Happy Halloween!!!

Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe This Halloween
By: Lisa Chelenza - CapitalNews9

Here are some tips to keep your pets safe this Halloween:

Don't leave your pets out in the yard on Halloween or the night before. There are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, even killed pets. If you have cats, it's best to keep them inside all year long, but it is especially important to keep them inside as Halloween approaches. The same goes for dogs and even the sweetest dog could bite an innocent trick-or-treater in a scary costume if the animal feels threatened. So it's best to keep them inside.

Tips to keep your pet safe this Halloween
Halloween is an exciting time for your entire family including your pets. Here are some helpful precautions to keep your pets safe this Halloween in this edition of Pet Pointers.

Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets. Chocolate is dangerous for dogs and could kill them and candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed.

Be careful of pets around a jack-o-lantern lit with a candle. Pets may knock them over and cause a fire. Cats and Kittens are especially at risk of being burned around lit candles. It's not uncommon for a tail or a whisker to be singed. This year consider a faux jack-o-lantern. No carving or candle necessary.

Keep your pets in a separate room when answering the door. Sometimes strangers in strange costumes can be scary for a dog. Especially hats, wigs, masks and sun glasses. Watch out for open doors too, so your cat or dog doesn't dart out as you pass out candy.

Program your vet's emergency number in your phone. Having your vet's emergency phone number programmed in your phone is the easiest thing you can do to prepare for an accident any time of year.

Keep candy and other treats out of your pet's reach. Crinkling paper and yummy smells can be very tempting to cats, dogs, ferrets and even birds.

Pet Doors Make Life Easier for Everyone
Andy West - American Chronicle

If you´re tired of constantly having to get up and open and close the door to let your pets in and out, patio pet doors are an easy and convenient solution.

Pet doors are available for cats and dogs of just about any size. Most of these doors have some kind of vinyl, weather-resistant flap that´s easy enough for the animal to nudge through but heavy enough to keep the weather outside. Electronic access systems, linked via radio frequency to your pet´s collar, help keep uninvited guests out. These units don´t even have to be near a wall outlet because, in some cases, they run off of a 9-volt battery.

Often used by cat owners to keep raccoons out, the electronic door locks and unlocks when the animal gets near the door. This way, raccoons, squirrels and stray cats cannot get in. Raccoons are quite common in suburban areas, as they can smell cat and dog food that´s been left outside.

One electronic cat door uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags for up to eight cats, allowing the owner to control the access of each tagged cat. This model, like some others, had a timer to restrict access at certain times of the day. This option comes in handy if you don´t want your cats prowling around outside at night.

The pet doors range from tool-free set ups for the typical patio dog doors that everyone has seen, to semi-permanent ones for wooden doors or brick walls. Some pet doors are designed for window installation. These are called ´sash window inserts´ and install like a room air conditioning unit. This is a good option for pet owners who own cats and dogs. This is a cost-effective way of letting the cat get out while restricting the dog to the inside or outside.

They also come in all kinds of styles to match just about any decor. Price will depend on what kind of features and installation you want. A custom French-door with electronic locks will be more expensive than a sliding patio-door style set up. If you go the custom door route, the larger the opening the more expensive the door will be.

Speaking of size, it´s always important to measure your dog or cat from the shoulders to the ground and make allowances for growth and pregnancy. Also, consider the number of pets you have and if they tend to race in or out at once. A larger pet door would be a better choice in this case. Also, consider ramps if you have older pets.

Saving on Pet Bills: It’s Not as Hard as You Think
By DEBORAH WOOD - Newhouse News Service / Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Living with pets isn’t cheap. Everything from the basics (food and veterinary care) to the little pleasures in life (toys and the occasional indulgent purchase) seems to go up in price almost every day.


But put in a little time and some extra thought and you can save hundreds of dollars from your regular pet expenses every year — without sacrificing a whisker of quality. It can even be fun to find the bargains.

Here are some ideas to try:

Shop discount stores: You may already be going to Ross Dress for Less to, well, dress for less. Check out the pet section, and you’ll see an array of items, ranging from the practical to the playful. Their pet bedding, dishes and collars sell for about 40 percent of the manufacturer’s suggested price.

Tuesday Morning, a discount store that mostly carries home decor items, also has an extensive pet section. This chain often has quality brands at bargain prices. I’ve been looking for a pet carrier that I could sling over my shoulder and recently found a Sherpa-brand bag that would retail for $70 for $19.99.

Even the dollar stores sometimes have good-quality pet toys — it’s worth checking them out if you’re in the neighborhood.

The trick to discount store shopping is to look carefully for damage to the merchandise. Make sure it’s good quality — and something you need. Even if you’re spending only $5, that’s wasted money if you never use the pink leash or the princess doggie pillow.

Shop clearance sections: The best time to shop is at the end of a season. Pets are happy to play with toys that sport Santas in January. Now is a great time to find summer apparel for pets, and January will be a fabulous time to get a sale coat. Don’t feel guilty when you walk past the spendy stuff and go to the bargain bins.

Shop unexpected places: Sometimes the least expensive place to find pet supplies is the human section of a store. Baby gates (which keep animals or children confined to a room) often sell for dollars less at stores that cater to babies than they would at pet stores. Supplements (such as essential oils or glucosamine) often are less expensive in the natural food section of the grocery store than at pet stores.

Thrift stores are a great place. Many kids toys — available for a dollar or two — make wonderful pet toys. Some of my friends buy inexpensive squeakers and sew them into the toys they buy at Goodwill.

Urban dwellers usually pass by farm and feed stores. That’s a mistake if you’re a dog lover. They offer a much larger range of sizes for big dogs for half the price of the pet store. If you have a really huge dog like a Great Dane, go to the horse section and get a foal blanket.

