SOME RAMDOM THOUGHTS AND HELPFUL HINTS

As I have just turned 77 (August 28) I realize that I cannot continue indefinitely as a daily hands-on owner of my beloved store.  It is getting increasingly more challenging even to type up these articles (Ha-ha) as my fingers do not always go where my brain intends. My promise to my customers is my intention to have The Wagging Tail survive me and continue to be a part of the community we have become over the last almost (October) thirty-seven years. This is by no means a farewell letter.  I am still working nearly every day, still helping with advice, and still, though my body protests, lifting bags and boxes heavier than I should.  Allison, Thea and I all have medical challenges (the walking wounded) that could be helped if we had more help.  Hailey just left to start school which includes after school activities, and some of our other employees have scheduling conflicts.  We could use a mature high school student who is not involved in after school sports and could help also on a weekend day, and is not allergic to cats, as our shelter requires frequent daily checkups.

I went to see my doctor this morning whom I hadn’t seen since February- to my great surprise. Over the past two years, it seems I am always going to one doctor or another. We were talking about how fast this summer flew by, although I remember saying that last year, and the year before that…Neighbor kids grow up, customers that were kids are fathers and mothers, or grandparents.  And with our customers I have experienced the acquiring and then the losing of beloved pets.  Have you, like me, had dogs or cats that grabbed your heart more than others?  I can talk about some who have passed on accepting their death as the natural course of life.  And then others like my white Standard Poodle, Abby, who was with me when I opened The Wagging Tail still haunt my heart.  She and I were partners, and I experienced the loss of her everywhere I went, because she was always with me.  There are customers who I see with their dogs and know how hard it will be for them.  The loss of my Papillon, Parker, is one that Bob, and I cannot talk about without tears springing from our eyes. Three years ago, and the pain is as fresh as ever.  I always had more than one dog and cat.  And when one died, I got another, to help fill the gap and displace the sorrow.  This brings up a concern I have with seniors getting puppies.  Steve, a 63-year-old who lives with his wife and their 8-month-old Maltipoo, recently said as he leaned over the counter in apparent pain and exhaustion, “tell your readers not to even think about getting a puppy if they themselves are over 50.” “She has taken everything out of me,” Steve confessed.  And he is one among many who have come in wearing visible scars (scratched, bruised, skin), along with frustration, regret, and defeat.  I never intended to adopt Parker.  Even with two other dogs and three cats in our home, I wanted to “kill” myself for the next six months, and I never did properly potty train him (he wore a bad boy belly band.)  There are TOO many adult dogs, especially since the end of covid, that could make extremely good house pets and allow you freedom and relaxation.

I would like to reiterate that dry food requires three additives to make it a healthy pleasing experience for your dog (I don’t even use kibble)  *Adding can and/or a freeze-dried protein can give your pet more organ meat and variety *Stay away from dry food that contains corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial colors and flavors and harmful preservatives (like most Purina Products)  *Add cool water to the food, as much as the dog can handle to help “wash” the food QUICKLY through the gut. Don’t let it soften. Imagine yourself eating a beer pretzel without a beverage, how it would clog your gut.

I want to thank Vivien who was ringing me up at Walgreens in Wildwood where I stopped after my doctor’s appointment today.  When I tapped in The Wagging Tail phone number, she joyfully exclaimed how much she appreciates the articles I write each week.  “Vivien, I was glad to meet you to.”