It isn't so much a matter of physical exercise, although that would make them very happy and tired. Mental exercise is an absolute must for herding dogs. With proper training and socialization, they are wonderful pets.
Modern breed research and understanding suggests that even intelligent dogs need training. What happens to a lot of herding dogs that get taken to the shelters is that their owners don't bother to train them. They hear the breed is intelligent and expect it to train itself.
Also a lot of the shelter dogs are impulse buys from pet stores, flea markets and parking lots by people who have no understanding of what a herding breed needs. An untrained and unsocialized herding dog can be a nightmare for a family with young children because they can and often do become very protective and territorial.
That can lead to the dog acting out aggressively based on his natural protective instincts or based on his fear. This is a broad generalization and not all dogs will react this way, but a strong guardian instinct is part of the herding breed standard. This is not surprising because they have been bred since ancient times to guard the farm, ranch, family and livestock.
Positive reinforcement training and consistent socialization are essential to living in peace (and having peace of mind) with a herding dog breed.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Benefits Of Grooming A Pet
Regular grooming of all pets can help contribute to longer, healthier lives. The benefits of having your pet groomed regularly can include making your pet more comfortable and clean, as well as having attention paid to often overlooked parts of your dog or cat.
There are many direct health benefits of having your dog or cat groomed. Regular brushing of all pets, despite coat length or type, helps to keep the coat and skin healthy. Most dogs do not require frequent bathing (once a month or less!), but brushing in between bath times helps to keep them clean, removing dead hair, dirt and other debris from the coat. Many cats may only need to be bathed a few times in their lifetime. Brushing is a vital part of pet care, as it works to distribute the natural oils of the skin throughout the coat, promoting a healthier coat, and cleaner skin.
In addition the direct benefits your pets coat, brushing may help to point out any abnormalities in your pets body, such as sores, growths or bald spots. While you may not notice any lumps or bumps that have appeared on your pet, regular grooming can help to detect a problem, and insure that if a lump does appear, you are aware of it sooner rather than later. A veterinarian should check any growth or lump you or your groomer notices on your pet, to rule out cancer and other potentially dangerous conditions. Early detection can be crucial in a positive outcome to an otherwise deadly health scare.
During the course of the grooming process, the groomer will pay special attention to your pets’ ears, eyes, mouth, teeth, pads and perianal region- areas you probably don’t notice much in daily life.
Longhair dogs and even some cats tend to grow hair deep in the ear canal, and this hair can trap bacteria, causing irritation and ear infections. Your groomer will “pluck” this hair, and often do a cursory clean of the ears checking for anything abnormal. If ear discharge or redness is noticed, this can be relayed to you, so that you know that veterinary attention may be necessary to treat your pets’ ear problem.
Many long hair pets tend to grow excessive amounts of hair between their feet and paw pads, as well as around the perianal (anus) area. Excessive hair in these places can lead to hygiene problems, tangling of hair, accumulation of dirt and stickers in the hair, and even cause problems defecating and urinating. Your groomer may trim around these areas, helping to prevent problems before they can develop.
Breeds of dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese and Shih Tzu’s will grow long hair on the face, mouth and eyes, and left untrimmed this hair can become matted with food particles and saliva. In addition, studies have shown that dogs with hair that is frequently in their eyes have a greater chance of developing eye infections, glaucoma and cataracts. Strategic trimming of the hair around the eyes is aesthetically pleasing, and helps to prevent health problems down the road.
Most dogs and cats don’t naturally wear down their nails fast enough to keep up with nail growth, and as a result most pets need regular nail trimming in order to keep their nails at the optimum length. Long nails are the most common cause of chiropractic problems in cats and dogs, and can contribute to joint pain and stiffness. Your pets body has been designed to walk with his pads on the floor, not the nails. If your dogs’ nails are touching the ground, his nails are too long. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, they are too long. Regular clipping will help to prevent problems associated with long nails.
Your groomer will clip your pets’ nails, and their skill and experience can often get them shorter than you can at home. A dremel tool may also be used, to help further shorten the nails, and blunt the edges to eliminate those sharp, newly cut nail scratches!
