TresSugar

Do Tell: Have You Ever Lost an Animal in a Breakup?

DearSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:00:00 -0700

There's nothing easy about a breakup, but when you own an animal together, things get even more complicated. The way one loves an animal is like nothing else - your pet is your most loyal friend, the one that brings you instant happiness, and your favorite cuddle buddy - so if your partner feels the same way about your four-legged friend, who gets custody? Of course sharing it is always an option, but the constant communication makes moving on that much harder, which is why one person usually ends up saying goodbye to their pet post-split. I've never owned an animal with anyone before, but what about you? Do tell, have you ever lost an animal in a breakup?

Source

You Asked: Can I Use My Dog to Get to My Ex?

DearSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,
I realize that I am supposed to cut off all ties with my ex-boyfriend, but I've broken the rules. We didn't talk for a month and I haven't seen him since we broke up, but I just texted him about my dog, whom he had cared for a great deal. My dog just got diagnosed with cancer, and my ex about this opened the floodgates for communication. We have arranged for him to see my dog without me present. We haven't talked about ourselves or our lives, it has just about the dog, but I want more. Can I use this tragic situation to my advantage? - Pining Penny

To see DearSugar's answer, read more.

Dear Pining Penny,

Using your dog's condition to get to your ex will certainly do the trick, but I think it would behoove you to be honest with him from the start. While I'm sure he appreciates being able to see your dog, it just seems a little cheap to use the dog as a way to get close again. If you miss your ex, just tell him! If this situation does in fact bridge the gap between you, great, but make sure he's aware of your intentions or your plan could actually backfire - he could end up resenting you for using such a sad scenario to your advantage. Like I've said a million times before, honesty is the best policy. Good luck with everything.

Source

Handle This: You Make a Big Mistake

DearSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Your new boyfriend went away on a business trip for more than two weeks and left his pet bird in your care. A graduation present from his family, the bird means a great deal to him and holds sentimental value. He's given you very specific instructions on caring for it, with the very explicit declaration that he'll be destroyed if you kill it.

You're not a huge fan of pet birds, but you know that he cares about it, so you do your very best. In an effort to avoid going to his house every day, you decide to bring the bird to your place. One morning when you go to feed it, you find it lifeless in its cage, completely dead. A trip to the pet store confirms that it's really gone. He won't be back for another week, but you feel awful and can't bear the idea of telling him. It's an inevitable conversation, so how would you handle this?

Source

News to Me: Pets Are Good For the Soul

DearSugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:00:00 -0800

What's not to love about pets? They're cute, cuddly, loyal friends, and they have an amazing ability to cheer you up when you're down. I'm a huge animal lover and now research shows that owning a pet can be beneficial to your mental and physical well-being (as long as you're not deathly allergic!).

Not only do pets offer you unconditional love, but they may also help to reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and improve the appetites of Alzheimer's patients.

Having a pet such as a dog also gets people out of the house and promotes exercise, which can help with depression and social anxiety. Pet owners also benefit from the feeling of being needed and loved, so a pet can help improve poor self-esteem and loneliness.

Dear's Advice: You don't have to own a pet to reap the benefits of animals. Take a friend's dog for a walk or cat sit for a neighbor who's going on vacation. You can also visit a shelter or volunteer as a dog walker. Whatever your choice, you'll both benefit from the time spent together.

Source

Sunday Confessional: I Got My Boyfriend a Puppy

DearSugar — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:00:00 -0800

Dear Sugar,

I've been with my boyfriend for almost three years. He owned a dog that he got many years before he met me, and unfortunately, she was recently diagnosed with cancer and passed away. My boyfriend has understandably been devastated, and acts really depressed. In the beginning, he openly cried to me and talked about all the memories he had with her. He said someday he'd definitely want to get another dog, but he wanted to wait a little while.

It's been about two months since she passed on, and I got the idea to surprise him for Christmas and get him a puppy. A coworker and friend of mine owns a Chocolate Lab (the same breed of the dog he lost), and she recently had puppies. She wanted to give him one since she knows what he's gone through. The puppy was ready to come home with me this week, so on Thursday night, I brought her home with a big red bow tied around her collar.

When he saw her he just burst into tears. He thanked me for the kind gesture, but said that he just wasn't ready to invite a new dog into his life, and that he wouldn't be able to keep her. He also said that he couldn't believe I would make that kind of decision without him, that a dog is a huge responsibility and a personal decision. Now he seems even more upset than before. I was only trying to help, should I be forgiven for my actions?.

Source

Sunday Confessional: I Didn't Mean To Be Insensitive

DearSugar — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 09:00:00 -0700

A few days ago, my sister emailed me with some terrible news. Her dog, that she had for 7 years, had been unexpectedly rushed to the emergency room in the middle of the night. He was in horrible pain, and after taking an x-ray, she and her husband discovered that he had cancer. A tumor had ruptured and there was nothing the vet could do. They had to put him down.

She had raised him from a puppy and her 2-year old girl adored the dog. While I was devastated for her loss, I'm not really an animal person so I really couldn't sympathize with her.

After work, I called to tell her how sorry I was, and to see if there was anything I could do. I was a little scared to call, I just didn't know what to say and in my nervousness, I blurted out the suggestion that she should get another puppy from the breeder that my friend had just gotten a dog from. She got really upset, yelled "How could you even bring up the idea?" and then hung up on me.

I admit that it was probably too soon to bring up replacing their dog, but I was only trying to make her feel better. She totally took it the wrong way and now she's not speaking to me. Do you think she is over-reacting or was I truly being an insensitive person?

Source

Are You a CAT Person or a DOG Person?

DearSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Whether you prefer having a cat or a dog as a pet can say a lot about your personality. Here's a list of traits for each, and you can be the judge if there's any truth to it.

Cat owners tend to be...

Dog owners tend to be...

introverted, self-conscious, shy, secretive, sensitive
interested in quieter pursuits like reading, watching movies and videos, music, etc.
Are homebodies or prefer quiet places
Like their creature comforts and although they expect people to notice them, they tend not to boast, preferring to draw attention to themselves in less direct ways
Have a small circle of close friends rather than a larger group

extroverted, eager, unembarrassed, open
Interested in sports, adventuring, exploring, and outdoor pursuits
Like to be busy and go out a lot, like loud places like parties
They tease and pick on each other in a friendly way, and like talking and boasting about their accomplishments
Have a large circle of friends and acquaintances and they make friends easily

So what do you think? Does having a cat or dog reveal anything about its owner? Do any of these characteristics apply to you or anyone you know?

Source and Source

Man's Best Friend

DearSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 10:00:00 -0800

Dear Sugar
My dog passed away in November and I am having a really hard time coping with his death. He was 14 years old and died very unexpectedly. He was my best friend, was there for me through my divorce, when my father passed away and the death of my grandmother.

I feel a little bit foolish for being so bent out of shape over an animal, but I am just so sad all the time. We were so close and I loved coming home to him every day. Do you have any advice to help me cope with the sudden death of my dog? Devastated Diandra

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Devastated Diandra
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I completely understand the pain of losing an animal, and you should not feel the least bit foolish for being upset. Your dog was there for you unconditionally through many life changing events. It is no wonder you are overwhelmed by his passing.

With all deaths, healing takes time. When you feel sad, remember that it's OK to just be sad and try not to keep your emotions bottled up inside. Do you have friends or family you can reach out to for a shoulder to cry on? Even though your dog died suddenly, talk to your vet as he or she is bound to have some good advice for you.

Various Humane Societies have pet loss support groups which is another place for you to voice and vent your emotions. Although you may feel lonely without your four legged friend, don't rush into getting a new dog until the time is right for you. Once you learn how to cope with this loss, your memories will bring you joy instead of sadness. Hang in there, time is an amazing healer.

Help! My Dog Ate My Vintage Shoe

DearSugar — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 10:01:22 -0700

Dear Sugar
Ahhh! I am writing you at nearly one o'clock in the morning because I am in utter distress about what my Westie puppy, Vera Wang, has done. I woke up from a nap to find her feasting on my favorite pair of Bettye Muller pumps.

I hope you can help. If my shoe repair man cannot fix them, do you know any websites that specialize in older, hard to find shoes? If not, do you know of a service where you can send damaged shoes, handbags, etc... in order to have them repaired? Please help, poor Vera Wang is in doggy jail right now. Duffy The Dog Slayer

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Duffy The Dog Slayer
Please excuse me for laughing, this is unfortunate, however, I happen to love the name of your dog and how you've phrased this story. DEARSUGAR is here to the rescue.

The Shoe Beautician a.k.a. Mac, The Cobbler, is an online shoe repair service with an easy mail order solution (unless you live near him in Sacramento). With his 30 + years experience and a specialty in exotic leathers, Mac, understands the value and sentiment behind a vintage/comfortable old shoe.

If you aren't comfortable mailing your shoes into him, then try calling the Bettye Muller Showroom at (212) 246-3298 and ask them if they have back stock of any of their older models. Maybe they'll have your shoe! I'm sorry to hear about what Vera Wang did. Good luck.

Lucy's Luxuries - The Latest In Designer Dog Carriers

DearSugar — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 07:57:36 -0700

Dear Sugar
Dog carriers are all the rage these days. I am looking for a fashionable, fun pet carrier that can hold my 10 lb Yorkie and double as my handbag. Is there anything like this out there? If I am going to spend the money on a leather bag, I'd like to find something a little bit more unique than Mischa and Jessica's (pic #2) Louis Vuitton. Pet Friendly and Fashionable

Dear Pet Friendly and Fashionable
Lucy's Luxuries is a collection of high fashion dog carriers. Their collection is titled 'Anonymous' for that very reason. They are meant to look as stylish as your everyday Italian leather handbag, as well as double as a dog carrier (even pup needs a little privacy from the paparazzi)! The unique quality of these bags lies in the additional side zippered pocket. Other dog carriers fall short of having that extra compartment for your personal belongings which is separate from your dog's space.

The carriers are definitely on the high end of the spectrum. Prices range from $850-$1,200 and they come in 4 different styles and sizes:

The Lucy is a terrific bag for travel. It is the largest of the 4 and is meant for dogs up to 12 lbs. It has a drawstring front pocket and a back pocket in addition to the side zippered pocket.
The Mollie was designed for teacup sized dogs; holding up to 4 lb pooches. It can double as a day or evening bag - and comes with an attachable shoulder strap.

The Madison can really fit anybody's style. It's the most classic and elegant looking of the bags and it holds medium sized small dogs up to 7 lbs. The Madison has both front and back additional outside pockets (great for your cell phone and/or plane tickets).

The Hobbs carrier was designed with the male demographic in mind. It can also hold up to 12 lbs and can double as a briefcase, computer bag or gym bag.

Caring for your Lucy Luxuries bag is simple and easy. The inside lining of each of the bags can be wiped clean and the bottom cushion cover is both removable and machine washable. All of the carriers have matching leashes and harnesses, and all 4 sizes meet (most) airplane regulations for carry-on luggage. Jamie Broder, the CEO and designer has really outdone herself. What more could a jet setting guy or gal traveling with a puppy pal hope for? Woof Woof!