People
let me tell you
'bout my
best friend…
It’s been said that if people could only be as good as their dogs think they are, the world would be a wonderful place. Dogs – and cats, birds, horses, and other animals – seem to bring out the best in people. Maybe that’s why the American Pet Products Manufacturers’ Association reports that almost 75% of all households have at least one pet, and 41% of those consider their pet to be a full-fledged family member.
And we don’t scrimp on caring for those family members,
either. We’ll spend over $10.5 billion on pet supplies and over-the-counter medicines for our animals this year, and around $3 billion on pet services according to the APPMA.
Whether you already share your heart and home with an animal companion, or you’re thinking of adding a new member to
the family, we’ve got some ideas and resources that can help. |
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Which animal is right for you?
Years ago, a pet meant a dog or a cat. While those two animals still lead the pack in terms of companionship, today’s choices are almost limitless, and cover nearly every type and species imaginable. From birds to boa constrictors, animals of all stripes and feathers and skin are taking their places in homes all over. So how do you choose the one that’s right for you?
Start by considering your family situation. Do you have other animals in your home? Are there small children or older adults to consider? Your current pets may have distinct preferences, making it unwise to bring that fluffy bunny into a home with a sight hound trained to the chase, for example. Small children might be intimidated or injured by a large dog or exotic bird, and older adults could be knocked off balance by an exuberant puppy. Take a realistic look at your family – human and animal – and honor their needs first when choosing a pet.
Next, evaluate your lifestyle. Do you travel a lot? Spend long hours outside of your home? A cat or small animal may be a better choice if you do. Maybe you’re looking to get out and socialize more, and you have a more predictable schedule. If so, perhaps a dog or bird would suit you better. Evaluate how much time you
have to spend with an animal and then research the physical and emotional needs of pets that interest you to find the best possible match.
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Young or old?
Once you’ve decided on what kind of animal is best for you, you need to choose between a youngster and an older pet. The thrill of raising an animal from a baby is certainly wonderful, but you may not have the time a young animal needs. Given that cats and dogs can live up to 20 years, you may find that adopting an older animal is a good alternative.
“A lot of people get a young dog and then realize how important socialization is,” says Kelly Cullum, owner of Best Friends Fur Ever, a daycare and overnight pet resort in Joppa. “Many of our clients bring their dogs here because they want to make sure they’re well socialized at a young age.”
If you don’t take advantage of daycare you’ll have to make sure your dog is socialized through proper training and outings, and a young kitten will need a lot of playtime to avoid inappropriate behaviors, like tearing the curtains. An older dog, especially a rescue, may already be trained and ready to move into your home and share his affection. Older cats are often easier to manage as well, litterbox trained and often less prone to scratching the sofa. Consider an adult or even senior dog or cat – you could enjoy years of loving companionship without the early training challenges. (top)
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Keeping them healthy
and happy
Once you’ve chosen your dog or cat, you need to make sure that you provide appropriate care to keep them healthy and happy.
“There is a lot of misconception about indoor only cats not needing annual vet visits; in fact, cats are so good about hiding their problems it’s often just a very subtle thing that can tell us there’s a problem. An annual or even semi-annual visit can be helpful,” says Dr. Anne Sinclair, owner of Cat Sense Feline Hospital in Bel Air, and one of only 76 board certified feline specialists in the world. “Annual rabies shots are critical at a minimum – bats can introduce rabies to your cat just through saliva and you don’t always know if a bat has been in your home.” |
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“I think pets need a yearly exam and at that point you should determine your vaccination protocol. Every animal is different and has different needs,” says Dr. Kathy Martin, owner of Pet Calls Mobile Vet. “I see a lot of allergy problems and I think some of it is from over-vaccination – in fact, I’m backing off some of the vaccines. The whole veterinary community is starting to look at 3-year vaccines and modifying vaccination protocols is important.”
“Rabies is absolutely critical, though,” Dr. Martin cautions. “It’s a human health hazard and I’ve had animals that got a bat bite. It’s an easy vaccination and I’m surprised at how many animals aren’t rabies vaccinated in this county.” |
And with any animal, dental care is important. Dog breath may never be mistaken for a floral bouquet, but if Fido or Fluffy can fell a water buffalo when they exhale, it’s time to take action.
“Teeth are an important concern,” says Dr. Martin. “Dental health is critical as animals get older – you want to get them before it’s a problem. Brushing teeth really does help. If you can’t do that I recommend a cleaning once a year or so. Dogs that chew do have cleaner teeth, so provide the right chew items and that helps.”
And don’t forget your pets’ mental health, too. A bored animal is one that gets into trouble, so be sure to provide plenty of stimulation and safe, appropriate toys to avoid mishaps.
“Environmental enrichment in your home is important – a lot of cats are very smart and they get bored,” explains Dr. Sinclair. “Cat videos, good play areas with large cat trees, interactive puzzle feeders, we really try to encourage using these. You don’t want cats to have access to any kind of string unsupervised, though, or things like hair bands which can cause a lot of problems.” (top)
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When bigger is better
"Horses are just good
for humans!"
