Awesome Pets

All Pets for pet owners and pet lovers.
Pet stories, pet jokes, pet photos and pet products and pet advice.





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  • Small dog snowsuits and sweaters to keep warm in winter.

  • Small Dog. Small Dog clothes, small dog carriers, small dog collars and more

  • Betta Fish

  • 10 tips for caring for a Betta fish

  • Winners of the "I look like my dog" contest.

  • Funny pet photos

  • Real-Life Pet Detectives

  • How Pets Can Help You Land Dates

  • Feeding your dog chocolate

  • Looking to buy a pet? Why not adopt?

  • Pet Implants that might be able to save lives.

  • Molly the cat has been freed!

  • Happy Easter!

  • Molly the black cat, trapped in NY Deli for 2 weeks

  • Animal Jokes

  • The Cat that survived Katrina

  • Lump on Black Lab's neck

  • Carmen the Shi-tsu and Maltese cross

  • Cool site with funny pet pics

  • Pet fish joke

  • Thank-you to BloggerForum.com

  • Rescued Animals: They Often Make the Best Pets

  • Mulan the Shar Pei

  • Happy New Year!

  • Tips on Moving with Pets

  • Happy New Year

  • Awesome Christmas Pet Photo- Ebony

  • Puggles Gray from Alabama

  • Puggle Christmas Card

  • Christmas Puggle

  • Random quotes about Dogs

  • It's The Worst Possible Time for a Puppy

  • Christmas and The Boxer Chocolate

  • Top 5 Best Gifts For Your Pets

  • Not seeing this blog properly?

  • Christmas Ebony

  • Christmas Pets

  • Pet safety during Christmas

  • Phoebe the Siamese cat

  • Should You Buy Dog Health Insurance?

  • Dog Training-The "Come" Command

  • How to litter train a cat

  • Training Your New Puppy the Right Way

  • Blog redesign

  • Fish Make The Greatest Pets

  • Commercial Pet Food for Your Dog?


  • Pet of the Month photo



    Submit your Awesome Pets pictures and bio's


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    Small dog snowsuits and sweaters to keep warm in winter.

    small dog clothing


    Small dog snowsuits and sweaters are designed your small dog warm in fall and winter. While dogs do generate heat, small dogs can often suffer until they run around for a while, that first initial shock can be devastating.

    Here are some great looking small dog sweaters and snowsuits from our friends over at Small Dog



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    Small Dog. Small Dog clothes, small dog carriers, small dog collars and more

    small dog logo
    Small Dog is a small dog owners haven. Small Dog features products and services all related to small dogs and small dog owners.

    Small Dog is on its way to becoming the one-stop online store for small dog clothing, small dog collars, small dog toys, small dog carriers and anything else related to your small dog!

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    Betta Fish



    Here's a Betta Fish for all those that were wondering what the little fishies look like!

    Come to think of it...I'm going to make this fish the Pet of the Month!


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    10 tips for caring for a Betta fish

    My son recently purchased a Betta fish with his allowance. Since I had NO idea what a Betta fish was about, I had to do some research. Here's a good article if you own a Betta Fish or are thinking about buying one.


    Ten Tips for Caring for Your Betta Fish
    By Adam Short


    Betta fish, also called Siamese fighting fish are one of the most popular types of fish found in homes across the world. Their vibrant color and active lifestyle seems to draw in fish fanatics as well as those who have never had fish before. Betta’s are relatively easy to care for and their low maintenance is particularly appealing to people who would like to have fish but don’t have a lot of time to care for them.

    Once you bring your Betta’s home you should begin to familiarize yourself with their movements and typical behavior patterns. When you look at your fish after you’ve had them for awhile you’ll know if something is wrong, if they are not feeling well, or if the water in their bowl is not in the best condition simply by being observant.

    1. Make sure the jar or bowl that you keep your Betta in is big enough so that he can swim around and not bump or tear his fins or scales. Also be sure there is plenty of surface area so that he can get enough oxygen.

    2. Your Betta will thrive in the cleanest water that you can provide for him. He does not require a filtration system, but you should change out a third of his water every three days so it stays fresh and clean and keeps your finned friend from getting bacterial or fungal infections. Aged water (water that has set out for twenty four hours) is what should be used to replace the old water.

    3. Do not put your Betta fish with other Betta’s. They are called Siamese fighting fish because they are, in fact, fighting fish. They will tear at one another, often causing the death of at least one fish before they stop. Betta’s can be coupled with algae eaters, guppies, or corydorus catfish safely.

    4. Use a turkey baster to clean small particles of uneaten food or debris from the bottom of the bowl or jar. Allowing this debris to sit at the bottom of the jar will cause the water to become cloudy, unsanitary, and to smell awful.

    5. The PH of your tank should be at exactly 7.0. You can get a PH testing kit at your pet store along with solutions to minimize or increase the PH of your water.

    6. When you clean the plants, rocks, or decorations in the bowl you should never use soap on them. It’s very hard to completely rinse all soap from these items and the soap residue can harm or even kill your Betta. Instead, use warm water and an abrasive brush to clean his things.

    7. Keep your Betta tank, jar, or bowl covered! Your Beta will jump and you don’t want him to end up flopping on the tabletop! Keeping the water level at least two inches from the top of the tank should also cut down on this problem.

    8. Your Betta is a meat eater and likes live foods, such as brine shrimp the best. Frozen bloodworms are also a good choice for your meat eater. Most Betta fish will happily eat the Betta pellets sold at most pet stores. For a special treat every now and again you should offer some live food! You’ll have fun watching him eat it up!

    9. Do not decorate your Betta bowl with rocks or marbles that may cause your Betta to get stuck between or under them. Be sure that they are a flat smooth surface that provides no risk to the health of your fish.

    10. Remember that your fish is a living, breathing responsibility. You need to feed, clean, and care for your Betta just like you would any other pet. If he’s sick take him to the vet, if he’s hungry feed him, if his home is dirty, clean it.

    That’s it! These ten tips for caring for your Betta fish will have you well on your way to keeping a healthy fish. Internet Betta Groups or library books can be a great source of information should you want to learn more about your finned friend!

    Adam Short is the owner of Betta Fish Center and co-wrote the above article with Amanda Fenton. Amanda has been caring for Betta fish for over 25 years. She is a contributing writer to http://www.bettafishcenter.com - site providing information and tips on betta fish care.

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Short




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    Winners of the "I look like my dog" contest.





    Hilarious. Here's a couple of the photos. Click here for the rest of them. Funny stuff!


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    Funny pet photos

















    Here's a couple of funny pet photos for you to start your Monday. I was searching out funny pet pics and found this site.

    I figured a few pet laughs would be a great way to start your Monday. Enjoy!



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    Real-Life Pet Detectives

    I just read this great article on Pet Detectives and the lengths they will go to in order to locate your lost pet. The article talks about different Pet Detective companies and methods they employ to find that loved pet that has gone missing.

    Prices and vary but you can spend from $100 for a phone consulatation and up to $1000 a day. Worth it if you love your pets as much as I do!

    Read the rest of this article by clicking here. It also has tips on how you can increase the chances of getting your pet back. A good read!


