Changing Times For Pet Care And Recreational Activities
Post by Blog Manager Robbi Hess
Once I moved out and got my own place and my "very own dog and cat" they quickly became family members. I put their needs above my own at times, "Sorry, I can't go out tonight to see a movie, Zhaar hasn't been feeling well and I don't want to leave him home alone." That has continued with the Diva Poodle, Henrietta. When we take a vacation, if she can't come along, I don't go. If she can come along, then she comes along everywhere to everything (that's the beauty of a dog you can put into a purse and carry around!)
Along those lines, I saw an article this week in a local paper that mentioned that on August 1 DirectTV will launch a DogTV network. The programming on will be geared toward your beloved four legged friends. Imagine leaving your house for work and flipping on the television so Fido or Fluffy can watch "three to five minute relaxing videos." The videos DTV will be offering will include the relaxing content such as landscapes or content it deems "stimulating" that will include dogs frolicking and running around in the videos.
The channel also plans to offer "exposure" programming that will help introduce your pet to sounds he may typically be afraid of (thunder, fireworks, etc) As a side note… I wouldn't leave my fearful pet home alone with this exposure programming.
Back to when I was growing up… my family never considered what our pets were doing or whether they might be lonely or frightened; we made sure they had fresh food and water and that the doors of the house were locked, beyond that they were on their own. Today, Henrietta is surrounded by four cats and another large dog so she isn't alone, but I do worry when she is home by herself.
Times have certainly changed during my lifetime when it comes to how we embrace our pets and do our best to make certain they are well cared for and loved — even going so far as to offer television programming for them!
What do you do to help your pet with separation anxiety or take care of her when you have to leave for work?
Mommy’s parents didn’t see pets as part of the family, either, but she always did, even as a child. It’s something that came naturally to her. Luckily, she’s never had a dog with separation anxiety and she’s always had more than one cat, so we’ve kept each other company.
This is awesome! I’ve found that plenty of available chews helps to reduce anxiety when I’m away. I would definitely add Dog TV to the list too!
Our dogs watch nickelodeon. I would never let them purposely have to hear thunder. That’s mean.
Our view on pets has definitely changed over the years. We treat them more like we do our fellow humans, and spend a lot more money on our pets.
I always try to make sure there is someone with our pets if possible. I have more than one dog so they do not get lonely when we can’t give them attention.
Henrietta has such separation anxiety — even if I leave the room for a second. I don’t think television would hold her attention, but then she is surrounded by her furry siblings as well.
I agree… who would let their pet, who’s already scared, listen to thunder!
Our boxer is simply too scared of thunder to let her anywhere near outside when its lightning out there.
I’ve even considered earplugs for poor Soks, as I can’t stand how anxious he gets.
I’ll need to look at those chews Dana Palmer is talking about.
I`ve heard that Thundershirts work well for dogs who are afraid of thunder. My Sophie does not even look at the tv, she may bark if she hears a dog barking on tv or the internet but otherwise not interested.
I’ve heard great things about Thundershirts as well. Henrietta isn’t afraid of thunder, but she doesn’t like wind at all. She doesn’t really care about tv either other than if a dog is barking there she will bark back! Poodles love to hear their own voices! BOL