Mary Simpson

1 week ago | petguide.com | Mary Simpson

The word phantom is often described as something ghost-like that appears to be there, but in fact, is not real. Hence, the term phantom pain is used to refer to a lost limb that can’t possibly retain feeling yet seems to experience pain. This type of chronic neurological phenomenon – seemingly experienced by the limb that has been amputated versus the stump or wound left behind - is actually the result of injury to the tissue, nerves, and muscles that had previously led to the limb.

2 weeks ago | petguide.com | Mary Simpson

NEW! by Mary Simpson (IC: ) (photo credit: Gladskikh Tatiana / shutterstock.com)Let’s be honest here. Every dog or cat owner will have a stash of dog blankets in their arsenal of pet accessories. Why? Because they’re the easiest way to protect our soft furnishings from becoming coated in fluffy fur and doggy drool. And they’re sized perfectly for whipping off to reveal that pristine sofa or chair when company arrives.

2 weeks ago | petguide.com | Mary Simpson

NEW! by Mary Simpson (IC: ) (photo credit: kunanan / shutterstock.com)When our good buddies age, their maladies can be similar to that of humans. Once they reach senior status, issues such as vision and hearing loss, cognitive decline and of course, the aches and pains of arthritis are almost certain to present and prevent our pets from living their best life.

2 weeks ago | petguide.com | Mary Simpson

We’ve all heard the expression “not all heroes wear capes”. Typically, it’s used when referring to those amazing search and rescue dogs that step in to help when humans have come up short. Now, to be honest, I think we typically associate those cape-free heroes with some of the larger, more majestic-looking breeds such as German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Belgian Malinois, Huskies, and the like.

2 weeks ago | petguide.com | Mary Simpson

Without fail, whenever we hit this one section of our leash-free dog park, my Schnoodle slowly strolls over and begins to walk the 300-foot perimeter fence line until we break over to a path through the woods. She’s not running over to see what’s out there, she isn’t squaring off against another dog on the opposing side, she doesn’t seem agitated, threatened, or even excited to be doing this. She just appears compelled to connect up with this outer edge of the park as if on autopilot.