Rotate toys: Sometimes the best toys are already in your overflowing toy basket. Most dogs and cats have piles of toys they never use. Pick up two-thirds of them and put them away. Every couple of weeks, rotate one-third of the toys back out on the floor. Your pets will feel the fun of new toys — and you’ll have the fun of giving them something — without spending a penny.

Save on food: When it comes to food, you don’t want to sacrifice on quality. You probably do want to reduce quantity. Because most pets are overweight, reducing their portions will save money on food bills — and on veterinary bills down the line.

Good-quality food actually costs little more than poor quality food per portion (because animals need to eat less good food), so don’t skimp on the good stuff. Sometimes discount grocery stores carry premium brands; it’s worth keeping an eye out for those bargains.

Save on veterinary bills: About a third of our pet expenses go to our animal’s health care.

Ask your veterinarian’s office about discounts. Many veterinarians offer them once a year (usually in February) for dental work. Some celebrate “senior pet month” by discounting the cost of routine blood work and exams for older pets. Also, see if your vet will give a discount if you bring in multiple pets at one time.

If your pet gets medication that’s also taken by humans, you might be able to get big savings by asking your veterinarian to write a prescription to your local drugstore. Many offer deeply discounted prescription rates.

It may also be possible to save money on expensive flea medications. If you have multiple dogs or cats, buy larger size tubes of flea medications and ask the vet to provide you with dosages and a syringe so that you can measure it for each pet. Because my dogs are very small, I was able to purchase a single dose of large-dog-sized flea medication and measure out the small-dog-sized dosage. It saved about $30.

Pet sitting: If you have multiple dogs, it may be less expensive (and nicer for the dogs) to hire a reliable person to spend the night rather than board your pets. A good place to look for qualified people is at your veterinarian’s office or your doggie day care. Also, you can find licensed and bonded pet sitters (including those who will stay overnight) at various Web sites.

Do it yourself: Clever cooks and crafters are finding the fun of do-it-yourself recipes and toys. Search for dog biscuit recipes on the Internet. Consider making your own dog toys using knots you find online and rope from a home-improvement store.

How Hotel Monaco Could Spoil Your Pet
Seattle Post Intelligencer

Some people just won't leave Fifi at home.

A woman named Janine Franceschi and her Irish setter, Beau, have traveled 5,000 miles nationwide to promote Francheschi's Web site, luxurypaw.com, "the only collection of luxury, pet-friendly hotels on the Web today."

(www.monaco-seattle.com)Wednesday, they'll be in Seattle, holding a press conference at the prestigious Hotel Monaco.

Didn't know the Monaco was pet friendly? They treat pets better than most hotels treat people. For starters, the hotel offers sitting and grooming services, pet massages (just $55 for 45 minutes!), a six-item pet menu -- including dessert -- and monogrammed dog coats, so Beverly Hills Rover doesn't catch cold in this awful weather.

Oh, and to those who really did leave Fifi at home, the Monaco hands over Guppy Love, a complimentary goldfish, free of charge.

Here's the Web page the Monaco devoted entirely to assuring potential clients that they can continue to spoil their pets within their walls. And here's a PDF with even more gory details.

P.S. -- The Hotel Monaco is the only Seattle hotel listed in the LuxuryPaw directory. Watch for a "paw print" Honda Element. According to the Web site, that's what Franceschi's driving on the tour.

Woman Sickened by Pet Parakeet She Kept 35 Years Ago
Fox News

The years a British woman spent with her pet parakeet 35 years ago has led to a debilitating respiratory disease.

Carol Dawson, 58, was diagnosed with allergic alveolitis, also known as bird fancier’s lung, which has left her hooked up to oxygen 24 hours a day, the Daily Mail reported Wednesday.

Dawson grew up with parakeets and kept one up until 1973 when she was forced to give up her bird “Ricky” due to breathing problems.

“At first I just thought it was asthma because it runs in the family,” she told the Mail. “I went to the doctor's time after time and they gave me inhalers. But they didn't work.”

She was finally diagnosed with allergic alveolitis in 2000.

The condition, caused by inhaling spores in bird droppings, is generally not serious, but in rare cases can lead to severe respiratory problems.

“Bird fancier's lung is a progressive disease that causes irreparable damage unless it is caught in early stages,” Dr. Jas Palmer, consultant transplant physician at Papworth Hospital, Cambridgeshire told the Mail.

Buying A Parakeet
Author: Bart LeToad

Parakeets (Melopsittacus undulatus) are one of the most common birds purchased as a pet bird. These delightful pets are usually friendly and relativly easy to handle. Although they can sometimes be difficult to understand, with a little hard work they have been known to mimic our sounds.

Parakeet Facts:

Life span: 10-15 years (up to 20).Origin: Australia. Colors: the normal wild coloration is green with black bars on the wings, back and head.

Determing Sex: The area around the nostirls is called the cere. You can use this as a way to distinguish between males and females. Mature females will have a beige colored cere. Males will have a blue tint to their cere.

Temperment: Known for being a very doscile and friendly bird, they are easily tamed if you aquire them while young. I've found that having more than one parakeet resulted in the parakeets being hard to handle and less vocal. When I have just one parakeet, the bird looked to me for interaction and was much easier to handle and actually could say a few words. I placed a parakeet mirror in the bird cage and was amazed at how much my parakeet played with his own image in the mirror.

Choosing a Parakeet

I highly recommend you choose a young bird that has been handled regularly and has been hand fed. The extra costs you experience buying a hand raised bird will be worth it in the long run. While their is nothing wrong with a store bought parakeet, my experiences have taught me that they are slower to adjust to being handled.

Use the same techniques you would use when buying a pet dog or pet cat. Look for a parakeet that is active and has shining and smooth feathers. A bird that is inactive and its feathers are puffed up may be a sign it is sick. Take note of the birds feet. Make sure the scales are smooth and the nails are in good shape. Don't forget to inspect the birds beak for any problems.