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    How Pets Can Help You Land Dates

    How Pets Can Help You Land Dates
    By Peter Portero

    You might have seen the guy on television who gets the cute dog just so he can pick up girls at the park. While this may sound ridiculous, getting a pet can really help you meet people. If you love dogs anyway and were thinking about getting one, you can always remember that people will be more likely to approach you if you have a cute dog in tow.

    Choosing what type of dog you get is really up to you. Just remember that a girl with a poodle will get less attention from the guys than a girl with a Labrador. Once you choose the perfect dog, take your new pet out often. Take him or her on daily walks around your neighborhood. You may come across another single walking their pet, or you may see someone playing basketball out in their driveway and strike up a conversation.

    You can also take your pet to the park or to a local dog park. This is a great opportunity to meet people and to spend time with your animal. Who knows, if you meet another dog lover and your dogs hit it off as well, you can take them to the park together on dates.

    Check out streamatereview for additional tips men need to know to help them find dates.

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Portero

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    Feeding your dog chocolate

    As many of you know, feeding your dog chocolate is a big NO-NO. There is an ingredient called theobromine. Depending on the size of the amount consumed as well as the size of your dog dictates how serious the problem can be.



    Here is an informative article on how chocolate affects dogs. Please read it!




    I found this story of a person who purposely gave his dog chocolate. It's dog owners like this that give the rest of us bad names!




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    Looking to buy a pet? Why not adopt?

    With so many thousands of awesome pets available to be loved, more people should look towards adopting a pet instead of purchasing a new one. So many pets have been negelected and abused and are just dying(literally) to be adopted by you.

    Please consider visiting your local SPCA or Humane Society or animal resuce shelter before you buy a pet. You might find a pet that is exactly what you are looking for. Imagine how much that pet will love you? You've saved it from certain death!


    Here's a good site to visit for pet adoption. Pets911

    Also you can try PetFinder

    Remember to make sure your newly adopted pet gets all it's shots and if you can, try and get a medical history before you choose to adopt.

    Pet adoption is very rewarding. Give it a try!


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    Pet Implants that might be able to save lives.

    Here's some great news in term of technology and your pet's health. The Digital Angel Corp out of St. Paul, Minn. has been granted a patent for a microchip that can be implated via syringe and can monitor your pet's body temperature. Not only that but they figure at some point they can even monitor your pets body for infectious diseases. Sounds great to me. My question is, when are they going to make something like this for humans? An implant that will detect cancer? Imagine the lives saved!

    Check out the rest of the article over at news.com

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    Molly the cat has been freed!

    For those that have been keeping an eye on this situation, good news! An animal rescue worker has finally freed Molly the cat from the inner walls of the NY deli she was stuck in.

    Click here for the rest of the feel-good story!

    Have a great day!

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    Happy Easter!



    Happy Easter from all of us @ Awesome Pets!











    Photo from Dachshundpages.com


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    Molly the black cat, trapped in NY Deli for 2 weeks

    Poor kitty! Molly has been trapped in the Myers of Keswick deli in NY. The great part of this story is that everyone is doing what they can to get her out. I can't believe the catnip didn't work!

    They even brought in a "Cat Whisperer" <--No, that's not a typo!

    For more of this story, please click here.



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    Animal Jokes

    I found this joke here and it made me laugh out loud. Maybe because I can understand his pain! Hope you can start off your week with a smile!



    Calling in Sick....A Cat Owner's Story..........

    Calling in sick to work makes me uncomfortable because no matter how legitimate my illness, I always sense my boss thinks I am lying. On one occasion, I had a valid reason but lied anyway because the truth was to humiliating to reveal. I simply mentioned that I had sustained a head injury and I hoped I would feel up to coming in the next day. By then, I could think up a doozy to explain the bandage on my crown. In this case, the truth hurt. I mean it really hurt in the place men feel the most pain. The accident occurred mainly because I conceded to my wife's wishes to adopt a cute little kitty.

    As the daily routine prescribes, I was taking my shower after breakfast when I heard my wife, Deb, call out to me from the kitchen.

    "Ed!" she hearkened. "The garbage disposal is dead. Come reset it."

    "You know where the button is." I protested through the shower (pitter-patter). "Reset it yourself!"

    "I am scared!" She pleaded. "What if it starts going and sucks me in?" Pause. "C'mon, it'll only take a second."

    No logical assurance about how a disposal can't start itself will calm the fears of a person who suffers from "Big-ol-scary-machinephobia," a condition brought on by watching too many Stephen King movies. It is futile to argue or explain, kind of like Lloyd Bentsen telling Americans they are over-taxed. And if a poltergeist did, in fact, possess the disposal, and she was ground into round, I'd have to live with that the rest of my life. So out I came, dripping wet and buck naked, hoping to make a statement about how her cowardly behavior was not without consequence but it was I who would suffer.

    I crouched down and stuck my head under the sink to find the button. It is the last action I remember performing. It struck without warning, without respect to my circumstances. Nay, it wasn't a hexed disposal, drawing me into its gnashing metal teeth. It was our new kitty, clawing playfully at the dangling objects she spied between my legs. She ("Buttons" aka "the Grater) had been poised around the corner and stalked me as I took the bait under the sink. At precisely the second I was most vulnerable, she leapt at the toys I unwittingly offered and snagged them with her needle-like claws. Now when men feel pain or even sense danger anywhere close to their masculine region, they lose all rational thought to control orderly bodily movements. Instinctively, their nerves compel the body to contort inwardly, while rising upwardly at a violent rate of speed. Not even a well trained monk could calmly stand with his groin supporting the full weight of a kitten and rectify the situation in a step-by-step procedure. Wild animals are sometimes faced with a fight or flight" syndrome; men, in this predicament, choose only the "flight" option. Fleeing straight up, I knew at that moment how a cat feels when it is alarmed. It was a dismal irony. But, whereas cats seek great heights to escape, I never made it that far. The sink and cabinet bluntly impeded my ascent; the impact knocked me out cold. When I awoke, my wife and the paramedics stood over me. Having been fully briefed by my wife, the paramedics snorted as they tried to conduct their work while suppressing their hysterical laughter. My wife told me I should be flattered. At the office, colleagues tried to coax an explanation out of me. I kept silent, claiming it was too painful to talk.

    "What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" If they had only known




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    The Cat that survived Katrina

    I just read this story and it brought a wee tear to me eye.

    Seems like Cupcake and her owner Tristan were separated with Katrina hit N'Orleans. Through the "Grace of God" and some persistant work on the part of the animal rescue people, the two were finally reunited.

    I can't imagine losing my pet in any situation, never mind in such a violent natural disaster. I'm glad to hear that they both are together again.


    For more about this story, please click here.


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    Lump on Black Lab's neck

    My wife and I recently discovered a lump on our Black Lab's neck. We noticed something strange last summer when we saw a small lump in her mouth. Unsure what is was, we asked around and were told that it was a block salivary gland and that it would drain itself. We left it alone but paid attention to it. Within a couple weeks of first noticing it, it disappeared. Weeks later after a very lengthy walk we noticed it came back. Again we kept an eye on it, and again it went away.

    Then we saw nothing for a month or so. Thinking that the gland had finally fixed itself, we were relieved thinking that it could not be comfortable for her to have a swollen lump in her mouth.

    About five weeks after we had seen anything, we noticed a lump in her jowls area, right above where her collar would sit. This was concerning, considering the size of the lump as well as the location. The lump was soft to the touch and didn't seem to bother our dog when we touched it. We decided to take her to the vet after seeing that lump was getting bigger, then smaller, then bigger.

