family festivities.

Holiday Photo Shoot: 

Almost everyone love to dress up their pets for holidays, so dress up your pets in festive attire and have a holiday-themed photo session. This can be a fun way to create lasting memories and adorable holiday cards.

Pet-Friendly Holiday Treats: 

While you are making special foods for the family, don't forget your babies. Bake or buy special holiday treats that are safe for pets. You can find recipes for dog or cat-friendly cookies and cakes online, and you pet will love them (be sure to check the ingredients for things that might be harmful). Here is a list of foods to avoid.

Gift Exchange: 

Include your pets in the gift-giving tradition. Get them new toys, comfy beds, or special treats and let them unwrap their gifts. If you hide a treat in the wrapping, your pet can smell it and will gladly unwrap the present to find it.

Holiday Walks: 

It is always fun to walk around the neighborhood to look at the holiday lights. Take your pets for the walks with you to see the lights and decorations. Make sure they are comfortably dressed for the weather. If you drive to see the lights and decorations, consider taking your dog along for the ride.  Your pet will enjoy the time spent with you.

Pet-Friendly Parties: 

If you're hosting a holiday party, create a pet-friendly space where your pets can interact with guests. Ensure that all foods and decorations in this area are safe for pets. Or, if your guests have pets, maybe consider a small party in advance of the holiday, to hold a pet meet-and-greet type party to see if they can all get along and be part of the holiday celebration.

Visit a Pet-Friendly Event: 

Look for pet-friendly holiday events in your area, such as markets or festivals where pets are welcome. Most places have these and taking your pet to visit with you is a wonderful way to enjoy both.  You will meet many people because you have your pet. It is a proven fact that walking around with a dog is a good way to interact with other people at events.

Create a Holiday Playlist: 

Some pets enjoy music, so you could create a holiday playlist with calming or festive tunes to play for them. Cats seem to enjoy watching TV, so find some holiday themed viewing for them.  Some dogs will watch TV if there is a lot of movement on the screen, so look for that for your dogs. This will help keep them busy while you are preparing for the gathering.

Decorate Together: 

Let your pets be part of the decorating process. Make sure all decorations are pet-safe and avoid small, ingestible items. This is only practical if your pet has a calm demeanor and enjoys this type of activity.  You know your pet best.

Charity Work: 

Involve your pet in charity work, like visiting a nursing home or hospital (if allowed). It can bring joy to others and be a fulfilling experience for you and your pet. Taking your dog or cat to a nursing home will give them a chance to interact with people that will love on them and make them very happy.  At the same time, you may be making a lonely person very happy too.

I hope this list of things to do with your pets on the holidays inspires you to include your babies in the family festivities. They will enjoy all the attention and all the special treats, for sure.

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Black Animal Syndrome: The Overlooked Shelter Inhabitants

 

Have you ever wandered down the lines of a shelter looking at all the lost and abandoned animals there? You should.  It is an eye-opening experience and will probably cause you to rethink everything you know or thought you knew about having pets.  

There is one "dirty little secret" in most shelters and that is that black animals rarely get adopted.  These are perfectly healthy, friendly, loveable, playful animals who, because of the color of their fur, are continually overlooked by most people.

This phenomenon, often dubbed the "Black Dog Syndrome" or "Black Cat Syndrome," highlights a disconcerting bias against darker-furred animals. But why does this happen, and how can we help these animals find their forever homes? 

Here is an article, "Black Dog Syndrome: Why Black Dogs Are Less Likely To Be Adopted" that talks about why this happens.

Why Black Dogs and Cats Are Overlooked 

1. Superstitions and Stigmas: Historically, black cats have been associated with superstitions, often being branded as omens of bad luck. Though these beliefs are largely outdated, remnants of these superstitions may linger in modern society, influencing adoption decisions.

In the 21st century, it is disheartening to think that there is still superstitions and stigmas about black cats and dogs.  Surely we have moved way past that, but alas, I see we have not.  There is no reason to believe that a black animal is "cursed" or that it is "evil".  That is ridiculous.  These are living, breathing beings who deserve to have forever homes like any other animal.

2. Appearance in Photographs: Black animals, particularly in subpar lighting conditions, don’t photograph as well as their lighter counterparts. Their features can blend together, making them less distinguishable in online listings.

This is unfortunate because shelters and rescues don't spend resources to have the animals professionally photographed.  It would seem that as an adult you would be able to see past the bad lighting and see the animal.  

3. Perceived Aggression: Some believe that darker animals appear more menacing, leading to unjust associations with aggression, particularly in breeds already contending with negative stereotypes.

This is a stereotype that is encouraged by media, but certainly not true.  I know that when you see an aggressive animal in a film, it will most likely be black.  However, aggression is not controlled by the color of the animal's fur.  It is determined by the treatment of the animal and the breeding.

4. Aging Appearance: Black fur can sometimes show signs of graying earlier, which can be misinterpreted as the animal being older than they actually are. All animals begin to have gray hair on the face by age 2, so this is plain, old fashion ageism at play.  Pets live long lives if taken care of properly, so 2 is a baby.

How to Help Black Dogs and Cats Find Their Forever Homes

1. Awareness: The first step is acknowledging the issue. By educating the public about this unintentional bias, we can help shift perceptions and encourage more adoptions of black animals.

2. Better Photography: Investing in professional photography can make a significant difference. Using brighter backgrounds, proper lighting, and showcasing their personalities can make black animals stand out in online listings.

3. Promotional Events: Shelters can host events highlighting black animals. Offering reduced adoption fees or themed events like “Black Fur Friday” can draw attention to these overlooked pets.

4. Storytelling: Sharing heartwarming stories of black animals and their successful adoption journeys can tug at potential adopters’ heartstrings.

5. Advocacy: Harness the power of social media. Sharing posts, pictures, and stories of black dogs and cats can increase their visibility.

6. Education: Dispel myths and superstitions associated with black pets. Inform potential adopters about the loving and gentle nature of these animals, irrespective of their color.

Black dogs and cats, like all animals, deserve loving homes. With concerted efforts and awareness, we can shift the narrative and ensure these animals are no longer overlooked. We can all do our part to remove the "Black Dog and Cat Syndrome" from our shelters and rescues and help these deserving animals all find forever homes if we do our parts.

No matter the color of the fur, please adopt from shelters and rescues instead of buying dogs.  This blog post tells you about the benefits of adoption and just how to go about doing so: Adopting a Dog: Things to Think About