It's cold out there!!! I know line from 'Groundhog's Day' is a little too early in the season, but it's true for most of the people on the East Coast. The same is true for pets too. So, here's a few tips on keeping pets in the winter from the Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
•Keep your cat inside if you can. Cats can freeze, become lost or stolen, injured or killed if left outdoors.
•During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can become injured or killed by the fan belt. To avoid death or injury, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine.
•Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice. Dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
•Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes inside from sleet, snow or ice. Road salt can be dangerous to animals.
•Never shave your dog down to the skin during winter because a longer coat will provide more warmth.
•Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
•Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to train in the winter. You may opt to paper-train him inside.
You can read more tips on keeping animals in the winter at: http://www.humanesc.org/services/humane-education/animal-care.htm
Source: http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1972
Monday, January 4, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
10 More Commandments for Pet Owners
I saw this list of Ten Commandments for pet owners to be aware of and just had to post it. It's just endearing to read this list from Things4yourdog.com:
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6.. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old and weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
You can see more things for animals at: http://www.things4yourdog.com/page/145250202
Source: http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1971
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6.. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old and weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
You can see more things for animals at: http://www.things4yourdog.com/page/145250202
Source: http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1971
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Pet Tarantulas Shoot Hairs that can Irritate the Eye
Doctors are now warning owners of tarantulas to be more careful when handling their unusual pets because of a previously unwarned danger…tarantula hairs. When these spiders feel threatened they can release a mist of hairs that can irritate the skin and eyes.
This defense mechanism was recently a problem for a patient of Dr Zia Carrim, of St James's University Hospital in Leeds, Britain. His patient came in complaining of eye irritation, watering and redness last February. They put him on medication to try and clear up the problem but it didn’t go away.
Dr. Carrim went on to examine the patient’s eye underneath a high magnification lens and noticed several hair like projections coming out of the cornea. Being told of this unusual malady, the doctor’s patient remembered that they’d been cleaning out their pet tarantula’s cage when the creature released a spray of hairs into his face.
Dr. Carrim stated, ‘It was very obvious that the course of the inflammation was driven by these tiny hairs. We attempted removal of corneal hairs for our patient under the operating microscope but even with the smallest pair of forceps it was impossible.’
The patient has been receiving ongoing treatment for the inflammation, but they remain unable to remove the hairs.
Dr. Carrim further states, ‘He was treated with steroids to dampen down the response…And he will remain on long-term treatment with steroids at a very low dose."
If you are the owner of a tarantula be warned that this defensive mechanism can result in a chronic injury that’s difficult to treat. If you are handling one of these large spiders it’s a good eye to have some eye protection, in addition to wearing gloves to protect from a bite.
Source: http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1970
This defense mechanism was recently a problem for a patient of Dr Zia Carrim, of St James's University Hospital in Leeds, Britain. His patient came in complaining of eye irritation, watering and redness last February. They put him on medication to try and clear up the problem but it didn’t go away.
Dr. Carrim went on to examine the patient’s eye underneath a high magnification lens and noticed several hair like projections coming out of the cornea. Being told of this unusual malady, the doctor’s patient remembered that they’d been cleaning out their pet tarantula’s cage when the creature released a spray of hairs into his face.
Dr. Carrim stated, ‘It was very obvious that the course of the inflammation was driven by these tiny hairs. We attempted removal of corneal hairs for our patient under the operating microscope but even with the smallest pair of forceps it was impossible.’
The patient has been receiving ongoing treatment for the inflammation, but they remain unable to remove the hairs.
Dr. Carrim further states, ‘He was treated with steroids to dampen down the response…And he will remain on long-term treatment with steroids at a very low dose."
If you are the owner of a tarantula be warned that this defensive mechanism can result in a chronic injury that’s difficult to treat. If you are handling one of these large spiders it’s a good eye to have some eye protection, in addition to wearing gloves to protect from a bite.
Source: http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1970
Friday, January 1, 2010
Further New Year's Resolutions from the Cat
It's the first day of the year 2010. So, here's a few more New Year's Resolutions from your cat found at 200ok.com:
My human will never let me eat her pet rat, and I am at peace with that.
I will not leap into my human's chair which she has temporarily vacated, and then bite my human on the bum when she sits back down.
I will not puff my entire body to twice its size for no reason after my human has finished watching a horror movie.
I will not sniff at my male human's feet after he takes his shoes off, freeze my mouth open in disgust and then sniff my private parts to compare odors. My female human might find it amusing, but my male human does not appreciate it, especially in front of company.
I will not slurp fish food from the surface of the aquarium.
I must not help myself to Q-tips, and I must certainly not proceed to stuff them down the sink's drain.
I will not bite my human on the rear while she is sitting on the Big White Drinking Bowl.
I will not eat large numbers of assorted bugs, then come home and puke them up so my humans can see that I'm getting plenty of roughage.