    The vet said that it was indeed a salivary gland issue and it was common in Black Labs (not sure if other dogs are affected as well). He said that because it wasn't hard that we could relax, Mother Nature would correct it. I asked if we should "express it"(rub and squeeze it so that the fluid would come out).
    The vet we should not so this but instead we should leave it alone. He said that if it was bothering her or causing breathing problems, he could put a needle in and drain it. The reason he didn't want to do that now was because putting a needle in would expose her to infection and at this point it wasn't causing her any problems, other than it looked weird.

    So, we will continue to keep an eye on it. Occasionally we touch it to make sure it hasn't hardened or that it has become painful. She doesn't pay it any attention to we know it doesn't bother her.



    It was scary for a while before we found out. We figured it was cancer or that we would need to have an operation but thankfully we didn't!

    Make sure you see a vet if every you discover such a lump, especially one that is hard and causes your pet obvious discomfort. You might want to make sure you have Pet Insurance as well. Surgery can be very expensive folks!



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    Carmen the Shi-tsu and Maltese cross






    Carmen the Shi-tsu and Maltese cross
    Female(fixed)
    Purchased from a pet store in Owen Sound Ontario
    Favorite toy - "baby" - a little dinasour that was a McDonald's giveaway!


    She likes to play in the backyard, go for car rides and chew all things that
    she shouldn't! She sleeps with me during on the week on my husbands's pillow and
    when he comes home...all night she nudges him to move over and off the
    pillow - it is soooo funny!

    D&J K
    Ontario


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    Cool site with funny pet pics



    I was looking around for funny pet photos and found this website. Problem is, I don't understand the language! No real need I guess, the pet pics speak for themselves. Here's a couple of samples but go here to see the rest of them. They're awesome!!



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    Pet fish joke

    I just had this joke sent to me. Good for a laugh on Friday!


    Little Nancy was in the garden filling in a hole when her neighbor peered over the fence. Interested in what the rosy-faced youngster was doing, he asked, "What are you up to there, Nancy?"

    "My goldfish died," replied little Nancy tearfully without looking up, "and I've just buried him."

    The neighbor laughed and said condescendingly, "That's a really big hole for a goldfish, isn't it?"

    Little Nancy patted down the last heap of earth then replied, "That's because he's inside your cat."




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    Thank-you to BloggerForum.com

    As you may have noticed, I was having some serious issues with the new template. After hours of mye messing with the HTML to get it right, I decided to finally ask the people over at Blogger Forum for help.

    Within minutes "thrbr" came to my rescue and BAM! We're all good.

    If YOU are having issues with your blog, I'd advise you to head over and see the kind and patient people @ BloggerForum.com


    Now I've got some serious work to do!!


    Rescued Animals: They Often Make the Best Pets

    I’ve always had pets ever since I was a child – both cats and dogs, usually at the same time. I’ve had purebred pets and mixed breeds – a few purchased from pet stores and breeders, while most of the others were rescued from local animal shelters and humane societies. And I have to say overall that in my experience, the best pets we’ve had are the ones we’ve rescued.

    Kayla is the latest addition to our family. When we found her, she was an overweight, wiggly, two-year-old pure Yellow Lab who proved to be too much for her previous owners (which is very common with popular large purebreds – see note at end of article*). We took one look into her amber eyes and knew she was our dog, meant to become part of our family, which already included an elderly Siamese cat and a Shepherd/Husky mix, also rescued from a shelter. So we brought Kayla home and immediately got to work.

    Our first job was to make sure she got along with our other two pets, Dugan and Sheba. Dugan, the cat, hates all dogs in general (or pretends he does) so we worked on making sure Kayla knew that he wasn’t a new furry chew toy, and that Dugan was able to escape should she get too boisterous while attempting to play with him. Sheba, our older Shepherd/Husky, met Kayla on neutral ground, at the Humane Society, where it was determined by the staff that they would get along fine. When they met, Kayla submitted immediately to Sheba by lying down, bearing her throat, and licking Sheba’s muzzle.

    Our next job, my favorite, was to lavish her with love and let her know that whatever had happened previously in her life, she had found her true home. Being a Lab, she figured that out right away and attached herself to us, literally, following us everywhere we went and sticking close to our sides. In fact whenever we sat down, once she figured out that we thought she was too big get up in our laps, she’d lie on the floor near our feet, leaning into our legs. Needless to say we tripped over Kayla quite a bit in those early days (and still do somewhat)!

    Next we needed to teach her some simple discipline. Kayla had not been trained at all, as far as we could tell, and she was out of control – which wasn’t good for her and was destructive for us. At 97 pounds, she all but tore our arms off when we walked her, and she tried to knock anyone over who came to visit us. So we worked diligently to teach her simple commands of sit, lie down, and stay, as well as not to jump on people who came into our home, and how to heal on the leash while walking. It took time, effort, and patience – but it paid off. We still had our exuberant, joyful, playful Lab, but we could control her more easily, which was better for us and safer for her.

    During that time we also worked hard to get the weight off. She’d been overfed and under exercised by her previous owner, and was diagnosed with a thyroid problem. Within four months of our bringing her home she’d lost 22 pounds and was at a much healthier weight of 75 pounds (though she always acts food deprived when anyone is around who might believe her to try to get some extra chow). In addition, after the weight came off, her thyroid problem cleared up.

    We’ve now had Kayla for over four years, and she is the love of my life. She’s my best friend who loves me unconditionally, is happy to see me whenever I reappear in her life, and follows me everywhere. She licks my face when I cry, nips my heels when I dance (she doesn’t appear to approve of dancing) and fills my life with great joy.

    I realize that non-rescued/purebred animals bring the same joy to pet owners - really, I do know that. But maybe it’s because we rescued her from an unhappy life and she’s grateful to us, or maybe it’s just Kayla’s nature. Whatever it is, she’s the best dog we have ever had and she brings us more joy than we ever imagined possible – which, now that I mention it, our other rescued dog, Sheba, did also.

    *Just got to have a purebred? I understand – Yellow Labs are my favorite breed, and I can’t imagine having any other kind now that I’ve had Kayla for four years. But you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars to a breeder for a purebred lab, especially if you aren't going to show it or breed it. You can usually find young ones at local shelters, because once they grow from cute puppies to clumsy adolescents, many people find they can’t handle them, as was the case with Kayla. And there are rescue organizations for just about every breed there is. So check them out before you head off to a breeder or pet store if you are interested in rescuing an animal from a shelter.


    Susan Ryder is an animal lover and creative writer. This article has been submitted in affiliation with (http://www.PetLovers.Com/) which is a site for Pet Forums.



    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Ryder





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    Mulan the Shar Pei

    Mulan
    Shar Pei
    Five years old



    She was found abandoned, abused and delivering healthy pups in a undergound parking lot. Doesnt play too much and squirrels and deer are her mortal enemies.

    Mulan snores like a broken chainsaw, but is very cute and likes to guard and snuggle me.

    Her dream in life is to try and eat her entire body weight in salmon cooked on the bbq on the plank by her dad. She also grunts like a pig if you hit the spot under her chin and has been known to stand stalk still for hours.

    J.J.
    Vancouver, B.C.




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    Happy New Year!

    Happy New Year from Awesome Pets!


