Advice

Pet Talk: What is your pets’ New Year’s resolution?

January 1, 2023 by pkzadmin

Happy New Year’s readers! This year will mark nine years of writing “Pet Talk” and asking kids and adults to send me questions about pets. We continue to cover domestic dogs, cat, and other animals, and the occasional zoological question as well.

Let’s begin 2023 with an unusual premise: What resolutions is your pet going to make this year? Yes, we know your pet can’t talk, so you need to interpret this question.

Arya, a beagle, relaxing after a busy day of shopping. (COURTESY JENN MONTE BRANDON)

Amy Lantry-Jue, formerly of Lunenburg reports her Boston terrier Sophie has resolved “to put up with me dressing her.” Sophie has worn doggie apparel since her puppy years, because Boston terriers “have to wear sweaters in cold weather due to their short fur,” she says. (Sophie has a full line of winter wear including a fleece-lined Union suit and a puffer vest by Canada Pooch.)

Jennifer Monte Bragdon’s beagle Arya’s resolution involves more travel. Jenn and family were on the Cape during the holidays and reports “Arya had a busy day walking Mashpee Commons. They are very dog friendly on the Cape, so she got to go into stores and shop with us too.”

For Sheryl Blancato, CEO of Second Chance Animal Services (adoptable pets are regularly featured in “Pet of the Week,”), she hopes “pet parents would resolve to use an ounce of prevention for a pound of cure by ensuring their pets are up to date on vaccines and their dogs are on heartworm preventative.” As for Sheryl’s own dogs: “I hope they resolve to stop hogging all the blankets so that I can also be warm LOL.” (We can relate as our dog, Saryu is also a master blanket-thief).

Charlene Burris of Brooklyn has a young orange Tabby who made his Christmas resolution after succumbing to curiosity about the family’s holiday decorations. He “couldn’t resist” a pop-up spiral tree and “got stuck inside, panicked, and ran upstairs with it still attached to him.” Kitty ran under the bed, which finally removed the tree. “He has not touched it since.”

Finally, you have to ask a Renaissance man for the top answer: Poet/Chef/Artist Chris Mulholland lives with a gray and white tabby and reports: “Harley Halo Tabbington the 2223rd resolves to better cover his poop so it looks more like a chocolate nonpareil.” With that image, we wish all our readers, and their menageries a very happy new year!

Sally Cragin is the director of Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education. Text questions to 978-320-1335

Reader: How do I explore my spiritual gift?

October 18, 2022 by pkzadmin

Dear Bonnie: I was at your recent book signing of your book “Ask the Medium Next Door” at Barnes and Noble and I loved meeting you. I have been following you on social media and I love your column it has given me so much insight into the spiritual world and why we are here having this experience.

I am trying to figure out what kind of spiritual gift I have. Ever since I was 16, I have recalled a woman always whispering my name as if she is trying to get my attention. I was afraid then and would not answer her, and I would try to block her from my mind. I am older now and through the years, have had many more experiences. There was one instance where I was looking into a mirror in our entryway in our home as I was doing my hair, and I saw a woman that looked like she was from the 1800s based on what she was wearing and her hairstyle. As I looked directly at her, she disappeared.

Another instance, I saw what appeared to be a woman walking towards me; she had an eternal white light glowing from the white clothing that she was wearing. I watched her as she walked into my mothers’ room. At first, I thought it was my mom, but then my mom was asleep on the couch when I ran into the living room. I quickly realized I had seen a spirit.

At my family restaurant where I work, I have seen shadows running by even a woman singing a song. I also can see images of past lives as I blink, and the images flit across my eyes. Clear as day, I can see a vision of a video or picture.

I do not want to sound crazy but would like your opinion of what could be happening. I need to find out what this is and what to do with these visions I am seeing. Thanks, Kate

Dear Kate: Thank You Kate for your kind words as I really do appreciate them and thank you for coming to my book signing.

As I read your story it sounds just like my childhood. Seeing clearly into the spirit world and being able to see spirits and even past lives are known as clairvoyance or clear seeing. You described exactly how some people with clairvoyance see into the spirit world. Some mediums see videos playing like little movies that they watch inside their minds and then relay what the person in the spirit world was trying to get across to their client by watching those videos. Some see objects, sometimes one object right after another, and can put a story together with those images.

The story of the visitor glowing in white, which you thought was your mom sounds almost like an experience I had happen to me. I was lying in bed one night while I was young and still living at home when I saw a woman standing in the doorway of my bedroom and I started to yell mom, mom, mom but the lady who I thought was my mom didn’t answer, but soon my mom came in and asked Bonnie why are you yelling? Thinking back, the figure looked so much like my mom because I realized it was my grandmother in spirit watching over me. Your lady might be your grandmother or even a guide or angel. When the spirit world knows you can see them, the experience starts to happen more and often.

It truly is a gift to see the spirit world as it provides proof that life is eternal, and we are a part of the bigger picture. That is why we also can sometimes see past lives as well. A great way to get in touch with our past lives and to make visions stronger is to do meditations and ask the spirit world to show you what you need to know.

I love my gift of seeing, and I hope you genuinely use your gift to help yourself and others in your lifetime. Enjoy and embrace your gifts of clear seeing and clear hearing (like hearing the women singing) because it truly is a gift. To learn more, find a teacher or mentor that can help you develop your gifts. When you know more about developing the gifts you have, you will also learn how to control when and where they happen.