In addition to health benefits, a professional grooming can greatly improve the cleanliness and hygiene of your pet. While you may bathe your pet at home regularly, most groomers utilize a bathing system. These systems are specially made to allow water and shampoo to penetrate even the thickest coats of hair, evenly spreading shampoo throughout the coat. Special hoses and water nozzles “massage” the soap throughout the coat, getting the coat cleaner than any hand wash could. In addition, the bathing systems are much faster than traditional bathing, shortening the time your pet may spend stressed out in the tub.
If your dog has long hair, or is prone to tangles or a dry coat, a coat conditioner may be used as a second step to the bathing process. Conditioners can help to manage the hair and make it softer, allowing for mats and tangles to be more easily removed, along with re-moisturizing the coat.
While in the bath, some groomers may take the opportunity to express your pets’ anal glands. The anal glands are two small sacks just inside your pets’ anus, and are filled with a foul smelling “scent fingerprint” that animals use to identify each other in the wild. Routine emptying of these sacs can help to prevent unwanted smells, as well as potential side effects from impacted or ruptured anal glands that go unemptied.
Finally, bathing your pet provides an opportunity for an impartial set of eyes to point out any issues or problems you many not have noticed with your pet. We live with our pets, and often don’t notice right away if they begin to gain or loose weight, or gradually take up new behaviors. Your groomer has the advantage of only seeing your pet occasionally, and as such may notice if Fido has packed on a few pounds, or if Kitty has fleas that need to be treated.
There are many benefits to having your dog or cat groomed. While frequency will depend on your pets breed, coat type or lifestyle, regular grooming sessions will help your pet to remain a healthy, clean companion to you.
There are many direct health benefits of having your dog or cat groomed. Regular brushing of all pets, despite coat length or type, helps to keep the coat and skin healthy. Most dogs do not require frequent bathing (once a month or less!), but brushing in between bath times helps to keep them clean, removing dead hair, dirt and other debris from the coat. Many cats may only need to be bathed a few times in their lifetime. Brushing is a vital part of pet care, as it works to distribute the natural oils of the skin throughout the coat, promoting a healthier coat, and cleaner skin.
In addition the direct benefits your pets coat, brushing may help to point out any abnormalities in your pets body, such as sores, growths or bald spots. While you may not notice any lumps or bumps that have appeared on your pet, regular grooming can help to detect a problem, and insure that if a lump does appear, you are aware of it sooner rather than later. A veterinarian should check any growth or lump you or your groomer notices on your pet, to rule out cancer and other potentially dangerous conditions. Early detection can be crucial in a positive outcome to an otherwise deadly health scare.
During the course of the grooming process, the groomer will pay special attention to your pets’ ears, eyes, mouth, teeth, pads and perianal region- areas you probably don’t notice much in daily life.
Longhair dogs and even some cats tend to grow hair deep in the ear canal, and this hair can trap bacteria, causing irritation and ear infections. Your groomer will “pluck” this hair, and often do a cursory clean of the ears checking for anything abnormal. If ear discharge or redness is noticed, this can be relayed to you, so that you know that veterinary attention may be necessary to treat your pets’ ear problem.
Many long hair pets tend to grow excessive amounts of hair between their feet and paw pads, as well as around the perianal (anus) area. Excessive hair in these places can lead to hygiene problems, tangling of hair, accumulation of dirt and stickers in the hair, and even cause problems defecating and urinating. Your groomer may trim around these areas, helping to prevent problems before they can develop.
Breeds of dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese and Shih Tzu’s will grow long hair on the face, mouth and eyes, and left untrimmed this hair can become matted with food particles and saliva. In addition, studies have shown that dogs with hair that is frequently in their eyes have a greater chance of developing eye infections, glaucoma and cataracts. Strategic trimming of the hair around the eyes is aesthetically pleasing, and helps to prevent health problems down the road.
Most dogs and cats don’t naturally wear down their nails fast enough to keep up with nail growth, and as a result most pets need regular nail trimming in order to keep their nails at the optimum length. Long nails are the most common cause of chiropractic problems in cats and dogs, and can contribute to joint pain and stiffness. Your pets body has been designed to walk with his pads on the floor, not the nails. If your dogs’ nails are touching the ground, his nails are too long. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, they are too long. Regular clipping will help to prevent problems associated with long nails.
Your groomer will clip your pets’ nails, and their skill and experience can often get them shorter than you can at home. A dremel tool may also be used, to help further shorten the nails, and blunt the edges to eliminate those sharp, newly cut nail scratches!