    Tips on Moving with Pets

    Tips on Moving with Pets
    By Kyle Haley

    If you’re a pet owner and are planning to move to a new home, remember that moving can be even more stressful for your animals than it is for you. But there are several things you can do to make it easier on your dog or cat.

    Start your packing well ahead of time; it’s not only easier on you, but on your pets as well. During the time leading up to your move, try to keep your pets’ eating and exercise schedules as normal as possible. Give them the same amount of attention and affection as you always do.

    Things to do before your move:

    • Get copies of certificates, medical, and immunization records from your veterinarian.

    • Purchase identification tags with your new address.

    • If you’re planning to travel by air, schedule your flights early and try to book a direct flight – this will be much easier on your pet. You need to find out what the airline’s regulations are for transporting your pet. You will also need to find out what kind of crate will be necessary to contain your dog or cat.

    • If you’re driving and the trip will take more than one day, be sure and check ahead and reserve motels that will accept pets.

    • Contact the state to which you’re moving and find out the regulations regarding animals. Some states require an entry permit for pets.

    • If your new home is nearby it’s a good idea to take your pets for a visit and let them become familiar with the neighborhood and the new sights and smells. This is especially true of dogs. Of course, keep the dog on a leash and the cat in a carrier.

    When Moving Day Finally Arrives . . .

    All the confusion is certain to upset your pet so the best solution is to have a friend or family member keep Fido or Fluffy while the loading is being done. If that isn’t an option, keep your pet in a small room, perhaps a bathroom, along with sufficient food, water (litter box for Fluffy) and some favorite toys. Attach a “Do Not Enter” sign on the door so the pet is secure and won’t be accidentally set free.

    You’re on Your Way . . .

    The packing and loading are all done and now it’s time to head for your new home. There are things you’ll want to make sure are packed for your pet. These include:

    • The new identification tags.

    • Medications and veterinarian records.

    • Recent pictures of your pet in case it becomes lost.

    • Litter box or scoop and plastic bags.

    • Paper towels in case there are accidents.

    • Leashes.

    • Toys and treats.

    • Food and water bowls.

    • Can opener and cans that can be resealed.

    • Regular food and water from the old house (enough for several days). Different water can upset an animal’s digestive tract so it’s a good idea to provide water from the old house for the first few days after moving. This would not be a good time to try a new brand of food either!

    Your New Home ~ At Last . . .

    When you finally arrive at your new home, let your pet explore with your supervision. Then place Fido or Fluffy in a small room with a crate or bed (and, of course a litter box for Fluffy) while the unloading and unpacking are taking place. Make sure to put some favorite toys in there and perhaps an old sweatshirt, or something that smells familiar.

    It’s very important that you not let your pet outside alone without a lead or tie for the first few days. Cats usually require about a week but dogs adapt quicker. You don’t want your pet to wander away and get lost.

    Your pet may be insecure and more prone to misbehaving during the first few days in a new environment. Try to be patient and not punish the initial misbehavior, instead, try to find ways to reduce stress. Extra TLC can go a long way toward making pets more comfortable. It’s also a good idea to follow the usual feeding and exercise schedule.

    In closing, there are just a couple of things you should be aware of to keep the moving experience as trouble-free as possible:

    • If you intend to fly, be aware that puppies and kittens
    less than 8 weeks old will not be transported.

    • And finally, never move a sick animal ~ it could well make his condition worse and endanger his health.

    Enjoy your new home!


    Kyle Thomas Haley has been helping people relocate on the Internet since 1999 with Apartment and Relocation Websites:

    Nationwide Moving Directory

    Copyright 1999 – 2005 STANZEEKAY Inc.
    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kyle_Haley


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    Happy New Year

    Here's hoping that you all had a fun and safe Christmas. We hope that there weren't any emergency trips to the Vet as a result of your curious pets.

    We had a good Christmas here, presents for all. Looking forward to the New Year and all the fun it will bring.

    We are still searching for puggle photos for you. Seems like everyone wants to see what a puggle looks like, yet not many puggle owners are taking photos. So if you own a puggle and want the world to see, please send us a photo and a bio right away!


    All the best and Happy New Year to all of you and your awesome pets.


    Awesome Christmas Pet Photo- Ebony


    Here's our little reindeer on her second Christmas. Little does she know there will be some gifts from Santa for her too!



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    Puggles Gray from Alabama







    My name is Puggles Gray from Birmingham, Alabama. I was born on June 20, 2000 and came to my family on September 5th, 2000. I am a pure fawn female Pug. I get my name because I like to snuggle (PUGGLES = PUG that likes to snuGGLE). I love to eat and to also play outside, but in the hot southern sun I can not stay outside very long.



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    Puggle Christmas Card

    Here's another awesome puggle photo, this time the puggle's owner played with Photoshop a little first.

    Puggle Xmas Card


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    Christmas Puggle

    You've been requesting puggle photos, so I've been tearing the internet apart looking for puggle photos for you.

    Here's a cutie, thanks to Flickr and RyFry.


    Reese the Puggle with Antlers on




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    Random quotes about Dogs

    The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
    -Anonymous

    Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.
    -Ann Landers

    If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
    -Will Rogers

    There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
    -Ben Williams

    A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves
    himself.
    -Josh Billings

    The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.
    -Andy Rooney

    We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the ! best dea l man has ever made.
    -M. Acklam

    Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate.
    - Sigmund Freud

    I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.
    -Rita Rudner

    A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three
    times before lying down.
    -Robert Benchley

    Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog.
    -Franklin P. Jones

    If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have
    known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.
    -James Thurber

    If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.
    -Unknown

    My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money.
    -Joe Weinstein

    Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a c! ow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!
    -Anne Tyler

    Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
    -Robert A. Heinlein

    If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
    -Mark Twain

    You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'
    - Dave Barry

    Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
    -Roger Caras

    If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your
    pocket and then give him only two of them.
    -Phil Pastoret

    My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am


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    It's The Worst Possible Time for a Puppy

    It's The Worst Possible Time for a Puppy
    By Hope Saidel

    Your child’s nagging and the incredibly precious holiday commercials have finally broken through your defenses – you’ve decided to relent and get Junior a puppy for Christmas.

    Don’t do it.

    Not for Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa or any other occasion. Acquiring a puppy is an event on its own. Don’t even try to cram it in with other celebrations.

    A wonderful holiday gift for your child is the promise of a puppy. Set a date; spring vacation, when school is out, when you get back from camp; a date when you’ll have time to devote to acclimating your new family member. For the holiday, give your child some tangible puppy items with that promise: a bowl, a toy, and most important of all: some books about dogs; training dogs, caring for dogs, dog breeds.

    Finding the perfect puppy for Junior should be Junior’s project. Give him the tools to research different breeds. Every breed of dog was developed for a specific task and that instinct lives on – even if most dogs’ only jobs today are to be wonderful companions. Dogs come in sizes from tiny to huge, with fur from non-existent to plush. Help your child assess your situation and decide on the right dog for your family.

    If Junior isn’t old enough to do the work – Junior isn’t old enough to have a dog of his own.

    If the puppy is supposed to belong to Junior, then Junior should understand what’s involved in caring for her dog. The cuddling and playing fetch may sound great – but is she aware that scooping poop is also part of the deal? Check with your local dog training facility – is Junior old enough to participate in a class with her puppy?