I will not lean way over to drink out of the tub, fall in, and then pelt right for the box of clumping cat litter. (It took FOREVER to get the stuff out of my fur. )
I will not stand on the bathroom counter, stare down the hall, and growl at NOTHING after my human has finished watching The X-Files.
When my human is taking a bubble bath, the two pinkish-brown things sticking up out of the bubbles in her chest region are NOT to be played with!
I will not fish out my human's partial plate from the glass so that the dog can "wear" it and pretend to be my human. (It is somewhat unnerving to wake up, roll over in bed, and see the dog grinning at you with your own teeth.
I will not use the bathtub to store live mice for late-night snacks.
Source: http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1969
My human will never let me eat her pet rat, and I am at peace with that.
I will not leap into my human's chair which she has temporarily vacated, and then bite my human on the bum when she sits back down.
I will not puff my entire body to twice its size for no reason after my human has finished watching a horror movie.
I will not sniff at my male human's feet after he takes his shoes off, freeze my mouth open in disgust and then sniff my private parts to compare odors. My female human might find it amusing, but my male human does not appreciate it, especially in front of company.
I will not slurp fish food from the surface of the aquarium.
I must not help myself to Q-tips, and I must certainly not proceed to stuff them down the sink's drain.
I will not bite my human on the rear while she is sitting on the Big White Drinking Bowl.
I will not eat large numbers of assorted bugs, then come home and puke them up so my humans can see that I'm getting plenty of roughage.
I will not lean way over to drink out of the tub, fall in, and then pelt right for the box of clumping cat litter. (It took FOREVER to get the stuff out of my fur. )
I will not stand on the bathroom counter, stare down the hall, and growl at NOTHING after my human has finished watching The X-Files.
When my human is taking a bubble bath, the two pinkish-brown things sticking up out of the bubbles in her chest region are NOT to be played with!
I will not fish out my human's partial plate from the glass so that the dog can "wear" it and pretend to be my human. (It is somewhat unnerving to wake up, roll over in bed, and see the dog grinning at you with your own teeth.
I will not use the bathtub to store live mice for late-night snacks.
Source: http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1969
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Resolutions to Help Out Animals
It's the last day of the Year 2009. Instead of focusing on what our pets and animals can do for us, lets take a look at what we can do for them. The PETA blog has a few New Year's Resolutions we can make to improve the lives of animals:
If you resolved to go vegetarian last year—pledge to be vegan this year! Donate nonvegan items from your cupboards, like food, to food pantries and clothing items like wool sweaters to a homeless shelter for those who truly need it to keep warm.
Promise to take Fido on long leisurely walks. This can also help you if you are resolving to lose weight for the new year, as walking your dog can be just as good for you as going to the gym. If you don’t have animal companions who share your home, why not bring a little joy into the lives of those who are in animal shelters? Most shelters welcome donations of food, litter, and cleaning supplies and those who are able to give time to take dogs for walks, change kitty litter, and give belly rubs.
Switch to cruelty-free cosmetics and household products. It’s never been easier to buy cruelty-free products. Search our list of products and resolve to support only brands that share your compassionate philosophy. Or try your hand at making your own homemade, cruelty-free, green cleaning supplies
To learn more about helping animals drop on by: http://living.peta.org/2009/new-years-resolutions-that-help-animals
Source: http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1968
If you resolved to go vegetarian last year—pledge to be vegan this year! Donate nonvegan items from your cupboards, like food, to food pantries and clothing items like wool sweaters to a homeless shelter for those who truly need it to keep warm.
Promise to take Fido on long leisurely walks. This can also help you if you are resolving to lose weight for the new year, as walking your dog can be just as good for you as going to the gym. If you don’t have animal companions who share your home, why not bring a little joy into the lives of those who are in animal shelters? Most shelters welcome donations of food, litter, and cleaning supplies and those who are able to give time to take dogs for walks, change kitty litter, and give belly rubs.
Switch to cruelty-free cosmetics and household products. It’s never been easier to buy cruelty-free products. Search our list of products and resolve to support only brands that share your compassionate philosophy. Or try your hand at making your own homemade, cruelty-free, green cleaning supplies
To learn more about helping animals drop on by: http://living.peta.org/2009/new-years-resolutions-that-help-animals
Source: http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1968
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Program Between Utah and California Shelters Saves Dogs
Thousands of tiny little dogs in Hollywood are being saved through the aid of the Jason Heigle foundation, Best Friends LA and the Humane Society of Utah. These three groups are working together to move the small breed dogs that had recently overrun animal shelters in and around the Los Angeles area because of their recent popularity.
These wants status symbols are now been abandoned by owners and puppy mills that can no longer sell them. As a result they are crowding out the other dogs in other shelters and many are being euthanized because nobody wants to adopt in the area.
