Tag Archives: Dogs

You Don’t Own Me

Hello all. I hope you have had a good week! As you know, I get ideas for a post on things that happen in my own life (conversations, events, things I read, things I experience, etc.) This past week someone was talking to me about their pet and they used that three letter word “own.” I hate that word when people are talking about their pets. They may be “our” pet but we do not own them. We adopted them and brought them into our family. Do we consider our children something we own because they are ours? When we marry do we now “own” each other?

We do not own anything that has breath. What we have done is made a commitment. A commitment to care for, be there for, and be faithful to whether it be a partner, a baby we adopted, or an animal we brought into our home.

This is a serious topic, for me very serious. I literally cringe when someone uses the word “own.” My mission and logo is to “Change how the world views animals.” But I thought I would throw a little fun into this post. Who has seen “The First Wives Club?” Whether you have or not you may know the iconic song “You Don’t Own Me.” I challenge you to listen to the words when you play the video and to think of animals instead of a man. When you do you’ll see how this can be somewhat fitting to animals as well.

World Mental Health Day

Today is World Mental Health Day. With everything going on in the world, research is showing there is a lot more mental health issues than ever.

If you have a pet you know they can be a great antidepressant.

Here is what the Mental Health Foundation says…

Caring for a pet can help our mental health in many ways, including:

  • increasing your physical activity. Dog owners are likely to take their pet out every day for a walk or run. This can be a fun way to fit exercise into your routine
  • providing companionship. Pets can give you a sense of security and someone to share the day with. Caring for them can help you feel wanted and needed. This can be especially valuable for older people or those who live alone
  • reducing anxiety. The companionship of a pet can help to ease your anxiety
  • boosting self-confidence. Pets can be great listeners, offer unconditional love and won’t criticise you. This can help your self-confidence, especially if you feel isolated or misunderstood
  • helping you meet new people. Dog owners often stop and chat to each other on walks. But other pets can be a way to meet people too: in pet shops, training classes or online groups, for example
  • adding structure to your day. Having to feed, exercise and care for a pet can help you keep to a daily routine, which can help you feel more grounded and focused. It can give your day purpose and a sense of achievement.

I would love to hear about a pet in your life (past or present) and how they help(ed) your mental health.

Take care!

Pets Are For Life

So much of this happening right now and it’s so sad that people did not think it through when they brought them home. We must remember animals are not objects to just be bought and returned or thrown out like garbage. This kind of selfishness and irresponsibility is causing them harm.They are living, feeling beings, and a lifetime commitment, just like any other family member.

#petsareforlife

Sunday Pawzing to Keep Cool Because it is Jungle Hot

It’s Sunday! Time to kick back & relax.

It’s been a pretty hot summer here. I hear this will become more “normal” with the changing climate. I guess we’ll see. This past Friday it was in the 90’s along with a dew point in the 70’s. When did I move to the jungle?

I am not a fan of this type of weather at all but I feel fortunate to have the luxury of air conditioning to cool off in easily. Most of us do have that luxury, but many animals do not. It is many people’s perception that their an “animal” so they must be fine. What is forgotten is that they are living, feeling beings too and this is not always true, especially when it comes to domesticated animals. So today I am sharing an old post below on how you can help! Continue reading

Sunday Pawsing to Discuss Candles/Scents & Our Pets

It’s Sunday! Time to kick back & relax. It is so nice to kick back with the scent of a nice candle but have you ever thought about how it affects our pets?

I have been working on replacing my candles since learning about how paraffin wax is not as healthy as a natural wax such as soy. It isn’t just unhealthy for us, it is also unhealthy for our pets.

I just recently got a new wax warmer from a Scentsy party my niece had. I absolutely LOVE the garden warmer.

I needed to get some wax melts for it and was researching online where I could get soy/natural ones. In the process of researching I read some information on scents that cats love & hate. Oh dear, now I had to worry about what scent I was getting too.

Continue reading

Sunday Pause (Paws): Happy Mother’s Day 2021

It’s Sunday and it’s Mother’s Day!

Let’s look at what a mom does. They care for their child by making sure they have a roof over their head. That they have food and water. They care for them when they are sick. They protect them. They love them! Well…..this sounds just like what a pet mom does too!

You feed them when they’re hungry
Make sure they have water in their dish
That they have lots of toys to play with
And almost anything they wish

Taking care of them when they’re sick
Always making sure they’re alright
You may not have given birth to them
But you knew they were yours at first sight

You care for them on a daily basis
For their whole life this is what you do
If you have a pet, you’re a mom
So Happy Mothers Day to you too!

copyright LeeAnn Johnston/Animals Are Feeling Beings Too

Happy Sunday and Happy Mother’s Day to all of the human and pet moms! 🐱🐶🐰🐭

Sunday Pause (Paws): So Much More

Over this past week my friend’s dog, Dakota, celebrated his 15th birthday while someone at work had to say goodbye to their dog, Niko. This got me thinking about how important it is that we see how all life matters. Dakota is not just a dog, but a part of my friend’s family and worthy to be celebrated! Niko was not just a dog, but a part of my co-worker’s family and worthy of a time of mourning and remembrance.

I wrote the following poem thinking about these two precious lives. Photos are included of each of them. (Dakota’s mom is a professional photographer).

A pet is not just a pet
But one of the best friends you’ll ever get
Your comforter, therapist, friend, & baby
A pet is so many things including family

They are worthy to be celebrated in a big way
To throw a huge party for on their birthday
Decorations, friends, photos, and cake
These are special memories that we make

Dakota celebrating his 15th birthday!

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Sunday Pause (Paws): Our Pets, Our Family

It’s Sunday! Time to kick back, relax, and cuddle with our furry family members.

Many of you who are reading this most likely have a pet and pets are a part of our family. So when they have a health issue, we don’t take it lightly.

Below is Honey who is a furry family member of Deb M. Not too long ago Honey had a health issue that Deb was having a hard time getting diagnosed properly. The staff at the clinic she had been taking Honey to in her words “were awful” to Deb during this. As I mentioned, pets are family so to treat us, the pet parents, awful is simply not acceptable! Deb took Honey to a new clinic who was able to diagnose her immediately, were kind, and now Honey is doing much better!

Continue reading