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Who Wants A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
by Richard Cussons

When asked if you want a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, would you say yes? Maybe not all people would want to have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel for some reasons. But if they will come to know this breed's remarkable characteristics, they will find no reason not to want this dog.
As the name implies, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has its roots in the older toy spaniels kept as pets of the royal family. Based on the breed standard, the cavalier King Charles Spaniel should stand between 29 and 33 cm and should weigh between 4.5 and 8.5 kg. The tail must be in full-length with long feathered hair. The small body is covered with silky coat of moderate length. The feather on the ears, chest, legs, feet and tail become lengthy but these must be kept long according to the breed standard. To avoid mats and tangles, regular brushing (at least once a week) is recommended however this breed must not be bathed more than twice a week to prevent skin irritation. This breed has four recognized color so would-be owners have many options to choose from. The colors include blenheim (most common color), tricolor, black and tan, and ruby.

Named as the "ultimate lap dog" or the "love sponge" of dogs, a cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a gay, friendly and non-aggressive dog with no tendency towards nervousness and shyness. They are a sweet and playful dogs eager to please children and other dogs alike. Great with dogs and people of all ages, Cavaliers make ideal pets even in houses with more than one breed of dog.

Despite the good characteristics this breed possesses, owners or future owners should take note that cavaliers can suffer from several genetic diseases with Mitral Valve Disease as the most serious right now. This has become the leading cause of death of cavaliers all over the world. Other diseases this breed is prone to are syringomyelia, episodic falling, hip dysplasia, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and other eye disorders, luxating patella and deafness. To avoid these health issues, it is very important to buy from a reputable breeder. A reputable breeder is after the dog's welfare and is willing to supply heart, hip, eye and patella clearances for their breeding dogs.

Again, when asked if you want a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, would you say yes? Not so fast folks! Know more about the breed first and determine if this one is right for you and your family.

About the Author
Richard Cussons writes information articles on different breeds of dog such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Find out Cavalier King Charles Spaniel information here...

Dog Obedience Training - A New Approach
by John Rapp

So you've got a dog? Great! Science has shown that dog owners live longer, happier lives. But what now?
Obedience training is one of the most important things you can do - for your dog and for yourself. The goal is to lay the obedience groundwork between you and your dog, and be able to use that foundation to overcome any behavior problems.

It's all about communication. Effective communication with your dog is extremely important. You can teach a dog anything with proper communication. On the other hand, without proper communication, it will be nearly impossible.

Dogs are fun-loving animals, and without any training they will act like... animals! They will keep you awake all night barking, urinate and defecate on your furniture, chew up your belongings and just generally destroy your home. They might even bite you, or harm themselves by attacking another dog or running around in the street. You don't want your dog bolting for the door anytime freedom is offered him, and you don't want to spend hours trying to find a dog who doesn't understand where his home is. All of these things can be cleared up quickly and easily with the right obedience training.

Most "behavior problems," or things we humans don't want happening, are completely normal behavior for dogs. The problem lies in that they occur at the wrong time or place. For example, your dog will urinate all over your brand new carpet instead of urinating outside like you want him to; or your dog will bark endlessly, all night long, for seemingly no reason, instead of barking only when there's a creepy burglar creeping around outside your home, waiting to attack. Dogs are naturally good-natured animals: they want to help protect you and your family and live a happy life. They just need some coaching to direct their instinctive behaviors to work in more modern living spaces, such as your home or apartment.

Dog obedience training also establishes the owner (you) as the pack leader. As pack leader, you lay down clear behaviour guidelines for the pack to follow. This is the social hierarchy of the canine family, and if there is no pack leader established, the dog will assume he is the pack leader. This is why dog obedience training is very important. All dogs have an extremely wide capacity to learn basic and even extremely complicated obedience. They just need someone to teach it to them.

