Spay And Neuter

To Spay, Or Not To Spay--That Is The Question

There are millions of wonderful cats and dogs euthanized each year in the U.S. because there aren't enough homes . . .

Spay and Neuter Benefits

• Overpopulation control
• Longer and healthier life for your pet
• Significantly reduced risk of mammary tumors and ovarian and/or uterine and testicular cancer
• Elimination of heat cycles (elimination of pet's discomfort and owner's cleaning in cases of females)
• Reduced/eliminated risk of spraying and marking (males)
• Decreased aggression
• Reduction of roaming tendencies that may lead to loss of pet and/or  injuries caused by dog fights
• Eradication of sexually transmitted diseases (such as FIV)

Spay and Neuter Cons

• The statistically minor risk of the routine medical procedure
• Potential slight weight gain

When to Spay and Neuter

Most vets in the U.S. recommend spaying and neutering for cats and dogs alike before they reach sexual maturity, between 5 and 7 months. It is safer to opt for the 5 month deadline however because sometimes pets go into early sexual maturity, and there can be complications, such as: higher risk with the spay surgery for an animal in heat and potential pregnancy in your own home (say if you own a brother/sister) or worse, your pet runs off driven by the reproductive instinct.

Early Spay and Neuter

Early age altering refers to spays and neuters done between the ages of 8 and 16 weeks instead of the conventional 5-7 months. While the American Veterinary Medical Association has endorsed the concept of early age altering since 1993, the controversy surrounding this issue has not been resolved. While it has been practiced for over a quarter of a century in North America, the main purpose for early spay and neuter is that it is a more reliable means of preventing shelter pets from reproducing after adoption--it is used as an even more effective means for reproductive control. Based on studies, about 50% of pets adopted out of shelters, despite careful screening of adoptive homes, prepayment or reduced alteration contracts, and economic incentives, are not altered. I'm biting my lip here. As a responsible owner I have always kept my word and often gotten frustrated by a shelter's refusal to allow me to rescue an animal, but personal feelings aside, they are right.


Do your part to end pet overpopulation. Please spay and neuter.

Kitten Pictures | Spay and Neuter

Remember the newborn kittens? They are five months old already. We knew that they would get spayed and neutered even before they were born. My family and I are advocates. M was a wreck. She hates taking her precious pets in to get surgery, but as much as she doesn't sleep the night before, she knows it's a good thing. As a matter of fact, originally we kept the momma cat because the person who wanted her refused to spay her. Of course, after the first few weeks of her living with us, she became part of the family and M couldn't part with her any longer. It all worked out for the best. The cat family has formed a close bond. They were even taken for their surgery together. They were also picked up together the following day.

They are still a rather united cat tribe. They function like a group. Sure, the mom occasionally hisses and even growls at her kittens, but she is also very protective and affectionate with them most of the time. She has completely accepted all of us dogs, from the largest to the naughtiest. Project cats and dogs united, copleted. We're an integrated home. Seven cats and four dogs, who would have thought! The outdoor cat enclosure helps a lot, with any crowding issues, plus all the cats absolutely love it out there. They take in the sun's rays, roll on their backs, trim their claws on actual tree trunks, and enjoy their fresh supply of cat grass that M has planted for them. Sometimes, little Pedro, the chihuahua puppy joins them out there, and that's when the laid back kittens jump up to higher levels where they cannot be reached; that's an accurate statement about most, but not all cats. Charlie, the tuxedo kitten remains Pedro's best friend. The two are inseparable and play well together. We can't wait until the kittens are over ten months old and get introduced to catnip. We wonder about the catnip effects and how the kittens will react to it.

Lil' Mama weighs 7lbs, the tuxedo kitten (Charlie, M's favorite) is 8lbs, the pointed kitten (Gigi Smudge) 7.4lbs, and the runt, the calico kitten named Puddles, weighs 6lbs.

Kitten pictures:

 Even after her spay surgery, Lil' Mama remains quite intense.

 We lucked out. While we (the dogs) don't like the deer antlers, Charlie is really fond of them.

 Puddles still spends her days lounging about looking pretty. She only gets upset when someone takes away her mirror.

The Smudge! A rather flighty almost feral kitten nobody likes to mess with.

Be kind, considerate, and responsible: Spay and neuter your pets!

Twinkie

Chiweenie Says: "Enough is Enough"

The Players

The Instigator, chihuahua puppy

(adorable looking, obnoxious, ADHD, compulsive pest)

The Innocent, young chiweenie

(peace loving gentle brindle chiweenie, a.k.a brindleweenie)

* * *

THE INCIDENT

Enough!

It took a tiny dog to get the gentle chiweenie to finally snap.

M started taking Pedro, the chihuahua puppy, to "puppy playtime" at a local Petco to take some pressure off my pack. I can't say we're impressed by his progress yet.

Twinkie

Teacup Chihuahua Pictures | A Star Is Born

As a blog star and a book protagonist, I get photographed a lot. The pictures I'm about to share today are part of one of my favorite photo sessions. I got to stay all comfy, cuddled up, and warm. I didn't even have to get out of bed.

Hey, wait a sec! 'Scuse me. Do I get any small dog treats after my photo shoot?

What do you mean "we'll see"?

 I know how to make your life difficult, Mr Pupparazzo.

Now, will you promise me bully sticks?

Okay, thanks. I'll be more cooperative now.

 

Hurry up. I'm exhausted. Chop-chop . . .

That's a wrap!

Twinkie

Chiweenie Pictures

Sweet Frankie, the brindle chiweenie, delicate and timid as usual.

The photos above were taken on a tack trunk at our new horse barn were dogs are not allowed. What a joke!

PS: We're taking Pedro, the chihuahua puppy, to puppy playtime tonight. Our apologies in advance to all the other puppies attending.

Twinkie

Chihuahua Pictures | Moochie Models

It's a beautiful Sunday and I'm hoping to go for a dog hike real soon. I'm about to go pester M about it. Wish me luck.

 

Have a great Sunday!

Twinkie

Moochie And Company, Weather Tech Jacket | Product Review

My name is Twinkie and I hate dog apparel! As a matter of fact, I have to attend AA (Apparel Anonymous) meetings once a week. I was really excited to receive a package from Moocie and Company. Imagine my surprise when I opened it to find out it was: dog clothes! M said I'd like them, and I said I wouldn't. Next thing I know, she had me on her lap and was dressing me. As I was struggling to stop her, I noticed the proud chiweenie, Frankie, waiting her turn. She loves dog clothes.

Well, as I like to say: always listen to your parents. M was right again. My beautiful jacket gets my seal of approval. As far as small dog clothes go, I admit, the weather tech jacket by Moochie and Company, took me by surprise. I can prove it.

Not only do I feel comfortable and beautiful, my jacket is waterproof, wind resistant, and it has a warm soft fleece interior that does not irritate my delicate diva skin.

Also, the reflective pipping, makes me visible at night, when I prefer to jog (away from the pup-arazzi).

My sissy likes the fact that she can do her business in comfort.

 "Hey, puppy. You're not wearing your Moochie weather tech jacket. Go away."

(Please pardon the interruption)

 I have no problem stalking with my jacket on.

Nor play bitey face.

 My weather tech jacket allows me ease of movement, so I can dig easily.

I can also play tug-of-stick with great ease.

Frankie and I feel like models.

I give the weather tech jacket four out of four paws up.

If you are a small dog, check out these small dog clothes, I think you will like them too.

Twinkie