-Jodi Rasso
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For some people, the pet of their dreams isn’t an animal that many people would consider a pet at all, but it is a companion. That animal is a horse.
Harford County is horse country. Recreational stables, trails and horse shows abound, and there are many opportunities to enjoy equines in the area.
“Horses are just good for humans,” says Jodi Rauso, barn manager and trainer at Clayton Ridge Horse Farm. “People really bond with their horses, and it’s amazing to see them interact.” |
People wanting to learn more about horses can take lessons or look into sponsoring or fostering a horse through one of the area rescues. “There are so many horses that need help and homes,” says Alyssa Taylor of RERSI, an equine rescue in Bel Air. “Our volunteers and sponsors are literally lifesavers.”
And horses, like other animals, need toys and equipment, too. County residents are fortunate to have The Mill of Bel Air and Regal Saddlery in Whiteford to supply their equine needs and wants. Regal Saddlery offers customized E-Vogel boots for riders, Patrick Saddles for an ideal fit for your horse, and their own line of Wilco Wear, customized blankets, coolers and show sheets. Plus they have an outstanding selection of equestrian themed gifts and decorative items. (top)
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Something different
If the usual dog, cat or even horse isn’t for you, maybe something more exotic is the right choice for a new family member. Marnie Bruce of Heaven Sent Aviary in Bel Air runs a parrot rescue, and suggests that for the right person, a parrot could be perfect!
“Parrots have such amazing personalities,” Marnie says. “They are incredibly intelligent and want and need to interact with their people. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize the amount of attention parrots do require. Most of the birds that come to us are from people with more money than sense, sadly. People need to understand that parrots are a tremendous commitment, more than a dog or cat.”
“I try to make a good match between the parrot and the owner,” she explains. “We placed over 40 birds last year. Everything is on good behavior, stepping up, not nipping and well behaved when they leave. Once potential adopters fill out a form I do a home inspection and vet references. I prefer not to adopt large birds to people with apartments or townhouses without a written notice from management.”
Marnie has an outdoor aviary and a special room in her house for her birds. Because parrots can be noisy and messy, she cautions potential parrot parents to be sure the bird is a commitment they truly want to make. But for those that do, she says a parrot can truly be part of the family.
If you’d prefer something equally exotic but much quieter, why not think about reptiles or amphibians? Liz Burnett |
 Liz Burnett thinks her White's tree frogs
Peanut Butter, Greenie, Trevor and Grace, make the perfect pets.
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of Abingdon thinks they’re the perfect pets. She has fourteen amphibians in total – six White’s tree frogs, three red eye tree frogs, four fire belly toads, one ornate horned frog, and three cats. Oh, and crickets, “because of course, the frogs have to eat,” she explains. It’s a lot of daily cleaning, changing water, checking temperatures and monitoring humidity. “They are a lot of paying attention, not necessarily a lot of work,” Liz says.
“I’ve always wanted tree frogs,” Liz says of her menagerie. “I did research and learned what they needed and built a 90 gallon custom made vivarium and there are six of them in there.”
The tree frogs are larger than you might expect, about the size of a hamster. All but one are rescues from people who couldn’t take care of them properly.“Some of them are interactive, and some of them are kind of relaxed and stay in the tank. I have a few that want out time,
so I let them play in the house plants,” she says.
“They do have personalities. I have one who is very shy and only wants to catch crickets when he’s sitting on my hand, not in his bucket. Then I have other ones with voracious appetites who are brave and bold. The boys will croak when my husband grinds coffee in the morning – only the boys croak, not the girls.”
The frogs can live five to ten years, so they are more of a commitment than you might think. But Liz loves them. “I’m an artist and I’ve always loved them and always said I would never own them until I could do it right and this past year, I did.”
If you’d like to learn more about exotic species, check out the monthly Havre de Grace Reptile Show. The schedule is posted at www.mdreptilefarm.com and the show is a great place to find information, supplies and even animals. (top)
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Pet Resources
Baron’s K-9 Country Store
525 Pritt Lane, Bel Air
410-838-MEOW (6369)
www.baronsK9.com
Best Friends Fur Ever
1009 Philadelphia Road, Joppa
410-671-PLAY (7529)
www.bestfriendsfurever.com
Dr. Anne Sinclair
Cat Sense Feline Hospital
332 South Main Street, Bel Air
410-420-0535
www.catsense.net
Marnie Bruce
Heaven Sent Aviary, Bel Air
443-807-6891
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The Mill of Bel Air
424 North Main Street, Bel Air
410-838-6111
Pampered Paws Gourmet Treats
410-893-5802
PamperedPawsGourmet@comcast.net
Dr. Kathy Martin
Pet Calls Mobile Vet
443-512-8100
Regal Saddlery
2331Whiteford Road, Whiteford
410-452-8833
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