Bonnie Page is a psychic medium, spiritual life coach and Reiki Master. She is the owner of Mystical Magical Marketplace and Messages from Heaven located in downtown Winchendon, Mass. If you would like to ask Bonnie a question for her column, please contact her by email bonnie@bonniepagemedium.com your question might be picked to appear in her column. Regretfully Bonnie cannot answer all questions sent, she picks questions that may help everyone. If you would like to book a session with Bonnie or find out more info please visit www.bonniepagemedium.com

Reader: How do I explore my spiritual gift?

October 18, 2022 by pkzadmin

I do not want to sound crazy but would like your opinion of what could be happening. I need to find out what this is and what to do with these visions I am seeing. Thanks, Kate

Dear Kate: Thank You Kate for your kind words as I really do appreciate them and thank you for coming to my book signing.

Pet Talk: Why doesn’t my cat always come back, if let out at night?

September 25, 2022 by pkzadmin

DEAR PET TALK: My cat wants to go outside all the time. We have a yard, so sometimes we let her out. But sometimes she doesn’t come back at night. What can we do? — Cat Lover

DEAR CAT LOVER: Back when we were all farmers, it was considered normal to keep a cat outdoors in the barn, to catch the mice that ate the grain you fed to your livestock. However, in the modern world, cats can live a safe and contented life inside. The anxiety you will experience when kitty doesn’t come home will be painful. I know a cat who disappeared for a week — from Saturday to Saturday — and when she returned, the owners surmised she’d been locked in the garage of a weekend mechanic. Kitty survived, but the owner was a nervous wreck!

However, some cats are determined to get outside (“Me-OUT!”). The wisest course of action if your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat is to get them in before dusk. At night, enticing little rodents and insects get active, and their scuttling about makes it more difficult to persuade kitty to come inside. Train your cat to come inside by offering a treat as a reward at the same time every day.

The dangers cats face outdoors, particularly at night, are substantial. These include: cars, loose dogs, wild animals (coyotes, fishers) and even other (possibly feral) cats. Your cat could be at risk for contracting FIV and/or FELV if there is a fight. Consider the following: leash train your cat, and spend time with him outside, so his little paws can touch grass and ground.

Cats also can get lost at night if there is rain or snowfall, as they depend on scent to make their way home. Indoor cats will form a closer bond with their human, and are more likely to seek affection and attention. Plus you will sleep more peacefully knowing your cat is inside.

Sally Cragin is the director of “Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education.” Follow the organization on Facebook, post questions there, or call or text 978-320-1335.

Pet Talk: Helping dogs with separation anxiety post pandemic

August 21, 2022 by pkzadmin

DEAR PET TALK: I adopted my dog after he had been rescued from being a stray. He is very attached to me. I can’t even go to the bathroom without him breaking in to sit at my feet. Does my dog have abandonment and separation anxiety?

— Needy Dog’s Parent

DEAR NEEDY DOG’S PARENT: It’s amazing how tuned in our animals are and how much a dog wants to be a “life partner” with its owner. However, it sounds like you’re suffering from something you heard a lot about in the 1990s: co-dependence. A dog that’s extremely needy definitely needs more activity in his life. This can range from exercise, or even performing small jobs that might be “breed specific”(for example, running or chasing items for herding breeds, or giving hounds opportunities for lots of sniffing). Experts recommend 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day. Can you take your dog walking or jogging? If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise, neurotic behaviors could escalate. Also, consider how you communicate with your dog, and log your interaction. One study recommended that a well-trained dog will respond 85% of the time to one-word verbal cues such as “sit,” “down,” “come” and “quiet.” Make sure that your dog is rewarded with praise and petting for desired behaviors.

Sally Cragin is the director of “Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education.” Visit Be PAWSitive on Facebook, post questions there, or call or text 978-320-1335.

Pet Talk: What to look out for with ticks and Lyme disease

July 17, 2022 by pkzadmin

DEAR PET TALK: The weather is warm and we are worried about ticks carrying Lyme disease. What do we look out for?

— Worried

DEAR WORRIED: You have good reason to be worried — ticks are pervasive and keeping your pet healthy includes doing a “tick check” after you and your dog have been out of doors, particularly in wooded or grassy areas.

The MSPCA reports that Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease is transmitted to humans and dogs by the nymph and adult stages of the black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis. In New England, 50-75% of dogs tested may be positive for Lyme disease, however, the MSPCA reports that about 10% of Lyme-positive dogs will develop clinical illness.

Dogs that develop Lyme disease (which may occur two to five months after exposure) will have acute or subacute arthritis. A dog may show sudden lameness or signs of extreme pain. Joints may be swollen, hot and painful to the animal when touched.

Some dogs become depressed and are reluctant to move. The test for Lyme is enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay if your dog has not been vaccinated against Lyme. Antibiotics are the treatment of choice for Lyme disease in dogs, as in humans.

Also, our experts recommend flea and tick prevention and you’ll find the most reputable products purchased from a veterinary practice — not a pet store or online. For example, the Preventic Collar gets high marks but doesn’t cover fleas and can’t be used if cats are in the household.

Sally Cragin is the director of Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education. Find the organization on Facebook and questions there, or call or text 978-320-1335

Advice

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