2014 Creature Comforts Picnic & Pet Food Drive

Hi Friends!

As we all know how quickly time passes, I am sure you can appreciate the importance of planning in advance.  Especially when an organized event is involved.  I will soon begin planning for the 2014 Creature Comforts Client Appreciation Picnic & Pet Food Drive.  I intend to have the event around the same time as last year (middle of Septebmer).

Ensuring that the +/2014 Creature Comforts Picnic and Pet Food Drive will be a success, I would greatly appreciate your input.  I welcome your constructive comments and suggestions.  Because the food, entertainment and offerings in the 2013 event were all so great, I would like to bring back the same in addition to the possibility of providing low cost vaccinations and health exams at the event. 

Please let me know your thoughts on the idea of low cost vaccinations and health exams at the 2014 Creature Comforts Picnic & Pet Food Drive.

Thanks so much for your input.  Grateful for your friendship and support.

Warmly,

Paul

Paul F. Flotron

Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC

"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"

www.CreatureComfortsGreatnSmall.com

314-200-8561

Cell:  314-775-7107

PaulFFlotron@yahoo.com

(**  An Excerpt of Creature Comforts Picnic & Pet Food Drive Highlights and Offerings Are Below):
The Creature Comforts Great & Small Client Appreciation Picnic & Pet Food Drive

to benefit those animal rescue organizations

and no-kill animal shelters that make a difference



COME - RAIN OR SHINE



Bring your pets, friends and family



Sunday, September 15, 2013

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Creve Coeur Park



Heldman Picnic Shelter at Creve Coeur Park - Heldman Shelter is on East Side of Creve Coeur Mill Road overlooking across Creve Coeur Lake - Due South of Tremayne Shelter and Immediately South of Crystal Springs Golf Center
http://hlaa.convio.net/site/DocServer/CreveCoeurParkMap.pdf?docID=941

Please bring a pet food/pet supply donation

 

Great Food, Entertainment & Fun

Live Music -- GC Swing Band
http://www.graniteband.com/

Workout With Your Dogs In A Free
 Session With Fitness Expert Michelle Kiehne
In Her Premiere Program "Best Friends Forever Fit"

http://www.rockstarfitnesstraining.com/best-friends-forever-fit/

Dog Washing For Free
http://www.johnpaulpet.com/

Great Barbecue From St. Louis Rotisserie
http://www.caterwithus.com/

 

Attendance Prizes, Silent Auction

Enjoy delicious barbecue catered by St. Louis Rotisserie

http://www.caterwithus.com/

Great music and entertainment provided by the Granite City Swing Band

http://www.graniteband.com/

Meet A Couple of Stray Rescue Dogs Available For Adoption & Meet A Stray Rescue Representative

http://www.strayrescue.org/

You and your furry friends can learn how to be fit together.  Fitness expert Michelle Kiehne will lead you and your dog in her "Best Friends Forever Fit" program for FREE.

Best Friends Forever Fit:

http://www.rockstarfitnesstraining.com/best-friends-forever-fit/

Have your dogs bathed for FREE by a Paul Mitchell stylist and learn more about Paul Mitchell's pet products

http://www.johnpaulpet.com/

Creature Comforts and Paul Flotron In Need of Your Testimonials & Referrals

Dear Friends!

 

When someone takes the time to recount a positive experience, it speaks volumes.   And so I would like to request a small favor – a testimonial that will give others a sense of the experience and service I offer.  Whether you are a client employing my pet care services business Creature Comforts or a friend and fellow supporter of my work with animal rescue, pet therapy and community outreach programs, I would appreciate you sharing some positive words.

 

I have always felt that the testimonial is a powerful indicator of excellence.  I strive to provide such excellence with each and every time I provide a service and interact with you and your pets.  I sincerely hope that describes your experience with me.  This testimonial can be as short or as long as you like.  It is valuable to my future business and, just as importantly, allows me to continuously improve upon the level of service I provide.

 

Recently, several clients and friends have submitted glowing testimonials.  I would be eternally grateful if you would also share some positive words about your experience with me and Creature Comforts.

