December 2011 | To Advertise in Pines Miramar Town Times, Please call 954-306-1007 | www.pinesmiramartowntimes.com
pet care
pet of the month
Celebrating the Human Animal Bond
“Olaff & Olive”
By Dr. Christie Waldie-Torres
D
ecember is finally here. I’m pretty sure that all of you are wondering where the year has gone – just like I am. As we turn to the end of this year, it is time to focus on what is important - our health, our blessings and our families. More and more, as we gather together during the holiday season, our pets are there with us. Pets enrich our lives in so many ways. Having a pet leads to health benefits such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduced stress levels, and better mental health. Who can’t help but smile after coming home from a stressful day at work only to have your dog greet you with a happy tail wag and big sloppy kiss or your cat rub against your legs while purring? They are fiercely loyal and provide unconditional love. They are members of our family. Our pets never judge; they are never upset with us; and most important of all, they are always there for us.
O
laff and Olive are four-month-old Domestic Short Hairs. Their owner found them abandoned in a litter of four when they were just three days old and she bottle fed them. Their favorite people/animals are their human mom Hilda, cat sister Poupé and brother cat Ochio (same age). They love to play with straws and any cloth they can steal. They hate closed doors and love a nap on warm clothes that have just come out of the dryer. Their favorite thing to do is to sleep in a rocking chair while sucking an old blanket they have had since babies. They were last seen looking for butter in the kitchen.
SHOULD YOUR PET BE OUR PET OF THE MONTH? Every month, Pines Miramar Town Times randomly picks a Pet of the Month winner. Enter your pet today! Email entries to editor@pinesmiramartowntimes.com. Mail entry forms to: Pines Miramar Town Times 17120 Royal Palm Blvd., Suite 1, Weston, FL 33326
About 63% of all households in the United States have a pet which includes about 78.2 million owned dogs and about 86.4 million owned cats. One recent survey even showed that 57% would prefer their pet as their only companion if they were stranded on a desert island and that 32% of pet owners allow their dog to sleep in their bed with them. More than half surveyed said they remember their neighbor’s pet’s name, but not the neighbor’s name! Life would certainly feel empty without pets. The human animal bond is a very powerful connection between pets and their owners and I am very fortunate to be able to experience this bond not only with my own pets but with my patients and their owners as well. Keeping pets healthy and taking care of them when they are ill are both very rewarding parts of my job, but being able to keep the human animal bond strong is probably the most fulfilling. Thanks to all of you who put your trust in your veterinarian and happy holidays to all!
Please send a photo with your entry (photo will not be returned). Tell us a little bit about your pet… Animal name & breed:_____________________________________________ Age and gender of animal:___________________________________________ Favorite person:___________________________________________________ Favorite toy:______________________________________________________ Likes & dislikes:___________________________________________________
Palm View Animal Hospital’s state-of-the-art facility is located at 12120 Miramar Parkway, in the Miramar Square Plaza near Kohls, just east of the 1-75 Miramar exit. For more information, call 954-443-4888 or visit Palm View on Facebook at facebook.com/palmviewvet or Twitter @palmviewvet.
Favorite thing to do:_______________________________________________ Last seen:________________________________________________________
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