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Craft Idea: Make Holiday Collar Covers for Dogs and Cats

This month we're making holiday collar covers for our customers. These festive tubes of cloth slide easily over your pet's collar to add a touch of color or sparkle for the holiday season but are easily slipped off and washed or recycled. Once you're set up, each collar cover takes about 15 minutes to make and now that the kids are home for vacation, you can make it a family project.

What you'll need:

• Sewing machine (yes you could sew by hand if you wanted to)
• Rotary cutter or sharp shears
• Pinking shears
• Lightweight fabric (smaller patterns work best)
• Neutral or color coordinated thread

Step 1: Measure

Measure the length and width of your pet's collar

Step 2: Plan

Add 1" to the width and about 30% to the length. That's the finished size of the tube you'll be constructing. You'll need the extra width to accommodate the plastic fasteners on the collar plus a seam allowance and the extra length to scrunch up the fabric so it has a ruffled look when finished.

Step 3: Cut

Using a rotary cutter or a pair of very sharp shears, cut two strips of cloth to the planned dimensions.

Step 4: Sew

Align the strips right sides outward and sew down each long side about 1/4" inch from the edge. It's a good idea to reverse at each end for a few stitches to lock the seam in place.

Step 5: Trim

Using pinking shears, trip the seam allowances and tube ends  to create pretty, non-fraying borders.

Step 6: Scrunch

Slide the finished tube over your pet's collar, scrunching as you go.

We hope you enjoy this holiday craft idea!

Pet Therapy on Cape Cod: Spread the Joy!

This week our pooch and mascot, Grigri, started his career as an animal assisted therapy dog, with a visit to Eagle Pond Rehabilitation Center.

What is animal assisted (or pet) therapy?

Dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, and other small animals are used to improve a patient’s social, emotional, or cognitive  abilities, and to bring affection and happiness to those who are in a hospital or institutional setting. The health benefits of owning or loving a pet are well-documented and the smiles a pet therapy visit brings to the faces of the elderly or infirm are not easily forgotten.

What's a pet therapy visit like?

We arrived at the lobby of Eagle Pond to meet other therapy teams and spread out through the facility. Grigri was very excited by the prospect of a new place and other dogs and wanted to bark and play - NOT the purpose of this visit! Some animated Christmas figures near the door sent him into a tizzy! He acts like he's seen a ghost whenever he encounters a statue of a dog or person, especially one that moves and sings! He soon settled into the "job" of visiting, though, and  we talked with half a dozen patients about their pets, their families and their holiday plans. In the dementia unit one woman just petted and smiled, petted and smiled, hanging onto his ear in the most charming illustration of the bond people have with animals and its power to create joy. It's a very rewarding experience for both dogs, owners and patients alike.

How can you get started in pet therapy?

On Cape Cod, dogs have to pass the Canine Good Citizen test to get started, then be evaluated by the Companion Animal Program of Cape Cod (CAP). CAP makes sure that dogs have basic obedience skills and are not frightened by wheel chairs, walkers, or people who look or act different. One the therapy team is approved, they can start visiting local nursing homes, assisted living facilities and libraries (for the Reading to Dogs program for children) with the guidance of CAP. In 2011 there are 201 members, 29 visitation sites (including 5 libraries) and 128 or more active therapy teams.

We'll keep you updated as Grigri makes his way to his AKC Therapy Dog title, which requires certification with an approved AKC Therapy Dog organization (CAP of Cape Cod is one), registration with AKC (Grigri is registered in the AKC's Canine Partners program for mixed breeds) and 50 or more therapy visits. That will take a few years!

UNUSUAL Holiday Gift Ideas for Pet Lovers

If you need a cat toy or dog themed t-shirt for a holiday gift, just jump online or head to your local main street to acquire. You'll easily be satisfied. But if you seek something a little off the beaten track, read on for some shopping ideas for your pets or pet lovers.

We have seen pet entertainment videos and hear that kennels and day care facilities play pet themed movies for their charges but we've also read that dogs, at least, can't really see TV that well. Certainly we've observed that our pets don't care much about screen time. For real world pet entertainment, install a bird feeder outside a window your dog or cat can see out of. They'll get a kick out of watching both birds and the squirrels that gather underneath the feeder. Try the Bird Watcher's General Store in Orleans for ideas.

