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Forgotten Facts

Friday, September 10, 2021 The Tribune | Weekend | 15 animals Settling into a new home

By KIM ARANHA | Animal Matters

(This happened couple of days ago)

A few clouds around the plane - a bright rainbow off to the left. I am looking out the window...searching, looking for what? Then I hear myself saying, “Hey Chiefie, can you fly fast enough to catch up this plane?”

It didn’t feel like a silly question. It just seemed right at that moment. Am I the only one to talk to their fur babies who have left them for the good life elsewhere?

Three months have gone by, and I still think that I see five dogs around the house and not four.

I have taken Chiefie’s advice and have put up his bowl (somewhere safe but out of the way).

I still think of him every day and wonder how happy he would be in the new house.

Knowing my boy and the way he behaved in Delray Beach a few years ago, I bet he would not be happy anywhere than where he came to as a puppy.

Maybe he was fortunate that he left before the move. Elderly Buddy is happy here and loves that there are no steps. The other three have total control of the garden and have finally figured out what a plate glass door is, after a few head bumps!

It really didn’t take them long to become territorial and bark at passersby; a sure sign they feel at home. There are two very chunky potcakes next door and the chats between them are not always polite. So in order to avoid too many angry conversations, I have put in a second fence a few feet away; no noseto-nose chain-link battles here. In the morning there are a few verbal exchanges, but the “social” distancing keeps things a bit more polite.

Moving is a challenge, and emotional sometimes, for humans. But have you ever thought of what it must be like for your pets? They spend way more time at home than you do. Some pets never leave their property except to go to veterinarian. We go out to work, to school, to lunch or to dinner; almost daily we leave home.

I am going to share a few tips that I found helped me and might be of use to you if and when you move:

1. I made a point of taking them to see the new house first. We walked around the garden and they had an opportunity to “mark” it, so that when we returned to live in it a few weeks later they could say to themselves, “Aha, I have been here before!” It helps make them feel more confident and then on second sniff they realise that their family (human and four-legged) had been there before too. Don’t forget that most conversations (with dogs especially) revolve around what they smell. Their noses give them a huge amount of information. So a pre-move visit lays down the scents that give our fur family confidence.

2. On the day you move, you should have already identified a spot for each animal to feel safe in and have a little bit privacy from each other in. I had a bed for each one, plus an extra one. Don’t worry, they will not be lonely. If they want company they can share a bed or jump up on the sofa.

3. Try to keep some things normal. Feed them their usual dinner at the usual time and give them their bowls in a quiet area. If there are lots of people everywhere, find a secluded dinner spot for them; no distractions or strangers running around.

4. The first night will be the worst. Wherever they used to sleep is no longer available. Try to duplicate some of the features. Make sure there is drinking water consistently available; make sure they are sleeping in the same “pecking order” as before. If Fluffy and Rover shared a space at night before, then they should be sharing in the new house too. If it worked before it will work very well in the new location. 5. Don’t change things too much at first. Try and make things consistent with their lives. Change is not exciting to an animal. In fact, it can be very scary and unsettling.

You know your pets better than anybody else. You can read them and will understand the signals. The first few weeks they may protest and do some naughty things in the house - chew something or have a“mistake” or bark incessantly.

This is their way to let you know they are not pleased. However, with a little patience and understanding that will pass and they will revert to the good boy or girl they were in the past.

pet of the week A divine friend

By THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY

Odin, who is named after the king of the Norse gods, desperately wants to be a house cat. He’s spent some time living in the wild and he much prefers life indoors. Unfortunately, he was picking on the younger cats at the house he’d chosen - and he wasn’t allowed inside - so he’s ended up at the Bahamas Humane Society. Odin’s having a pretty good time chilling in the cat annex, but a home of his own and a human of his own would be his ideal. Being an only cat might be preferable but isn’t required. Odin’s quite chatty when he chooses to be, and he likes to lie high so he can watch what’s going on around him. Do you have a place for Odin? If so, come into the BHS or call 3235138 for more information. Odin looks forward to greeting you!

BELLA gets comfy in her new home

•Need a cat or dog spayed or neutered? The BAARK/BHS Sunday Spay Days will be happening every other Sunday, September through November, with the first dates being September 12 and 26. For more information, and an appointment date, please call 427-7729.