Pet insurance can literally be a lifesaver if a catastrophic illness puts the cost of medical care out of reach. But there are many choices, a lot to consider – and once an illness or injury occurs, it could be too late to get coverage at an affordable price.

If you’re considering pet insurance, this info from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association could help steer you in the best direction for your circumstances.

Our dogs are all about goblin up stuff. But they don’t know witch things are safe.

Halloween is a fun time for kids but an especially scary holiday for pets, with toxic treats that smell really good, and screaming creatures leaning on the doorbell.

If you have a black cat, it’s a good idea to keep her inside on Halloween to keep her safe. If you have any pet, keep an eye on the door or keep him secluded in a protective spot to be sure he doesn’t run outside in fear. Here are a few more Halloween safety tips from ASPCA and Humane World for Animals.

If you’re a long-time subscriber, you no doubt remember Maui Boy. He’s pretty much unforgettable. When the Lahaina fire of August 2023 roared through his community, he was trapped at home, but his dad rushed in to save him. The home was lost, and the family couldn’t find a place to rent where Maui Boy could be with them.

We were lucky enough to care for this beautiful, sweet German Shepherd for a year, and we just got a new picture from his mom, who says he’s now 8 years old and “living the life of Reilly with his BFF and sidekick, Pixie Doodle.”

This September marks the second anniversary of when Maui Boy came to us at Tradewinds after the fire. It’s also the first anniversary of when he was reunited with his family.

Another Great Rescue Story, With GPS to Thank

Even if you’re just a recent subscriber, you may recall a note in our last newsletter about tracking devices and how they reunite people and their lost pets. Here’s a story in People that provides dramatic evidence. Ziva was stuck and hidden from view in a gully after disappearing in a Texas flood. The dog’s mom, vacationing in Colorado, was able to use a tracking device to guide rescuers to the exact spot where Ziva was trapped. That’s the gist, and it supports our point, but the magazine’s story is better.

Alex, Tradewinds manager, is also often the greeter, with the job of calming pet parents who struggle to let go of the dog’s leash or hand over the cat carrier, saying, “I feel like I’m forgetting something.”

Alex says the most important thing, from the guest’s point of view, is the food.

“For dogs, kibble should be in individual serving sizes, sealed in zippered plastic bags, with the pet’s name written on each,” Alex says. “Canned or wet food should also have the dog’s name on it, but it doesn’t need to be preportioned.”

Dogs are typically fed twice a day, morning and evening, although arrangements may be made, with an additional fee, for special diets and circumstances.

The requirements for cats are similar, although cats may be allowed to graze on dry food throughout the day if that’s the preference of the parents. Dry cat food should be in the original container – or sealed in plastic bags for individual servings. Since cats have spent millennia cultivating their reputations for finickiness, they’ll need to have their customary brand and flavor of food – and many will want to have the very same litter they know from home. (Litter boxes are provided.)

Alex recommends bringing enough extra food to last a couple of days in case something comes up that delays your expected return.

Here are other things for the checklist:

“Tradewinds is hands down the best place for your pet to stay on the island. ‘Home away from home’ is such an appropriate title. The amount of love and care they give to our boy is unmatched — constant updates, adjusting care based off how he’s reacting, daily pictures, and so much love. Teague is always so excited when we drop him off and that says so much about how he’s taken care of when we’re not around.”

“I am so thankful to have found Tradewinds Pet Suites! I recently went on a 9-day trip, and I was anxious to leave my two dogs for that time. Tradewinds went above and beyond and provided exemplary care for Maui and NaPali. I would 100% recommend Tradewinds to anyone who is looking to board their dogs—and they also offer cat boarding too!”

“I boarded my two cats, Mango & Mylo, and Sadie, my German Shepherd at Tradewinds for various trips — the longest being one and a half months. Alex and Sandy are caring and responsible. They understand that our pets are our family members. One of our cats got sick and Alex took him to the vet, afterwards he was fine. Although they are far away, the drive is worth it! The facilities are wonderful and they are very and thoughtful about caring for our fur babies.”

Check out our online gallery to see more impossibly cute pictures of our guests having too much fun!