Dear Tiffani,

I’ve been gone a lot with all the holiday season social events and I am concerned that I have been neglecting my dog and cat. Plus, it gets dark so early this time of year that it’s hard to get the dog out for walks. I don’t want to give up my pets just because I’m not spending time with them over the holidays, but I feel bad leaving them alone so much. Any suggestions?

Signed, Keeper of Bored Stiff Pets

Dear Keeper,

I know how difficult it is for me to leave my pets when give me those sad “how could you” looks. Pets can seem like pros at making us feel guilty. However, we need to step back and realize that as long as they get some exercise (it can be mental as well as physical), have a safe, warm place to live, receive clean water, food, and medical care, and get plenty of love; they are doing fine, if not better than most.

Holidays can be a stressful, so don’t add to it by worrying about your pets. With a few adjustments, you can make this season a fun time for both you and your pets by including them in your plans. For instance, instead of going shopping with a friend on a Saturday afternoon, meet for a walk or cross-country ski day where your dogs can join you. A little exercise can go a long way in reducing your stress, too. You could bring a camera along and take photos for holiday cards or gifts. Another photo related idea is to throw a Pet Portrait Party for friends, family, and their pets. You can serve (separate) treats for the humans and pets and it could turn into an enjoyable play date for the dogs that enjoy each other (although cats will probably be hiding under the bed.)

Another fun, pet-friendly holiday theme party is one where you bake dog or cat treats, and pets can join in as professional treat testers. There are several simple recipes below and you can find dog bone cookie cutters and cookbook at At Home on the Range in Livingston. These homemade treats will be welcome gifts for all pet owners – and pets! Another pet party theme is to have your pet-loving buddies bring their best friends over to dip their paws in pet-safe, non-toxic paint to make pictures; this is especially fun with puppies, kittens and kids whose paw and hand sizes you can track in a series of paw prints as they grow up.

Finally, as unappealing as this may be on cold mornings, a brisk walk before work with your dog will give you both a good start to your day. For dawn or dusk walks, use a reflective collar or coat on your dog and if your coat does not have reflectors, you can apply reflective tape.

When not throwing pet-friendly parties or talking walks in the winter wonderland, you can provide your pets with toys that are mentally stimulating for those long winter evenings. Find Kongs, Buster Cubes, or any kind of toy your dog or cat has to move around to get the treats out of at Way out West, Colmey Pet Plaza, Petsmart or at Stafford Animal Shelter. Fill the toys with kibble, peanut butter, cheese-whiz, or tuna bits and your pets will be stimulated and tired out when they’ve cleaned them out. Cat toys that are activated by motion are great for cats during the day while you’re at work and can’t play with them – it’s also great to tire them out this way so they don’t keep you up at night. Many pets also enjoy having music on to keep them company while you are gone.

Hopefully these ideas will open up the possibilities for how you and your pets spend the holiday season. I share your strong desire to spend quality time with pets, but do keep in mind; we usually feel worse than they do about leaving them alone.

SUPER SIMPLE DOG TREATS
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 cup chunky natural peanut butter
1 cup non fat milk

I N S T R U C T I O N S:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. Combine the peanut butter and milk in a bowl, add the flour and baking powder and mix well. On floured surface, knead the dough and then roll it out to 1/4" thick. Cut the treats with dog bone or other fun cookie cutters. Place on baking sheets and bake for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned. Place on racks to cool, then store in airtight containers if the dogs don’t eat them all in one go.

CAT COOKIES
7 oz. mashed sardines
1/4 cup dry non-fat milk
1/2 cup wheat germ 1 tablespoon cat nip (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets. Mix all ingredients well. Roll into 24 small balls. Place on cookie sheet and flatten with a fork. Bake about 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes two dozen happy kitty cookies.

Happy holidays to you and your friends, Tiffani                  

Tiffani Zimmerman is the Behavior Specialist at Livingston’s Stafford Animal Shelter. Email questions to her at behavioradvice@imt.net or call 222-1312.