Parakeets are playful and active and do well in large cages. We always kept our parakeets on top of our refrigerator. We bought a cage that would fill the entire top of the frig. Add a couple of rod perches and maybe a bird swing along with your water and feed bowls. Even with a large cage, parakeets need a little time outside of the cage as well. Letting them out once in a while to stretch their wings is a good idea. The exercise is very benefical for your pet bird.

PetSmart


What to Give to Cat Lovers This Christmas
by James Winsoar

Christmas in just around the corner, and what best time to express your thoughtfulness to your loved ones and give them something that they would cherish for a long time than this season. But despite the wide array of merchandise displayed in the stores, it is still not easy to find something that could tickle their fancy and at the same time practical enough to use every day. If you're still confused, just think about what they love to do --- their hobbies and interests --- and start from there. If a friend or a family member loves pets, especially cats, how about giving them the revolutionized Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap! Or you can even get one for your own pet!

This revolutionary product, made especially for your pet cats, uses a pre-existing microchip that will instantly recognize your cats. What's good about this innovation is that it doesn't require a special microchip because you can still use the existing ID chip implant. This means you will not have to spend a few more bucks on another microchip that serves basically the same function. If you own more than one cat, don't worry because this amazing product lets you program up to 12 cat microchips. This product is mostly recommended for owners of cats with Identichip, Bayer Tracer, and other 15-digit UK or European microchips.

Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap features a 7-inch wide super strong door that automatically locks out other cats. It has been tried and tested to endure hard and strong rams so even if other cats will try to break it down with their body strength, it will still be resilient for up to 13kg of force. It is big enough to allow bigger cats like Maine Coons or Norwegian Forest Cats to get through easily.

Installation on a window or a wall is easy. You only have to plug it to a 12-volt adaptor so you won't have to worry about replacing weak batteries, and it would be perfectly safe for your cats. Simply pushing the red and green buttons will set the program of your choice.

Your cats will love this new innovation because they no longer have to wear big collars, attachments, and any kinds of magnets that can get lost or detached anytime. With only an undetectable microchip on them, your cats will be able to move with ease without a heavy thing around their necks. It would definitely give them a light feeling.

Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap has a patented Pet Porte Light Sensor or the Night Mode that can automatically lock the door to prevent your cats from going out especially late at night. This holiday season will be a time of fireworks and noisy activities, but this time you will finally be able to admire the fireworks display without having to worry about your pets going out. Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap will do the job for you.

You can choose to lock or unlock the door of the flap by programming the light level. It is easy to program because all you have to do is press the buttons. You can also deactivate the Night Mode simply by pushing the red button.

This mode can also protect your cats from being preys to other animals that roam and hunt for food in the night. You can be confident that your cats are safe when you are away or out of the house. You will never have to worry that while your cats are walking on the street late at night they might get hit by a passing vehicle.

Though this cat flap can prevent your cats from getting out, it can't prevent them from coming in. The door will open for them when it detects their chips, and they can get in anytime of the day unless you will turn it off. It is highly recommended that you switch this mode at dusk and dawn to prevent your cats from hunting rodents and other animals and stop them from bringing dead animals in your house.

In addition, you will be able to keep stray cats away from your house because this cat flap will only allow your own cat to enter when it detects the microchip. It will remain close for other cats to prevent them from entering your house. Stray cats that enter your house can cause a lot of trouble for your own cat and can even destroy things inside your house. Common damages include stains in your couch and sprays on carpets, scratches on your walls, curtains, bed, clothes, and other furniture. Just imagining this kind of damage is enough to get you irritated. But don't fret, Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap can save you from all the worries.

Aside from that, stray cats can also increase or even double your expenses on your cats' food because they will be sharing their foods with other cats. If you shop cat food for two weeks, it will only last for a few days so you will have to buy again. Owners of Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap say that they have saved around 10-20% of cat food budget since they started using the product. That's a great deal, don't you think?

The Pet Porte Microchip Cat Flap is recommended by most vets in the UK and the Cat Protection. This amazing product was also featured in The Cat magazine for their Spring 2008 issue as the "Best Product" for 2007-2008. Owners are highly recommending this product to all cat lovers. They are really happy about the performance of the cat flap.

Now if you can't wait to grab one of these cat flaps, you can order online or by post at your convenience. It is a risk-free investment since it offers a full refund within 30 days if you're not satisfied with the product. It also comes with an 18-month warranty so you can be sure you'll be getting a quality product.

If you choose to purchase this as a gift, not only will you make a loved one, a relative, or a friend happy, you will also make their pet cats ecstatic because this will definitely make their lives more comfortable and free!

The Pet Porte microchip cat flap is available from http://www.microchipcatflaps.co.uk/

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The Key to Preventing a Poorly Trained Dog
Author: Steven Resell

One of the main reasons for an unhappy dog owner is a poorly trained dog. Having an unruly dog can be a serious nuisance and be very destructive on its environment and the relationship between the dog and its owner.

So what is the key to preventing a poorly trained dog? Simple, just start training them as puppies. Puppies don't know the difference and if you make the training fun they will be more responsive as well. Conversely, if you start them when they are older they have grown into bad habits and the training will stress both you and the dog out. Not to mention the fact that the dog will be a lot more difficult to control.

If you start your dog late (particularly with leash training), they will control you. You often see people being taken for a walk by their dog as they are pulling their owners around the block. And what inevitably happens is that the owner will reprimand the dog by shouting and yanking at the leash. This isn't fair to the dog since the reason they behave this way is because you allowed them to pull on the leash as puppies (or because of no leash training whatsoever...)

When leash training your dog, be sure to never allow for them to pull on the leash. Gently tug the leash if they start to pull and get eye contact with the puppy while you repeat their name. Also be sure to give them positive reinforcements.

The best thing to do when starting out with leash training is to allow the dog to get used to the feeling of having a collar and a leash attached. Another thing to keep in mind is to initially do the training in a familiar environment.

