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Juncti n
Juncti n
Pet
Pet
M a g a z i n e
M a g a z i n e
VOLUME 14 #1
the exclusive
members magazine
sleep
tight
bond
right
small aquariums
for urban living
your dog
needs
taurine
FIND MORE @ PETJUNCTION411.COM
luna and the
cat distribution system
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Pet Junction Magazine
& online coMMunity
keeping south florida pets and their people
together since 2011
volume 14 #1
Contents
We all want our little
critters in bed with us at
night, but when it affects
our sleep, when do we
say enough is enough? In
this article, we navigate
the choices and the
feelings that accompany
kicking our pets out of
bed.
SLEEP TIGHT
BOND RIGHT;
NAVIGATING
BEDTIME CHOICES
FOR PET OWNERS
12
My cat’s new Roman
Empire is taking a poop on
my floor. In this article, I
get to the bottom of what
exactly is wrong with him.
WTH is Wrong with
My Cat?
15
Just when you think you’re
safe, the Cat Distribution
System throws a wrench
into the works.
How Luna and the Cat
Distribution System
Chose Me.
16
Walk-in vet clinics are
kind of a new concept. In
this article, we deep dive
into Fort Lauderdale’s first
walk-in vet clinic.
PetWellClinic Fort
Lauderdale
20
PJ Pet Pages:
Business Members
Directory
32
An index of trusted rescue
groups.
PJ Pet Pages:
Rescue Directory
33
Are Our Pets
Becoming Too
Expensive?
In this article, the Pet Guru
talks about ways to cut
those costs. Go check it out!
Small aquariums in urban
living are all the rage!
Read this to find out why.
The Rising Trend of
Small Aquariums
28
Go read this article now
to find out why!
Your Dog Needs More
Taurine
31
Index of our local business
members who make Pet
Junction possible.
24
JAN 15 - APRIL 15, 2024
PETJUNCTION411.COM
PET JUNCTION Publisher’s Note
s the old year rolls out and the first
quarter of the new year rolls in, you
may be thinking a lot about changes that
need to be made.
You may be thinking about enjoying this
new year more than you did the last.
You may be thinking about getting more
exercise, eating healthier, or being more
present.
These are all awesome goals for the new
year, but what about your pets? Are
you thinking about how you can make
these same changes for them? If not,
you should be. If you want them to live a
longer, healthier life, you need to provide
them with raw materials to do so.
I know, I know, it can be so
confusing, but that’s what WE are
here for. With 25 years of research
experience, we sift through the
fluff and bring you only the
information you need.
We help to guide you to the
most essential nutrients, training
techniques, and pet spots so you can
be your pets’ superhero. We know you
want better for your pets, and so do
we. That’s why we pack every issue with
essential information that helps you to
be a better pet parent.
But the magazine is just half the story.
Join our online community for exclusive
content, group discussions, and awesome
extra perks and giveaways! Get the
information you NEED 24 hours a day, 7
days a week! Go to PetJunction411.com,
now and become a valued member of
Pet Junction’s Online Community! We
are waiting for you!
We will see you over there, or if you’re
willing to wait, we’ll see you back here
next quarter, same time,
same sandbox!
DEAR PET LOVER,
Membership has its’
priviledges.
Send your stories to
Shelly@PetJunction411.com
Shelly Allen
Pet Junction Publisher
JAN 15 - APRIL 15, 2024
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PET JUNCTION Credits
2024 Copyright here and abroad of all editorial content
is held by the publishers of Pet Junction. Reproduction
whole or in part is forbidden without prior written consent
from the publisher. Publisher may not be held liable
or responsible in any way for any actions ensuing from
advertisements or content. Pet Junction is a registered
trademark and use of said trademark is strickly prohibited.
DISTRIBUTION:
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PET JUNCTION PRINT SCHEDULE:
January, April, July and October.
If you do business in the local
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and advertise in it! If your money
comes from locals, stop using only
billion-dollar companies to reach
them. Support Local!
Become a member! Go to
PetJunction411.com or
Email: Member@PetJunction411.com
Find the best places for you and your
pets and everything they need on
on our mobile responsive website,
PetJunction411.com!
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Shelly Allen
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA
PH: 954 - 815 - 3220
MEMBER@PETJUNCTION411.COM
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Send us your stories, expertise and
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Local!
