Cats and Allergies: A Primer

Recent conversations on these topics

• Chow Chow Australian Shepherd Mix

  Tomorrow, me and my family have decided to go check out a dog, and see if he suits our family. I have been interested in him, and a few other dogs for a while, and sadly most of those dogs have been singled out. (To big, a Pit Bull, etc. I wanted the Pit, my my was against it tho) The dog we are considering is a male Chow Chow Australian Shepherd Mix. (CCASM) He is good with kids, dogs and most likely good with cats. (We have all of those) I am pretty sure what they wrote about him is true, so I am prepared for a few minor things, like what I just listed, buts thats really all. Does anyone own one of these mix breeds, and tell me what they are like so I can have a better idea? Or, if anyone has owned a Aussie and/or a Chow before, what would you think they'd act like? Any guesses are also welcomed. I know each dog is different, but I just want to get a idea of a few things I may have to deal with in the future. Oh, and he is 3 years old, and I am adopting him from a shelter, not a breeder. Shelter animals need homes much more then a fancy little lap dog... Sorry, I kind of have a thing against little dogs... I like them but they are to small for my taste, and often annoying.... Thanks!

• What to do with the friendly stray cat

  There's a stay cat, maybe a year to 18 months old, who hangs around the alley. He (she?) has a tipped ear, so he's been fixed. He's a friendly little cat who waits for me in the morning (and is often around when I get home) to feed him. He lets me pet him while he eats and rubs up against me, purring up a storm. I've tried to lure him into my fenced in backyard, but he does want to go in and does not like being picked up (struggles and hisses). There was a small group of feral cats (3-4) he used to hang around with, but they've all disappeared since the first of the year. I'm not sure what to do with him. I have two indoor cats and I know one of them would not appreciate the extra company. Not to mention not knowing if the alley cat could be litter box trained or if he'd tear up the furniture. I've toyed with the idea of catching him and taking him to the vet to get him checked up and make sure he has all his shots, then leaving him as an outdoor cat and continue feeding him as I do. I know I can't save every cat and am wondering if this is good enough. Any suggestions? And, no, I don't know anyone who wants a cat.

• Northwest Animal Rescue Alliance in Oregon--BUYER BEWARE

  I am writing to let you know that an organization here in Oregon which lists its pets online has not acted responsibly. I adopted a dog from the Northwest Animal Rescue Alliance of Salem this spring. It was soon apparent that the pup had parvo, and I spent thousands (no typo) keeping him alive. He is OK now, but during his illness, the two contact women for the group assured me that the group would refund my very high adoption fee to help cover the completely unexpected illness. Once he recovered, they stopped answering my e-mails and calls and would not even tell me how I could arrange the neutering that the fee was supposed to cover. I am distraught at my financial situation, and sad that animal welfare is being entrusted to a group such as this. Who is responsible for certifying rescue groups? Where is the oversight? Any state agencies I can contact? How can I spare other families my plight? I suspect that the people running this group do not really know what they are doing, and I know for a fact that they housed many other "rescue" pups with my Parvo-infected dog. Illness happens, and I understand that is a sad fact of pet ownership. I have taken care of my part of the bargain 100%. BUT I do not accept people going back on their agreements, especially a rescue group charging for neutering and then not providing it. Can anyone help me notify the proper authority in this case?

• switching teams

  I worked at a vet clinic for sometime. We sold the veterinary level foods from several different brands. The kinds pets need when they have extreme food allergies or diabetic or renal care. This food is on the higher end of pet food price range. About twice as much as grocery grade foods. But still we regularly have people come in buying the best for their furry babies. One time, a man came in to pick up the renal food for "his wife's" cat. I think for the case of canned cat food the total was $24. He jokingly scoffs at the cost and hands me a credit card. Then he says, "I can't believe I'm spending this much on cat food. I never used to be a cat person. I didn't get them. I was a dog person. I understand dogs, they show you exactly what they're feeling and thinking. Who would want an animal that doesn't run up to you when you get home? But now that we've had these two cats, I get it. It's a different kind of love. It just took having them to understand it." I haven't worked at that clinic for a few years now but moments like that are still crisp and vivid in my mind. It sounds like a similar transition for your dad. Maybe it started as a quest for companionship but turned out to be such a close camaraderie. Congratulations to him on his newfound love and hopefully this will be a new point of connection for the two of you.