In addition to health benefits, a professional grooming can greatly improve the cleanliness and hygiene of your pet. While you may bathe your pet at home regularly, most groomers utilize a bathing system. These systems are specially made to allow water and shampoo to penetrate even the thickest coats of hair, evenly spreading shampoo throughout the coat. Special hoses and water nozzles “massage” the soap throughout the coat, getting the coat cleaner than any hand wash could. In addition, the bathing systems are much faster than traditional bathing, shortening the time your pet may spend stressed out in the tub.
If your dog has long hair, or is prone to tangles or a dry coat, a coat conditioner may be used as a second step to the bathing process. Conditioners can help to manage the hair and make it softer, allowing for mats and tangles to be more easily removed, along with re-moisturizing the coat.
While in the bath, some groomers may take the opportunity to express your pets’ anal glands. The anal glands are two small sacks just inside your pets’ anus, and are filled with a foul smelling “scent fingerprint” that animals use to identify each other in the wild. Routine emptying of these sacs can help to prevent unwanted smells, as well as potential side effects from impacted or ruptured anal glands that go unemptied.
Finally, bathing your pet provides an opportunity for an impartial set of eyes to point out any issues or problems you many not have noticed with your pet. We live with our pets, and often don’t notice right away if they begin to gain or loose weight, or gradually take up new behaviors. Your groomer has the advantage of only seeing your pet occasionally, and as such may notice if Fido has packed on a few pounds, or if Kitty has fleas that need to be treated.
There are many benefits to having your dog or cat groomed. While frequency will depend on your pets breed, coat type or lifestyle, regular grooming sessions will help your pet to remain a healthy, clean companion to you.
Meeting the Needs of Your Older Pets
Depending on the size and breed of your older pets you may have noticed that it is a bit slower when chasing a ball, struggles a bit more getting up the first thing in the morning or loses its breath a bit quicker. The aging process wears down your pet in much the same way it does us, but on a much faster pace.
While most human beings live to be 70+, a dog, depending on many factors, often lives for 10 years or less. Many dogs begin showing health/age related problems at different ages. This is related in a large way to the size of the animal.
Despite all those size and age brackets there is no one hard and fast rule. The best way to judge is based on the individual animal and the changes in its own behavior and health. The best thing you can do for an older animal is to keep it healthy and not over or under weight. Also, keep your older pets exercised, but be careful not to overdo it.
There are certain things you should look for in your pet as you do your grooming rituals. Below find a list of several things to watch for, especially in your older pets.
Teeth/gums: Check your pet and see what is normal for it as “normal” may be different from one dog to another. Changes in gum color can indicate potential problems. Foul breath can be another warning sign as well as loss of weight, pawing at the mouth, excessive salivation, swallowing difficulty or other signs of pain.
Lumps/bumps: Check your pet for these as you groom the animal. Masses are common and in most cases are benign but if you find a new one of these, consult your vet to have it checked as cancer is quite common in dogs, particularly those who have not been spayed or neutered early in life.
Eyes: If you notice a change in the dogs eyes, such as a bluish-gray tint, consult with your vet to see exactly what is the cause and what treatment is involved. Cataracts, genetic diseases and other causes are often the root of sight loss in older animals.
Mobility: Arthritis is common in the older pets but other problems such as degenerative joint disease may be at the root of that stiffness in the mornings. Anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids are often prescribed to aid in this problem. Common aspirin can also help but is often used as a last resort due to side effects.
Changes in thirst and elimination: Changes such as increased thirst or having to “go" more often are indications of potential kidney or bladder disease or maybe even diabetes. Check with your vet.
Body/Coat Condition: Keeping your dog in shape cuts down on a lot of potential health problems - heart disease, etc. If the coat becomes overly flaky or there is excessive hair loss, your dog may have a hormonal problem which can be diagnosed through a simple blood test.
Heart disease: Changes in sleeping habits or coughing through the night can be indicators of canine heart disease. Frequent checkups can often prevent these types of diseases. Consult your vet with any questions that you may have concerning your older pets.
While most human beings live to be 70+, a dog, depending on many factors, often lives for 10 years or less. Many dogs begin showing health/age related problems at different ages. This is related in a large way to the size of the animal.
Despite all those size and age brackets there is no one hard and fast rule. The best way to judge is based on the individual animal and the changes in its own behavior and health. The best thing you can do for an older animal is to keep it healthy and not over or under weight. Also, keep your older pets exercised, but be careful not to overdo it.