If you think of "sit!" and "Stay!" as the typical fare of dog classes, you may be surprised at the breadth of training available. For example, Joseph's Obedience Training School in Pocasset offers classes in nose work, tea cup agility (for small dogs) canine freestyle, and flyball. Your dog will appreciate quality time with more than anything else you could give, right?

For an extensive collection of tasteful, pet-themed items, try Agatha and Louise, a New England pet store that has numerous gifts and decorative  items from $10 up for the pet lover and the pet, organized by dog breed (cats too!) 

One very practical idea is to shop to help the animals. Here are some great online spots where your holiday dollars can delight your friends and family while providing a service for animals in need.

The ASPCAhas an online store with a big selection. Also the MSPCA.

For a really local charity, consider CapeCodPolice K9 Relief Fund, a concern that raises funds for law enforcement dogs injured in service. They have an online store with items featuring pet themes with a law enforcement twist.

If you love Pit Bulls, and who can resist them, shop the Stubby Dog catalog for clothes, holiday items, and home/office items all with cute Pitty faces and poetry. The new Sargeant Stubby designs are particularly attractive. 

Or, you might want to give a loved one the gift of a clean pet. There's really nothing like snuggling your nose into a soft, freshly scented dog or cat that's not shedding hair all over the house. Call Aussie Pet Mobile  at 508 534 9875 for a gift certificate. We can make up a pretty paper certificate for you to present to someone you care about, and that person could be you!

Book Review: Made for Each Other, by Meg Daley Olmert

Why do we love our pets so much? And why do they love us? These are the central questions posed by Meg Daley Olmert's  2009 book about the biology of the human-animal bond.

Her inquiry follows the research done on the role of the hormone oxytocin in animal behavior. If you're of a certain age, you probably think of oxytocin as the hormone that initiates labor, delivery and lactation in humans. But over recent years, research has focused on the much broader role that oxytocin plays across all mammal behavior, and especially in that of domesticated animals.

As it turns out, according to Olmert, oxytocin suppresses the fight or flight response, one of the most powerful motivators in the animal kingdom; it also stimulates trusting, close, and nurturing behavior and lowers stress hormones, heart rate and blood pressure. In fact, Olmert and others make the argument that oxytocin may have been a major factor in the domestication of animals.

Olmert brings a new perspective to several of the major themes in the behavior of domesticated animals, covering well known stories such as Clever Hans, the "trick" horse, Rico, the brilliant German Border Collie and the taming of the Russian silver fox and points to what she thinks is the role of oxytocin in  these events. 

The central theme of the book is the relationship between pet dogs and humans. It's now possible to measure the degree of oxytocin produced by interacting with our pets and, as you might expect, petting a dog produces high levels of oxytocin in both the human and the dog. The best anti-stress results are produced at forty strokes a minute, the same rate we naturally use to stroke our pets.

One study showed that the biggest factor in who survived a heart attack was not family or friendship, but whether a patient had a pet. Interestingly, another study showed that when humans are performing a stress test, having a friend or spouse nearby had no effect on reducing heart and blood pressure, but the presence of their dogs kept them significantly calmer.  Simply owning a cat produced a 30% reduction in the incidence of heart attack. It is often said that during tough times people prefer the comfort of a pet even to their closest human kin.

Is anyone surprised that stroking a pet produces a feeling of well-being? Well, no. But it is interesting to see this profound effect has shaped our shared history with animals and to speculate on how we might leverage the effects of oxytocin to improve our future. It certainly helps to illuminate why so many of us have chosen to work with animals and why we derive such pleasure from it. Grooming produces oxytocin in both the groomer and the groomee!

Thanksgiving Idea: Low Fat Carrot Dog Treats

If you're worried about your pooch's waistline, and for many of our furry friends you should be, consider making these low fat treats for the holiday:

1 medium banana
1 c shredded carrots (can buy pre-shredded for convenience)
1/4 c unsweetened applesauce
1/8 c water (or more as needed)
1 1/2 c whole wheat flour (plus extra for rolling out cookies)
1 c rolled oats

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray or a light coat of oil.