This reduces stress on the puppy and allows for minimum distractions. Puppies are quick to learn and you can introduce them to new lessons relatively quickly.

Once your puppy has become comfortable with the basics of leash training and knows some of the basic cues and commands like sit and heel, start taking them to the park and different areas to practice. Again, start by introducing them to a little bit of distraction, then increase the amount of distractions present while going over the same training that you exposed them to with no distractions.

Just remember that it is very important that you socialize your dog. This is often a neglected part of a dog's training and causes dogs to become shy and/or fear aggressive. So, be sure to take your puppy to the park and other busy areas to interact with other people and dogs too!

Although this may seem like a lot of work, it is well worth the effort, as you will have a very well trained dog at the end of it all.

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Basic Horse Care
Author: Fran Black

Horses are amazingly beautiful and sensitive creatures. Horses require not only understanding and patience to have a horse as a pet, it also requires a whole lot of care.

Herd Mentality:
Observe horses in the herd system, each horse's welfare in the wild depends upon an instinctive submission to the discipline of the herd. The instinct is for immediate action. To the horse, action is survival. When horses live in an herd environment, they often take turns sleeping and standing guard for any predators. When the leader of the herd signals danger they take flight.

Learning respect and ascending to authority starts on the first day of life for the foals, there is a distinct pecking order in herds of horses.

It is important to keep a quiet profile around horses. Horses naturally do not like unnecessary noise because in the wild their survival depends on detection of predators with their hearing. Extraneous noise interferes with this predator detection. This predator detection is tightly coupled with a horse's flight reflex. Due to these survival genetics, horses have a physiological wiring in their brains that predisposes them to prefer quietness and to become bothered by unnecessary noise. Many horses can get startled easily from abrupt noises and this could result in injury to the horse, the rider, or people around the horse. Talk to your horse in a quiet, reassuring voice.

Relationship With Horses:
A horse will love you if, first and foremost, you treat it fairly, and secondly, if you allow yourself to develop a relationship with it in the same way you would a human partner. There are too many who will look after the horse's material needs but put nothing back into the partnership itself. The horse born in captivity will identify with an alternative provider and companion, resulting in a healthy relationship from the beginning. A healthy relationship with your horse requires: trust, coupled with respect, fondness with compliance, and a desire to please.

Check Your Horse:
Examine your horse every day and especially prior to riding the horse. Carefully examine the horse's legs and back for any unusual heat or lumps. Make sure that the horse's eyes are alert and not glazy. Listen for any excessive noise or gurgling sounds coming from your horse's stomach. Catching problems before they become serious is critical to keeping a show horse sound and alive.

Exercise caution and discretion when around stallions and mares when they are in heat. They are dealing with hormones on an order of magnitude that you probably can not comprehend. Stallions typically bite and some may be easily triggered into violent behavior.

Grooming Horses:
Keep your horse clean. Keep your horse's entire coat free from dirt, mud, sand, and sweat. Brush your horse every day. Pick out your horse's feet every day. Wash out any sweat residue from the saddle pad or girth every day. Wash out any dirt or sand residue, as from the riding arena, on your horses legs every day. A number of different problems can result if a horse's coat is not kept clean.

Barn Care:
Keep your horse's stall clean. Make sure that your horse's stall is cleaned every day. Be sure that any wetness is removed with the manure. Replace the removed bedding with fresh, clean, dry bedding. Water should be dumped from buckets every day without exception. Unhealthy dirt and bacteria can build up in a bucket if it is not cleaned on a daily basis. Clean water is essential to maintaining a healthy horse. Make sure your horse always has clean, fresh water available.

Training A Horse:
The intelligence of the horse increases rapidly with education. An intelligent trainer can make an intelligent horse. A kind but firm trainer will result in a disciplined but pleasing horse.

Horse Feed:
Feed your horse(s) at the same times every day. A horse may get upset and colic or injure themselves by kicking the stall or pawing, if not fed when feeding is expected. You should not make radical changes in a horse's feed program. If you must make a change in the feed program, make the change gradually. Drastic changes in a horse's feed program can cause the horse to colic and in some cases, may die. Your horse's stomach is a highly sensitive bio-reactor that maintains a delicate balance of the organisms that digest food in your horse's digestive track.

Visitors should not feed a horse that you do not own without the owner's permission; no carrots, no apples, no treats, nothing. The horse could potentially, get sick if they have an allergy or sickness.

Pay attention to everything that goes into your horse; that means all feed, all hay, all water, all treats, all supplements, all pills, and all shots. This knowledge could save your horse's life in an emergency situation. Post this information on your horse's stall door so that it is available to a vet if you are not around in an emergency. Make sure that your horse gets high-quality feed and hay. Your horse's health and soundness depends on the nutrition that you provide for them. Take good care of your horse. A rider without a horse is no rider at all.

Vet Care:
Make sure that you have a good equine veterinarian. A good vet will save you money in the long run and may save your horse's life some day. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Make sure your horse has all the vaccinations that are normal for your geographical location. All horses should be on a good worming program to control intestinal parasites. A horse should be wormed by a vet at least twice a year.

Horse Flies:
In the summer spray your horse trailer down with fly spray about 10 minutes before you load the horses. The flies should leave, and your horses will be without those pesky flies!

Cooling Horses:
Never spray a hot, sweaty horse with cold water immediately after working the horse. This can cause muscle spasms and binding, or shock that can lead to death. Wait until the horse is breathing regularly, and use warm water if it is available. If a horse has heat shock, consult your vet and the vet may instruct you to cold hose the horse, even if still hot and sweaty. Never put a horse in a stall or confined area while sweaty or while they are still breathing heavily. This can result in shock and/or colic that can lead to death. Walk the horse until the horse is cooled out and the breathing is normal.