But don't get ahead of yourself just yet. The first step in obedience training is to have fun with the dog, show him love and compassion. Give your dog a reason to respect you, and a reason to listen to the guidance you have to offer. You should only use commands such as "stay" when you literally want your dog to stay - such as while on a walk or if he has run away from you too far. Do not use "stay" if the dog has no choice BUT to stay - such as leaving your dog in your car for a minute while you run in and cash your paycheck.

Just begin by respecting your dog's behavior, whatever it may be, and gently lay groundwork as to what is and what is not acceptable. Praise your dog for good behaviour instead of chastising him for bad behavior. This, in turn, lets your dog know the proper way to behave, and the good behavior replaces the inappropriate behavior.

Never abuse your dog in hopes of proper obedience training. Every dog has a different personality, just like people are each different. Learn your dog's personality, and you will be able to learn how to train them. But also be willing to learn from your dog, and have your dog teach you lessons.

Above all, always remember the reason you got a dog to begin with: companionship, happiness and fun.

About the Author
John Rapp has spent many years perfecting an amazing new system of dog obedience training


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Finding A Pet Sitter Can Be Daunting Task
Richard Keyes - The Daily Advertiser


Type in the phrase “pet sitter” in any search engine box and you will find over one million websites! Quite overwhelming when you are trying to find a pet sitter before you go out of town. And to make matters worse, 99% of those pet sitters are probably not in your area.

There is an alternative to finding a pet sitter, however. That's by using an online pet sitter directory. They are easy to navigate and nearly all are free to use when you are searching for a pet sitter.

One free, and easy-to-use directory is called Find Me A Pet Sitter (http://www.findmeapetsitter.com). On the home page one simply types in either their zip code or city/state and the results will display pet sitters in their area. The pet sitter's listing can then be clicked on to display more information, such as: a brief description of their services, their contact information, cities and towns they serve, and what sort of services they provide.

Most pet sitter directories are free, but a few may require you to register with their site first before you can search for pet sitters. And, some charge a fee for their referral service.

Keep in mind, not all areas have pet sitters listed. You may need to contact the administrator of the website and ask them if they can help locate a pet sitter in your area.

Finally, any pet sitter you hire should be reputable within their community, have liability insurance, and in some cases, may be required to carry a bond or be licensed.

Ask the Expert
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Northwest Edition

There are fleas in my yard, in my house and on my dogs. How do I get rid of them?

First, make sure you’re dealing with fleas, advises Paul Hayman and Sonia Weiss in The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Common Household Disasters (Alpha Publishing, $ 18. 95 ). The fastest way to do this is to comb or brush your pet. As you do, look for tiny dark dots or comma-shape objects. This is flea excrement, known as flea dirt. It’s different from plain old dirt. You can tell the difference if you comb your pet over a damp paper towel. You’ll see little red dots (from blood ) where the dirt hits the towel.

Not seeing flea dirt ? Bumps on your ankles and lower legs can also point to fleas, the authors say. Bites typically turn into small red slightly raised hard spots. Each bite will have a single puncture point in its center, which is how you can distinguish it from ant and spider bites (which have two punctures ).

Pet owners can choose from several new products that are safer and more effective than older insecticide dusts and sprays. If you start using these products before flea season begins, you greatly reduce the odds of flea infestation. If you use them to combat an existing infestation, they can quickly help curb the problem.

For a flea-abatement effort to be effective, you need to treat your pets, home and yard. Adult fleas aren’t your only problem, so killing the ones on your pets is only part of the solution. You also have to kill fleas in other stages of development. If you don’t, you’ll have an ongoing infestation that will never quite go away.