There are certain things you should look for in your pet as you do your grooming rituals. Below find a list of several things to watch for, especially in your older pets.
Teeth/gums: Check your pet and see what is normal for it as “normal” may be different from one dog to another. Changes in gum color can indicate potential problems. Foul breath can be another warning sign as well as loss of weight, pawing at the mouth, excessive salivation, swallowing difficulty or other signs of pain.
Lumps/bumps: Check your pet for these as you groom the animal. Masses are common and in most cases are benign but if you find a new one of these, consult your vet to have it checked as cancer is quite common in dogs, particularly those who have not been spayed or neutered early in life.
Eyes: If you notice a change in the dogs eyes, such as a bluish-gray tint, consult with your vet to see exactly what is the cause and what treatment is involved. Cataracts, genetic diseases and other causes are often the root of sight loss in older animals.
Mobility: Arthritis is common in the older pets but other problems such as degenerative joint disease may be at the root of that stiffness in the mornings. Anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids are often prescribed to aid in this problem. Common aspirin can also help but is often used as a last resort due to side effects.
Changes in thirst and elimination: Changes such as increased thirst or having to “go" more often are indications of potential kidney or bladder disease or maybe even diabetes. Check with your vet.
Body/Coat Condition: Keeping your dog in shape cuts down on a lot of potential health problems - heart disease, etc. If the coat becomes overly flaky or there is excessive hair loss, your dog may have a hormonal problem which can be diagnosed through a simple blood test.
Heart disease: Changes in sleeping habits or coughing through the night can be indicators of canine heart disease. Frequent checkups can often prevent these types of diseases. Consult your vet with any questions that you may have concerning your older pets.
Why Puggles Make Great Pets
Definitely you have already heard of Puggles! Maybe for once you consider bringing home one for a pet, but still in doubt whether this breed is ideal for you and your family.
Doubt no more because Puggles, classified as lap dogs, have playful temperament. They are usually referred to as designer dogs. Meaning they are hybrid dogs, a crossbreed between a pug and a beagle. These dogs possess the mild manner quality of a pug mixed with more energetic quality of a beagle. They love to play and are affectionate and get along well with children. So more likely you will never have to worry about your children’s safety every time they are near your dog. You do not have to worry that your dog might growl or even grab your child’s finger or legs.
Another one reason why you should bring home a Puggle is that they are low maintenance dogs. You don’t need to trouble yourself with grooming as what other breed of dogs need. Bathing, nail clipping, tooth brushing and ear cleaning can be done occasionally, not everyday.
Whether you’re living in a house with a wide yard or just in one of the apartments somewhere in the city, having a Puggle as a pet is not a problem to worry. They will surely enjoy doing their daily exercise taking a walk around your yard or running from room to room in your apartment as they need a bit more exercise compared to some traditional apartment dogs.
Playful animals as they are, they enjoy playing fetch, chewing on bones and other stuff. They will even play hide-and-seek and race around with you.
And just like other dog breeds, Puggles has the capacity to learn what you are teaching them. Housetraining them is not difficult provided you are patient, consistent and is well-informed on the proper methods needed to housetrain a dog. But make sure to be gentle with the training because they are sensitive to the tone of your voice. It is always important not to yell and punish them physically even if mistake has been done.
I think the above stated characteristics are enough for you to go and get your own Puggle dog. Let go of the qualms and let your self experience how it feels to own an exceptional nice pet. These sociable, intelligent and affectionate lap dogs will surely make great pets. Not just mere pets, but friends and lifetime companions.
Doubt no more because Puggles, classified as lap dogs, have playful temperament. They are usually referred to as designer dogs. Meaning they are hybrid dogs, a crossbreed between a pug and a beagle. These dogs possess the mild manner quality of a pug mixed with more energetic quality of a beagle. They love to play and are affectionate and get along well with children. So more likely you will never have to worry about your children’s safety every time they are near your dog. You do not have to worry that your dog might growl or even grab your child’s finger or legs.
Another one reason why you should bring home a Puggle is that they are low maintenance dogs. You don’t need to trouble yourself with grooming as what other breed of dogs need. Bathing, nail clipping, tooth brushing and ear cleaning can be done occasionally, not everyday.