 

Creature Comforts Great & Small and I welcome feedback, grateful for constructive comments and your favorable reviews to assess whether we're doing a good job keeping valued customers like you happy.  I am committed to providing exemplary service.

In addition to your testimonials, I will be eternally grateful for spreading the word about my pet care services and Creature Comforts.  Referrals are the life-blood of my business.

 

Please e-mail me your testimonials to PaulFFlotron@yahoo.com for sharing your thoughts on your experience with me and Creature Comforts.

 

Examples of some of my past client testimonials are below.  I sincerely appreciate your help and look forward to serving your needs for years to come.

 

With kindest regards,

 

 

Paul

 

Paul F. Flotron

Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC

"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.CreatureComfortsGreatnSmall.com%2F&h=vAQEP77Uv&s=1

314-200-8561

 

Cell:  314-775-7107

 

E-Mail:  PaulFFlotron@yahoo.com

 

Testimonials  

What Our Clients Say About Us:

 

"I have known Paul Flotron for many years and use him exclusively as a pet sitter for our family dog.  Paul is trustworthy and extremely conscientious in providing the best possible dog sitting services.  Paul goes above and beyond what we expect and our dog looks forward to his visits.  I cannot imagine anyone providing the level of service and care as Paul does with Creature Comforts, and I strongly recommend his services to those considering a pet sitter."

 

 

-Kevin Marquitz

 

"I so appreciated your rapid response to a stranger in my hour of need.  You did, indeed, go the extra mile.  Your thoroughness and professionalism was very much appreciated."

 

-Connie Rose

 

"After meeting Paul for the first time, I felt more than 100% comfortable entrusting my girls' care to him. I knew without a doubt that he was a trustworthy, caring person.  I could tell how much he loved animals.  He exceeded my every expectation, with frequent phone calls, texts, and email summaries of how the girls were doing while I was gone.  Paul knew that I was nervous about leaving them, and made sure I knew that they were being well taken care of.  Paul changed his schedule to accommodate my own, drove farther than usual, and did everything he could to help me since my departure was last minute and unexpected.  I would recommend anyone needing a petsitter to contact Paul Flotron, as he is great with animals, trustworthy, honest, responsible, and will take excellent care of your pets.  Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC went above and beyond."

 

-Cheryl

*Mommy to Prissy and Pebbles, and Foster Mommy to Ellie and Belle

 

We moved from Chicago one year ago not knowing anyone and we were blessed to find Paul to look after our dog Milo.  Paul is very conscientious and trustworthy.  We recently lost Milo to cancer and Paul has been wonderful and instrumental in helping us find another Boxer to adopt.  We look forward to having Paul walk our new dogs in the near future.

 

Richard and Mary

 

We highly recommend Paul to take care of your pet.  He was outstanding with our little dog (she really gave him a fit, but he handled everything beautifully).  He was also highly responsible about the care of our home while staying with our dog.

 

 

Marlene I.

 

A Community Outreach Testimonial:

 

"I was able to witness not only the spirit Paul brings to the situation, but also the organization and teamwork.  Paul has recruited an army of volunteers to help him in this endeavor to make a difference in people’s lives.  These individuals have touched patients in our own hospice settings.  When words are too complex to reach across limitations occurring in the minds of our patients, Paul, his army of volunteers and pets cross that barrier with their energy and spirit of love!"

 

-Brenda McGarvey 

Regional Volunteer Program Coordinator 

Unity Hospice

 

A Recent Client Testimonial:

 

"Paul has been taking wonderful care of my four legged kids for three years.  He has been there for me when it is a day that he is not scheduled no questions asked.  I work very long hours and am peace knowing that he will be at my home taking care and tiring my children out.  I will always recommend Paul and his service to anyone. He cares for my kids as if they are his."

 

  Nancy, Katie and Tucker.

 

Client Testimonial For Creature Comforts Great & Small

Submitted to Angie's List

 

"I care for my animals very much and only want the best for them. I was referred to Paul Flotron to take care of my beloved pets.  Paul is amazing with the animals!  He’s just so good. While I was gone he maintains the cleanliness of the house.  Paul brought my mail and newspaper in while were we gone, and while he's away he maintains the lived in effect.  He also gave us a diary of what he did with the dogs while we were gone everyday. The dogs were healthy, taken care of, and walked.  Paul works 7 days a week.  He’s very well spoken.  He's very much dedicated to the animals, his clients and his business.  In closing, it took me 5 years and many interviews to find someone with such high standards while valuing my pets as much as I do.  To me, that's an irreplaceable feeling."

