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Sharing a bed with a pet is a personal preference. “There are times this is a blessing,” Jenny Clarke, president of Association for Protection Animals Algarve (APAA), has her own theories. “In the cold weather, a lovely warm furry friend, for some, can be a bonus. However, in the hot, long, summer nights, it’s beyond a joke. A fidgeting feline or canoodling canine snoring friend, not funny.”
If they obey the order to ‘move it!’ then everything is ok. But the problem is they too think a cuddly bed is the answer on a damp or cold winter’s night. “It starts with the settee, then sort of migrates from there.”
It is well-known animals can create an air of dejectedness. Sad eyed. Howling. Scratching at the door. “It’s then, isn’t it? When it all begins.”
The rule is start as you mean to go on. Training is not easy. It is practising what you preach, over and over again. Repetition. Boring. The warm bottle wrapped in a towel. A large cuddly toy. A humungous chewy bone. Not a rattle-toy or bell-ball, please. Gentle calming words. A pat on the head. Ah yes. Still in the bed. Yours.
Move the pet’s bedding near to your bed. Gradually get pet into the bed at the bottom of yours. Snack, treat. A little tickle tummy. Into bed. Firmness sometimes has to take over. Ear plugs. Listen to soothing music. Hopefully pet will abandon ideas of sharing and take to its own domain.
Volunteers and new ideas are needed
Moving away from Christmas and the New Year festivities, APAA will be targeting their next ‘Pop-Up’ Shops. Chalking the board for events. “We try very hard to make sure we please all our members. Indeed, our intrepid followers. If we are missing out on something, let us know, please. Volunteers and new ideas are so important to charity organisations. We care about animals but, to do that, we need humans, compassion and time.” Money? “Ah yes. Forever moaning about the costs. Part of the problem is that nothing is for free. We get superb rates from our vets. We get burst bags of cat-litter, animal food, donations … It all helps. But the SNiP campaign for feral cat-colonies costs money.”
The Spaying & Neutering Programme, not only used by APAA, but now the answer to the climbing numbers of feral cats around the Algarve. “Cats are naturally wild at heart. They will often take off for days, sometimes weeks or months before returning. Fiercely independent and hardy. The problem: this is when they join up with other cats and start reproducing, at an alarming rate.” Unless sterilised from the start.
“Here to Help” is APAA’s motto. Help them to help you.
By APAA