Whether you’re living in a house with a wide yard or just in one of the apartments somewhere in the city, having a Puggle as a pet is not a problem to worry. They will surely enjoy doing their daily exercise taking a walk around your yard or running from room to room in your apartment as they need a bit more exercise compared to some traditional apartment dogs.
Playful animals as they are, they enjoy playing fetch, chewing on bones and other stuff. They will even play hide-and-seek and race around with you.
And just like other dog breeds, Puggles has the capacity to learn what you are teaching them. Housetraining them is not difficult provided you are patient, consistent and is well-informed on the proper methods needed to housetrain a dog. But make sure to be gentle with the training because they are sensitive to the tone of your voice. It is always important not to yell and punish them physically even if mistake has been done.
I think the above stated characteristics are enough for you to go and get your own Puggle dog. Let go of the qualms and let your self experience how it feels to own an exceptional nice pet. These sociable, intelligent and affectionate lap dogs will surely make great pets. Not just mere pets, but friends and lifetime companions.
Dogs And Pets Provide Health Benefits
Do dogs provide health benefits? Believe it or not they do! Did you know that owning a dog and pet ownership in general, can help a person in many ways? Owning a pet can improve your mental wellness, reduce your visits to the doctor, improve your cardiovascular health and allow for faster recovery time from surgery as well as higher survival rates. Recent research suggests that dogs may be able to detect cancer on a person's breath! Lets' explore these amazing health benefits of pet ownership:
It has been proven that dog owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non-dog owners. These factors, in turn, reduce the chance of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, just stroking a pet has long been known to reduce blood pressure. Furthermore, a study from the New York State University concluded that these benefits continue even without the pet being present!
Hospital studies have shown that senior citizens and recent post-op patients respond better to treatment and recover faster while in contact with dogs and other therapy animals. Did you know that dog owners have a greater chance to survive a serious illness than non-dog owners? In fact, a study revealed that a pet affected a person's survival rate even more than the presence or company of family members or friends!
Studies conducted at Cambridge and UCLA concluded that there is a direct correlation between pet ownership and improved overall health, which leads to fewer visits to the doctor. The Journal of American Geriatrics Society notes that pet ownership has a positive effect on a senior's physical and emotional well being. Additionally, a Medicare study of elderly patients also shows that people who own a dog have fewer doctor visits than patients who do not.
Pet owners have better emotional health and mental wellness than people who do not own a pet. Pets offer unconditional love and affection and their presence alone helps reduce loneliness. For people who are isolated, disabled or handicapped, a pet offers friendship and can even add a element of safety to their lives. Dogs are used as a form of therapy in hospices, nursing homes and as companions for the disabled and blind. In fact, there are studies that prove that people with a major illness fight the stress of having the illness better by having a dog as a pet.
There is new research that suggests that dogs may be able to detect certain types of cancer. Researchers at the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo, California and the Polish Academy of Sciences exposed dogs to breath samples from breast and lung cancer patients and samples from healthy people. They claim that the dogs were able to detect cancer with astonishing results and accuracy. The dogs were able to identify 99% of lung cancer breath samples (which included early stage cancer patients) as well as 88% of breast cancer samples. The study, which has been met with skepticism, will be released early in 2006 and published in the March edition of the Journal for Integrative Cancer Therapies. Experts agree that this holds promise, but must be evaluated and researched further.
As you can see pet ownership or having a dog comes with many benefits for an individual. Owning a pet encourages social interaction, reduces stress levels, boosts self-confidence and self-esteem and encourages exercise. Having a pet is a great investment, not only in the joy and pleasure that the animal brings into your life, but the many health benefits that come with the territory!
It has been proven that dog owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non-dog owners. These factors, in turn, reduce the chance of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, just stroking a pet has long been known to reduce blood pressure. Furthermore, a study from the New York State University concluded that these benefits continue even without the pet being present!
Hospital studies have shown that senior citizens and recent post-op patients respond better to treatment and recover faster while in contact with dogs and other therapy animals. Did you know that dog owners have a greater chance to survive a serious illness than non-dog owners? In fact, a study revealed that a pet affected a person's survival rate even more than the presence or company of family members or friends!
Studies conducted at Cambridge and UCLA concluded that there is a direct correlation between pet ownership and improved overall health, which leads to fewer visits to the doctor. The Journal of American Geriatrics Society notes that pet ownership has a positive effect on a senior's physical and emotional well being. Additionally, a Medicare study of elderly patients also shows that people who own a dog have fewer doctor visits than patients who do not.