  Hannah & Ron

 

"Paul has been walking, house sitting, loving and caring for my two Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers for about two years.

In sum, Paul is a unique, dedicated, responsible, knowledgeable, understanding, concerned, trustworthy, faithful professional.

Specifically, Paul is an animal lover, who has bound his love to his work. Always concerned and aware, he is there if and when you need him.  His concern for my pets, his constant considerations of what is needed and his interest in making his work the best it can be, continue to amaze me. His charges are very reasonable and I recommend him without any reservations."

Joyce K.


"Creature Comforts is like an assured peace of mind when my husband and I travel, which has been quite frequently. Paul Flotron is amazingly professional and reliable. He always keeps us posted of how the dogs are doing and also keeps a really neat log of details for our return reading. I would highly recommend Paul to anyone who is looking for a reasonably priced, wonderful companion and caregiver for our dogs, and genuinely the most hardworking, trustworthy person I know. He goes above and beyond to assure our fur babies and home are well cared for."

Dara H-A


"I am an apartment manager at an apartment community in Creve Coeur. We had seen Paul walking a Golden Retriever (Penney) that resides here. We were very impressed with how much Paul had taught Penney just in the few weeks we saw them walking together. At our apartment community we truly celebrate our "animal" residents!

Each year when we close down our outdoor pools we allow our K-9 friends to embark on a swimming journey for the afternoon!
Last year we invited Paul to attend the event, talk with our residents and their K-9 friends and introduce himself. Paul was a big hit.

When you first meet Paul, you can tell he is a gentle soul with only the best in mind for your pet. He is extremely knowledgeable with many animal breeds including cats, birds and reptiles.

My husband and I own 2 dogs and they are our "fur kids." I would have the utmost confidence in Paul to care for them in any way. I have had great feedback from our residents with regard to Paul's ability, his friendliness and his knowledge of pets and their care.

Without hesitation, I would recommend Paul for any pet care you and your family may need.

Regards,

Chelle

"I found Paul through a recommendation from a friend last summer and have used him at least once a month since.  The care that he gives the dogs is second to none!  My oldest dog is 14 and I have tried just about every dog boarding facility and sitter in town and Paul is the only one I will use from now on.  I know he will write a detailed daily update, but I prefer a daily text and they are very informative.  He always has a nice note for me when I return.  My dogs are happy and my house is spotless!  You can tell he loves what he does and I never worry about my dogs for one minute when I am gone.  I am so very grateful that I finally found someone to love my three dogs as much as I do."

Betsy M.

 

For The Love of Pets!

Hi Friends!

Do you look forward to your dog tackling you with love every time you walk in the door? How about the calming purr of your cat as it rests on your chest?  Pet owners know that their pets are special.  Sometimes it's the little things that shape relationships in life, and the relationship with a pet is no different.  As any pet owner knows, pets don't have the same type of hang-ups or grudges that humans have. They're perfectly willing to walk with you through life, comfort you in your troubles and cheer you on when life is grand.

The perfect human would have the attitude of a dog -- loving, loyal, happy, protective, faithful and honest. I wish I could be more like all the dogs I know.  At least the dogs I know, their attitude is admirable.  From a dog's perspective, every day is the best day of their life.

Having pets throughout my entire life I know the happiness I have felt through my companionship with my animals?  Yet, still it begs the question, why do pets make us so happy?  Why is it that even though we know all the work and responsibility involved, even though we know we will have to bear the eventual heartbreak of watching our pets grow old, even though we know we will someday lose them altogether-why, then, do we still regard the prospect of sharing our homes with birds, cats or dogs (or horses, or goats, or what have you) with such unalloyed joy?

From my view, I see that humans are pack animals, and it is the way God created us to be social, to form families and to build communities.  It's been essential to our survival as a species-to make others happy.  Some of us experience this need to a greater extent than others, but the desire to please others is as hard-wired into us as using tools or walking on two legs.