Shoeing:
Horses' hooves generally grow approximately 1 cm in a month, and take nearly a year to grow from the coronet band to the ground. Horse's hooves need to be trimmed regularly (about every 6-8 weeks). Shoeing a horse does not hurt them. If you were to grow out your finger nail, you could put an earring/pin through it without causing discomfort; however, if you pushed the pin through the part of your nail that is attached to the soft tissue of your finger, it would hurt. When horse shoes are nailed in, they are nailed at an angle so which the horse doesn't feel it.

Make sure that you have a good farrier, especially if you show your horse over jumps. The concussion from landing from jumps amplifies any problems in a horse's shoeing. If a horse gets sore feet or legs from bad angles or bad shoeing, the horse can not just take his shoes off, sit back on a couch, and rub their feet, or find another pair of shoes like you can. Bad shoeing can result in your horse becoming lame due to a number of problems including: bowed tendons, popped splints, or shoulder/back soreness or spasms. Bad shoeing can ruin a good horse, so don't be penny-wise and pound-foolish where shoeing is concerned. A laid-up horse is far more expensive to maintain than a good farrier. And remember not all horses need to have shoes, only if they are competing, walking on hard/rocky surfaces, or have hoof problems.

Sleeping:
Horses do lay down to sleep, but only if they feel completely comfortable in their environment. It is not enough to provide a dry stable, food and water. Horses will often sleep standing up by locking their knees. Horses are one of the few animals that can put one half of their body asleep while the other half is wide awake. Emotionally and mentally, all horses need to feel they have and be comfortable in their own space!

To fully enjoy a horse's finer qualities you must treat them with both kindness and quality care. In the end, a happy horse will mean a nicer ride and a happier rider.

Franklin Pet Memorials
“Remember them with a custom solid bronze memorial.”

Contact: Cynthia Linnon
191 Howard Street Franklin, PA 16323
clinnon@franklinbronzeplaques.com
814-346-7205 ph 814-346-7047 fax


Goldfish Care And Fish Tank Maintenance
Author: Alison Stevens

Fish tank maintenance is the first step in goldfish care and is an important part of owning a tank of healthy fish. If maintained regularly, aquarium and goldfish care is relatively easy and takes little time.

If you prefer you can hire an aquarium maintenance service to come to your home or office and care for your fish tank and its occupants. On the other hand, taking care of your aquarium fish yourself can be a satisfying and rewarding experience.

The Steps In Goldfish Care

The most important piece of equipment in your fish tank is the filtration system. There are several different types of filtration system. A type of filter that you will frequently encounter is a box that fits over the side of the tank. The water circulates through the filtration system, which usually uses charcoal or a similar filter media to filter out the impurities in the water. Another type of filtration system is a biological filter. Biological filtration can be used in conjunction with a charcoal filtration system, and permits good bacteria to grow in the tank which helps to keep the tank clean.

The number of fish you have in your aquarium can impact on the water quality, especially if you have too many fish in a tank that is too small. It is important to ensure that you have the correct goldfish population for the size of tank you own. Do not overcrowd your fish. After overcrowding, the next most likely cause of problems with your goldfish is overfeeding. Fish should only be fed an amount they can eat within a few minutes. If you feed your goldfish too much, the uneaten food will fall to the bottom of the tank and turn into sludge which will not provide a healthy environment for your fish to live in. Uneaten food can also lead to algal growth.

Partial Water Changes

You will need to perform partial water changes every two weeks or so as a central part of your goldfish care. This keeps the algae level down and helps to maintain a healthy environment for your goldfish. Typically, siphoning off about 20 percent of the water is adequate. Replace with fresh water. If your tap water contains chlorine it is imperative that you add a chlorine neutralizer when adding fresh water to your fish tank.

Observe Your Fish Daily

Observe your goldfish on a daily basis. Ensure that all your equipment is running properly. Always make sure your filter is running as it can sometimes lose its prime if there is a power outage. Make sure your air pump is working properly, too, to ensure your goldfish have plenty of oxygen. Goldfish don't need a heater but if you have tropical fish they will require a heater to maintain the water temperature.

Just keeping an eye on your fish on a daily basis and observing their behavior can help with your goldfish care and tank maintenance. If you notice any behavioral problems with your fish, take a proactive approach to determine what is wrong with them and treat the symptoms immediately. Sick fish should be put into a quarantine tank if possible while being treated.

Maintaining a clean aquarium and a healthy living environment are not difficult tasks in goldfish care, and a little preventive fish tank maintenance on a regular basis will keep your fish healthy and disease free.

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The Healing Power of Pets

Pets Have a Place in the Sickbed
USA Today

Another, separate nod to patients' connections to pets is evolving: A handful of hospitals and care facilities now arrange care for the pets of people confined for days or weeks.

"It's a huge burden of concern to take off the patient," says Kate Fischer, patient pet-care coordinator for St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan, which has a volunteer corps that tends to 200 to 300 pets a year. Often the pet belongs to someone who lands unexpectedly in the ER, or someone who has no one to call on when surgery is required.

"Every hospital needs something like this," says Fischer, and she's working with the Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals to spread the concept.

In Ontario, a similar program was introduced last year at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, which has 26 facilities throughout the province.

Judith Brindley, fighting her way back to health after a rare bone marrow disease nearly took her life, realized one day she would improve no further without the company of her beloved greyhounds, which were banished to a caregiver on doctors' orders.

So she researched how to reduce the chance of dog-to-human disease transmission, such as wearing latex gloves when poop-scooping, cleaning paws after walks and frequent washing of muzzles. She battled for weeks before winning a grudging OK from physicians, who felt the dogs posed a threat to a body compromised by chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant and immunosuppressant drugs.

Finally, in July, Brindley reclaimed Grace and Roy after a three-month separation.

"There's no question that having (the dogs) with me these past few months made a huge difference in my recovery," says artist/art teacher Brindley, 65, now cheerfully settled back into her active, dog-rich Manhattan life and preparing to resume teaching next week. "They gave so much to my recovery. Their greeting me each day as though it was a special day … made me realize how lucky I am."

