blogcutter (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
blogcutter) wrote2020-03-26 01:30 pm
blogcutter) wrote2020-03-26 01:30 pm
What about our four-legged friends?
As we think about the needs of all members of the family, we shouldn't forget pets. If your pets are like ours, they won't let you forget about them either!
In practical terms, pet supply stores like Petsmart remain open. If you're not self-isolating, you can go there in person and either browse the shelves for what you need or pre-order and have your order brought to your car. They also offer home delivery. Most veterinary hospitals are still open too although for now, the parking lot serves as their waiting room. Given how stressed pets often become in carriers and in the car, I think I know what THEY would have to say about the new arrangements! But it's a relief for their humans to know that at least the service is still available, albeit in modified form. Fortunately our own seven-year-old calico is in good health; things must be tense for families with seriously ill animals, however.
As I type this, the aforementioned calico is snoozing contentedly on my lap. No physical distancing for her! But if you think cats, dogs and other pets are blissfully unaware of the uses of physical distancing... well, I wouldn't be so sure of that. I've known a couple of cats who would flatten themselves as far as possible down to the floor if they knew something was coming that they wanted no part of - clearly they were pretending they weren't really there, and hoping the humans would believe it too! Another one needed a towel draped over him at the vet's office to calm him down. I guess it's sort of like the two- or three-year-old who closes his eyes and says "You can't see me now, Mummy!"
Pets definitely pick up on it if their people are stressed. Maybe our sweat smells different, or there's just a lot more of it? Dumb animals can be pretty smart; unfortunately, smart animals can be pretty dumb too.
We get a lot of comfort from our companion animals. And that's before we even begin to consider special cases like guide dogs for the blind or the various types of therapy animals.
I'll close with my own very amateurish variant of a nursery rhyme with which you are likely familiar. Other people have no doubt varied it in other ways to suit their needs, as that's what the oral tradition is all about!
This little piggy went to the grocery store,
This little piggy stayed home,
This little piggy got swine flu,
This little piggy died in Rome,
And this little piggy went "Oui, oui, oui, oui, oui, let's all go home!"
In practical terms, pet supply stores like Petsmart remain open. If you're not self-isolating, you can go there in person and either browse the shelves for what you need or pre-order and have your order brought to your car. They also offer home delivery. Most veterinary hospitals are still open too although for now, the parking lot serves as their waiting room. Given how stressed pets often become in carriers and in the car, I think I know what THEY would have to say about the new arrangements! But it's a relief for their humans to know that at least the service is still available, albeit in modified form. Fortunately our own seven-year-old calico is in good health; things must be tense for families with seriously ill animals, however.
As I type this, the aforementioned calico is snoozing contentedly on my lap. No physical distancing for her! But if you think cats, dogs and other pets are blissfully unaware of the uses of physical distancing... well, I wouldn't be so sure of that. I've known a couple of cats who would flatten themselves as far as possible down to the floor if they knew something was coming that they wanted no part of - clearly they were pretending they weren't really there, and hoping the humans would believe it too! Another one needed a towel draped over him at the vet's office to calm him down. I guess it's sort of like the two- or three-year-old who closes his eyes and says "You can't see me now, Mummy!"
Pets definitely pick up on it if their people are stressed. Maybe our sweat smells different, or there's just a lot more of it? Dumb animals can be pretty smart; unfortunately, smart animals can be pretty dumb too.
We get a lot of comfort from our companion animals. And that's before we even begin to consider special cases like guide dogs for the blind or the various types of therapy animals.
I'll close with my own very amateurish variant of a nursery rhyme with which you are likely familiar. Other people have no doubt varied it in other ways to suit their needs, as that's what the oral tradition is all about!
This little piggy went to the grocery store,
This little piggy stayed home,
This little piggy got swine flu,
This little piggy died in Rome,
And this little piggy went "Oui, oui, oui, oui, oui, let's all go home!"