    Dogs and children can be a wonderful pairing. With the right preparation, a dog can be a child’s best friend.

    Hope Saidel is the co-owner of http://www.GollyGear.com, a bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun, affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a decade and is on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Dog Training Club.

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hope_Saidel


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    Christmas and The Boxer Chocolate

    Once again it's the rush of the Christmas season and with two Boxers in the house, the holidays are guaranteed to be entertaining. This year we're off to an amusing start with a missing box of brandy chocolates. A few mornings ago I went off to work, leaving our two Boxers, Sophia and Rocky, in the house as it was especially cold outside. I asked my sister to stop in and let them outside later that morning. My supervisor at work delivered the news with a smirk. My sister had called to report that the furry brats had thrown a little party and there were boxes of brandy chocolates smeared everywhere...along with stockings that had been hung on the fireplace, in shreds all over the house. My next purchase was a couple of fleece jackets for two Boxers who have had the last of their holiday fun.

    B.M.
    B.C.


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    Top 5 Best Gifts For Your Pets

    Top 5 Best Gifts For Your Pets
    By Christine Arbor


    Most individuals or families view their pets as a member of the family as well. That said there is no reason why they should not be included in birthdays, Christmas or any other holiday for that matter. It’s a special day for them as well and it should be celebrated. So what are you going to get for your feline friend on their birthday? Why not consider some of these popular ideas which are sure to excite your pet on their special day:

    1. Pet Carrier – Your pet will love this gift! A pet carrier is a bag large enough to allow room for you pet. Your pet then sits in the carrier while you tote them around town. Imagine how excited they would be to go everywhere and never have to walk a step. These items can cost anywhere from $20 to thousands of dollars depending on the style, make and size of the bag.

    2. Pet Clothes – Just as humans like clothes for the birthdays, pets do as well. They like dressing up and they also like sweaters to keep them warm in the winter. There are many places to buy clothing for your pet and they can cost as little as $10 or as much as thousands depending on your preferences and the amount of money you are willing to spend.

    3. Tasty Treats – Every pet will love the gift of food. Their favorite treats are sure to make them feel special on their birthday (or other occasion) and this can end up being a very inexpensive, yet effective, gift.

    4. Pet ID Tags – These items can be personalized with their favorite designs or characters but what’s most beneficial about these gifts is that if they get lost they will be brought back to you. That would probably be the best gift they could wish for.

    5. Manicure/Pedicure – I know this sounds crazy but it really isn’t. Think about how much walking your pets do on their paws. Just like we like manicures and pedicures, your pets will appreciate the special treatment as well. Keep in mind this will only work for animals with paws and most likely is only best for those of female nature.

    There are many other great gift ideas for your pets. It’s up to you to decide which is best for them but also within your budget. Many individuals spend unreasonable amounts on gifts for their pets but you really don’t need anything extravagant, just something small to let them know you care. In the end it’s the thought that counts…not the price tag.


    Christine Arbor is a pet lover who works as a contributing writer for http://www.topsellingpetsupplies.com – a site that offers information on buying pet supplies such as pet meds, dog food and more.

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Arbor


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    Not seeing this blog properly?

    We're working on that. We always use the Firefox browser, we never thought to even try it in Internet Explorer. We're just pet lovers not web page designers! lol

    Until we can get this issue fixed, we ask you to give Firefox a try. We've been using it ourselves for about a year now and love how great it works. No annoying pop-ups all the time and it rarely crashes.

    Give it a try is you can't see this blog properly. The Pet of the Month is supposed to be right near the top!





    Thanks for your patience!


    Christmas Ebony




    This is Ebony sitting pretty by the tree last Christmas. It was her first one! There's going to be some more treats and toys for her under the tree again this year. She's been so good!




    R,J,J,A J
    Mission, B.C.
    Canada


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    Christmas Pets

    Okay people. Let's see those Christmas Pets! We've got a couple in already but we want more!


    Send photos of your pets all Christmas-ed up. We'll post 'em as soon as we get 'em!



    Pet safety during Christmas

    The upcoming Holiday Season is an exciting time for everyone. Parents are turning into machines, capable of walking for hours without food or water, just to find that perfect gift. Children are turning into angels, rarely talking back or getting into trouble for fear of a giant lump of coal being delivered instead of gifts.

    Your pets are also affected as they see things around them change. No more quiet living room for them to lounge in, replaced by a big flashing tree with bright lights, shiny tinsel and boxes covered with ribbons and wrapping paper. Gone are the tasty chew toys that usually litter the floor, replaced with carpet fresheners and cleaners for when guests arrive.

    During the holiday season, you'll want to keep an eye on your pets. Suddenly the house will be filled with flashy, shiny, tasty, glittery, pine-smelling, bright, noisy, crackly items, sure to intrigue most pets especially cats and dogs.

    Dogs that are already chewers will find the Holiday season full of exciting new things to chew on. There's strings of lights, ornaments on the tree or ones that have fallen down, nice, new, cool smelling boxes with wrapping paper. All these things are hard for a curious dog to pass by.

    Cats love Christmas. They especially love ribbons and bows, tinsel and tree ornaments. There is many a story of emergency trips to the vet to remove yards of ribbon from inside a cat. Many cats enjoy the taste of ribbons and quite a few cats love playing with the tinsel, batting it around until they can eat it.

    In order to avoid any costly and potentially fatal accidents this Christmas, make sure to take a few precautions before leaving your pet alone near a tree.

    Keep most of your presents put away, unless your dog has been trained. Maybe this would be a good year to start that training? Put one fully wrapped present under the tree and see what happens. A couple of sniffs and your dog disregards it? Great. If your dog sees this as another chew toy, then you can step in and sort that out. You want to make sure your dog can resist temptation of else you might find yourself at a Vet, trying to get ribbons and bows and cardboard out of your dog. No easy task I can assure you!

    Try and keep tinsel out of the equation if you have cats. We all know it looks great on a tree, but it creates a huge problem when cats ingest it. Try placing it further up on the tree, so that strings don’t hang down to where they can paw at it. If you can do without, even better. Tinsel is easily and readily consumed by cats, the shine and the glitter is hard to resist for any curious kitty.

    Make sure to keep an eye out for any other hazards. Ornaments are pretty, but some are made of glass and can shatter into very small pieces when they get broken. Christmas tree bulbs are enjoyed by some dogs, I personally know of a dog that ate almost an entire string of Christmas lights, enjoying the “popping” of the bulbs in his mouth.

    Keep an eye out and be diligent. If you see your pet even thinking about chewing on one of these new “toys”, make sure you take that as a chance to train your pet to stay away. Not only will you be able to enjoy your Christmas without coming home and having your tree all over the living room, but you won’t have to make expensive trips to the Vet during holiday season!

    Happy Holidays!


    Make sure you have health insurance for your beloved Pet to avoid sudden costly bills. Check out Petco's plans, suitable for all budgets.
    Health Insurance for all Pets









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    Phoebe the Siamese cat




    Phoebe

    Birthdate October 27/03 (Scorpio) 2 yrs old.