And, despite all the seeming effort involved, the truth is that it's so easy to make an animal happy-so much easier than it seems to be to make other people happy. When my birds have their favorite food, their favorite toys, and their favorite lap to cuddle in, they're so deeply happy they practically radiate it.  Their happiness isn't complicated the way human happiness is, with worries about future troubles or what they might have to offer in exchange for the happiness they've been given. There is not a concern that showing happiness too openly might make the happiness go away, the way, for example, you might not want to appear too enthusiastic in the earliest stages of a romantic relationship.

Let's take a hypothetical example.  Let's say a young man has an interest in a very special lady.  On one hand, he wants her to know of his feelings.  After all, it has been a few years.  The romantic ideal of shouting from every rooftop that this particular person is so beautiful and wonderful seems right.  Yet, on the other hand, it may not be a good idea.  His concern is that it may jeopardize the friendship or otherwise, it simply is not the right time.  Why does it have to be so complicated?  Is not life best lived with simplicity?

Do animals go through all of these "mental gymnastics?"  I think not.  If an animal likes you chances are you clearly know.  If there is a purer, less complicated joy than that of making an animal happy, I have yet to experience it. And there's something deeply fulfilling about knowing that, even in a complicated and often unkind world, you've managed to create a pocket of perfect security and bliss for at least one small creature.

As I write this, Dudley is playing with his many toys and spiraling down the ladders on his enormous parrot play gym.  At this exact moment, Sing-Sing is cozy underneath a blanket spread over and curled up in my lap, cooing away.  Dudley and Sing-Sing are unaware that I've been agonizing over planning the day and weeks ahead to ensure that all pet care jobs are handled with great care or worrying about how to grow a business, pay bills, life's obligations and responsibilities and oh, so much more.  

All they know right now is the tasty, delicious pasta with a little smidgen of pizza along with some alfalfa sprouts I just gave them for just a few of their favorite treats (Pasta and Pizza, which seriously must be made with the parrot equivalent of cat nip, my birds go so nuts for them!  Incidentally, they go crazy for nuts too), and Sing-Sing's favorite perching spot on the parrot play gym just got freed up now that Dudley just left to have some more pizza and pasta.  Dudley hails from Central and South America, so he is Latin and Sing-Sing is from Australia and New Zealand....so, I am still trying to teach Dudley to say "Hola, Buenos dias" and Sing-Sing to say "G'day Mate."  I might as well just give up as I think they both have more Italian in them judging by how much they love pizza and pasta....so, I'll just teach them to say "mangiare."

Some days, it's good to be a bird.....

May your day be filled with creature comforts and love shared with your pets!

Warmly,

Paul

Paul F. Flotron

Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC

"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"

http://www.creaturecomfortsgreatnsmall.com/

314-200-8561

Cell:  314-775-7107

PaulFFlotron@yahoo.com

Today Is World Wildlife Day!

Dear Friends!

Today is World Wildlife Day.  I am a very passionate man.  I am passionate about animals and dedicating my entire life to creating awareness ensuring that each animal is afforded the best life possible.  For my entire life, I have had a deep appreciation and empathy for the underdog.  Being a voice for the voiceless is my lifelong commitment.  In tribute to World Wildlife Day, here are videos to briefly outline what setting aside this day means:

Message from the CITES Secretary-General for World Wildlife Day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsRRpfP-hKc

Kuki Gallmann, CMS Ambassador, on World Wildlife Day 2014

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jSJm_VBqx8

In honor of World Wildlife Day, I would like to discuss how we as humans can make a difference in the lives of animals.  Every single day, I am faced with a serious responsibility, a privilege and a moral dilemma.  As many of you know, I have two beautiful birds as my animal companions.  Dudley is a Yellow-Nape Amazon Parrot I adopted and rescued over 21 years ago and today is around 33 years old.  Sing-Sing is an Umbrella Cockatoo I welcomed into my home when I lived in Southern California in 2006.  At the time, Sing-Sing was only 10-months and now 8 years old.

