Pet Power

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Patricia Smillie-Scavelli
Administrator
Garden State Veterinary Specialists

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Auxiliary has announced that the theme for this year’s National Pet Week (May 6-12) is “Pet Power”. “We all know the love, healing, contentment, trust and power that our pets give to us. Let’s use this theme as a reminder to put our priorities in order,” said Maureen Wilson, vice president for public relations at the Auxiliary. “Know where happiness lies, where peace is, and strive to find that balance for ourselves and our pets. The power of love is remarkable.”

The Auxiliary of the AVMA created this annual event to encourage responsible pet ownership, celebrate the human-animal bond, and promote public awareness of veterinary medicine. Perhaps we can all take this opportunity to appreciate the unique place that companion animals have in our society. The significance of their role became especially apparent during the recent tainted pet food crisis. Pet owners felt responsible for causing their pet’s illness when they found out that the food they had been serving their pet was tainted. The balance that we felt in our lives became upset; the quiet strength that our pets gave us was gone. We blamed ourselves for letting them down; perhaps we felt that we had betrayed the trust that they have in us.

We can look at this experience as a reminder to be better owners of our pets. We can take this occasion to make sure that our pets are current on their vaccinations and have been to their veterinarian for a checkup. Older pets may need to have blood tests run to check for geriatric conditions. Cats that go outdoors may need to ensure that they are inoculated against certain diseases such as Feline Leukemia Virus. Working with your pet’s primary veterinarian will ensure that you are doing everything you can to keep your pet healthy.

Probably one of the best things we can do for our pets though is to enjoy them as much as they do us. Pet power is the power of your pet to put balance into your life and make the day just a little bit brighter.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the professional advice of your veterinarian.

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