Did You Know?

Did you know? was a series of informational e-mails we sent out by Meryl Schwarz, an animal lover and Certified Professional Coach specializing in grief support for people grieving their beloved animals.

We are listing an archive of these so that hopefully you may find the information useful.

• DID YOU KNOW? 10 Things You Don’t Know About Kittens - FIDO: Hey, Fluff, did I see your mom bring home a new cat? FLUFFY: Hi, Fido! It’s the cutest little kitten. Her name is Star. We’re fostering her until she finds her fur-ever home. FIDO: Kittens are very cute! FLUFFY: Yes, and did you know they may also be good for your health? They make people smile...
• DID YOU KNOW? 6 Steps to the Perfect Pet Sitter - FIDO: Hey, Fluff, who was that guy who just left your house? FLUFFY: Hi, Fido, that was Paul, my new pet sitter. FIDO: Why do you need a pet sitter? FLUFFY: Mom and Dad are going away in a few weeks, so they found this great guy to take care of me. I met him today...
• DID YOU KNOW? 8 Ways to Say I Love You - FIDO: Hey, Fluff, what are you reading so intently? FLUFFY: Hi, Fido, it’s a note from Meryl. She wants us to send our cousins at Santé D’Or a Valentine’s Day gift, since we can’t go to the Open House in person. Money is always needed, but there are SO many other wonderful ways supporters like our folks...
• DID YOU KNOW? 5 Common Cat Care Mistakes and How to Fix Them - FIDO: Hey, Fluff, you look busy! FLUFFY: I am, Fido. Mom asked me to write down all the mistakes she makes with me so that she can do better. FIDO: Mistakes? I thought your mom was perfect! FLUFFY: Oh, Fido, no one’s perfect, although my mom sure does come close. But even she doesn’t always do...
• DID YOU KNOW? Fun Facts for Cat Lovers - FIDO: Hey, Fluff, I want to donate to our friends at Santé D’Or for the holidays. Mom said you’d know how to do that. FLUFFY: I sure do, Fido! The easiest way is to go to the Donate page on our website. There are lots of ways to donate to us right there, and all you have...
• DID YOU KNOW? Just Say Poof! - FIDO: Hey, Fluff, what are those funny gloves your mom is wearing? FLUFFY: Hi, Fido, mom’s trying out a bunch of different things to pick up pet hair. She’s found some great stuff that’s easy to use and works really well. FIDO: Wow, how great! I know my mom would love some tips. Of course, I don’t...
• DID YOU KNOW? Fluffy and Fido Go on Vacation - FIDO: Hey, Fluff, your mom’s had her head buried in her computer for hours. What’s she so busy with? FLUFFY: Hi, Fido! Mom’s planning our perfect vacation. I’m so excited! FIDO: Why are you excited? You’re not going, are you? FLUFFY: I sure am. A lot of cats don’t like to travel, but I do. Mom’s checking...
• DID YOU KNOW? The Eensy, Weensy Spider - FIDO: Hey, Fluff, I saw your mom going around with a spray bottle. What was she doing? FLUFFY: Hi, Fido, we’ve been having a problem with ants. She was spraying some stuff so that they won’t come into the house. FIDO: What was she using? My mom’s looking for ideas that will be safe for me....
• DID YOU KNOW? Love Notes - FIDO: Hey, Fluff, you look very pensive today. What are you thinking about? FLUFFY: Hi, Fido, I’m feeling misunderstood. FIDO: Misunderstood? About what? FLUFFY: Well, not me, exactly. My mom understands me just fine. But a lot of cat parents don’t. They think we’re being cute, or funny, or just plain annoying (and sometimes we’re all of...
• DID YOU KNOW? Catnip and Peppermint - FIDO: Hey, Fluff, I heard you were under the weather. How are you feeling? FLUFFY: I’m much better today. Mom gave me some catnip and I feel fine now. FIDO: Catnip?! How did that make you feel better? I thought catnip just makes cats happy. FLUFFY: So did I, but mom found out that it also helps...
• DID YOU KNOW? Choosing the Perfect Vet - Finding the perfect vet is easy when you know what to look for. Follow these guidelines and make the perfect choice! FIDO: Hey, Fluff, where’s your mom going? FLUFFY: She wants to find me a new veterinarian, so she’s going to some “meet and greets”. FIDO: What’s a “meet and greet”? FLUFFY: Mom’s going to visit some...
• DID YOU KNOW? How Old is Your Cat? - Senior cats have special needs. Most of the time, they’re pretty easy to meet. Stay ahead of illness and disease with these simple tips. FIDO: Hey, Fluff, happy birthday to you! How old are you? FLUFFY: Well, Fido, that depends on whether you’re counting human years or cat years. In human years, I’m 12. In cat years,...
• DID YOU KNOW? Pet Wellness in 10 Minutes a Day - START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT! Just a few minutes a day can help ward off illness and keep Fluffy and Fido happy and healthy all year long. FIDO: Hey, Fluff, what’s going on? FLUFFY: Hi, Fido, I’m busy putting together some wellness tips for pet parents. FIDO: That’s a good idea. What made you think of...