TREATING YOUR PET Spot-on insecticides (Advantage, Frontline, Revolution ) are applied to a single spot on the animal’s skin. The best products, available from veterinarians, contain insecticides that have been found safer than those in other flea-control products; some spot-on products sold at pet stores, home centers and other retailers, which contain older insecticides, can have side effects in animals and humans such as numbness, tingling and burning sensations on the skin. You can also buy spot-on insecticides from online pet pharmacies. Costs are similar to if not more than what you’ll pay in veterinary clinics. Ask your vet’s advice before buying or using flea-control products. Don’t use products on cats that are designed for dogs (and vice versa ). Insect growth regulators (IGRs ) interrupt fleas’ life cycles by messing with their hormones. They make the eggs of female fleas sterile and prevent flea larvae that haven’t entered pupae stage from maturing into adult fleas. But they won’t kill fleas that are already on your pet or around your house. IGRs are available as sprays, spot-ons or in collars from veterinarians and through pest control operators for indoor and outdoor application. Insect development inhibitors also disrupt egg and larval development. When adult fleas chomp down on your pet, they ingest a substance that acts as birth control. It won’t stop you from seeing adult fleas, but it prevents new generations from being born. They’re available from vets as a once-a-month treatment administered in pill or liquid form. Shampoos and dips also get rid of fleas. Some contain insecticides that have been linked to health and toxicity concerns. They kill fleas on your pet, but most have no residual effect and could end up costing more over time than newer products do. Discuss their use with your vet.

TREATING YOUR HOUSE Clean your pet’s bedding and resting areas regularly with a multipurpose cleaner and by vacuuming. Toss washable bedding into your washer and use warm or hot water. When clean, dry it in the dryer. If the bedding isn’t washable, vacuum it thoroughly. Clean hard surfaces where your pet sleeps or rests. Vacuum carpeted areas thoroughly. Clean other surfaces with all-purpose cleaner applied with rags or a mop. If you use a mop, discard the mop head after use. If your animals sleep on your bed, launder all bedding materials. Fleas can’t survive the wash cycle. Treat your home with an insecticide. You can do it yourself — use a bomb or fogger that contains an IGR — or hire a professional (specify that your home needs to be treated for fleas ). Arrange for people and animals to be out of the house for at least two hours after treatment. Vacuum before you start — this will pick up about 60 percent of flea eggs, about 27 percent of flea larvae, some adult fleas and flea dirt. When you’re done, take the vacuum cleaner outside and discard the bag. When you re-enter the house after treatment, vacuum again to remove any fleas that have hatched. They’ll keep emerging for about two weeks after treatment, as the insecticide won’t kill fleas in the pupal stage. Depending on the product, you might have to re-treat.

TREATING YOUR YARD Cut down weeds and trim shrubs to better expose eggs and larvae to sun and water. Give your lawn and landscaping a good soaking, which will drown some of the fleas. Wash down hard surfaces with a mild detergent. If there is bedding outdoors, vacuum or wash it.

It’s a good idea to spray the area surrounding your house. You might want to hire a professional exterminator, especially if you have a large yard or are battling a severe infestation. If you do it yourself, wear long pants, a hat and a long-sleeve shirt to protect you from sprayback or drifting. Choose products that contain IGRs. Spray thoroughly everywhere, with particular emphasis on where your animals hang out as well as under porches, crawl spaces, inside garages or sheds or under pet homes. A repeat treatment might be necessary in a few weeks.

Pet-Hair Removal Sheets With a Little Style
By PAIGE PHELPS / The Dallas Morning News pphelps@dallasnews.com

Anyone who owns a pet knows there is a bit of magic involved in de-furring oneself before walking out the door.

Help for hairy situations: Pouf! packets are decorated pet-hair removal strips easy to store in your purse or briefcase. From homemade remedies such as trusty old duct tape to sticky lint rollers, pet owners have methods for leaving Fido at home and not on their pants. But hair-removers like these aren't always convenient for toting around in a pocketbook, briefcase or luggage.

That's why dog-friendly company Mrs. Grossman's, the people who make the colorful stickers, created Pouf! to remove unwanted pet hair and fur. The playing card-size adhesive sheets, which come in six canine and feline designs, fit nicely in purses or briefcases, and they do a good job of removing pet hair. Plus, a portion of the net proceeds from each purchase goes to Guide Dogs for the Blind, a nonprofit based in San Rafael, Calif.

