Many seniors do not have a pet dog or cat because they don’t want to deal with the maintenance that comes along with a furry pet. Walks, picking up poop, litter boxes, 25 lb. bags of food, etc. However, there is one pet you can have that is very easy to care for, and that is the ever-popular goldfish.

(This audiobook is available for purchase on Amazon, at purchase the book.)

We receive calls daily from residents of every city in Volusia County asking if we will come pick up the feral cats in their neighborhood. Halifax Humane Society does not, nor are we authorized to, pick up feral cats. The proper course of action is to contact your local animal control agency or the police department, which will connect you with animal control. They are the agency authorized to deal with feral cats. Another organization, CCFAW.org (Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare) will also coordinate the trap, neuter, return (TNR) of feral cats in certain areas. HHS performs the spay/neuter surgeries for the cats but does not participate in trapping or transport.

(This audiobook is available for purchase on Amazon, at purchase the book.)

Every day for about the last two weeks, I have seen a momma duck and her ducklings walking in the subdivision where I live. Seeing the ducks reminded me of when I lived in South Dakota. (Yes, I lived in South Dakota before relocating back to the Daytona Beach area.) We lived on a 28-acre lake, and we would watch the geese and ducks come out with their babies. In almost every case, there were at least 8 ducklings/goslings per adult couple and as many as 12-15 teams (duck families) on the lake at once. It was fun to observe the tiny little babies mature into adolescent birds, then obnoxious teenagers, and finally full-grown waterfowl. 

(This audiobook is available for purchase on Amazon, at purchase the book.)

(Tear-jerker alert) Back in 2018, a small and very neglected Staffordshire Terrier was brought to Halifax Humane Society by animal control. Malnourished and scared to death, the dog was bleeding from numerous bite marks all over his body. The smaller, more submissive dog was obviously used as a bait dog to train other more aggressive dogs for a dog fighting ring and was in dire distress. Another shelter might have elected to euthanize the animal, but our vet services team worked tirelessly to save the dog. After many weeks of rehabilitation, the dog, now named Bumpy, was on the mend physically, but his mental state was still a struggle. The behavior team worked with Bumpy nearly every day to reduce his fear of other dogs and his fear of the human race.

(This audiobook is available for purchase on Amazon, at purchase the book.)

This time of year (July), due to fireworks and thunderstorms, many dogs and cats run off in an effort to escape the noise that frightens them. A large percentage of pets develop anxiety when dealing with loud noises and storms.

Here is a step-by-step course of action plan to take should your pet go missing.

First, ascertain when the dog went missing, from where, and why. Sometimes people let their dog out into their yard unsupervised. When they return to the yard, their dog is gone. Did the dog jump the fence? Was a gate left open accidentally? 

(This audiobook is available for purchase on Amazon, at purchase the book.)

Most recently I had the opportunity to talk to small groups of children ages 6-8, who attended the Halifax Humane Society (HHS) Summer Camp. I found their level of love and kindness for the animals fascinating, to the point where a few of the campers would tear up when we had to take the dog or cat away to allow the camp to move on to the next presenter. (con't)

This audiobook is available for purchase on Amazon, at purchase book.

I have been writing animal and pet-related columns for many different publications over the years, including the USA Today Network, the Daytona Beach News-Journal, and Seniors Today. During this time, I have written over five hundred columns and have nurtured a reader base of once just a few to now many thousands and still growing.

(This audiobook is available for purchase on Amazon, at purchase the book.)

Some of the columns are more informational, while others are stories and, in some cases, even whimsical. I have always been an animal lover. I am one of those people who believe the first thing that happens when you arrive at the pearly gates is being greeted by the pets you have lost over the years. Oh, how I truly hope this is the case. I would gladly pick up the dog poop from sixteen dogs and one cat, if I could spend eternity with my best friends. (Also hoping no one or animal poops in heaven, but if that’s the case, so be it.)

All proceeds from the sale of this book will go to benefit shelter animals. At the time of this writing, I was the Community Outreach Director of Halifax Humane Society in Daytona Beach, FL.

Thank you for purchasing or downloading this book. Your kindness and generosity are much appreciated. Remember, adopt, don’t shop. 

Column One – Why Do People Have Pets?

     I have always had a pet ever since I was 10-years old and I see no signs of changing my position anytime soon. I don’t think I could be happy without a dog or two (or three) in my life. I do recognize that as I get older, I may not be able to physically care for a pet, but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. Many seniors adjust their pet preference as they age so a pet better fits their lifestyle. Instead of a large Golden Retriever, they may adopt a smaller lap dog or change species all together and adopt a cat or rabbit or bird. (con't)