    We picked Phoebe up when she was just 5 weeks old from a local pet store. The sign said “siamese”, but we did take our chances, as she was pure white. It didn’t take long to confirm she was indeed a true Siamese, as the Siamese characters began to surface. At 8 weeks old she had her first major surgery, the doctor removed over a foot of Christmas ribbon from her intestines. To this day she enjoys snacking on anything string like and grocery bags. She always enjoys the daily game of catch the cloth that wipes the countertops, and never misses the nightly routine of catch my foot as I tuck myself into bed. Every night at exactly 11:30 pm she roams through the house like a feral cat in distress making the oddest low pitch growl/meow. During our last snow fall we discovered she likes to play in the snow, and chased after several snow balls that the kids threw, pushing her head into the snow to retrieve them. Yes, she is a quirky one our Phoebe ,and she’s got us all wrapped around her little paw.


    T,S,K
    BC

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    Should You Buy Dog Health Insurance?

    Should You Buy Dog Health Insurance?
    By Steve Austin


    Should you seriously consider buying a dog health insurance policy? Yes, you should. Here's why health insurance for dogs is a good idea:

    Dog health insurance saves you money. As with just about all other costs, veterinary expenses have increased rapidly in recent years. Without dog medical insurance (or more accurately, veterinary insurance), you are responsible for paying for everything: routine checkups, preventive procedures, emergency care and disease treatments. That will run into hundreds of dollars. Why not get some help?

    Dog Health Insurance: Quick Cost Facts

    Health insurance for your dog, like health insurance for yourself, has annual premiums and deductibles. Pet insurance premiums depend on the breed of your dog and the type of policy you decide upon. If you have more than one dog, there is usually a reduced rate after the first policy.

    Dog health insurance deductibles can vary as well. The average annual deductible is about $100. You may choose among different coverage plans which are based on your dog’s age, breed, and pre-existing medical conditions. Some policies even consider the dog’s lifestyle; for instance, whether your dog is purely a pet or a watchdog, too.

    Health Insurance for Dogs: Quick Coverage Facts

    Dog insurance healthcare plans can vary greatly. Some canine health plans are quite comprehensive, covering annual checkups, routine care, vaccinations and other preventive medications, and spaying/neutering, as well as illnesses and accidents. Others only cover unexpected sickness or injuries.

    Dog insurance coverage for emergencies begins immediately on most new dog health plans, with a 30-day waiting period for illness and other claims.

    Your dog’s age can affect your dog's health insurance coverage. Typically, policies begin veterinary healthcare coverage when the dog is 6 to 8 weeks old, although some will start when the dog is younger. Similarly, some dog health insurance companies only will cover dogs under 8 years old unless the animal was already insured with them before turning 8.

    Many dog health insurers will not cover your pet if she has a preexisting condition or a terminal illness. Some will insure the dog only if the condition is controlled or stable, usually for 6 months.

    With all these options, it is important you check out the various dog health insurance companies, their pet insurance policies and corresponding dog healthcare plans.

    In short, if you care about your dog, you should care about his health. If you care about your wallet, you should care about your dog's health insurance coverage, too.


    If you love dogs and puppies, visit I-Love-Dogs.com now! You can get, free dog email, send a free dog postcard, learn about the different dog breeds and so much more!

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Austin



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    Dog Training-The "Come" Command

    Training Tips For Dogs - The "Come" Command
    By Paul Johnston




    Most dog owners can attest to the frustration, embarrassment and even danger when their dog decides to activate its selective hearing practices and ignores your command to 'come'. Here are some tips to teach your dog the rules.

    Let's start with a few ground rules. When training a dog, it is easy to develop a 'sergeant major' tone, however, it is important to keep the training process fun and interesting. Keep your voice relaxed and use a 'happy' tone. Always praise your dog with cuddles and treats when it successfully completes the command.

    Never call your dog to you to punish it and never chase after the dog. When playing with your dog, play games where the dog chases after you. If you develop a game where you chase the dog, it will have a natural tendency to run away from you!

    Another important rule is to avoid repeating the command. Your dog should be taught to come on just one word, not 20! Repeating a command is an unpleasant vocal exercise (and an embarrassing one) for the owner, and it will also confuse the dog.

    You can begin training this command as soon as the puppy is brought home. A puppy will usually want to stay close to its owner and you can apply the command when the puppy is naturally coming to you.

    To extend the training, start in the backyard or a small enclosed area. Fit your puppy with a harness and attach the lead to it. Have treats on hand. Let the dog wander away, then call its name and say "Come".

    Only say the command once and if the dog does not return immediately begin to pull in the lead. When the dog is in front of you, give it a treat and lots of praise. Never pull on a lead that is attached to a collar. A dog will naturally resist this type of pressure and dig in its heels leading to a negative experience for the animal.

    Once the dog has returned successfully several times, remove the lead and try again. If the dog does not come immediately, throw the lead towards the dog to get its attention (but don't aim to hit the dog). The lead will land near the dog and will snap the animal to attention. Once you have the dog's attention, repeat the command once. While throwing the lead is not a standard training procedure, it has worked well for many people. Some say that it tells your dog that your arm is actually longer than it looks!

    Practice this command on a daily basis until the dog is happy to always return to you. Thereafter, practice on a weekly or fortnightly basis in five-minute sessions. If your dog has ignored the command at the park, practice the command as soon as you get home using the lead and treats.

    You can also teach this command with a physical stance whereby both your hands are stretched out either side from your body. This is useful for when your dog is a longer distance away from you.

    Finally, avoid getting angry at your animal. A dog is usually so intrigued with the environment and is naturally stimulated and more interested in the butterflies, birds, smells and other animals. Using positive re-enforcement in a controlled environment along with a happy manner will quickly remind the dog that a recall is a fun thing to do.


    For lots of easy to read articles, full of useful information that is sure to help you out with your pet or pets, go to http://www.P-E-T-S.info. While you are there sign up for the PET NEWS email newsletter - it is FREE and packed with handy tips for pet owners.

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Johnston


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    How to litter train a cat

    How to Litter Train a Cat
    By Andrew Markison

    For most cat owners, training their cat to use the litter is a relatively painless process. It is among a cat’s natural instincts to eliminate in an area that they can cover their feces in. This behavior may be a way of your cat accepting what they perceive to be as the natural order of dominance. In the wild feral cats will bury their feces if they are not at the top of their social hierarchy, if a feral cat does not bury his or her feces it is likely that the cat exhibiting that behavior is the dominant feline. So when your housecat buries his or her waste he or she may be recognizing your role as the dominant animal in their social community. It is also possible, however, that your cat may be displaying his or her inherited instinct to bury his or her feces in order to hide their trail from would be predators.

    Generally kittens will learn the behavior of burying their feces and using the litter through their mother once they are weaned assuming the mother is litter trained. So if you bring home a young kitten of about 12 weeks, you may only need to place kitty in the litter box and gently scratch the clean litter with your fingers shortly after she eats to indicate to her what she is to do.

    KITTY DIDN’T TAKE TO THE LITTER RIGHT AWAY

    If your new cat doesn’t take to litter training after your first few attempts you may want to consider teaching her using another common method. Confine your new addition to a small but comfortable room, preferably one with a hard floor if you have one. Place both the litter box and the food dish in the room but don’t place them close to one another. Your cat will naturally not want to defecate near its food source so she will look for another area. Eliminate any pillows, blankets, newspapers, towels or other soft items where your cat may decide to eliminate from
    the room before you close her in. If you have confined your cat to a room with hard floors she is likely to avoid eliminating on the floor since urinating is likely to splash back and get on her fur. The only remaining choice to the cat at this point is (hopefully) the litter box.

