Creature Comforts

by Barbara Neal Varma

   When Lorna Whipple thought about bringing Friday, her new Shih Tzu puppy, home for the first time, she felt a mix of joy and worry. Love would soon come bounding in but she'd heard the doggie infant would need so many things. Lorna, a single woman, had her income on a short leash. How would she provide?

   She'd never heard of a "puppy shower" before so she was hesitant when her friend suggested it. Sure, she wanted to pamper the fuzzy newborn, but, really, what would people think?

   "Then my friend reminded me of all the baby and wedding showers I'd been to," Lorna said, "and she was right. It was my turn. I wanted presents for my dog!"

   The trend for owners to shower their pets with not only love but the latest in techno-care to keep their critters healthy and well has not waned, especially in Southern California where calm weather allows owners to have their pick of the litter of every type of pet.  

   For new pups like Friday that need a little coaxing to sleep through the night, there's Comfort Line bedding from Doggles with a hidden mechanism that sounds a soft heartbeat. A faux "momma" dog attached to the bed completes the nurturing package, letting the little one and their owners get a good night's sleep. Then when Spot's all grown up, pet parents can have his bed made to match their own four-poster, complete with brass rails and designer bedclothes.

company, Halo - Purely for Pets, cautions animal lovers against everyday pet food brands she says use "4-D" meat: dead, dying, diseased or disabled. Brown believes what an animal eats, (the quality of nutrients, along with proper supplementation), as well as the purity of his environment, is the foundation of his overall well-being.

   Pet care columnist and veterinarian Marty Becker advises it's just as important to drive your pets to drink. "Many pets drink less as they age and don't get around as much as they used to. Keep multiple water bowls around the house or invest in a water fountain with fresh, oxygenated water." Oxygenated water is based on the theory that movement breaks the surface tension of the water, drawing in oxygen and making for fresher water. Many cat owners will tell you their cats are drawn to a dripping shower or running hose like tigers to a river. Satisfy their cravings with "pet fountains," the latest designer water bowls to hit the high-end pet stores. Becker says it is especially beneficial in kitties with kidney or urinary tract disease who have a critical need for water to support kidney function and prevent crystal formation.

   And as an after-dinner refresher, Synergy Labs makes a doggy mouthwash called "Dental Fresh." Slip a capful in the water dish to give your pooch that just-brushed freshness. Owners, please note: The mouthwash is designed to be swallowed, rather than spit out, so Rover's free to drink his fill.

Healthily Ever After
   

   Many products and services are designed to both pamper your pet and keep them at the peak of health and fitness. Last January the government approved Slentrol, the first drug for obese canines. Posh pet stores are stocking up on high-tech doggy exercise gear, including indoor treadmills for those cold, rainy days. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates between 25 to 35 percent of dogs in the United States are considered overweight. But with a little help from science and society, dog owners can help ensure a longer life for their four-legged friends, and many more years to spoil them with love.

  
   Bring out your kitten's inner panther in style. Tiger Branches are a set of elegant wooden designer shelves that attach to the wall. Pet furniture designer Julia Szabo says they not only provide an indoor jungle to keep kitty fit and trim, but they're an attractive addition to a plain wall, too. Unlike the traditional carpeted cat condo that rests in your living room like an abandoned fifth-grade fort project, this item is designer-approved.
   

   And for those "in sickness and in health" times, there's pet insurance to help reduce the bite of the vet's bill. ASPCA president Ed Sayres says, "Veterinary costs are an important part of animal care and have been rising by approximately 6 percent annually. Too often, pet parents are faced with an impossible choice: the health, sometimes survival, of their pets or their financial well-being. No one should have to make such a decision."