If you asked me several years ago about an elevated dog feeder, I'd probably draw a blank stare. It was rather difficult to be able to rear pets when you just patterned your love of animals by genes and not (yet) by heart. Elevated dog feeders were just making it's way to popularity when I finally gave-in and provided my pets with one each. Grudgingly, I had seen a change in my pets appetite and attitude while eating.

Before my pets would be not that interested in their food unless they eat off from my hand at a comfortable angle.  Depending on their level of activity, pets would rather doze off than have to strain to feed. Having this feeding problem, I was told about the elevated feeders which can be purchased according to a dog's height.  When a purchase was made, our pet surely did eat regularly without the attitude.

Sometimes, what we are so used to does need a little innovation and updates. From then on, being a pet parent meant for me to be updated and brave in trying out new things for pet's sake.

I remember our first dog, when I was around 6 years old. She was a pincher and chihuahua mix with smooth golden fur, we named her Goldie. It was the 70's and I do remember knowing that this adorable dog was the third little miss of the household (I was 2nd Li'l Miss). Even before "forever home" concept or "pack animal" theories my mom had shown us how to love a pet.

She never reached her first birthday with us though, all because of a pellet of mouse poison we mistook for a snack called "Beef curls". My parents brought her to the Vet and came home with a flowery shoe box, Goldie in sweetly sleeping forever.

Back then, there was no way to keep pets safe from poisonous plants or substances (besides we thought dogs knew how to smell danger!). Barriers like a pet gate would have been ideal in keeping Goldie away from the area where the mouse pellets were strewn. Looking back, our house was not ideal for a pet with no safety barriers. Our stairs were thick wooden planks suspended on the banister grill work-it was easy for even us to slip in between the steps and fall. Because of the loss of our first pet dog, I know not to take home safety for granted. Besides, pet gates and barriers come in great designs, no one would think it was ever for the safety of little ones and our dogs.

Some people go through most of their lives not having any pets, furry or with scales in a glass bowl. Personally, some just make every step as complicated as a calculus exam! Take a first time owner I know (she moved into her own house making it okay for her to care for one now). We were going over several things her upcoming fur-kid would need and we came across “dog crate” from her list. So we go over to that section and then she says “it's a cage!”. If she only knew that my surprise was the same when the lip liner was first introduced (red colored eye-liner!?). 

Anyway, it took several minutes to explain and see how and what to call the wire-mesh unit we see. The regular crate does look like a cage because of its materials and structure. They both are containment units, but the way they are used are of opposite poles. Cages confine animals against their will and is a place of doom since cages permanent.

Now, pet crates are used more like a baby's playpen or play room, where play and time outs are imposed. Besides a pet crate is placed in any room in the home where pets can spend time with their family in-crate. Crating pet dogs is also a reinforcement for your pet's potty-training out doors. A pet that's in-crate establishes a predictable timetable for relieving them selves. Crate training your pups make welcoming visitors with less stress, with a command your pet knows it has to stay in its crate and behave. This also is true when you want to lessen begging at the table, placing the crate in the kitchen is another training in discipline. Crates benefit pets, unlike cages these “containment units” can be used to establish schedules for your pet to expect and count on. I say this since before I put a pet in crate my pet and I take a leisurely walk and exercise before and after they get crated in. Dog crates and pet carriers  are also used when you have to leave. Sometimes you take them with you and sometimes a pet stays in-crate for your peace of mind (no damaged furniture or separation anxiety noise). Fortunately, my friend calmed down and did understand what a crate is and isn't. I decided to include this in here since Crates do get a bad rap because of misconception.

The phrase “It could never happen to me…” has claimed lots of lives and caused numerous tears and loads of regret. Not being able to notice changes or details about those around us often leads us to realizing too late symptoms that can't be remedied anymore.

Problems in the Digestive System of your pet is rather tricky to spot, specially when the signs are fleeting and ignorable. To know if your pet has digestion problems, there are several signs which we have to be vigilant in checking on.

Bad breath- improper digestion or ulcers cause gas to back up to the esophagus causing “sour breath” you may want to look into your pets eating habits and schedule, this may come in handy when you go for a check-up.

Smelly poop- pets waste normally have a certain “normal” smell, but when your pets poop smells like     metal or blood then it is time to go to your neighborhood Vet. Foul smelling waste and urine often signal improper filtering of toxins from your pets body.

Indigestion- notice how your pet gags and spits out sticky saliva? Or how they'd chew blades of grass     and vomit yellow or phlegmy goo? That is what indigestion is…

Frequent Vomiting and Diarrhea- upset stomach and an uproar in the stomach can cause these. It is advisable to get your pet in the Vet clinic to avoid dehydration. Rule of thumb would be 3 Diarrhea episodes in a day accompanied by vomiting must have a Vet's attention.

Constipation or malformed stools- not everyone goes around noticing a pets waste practices. Normal     waste appears moist, firm (not solid not gooey), closely segmented and has a “normal” smell. Rock-    hard, dry waste (crumbles),  Ice cream-like, loose watery and snot-like waste are signs of digestive discomfort.

Anal gland irritation- swelling in the area near the dogs' anus is one way to see any irritation or the membrane are places to look at.

If your pet shows all these symptoms, a quick trip to the Veterinarian will let you know the extent or the    the cure for your pet's discomfort. Waiting until your pet writhes or salivates in pain will have let the infection get worse. Vigilance and keen observation is another commitment every pet family must be ready to take on.         

Being a child of the 70's, I still had the luck to experience being treated like fine China…until recently though. Today, gallantry and chivalry are just words filed under the letter "g" and "c", forgotten and a trait expected of Kings, Princes, Dukes and Barons ONLY. Social relations interest me and working in an office for more than 30 people is the perfect observation post. Though friction is resolved and grudges are something to take-outside, understanding prevails…unless rants like these fall upon the clueless.
Puzzling though is that common courtesy or as stated, gallantry, is totally foreign in the younger generation (personal observation). Being dashing used to come naturally for previous generations, it existed as one of the endearing traits every girl would want their prince to be. Fast forward to the present younger generation, being  courteous comes as being soft or worse reserved for those they see fit (i.e. prettier girls, girl friends, poeple they need).

For those clueless, here are simple exercises to practice being a gentleman (obese egos have shrunk the muscle of being nice)…
-When passing in a narrow pathway, be a man and give way to the ladies of any age, appearance, color and size.
-Be considerate and thoughtful to replace computer ink, copier toner- it is very nice to spare ladies from dirtying their hands or even the 5 gallon container on the dispenser without having a woman taking things into her own hands.
-Respect women in position, just as you'd respect your Mom.
-Open the door and then keep it open until the fair lady passes. Many times I've seen a door opened as a lady goes out and then unmindfully let go while the man goes on his business.
-Let ladies take their time to get their time cards logged, keep a smile on your face and your impatience to yourself.

I could go on and on and have just ranted on little things that are so simple it obscured itself to extinction. Well, every social observer has to have hope (a lot of it!) that things will just get back to basics.