Mash banana and mix in shredded carrots (give carrots a rough chop to make the pieces a little smaller.) Add water and applesauce and stir. Add flour and oats and combine thoroughly. Using hands, knead into a dough. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to 1/2" thickness. Cut into 3" shapes using a knife, cookie cutters or the rim of a glass. Put the treats onto the oiled baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes. If your dog prefers a crunchier treat, turn off the oven after baking and let the treats cool in the oven overnight.

This recipe makes 24 treats which will keep for 3 weeks in the fridge or 6 months frozen.

Thank you Country Gardens, Hyannis for this great recipe!

2 Million Dogs, 2 Miles

A satisfying a day was had by all the 200 or so dogs that strolled through Plymouth under brilliant fall sun and skies today in order to raise funds for the fight against canine cancer. What more does a dog want than the simple joy of taking a walk? 101 dogs preregistered online but scores more lined up to take part in the walk.


It was a parade of breeds with some unusual attendees among the throngs of Golden Retrievers; one woman brought her 18 year old cat, Felicia, perched on her shoulder, complete with pink polka dotted sweater and matching leash. All together we saw four Dogues de Bordeaux, not a dog you see every day in Southeast Mass. 


We gave out coupons, dog treats and brushing guides and had a good time chatting with other visitors, vendors and sponsors. In fact, we saw the folks from the Howl-a-Day Inn there. Three interesting non-profits attended: 


Vest-a-Dog:
"I can follow the scent of a criminal for up to 10 days but all he needs is a split second to kill me" is what you'll see on the home page of this organization's web site. They primarily raise money to furnish active police dogs with bullet-proof vests, but they also provide other essential equipment such as kennels, heat alarms and even the purchase of dogs themselves. Check out their online store for gift ideas.


Fairy Dogparents.org:
Great photos and stories on this group's web site. FairyDogParents helps prevent dogs from being surrendered to shelters due to financial hardship. They've sponsored more than 100 dogs since March of 2009 and have pledged to help 175 more by the end of 2012.


Helping Hands for the Plymouth Animal Shelter: These kind folks raise money for veterinary, wellness care and spaying /neutering for animals lodged at the Plymouth Animal Shelter to supplement the town budget. All monies raised, donated or collected go toward the well being of the animals.


 We'll certainly support the Puppy Up! Walk again next year.

Onset of Winter: Scratch, Scratch Scratch!

We turned on the heat this morning and for both us and our pets that's going to produce some dry skin. There are many reasons why your dog or cat might be scratching: fleas, ticks, allergies, other skin diseases, fungus or simple dry skin can get pets itchy. Once the scratching begins it can cause secondary problems like hot spots and lick granulomas. 

We have seen many customers recently who are troubled by fleas. There seems to be a fall "bloom" of these nasty little critters, so it your pet is driving you crazy with the thump, thump, thump of constant scratching, get in close and make sure it's not a flea problem. The easiest place to spot a flea in on the belly where hair is sparse. Watch for little red bumps or small flecks of black "flea dirt" (actually flea poop) as well as the actual fleas scuttling away through the fur. We've heard dozens and dozens of customers complain that they have their dog or cat on Frontline or Advantix and the fleas just keep returning. Our veterinarian is seeing the same problems and recommends treating pets more often. Consult with your vet if you're using a flea/tick prevention product but still getting fleas. 


Diagnosing and treating skin problems is a complicated affair so once you've ruled out fleas you might want to follow the regimen recommended for dry skin. If the scratching clears up, voila, you're done. If not, there's nothing harmful in the steps you'd take for treating dry skin. From our friends at Healthypets.com here are 5 tips for combating dry skin for dogs. The recommendation for cats is basically the same: 


1. Bathe your dog as little as needed to keep its coat clean. 
2. Brush your dog often to remove dead hair and dander. 
3. If bathing is necessary, use a moisturizing shampoo made for dogs. Their pH is different from ours, so don’t be tempted to use a human shampoo- it is much to harsh for their skin. 
4. Follow a bath when necessary with a moisturizing rinse made for dogs and their special needs. 
5. Don’t forget that healthy hair and skin comes from within. Use a good quality, name brand food and consult with a veterinarian about the addition of fatty acid supplements which can make for healthier, glossier hair.