To make a distinction, I use the word “companion” when I refer to a “pet” parrot because that is what they are and that is how they must be viewed.  Parrots are inherently flock animals and since we have removed them from their native habitat, it is very important that we do our best to replicate what they have lost by living in our homes.  I have become a part of Dudley and Sing-Sing's flock and it is my job to learn how that impacts Dudley and Sing-Sing.  As their flock leader, I also need to remember that parrots are still wild animals. They have been tamed, but they are genetically still wild and function from that point of view.

I have a heightened awareness over the responsibility for wild animals since I have two wild but tamed animals living in my own home.  So, what how should we as humans treat, manage and be responsible for wildlife and wildlife conservation?

What should we protect when managing and conserving wildlife?  There's no single answer. Competing values, and different prioritizations of values create ethical dilemmas and disagreements.

Wild animals have always been a critical resource for human beings. Historically, food, fur, and leather were key to human survival — more recently, wildlife has assumed high economic and cultural significance. Wild animals provide entertainment in circuses, zoos, and wildlife parks, they form a central attraction in international tourism, and they are key members of ecosystems on which humans rely for vital services. Equally, wild animals can be seen as threatening to human beings; for instance, they can be sources of new human diseases (zoonotics), and they can damage or consume human crops. What matters here, whether as resource or threat, is how useful — or otherwise — wildlife is to human beings. Environmental ethicists often call this instrumental value.

In modern debates about wildlife, however, other values have become increasingly important. One focus is on animal welfare — the wellbeing of individual wild animals (e.g., in terms of animals' flourishing, or suffering). There are also concerns about protecting species or populations of wild animals, about protecting the ecosystems of which wild animals form a part, and about protecting wild nature itself. The wellbeing of individual animals matters less where species, ecosystems, or wild nature is emphasized — indeed, painful predation may be understood as promoting ecosystem health, or as applying the right kind of selective pressure on a species as a whole.

In response to pressures on wild animals and their habitats, a nature and wildlife protection movement has grown over the last two centuries.  Often this protection has taken the form of active wildlife management, where some species are controlled as part of a policy to promote the success of other species.  This raises key questions about the responsibilities we have to wild animals. What should we try to protect? How should we balance different, potentially conflicting, values such as nature protection and individual animal welfare?

The management and use of wild animals generates ethical disagreements and dilemmas in which human needs, preferences, and interests, concern for individual animal welfare, and the value of biodiversity, ecosystems, and wild nature are part of the discussion. The way in which these different values are prioritized will determine policy.

In 2008, I established a group at a church called Noah's Ark Animal Lovers Group.  In a perfect world, which this is not, every single human could be a "Noah" -- yet, I realize that this is an imperfect, complicated world in which we live.

Blessings to you and your families for your love and care for animals.

Warmly,

Paul

Paul F. Flotron

Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC

"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"

http://www.creaturecomfortsgreatnsmall.com/

314-200-8561

Cell:  314-775-7107

PaulFFlotron@yahoo.com

Understanding Your Pet

Hi Friends!

I am considered to be a very expressive person.  I've been told by all who know me that when I'm feeling something, I don't hide it or have a lot of trouble doing expressing my thoughts or feelings, either in words or body language.  I define open expressiveness as willing to look the person in the eyes, or tell the person over the phone, "I miss you" or "I really like you" or "I'm thinking of you."  Overall, I consider myself an extrovert; I like people, I like conversing, I like community.  I suppose that is the reason why I love parrots, dogs and well, love all animals so much.

I am very relationship-oriented.  Since I consider relationships a top priority, I am committed to developing great relationships with my clients and their pets.  The main ingredients I believe are important in a sucessful relationship are: Communication, Trust, Understanding, and Honesty.  Understanding people and they way they operate is the only way to conduct a genuine relationship.  It is beneficial and healthy to get ‘inside the mind’ of the person you are in relationship with or in some type of interaction.  I believe this to also be the case with animals.

As is the case with developing a bond and strengthening a relationship with my birds Dudley and Sing-Sing.  Communication, Trust, Understanding and Honesty has to take place between me, Dudley and Sing-Sing, just as it must occur with any other.  However, an understanding has to be developed and learned.