All pet owners and most in the medical community now acknowledge the healing power of animals. Some doctors even write prescriptions giving hospitalized patients access to the pets they left at home. At the 1,000-bed Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del., patients can request orders for a recuperative in-room visit with their pet.

But there are pockets of disagreement among doctors when it comes to allowing seriously ill or functionally fragile people to return to a home occupied by a pet buddy. Some advise pets be exiled, fearing that someone in a full-leg cast, for example, might trip over a rambunctious cat and undo everything; or someone with open wounds or whose immune system is weak from chemotherapy or diseases like HIV/AIDS could pick up an infection from the animal.

"I receive phone calls virtually weekly" from veterinarians phoning on behalf of clients who are distressed because a physician has issued a no-pets advisory, says John New, head of comparative medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. They call New because his specialty is public health, which means he monitors animal and human health concerns and guidelines. New never advises them to "ignore the physician's advice, of course," he says, but "in many instances I can give information on assessing the situation and offer precautions."

It all comes down to degree of risk and whether a person — or doctor — feels the need to reduce it to nearly zero, or is willing to accept somewhat more. Every situation "must be handled on a case-by-case basis," New says. But he points out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prepared guidelines for reducing exposures for people with various weakened-immune-system conditions, "and nowhere do they say 'get rid of the pet at home.' "

In fact, the guidelines for dealing with HIV-infected people say such patients "should not be advised to give away or destroy healthy pets" but should be dissuaded from acquiring a puppy or kitten under 6 months old because of a specific bug they may carry.

Ray Pais, director of pediatric hematology/oncology at Knoxville's East Tennessee Children's Hospital, gives "lots of instructions" to his patients' parents. "But I never tell anyone to get rid of the dog or cat," he says, though he does discourage proximity to pet birds because their droppings dry into a dust that can infiltrate lungs. And he's not fond of pet lizards and turtles because of salmonella risk.

"Most of the infections we worry about — by far more than half of the infections we see (in kids undergoing cancer treatments) — are infections from germs in their own bodies," such as in their mouths or their intestines, that in healthy people are beneficial but in compromised people cause illness.

"Our young patients have already given up so much," Pais says, "I see no reason at that moment for them to also lose the dog."

Indeed, a growing body of anecdotal data suggests time with a pet may be "as powerful in the person's recovery as the medical treatment," says the American Humane Association's Phil Arkow.

Carol Tavani, executive director of Christiana Psychiatric Services in Delaware, says "more doctors are becoming sensitized, largely through feedback from patients" to how important contact with a pet is, but she still hears of doctors who ask patients to "remove the dog or cat as if it were a chair." She calls that "rigid" and believes that "anything that is good for your stress is good for your immune system."

Artist Brindley says she is grateful for the skills of her doctors but believes many in the medical field should acknowledge the importance of pets in people's lives, learn more about pet-to-human disease transmission and discuss with patients "how to minimize the risk of having pets with them as they heal."

She knows "people may criticize me" for relentlessly badgering her medical team to allow Grace and Roy back into her life. But once the dogs were with her again, "I was relaxed. I didn't have to work on healing, I was healing."

Even in Rough Economy, Dogs Tasting Good Life
by Connie Cone Sexton - The Arizona Republic

Kierland Commons is going to the dogs.

And that's a good thing, officials at the shopping center in northeast Phoenix say.

Some shop owners are catering to customers these days by catering to their dogs. They're putting out fresh bowls of water, handing out dog treats and reaching down to give a friendly pat.
The center's open-air design has more owners bringing their four-legged family member along for a visit.

If Saturday's Halloween fashion show at Kierland was any indication, man's best friend certainly hasn't been cut out of the family financial picture in a weakened economy. While many of the costumes were homemade, many others were store bought. Dogs and their owners were bedazzled and coiffed.

A lucky Coco Chanel

Take Coco Chanel, a 3½-year-old teacup Maltese. As owner Xan Brockbank led her down the runway, Coco was pristine in her pink stroller, pink sweater and pink bow.

Brockbank adores her pet and says she has not let the economy sour her spending. "I have not let up," she said.

But Brockbank is able to save on commuting. She and her husband live in a loft above the Kierland shops and work nearby.

Coco is treated to a bath once a week and a hair cut every two weeks. And she sometimes finds rest at the Applewood Pet Resort.

"We keep thinking we should cut back on spending but we don't," northeast Phoenix resident SuAnn Dwight said. She watched Saturday as her daughter, Sarah, 10, walked Kierland's fashion runway with Hershey, a Bedlington terrier. Caring for their dogs "is such a priority," Dwight said.

Stacey Larsen, who owns Puppy Prep School for adult dogs, teaching at several northeast Phoenix locations, said her business is doing well.

"My work is so busy, one of the busiest times I've had," she said. "Even in bad times, people make choices of how to help their family. Having a nice pet is one of those choices."

She offers private and group lessons (hugapup3@msn.com.) In general, her private sessions are $75 an hour.

Still spending money

Author Arden Moore isn't surprised that people are still spending money on their animals. "It's almost like the pets are a Teflon industry in this tight economy," she said.

Moore, who has written several books on animals, including the recent paperback issue of Happy Dog Happy You, has an explanation. "Pets just bring so much to us. They improve our moods. They make us laugh. Make us feel goofy."

But she cautions people not to go overboard. If you like dressing your dog, don't layer them beyond recognition. The advice is appropriate for Halloween. Don't make a dog dress in something if it is uncomfortable. "Dogs are big on body language. Don't block their ability to smell or be smelled," she said.

Treating pets like family

Adam Avigdor, manager at Choice Pet Market, 7119 E. Shea Blvd. west of Scottsdale Road, said many owners do keep their pets' interesting mind, especially when it comes to food.