 At Aussie Pet Mobile, we carry several medicated shampoos that are good for dry skin and other skin conditions, such as oatmeal and lavender shampoos and Epi-Soothe shampoo and conditioner by Virbac, which is prescribed by veterinarians for dry, itchy skin. We've been successful getting several customers' skin to calm down using Epi-Soothe. If your pet does get a hot spot, there are numerous products on the market that you can spray or rub onto the distressed area to stop that itch. Some are cortisone based and others have herbal ingredients such as mint or tea tree oil that are anti-itch. 


You might also try the hold home remedy to put a kettle of water on the stove to humidify the air. If you throw some cinnamon in it you've got dry skin treatment and holiday cheer all rolled together in one.

Puppy Up!

In 2008 Luke Robinson and his two dogs Murphy and Hudson walked 2,000 miles from Austin TX to Boston to raise awareness about canine cancer. Luke had lost his beloved dog Malcolm to cancer and promised to dedicate his life to raising awareness and funding for canine cancer and comparative oncology.  Luke had a vision that if 2 dogs could walk 2,000 miles, 2 million dogs could walk 2 miles. The 2 Million Dogs Foundation and walk is the grass roots campaign that resulted and 2011 is its inaugural year. 

Cancer is a big problem in pets. According to the National Canine Cancer Foundation it affects one in three dogs and is the cause of nearly half the deaths in dogs older than 10. It's also similar to cancers found in humans and the field of comparative oncology relies on a pet-people partnership to research causes and treatments. 

From the Puppy Up! web site, learn the 10 L's of canine cancer:

• Lumps
  Not all lumps and bumps are cancerous in dogs. There are sebaceous cysts, lipomas, and warts all of which are benign but if you detect a growth on your dog it’s important to have it checked out by a veterinarian and if warranted, aspirated and biopsied.
• Lesions
  Scratches and abscesses are not uncommon for the normal, active dog but the sores that don’t heal can be of concern.
• Lameness
  Bone cancer is typically found in larger breed dogs like Great Danes, Bernese Mountain dogs, Rottweilers, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and Great Pyrenees and the primary early indication is prolonged limping or favoring a limb or side. Other types of cancers can also cause persistent lameness.
• Appetite Loss
  If your dog shows no interest in eating or their daily consumption has declined for several days, take them to a vet.
• Lethargy
  Tiring out easily, unwillingness to exercise and loss of interest in normal daily activities can be an early sign of cancer.
• Weight Loss
  Not to be confused with loss of appetite. Cachexia, or emaciation, is often associated with cancer and can occur even if your dog is still eating normally. So if your dog is inexplicably losing weight, consult a veterinarian.
• Loud Odor
  A very strong and offensive smell can sometimes be a byproduct of tumors in the mouth and nasal cavity.
• Loss of Normal Body Functions
  Dogs having difficulty voiding or defecation or unusual urine or feces should be looked at.
• Bleeding or Bloody Discharge
  Blood present in vomit, stool, and nasal discharge are cause for serious concern and although not always telltale signs of cancer, your dog should be examined as soon as possible.
• Labored Breathing
  Abnormal respiration or respiratory distress can be a symptom of cancers in dogs.

Check your dog often for lumps and ask your groomer to report anything they find. We touch every part of your dog during a groom and can assist you in keeping an eye out for any suspicious lumps or lesions.

Aussie Pet Mobile will be walking on Nov 6th in Plymouth in honor of our beloved Lucky, who died this fall. No sweeter dog ever lived. If you'd like to join us, post on our Facebook page and we'll figure out logistics.

Fungus Among Us

The recent rains have brought up a bumper crop of mushrooms around the Cape and South Shore. We see them everywhere, from woodland trails to manicured lawns to open pastures, popping up  in every shape from tiny parasols to golf balls, soft balls, fluted goblets and one that resembled a bowler hat or perhaps a space ship.

Albeit charming in appearance, we've all been warned many times not to eat wild mushrooms. Delectable sautéed with butter and herbs or stirred into sour cream for stroganoff or soup, yes, but unless you are a mushroom expert and 100% sure of what you've collected, wild mushrooms shouldn't be on your menu, nor your pet's.

