Protect pets and humans from arctic cold

Most pets offer valuable companionship and unconditional love, especially when treated respectfully.

No pets exist in my home and it’s doubtful that a dog, cat, fish or fowl ever will receive an invitation to share personal living space.

No doubt such a restriction limits love choices with animal lovers but pets, like people, come with the great reality of heartbreak.

Eventually we say goodbye to friends, family members and a variety of other people in our lives.

Carly, the calico kitty registers as my last pet interest. Her disappearance and subsequent death, remains traumatic thirty years later.

We lived in a carriage house with a pine tree that allowed outdoor adventure for Carly.

An upstairs bathroom window left open gave Carly an up the tree entry.

The quick version. Carly went outside. An unexpected winter storm struck. We left the window open into the early morning hours. No Carly.

We eventually closed the window. The next morning Carly’s footprints were on the rooftop.

She had returned and then departed. Never had another day with the cat who spent almost every morning perched on my chest, her coarse tongue being dragged across my morning face stubble.

Female love interests would never offer such soothing, heart-warming attention.

Our paperboy found Carly’s identification tag several years later.

Pets remain magical companions for many families or as visitors for hospital patients.

Weather forecasters such as Amy Freeze, a meteorologist for WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News Saturday and Sunday Morning, predict severe weather for the Trenton area. (Had to mention this meteorologist with the best real weather name).

Thursday and Friday appear challenging as lows dip into the teens and wind chill temperatures drop below zero.

First and foremost, Trenton officials should implement strategies to provide housing challenged residents with proper shelter.

Secondly, pet owners must assure their animal partners receive warm confines.

The American Veterinary Medical Association offers this valuable information for pet protection during cold and wintry weather.

Winter wellness: Pets should have an annual checkup with a certified veterinarian. This health tune up sounds perfect as dogs, cats and human partners transition to winter.

Know the limits: One might assume that animals with long hair or fur should have minimal issues with cold weather. The AVMA alerts that pets have limits and knowing them could provide comfort for animal companions.

You may want to shorten walks, although exercise remains an important aspect of human/ pet relationships.

Once home, wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of rain, snow or ice.

Give them shelter: If it’s impossible to offer house accommodations for pets then make certain they have necessary blankets, overhead shelter, water and food. Of course, cold weather means water freezes, so keep an eye out for that issue.

Pet proof your home: Animals brought indoors need all the help they can get. Keep them away from space heaters, chocolate and other items that could cause harm to themselves or your home. Lock cabinets that contain household cleaning products and put medications in drawers or other safe areas.

Bring the noise: Warm car engines attract outdoor cats. So, make some noise before starting your vehicle. Another car item involves anti-freeze. This car item tastes sweet to cats and dogs but it can cause serious health issues, including death. Clean up all spills.

Access www.avma.org for more cold weather and pet details or contact the Trenton Veterinary Hospital or West Trenton Animal Hospital to speak with a veterinarian.

Let’s make sure that we protect both our human and animal friends during an expected three days of extremely cold temperatures followed by a weekend ice, rain and snow event.

And Carly, my heart aches for letting you down. Thanks for all the sweet memories and every sandpaper lick on my face.

Be sure to keep your cats and other pets indoors during extremely cold weather.