After all, birds are not born with an understanding of how to fit into a human family.  Many things that are natural behaviors in parrots in the wild, and even essential to their survival, are not considered appropriate behavior in our eyes. Often misbehavior is the result of misunderstandings between the owner and the bird, or of unrealistic expectations the owner has about how the bird should behave. Dogs are very expressive animals. They communicate when they’re feeling happy, sad, nervous, fearful and angry, and they use their faces and bodies to convey much of this information. Dog body language is an elaborate and sophisticated system of nonverbal communication that, fortunately, we can learn to recognize and interpret. Once you learn how to “read” a dog’s postures and signals, you’ll better understand his feelings and motivations and be better able to predict what he’s likely to do. These skills will enable you to interact with dogs with greater enjoyment and safety.

It helps to first learn about the various components that make up dog body language. Dogs use facial expressions, ear set, tail carriage and overall demeanor to signal their intentions and feelings to others. Breaking their body language down into components is helpful at first for building your observation and interpretation skills. Your goal, however, is to be able to observe the entire dog and the situation or context he’s in, in order to accurately determine what he’s trying to say. It’s not possible to understand your dog’s feelings and intentions by looking at just one aspect of his body language.  

One of the most common mistakes an owner can make with their dog is to misread what the dog is saying into something completely different. We humans do it all of the time. The dog's body language says one thing, and we interpret it into something completely different, basing our assumption on what we ourselves are feeling. In reality dogs see and read the world much differently than we humans. If we humans better understood our dogs, we could prevent many dog bites and other behavioral issues.

For example, let’s take a simple act of a hug. To humans, a hug means love and affection. When a human receives a welcomed hug from a loved one it makes us feel good inside.

But just what does a hug mean to a dog? Humans are always hugging their dogs and when we do, we are giving the dog affection and sharing our love. However, what most humans do not realize is to a dog, a hug is not affection at all. To a dog, a hug symbolizes a social status ranking as dominance and an invasion of space—lower members of the pack give space to the higher members to show respect. The position of the body is also meaningful to a dog. The one on top represents a higher status ranking. Therefore, when you bend down and wrap your arms around a dog you are not only on top, but you are in their space.

Keeping this logic in mind, it makes total sense to not run up and hug a strange dog. Many children are bitten every day by hugging dogs, and if you look at it from the dog’s perspective, who would blame them? A stranger runs over, asserting dominance on a dog they have just met and the dog's reaction is to communicate to this being that they do not wish to be dominated. Unlike horses and deer who are "flight animals," a dog is a "fight animal" and will communicate his displeasure with a growl and/or a snap or bite.

That being said, it is not bad to hug a dog that is familiar with you if the dog is calm and in a submissive state of mind, so long as you are hugging them at a time when you are relaxed and happy. As a matter of fact, the emotional sensation humans receive from hugging can be felt by the dog, and that energy radiating from the humans can be very calming to the dog. Not because the hug has the same meaning to the dog, but because he is enjoying the calm he feels coming from you.

Space

I often hear people say that when they correct their dog for a bad behavior, the dog sulks, leaves the room or turns his head because the dog is "upset." The humans interpret this behavior as the dog's feelings being hurt. They feel bad and believe they need to "make up" with the dog.

What is the dog really saying? If you correct your dog and he turns his head or leaves the room, he is giving in to you and accepting you as his leader. Giving space and turning away from direct eye contact are submissive behaviors. When humans try and "make up" with a dog after the dog has given in to you, it sends mixed signals to the dog.

Dogs communicate in many ways with each other, using verbal cues, body language and facial expressions.  They also try to communicate with humans using these methods. Humans, of course, communicate with dogs with commands and phrases. Dogs can learn hundreds of human sounds but they can't string them together.  Thus, the need for short commands such as "Sit!" and "Come!" Many of our communication tools are lost on dogs, such as sarcasm (to indicate frustration) or closed body language (to indicate you're uncomfortable) or a look of surprise.  So, to enhance our communication with our canines, we must learn to get back to the basics and speak "dog."

I realize everyone is extremely busy and lead fast-paced lives.  However, I encourage you to take time out of your hectic schedule to learn more about your dog or pet and what he is trying to communicate.  Understanding and effective communications are key in any relationship.

