Posts tagged “Water Fountain”

D.J. Bornschein, founder and president of Catsbury Park, an adoption cafe in Asbury Park, N.J., says he would never push for compensation if something he owned was ruined by a friend’s pet. Instead, he says he would want to do anything in his power to reduce the friend’s feelings of remorse. “I suffer second-hand embarrassment very easily,” he says. What about the flip side? What if one of the cats in his care damaged something belonging to a customer? (As the owner of an establishment where felines roam free, he does admit there have been times when one of the cats up for adoption have knocked over a patron’s coffee or scratched something.) As a business owner, there is a different standard, he says, explaining he will refill a coffee and offer to pay for any damage unwittingly wrought by a feline in his cafe. Robin Sklar, a television industry professional living in New York City, acknowledges that most pet parents think only the rosiest things about their canine sidekicks. With that said, what if her well-behaved Pug was having an off-day and chewed up one of her friend’s handbags? “Paterson would not do that,” she says with a smile. “But if she had, I would definitely offer to pay for the bag.” And if the friend refused? “I would find some other way of making it up to her, such as taking her out to lunch.” And to avoid a repeat scenario, Paterson would not be invited to that get-together, Sklar jokes. Nancy Maddock, a professional organizer and owner of Ready. Set. Let’s Organize in Greater Boulder, Colorado, says she keeps an eye out for visitor belongings at all times and warns out-of-towners to close the door to her guest room when they move about the house—lest her Italian Greyhound gets into their luggage. And what if, hypothetically, her energetic 3-year-old dog was the houseguest and, say, peed on a host’s rug? “I would wipe down the spot immediately and offer to have it cleaned professionally,” Maddock says. There would likely be a peace offering also, explaining: “If they insisted ‘Don’t worry about it … the carpet’s a mess anyway,’ I would probably send them a few bottles of wine.” With all of this in mind, I’m betting you’ll keep closer tabs on guest belongings in your home the next time around. On the off chance your Westie still wreaks havoc despite your best preventative efforts, popping open a bottle of wine to ease guest and host tension may not be a bad idea. But if you and your pup are in someone else’s abode, please do me a favor and don’t spill your wine on their carpet, lest we head right back to square one.,A friend visited our home recently and without thinking, left her designer handbag in our entryway. While she and I were catching up in the living room, our year-old Westie found the handbag and tore it to shreds. I apologized profusely of course and even offered to pay for it; to my surprise, she accepted. What is the etiquette for hosts and guests when a pet destroys someone’s things?

Imagine yourself sitting comfortably in your home, minding your own business, when in walks a complete stranger. He introduces himself as your new roommate—one you didn’t agree to—and starts moving into your coveted living space. How would you feel? Well, if you’re friendly to newcomers and this new roommate seems nice, you might not mind so much. But if you were happy with your home as it was and don’t love meeting strangers? Look out, new guy. The same is true with cats. “When you are considering getting another cat, you really must consider the needs of the resident pet,” says Dr. Amanda Rigterink, DVM, DACVB, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist with Veterinary Behavior of Indiana in Carmel . “Certain cats have certain personalities. Some prefer to be alone and some are quite social.” Domesticated cats originated thousands of years ago from the African Wildcat, a solitary hunting animal, Dr. Rigterink says. Through domestication, cats have evolved and socialized, but for some, those ancient instincts remain. If your cat has reacted aggressively toward other animals or people in the past, those instincts could be the reason why—and they may react similarly should you get another cat. That’s not to say that all cats are destined to be loners. Research has shown that cats who are littermates or otherwise related to each other have an easier time getting along, Dr. Rigterink says. On the flip side, an age difference can work against you. “When you have an adult cat, who may not be as playful, and you introduce a young kitten, you have to be very careful,” Dr. Rigterink says. “You need to make sure you’re giving the younger kitten plenty of opportunities for playing. And the key, with any introduction, is ensuring they each have their own space.”,Let’s be clear: You love your cat. That sassy little furball is the light of your life. But lately, you’ve been wondering if there’s room for another kitty in your heart. Maybe you think your cat needs a friend. Maybe you’ve fallen in love with your neighbor’s foster feline. Whatever the reason, you’re finding yourself wondering, “Should I get another cat?” The prospect of growing your animal family can be exciting. But before you make any permanent decisions, remember that adding another cat to your crew is no small task. Caring for a new pet is a big responsibility, even for an experienced cat parent like yourself. So how do you know if you’re ready? Answer these five questions to determine whether you should get another cat—or if you’d be better off just loving the one you’re with.