EDITORIAL
ON THE WEB
PUBLISHER
Pet Junction
Juncti n
Juncti n
Pet
Pet
M a g a z i n e
M a g a z i n e
CONTRIBUTORS
Bill Piechocki
Shelly Allen
Hope Gold
Harris Malone
Morgan Harper
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by Harris Malone
navigating
bedtime
choices for
pet owners
in south
florida
SLEEP
TIGHT
BOND
RIGHT “
“
Opting
to prioritize
uninterrupted sleep
over a bed shared with
a pet is not a denial of
affection, but it is an act
of self-preservation.
n the heart of South Florida, where
the sun casts a warm glow as
enduring as the bonds between
humans and their pets, a nightly
quandary quietly plays out in many
homes. As the sky darkens and the
streets quieten, pet owners face
a poignant dilemma. Should they
allow their beloved pets to share
their beds? This decision often
carries with it an undercurrent of
guilt and a disruption to the much-
needed tranquility of sleep.
Picture it, the hustle of the day has
simmered down, and as you stand
on the brink of the sanctuary that is
your bedroom, you’re greeted
by the expectant, hopeful
gaze
of
your
pet.
Initially, the decision
to welcome them
onto
your
bed
seems innocuous.
An act of love and
companionship.
However, as the
night
progresses,
this decision often
transforms the bed
from a haven of rest into
an arena of restlessness
and contested space. It’s amidst
these moments of weary, sleep-
starved contemplation that an
essential realization must emerge:
designating your bed as a pet-
free zone. Which is not an act of
exclusion, but rather a necessary
step towards preserving your own
well-being.
Opting to prioritize uninterrupted
sleep over a bed shared with a pet
is not a denial of affection, but
an act of self-preservation. Sleep,
after all, is not a luxury but a vital,
fundamental human need. When
your pet disrupts this essential rest,
it’s more than a mere inconvenience.
It’s a barrier to maintaining your
physical and mental health. It’s
important to remember that your
pet, an integral part of your life as
they may be, relies on you being at
your optimal state of health
and mind.
Yet, establishing
this boundary at
bedtime does
not equate to
a diminishing
of love or a
reduction
in
the depth of
your bond. True
affection
and
companionship
extend far beyond
the physical confines of
a shared sleeping arrangement.
Reflect on the daylight hours,
where opportunities abound for
strengthening your connection
with your pet. Engaging in playful
activities, enjoying leisurely strolls
JAN 15 - APRIL 15, 2024
14
15
PETJUNCTION411.COM
or simply sharing quiet moments of
coexistence. These experiences are
the foundations of a strong, lasting
bond, one that transcends the need
for physical proximity during sleep.
Creating a dedicated space for your
pet within your home can be an
expression of care and consideration.
A cozy bed in a quiet corner, where
they can feel safe and secure,
echoes the comfort and affection
they associate with your presence.
Training sessions become more than
mere exercises in discipline, they are
opportunities for building trust and
understanding, and deepening the
connection between you and your
pet.
Grooming routines transform into
intimate,
bonding
experiences.
Each stroke of the brush or careful
trim is a silent testament to the care
and affection you hold for your pet.
Engaging in conversations with
your pet fosters a unique form of
communication. It builds a bond
that thrives on non-verbal cues and
mutual understanding.
Feeding times can be elevated
to cherished daily rituals. These
moments,
consistently
shared
between you and your pet, reinforce
the trust and reliance placed in
you as their caregiver. Exploring
new environments together, like
discovering a new walking path or
embarking on a weekend adventure,
injects excitement and novelty into
your relationship. It keeps the bond
fresh and dynamic.
The decision to not co-sleep with
your pet is a statement of mutual
respect and understanding. It’s a
recognition of the multifaceted
nature
of
companionship,
an
acknowledgment
that
affection
and care are not limited to physical
closeness. They are nurtured through
a variety of interactions and shared
experiences.
As you settle into your pet-free bed
tonight, release any lingering guilt.
Embrace the understanding that a
well-rested you is the best gift you
can offer. Not just to yourself, but to
the devoted pet eagerly anticipating
the next day’s adventures and
moments of connection with you.
In the vibrant, diverse tapestry
of South Florida, where pets are
integral threads, we learn that the
essence of companionship is about
respect, care, and understanding
each other’s needs. Remember,
a well-rested owner is a happier,
more attentive companion during
the day, and that’s a reality your pet
will surely appreciate.
WHAT I’VE LEARNED
I
have a cat that recently started poop-
ing on the floor in the room where his
litterbox is located. Oliver is nine years
old and has never done this before.
If you have multiple cats then
you probably know their brand of
poo. These piles I find from time
to time are definitely his brand.