Pet owners have better emotional health and mental wellness than people who do not own a pet. Pets offer unconditional love and affection and their presence alone helps reduce loneliness. For people who are isolated, disabled or handicapped, a pet offers friendship and can even add a element of safety to their lives. Dogs are used as a form of therapy in hospices, nursing homes and as companions for the disabled and blind. In fact, there are studies that prove that people with a major illness fight the stress of having the illness better by having a dog as a pet.
There is new research that suggests that dogs may be able to detect certain types of cancer. Researchers at the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo, California and the Polish Academy of Sciences exposed dogs to breath samples from breast and lung cancer patients and samples from healthy people. They claim that the dogs were able to detect cancer with astonishing results and accuracy. The dogs were able to identify 99% of lung cancer breath samples (which included early stage cancer patients) as well as 88% of breast cancer samples. The study, which has been met with skepticism, will be released early in 2006 and published in the March edition of the Journal for Integrative Cancer Therapies. Experts agree that this holds promise, but must be evaluated and researched further.
As you can see pet ownership or having a dog comes with many benefits for an individual. Owning a pet encourages social interaction, reduces stress levels, boosts self-confidence and self-esteem and encourages exercise. Having a pet is a great investment, not only in the joy and pleasure that the animal brings into your life, but the many health benefits that come with the territory!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Why The World Needs Pets
They won’t hold a grudge. They won’t leave you for someone else. They know how to show their affection. They even know your feelings better than you do. Who are “they”? Well “they” go by many names, but most of the world just calls them “Pets”. Pets are wondrous creatures whose powers go beyond that of spiritual or magical. Perhaps that power is what the world needs more of.
Recently while being interviewed by a local newspaper reporter I was asked the question, “Why do you think that pets have become so popular in recent years?” I thought for a moment and then answered. “We are a nation at war, a nation still recovering from the after effects of September 11th, a nation rebuilding in the wake of a devastating hurricane in the South, all while living in a media spoon fed world with terror attacks in every news break.” I then went on to explain the key thing that separates us from our pets. “If I were to go to a human friend for emotional support, I could only expect so much. You see, they could be affected by the same negative worldly stress that depresses me. However, my pet remains unaffected.” This newspaper reporter agreed with my statement and we spent several minutes talking about the idea of “unconditional love”.
Unconditional love is a phrase that I have heard people from all walks of life relate totally to pets. I find it amazing that so many people with different backgrounds, cultures, and languages can come to this same agreement. When we are at our lowest of lows our pet will still be there. Pets fill the void in our lives.
Another incredible aspect of pets is in the case of loved ones away from home. While loved ones may be over seas fighting to preserve freedom, pets are fighting battles here on the emotional frontlines in our homes. Our pets are armed with the weapons of mass affection. A wet nose, a wagging tail, a friendly purr, and soft snuggly fur remain a strong hold of the pet arsenal. In a few short moments a pet can bring us from a face full of tears to a face full of cheers.
They always aim to please expecting nothing in return. I have never heard of a dog not loving his master because his master forgot say “I love you”, or a cat ignoring her caretaker because they got home late from work. Wait, I am talking about cats so actual results of the previous statement may vary. My point is that we could learn a tremendous amount about humility and humanity from our pets. Humans using the powers gained by observing our pets could one day actually bring about world peace. In the mean time we take it one heart at a time.
The next time you find yourself alone, hurt, sad, or frightened, just find your furry friend, open up your heart, and let the power heal you.
Recently while being interviewed by a local newspaper reporter I was asked the question, “Why do you think that pets have become so popular in recent years?” I thought for a moment and then answered. “We are a nation at war, a nation still recovering from the after effects of September 11th, a nation rebuilding in the wake of a devastating hurricane in the South, all while living in a media spoon fed world with terror attacks in every news break.” I then went on to explain the key thing that separates us from our pets. “If I were to go to a human friend for emotional support, I could only expect so much. You see, they could be affected by the same negative worldly stress that depresses me. However, my pet remains unaffected.” This newspaper reporter agreed with my statement and we spent several minutes talking about the idea of “unconditional love”.
