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It’s the Second Day of the 13 Days of Halloween! Here is the next photo of adorably dressed up pets for you to enjoy…who will win the Free Distance Reiki session? You tell me why you think THIS Halloween Pet should win in the comments! Meet Ellie, as Georgie from “It”.   
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It’s the First Day of the 13 Days of Halloween! And now, we begin a series of photos of adorably dressed up pets for you to enjoy…who will win the Free Distance Reiki session? You tell me why you think THIS Halloween Team of Pets should win in the comments! Meet the coven: Coco, Shanti, and Harley!   update: Shortly after I posted this blog, Jefferson moved on to rainbow bridge ... please read on to find out more about this super duper dog, and "what I learned on Jefferson Street" (reference to the pilot script by character (and dog!) Brian Griffin of "Family GUy") I would like to tell you about my experiences and observations with this rather amazing senior dog I’m working with right now…his name is Jefferson, and you might already know him. He’s been the mascot for MyNextRace.com for years now, and is himself closing in on 16 years of age! Now, sixteen years old is a hefty feat when you’re talking about a smaller dog—say, a Shih-Tzu or a Yorkie—or a cat, but when it’s a medium and even approaching a large breed dog, like an Australian Cattle dog and/or Collie type mix, which is what Jefferson is, it’s quite AMAZING! But not just that…this guy is still walking. Yes, he’s got issues with his hind legs for sure (that’s where I come in, along with his meds and movement), and he will collapse from time to time, but Jefferson’s still going for hour long walks, however slow they might be. He’s still eating. His quality of life is still significant. He has rough times, but he’s still having good times, too.  So, my job as Jefferson’s massage therapist has been to help ease the discomfort in his hind legs, as well as the compensation issues that will come up with his fore legs, shoulders, and back. At first this wasn’t so easy. I’ve been seeing Jefferson on and off since the spring of 2021 (when not in lockdown) and when he was still getting used to massage, or when he’s having a rougher day, he cannot seem to contain his traditional work dog energy. He must keep moving, so he wants to remain standing and needs breaks every few minutes after I’ve finished massaging a limb or some particular area along his barrel, so he can walk around. Honestly, this guy can be a machine! Then there are days, and they happen more often lately, where he’s had a rough night and is out like a light during our whole massage session. These are the times I take the opportunity to get as much light and superficial muscular work done as I can. Why light and superficial, you may ask? Wouldn’t I want to go in deep and really relieve the muscular tension, particularly in his back legs (where there’s likely arthritis)? Well, I can only do so much… …as those of you with senior pets may know, sometimes getting them to eat as much as they can, no matter the quality of the food, gets to become important, particularly in the last few stages of life. Dogs and cats alike can lose some of their sense of smell, so food with a stronger aroma encourages them to eat. It also becomes more important to let them eat whenever they want to, rather than regimenting meals. Again, this is because you want them to get nutrition of some sort into their bodies—at this point in their lives, you get much less fussy about what they’re eating (although you want to balance that a little bit if there are issues with their kidneys or digestive system etc.). This means that my rule about not having eaten 90 minutes prior to massage therapy (or 90 minutes after) has to go out the window, in these kinds of cases. Which means I have to modify the massage, so that it doesn’t overstimulate his digestive system and throw it completely out of whack. The last thing a senior dog needs is an upset stomach or diarrhea that can be avoided. Overworking the circulatory system, and therefore the cardiovascular system, is also not a great thing to do at this point in an older pet’s life.  Jefferson right near the end of a recent massage session--that's my knee. So, Jefferson grazes and his massages are light and brief and intended to support his meds in easing pain and improving range of motion, which means he can keep walking a little longer. And because he can keep up with his walks in some degree, this movement also keeps his joints lubricated. So we get into a positive cycle where massage keeps him moving and his moving keeps his muscles and joints in better condition then they otherwise would be, supporting future massage therapy. And this maintenance continues as long as possible. Jefferson’s journey has provided me with insight into this late stage of senior canine life, and I wanted very much to share it with you all. It might answer a question you have about your own senior dog (or even you older cat)…you may learn something new that will prepare you for your pet’s later years. Mostly I want you to know that senior years can be quality years for a surprisingly long time. You’ll know what’s right for your pet, just as Jefferson’s dad knows what will signal that his quality of life is lacking to the point that a decision will have to be made. But life as a geriatric pet does not mean the end of creature comforts and all those little things that truly matter—like more time with your loved ones. Do you have a senior pet experiencing discomfort from arthritis, joint issues, and the various aches and pains that come with aging? Massage Therapy is an excellent tool in the quality of life improvement tool kit. Contact me now and give your pet the relief they need.
 I'm an older adult male slider that was pulled out of Centennial Park Conservatory in Toronto. I'm healthy and I'm available for you to adopt me today! I require a minimum of a 55 gallon aquarium. If you have a setup already, my adoption fee is only $40. If you need a setup, contact the Little RES Q for options and they will be happy to help you out! About Radford:
Good with Kids, Good with Adults, Hypoallergenic, Likes to swim, Apartment OK, Prefers warm climate  Visit Radford's Page for more info...