The first thing I did was examine the poo
to make certain it looked normal and
that he wasn’t trying to tell me he didn’t
feel good. Well, his poo looked incred-
ibly healthy to me. So I cleaned it up
and put my thinking cap on. I asked my-
self, what the hell is he so upset about?
See, cats love to get your attention
when they are pissed. They poo in the
middle of the room, they scratch your
furniture to get your attention, pee
on your rug, all kinds of bratty things
to let you know they are NOT happy.
After I cleaned the poo, I looked at
the litter boxes. Sure enough, my old
lady cat, Zoey (I know her brand, too)
had explosive diarrhea in one box and
the other box was probably a little too
dirty for his liking. My next move was
to clean the litterboxes really well. As
soon as I was finished cleaning them,
here he came. He went right in and
did his business, jumped out, and went
his own merry way. Mystery solved.
Clearly, he is getting more picky in his
older age. Now, I make certain the lit-
terboxes are super clean and that there
are no big piles from my old lady cat.
These animals... the environment they
inhabit is small compared to ours. It’s our
job to make it as comfortable and conve-
nient as we can for them. If not, the bratt
comes out and they let us know in their
own little ways that they are not happy.
The lesson here is that if your cat starts
acting out of the ordinary, put your
thinking cap on. What has happened
recently that may have pissed him off?
Did you move some furniture around,
take away their favorite throw rug, or
have you been neglecting the litterbox
a little more as life has its’ way with you?
Oftentimes, the answer is right in front
of you if you just take a minute to think
about it.
by Shelly Allen
WTH is Wrong
with My Cat???
JAN 15 - APRIL 15, 2024
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17
PETJUNCTION411.COM
PAWS OF FATE
How Luna and the
Cat Distribution System
Chose Me
By: Morgan Harper
ou know, I never really believed in fate
or destiny. That is, until the Cat Distri-
bution System chose me. It was a Tuesday,
just an ordinary day, with the sun hanging
lazily in the sky, not too hot, not too cold.
I remember because I was wearing my fa-
vorite blue sweater, the one with the tiny
holes in the sleeves.
I was walking back from the grocery store,
mindlessly scrolling through my phone,
when I heard it. A soft meowing, more
like a whisper really, coming from the al-
leyway I was passing by. Curiosity got the
better of me, and I peered into the dimly
lit space. And there, amidst a pile of card-
board boxes and old newspapers, was the
tiniest, scruffiest kitten I’d ever seen.
Now, I’ve never been much of a cat per-
son. Dogs? Sure. Fish? Why not. But cats?
They always seemed so... aloof. Yet, there
was something about this little furball. It
looked up at me with big, hopeful eyes, as
if it had been waiting just for me. In that
moment, I forgot all about my aversion to
cats. All I could think about was how hun-
gry and alone it looked.
So, I did what any sane person would do. I
scooped it up, groceries forgotten on the
sidewalk, and took it home. The little thing
was so light, it felt like carrying a bundle of
feathers. It kept nuzzling against my neck,
purring like a tiny engine, and that’s when
I knew. I’d been chosen. The Cat Distribu-
tion System had worked its magic.
I named her Luna, after the crescent moon
mark on her forehead. And let me tell you,
she turned my life upside down. I learned
how to be gentle in ways I never knew I
could be. I’d catch her watching me with
those wise, old-soul eyes, and I swear she
understood me more than any human
ever did.
Every day with Luna was an adventure.
She’d find the most bizarre places to nap -
inside my shoe, on top of the fridge, once
even in a bowl on the kitchen counter.
And she had a penchant for bringing me
“gifts” – usually leaves and the occasional
unfortunate bug.
She’d sit with me when I read, curl up on
my lap when I watched TV, and always,
always managed to make me laugh, even
on the toughest days. Luna wasn’t just
a pet; she was my companion, my little
shadow.
The most amazing part? I never planned
for any of it. I never went out looking for a
cat, let alone a scruffy alley kitten. But life
has a funny way of giving you what you
need, not what you think you want. Luna
taught me about unexpected love, about
the joy of caring for another living being.
And that’s the magic of the Cat Distribu-
tion System. It’s not just about cats find-
ing homes. It’s about people finding joy,
companionship, and love in the most
unexpected places. It’s a reminder that
sometimes, the best things in life are the
ones you never see coming. Luna chose
me that day, and I’m forever grateful she
did.
JAN 15 - APRIL 15, 2024
18
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PETJUNCTION411.COM
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