Tag Archives: pets

5 Reasons to Own a Pet While in the Military

Posted on June 1, 2012 | 2 Comments

This past week I read a blog on SpouseBUZZ about reasons to NOT own a pet while in the military and it got me thinking about why we SHOULD own pets.  The comments in response to that blog both on the SpouseBuzz website and their FB page were very strong and to my surprise, most responses were in favor of owning pets and how much those pets mean to their families.  I have written two blogs about our military pets; one about tips to owning a pet and one about PCSing with pets. In those posts I did talk about how much our pets mean to my family but didn’t really give solid reasons why it is important to own them.  These are my reason but let me say first that this is strictly my opinion and not based on facts!

1. Companion during deployments.  In those comments on SpouseBUZZ I read over and over again about how people’s “fur babies” kept them company during the night while their spouse was deployed.  It is no different for me!  My dog doesn’t routinely sleep with us but when my hubby is away I call her to fill that empty space (the cats are always there).

2.  Consistency for children.  I firmly believe that pets give our military children a sense of stability and consistency in life.  Milkids will grow up in many different homes, in different cities all over the world and go to different schools with different kids but when they come home those wagging tail(s) will always be the same.  My husband and I have had life without our dog but our kids haven’t and I don’t know that they understand that someday there will be and for now that is okay.  They need to live with idea that for now she will always be there when they walk through the door no matter what house we live in.

3.  Dogs make great protectors.  For those who love dogs, this tip is just for you….. I agreed on a dog (I am not a dog person by nature) because my husband was gone a lot and I wanted the feeling of safety.  I realize that Macy is more likely to make friends with the people who come through the door and now in her old age she doesn’t bark when husband comes in late but initially she was my first alarm that something was up in the still of the night time.  This was so crucial to me once our first son was born because now it wasn’t just me anymore.  So, in my opinion, dogs make a great first alarm and provide a sense of security on lonely nights.

4.  They get you moving.  When our husband/wife is gone on lengthy TDY’s or deployment it can be depressing but when you don’t have children to get you out of bed your pet will.  They have needs that need to be met like being fed and walked and played with. Even though I have children, they are in school and it is so easy to just plant myself on the couch for the day but then those sad doggy eyes look up at me with a wagging tail just asking for a walk and I get up.  She keeps me moving…..

5.  When life isn’t fair there is Dogs on Deployment!  In my other two pet blogs I also mention this organization as well as it being listed on my Resource page.  Our military life isn’t always fair and even the best owners are faced with hard decisions, like having a pitbull they love but are forced to live in government housing with breed restrictions.  This amazing organization helps service members and their families find temporary homes through a fostering till they can be reunited again.

I realize that we all have our own individual feelings about animals and the author of that blog on SpouseBUZZ has her own.  For me and my family our pets are worth any hassle that comes with owning pets while serving in the military.  Our life just wouldn’t feel complete without them.  How about you? Are your pets worth it?

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PCS With Pets

Posted on May 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

The orders have come in and immediately the planning to move begins.  There are the schools and the house hunting and the packing and traveling, but what about those furry (or maybe not) friends we share our lives with?  PETS! We have to plan for them, too.  I can say first hand that this can be a lengthy process especially if you are moving overseas. Our dog has always moved with us and she has been around the world and I truthfully cannot imagine our lives without her.  For this to be true we have to take her best interest in to account when we make our travel arrangements.  I recall moving back to the states from Japan and I was so worried about her getting on each airplane we flew on.  Desperately looking out the window for her kennel and watching that she was gently placed in cargo for the flight.  Then we arrive and had to leave her in the care of others because we didn’t have a home yet.  But, how did we come to make the decision to take her to Japan and back and what did we do ensure she remained healthy and safe?  With these tips!

Lazy Jack Russel

1.  Visit the vet first!  When you receive your orders make a call to the vet and get all vaccines up to date and if you are heading overseas start the overseas screening process.  I highly recommend going through the Army Vet for overseas screening.  They know all the regulations for every country.

2.  Make a checklist of all the supplies your pet will need during your transfer.  On this list you should include items like vaccine records, health certificate (if overseas), bowls, food, leashes, treats, toys and so on.  Things you think your pet will need while displaced from home.  One thing we always bring with us for Macy is her blanket.  I believe like kids, special items helps them feel at ease.  A security item can be anything and for Macy it is the blanket she sleeps on every night.

3.  Ask future landlords (housing or private) if pets are allowed and what the regulations are!  I have mentioned this in a different blog about pets and I will say it again…. Ignorance is NOT bliss!  Ask!!!  Some privatized housing offices (PPV) will be more relaxed than others but I wouldn’t take that chance.  Where I currently live, breed restriction is no joke and they don’t care if you knew or not!

4.  Place your pet in a kennel while traveling.  A seatbelt would work to if you have a very large dog or not enough space (like us). But…. kennels are best.  Also, make sure your pet wears their rabies and ID (contact information) tags.  This is for their ultimate safety in the event something terrible happens like a car accident.

5. Plan financially for their travel.  Sure, DoD pays us for almost all of our travel expenses when we PCS but not our pets and those cost add up.  If you plan on flying your pet it will cost several hundred dollars.  There have been some changes to assistance military families with those cost but there are still costs, even if you take a military charted plane.  Call airlines and hotels ahead of time and ask for fee quotes and start saving!