• DID YOU KNOW? ‘Tis the Season to be Giving - SPECIAL NOTE: Remember, with the holidays upon us, lots of extra opportunities for Fluffy and Fido to get into mischief abound! Keep your holidays happy by taking a few extra minutes to pet-proof your decorations and put away toxic foods and plants!   FIDO: Hey, Fluff, what’re you doing so intently? FLUFFY: I’m making a list and...
• DID YOU KNOW? 5 Tips for Healthy Living with Pet Allergies - SPECIAL NOTE: The holidays are almost upon us, creating lots of extra opportunities for Fluffy and Fido to get into mischief. Keep your holidays happy by taking a few extra minutes to pet-proof your decorations and put away toxic foods. And remember, no turkey bones for Fido! FIDO: Hey, Fluff, why are you wearing a T-shirt?...
• DID YOU KNOW? Stop Furniture Scratching in 4 Easy Steps - SPECIAL NOTE: The noise and excitement of Halloween can be really scary for some animals. Keep pets super safe by putting them in a room that prevents them from running out when you open the door to treat the tricksters. FIDO: Hey, Fluff, why are you all wet? FLUFFY: Oh, mom caught me scratching the couch and...
• DID YOU KNOW? 5 Habits That Drive Your Vet Crazy - SPECIAL SUMMERTIME TIP! Leave out at least two bowls of water when you go to work. That way, Fluffy or Fido can spill one and still stay hydrated. And, of course, never leave an animal in a hot car, even with windows cracked. FIDO: Hey, Fluff, you and your mom left early today. Where did...
• DID YOU KNOW? Happy at Home - SPECIAL SUMMERTIME TIP! Leave out at least two bowls of water when you go to work. That way, Fluffy or Fido can spill one and still stay hydrated. And, of course, never leave an animal in a hot car, even with windows cracked. FIDO: Hey, Fluff, what’s up? You don’t look very happy today. FLUFFY: I’m...
• DID YOU KNOW? Keeping Fido Safe - Summer’s almost here, and you’ll see more furry friends on your walks with Fido. Learn their body language to keep your walks safe and fun for everyone. FLUFFY: Hey, Fido, you’re looking kind of grim. What’s going on? FIDO: Mom and I just had a really scary experience while we were out for our walk....
• DID YOU KNOW? What on Earth?! - This month, come along with Fluffy and Fido as they learn how to read Fluffy’s body language. And stay tuned to learn about Fido’s next month! FIDO: Hi, Fluffy, how are you? FLUFFY: (Doesn’t answer, just waves her tail.) FIDO: Fluffy, I asked you a question. Why won’t you answer me? FLUFFY: I did answer you....
• DID YOU KNOW? Holiday Facts for Cats and Dogs! - KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR HOLIDAY DECOR… AND TREATS! Most of us just love the special foods and decorations that seem to be everywhere during the holiday season, but they pose some challenges if our pets enjoy them, too. Make your holidays happy by keeping turkey bones away from Fluffy and Fido. Don’t let them...
• DID YOU KNOW? 5 Tips for a Safe and Happy Halloween - First, PEARL’S SPECIAL HALLOWEEN NOTE!!: Hard as it is to believe, there are people who think that Halloween is a time to steal and torture black cats. This is such a problem that some rescues won’t adopt out their black cats for the entire month of October. So please take extra special care this month...
• DID YOU KNOW? Keep Your Pets Safe from Household Toxins! - This month, Fluffy and Fido are on the alert around the house!…   FIDO:Hi, Fluffy, what are you reading? FLUFFY: Hey, Fido. Check it out! It’s a list of some of the things that can poison us if Mom and Dad aren’t careful. FIDO: Poison us!?!? Yikes! FLUFFY: Yes, I had no idea how many...
• DID YOU KNOW? Emergency Prepare Your Pet! - The animals are all abuzz about emergency preparedness this month– let’s listen in!…   FIDO: Fluffy, what on earth is in that big box? FLUFFY:  It’s our Earthquake Preparedness kit! Mom and Dad said they have one for themselves, and now there’s one for us, too. FIDO: I didn’t know that pets need an earthquake...
• DID YOU KNOW? Don’t Ignore These Six Symptoms! - [FIRST, A SPECIAL NOTE FROM PEARL! We’re well on the way to summer, and it’s going to get HOT! Please don’t leave any animal alone in a car. Even just a few minutes can heat vehicle interiors beyond what an animal can tolerate. Let’s make it a great summer! Help keep all of our precious...
• DID YOU KNOW? 5 wellness tips! - FLUFFY: Hi, Fido, what’s up? You’re looking happy today. FIDO: Hey, Fluff, how are you? I was just thinking about all the great things mom and dad do to keep me that way! FLUFFY: My mom and dad told me that it’s pretty easy to keep me healthy and happy. But they worry that not...