Warmly,

Paul

Paul F. Flotron

Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC

"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"

http://www.creaturecomfortsgreatnsmall.com/

314-200-8561

Cell:  314-775-7107

PaulFFlotron@yahoo.com

Happy Valentine's Day From Paul, Dudley & Sing-Sing

Hi Friends!

A Very Special Day Is Fast Approaching -- Love Is In The Air -- And Are You Prepared?

The love of your life is... an animal!  What do you give Fido, Felix, or Polly for Valentine's Day?  Here are some playful and yummy ideas for Valentine's Day pet gifts.

Who doesn't hang out with best friends, won't gossip about you, never leaves the toilet seat up, and adores you even if you've put on 10 pounds and you haven't shaved in a week?  That's right - your pet!  Dog, cat or bird, their world revolves around you... and food, of course.

So, when you're shopping for Valentine's Day gifts, don't forget to pick one up for the one sweetie who will love you to the ends of the earth, or at least, to the end of the leash.

Why have 'em if you can't spoil 'em!  I'm referring to pets, not kids.  So many of us do spoil them.  How many times have we tossed a special pet treat or surprise into the grocery cart while shopping? In fact, in my opinion, there are some who treat their pets better than they treat their spouses.  Could there be some truth in that?  If our spouses or significant others bark at us, we bark back.  If our dog barks at us... what do we do?  We give him a treat.  Yes, you are right, doing so is rewarding potentially behavior we are hoping to curb and eliminate.  A treat doesn't exactly send the right message and is the right course of action.  Admit it though, there are some occasions when you have given a treat inappropriately.

I am taking the liberty to offer some gift suggestions for your pets on Valentine's Day.  If you're stymied on what to pick up for Fluffy or Big Boy, consider some of these. They're not all practical, but they're fun... just like Valentine's Day.

DOGS

• Treats Unleashed Freshly Baked In-Store Gourmet Dog Cookies.  I have to tell you, these cookies are yummy-looking enough to tempt even a human bite!  These eye-catching cookies are soft-baked with organic grains and flours from recipes especially designed around the health and well being of pets.

• Stuffed animals: No. They're not edible, but your pup will sure have fun playing with these adorable fuzzy stuffed monkeys, lions elephants and mice.

• Hol-ee Roller by JW Pet:  This is a durable honey combed ball chew toy that your dog can't destroy. It comes in small, medium and large dog sizes and in a variety of bright colors. Jimbo may even let you play with it too.

• Talking Rose Dog Toy:  Made of plush, velvety material, this dog toy rose says, "I love you, I love you" when squeezed. It comes in large and small dog sizes. A little squeeze by your pup will get the message across.

•  Petco Cudller Bed:  We all like a soft, cuddly bed for a nice afternoon snooze. Your dog does too. Cozy, new beds are always great for Valentine's Day pet gifts.

CATS

• Crazy Circle by Pet Mate:  Drive your cat crazy chasing this ball around in circles. Various companies manufacture similar toys. Cats love 'em and they entertain us too.

• Chill Pill by Loopies:  These 3 1/2 inch long plush pill-shaped cat toys are filled with catnip and fit nicely in a pair of paws. These are pills your cat will love taking!

• Bellyrubs:  It's no secret that cats love fish, so the scent of these fat, dry flakes made from 100% Bonita tuna should really drive Tiger wild. This treat is rich in Omega 3's, making it healthy too.

• Kong Kickeroo:  Your kitty will enjoy wrestling with this rectangular stuffed toy. Not only does it have a tail and appeals to its instinctive desire to stalk and capture prey, but it also has the enticing aroma of catnip.

• Peacock Feathers:  If you're looking for a gift that's inexpensive and catches your cat's attention, then a peacock feather is the answer. After all, we know cats are so easy to entertain.

HOMEMADE Valentine's Day pet gifts on a budget!

Don't leave your pet out of the Valentine's Day celebrations just because times are tight, be creative!

DOGS: Knot together your old, holey socks. Right off your feet is the smell they like best.

CATS: ANY empty box. It's as simple as that... any empty box!

A lot of people, with this economy the way it is, will eat macaroni and cheese before they cut back anything for their pets." For many of us, that means Valentine's Day pet gifts, as well.

