Blog

Staying In Touch – Over The Years

At House with a Heart, the days are long and often hectic. With the resident dogs and kitties, short term care visitors, and the volunteers all wanting / needing just a little something, Sher is often “out of touch” for most of the day. House with a Heart started in...

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Senior Pet Care: Mental Stimulation

Senior Pet Care: Mental Stimulation

Mental Stimulation for Senior Dogs In addition to physical exercise, mental stimulation is equally important for older dogs. Engaging their minds can help prevent cognitive decline and keep them mentally sharp. Some of the ways to stimulate your dog mentally include:...

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Senior Pet Care:  Happy Cats?

Senior Pet Care: Happy Cats?

Is My Cat Happy? Happy cat body language A slow-moving, lightly-swishing tail or an upright tail. Upright ears. Slow blinks and winks. Softly pawing for attention. Pushing their head or face into your hand. Rubbing against you. Relaxed body posture, loafing, or...

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Senior Pet Care: Happy Dogs?

Senior Pet Care: Happy Dogs?

How do I know if my senior dog is happy? Scientists have studied the ways our dogs communicate love to us, and some may surprise you. They love the sound of your voice. ... They nudge you with their nose. ... They make direct eye contact. ... They jump on you. ......

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Senior Pet Care: Anticipatory Grief – One Day at a Time

Senior Pet Care: Anticipatory Grief – One Day at a Time

Anticipatory Grief: Coping Tip 6. One day at a time. 'A few thoughts by Frank T. McAndrew "Recently, my wife and I went through one of the more excruciating experiences of our lives – the euthanasia of our beloved dog, Murphy. I remember making eye contact with Murphy...

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Senior Pet Care: Anticipatory Grief – Create Memories

Senior Pet Care: Anticipatory Grief – Create Memories

Anticipatory Grief: Coping Tip 5. Create memories. Sometimes people struggle with the idea of taking photos of their ailing pet. But there are other ways to create memories. Indulging your friend with special treats and outings can help ease these difficult days for...

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Senior Pet Care: Anticipatory Grief – Talk to your Vet

Senior Pet Care: Anticipatory Grief – Talk to your Vet

Anticipatory Grief: Coping Tip 4. Talk to your vet. Euthanasia may be the most compassionate choice you can make for your pet. But deciding when to “let go” can cause a lot of anxiety. Your trusted vet can be your support system, a source of comfort and reassurance as...

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Senior Pet Care: Anticipatory Grief – Plan Ahead

Senior Pet Care: Anticipatory Grief – Plan Ahead

Anticipatory Grief: Coping Tip 3. Plan ahead. Thinking through end-of-life decisions, such as in-home euthanasia or cremation/burial preferences, can bring some peace of mind. #InHomeEuthanasia #FamilyDiscussion #PetLossSupport This is always difficult but thinking...

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Senior Pet Care: Anticipatory Grief – Ask for Help

Senior Pet Care: Anticipatory Grief – Ask for Help

Anticipatory Grief: Coping Tip 2: Ask for help. Caring for your aging/ailing pet can be exhausting! Multiple medications to give, “accidents” to clean up, interrupted sleep, frequent trips to the vet. Maybe family members, friends, or neighbors would be happy to offer...

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