 I'm a larger normal ball python and I'm available for you to adopt me today! I require a minimum of a 4 foot enclosure to live in. My adoption fee is only $60. About Taylor
Good with Adults, Hypoallergenic, Apartment OK, Prefers warm climate, Needs special care, Timid, Even-tempered, Not good with small dogs Visit Taylor's Page on the Little RES-Q site to learn more!
 I'm a healthy female Mississippi map turtle and I'm looking for you to adopt me today! The shelter recommends a 55 gallon tank for me. If you have a setup already, my adoption fee is only $40. Will you give me a forever home? About Jezibelle:
Good with Kids, Good with Adults, Hypoallergenic, Likes to swim, Apartment OK, Prefers warm climate  Check out Jezibelle's Page on the Little RES-Q site!
 She's smart. She's sassy. She's a survivor. Professor is a high-energy party girl looking for a cat-centric, experienced forever home that will put her needs first. She's an expert-level litterbox user and wand-toy enthusiast. This tuxedo lady loves luxury (heck, she wears formal-wear to dinner every night!), but she also has a strong spicy side. Born on the streets of Toronto in late fall 2019, her mother and littermate were taken into foster care about a month before rescuers could find her. Unfortunately, that meant she spent weeks alone outside without her family. As a kitten she had to fend for herself and even survive a snowstorm alone. This early-life experience gave her a spicy edge, and extremely high anxiety - she's fiercely independent and may never be a lap cat, but her foster family has seen her bloom over the course of a year. When she arrived at their home, she couldn't even be touched. But slowly, with plenty of patience and hard work, she started to come out of her shell. Now she enjoys skritches, will sit near you on the couch, and can even briefly be picked up (all on her own terms, of course). Also, this girl is also OBSESSED with a certain fish-shaped wand toy. Her foster family has tried to find others, but nope, this is the one. Playing with her every night is non-negotiable - she will drag her toy into the living room and meow to demand your attention. But I mean, who could ever say no to that face?! Areas of improvement that she's looking to explore with her new family: learning to control her tendency to scratch (both people and furniture), feeling more comfortable eating out in the open, and gentle brushing / teeth and nail care. That's why she needs a child-free home with an experienced cat guardian. Are you ready to spend the rest of your winters with this chili-pepper rated Professor? For more photos and video of this intellectual spitfire, check out her foster family's Instagram @cheznellcott. Note: Although she currently lives with our 7-year-old resident cat, Professor displays hunting tendencies and may benefit from a pet-free home.  Check out Professor's Page on the ACR Site!
 I'm a 7 year old male tailless crested gecko and I'm available for you to adopt me today! I require a minimum of a medium tall enclosure to live in. $200 with a full setup or if you have an enclosure already, my adoption fee is only $50. www.littleresq.net Charity#81720 8812 RR0001 Status: Available for Adoption (adoption info) Adoption Fee: $50 Species: Gecko Rescue ID: r555 General Color: Brown Location: 31021 Highway 48 Pefferlaw ON L0E 1N0 Owner Experience Needed: Breed Reaction to New People: Aggressive More about Nemisis Good with Kids, Good with Adults, Hypoallergenic, Apartment OK, Prefers warm climate, Protective, Needs special care, Independent Check out Nemisis' page on the Little RES-Q Site
 Just like his Mean Girls movie namesake, sweet Glen Coco is a total heart stealer! (We like to think he'd get WAY more than 4 Candy Cane Grams.) Glen Coco is a loving, expressive boy who'd like nothing more than to spend most of his day sitting right next to you on the couch, soaking up as many pets as you're willing to give. Walking around instead? No matter: he loves to rub against people's legs! Need a nap? He'd love to nap with you! Coco does NOT like to be picked up, but don't worry; there'll be no shortage of affection with him around. Because he's less playful than other cats his age and not at all mischievous, he'd make a wonderful companion for anyone needing some calm emotional support. Coco may be shy and nervous to begin with, and he's spooked rather easily, but he comes around quickly when there are pets and food involved. He'll make fast friends with cats and humans alike-his foster mom thinks he's a "support cat for cats"! He hasn't been tested around dogs, but his foster mom thinks he could get along with just about any creature that's CALM and nice to him. Because he's so full of love, Glen Coco gets lonely VERY easily. He would be happiest in a home where someone is around very frequently, including when the pandemic ends. He'd also like a buddy cat. A very calm buddy dog might also work! Coco is a very strong shedder with dense fur, and he must be brushed regularly. Luckily, he loves to be brushed! His foster mom uses a Furminator to keep the shedding and furballs down. The entire time that Coco isn't with his foster family, he's looking out a window. Coco would be happiest in a home with a bright, above-ground window so he can observe the world around him. Coco must be adopted as a buddy to a friendly resident cat & to a home where his adopter(s) are frequently home. To see Glen Coco in action look here: https://youtu.be/VJczfblHZ-Y  Check out Glen coco's Page on the ACR site
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AuthorRegan is a certified Canine Massage Therapist (CCMT), has certification in First Aid and CPR for Pets, and some beginner training in Herbal Remedies and Aromatherapy for personal use. Archives
September 2021
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