6.  Have cats? Put them in a carrier while the packers are there!  I knew a family who had their cat packed in a box and when their shipment arrived they found their poor beloved cat not alive.  This is a true story, don’t let it be yours.  When the packers come, put your kitty in a carrier and place it in your secure place with your other belongings you don’t want packed.  Oh and take your dogs to a neighbors during this time.  Pets can get really scared during pack outs, so taking steps like these can ease that stress just a little.

7.  When you can’t take your pet there is Dogs On Deployment (DOD)! I believe that in a perfect world pets owners would never have to leave their pets behind but sometimes the universe has other plans.  It could be because the tour will be short and the cost too high or the only home you could find doesn’t allow pets; what ever the reason there is an option and lucky for us DOD was born! For more information there is a link under the Resource page.

Even Lazier Cats

Our pet family has grown during this tour to include two cats and even though we are a year from moving I am already planning for their needs.  This means keeping up with vaccines and starting to collect items like carriers and collars and tags (for the cats). One kitty still needs a microchip and that will need to be done before we pull out for our next adventure.  It is never to soon to start!  Our pets are very much family member to us and will never be left behind and it is possible with these tips.

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Owning the Military Pet

Posted on April 6, 2012 | 1 Comment

Since I was a child I always had pets, mostly cats, birds and a the best German Shepard a young girl could ask for. When I left home nearly fourteen years ago for boot camp I knew it was only a matter of time before I had pets of my own and in 1998 when I moved into my first apartment it was two big black cats that graced my home.  Since then we have had a few different cats and our one and only dog, the laziest Jack Russel EVER, Macy.  Even with our many moves from one end of the world and back we have had our pets.  Macy has been with me and my husband since the before we were married and there was no way we would ever leave her behind for any reason.  Our furry and feathered and sometimes slimy friends are so very important to us.  How do we ensure they live the most full and rich lives when we move so often to so many different places?  Since Macy is 10 and one of those first black cats will be 12 I am going to give you tips on how we have done it.

1.  Immunizations are a must!  All government housing has rules and regulations about what pet immunizations are required.  Your best bet is to go the nearest Army vet and have your pets immunized with them.  Like our medical records that never change from one duty to the next, the Army vet is the same for our pets.  This will come in very handy when you have to move overseas.  We learned the hard way on that one.

2.  Always call ahead and ask the Navy Housing or Management office if there are pet policies.  Knowing these will help you decide where you will live.  Not all breeds of dogs, fish tank sizes or exotic pets are permitted in government housing.  Ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to these sorts of issues.  Knowledge is power!

3.  Never take “NO” for an answer when moving overseas.  Weeks before we were to fly to Japan the person taking care of our PCS told us we couldn’t take our pets with us and we knew better because for almost a year we had been going through the overseas process with the vet.  To my knowledge (and I could be wrong) you can take your vet to any overseas duty station where you can take your family.  You just need to ask about the procedures involved  brining your pet. The Army vet will mostly likely be able to answer all your questions.

4.  Keep cats inside.  Many people love cats but don’t want them in their homes.  This causes problems with the neighborhood.  One of my beloved black cats had to go and live with another family where he could roam without problems because my neighbors didn’t like that he was killing the birds at the bird feeders.  If you live in the south with alligators….enough said on that, you get where I am going.  So, if having to share your home with a cat isn’t appealing to you then maybe this isn’t the best pet for you.

5.  Have an emergency plan.  In the Navy we almost always live where there are hurricanes and evacuations are always a possibility.  We always think about ourselves and our home when evacuating but don’t forget about your pets.  Look into where you will be staying if you have to leave your home.  Can you have your pet with you? Or will you have to board them elsewhere?  Don’t leave them behind!  Keep rabies certificates, prescription and any other important medical information with all your other important documents.  This will come in handy if you are displaced for a long period of time.  Even the pets in Japan were evacuated with their owners after the tsunami.

6.  Microchip your cats and dogs.  A couple of years ago I was able to reunite an owner with their dog because it had been microchipped.  Microchipping could save your pet from going to what I like to call “Puppy Jail” because animal control officers are able to contact you via the information on the chip.  Note that you may want to use a family member who isn’t moving anytime soon.  Then you don’t have to worry about having to change the information every time you move.

7.  When you and/or family are in at a point where you are unable to take your pet contact Dogs On Deployment (this is for all pets not just dogs)!  This is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help military families place their pets with boards during deployments, moves or any other time they are unable to bring their pets with them.  Most often than not, pets end up at shelters because owners feel like they have no option.  Now we do!  Look them up and keep your pet.

Pets are so important to our quality of life.  I do realize that many families opt to not have pets and that is okay, too.  But for those of who do, they really help make our many homes feel more like home. My life wouldn’t feel quite complete without a purring cat on my lap or my little dog filling the empty space in my bed at night.  They always know when we feel down in dumps and help us feel better.  Whether it means taking the dog for a long walk to clear your head or laughing while watching cats have the midnight crazies.  Let us not forget how these creatures big and small help our children by giving them something of a constancy in life.  My boys have lived all their lives with our dog, just one thing that has never changed (because so many other things do) in their young lives.  If you have been holding back on owning a pet, I hope these tips help to bring your family one step closer to that goal.

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