This spring one of our customers on the South Shore told us about nearly losing her beloved Golden Retriever because the dog had eaten some harmless looking mushrooms growing in her suburban yard. Luckily she was able to rush the dog to an emergency vet who was able to save the dog, but had she not been home or noticed her pet's distress the result would have been tragic. 

The ASPCA reports that 99% of mushrooms are harmless but the 1% that are toxic are extremely dangerous. They recommend that you should immediately call your veterinarian and/or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888 426 4435 if you see your pet eating a wild mushroom. If you have a yard, keep an eye on any mushrooms that appear and remove and discard them safely as soon as possible.

We recommend that you take advantage of this beautiful fall weather by taking as many long walks with your dog as possible, but keep an eye on your pooch when walking in the woods.

Rescue Story: Hunter

This week's post comes to us from young blogger, Dylan, who helped us with Hunter' groom at the MSPCA and documented Hunter's story.

Hunter is a four year old dog and he is up for adoption. He loves car rides and he has been at the shelter since July 22nd. Hunter is a Cocker Spaniel mix. He is good with children. He is housebroken and is good with other dogs and cats but he will chase bunnies! He is a chestnut red, and has yellow highlights. He is at the MSPCA animal shelter in Centerville and is looking for a good home. He is an easygoing dog. Maybe you would be the fit for this sweet loving dog.

These are the number and hours for the shelter in Centerville where Hunter is:

Phone: 508 775 0940

Monday: Closed all day

Tuesday: 12:00 - 4

Wednesday: 12:00 - 4

Thursday: 12:00 - 4

Friday: 12:00 - 4

Saturday: 12:00 - 4

Sunday: 12:00 - 3

Thank you, Dylan for this wonderful article!

Domestic Violence Affects Animals Too

Some of you may watch Animal Cops or other TV shows that illustrate the scope of the problem with animal abuse and neglect. It's frankly unbelievable to many of us what can happen to an abandoned or abused animal and yet, organizations like the MSPCA encounter domestic violence and neglect cases every day. These sad circumstances occur close to home: We visited the Friends of Falmouth Dogs program and facility last weekend and learned that one of the dogs available for adoption was virtually abandoned by a divorcing couple who moved away but left their pet in the house with the arrangement that someone would come by to feed her twice day. Not the situation we would want for this lovely playful girl but luckily the caregiver surrendered her to Friends of Falmouth Dogs where she gets great care and is now available for adoption to her forever home.

You expect that animals will get a fair chance in the United States where we have minimum standards for animal care and laws to back them up, but conditions are worse in the developing world. You may know that some of us at Aussie Pet Mobile Cape Cod lived and worked in India for a year. During our time there made friends with a local shop keeper who had two wonderful pet dogs - a relatively rare occurrence in rural India where only the most affluent can afford to feed an additional mouth, much less two. Our featured photo is of Amar with his two beloved pets. One day in June of 2010 we found Amar at his shop in tears. His beloved dog Mochi had been brutally killed the night before, just outside his home, while Mochi was stretching his legs before bed. There is no recourse in rural India for such a crime against nature, but here in the US you can Take Action to improve the conditions for animal welfare.

Please visit the MSPCA Government Affairs page and click Take Action to protect all victims of domestic violence.

Recipes: Soft Dog Treats

Some of our best customers are senior dogs who have mobility problems or wouldn't be comfortable in a cage at a grooming shop. Here's a recipe for soft dog cookies for those K9s who prefer a softer treat.

Incidentally, we just discovered that Grigri loves crisp apples. He was jumping his heart out for them at the barn when we were working on his agility skills. Who knew?

3 (2 1/2 oz) jars of baby food, either beef or chicken.
1/4 cup dry milk powder
1/4 cup wheat germ or cream of wheat

Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Roll into small balls and place on well-greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork. Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until brown and cool on wire rack. Refrigerate or freeze.

Try a new treat with your pet this week to encourage his or her focus on you for training or just to be nice :).

Brushing Guide: How to Maintain Your Pet Between Grooms

We attended the MSPCA's Walk for Animals today to donate prizes, clip nails for a donation to the MSPCA and give away brushing guides to Cape Cod dog owners who supported the event by registering their dogs for the walk. The event was graced by superb September weather and Grigri even won second place in the talent contest!