And, among other things, my birds Dudley and Sing-Sing love to sing and dance.  I have exposed them to a wide variety of styles of music.  But, when I asked Dudley and Sing-Sing what is it that they wanted to share with you.  Dudley and Sing-Sing responded:

We wish everyone and their animal companions much Love and Happiness....and For Your Listening Pleasure:

St. Louis' own Jazz Saxophonist Extraordinaire David Sanborn performing Al Green's "Love and Happiness"

David Sanborn Love And Happiness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC5s88Tvmxc

A Special Valentine's To A Beautiful Boxer I Love and Adore -- Audrey!  Love and Miss You!

Happy Valentine's With Love & Happiness!

Paul

Paul F. Flotron

Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC

"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"

http://www.creaturecomfortsgreatnsmall.com/

314-200-8561

Cell:  314-775-7107

E-Mail:  PaulFFlotron@yahoo.com

Pet Ministry & Pet Therapy

Hi Friends!

Animal companions have become an important part of our culture and more and more places are starting to welcome and accommodate pets. It's becoming common to see hotels with dog beds, stores with water dishes out front and even car companies designing vehicles with pets in mind.

Religious groups are no exception.  Churches have long held blessing of the animal events and some are inviting pets to attend service.  But some congregations are starting pet ministries in order to reach and connect with animal lovers on a new level.

In 1997, when my grandmother moved into a nursing home, I wanted to make sure she was aware of the depth of my love.  So, I committed myself to visiting her frequently and to bring my parrot Dudley along.  My grandma always found Dudley so fascinated and just loved Dudley.  I got a kick out of how my grandma would even bake for Dudley.  Delicious goodies like Rice Krispy Treats, cookies, and apple pies.  Undeniably, my grandma and I enjoyed a wonderful close relationship but Dudley must have really been the "apple of her eye," since she baked especially for Dudley.  Though I enjoyed a close relationship with my grandmother, to receive even a little bite of the treats she baked for Dudley, I had to be especially good.

So, I became involved in pet therapy, visiting residents in nursing homes 15 years ago.  As I mentioned, breaking into pet ministry for me resulted from a personal motivation.  Not unlike anything, there was a journey and periods of growth, transitions from one stage to another.  A few years later, I became a member of a large, non-denominational evangelical church and was asked to lead its pet therapy team.  In addition to directing the pet therapy team, I developed a passion to support animal rescue organizations and to build a support network to make a difference in the lives of animals and throughout the animal community.  I launched an animal lovers group called Noah's Ark, a pet ministry that organizes pet-food drives, fundraisers for a local rescue group, pet therapy visits, a pet loss support group and a Bible study that discusses animal-related passages.  Lately, I have integrated the many areas of my pet ministry into my pet care business, Creature Comforts Great & Small.

I commend the faith community.  More and more churches include animals for adoption in their weekly bulletins, host adoption events and run vaccine clinics.

As a testament to this growing trend, the Humane Society of the United States hired a liaison to religious communities in 2007.  Now there are animal ministries in every state. Next month, the Humane Society will be launching a directory of affiliated ministries on their website.

In fact, you can read about me and my pet ministry in a New York Times article "Churches Take Steps To Show Their Love For Animals," in the following link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/15/us/pet-ministries-are-growing-in-churches.html?_r=0

Through parts of the faith community partnering with the animal community, animals in need are receiving the help they are so desperately in need.  It is still in the embryonic stage as many churches still do not have a pet ministry.  But more animal events are being held which may include blessing of the animals and a holiday “giving tree” that collects supplies for the local shelter).  In turn, churches and the faith community as a whole are inspiring a lot of people in their congregation to get plugged in to a pet ministry and share stories of beloved pets and connect with each other in a different way.

Animal lovers are an amazing community of people, so pet ministries seem like a great way to get like-minded people together for a good cause.

Does your church, synagogue or faith institution have a pet ministry?  If so, I would love to hear more.  If not and you are interested in learning about how to begin a pet ministry, please contact me.

Thank You and God Bless You!

Warmly,

Paul

Paul F. Flotron

Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC

"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"

http://www.creaturecomfortsgreatnsmall.com/

314-200-8561

Cell:  314-775-7107