"We're sort of the Whole Foods of the pet industry," he said. "Nowadays, people are treating their pets like their children and are looking carefully at the ingredients. They want organic, natural ingredients.

Frozen raw good is a popular trend and sells quickly, he said.

Vince Anginoli, an owner at Mackie's Parlour Pet Boutique, 6137 N. Scottsdale Road, has noticed a dip in sales but is hoping for a good holiday season.

Rather than spending $400 on a collar, people are spending $100. Halloween costume sales are not as brisk as before but customers continue to buy the outfits.

"People are hunkering down more," Anginoli said. "But they still want to buy for their dog or pet because when times are tough, the family sticks together and our pets are our family."

Rescue Dogs Need Recreation in Addition to Rehabilitation Says Ami Moore
PR.com

Ami Moore, the Chicago Dog Whisperer, educator, author and motivational speaker uses her skills as an occupational therapy provider to create new and novel recreational activities for dogs that are in shelters and rescues. "Dogs need playtime and work time just like children do in order to remain balanced and healthy" says Ami Moore.

Chicago, IL, October 27, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Pet Rescue, Inc., issued a cry for help – and Chicago-area dog behaviorist Ami Moore answered. A former occupational therapist provider who specialized in a pediatric population with developmental and learning disabilities, Ami Moore the Chicago Dog Coach employs the rehabilitation techniques she once used on children to tame problem dogs. And so, when Pet Rescue asked for donations for its Pet Rescue Sanctuary for Orphaned Pets and Wildlife, located in Bloomingdale, Ill., Moore knew just what to offer.

“I donated toys and materials to increase the emotional and mental stimulation of the dogs that are at residence at the shelter,” Ami Moore, the Chicago Dog Whisperer said.

Toys such as balls, soft toys, ropes, and bones are “stimulating and interesting” to dogs, Moore explained. Ami Moore, Chicago’s professional dog behavior expert, also gave the sanctuary the gift of her time, providing intervention and advice regarding the housing and handling of aggressive dogs that are lodged there. In Ami Moore’s professional opinion, there aren’t any bad dogs just dogs that are raised badly.

The Pet Rescue Sanctuary, opened since 1973, is one of the largest no-kill, non-profit, minimum cage facilities for orphaned animals. Animals there live in a loving and protected environment until they are adopted. Injured or sick animals are given the best care available from some of the area’s finest veterinarian medical teams. Individuals interested in adopting an animal from the sanctuary are screened carefully to ensure that the orphan will have the best chance of entering a loving, responsible, permanent home.

The organization also prides itself in helping pet owners who have fallen upon hard times – due to illness or disaster – and who can no longer care for their pets on their own. Pet Rescue, Inc., is known throughout the country, and has become a model for the establishment of many newly-formed rescue groups. Ami Moore the Chicago Dog Whisperer said she was glad to help the organization because it shares her values concerning the physical, mental and emotional rehabilitation of animals.

###

Contact Information
The Chicago Dog Whisperer
Ami Moore
847-284-7760
dogdoright@aol.com
www.amimoore.com
www.chicagodogcoach.com
www.dogwhispererchicago.com

PetSmart


PET DISH: 12-Year-Old’s Idea Gives Free Food to Shelters
By Sandra Eckstein - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mimi Ausland, 12, of Bend, Ore., was looking for a way to help the animals at her local animal shelter.

She’d been volunteering there since she was 7 years old and knew how great the need was. Then she saw a site her dad, Kelly Ausland, was going to each day. He’d click on it and people half a world away would get a little rice. A light bulb went off.

“I went to a local pet store and asked them if they’d donate the food if people went online and clicked to donate it, and they agreed,” Mimi said.

The site, freekibble.com, launched April 1, with the store donating 10 pieces of kibble every time someone went to the site and answered the daily trivia question (a donation is made whether you get the question right or not.) The Humane Society of Central Oregon started getting hundreds of pounds of food. But Mimi’s idea was destined for larger things.

Within two months, information about the site had gone national, and the pet store couldn’t keep up with the demand for donations. The Auslands started looking for national companies to help.

In stepped Castor & Pollux Pet Works, a company that manufactures natural and organic pet foods, as well as zootoo.com, a pet Web site launched by the former owner of Meow Mix. Suddenly the little site Mimi started to help one shelter was able to help others. She’s now donating food to nine shelters or groups in Florida, Portland, Chicago and New York state, as well as one in Forsyth County.

“We didn’t apply at first because they’re on the West Coast, but then we heard they were looking for other shelters to help,” said Tim Link, president of the Humane Society of Forsyth County.

For the past three months, his shelter has received 1,500 pounds of dog food and 500 pounds of cat food from the site in the form of Castor & Pollux coupons.

“It doesn’t cover everything we need, but it’s certainly a big help,” said Link, whose group feeds the animals in the shelter, operates a pet food bank and feeds more than 400 feral cats.

A sister site, freekibblekat.com, launched June 1, and today 35,000 people a day are clicking on them, feeding 1,200 dogs and cats daily. Kelly Ausland said donations have gone from 600 pounds in June to 16,000 pounds in September after Mimi made appearances on NBC news and the “Today” show.

“It’s also creating an awareness and getting people to be more involved with their local shelters,” Kelly Ausland said.

Richard Thompson, founder of zootoo.com, said he’s proud of what a sixth-grader has been able to do. As an insider in the pet food industry, he coordinates the food contributions for Mimi and said he plans to continue to do it no matter how popular the site gets.

“Right now it’s about half a tractor-trailer load a month,” Thompson said. “If it gets to be eight, nine or 10 truckloads, then we might have to build a bloody facility, but we’ll continue to support her.”

Cotton States Cat Show

This CFA championship and household pet cat show will have eight rings where cats are being judged, as well as vendors, agility demonstrations and a kitty costume contest. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Gwinnett County Civic Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. $7 adults, $5 children 12 and under. More information: www.cottonstatescatclub.org.

