Pet Memorial Peternity Blog

Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog

Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog
an epithalamion by Taylor Mali
www.taylormali.com

First of all, it's a big responsibility,
especially in a city like New York.
So think long and hard before deciding on love.
On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security:
when you're walking down the street late at night
and you have a leash on love
ain't no one going to mess with you.
Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable.
Who knows what love could do in its own defense?

On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes
and makes funny noises.
Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs.
It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.

Love doesn't like being left alone for long.
But come home and love is always happy to see you.
It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life,
but you can never be mad at love for long.

Is love good all the time? No! No!
Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.

Love makes messes.
Love leaves you little surprises here and there.
Love needs lots of cleaning up after.
Sometimes you just want to get love fixed.
Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper
and swat love on the nose,
not so much to cause pain,
just to let love know Don't you ever do that again!

Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk.
Because love loves exercise.
It runs you around the block and leaves you panting.
It pulls you in several different directions at once,
or winds around and around you
until you're all wound up and can't move.

But love makes you meet people wherever you go.
People who have nothing in common but love
stop and talk to each other on the street.

Throw things away and love will bring them back,
again, and again, and again.
But most of all, love needs love, lots of it.
And in return, love loves you and never stops.

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Pet Grief Counselor is Comforted at Peternity.com

Stellar customer service is VERY important to me - whether I'm giving or receiving it. I pride myself on the service that we offer at Peternity.com and I expect the same from every other service provider that I use. That's a tall order.

One of my favorite things to do is to personally write or call a manager when their employee has served me well with true professionalism, respect, kindness and solid knowledge, and most importantly, in a very personal way. 

Yesterday I received this note from a customer about my amazing employee Betony, who is a very integral part of the Peternity brand. This customer also happens to be a grief counselor, so for me, this is one of the best compliments that we've ever received, and I want to share it with you here:

Our beautiful memorial stone arrived today. It is absolutely gorgeous, and sits in my garden as I type this e-mail: such a respectful, meaningful remembrance of our “dog of a lifetime.” From the moment I viewed your exquisite website I knew I wanted this memorial to be made with you. That was confirmed as I exchanged amazing e-mails with one of your representatives, Betony. I am a Grief Counselor by profession, and she greatly comforted THIS grief counselor along the way. The care and attention with which it was made was exemplified in the way it was carefully packed and made ready for shipment. And, finally, the enclosed beautiful sympathy card speaks to the sincere compassion your company offers grieving pet owners. You will be recommended at every opportunity. Thank you, thank you!

Thank you Betony for all that you do, and for helping to make Peternity.com a great success and comfort to many.

With love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen

Summer Tips for Keeping Your Pets Safe

While many of these things are common sense, I always find value in re-reading them, so thought that you might too. Let's take good care of our pets!

1. Bring your pets indoors. Shade can be deceiving. Pets shouldn’t be left outside on long, hot days, even in the shade. Shade moves throughout the afternoon, and pets can become sick quickly if they overheat, so keep them inside as much as you can.
2. Pets need sunscreen? Yes! Although fur helps to protect  pets, your pet can get sunburned, especially if they have light skin and hair. Sunburn in animals is pretty much the same as it is in people, including peeling, pain, and skin cancer. So during the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, if your pet is outdoors, apply a bit of sunblock on sensitive areas - the skin around the lips, the tips of ears, and the tip of the nose.
3. Water, water, water. Just like us humans, in the heat, your pet need access to lots of fresh water during the summer. Be sure to check the water bowl often and be sure that it's full of fresh, clean water. 
4. Watch out for antifreeze. Hot weather makes puddles tempting to your pet. Puddles can contain antifreeze and other chemicals that are very dangerous for animals. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals like, but as you can imagine, it's extremely toxic. When you’re walking your pet, be sure and keep a close eye on puddles and drinking.
5. Watch the tangles. Your pet's coat has a very important job - to protect from the sun and insulate from the heat. If the breed of your pet is prone to thick hair or a lot of mats and tangles, be sure to keep your pet well groomed and trimmed for the summer. The fur can trap too much heat when it's very matted. 
6. Be aware of humidity. Did you know that our four-legged friends only perspire around their paws? That is not enough to cool the body. And humidity doesn't help. To rid themselves of excess heat, animals pant. As air moves through the nasal passages, it picks up excess heat from the body. As the air is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves along with it. Although this is very efficient, it is severely limited in areas of high humidity.

In love & respect for all creatures,

Colleen