Pet Tracks
RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY
with Jan Jaeger
You probably remember this one: Rain, rain, go away, Come again another day. Little Johnny wants to play; Rain, rain go to Spain, Never show your face again! This childhood rhyme is said to date back to the reign of Elizabeth I (1533-1603), a period of intense rivalry between England and Spain. The Spanish Armada, consisting of over 130 Spanish galleons, was sent to invade England in 1588. The English navy scattered the Armada but bad weather forced the Spanish ships northward toward the east coast of England and fewer than half were able to complete their return journey to Spain, giving rise to the chant above.

The past several days of rainy and threatening weather might not cause problems on the high seas for most of us, but it sure does make Little Johnny and Little Johnny's pets fractious. I shouldn't complain; bad weather is good for business. Everyone scrambles to find ways to entertain their charges.

Moms stop into the shop to divert preschool children for a few minutes with visits to our birds, guinea pig, rabbit and whatever kittens might be here. Puzzle sales peak as hosts strive to ease houseguest fidgets when beach or outdoor activities are not an option. And intown visitors have time to wend their way out to the mid-island to browse and shop.

Sometimes, on bad weather days, you just have to go outside. If you don't have a fenced back yard, you don't really have other dog walking options. You have your umbrella, but if you want your dog to stay dry, slickers, raincoats and water resistant apparel can provide protection from the elements. Heavy-duty disposable booties that last through several wearings can help keep feet dry and clean.

A special spot just inside the door is convenient for bad weather wipe downs. Teach your dog to sit or lie down in a specific place to get its paws cleaned off or to be towel dried. There are some great tools to help you. The six-fingered Spotless Paw glove, which allows use by either hand, can loop over the doorknob; its micro-fiber material is super-absorbent and attracts dirt. The rugged Soggy Dog terry cloth towel also has a hanging loop, with pockets on the ends for cleaning maneuverability.

Once back inside, then what to do? Interactive or challenging toys that make your pet work a bit are helpful. The Everlasting Treat Ball comes in two versions, different sizes: a heavy duty ball with replaceable wafer-like treats wedged into each side can also be stuffed with treats as can its lighter weight, less complex version. With either type, the dog is occupied with getting the treats out of the product, which, depending on the dog, can take quite a while.

Beehive-shaped Kong toys have been around forever, but this manufacturer continually adds new shapes and enhancements to attract and entice a mouthy dog.

Chewy toys or treats are always popular for keeping that bored dog busy and away from furniture legs or your favorite shoes. The line of Tuffies toys, touted as the world's toughest soft dog toy, puts squeakers inside pouches that are then sewn into three layers of fabric. The multiple fabric layers and five rows of stitching make this an extremely durable toy. The Tuff-Scale from five to 10 rates their toys to help you decide which one is the best match for your dog.

Of course, rawhide and filled bones are perennial favorites, but some toys and treats are composed of space age materials to supposedly make them more durable. One new line of very funky looking toys features construction out of materials used in athletic wear and shoes. Another unique material, Zogoflex, is fashioned into bone and ball shapes and is guaranteed against "dog damage."

Interactive games can help relieve boredom. Try throwing a ball down, or up the stairs, for your dog to chase. I guess the success of this activity strongly depends on the size of your dog and the nature of your stairway. Or invite friends over so there are new playmates in the house. Or play dress up. Or have a treasure hunt, hiding toys or treats around the house. Or teach your dog to do a trick. Another suggestion, a take on the old remedy with kids and cranky babies, is to take your dog for a ride.

Of course, kitties get bored too and some special favorites with our kitties are the interactive toys on wands. To rev up your kitty, try some fish shapes in bright colors or a spatter-painted fish called Pollack just introduced by catnip manufacturer Yeow!

Now that I'm finished with this article, you just might have to put it aside for the next rainy day. Rain, rain did go away. The sun is out; I hope it stays that way!

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and three cats. At the shop are cats Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Millie guinea pig and two budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos. com.