The brushing guide explains the importance of choosing the right location and using suitable equipment. A flat surface at a convenient height is best for your back, but you'll have to keep your hands on him or her to make sure there isn't a fall. If you bought your brush or comb at the supermarket, it may not be the right type or quality to ensure brushing is comfortable for your dog or cat. We recommend our customers visit a full service pet store to choose their grooming equipment. If your pet has been scratched by a too-firm brush he or she may be reluctant to let you get near with that brush again. On the other hand, if your tools are too soft, they won't reach deep enough into the coat to remove snarls and undercoat effectively.

If any mats and tangles present are minor, they can be worked out by gently separating with fingers and a comb and then combing out. Never use scissors to cut out a mat that lies close to the skin. It's far safer to use a clipper. Detangler products can help make hair slipperier but don't overdo. Use both comb and brush to ensure that all tangles and mats are removed; otherwise, they'll just get worse.

Work systematically around the body, not allowing your pet to bite at the grooming tools, or you! It may seem cute but you want to discourage any kind of biting or mouthing behavior. Make sure you address hard to reach areas such as under the arms and around the tail. High friction areas tent to produce the most tangles and mats.

If brushing gets away from you and your dog or cat becomes seriously matted, you can always have her clipped and start fresh with a short coat. More frequent grooming appointments or shorter, more manageable coat lengths are alternatives to thorough regular brushing. Each family has to decide how much brushing they are willing to do and can fit into their schedule.

Ask your groomer for the brushing guide and start connecting regularly in a healthy, happy brushing session with your fur baby.

Book Review: Dog Sense by John Bradshaw

This excellent new non-fiction pick surveys the latest animal behavior research and makes recommendations for the future of dogs as companion animals.

First Bradshaw debunks the conventional wisdom that dogs are "little wolves" that seek to control their "packs" (households) through dominance. He attributes this misinterpretation to earlier wolf research that studied captive packs in zoos, where groups of unrelated wolves struggle to establish workable relationships and dominance and submission play important roles. Natural packs in the wild that are basically family units whose behavior is characterized by affiliation and cooperation.

After setting the record straight about how wolves actually behave, Bradshaw draws clear distinctions between dogs and their wild ancestors. He chronicles the way in which the domestication of dogs may have occurred, illustrating the many ways in which dogs endear themselves to us by providing not only practical services like guarding, herding, hunting and hauling, but affection, companionship and play.

Nevertheless, Bradshaw observes, just as dogs are not "little wolves", they're also not "little people" and most probably do not experience the range of emotions we are tempted to project onto them, such a guilt or revenge. Treating a dog like a child can put the dog in a baffling and frightening situation: Fifi almost certainly will not recognize a cause and effect relationship between the trash container she overturned and spread throughout the house earlier in the day and her owner's anger upon returning home.

Finally, the book explores how we should manage our relationship with dogs going forward. After all, inviting our furry pals into our houses and bedrooms raises expectations about their behavior that are increasingly hard for dogs to achieve. Such natural doggie pursuits as digging, barking, rolling in dead things and scavenging food are discouraged in household pets; dogs labeled as "wild" or "destructive" often find their way into rescue organizations where they face a lonely life or, considering the oversupply of dogs, eventual destruction.

Six do's and don'ts:

• Don't be an alpha: Trying to control dogs by acting dominant will just frighten them.

• Understand your dog's emotional limitations: The latest research suggests that dogs can feel love but not guilt.

• Avoid punishment: As a general rule, positive reinforcement is the best way to control a dog's behavior.

• Respect your dog's senses: Dogs have been extremely sensitive ears and noses, and intense stimuli can make them miserable.

• Look beyond breed: Personality and trainability should be the priorities when selecting a pet.

• Teach your dog to cope with being left alone. Dogs are emotionally dependent upon humans and can become distressed without us.

Lucky Cats! Adoption Fees Waived for Adult Cats August 27-28, 2011 at the Cape Cod MSPCA

Meet Jaxx, a polydactyl cat at the MSPCA. This cat has an extra toe on each of its front paws, a much beloved trait which many people consider lucky. There are a lot of these guys in New England and especially Boston, and they are known as Boston thumb cats and mitten cats because the extra toes look like a thumb and are used by some cats to catch objects with one paw, open latches and other feats of dexterity.

