Taking Care Of Your Pets
 

MUCH has been shared on the local social media re: pets. I've been thinking on this for a couple of days or so and decided to post anyway. The other evening we were traveling in our golf cart in a village north of 466 when we saw a cat lying dead in the middle of the road. The next morning the local radio station had an appeal from a cat-owner who was missing their cat. They lived in that village and the description fit the dead animal. The purpose of this post is there are restrictions in place re: pets being let to roam loose. I saw yet another cat just this afternoon roaming loose near a friend's house. My friend said, "oh yes, it's our neighbor's and we've tried to tell her but she doesn't listen!" We have neighbor's as well with the same thing happening. Not only are there preditors who could snatch the pets but they also could potentially be run over. Just wish this post could tug at someone's heart-strings so they aren't heart broken down the line.

It's hard to fix the mentality of some of the brain-dead pet owners that continually think "it'll never happen to me", i.e., it doesn't need a collar, it doesn't chipped, it doesn't need to be on a leash, etc., etc.....

I took a trip to Home Goods this afternoon and in the first parking place outside the Marshall's door, there was car with a dog barking and barking and barking. As I walked past the car, I saw the poor dog which was obviously anxious for his owner to come back and also another small white dog laying quietly on the rear seat. The window was about 1/2 way down and all I could think was, anyone could walk up to that car and snatch both dogs in a second. I just don't understand where people's heads are. OR, maybe I do.

Saw a golf cart at Sumter Landing across the street from Too Jays. Parked, small dog tied up inside and barking like crazy. Obviously anxious to be where he was. What are people thinking?

NotGolfer, thanks for starting this thread to raise awareness.
Even people who treasure their pets can put them in harm's way.
All of us, myself included, need to think carefully about every aspect of pet care.
And cats don't need to be let out to roam.
They will adjust perfectly to the longer life of an indoor cat, and they will grow to love your lanai.

Notgolfer made me think about this as well. When we have crisp temps I try to bring Harry with me if I'm going to run errands. He doesn't bark as I leave the car with 4 windows down about 2 inches, and the moonroof popped for air flow.

Is this a bad decision I have been making? He seems to enjoy the rides but I don't want to put him in a bad situation.

Advice please.

It really depends on the dog. While no dog likes to be left alone, some are thrilled with the opportunity for the ride and being with their people. They will wait quietly. Other dogs quickly get anxious when alone in a car or cart.

Try taking your dog with you, getting out of the car and standing a distance away where you can't be seen but can observe. You'll quickly be able to tell what your dog's preference is.

If the weather is cool, we take our dogs with us to run errands. But only when it's cool.
They love car rides, and sleep when we're out of the car.
We park in the shade and open the sun roof.
We open the windows slightly, but not enough so someone could reach in,
because I'm afraid that someone might let the dogs out for a prank.

Spot on, as usual.

Our Springer Spaniel so loved riding in the car, if you weren't gone long enough, he refused to get out. He was would stay in the car, parked in the garage, until he felt it was a sufficiently long outing.

Our first golden went happily. Anywhere. Down to the mailbox and back. Take me; take me! Our second one has to be "put" in the car--me on one side, bumping his rear, Ron on the other, tugging at the leash and yelling words of encouragement. I chalk it up to too many three-day drives.

As for heat... the temp down here can change on a dime. But on errands, Harry probably isn't in the car long enough for that to be a factor.

Or worse - steal the dog for fighting purposes i.e. bait dog.

I love animals. I have had pets most of my life. Still, they are not children. Leaving your pet in a car for a few minutes with adequate circulation and no chance of heat overexposure is fine. It's your pet. Pet owners treat their pets in a variety of ways. Most dogs love the crisp air. Your dog would be much better off going with you in the car, rather than sitting at home, alone, imo. Don't get guilt tripped into conforming to someone else' idea of what is right or wrong in taking care of your pet. Some pet owners are over the top in judging how others treat their pet.

Thanks everyone.