Pouf! sheets ($4.75 for 20) are available at Pomegranates – The Party Place, 8411 Preston Road in Dallas and 4709 W. Parker Road, Plano, as well as online at www.mrsgrossmans.com ($3.99 for 20). Paige Phelps

Pet-Friendly Hotel Deals
MSNBC

Travel the country with your pooch, from just $139

The deal
Has the mere suggestion of leaving (insert the name of your beloved pet here) overnight put the kibosh on getaways beyond the local park? Guilt be gone! With these Fido-friendly hotels, there’s no need to abandon the four-legged family members while the two-legged variety frolic. In fact, with some simple arrangements, your pooch (or cat, bird or fish) can be pampered with personalized services, from massages to gourmet meals. So whether you’re headed to the mountains, beach, or big city, here is a trio of options, starting at just $139 a night.

Wyndham Orange Country from $139
Your pet will be taken care of with Wyndham Orange County’s Paws and Claws package. The offer includes a choice of dog treats upon arrival; food bowl and water; use of a doggie bed; turndown service; and complimentary lint-rollers and pet waste bags. In addition, a $5 a night donation per room will be made to Greyhound Pets of America. A pet care manager will contact guests within 72 hours of arrival to make sure all details are up to snuff. Standard rooms run from $139 a night on Friday and Saturday, and $169 a night Sunday through Thursday. Aeron desk chairs in the guestrooms are a nice perk for any pet owners having to work during their visit.

Hotel Teatro from $215
For a night of comfort and style for you and your pet, head to Denver’s Hotel Teatro. Included in Travel + Leisure’s 2008 list of Top 100 Hotels in the Continental U.S. & Canada, the boutique property offers a Pet in the City package from $215 a night. A basket of pet treats, toys and pick-up bags is included, as well as a copy of Colorado Dog Magazine. Additionally, a $5 donation will be made to the Dumb Friends League, the largest animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region. Amenities in the recently renovated guestrooms include Aveda bath products, Frette linens and complimentary high-speed Internet access.

Boston’s Nine Zero from $299
The VIP (Very Important Pets) policy is strongly enforced at all Kimpton Hotel properties across the country. At Boston’s Nine Zero hotel, animals are welcomed with the IN The Doghouse package. The complimentary offer includes a designer welcome treat made especially for your pet, a special bed and bowls. Sitting, grooming, walking and massage services are available through the concierge for a supplemental cost. Across the street from the 50-acre, pet-friendly Boston Commons, the four-star Nine Zero has nice perks for humans, too. Guestrooms feature free wireless Internet access, custom-designed beds and overnight shoeshine service. Rates start at $299 a night.

The dollars
All rates are based on double occupancy. Taxes and tips are extra.

The catch
You may need to step up your pet’s at-home perks.


Shop JakesDogHouse.com


Choose the Right Pet. Cat, Dog or Something Else
By Andy CI

Choosing to bring a new pet into your home is never an easy fact. It's not all about it's price or type, but also it brings some new responsibilities to you - you have to take care of him.

First, you must ask yourself some serious questions: Why do you want to adopt a pet? Do you have time for a pet? Can you have a pet where you live? Can you afford a pet? Are you going to move soon? Do you have the right home for the pet you want? Are your children old enough for a pet? Do you have the financial resources for a pet at this time? Are you able to deal with any special problems that might come up with your new pet?
You must answer careful to these questions before choosing a pet.

When you think to get a new pet you think what type it should be. Well, the most common pets are cats and dogs. Some statistics shows that there are approximately 90 million owned cats and 73 million owned dogs just in the United States.
There seems to be more cats than dogs owned as pets. The main reason may be that cats are more easy to take care of than dogs. Cats are also more funny than any other pet. They have an amusing curiosity when you play with them. Every cat is a true individual. So it’s important to take the time to choose a four-footed friend who’s right for you. A cat’s personality, age, and appearance are all things you should keep in mind when making your selection.

