Help for People With Special Needs Pets

Caring for pets with special needs does not have to be a burden. It can be a richly rewarding experience, as shown in our book Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them. But being the "parent" of pets with physical handicaps or other challenges does require a big heart, patience, and -- sometimes -- specialized knowledge.

The love, compassion and patience are up to you, but we'd like to share a great information and support resource for those considering adding a special needs pet to their families: SpecialNeedsPets.org.

This website s dedicated to providing helpful resources to help assist you with finding information that will help you care for your disabled pet. This includes pets with physical disabilities, chronic or terminal illnesses, who are recovering from a serious injury, has emotional or behavioral problems or is elderly and requiring at-home hospice care.

There are areas on the site that deal with veterinary care and how to find the right vet, species-specific concerns, pet advocacy, holistic health care and nutrition, hospice and euthanasia. There are support sections for caregivers and pet loss, a listing of recommended books, and even support groups and forums.

The knowledge contained on this site could mean the difference in a potential adoptive family believing they couldn't cope with a disabled pet, and deciding the extra effort would be worthwhile. Give it a look!

Bridging species - and a spinal cord injury

Bella and Tara, a love story. You really can't call it anything else. And we've all heard of animal love stories, but one between a dog and an elephant? Check it out for yourself:

Almost Too Sweet To Believe - But True!

There's a new children's book out, intended to tell the story of Hurricane Katrina to young, impressionable audiences who could be easily frightened by such a terror-filled tale. But journalists Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery join illustrator Jean Cassels in presenting the whole scary scenario inside The Two Bobbies, the based-on-real-life story of Bob Cat and Bobbi.

The story, aimed at a four-to-eight-year-old audience, tells how the bob-tailed dog and bob-tailed cat made it through the awful storm together. What is truly remarkable is that Bob Cat is blind, and Bobbi plays seeing-eye dog to the grateful feline! And that's how the book ended up here.

But don't stop here: read the review by Elizabeth Bird at School Library Journal online, and decide for yourself whether it's worth a gander.

Just Another Reason I'm Proud to be a Pennsylvanian

I've always thought of the Keystone State as a big-hearted kinda place, and here's a story to prove it's not just because it's my home state:

Canine Corps Helps Pets Left Behind During Wartime

There's a place in Perry County where some four-legged friends are just looking for a little love and attention. These days, the "Paw Prints Dog Sanctuary" is more than just a rest home of sorts for older dogs. It's doing its part for the war effort as well. The group takes care of animals when their owners are called off to war, but it needs volunteers.

Check out the video.

A Whole Community of Us!

That's right - there's a place on the web that has all kinds of information for folks who've taken a Very Special Pet into their hearts and homes. HandicappedPets.com has something for everyone: products to help pets walk, stay dry, heal, travel safely. Products to help you help your pets stay healthy and fit, things for them to wear, information to help you when they cross that Rainbow Bridge. Books and videos, financial aid information, free classifieds, articles, a service guide with links, a Help and Advice Forum.

There are even a photo gallery where you can share pictures of your pets, and a Community area where you can share pet stories, videos, post about your Best Friend, and more!

HandicappedPets.com was created in 2001 to support the caretakers of Elderly, Disabled, and Handicapped Pets. The site has all of the products, services, and support you'll need. It was created by Mark C. Robinson in memory of Mercedes, a slightly epileptic Keeshond who was put to sleep before her time because he Mark didn't know any better and had no way to find out more. So he did something about that, assuring that no one would be put in the position he was in. Way to go, Mark. You rock.

Check out this fantastic site that originates in Amherst, New Hampshire. We think you'll like it. And share it with your friends who may be needing information about their own special critters!

Just for Fun

Okay, this post has absolutely nothing to do with disabled pets. I just had to post it because it cracks me up and I thought it would be a fun way to start out the New Year. Kittens really are adorable, but they can also be hilarious. My favorite thing is when they get all revved up and do what we call "Sideways Kitty." If you've ever had a cat, you know what I'm talking about. If not and you've never seen this behavior, it's pretty much what it sounds like, only you simply have to see it happen to understand how funny it is.

Anyway, here's an itty bitty kitty being equal parts enthralled by and frightened of a remote-controlled mouse.

And here's a great vid of Snowball the cockatoo gettin' his groove on to the Backstreet Boys. You just gotta love it!

Enjoy, and Happy New Year!

Everything's Just Ducky!

Here's a great "up" ending to the year: the story of Lemon the Duck. Lemon is a crested Pekin. He was born with neurological issues which affect his coordination and balance. He is unable to stand or walk on his own, but he has a sling, a scooter, and other ways to get around. He grew up in a classroom and with his teacher friend, Laura, so he's an imprinted duck. He just loves people, especially children.

Don't feel sorry for this duck, though -- he has a great life! He goes for rides in his baby carriage, to work every day with Laura and home with her every night. He receives lots of love and attention.

Lemon has had loads of adventures---and consequently so has Laura. He's been to the mall (many times), outdoor concerts, a powwow, camping, to the dentist, the grocery store (shhh), to New Hampshire to swim in the Saco river, canoe trips, and so many other places.


You can learn lots more about Lemon, and the book Laura wrote about him, at his website.