However, small dogs are still very much in demand in other areas of the country where their breeds are less common. Through a grant received from the Heigle foundation shelters are able to drive as many as several dozen small breed dogs out of the city and into Utah where receptive shelters await. Here the dogs are quickly adopted by new, loving and permanent homes.
Since this joint program started in 2008 over 2000 dogs have been rescued from euthanasia and given homes.
According to the rescue coordinator for the humane society, Jessica Almeida, 'People were on waiting lists to adopt dogs we didn't have. … So we started this program in 2008, and now we take about 30 dogs every two weeks. I hope that by offering adoptable small dogs, we are affecting the number of dogs purchased from pet stores and newspaper ads and putting a dent in the demand from puppy mills.'
The program got its start when Almeida contacted Robin Harmon, the adoption manager for best friends Los Angeles. Best friends, later went on to obtain a grant from the Heigle foundation to transport dogs to Utah for adoption. So now, lots of little puppies are living in the wilds of Utah.
Source:http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1966
These wants status symbols are now been abandoned by owners and puppy mills that can no longer sell them. As a result they are crowding out the other dogs in other shelters and many are being euthanized because nobody wants to adopt in the area.
However, small dogs are still very much in demand in other areas of the country where their breeds are less common. Through a grant received from the Heigle foundation shelters are able to drive as many as several dozen small breed dogs out of the city and into Utah where receptive shelters await. Here the dogs are quickly adopted by new, loving and permanent homes.
Since this joint program started in 2008 over 2000 dogs have been rescued from euthanasia and given homes.
According to the rescue coordinator for the humane society, Jessica Almeida, 'People were on waiting lists to adopt dogs we didn't have. … So we started this program in 2008, and now we take about 30 dogs every two weeks. I hope that by offering adoptable small dogs, we are affecting the number of dogs purchased from pet stores and newspaper ads and putting a dent in the demand from puppy mills.'
The program got its start when Almeida contacted Robin Harmon, the adoption manager for best friends Los Angeles. Best friends, later went on to obtain a grant from the Heigle foundation to transport dogs to Utah for adoption. So now, lots of little puppies are living in the wilds of Utah.
Source:http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1966
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Pet News for the Year 2009
There were a ton of unique animal related stories this year. Perhaps the most followed was the Presidential family's decision to buy a Portuguese Water Dog. However, there were a lot of other ones such as these listed below by the Houston Chronicle:
1. Houston's Stump won best in show at the 133rd annual Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Garden. The 10-year-old Sussex spaniel, who lives with Scott Sommer, is the oldest dog to win the title.
2. Daizy, a Texas Blue Lacy lost in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, was reunited with her Clear Lake family 10 months later. Muffy, a dog missing nine years in Australia, was reunited with its original owner in July, thanks to microchip information embedded in the dog.
3. Michael Vick was released from prison after serving 23 months on a dogfighting conviction. Animal rights activists protested his return to pro football when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. The quarterback speaks to youth groups about animal cruelty and dogfighting.
4. A few cats tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 “swine” influenza virus this fall and were treated successfully. This month the H1N1 virus was confirmed in a dog that is recovering. Of more concern for dogs is the Canine Influenza Virus, aka H3N8. A CIV/H3N8 vaccine for dogs is now available.
5. Nora the piano-playing cat got her moment in the spotlight, but the wackiest video sensations were Keyboard Cat, Jenny the pug, which pushes a stroller, and Surprised Kitty.
See more of the top pet stories of 2009 at: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/pets/6791268.html
Source: http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1965
1. Houston's Stump won best in show at the 133rd annual Westminster Kennel Club show at Madison Square Garden. The 10-year-old Sussex spaniel, who lives with Scott Sommer, is the oldest dog to win the title.
2. Daizy, a Texas Blue Lacy lost in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, was reunited with her Clear Lake family 10 months later. Muffy, a dog missing nine years in Australia, was reunited with its original owner in July, thanks to microchip information embedded in the dog.
3. Michael Vick was released from prison after serving 23 months on a dogfighting conviction. Animal rights activists protested his return to pro football when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. The quarterback speaks to youth groups about animal cruelty and dogfighting.
4. A few cats tested positive for the 2009 H1N1 “swine” influenza virus this fall and were treated successfully. This month the H1N1 virus was confirmed in a dog that is recovering. Of more concern for dogs is the Canine Influenza Virus, aka H3N8. A CIV/H3N8 vaccine for dogs is now available.
5. Nora the piano-playing cat got her moment in the spotlight, but the wackiest video sensations were Keyboard Cat, Jenny the pug, which pushes a stroller, and Surprised Kitty.
See more of the top pet stories of 2009 at: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/pets/6791268.html
Source: http://www.petsunlimited.com/local_pet_blogs.cfm/id/1965
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