Edit profile

Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife
What's the Scoop on Dog Food Toppers?

Why Are My Dogs Paws Super-Sensitive?

When injury or allergy isn't the culprit... what gives?

Why Does My Cat Drop Her Toys into Her Water Bowl?

No surprise, instincts are in play.

Brazil's Iconic Caramelo Street Dog is new Netflix Darling

This beloved caramel-colored canine is truly having his moment in the sun.

Hard-Surface Flooring a No-Go for Your Dog? We Have Solutions!

(photo credit: Christine Bird/shutterstock.com)For some strange reason, the most recent addition to my pack of three refuses to walk on hard-surface flooring. When she’s out for her daily constitutional or is touring the dog park, she’s fine. Running and exploring appears to be her outdoor passion. But move inside, and any floor surface not covered by a rug or runner is like molten lava that sees her crouching low, visibly psyching herself up to make a move, and then launching herself from carpet to carpet.Yes, I do indulge her and in addition to carrying her for some of the longer stretches (she’ll stay on one mat for hours on end), I’ve allowed my main floor living space to resemble a flight path with a string of strategically placed mats and dog beds providing safe haven and appropriate landing spots. Did I mention, that these run all the way from the sofa to the back door?Now, I know this isn’t unique to my dog and it’s not as rare and quirky as I first thought. It seems there can be several reasons my Miniature Schnauzer prefers to avoid hard surface flooring and the most common causes could be:Medical issues including loss of vision, hip dysplasia or arthritis make gripping a hard, slippery surface feel treacherous. Not the case with my dog.A previous slip and fall that has a pet overly cautious. Again, not in my experience with her.A simple lack of traction may cause them to shy away from tile or hardwood. A distinct possibility with my pooch.Now, if you suspect a traction issue and notice your dog’s feet splay out in every direction when he crosses the floor, he may need foot grooming to remove excess fur between his pads. While I believe a full groom is always best left to the professionals, a quick tidy-up of feet and paws is certainly something we novices can undertake.

Help! Is My Dog a Narcissist?

Can lots of treats and attention become an expectation?

Chilly Walks Need the Right Kind of Headgear for Your Dog

Research Shows Cats Learn Words Faster Than Toddlers

Connecting the dots is childs play for our feline friends.

Does Your Dog Have Funky Smelling Facial Folds? Problem Solved!

(photo credit: WilleeCole Photography / shutterstock.com)We love ‘em to bits but our best buddies can be prone to various funky smells that come from both ends and all that furry space in between. From stinky ears, to bad breath and of course, those gassy intestinal issues. Yes, a wealth of different odours depending on the circumstance.But for pet parents living with brachycephalic dogs – or any dog with heavy folds and wrinkles – there is a whole new layer of smells that come from improperly cleaned crevices. It’s called pyoderma and it’s nasty.You see, the folds capture and retain moisture that, if left untreated, becomes a haven for bacteria. Over time, the skin ruptures because of the ongoing exposure to moisture and this can lead to painful, putrid-smelling infections and hefty vet bills.The Three-Step Solution?Take a targeted preventative approach to your pet’s hygiene. This not only eliminates potential infections but helps ensure your pet is more comfortable and is no longer persona non grata due to that funky odour.And it’s down to practicing these three simple steps on a regular basis:Wipe out all wrinkles, folds, and tail pockets with a warm, damp washcloth or one of the commercial wipes designed for cleaning wrinkly dogs.Once cleaned, use a cotton ball or soft dry towel to ensure each crevice is thoroughly dry.Dust inside each fold with a thin layer of unscented baby powder or grooming powder to help keep moisture out.What Leads to Pyoderma?It could be because your dog was bathed/swam/caught in the rain and never properly dried out. Perhaps his wet food found its way into his facial folds or it may be the build-up of smelly bacteria from a natural accumulation of skin oils. The bottom line is that if not cleaned and fully dried on a regular basis – two to three times a week - it languishes. And that’s when it starts to smell and cause your pet distress.So, prevention is key and there are a number of products that ensure it’s easy, inexpensive, and effective.Where to Start?One of the more basic solutions is to start with a simple wipe-down using scent-free baby wipes to clean between the individual folds. When done, be sure to thoroughly dry.

Air Travel Planned? Check Out These Top, Airline-Approved Pet Carriers

Are Some Toys Better For Senior Dogs? Yes!

(photo credit: Ryan Brix / shutterstock.com)When we think of aging pets, we envision dogs that have slowed down a little, love to nap and prefer to settle into a sunny spot over a vigorous walk. I admit that these days, my 13- and 15-year-old Schnoodles are less inclined to get excited when I pick up their leash than they were just a couple of years back. So, their outings are shorter and treats are doled out as a reward for making the effort when we return home.But there’s so much more to your pet’s aging than just a slower gait and desire to curl up and snooze away the afternoon. Vision starts to fade, hearing is not quite so acute and often, their teeth and gums begin to cause problems.That said, every so often we see the puppy come out when they get excited about something special – a high-value treat, another dog, your return from work, or a fun new toy that he can still enjoy despite his physical limitations. And those are the moments we want to continue creating by adapting their arsenal of playthings to meet their changing needs.

Goldfish Named Merlin Gets Life-Saving Surgery

Risky removal of facial tumour means starving goldfish can eat again.