The trait was favored by sailors and spread throughout the Atlantic trade routes from Boston on ships. Sailors considered them lucky and since sailors needed all the luck they could get they took them on board where they performed as superior climbers, mousers and ratters.
Sadly, these cats were persecuted in Europe during medieval times because they were considered “witch cats” and destroyed, but they were welcomed in New England and have become quite common. One reference we found noted that they are especially common in Yarmouth. If so, yippee for Yarmouth! The trait is common in Maine Coon cats where it is thought that the extra toes act like snowshoes. Ernest Hemingway loved them and of the more than 50 cats who live on his Key West estate, more than half are polydactyl, giving rise to the term Hemingway cats.

Jaxx is available for adoption as well as many other charming felines at the MSPCA Centerville Adoption Center and that a special adoption event August 27 and 28 offers cats over 1 year old for free! Whether you find a polydactyl cat or not, you will be changing the luck of any cat you adopt. Come by the Adoption Center and take a look. Even if you can’t find room for a new kitty in your home, these wonderful critters will give you a smile.

Note that if you have a polydactyl cat, you have to make sure that cat is “sharpening” those extra claws or they can curl into the pad and hurt your kitty’s feet. If your thumb cat is too squirmy to trim those nails, call us for a “nails only” appointment.

"Short But Not Too Short"

It seems this is what we most often hear requested by customers: "Short but not too short." Oh my gosh, can you imagine how hard it is to guess what someone else means by short? We group our clips into "functional" categories so it's easier to communicate with customers about what they have in mind.

A "buzz" or "shavedown" is the shortest clip we do, about 1/16th of an inch or a little longer. It creates a fine, silky texture on many soft haired dogs and cats - like a fine Persian carpet. This is the length we must clip when a pet's coat has tangles or mats, because we have to be able to get the clippers under the knots or mats, which lie close to the skin. We also clip lots of cats into lion cuts at this length. It takes about 3 months for a cat to re-grow a coat clipped this way. Amadeus, the labradoodle pictured here, received a buzz cut this weekend at Country Garden's Dog Days of Summer as a fundraiser for Barnstable Dog Parks.

A "summer" or "utility" clip is 3/8" - 3/4". These lengths give pets more coverage but are short enough to avoid matting and can help keep pets cooler during hot weather. Less hair on the pet also means less hair in the house. Pets with fluffy undercoats, such as huskies and many cat breeds, look better with tighter clips.

At about 1" many coat types will knot and mat so the choice to preserve a longer coat length involves a commitment to brush and demat regularly or arrange for professional grooming at least once every month.

At Aussie Pet Mobile Cape Cod, we offer "preferred customer" discounts for those who want to get on our schedule at least once per month. Call the office for pricing at 508 534 9875.

Mats and Haircuts

We who have the longhaired breeds struggle with mats. It seems that one day your dog has a few knots and tangles which you religiously comb out and the next day, boom! You have mats and your dog will have to be shaved down to start anew.

Many customers ask us not to shave their dogs down to the skin. You probably chose your dog at least in part because of his or her beautiful coat and you don't want to lose it. But here's the thing with mats. Once you get them you have to shave close to the skin to be humane. Also, you wouldn't want the cost of attempting to preserve the coat as it would take many hours longer to do.

What happens is that the hair of many breeds known for mats has a rough texture on the hair shafts that tends to knot and tangle where hairs rub together. The knots and tangles twist in the friction areas, such as under the "arms" and behind the ears or wherever your dog or cat sleeps or rubs. As they twist, the knot takes up more and more of the "slack" hair, making it larger and tighter to the skin. Thus, a fully formed matt lies right up against the skin, often getting impregnated with skin and dander and making a big mushy mess.

If you're old enough to remember using a telephone with a spiral cord between the phone and the receiver, you'll remember how each time you picked up the receiver it twisted that cord and over time the receiver got so tangled and twisted that you couldn't really put it up to your ear and you had to untwist and tangle the thing.