    MY CAT STOPPED USING THE LITTER

    If your cat was housebroken and all the sudden she seems to have forgotten that instinct there are a few possibilities you might want to consider before giving up.

    1. Does Kitty Have A Dirty Litter Box? The most common cause of a housetrained cat to stop using the litter is your cat disagreeing with the level of cleanliness regarding her litter box. Your cat is more likely to stop using the litter if she feels that it is too dirty. It is best to clean your cat’s litter every day or at the very least every second or third day. The dirtier a litter box gets
    the less likely it is that your cat is going to continue to use it. Your cat wants to eliminate in a clean environment and if she notices that every time she eliminates on the carpet you immediately run and clean it up she perceives that as a more desirable place to eliminate because it is so quickly cleaned. Keeping your cat's litter as clean as possible is the best way to avoid this problem, and remember, what you consider clean, your cat may not.


    In addition to emptying the litter, you obviously need to change it from time to time as well in order to ensure good cat health and cleanliness. Weekly changing is best, this ensures that odors and wetness won’t have too much time to build up to unacceptable levels and it also reduces the likelihood of sickness due to high levels of bacteria.


    2. Stress. A cat eliminating outside of the litter box may also be a sign for stress. The introduction of a new person or animal into the household may be putting a lot of stress on your cat. Cats generally like to feel like they know what is going on and what they can expect. If you upset that balance by introducing a new creature (even a two legged one) into the household they may get stressed which can cause them to eliminate outside the box.


    If you leave your cat alone for long periods of time (for example while you take vacations or go on business trips) and you come back you may notice that your cat will sometimes seem aloof and standoffish. This is another instance in which your cat may react with eliminating outside the litter box as a sort of protest to what she perceives as being abandoned.


    A new piece of furniture, or conversely, a newly missing piece of furniture may also put stress on your cat. Order and comfort are important if you are a cat. If you decide to get rid of that old fabric sofa because of it's ugly pea green color and because it's falling apart at the seams and then you replace it with a brand new, slick, top of the line, leather sofa with a refrigerator built into the side, and a massage and heating function, your cat is unlikely to see this as a stylish upgrade the way you would. What your cat will probably see is that one of her favorite nap
    spots has disappeared only to be replaced by something she is unfamiliar with and
    intimidated by.


    3. Changing Litter Brands. Cats are creatures of habit and can also be quite finicky (remember Morris, the 9 Lives cat?). If you've recently switched the brand of litter you usually buy this may be cause for your cat to find another place to go. Some litters are perfumed (for humans rather than cats) and your cat may not react well to these smells, or perhaps your cat was used to a less dusty type of litter, a particular litter's texture, or who knows what. Changing brands or types of litter may upset what your cat is comfortable with and the result may be a messy
    carpet. If you suspect this to be the cause, you can either switch back, or gradually introduce the new litter. Try mixing in a little bit of the new litter with the older brand at first and gradually step up the percentage of the new litter each time you change the box, eventually you will be able to replace the older brand altogether. This will help your cat ease into the new litter brand rather than upset her sense of the order of things.

    4. Multiple Cats. As mentioned above a second animal may cause a cat to begin to eliminate outside of the litter box, but this may not necessarily be the result of stress. A second cat in your household should probably have his own litter box unless your cats have proven they don’t mind sharing. Again, remember cats are clean creatures and they can be territorial as well. Some cats may not mind using the same box, but others may refuse, which means again, the carpet becomes litter box number two.


    5. Litter Box Size Or Placement. If the litter box does not provide enough room for your cat she may not use it at all. Your cat will likely want to scratch around and be able to feel comfortable in the litter box. Make sure it is roomy enough, easy for your cat to get in and out of (the sides of the box should be lower for kittens than for adult cats), and not in a high traffic area as cats seem to like some degree of privacy when eliminating. Lastly, make sure your cat has access to the litter at all times. Putting your litter box in a room that is closed on occasion is a recipe for disaster. If your cat has to go and she can’t get to the room that you’ve put the litter in then she really will have no other alternative than to find another suitable area to eliminate.


    6. Medical Issues. Your cat may be experiencing kitty incontinence. Like humans, incontinence can strike animals and this may be an indication of other medical issues with your cat. As a cat ages, she becomes more likely to lose control of her bodily functions just like a human does. If you suspect age or medical reasons may be the cause for your kitty’s litter box problems then you should take her to the vet for an examination, advice and possible treatment to resolve the problem.


    WHEN YOUR CAT MAKES A MESS

    If your cat does make a mess outside of the litter box it is generally not good practice to scold her or punish her. Putting her nose in the mess and then tossing her in the litter is not going to solve your problem. Being upset with your cat is natural after such an incident, but to display this behavior and then to put her in the litter box is only making your cat associate the litter box with a bad experience. Your cat may also begin to learn to be afraid of you, which is obviously not what you want. Your best solution is to clean up the mess quickly. Put your cat in the litter
    box and be friendly and speak in a calming voice with the cat. Scrape the clean litter with your fingers and make sure your cat sees this behavior, hopefully it will sink in. To avoid having your cat defecate in the same place outside the litter box a second (or third) time, cover the area with a plastic sheet or something hard that will result in your cat splashing herself with her own urine if she should chose that place to defecate again. Clean the smell as best you can (white vinegar may help, but make sure your furniture or carpet can handle it). You can also move her food
    dish on top of or near the area that she used to defecate, a cat will not want to defecate near her food source. If your cat uses the litter again, even just once, reward her, play with her, pet her, give her a treat, make her associate the litter box with a good experience rather than a bad one.


    A cat that eliminates outside of the box is not a lost cat. Don’t give up on her until you’ve explored the possible reasons for the problem. Once you find it, you can most likely correct it and kitty and human can live a happy co-existence once again.

    Andy Markison is an illustrator, graphic designer, animal lover and pet owner living in Germany. His website, ZapGraphix.com, sells fun and humorous pet related grapchics and gift merchandise.

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Markison


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    Training Your New Puppy the Right Way

    Training Your New Puppy the Right Way
    By Johannes Nefischer

    Puppy training is very important, whether you are training your first puppy or your 20th. Properly training and socializing a puppy is vital to making it a valued member of your family and your community.

    In some ways training a puppy is easier than training an adult or adolescent dog. One reason is that the puppy is essentially a “blank slate”, untroubled by past training techniques and other issues. In other ways, however, the puppy can be more difficult to train than an older dog.

    One challenge to training a new puppy is that puppies are more easily distractible than adolescent and adult dogs. Everything is new to a puppy, and every new experience provides a new chance for distraction. For this reason, it is best to keep training sessions short when working with a puppy, and to end each training sessions on a positive note.

    It is also important to allow the puppy plenty of time to play, and to interact with other puppies and dogs. Socialization training is vital to making your new puppy a good canine citizen, as dog aggression is a growing problem in many areas. A properly socialized dog learns how to play properly with other dogs, and overly aggressive play is punished by the other dogs in the play group.

    This type of play learning is something that happens among siblings in litters of puppies. As the puppies play with each other, they learn what is appropriate and what is not. Inappropriate behavior, such as hard biting or scratching, is punished by the other puppies, by the mother dog, or both.

