MSI Press Blog

  Travel brings excitement — new places, new rhythms, a break from routine. But for pet owners, it also brings a question that can tug at the heart: What’s best for my animal while I’m away? There’s no universal answer. The right choice depends on your pet’s temperament, health, and the nature of your trip. Here’s how to think it through. 1. Boarding: structure and supervision Boarding can be ideal for pets who thrive on routine and social interaction. Pros: Constant supervision, regular feeding and exercise schedules, and professional care. Many facilities now offer enrichment activities and webcams for peace of mind. Cons: Stress from unfamiliar surroundings, noise, and other animals. Cats and anxious dogs may shut down or refuse food. Best for: Social dogs, adaptable cats, or pets who have boarded successfully before. If you choose boarding, visit the facility first. Observe cleanliness, staff demeanor, and how animals are handled. A short trial stay before a long trip can...

  In midlife dating, you’re not just meeting a person. You’re meeting their animals —the furry, feathered, or occasionally scaly gatekeepers who have strong opinions and zero social filters. Pets are the real judges of character. They don’t care about your résumé, your hobbies, or how good you look in your profile picture. They care about vibes. And they will absolutely let you know if yours are acceptable. Here’s what to expect. 1. The Cat Who Stares Into Your Soul Cats are the original background‑check service. You walk in. You sit down. You smile politely. The cat appears silently, like a Victorian ghost, and fixes you with a stare that says: “I know what you did in 1994.” If the cat approves, it will blink slowly. If the cat disapproves, it will turn around and present you with its backside, which is the feline equivalent of a negative Yelp review. Midlife daters know: If the cat doesn’t like you, the relationship has a 50% survival rate at best. 2. The Dog...

  This resource fell under my hand recently. I am passing it along in case it could help others.  Happy Caturday! Search for free or low cost pet support services like veterinary care, pet food pantries, temporary pet care and more. ZIP  Search If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the  Suicide and Crisis Lifeline , chat with them online via their website, or text HOME to 741741 (multiple languages available). If this is an emergency, call 911. This curated database of resources is provided by Human Animal Support Services and its partners to keep people and pets together. For more Caturday posts, click HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing...

  This is just a plea, on Caturday, for pet owners who are in smoky areas caused by the recent Canadian firestorms to remember that pets, too, need protection from smoke. So, keep them inside and breathing easy with the air that you have managed to arrange for yourself to breathe safely. Here is a fact sheet that explains the effects of smoky air on your cats and dogs. It only takes a minute or two to read. Check it out HERE . See more Caturday posts   HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC newsletter Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book , and  Instagram .   Interested in publishing with MSI Press LLC? Check out information on  how to submit a proposal . Interested in receiving a free copy of this or any MSI Press LLC book  in exchange for  reviewing  a current or forthcoming MSI Press LLC book? Contact editor@msipress.com. Want an  author-signed copy  of this book? Purchase the book at 25% discount (use coupon code FF25) an...

  War and natural disasters create atrocious living circumstances not only for the people caught in the vortex but also for their pets, who are not used to foraging for themselves, have not built up the skills for survival, and are met with austere conditions too frequently too overwhelming to support their efforts to stay alive. Ukrainians are devoted to their pets; having to leave them behind may look like desertion but in a blitzkrieg style war can be the only option to helping ensure a fleeing family itself survives -- and is likely gut-wrenching. Many families are scooping up their pets. Some cannot, and their pets are now on the streets. Network for Animals is stepping in and doing the best it can to take care of animals left behind. It needs help. Help = money. Any amount; US dollars stretch farther there than here. Network for Animals is registered in a number of countries, including Brazil, the USA, and UK, as a reputable charity, and contributions are considered tax deduc...

  When my beloved Murjan was dying from cancer , I was desperate for information, but my husband was dying from cancer at the same time, which gave me very little time for seeking out answers. Murjan was almost 19 years old and had been on chemotherapy for three years. His vet did not know how to help him further, but she apparently did not want to admit that -- and subconsciously I did not want to admit that she did not know what to do and had essentially given up on him. I was unable to get timely appointments, or any appointments at all, even in the emergency room. We do not have any vets in town. I have to travel no matter what. Murjan's vet was located an hour north of us. To get help, I contacted other vets. A vet to the west of us recommended hydration, and so we stated hydrating Murjan every other day. His vet to the north allowed as to how that might help. But Murjan kept losing weight. He was down to 5 pounds (from 16 pounds) when he died.  Finally, a vet to the sou...