That's how it is with mats. However, the phone doesn't have sensitive skin, and your dog does, so pulling on the mat to untangle it hurts your dog. The quickest and least painful solution is to shave under them. This removes them with no irritation to your dog and less cost to you. Sometimes if you catch them while they're still loose knots you can preserve a little bit of coat length, but if you're feeling mats, they're already close to the skin and you'll have to shave close.

The good news is that hair grows fast. If you do have to shave your dog down, his or her hair will be back in a few weeks and you can start again. If you keep your dog's coat less than 1" long and brush every day you'll never be troubled with mats. And if you mess up, as most of us do, and the mats get away from you, we can give your dog a stylish short clip and get him clean and cute again. No worries.

Rescue Story: Barney

This gorgeous boy came to the MSPCA when his elderly parents had to move to a small, second story apartment, where Barney couldn't follow them, in order to cope with some health challenges. Although matted and dirty, Barney is every inch a gentleman, here pictured getting some special attention from MSPCA visitor Savannah Janik-Pecknold.

Barney and Savannah have something in common: they are both nine years old. For Savannah, that's the age of discovery - finding out about life and its promise. At nine years of age, Barney has reached his peak performance of giving love and requesting little in return. He's definitely a senior in terms of his breed's life expectancy, but clear-eyed and big-hearted, he seems poised to take on the next phase of his life with grace and dignity.

The American Kennel Club describes the Great Pyrenees dog as having "the distinct impression of elegance and unsurpassed beauty combined with great overall size and majesty… He possesses a keen intelligence and a kindly, while regal, expression. Exhibiting a unique elegance of bearing and movement, his soundness and coordination show unmistakably the purpose for which he has been bred, the strenuous work of guarding the flocks in all kinds of weather on the steep mountain slopes of the Pyrenees."

We spent our Sunday afternoon with Barney today to give him a makeover to help him find a home for his golden years. We styled him as a lion, leaving a generous mane and natural front legs while clipping out the matted and dirty areas around his hindquarters, tail and chest. In a few weeks his glorious white coat will fill back in, but in the meantime, he's clean and cool for summer.

Barney's a gentle giant and a willingly soul. He gamely tried to jump into the van and onto the grooming table, but needed some help as he's weak in the hind end. He walks easily on a leash and seems comfortable either lying down, or sitting for short periods. He didn't object to his bath at all, in fact, he jumped right into the hydro-bath (with a boost) and seemed to love being dried and brushed out. He needs so little to be safe and comfortable: board and room with a soft bed and a weekly brush would fulfill his needs.

Aussie PetMobile Cape Cod would like to support Barney to be happy and healthy and pledges to discount Barney's regularly scheduled grooms by 10% for life.

Sunburn and Your Pet

Everyone knows you should protect your skin from sun damage by wearing a hat, staying in the shade and using sun protection products, but fewer people are aware that sun is a medical risk for their pets as well. Light or short coated dogs such as Maltese, Boxers, and the Bully breeds are especially vulnerable, as is any dog clipped short for the summer and those breeds that are susceptible to skin tumors such as Dobies, Poodles and Schnauzers. Even a shaggy-coated companion can get burned in sun-sensitive areas such as the nose, ear tips, belly or groin if exposed to bright sun for long periods of time, such as a day at the beach or on the boat.

Happily, you can take much the same precautions with your dog as you do for yourself. Provide shade and apply a sun protection product on sensitive areas that's especially formulated for dogs (cats too!) Using human sunscreens is risky because dogs, and particularly cats, will likely lick the product off and then you have to worry about whether it's safe to ingest. Probably not.

Several companies make sun protection products for animals, Epi-Pet, Doggies and Nutri-Vet are names you may see at your local pet store. Whichever product you choose, note that Octyl Salicylate products should not be used on cats because if ingested it breaks down into a substance that's toxic to them. Check your pet store for these products and others and keep some on hand when your pet is exposed to intense sun. With pets as with people, you need to use a significant amount (one tablespoon for every body part) and re-apply every 4 - 6 hours to be effective.

At Aussie Pet Mobile Cape Cod, we use a sun guard product on every light-coated dog we clip during the summer months but the protection is temporary so owners need to be aware of sun risks and be prepared to continue treatment as needed.

Happy summer!