    Unfortunately, many puppies are removed from their mothers and sold or adopted before this socialization has fully occurred. Therefore, puppy play sessions are a very important part of any puppy training session. Most good puppy preschool training programs provide time in each session for this type of dog interaction.

    Introducing your puppy to new experiences and new locations is also an important part of puppy training. Teaching your dog to be obedient and responsive, even in the face of many distractions, is very important when training dogs and puppies.

    One great way to socialize your puppy both to new people and new dogs is to take it on a trip to your local pet store. Many major pet store chains, and some independent ones as well, allow pet parents to bring their furry children, and these stores can be great places for puppies to get used to new sights, sounds and smells. Of course you will want to make sure the store allows pets before heading over.

    It is important for puppy owners to structure their pet’s environment so that the puppy is rewarded for good behaviors and not rewarded for others. One good example of this is jumping on people. Many people inadvertently reward this behavior because it can be cute. While it is true that jumping can be cute for a 10 pound puppy, it will not be so cute when that puppy has grown into a 100 pound dog.

    Instead of rewarding the puppy for jumping, try rewarding it for sitting instead. This type of positive reinforcement will result in a well behaved adult dog that is a valued member of both the family and the community at large.

    This type of reinforcement can also be used in potty training the new puppy. For instance, teaching a puppy to use a unique surface such as gravel or asphalt is a good technique. The theory is that the puppy will associate this surface with going potty, and therefore be reluctant to use other surfaces (like your kitchen carpet for instance) as a potty.

    Johannes Nefischer

    Small Business Consultant and Dog Trainer

    In spare time finds tips and tricks on hunting-dog training at www.huntingdogtips.com

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johannes_Nefischer



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    Blog redesign

    Just an update for all you pet lovers. Apparently people were having problems viewing this blog in Internet Explore. Over the weekend we will be redesigning the blog, adding new and valuable content as well as some other pet photos and pet stories.

    Don't forget to submit your pet photo's, bio's and stories to awesomepets@hotmail.com


    Fish Make The Greatest Pets

    Fish Make The Greatest Pets
    By Jennifer Shircel




    Aren’t the children always begging for a pet or another pet?

    You don’t want a cat – there’s that whole litter box thing. You don’t want to train a puppy, plus what about when you want to go away for the night? Birds make such a mess and can be quite noisy. And then there’s those “rodent” things.

    When we found out we were expecting our first child we decided to decorate the nursery in tropical fish decor. Then we thought a fish tank in the room would be perfect for the “white noise” and for a nice little night light. So we bought a 10 gallon tank set that cost about $40 for everything but the fish. We had no clue about caring for fish, so we only got a few fancy guppies that were about $3 each. How cheap!!

    Who knew we’d become addicted? Well, me anyways. We learned that guppies are live bearers, meaning that they have “live” babies instead of laying eggs and they can be all sorts of pretty colors. Needless to say, we learned a few things about raising guppies and haven’t spent any more money buying fish (well, except for a few more different colored guppies and a bigger tank to start breeding our own)!

    Fish are so easy to take care of and are rather inexpensive to keep. We clean out their tank a little bit each month and spend about $2 on food for them that lasts about 3 months. The kids all love the guppies – their pretty colors and especially watching the babies grow. I love the guppies because they’re cheap, relaxing, neat, quiet and they teach the children about responsibility with having a pet.

    So before you jump down their throats about not having a pet, tell the kids to consider some guppies. If you’re looking to do some more research on them, check out www.guppies.com . There are plenty of tips and people there that are willing to answer all of your questions.


    Jennifer is the owner of http://www.MomOnABudget.com, a resource for money saving tips and ideas, quick and easy recipes, how to decorate on a budget, work at home ideas and so much more.

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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    Commercial Pet Food for Your Dog?

    Commercial Pet Food for Your Dog?
    By Brigitte Smith

    What you feed your dog is really SO important for your dog's ultimate health, susceptibility to illness, and longevity.

    You know, if you really want your dog to be as healthy as s/he can be, you should stop feeding ANY of the widely available commercial dog foods.

    I'm talking here about the types of dog food commonly found in supermarkets, and even about most of the supposedly superior brands sold in some supermarkets, pet food shops, and even by many vets.

    The cheaper the brand, then generally the more full of garbage it is, but even many of the more expensive brands leave much to be desired.

    What do you think is an ideal diet for your dog?

    - plump chickens?

    - choice cuts of juicy beef and lamb?

    - maybe a few healthy fresh grains for variety?

    - the odd fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit?

    You'd be right.

    But how many of the above ingredients do you think go into commercial pet food?

    A lot? Only a little? If you said yes to either of these, you'd be dead wrong.

    The average commercial dog food bears NO relation to the above list of choice ingredients, despite what pet food manufacturers display in some of their marketing, and despite what the list of ingredients on the pack or can might tend to indicate.

    There is very, very little (if any) of the above ingredients in the average commercial dog food, and by the time it's been overcooked at sustained high temperatures, and sprayed with preservative agents, the resultant "food" can be very harmful to your dog's health and wellbeing indeed.

    Suffice to say that if you're feeding your dog ANY commercially available dog food, you're exposing your dog to a source of chemically enhanced, overprocessed, garbage, the meat source for which includes diseased carcasses which have been left for up to 5 days before being processed.

    Enough to turn you off for life? It was for me. As you know, I've always fed my dogs a diet of mainly raw meat and bones. But I like to give them a little treat in the mornings rather than just feed them once a day (which, by the way, IS all a dog NEEDS). I used to give them a handful of dry dog food each morning, sometimes the cheaper supermarket brands, and sometimes the "brand" names which cost 4 or 5 times as much. Now that I know better, I never give my dogs any of that garbage.

    I should say that SOME of the expensive pet foods which are readily available ARE better than the cheaper brands. BUT, most are still far from an ideal diet for your dog, so query whether the extra money is money well spent.

    If the product says it's "with real chicken", did you know that it only needs to contain 3% of chicken? Neither did I.

    If the first item listed is meat or chicken, did you know that this doesn't mean that's the main ingredient? Neither did I.

    Take a close look at the label. It's likely to list a meat first, and then 2, 3, 4 or 5 types of grains. This is a very misleading tactic used by the commercial pet food manufacturers. Each of the grains individually may be slightly less in quantity than the meat. But added together? They're probably nearly 2, 3, 4 or 5 times the quantity of the meat ingredient.

    After having looked into this issue in a great deal of detail, I'm convinced that the most healthy diet for your dog is mainly fresh meat, with some fresh veges and a little grain thrown in. And this alone is NOT enough. You need to give your dog a vitamin supplement always, for optimal health.

    And for the very best health, there ARE some reputable HEALTHY, wholesome, holistic dog food manufacturers, which really DO provide wonderfully healthy food for our dogs.

    If you're game to read the whole shocking report published by the U.S. Animal Protection Institute, about what's really in commercial pet food, it's posted at: www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/APIArticle

    And for details of the best dog food manufacturers, see all the details here: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/DogFood

    (c) 2005, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs


    Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in holistic dog health. Her site, Healthy Happy Dogs, has pages and pages of information on improving your dog's health naturally. Brigitte is the author of several reports, articles, and the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter.

    For your special FREE report - "How to Improve Your Dog's Health Within 30 Days - Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog's Life!", Click Here for Your Free Dog Health Report! http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com

    Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/


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