By
admin on Wednesday, June 16th, 2010 |
No Comments
At the local dog contests and kennel clubs, the fashionable have always strutted their prize-winning pooches carefully in keeping with one particular idea. The more purebred a dog is, the more high class it becomes. At a very upscale dog show at London recently, as the contestants paraded their well-groomed porcelain doll dogs past the judges, at least two members of the audience weren’t impressed.
They held up protest signs that said something like “Purebred shows helped kill dog adoption”. This is really a stand that pushes a lot of people’s buttons. The snooty dog enthusiasts hate the thought that their pursuit of perfection in the dogs they love and admire, could be not as superior a path to take as promoting ordinary mutts. And on the other hand are the real dog lovers who just like dogs the way they are – and would really like to promote dog adoption around the country, so that we can begin to do something about the millions of dogs that are put down each year at the dog shelters. They love to point out how even the White House did its bit, by adopting a shelter dog.
Now this problem is not as straight forward as it sounds. For example, did you know that of all the dogs you’d find at any adult shelter, purebred dogs would account for about one in four? It isn’t as if purebred dogs are all in homes already, eating precious little finger sandwiches made of their favorite dog spread.
Read the rest of this entry »
By
admin on Thursday, April 1st, 2010 |
1 CommentThere was once a time when animal lovers would pretty much be classified into one of two categories. You were either a dog person or a cat person, depending on your preference for house pets. But nowdays that arrangement seems overly simplistic, especially when you consider how many people now keep Capuchin monkeys, pot-bellied pigs, spiders, hedgehogs and other unusual animals as pets.
It seems there’s always a blurb in the news about someone’s pig escaping the yard or someone else trying to smuggle rare snakes into the country by stuffing them down his pants. Obviously, dealing in rare pets is big business today — which probably also explains the rise in stores selling exotic pet supplies.
I often wondered how people feed and take care of their rare animals. I mean, a pig probably eats just about anything, but what do you feed a chinchilla? Does a raccoon need to be groomed regularly? Does anyone make toys for genets? You can’t just find exotic pet supplies right alongside the dog food and catnip at the corner store, so where does all the stuff come from? The place where you can find everything, of course: the internet!
Read the rest of this entry »
By
admin on Thursday, April 1st, 2010 |
No CommentsA majority of the time, to keep your cat healthy, all you really need to do is give him good shelter, food, and plenty of water. Like most other living things however, cats can get sick, no matter how much attention that you give them.
As a cat owner, you should ensure that you feed your cat only the best food. Premium cat food is the ideal for cats, as the food is designed to keep your pet fit and healthy. You’ll also need to pay attention to his behavior, so you’ll know when he is sick and when to take him to the vet for a check up. Most of the more common ailments and sicknesses are minor. However some times there are some cases where a vet can be the determining factor between life and death for your cat.
The behavior of your cat will be one of the most critical factors when you are trying to determine whether or not he is sick. Acting sluggish, laying around all the time, lack of energy and not eating are all signs that you need to take him to the vet. The coat is also a good thing to watch as well. If his coat becomes dull and patchy, or you notice him shedding abnormally, you should contact your vet as soon as you possibly can.
Diarrhea and vomiting does occur in cats, and if you see any signs of this, you should contact your vet. Coughing is common, simply because coughing will dislodge the cats hairballs. If your cat seems to be coughing for another reason, it is also worth getting him checked.
Read the rest of this entry »
By
admin on Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 |
Comments OffUnlike what many people think, dog adoption is not a trivial matter. One must do a thorough analysis of his or her reasons for adopting the dog prior to contacting the breeders or rescue facilities. Probably the most important detail that people overlook or take lightly include the fact that a dog comes with its fair share of responsibilities. This means that being sympathetic with dogs that haven’t found loving homes to live in, is not reason enough to assume that one can handle an adopted dog.
First, one should consider just how many hours they plan to spend with the pet after the dog adoption process is complete. Just like people, dogs are social beings; they are happy when they have company, and bored when left alone for long periods of time.
Accommodation is the second consideration that one has to take into account. A person considering dog adoption must make adequate preparation to make the house viable to accommodate the dog. Larger breeds require more space and hence small apartments would not be comfortable for them.
The costs involved in feeding, medical care and ensuring the general well being of the dog is a vital consideration as well. All dogs regardless of the breed need healthy diets, veterinary care, routine health checkups and vaccinations. Initially, however, one will need to purchase food and water bowls, carriers, licenses, tags among other things.
As such, one needs to consider whether they have the financial resources needed for such purchases. Most dog adoption agencies or breeders will need you to verify this before completing the adoption process.
Read the rest of this entry »
By
admin on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 |
4 CommentsLearning To Care For Animals
There are a few things that come hard to children. While they are fascinated with and love to be around animals, it may take them a while to learn to care for animals. This means they may not understand that they need to be fed or walked as often as they should, or that you can not pull tails and play with them as if they were stuffed animals. Some children learn to be nice and be responsible rather quickly, but most children struggle. There are some things you must be sure of before you give in and get them that pet they have been asking for.
Children often ask if they can have a new kitten, puppy, or hamster before they are ready to care for animals. It can be hard to explain to them why you are saying no. They do not understand what it means to care for an animal twenty four hours a day.