Unconditional love is a phrase that I have heard people from all walks of life relate totally to pets. I find it amazing that so many people with different backgrounds, cultures, and languages can come to this same agreement. When we are at our lowest of lows our pet will still be there. Pets fill the void in our lives.
Another incredible aspect of pets is in the case of loved ones away from home. While loved ones may be over seas fighting to preserve freedom, pets are fighting battles here on the emotional frontlines in our homes. Our pets are armed with the weapons of mass affection. A wet nose, a wagging tail, a friendly purr, and soft snuggly fur remain a strong hold of the pet arsenal. In a few short moments a pet can bring us from a face full of tears to a face full of cheers.
They always aim to please expecting nothing in return. I have never heard of a dog not loving his master because his master forgot say “I love you”, or a cat ignoring her caretaker because they got home late from work. Wait, I am talking about cats so actual results of the previous statement may vary. My point is that we could learn a tremendous amount about humility and humanity from our pets. Humans using the powers gained by observing our pets could one day actually bring about world peace. In the mean time we take it one heart at a time.
The next time you find yourself alone, hurt, sad, or frightened, just find your furry friend, open up your heart, and let the power heal you.
Tips For Keeping Pets
Animals unlike humans cannot express their feelings and they cannot go on making demands and tell their owners when they need food. They are animals. Pet keepers bring home fish, cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and birds home all the time eagerly but sadly, they fail to take proper care of their pets because of which their animals die. If pets can not speak out, pet keepers themselves should be humane enough to understand their pets heartily and give them their rights.
Some basic and simple tips for pet keepers can ensure a healthy and loving relation between themselves and their pets. As far as dogs are concerned it is advisable to keep it in a proper dog house which should be comfortable and cozy enough for it to reside in. Whenever you take out your dog for a walk make sure you leash it. They are playful animals, they love to jump and mingle with other animals and chase things. So avoid any bad circumstances it is always better to play it safe. Cats are well mannered and they are less messy than dogs. However they too need proper care. Dogs and cats should be bathed regularly and their utensils cleaned on daily bases. If your dog or cat ever urinate or excrete in your lounge, you should never leave it unclean. It is highly unhygienic for animals and pet keepers both.
The animals that you keep in cages need a little more attention. They are enslaved so it is better to make them at least feel free. Birds or rabbits should never be kept in small cages. They should be big enough so that your birds can easily flutter their wings and fly about. It should be big enough so that your rabbit can run about and hide when it wants to hide. Animals kept at home should provide them with a sense of being in their natural habitats. This way they feel free and they live happily. Their cages, their beddings should be cleansed thoroughly and regularly.
Animals should be vaccinated whenever they need to be. They should be taken for regular medical checkups so that they stay health and energetic. Animals too should be kept in a secured area and never be left out on their own. Pets are unlike the stray animals; they are vulnerable and require special attention. So pet keepers should make sure they take care of their pets the way they should be kept. They can always keep themselves updated through internet and magazines to acknowledge and fulfill their pet's needs.
Some basic and simple tips for pet keepers can ensure a healthy and loving relation between themselves and their pets. As far as dogs are concerned it is advisable to keep it in a proper dog house which should be comfortable and cozy enough for it to reside in. Whenever you take out your dog for a walk make sure you leash it. They are playful animals, they love to jump and mingle with other animals and chase things. So avoid any bad circumstances it is always better to play it safe. Cats are well mannered and they are less messy than dogs. However they too need proper care. Dogs and cats should be bathed regularly and their utensils cleaned on daily bases. If your dog or cat ever urinate or excrete in your lounge, you should never leave it unclean. It is highly unhygienic for animals and pet keepers both.
The animals that you keep in cages need a little more attention. They are enslaved so it is better to make them at least feel free. Birds or rabbits should never be kept in small cages. They should be big enough so that your birds can easily flutter their wings and fly about. It should be big enough so that your rabbit can run about and hide when it wants to hide. Animals kept at home should provide them with a sense of being in their natural habitats. This way they feel free and they live happily. Their cages, their beddings should be cleansed thoroughly and regularly.
Animals should be vaccinated whenever they need to be. They should be taken for regular medical checkups so that they stay health and energetic. Animals too should be kept in a secured area and never be left out on their own. Pets are unlike the stray animals; they are vulnerable and require special attention. So pet keepers should make sure they take care of their pets the way they should be kept. They can always keep themselves updated through internet and magazines to acknowledge and fulfill their pet's needs.
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