But the fact is why you want a pet? For companion, entertainment or protection? If you need protection, of course you will choose a well trained dog as a pet, while, if you need some entertainment you'll choose a cat. You should know until now that cats are the most funny pets.

But there is not only about cats and dogs. You may want an exotic pet like parrots, canaries (if you like to hear them singing),turtles, lizards, and other pets like fish, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, rabbits, ponies or spiders.

If you want to impress your friends, you may choose an unusual pet like a spider or lizard. These pets must be kept in their own cages and you have to be very careful with them.

There are many places where you can get a pet. Pet shelters are the best idea, but you can adopt a pet from your friends or neighbors too.
If you want a real breed pet, you may choose to buy one, but you'll see that many prices are around $500 to $1600. The easy way to get a pet is to adopt one. You can find them at animal shelters or rescue, or perhaps even a neighbor or friend.

Take care that owning a pet rise some important responsibilities for you.

1. You must feed him. There are many pet stores from where you can buy food for your pet. Some pets, like rabbits need vegetables and you have to provide them.

2. You must care of his health. Take your pet for regular check-ups from your local vet, and ensure you provide the required vaccination for him.

3. Keep a clean, fresh environment for you pet. It is necessary for your pet health. That's obvious.

4. Take some time for your pet. You must take some time to play or just walk around with your pet. It's very important for your new pet.

Things to consider before adopting a pet: how much space will be available for him, your expenses with him (food, care, vets etc), the time you will spend with your pet (the most important) and will he meet other pets of his kind? Good luck choosing a good pet.

PetSmart


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.

Author Bio
For more tips on pets and more money saving tips, visit us at www.MomOnABudget.com
Jennifer is the owner of www.MomOnABudget.com - an excellent resource for all moms!

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com - Free Website Content



Cat Travel Tips From the Experts
By Paul Kramer

If you decide to take your cat with you on a cross country trip or away for a long weekend, you need to be prepared. Before you pack him up and go, think about his needs. Does he like to travel in the car? Does he get stressed out in new situations, or does he adapt quickly to new places?

Evaluate your cat's personality and decide if it is best for him to travel with you. Also, consider where you will be staying because some hotels and motels do not allow pets.

Before you leave the house, make sure that your cat is wearing his collar ID tags, and check that the carrier is securely closed and locked. When traveling, stick to his regular schedule as closely as possible. He will not become anxious or stressed if dinner time and playtime still occur at their usual times.

Set aside time each day to play with him and to give him extra attention. The more feels at home while traveling, the more relaxed he will be. You will also need to make sure you bring along everything that he will need while away from home.

The night before you leave, pack his carrier and cat beds, toys, a scratching post, a litter box, litter and scoop, food and a brush.

When traveling, place the cat carrier on the backseat of your vehicle and secure it with a seat belt, or put it on the floor. Do not put the carrier in the trunk.

Never leave your cat or kitten unattended in the car for any amount of time. Even with the window cracked open, the interior of a car can heat up to deadly temperature in minutes.

When traveling, make sure that your child practices safe behaviors around the family pet. She should be instructed never to take the cat out of his carrier. If you are staying in a hotel or at a friend's house, instruct her to be careful around the cat and never let him go outside or leave the hotel room.

If your cat escapes, he will be frightened in a strange place and may be hard to find. Depending on your child's age, she can help to take care of the cat while traveling by playing with him, brushing or feeding him, or giving him a sense of familiarity and comfort.

To learn more about the different types of Cat Travel Tips and pet meds for your dogs, cats, horse, etc., and how to get discount and cheap pet medications, make sure to visit http://www.callpetmeds.com where you will find everything on getting quality yet affordable pet medications as well as tips on how to take care of your pets like the experts.

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