There are a few pets that are easier to care for, but chances are good that you are going to end up with the care of the animals on your shoulders no matter what you pick. That is probably the biggest reason why you are saying no when you know they are too young to take care of any animal as they should.
Read the rest of this entry »
By
admin on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 |
No Comments
Dogs are treated very well all over the world, but America may be the winner in terms of treating dogs like part of the family. Both dogs and cats are spoiled and pampered by their owners, but the phrase “man’s best friend” really only applies to the dogs. The way dogs are cared for and treated has evolved over the years as people’s priorities and earning potentials have shifted, making dogs an integral part of the family, sometimes, even being held at the same level as children.
Grooming supplies, clothes and dog beds have come into play and people buy with a vengeance. Humans realize how important a good night’s sleep is to overall productivity and success day after day and some feel this must be the case for canines as well. While some dogs are fortunate enough to share the bed of their master, others sleep in dog beds.
Someone looking to buy dog beds does not have to do a lot of work to find a large variety. They can be purchased online, in pet shops, at garage sales, from a convention or even from a dog breeder. It’s important to read reviews of dog beds online to see how durable they are.
I know my dog loves to try to eat her bed, making flimsy bed garbage in less than a week. If you are purchasing from a pet store, try to ask the owner or employees what they would recommend and what they have found other customers to have luck with.
Read the rest of this entry »
By
admin on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 |
1 Comment
I recently bought a 10-gallon aquarium for my kids. They really wanted a puppy, but I just don’t think they’re ready for that much responsibility yet. So instead, I got the aquarium and filled it with colorful Nemo look-alikes and cool accessories, such as a treasure chest that opens and closes, a model of a diver, and a hollow shipwreck that the orange clownfish can swim through.
The kids really seem to enjoy the aquarium thus far, so I think I made the right choice. Now I just have to buy a fish tank stand, and we’ll be all set.
Until we get a good fish tank stand, the aquarium is sitting on top of my oldest son’s dresser. Of course, this has led to some whining protests from my younger boy about how it’s not fair that his brother gets to keep the little Nemos all the time, so I have to act fast here.
I don’t need one of those fancy fish tank stands that cost an arm and a leg; I’d be perfectly happy with some plain old thing that merely serves its purpose without any additional bells and whistles.
Fortunately, fish tank stands are relatively easy to shop for. I don’t need to put a whole lot of planning, research, or time into the process. In fact, the only thing I really need to do is know my aquarium’s measurements so I can buy the right size. Since we have one of those standard 10-gallon tanks, I can easily find the measurements and the weight online.
Read the rest of this entry »
By
admin on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 |
No CommentsLab animals are the dirty laundry of scientific research that most of us try not to think about it and shove it aside, and others of us want to air it out. The ugly truth is that a lot of horrible things have been done to animals in the name of science simply due to human curiosity, and much of the knowledge that benefits us today is a result of said horrible things.
Animal experimentation brings up a lot of controversial issues like animal rights, morality and ethics, and the dangers of science.
When people think of lab animals, they’re most likely to think of little white mice in cages like Pinky and the Brain. Rats are indeed used in numerous studies but many other animals have been used in scientific research as well: birds, monkeys, cats, insects, horses and many more.
The degree to which animals have been handled varies drastically according to study. Some research has simply involved observing animals, while some experiments have required exposing animals to sickness or death.
Read the rest of this entry »
By
admin on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 |
3 Comments
Now that I’m retired, I plan on traveling a lot. I’m not going to go so far as to buy a huge motor home and essentially live out on the road for months at a time, but I do plan on logging hundreds of miles behind the wheel.
Driving to the various destinations on my list of must-see places is not only more economical than flying, but will also give me a chance to go on last-minute detours if I come across anything interesting. Plus, it’s easier to bring my dogs along with me — provided I can find pet friendly hotels to stay at along the way.
I know some people think that traveling with pets is a hassle, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I would just be too lonely if I didn’t have my pooches keeping me company 24/7. Besides, I just don’t think I’d be able to enjoy a vacation knowing they were locked up in a boarding kennel somewhere back home.
Dogs love the open road just as much as people do, and now that there are more and more pet friendly hotels popping up, I can bring them along.
Still, vacationing with dogs takes quite a bit more planning than doing it solo. For instance, I can’t take it for granted that I’ll find pet friendly hotels all along my route, so I have to search the Internet first.
Before I even get in the car, I calculate how many miles I think I can put in per day, and then try to find pet friendly hotels in the area I expect to end up in. Then I book a room, and repeat the process for every other stop on my upcoming journey.
Read the rest of this entry »
By
admin on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 |
No Comments
If you love fish, you probably already have some type of aquarium in your home or you have been thinking about getting one for quite some time. When you go to a pet specialty store or if you look around online, you will see a bigger selection of choices in aquarium than every before.
Whether you are getting something for yourself, your family, or just your kids, you have some things to consider before you decide which you should get. Some families and businesses choose wall aquariums, but this should never be done without some serious thought.
Wall aquariums are probably the most awesome looking fish displays that you can have in your home or small business. These are aquariums that seem to be a part of the wall.
You can not have one of these in a rental home or apartment without consent, so they are mostly for homeowners and those with a small business that want to add a whimsical touch in their waiting room or client area. This is because you must take out part of the wall or have an area where you can take out a small section in order to have wall aquariums put in. You can do this on your own or have someone install it for you.
Read the rest of this entry »