Cause for Paws

A dinner and silent auction at the Flat Creek Country Club on Saturday will benefit the Fayette County Humane Society. Tickets are $50 or $90 a couple and must be purchased in advance at www.fayettehumane.org or 770-487-1073. 6:30-9 p.m. at 100 Flat Creek Road, Peachtree City.

Woofstock

This pet-centric evening will have live music, food, a silent auction, vendors, a pet psychic and the auctioning of a professionally trained PAWS Atlanta dog. Attire is hippie elegance. Sponsored by Jabula Dog Academy, the proceeds will go toward a new training center at PAWS Atlanta to help prepare the dogs for adoption. 5-9 p.m. Nov. 2 at LITKitchen, 433C Bishop St., Atlanta. Tickets $35 in advance, $45 at the door. Tickets available at www.pawsatlanta.org or 770-593-1155.

Animal blessing

A church service complete with music and prayers will be offered for animals at 2 p.m. today at the Historic Log Cabin Community Church in Smyrna. Individual blessings also available. Love offerings for the Humane Society of Cobb County will be accepted. 2699 Log Cabin Drive. Info: www.logcabinchurch.com or 404-351-1912.

Pet photo contest

There’s only a few days left to enter the Spooky Tails online photo contest by Chihuahua Rescue of Georgia. Submit the best scary or fall photo of your pet (any breed or species) for $10 by Saturday. The winner gets a charcoal pet portrait by local artist Erica Cain. Second prize is a holiday photo session, while third place is a $25 gift certificate to a local pet store. Enter at chihuahuarescuega.com.

QUICK TIP

Pets, especially dogs, can react negatively to people in costumes. Place pets indoors in a safe area on Halloween for their safety and the safety of others.

NEWS TO SHARE?

Know of pet news, events or stories? Tell Sandra Eckstein at seckstein@ajc.com or call 404-526-7260. For more pet news, go to ajcpets.com.

Pet Meets the New Baby

By JULIA PRYOR - Canton Daily Ledger/Master Gardener and Program Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension-Fulton County

When ‘woof’ meets ‘waaaaah,’ some adjustments need to be made, and that is definitely the case in this office. University of Illinois Extension—Fulton County’s Becky Campbell has been blessed with two new grandbabies this fall. Shown in the picture is granddaughter Betsey Weiss with family pet Kick.

Bringing home a newborn means adjustments for your household, since for many couples, their pet may be their first “baby.” Strategies exist to prepare your favorite four-legged friend for the newest two-legged addition to the family. I hope this information from U of IL Adjunct Assistant Professor Linda Case will be helpful.

Case teaches companion animal behavior and training and also owns Autumn Gold Dog Training Center, in Mahomet, Ill., and has authored several books, including “Canine and Feline Behavior and Training: A Complete Guide to Understanding Our Two Best Friends.”

“Basic manners training is especially helpful when a new baby is going to be added to the home,” says Case. She says that teaching your dog the down and stay commands before the baby arrives is a good start to a well-mannered pet that will be calm around infants. She also recommends teaching your pet to “come when called; sit quietly for petting and handling, and to keep four paws on the ground.”

With these commands in your dog’s repertoire you’ll be more apt to keep things under control when you bring the baby home. However even new parents have a hard time preparing themselves for the jolting cries infants can produce, so imagine how stressful that sound might be to an unsuspecting animal.

For this reason, it is recommended that you expose your pet to infant cries long before it hears the real thing by use of a CD of baby noises. Case explains that, “owners can play the CD very softly and as soon as an unusual sound occurs, the dog is given several high value treats.”

Although exposing your pet to sounds of babies is helpful, Case says, “It is important to realize that dogs’ primary special sense is olfactory.” Because of this, the Humane Society of the United States recommends that you have a friend or relative bring a blanket with the new baby’s scent on it home for the dog to smell prior to the baby coming home.

Along that same train of thought, it is also a good idea to allow your pooch to smell and investigate all the baby gear you buy and put together long before the baby arrives. You do not have to go so far as to take your pet for a ride in that new stroller, but at least let it get used to the new items.

When you come home from the hospital with your new bundle of joy, remember that you have been gone for several days and your pet will be excited to see you. It is a good idea to spend a few minutes alone with the new older brother or sister before you introduce it to the new baby.

As a final word of advice Case reminds people that “a dog should never be left unattended with an infant or small child.” This includes the pets of grandparents, relatives, and child care providers. Case also recommends keeping your pet’s daily routine the same both before and after the baby arrives, as abrupt changes will only make the situation more stressful.

Congratulations to those of you who have been blessed with children and grandchildren. For more information on introducing a new baby to pets speak with your local veterinarian or visit the Humane Society of the United States Web site at www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/introducing_your_pet_and_new_baby.html

At University of Illinois Extension—Fulton County, we are committed to helping the people of Illinois put knowledge to work. For a complete list of activities and links to a variety of helpful resources, check us out on the web at fulton.extension.uiuc.edu. It is my privilege to share information with you in this column, and I look forward to our ‘Extension Connection.’ Have a great week!


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Dog Training – Train a Dog to Fetch
Author: John Williams

The fetch game is probably the most popular and most used dog activity for rewarding your dog and giving him exercise at the same time. Giving your dog regular exercise is essential in keeping your dogs health up to scratch and helping them live a more exciting happy life.

Playing the fetch game with your dog is very easy and takes as much effort as you want to put into it. Simply take some form of ball, Frisbee, or stick and get your dogs attention with it, as soon as your dog has their eyes on the swinging stick, throw it as far as possible and command your dog to fetch the stick and pointing in the direction you threw it in with some enthusiasm to make it seem fun for your dog.

Dogs love this game and are happy to play it al day long with you, some dogs like the game more than others due to breed tendencies to please the owners. There are many different products available to help you with this command if you suffer from a bad back or similar and are incapable of bending down or throwing, this product is a long stick that cups the tennis ball and makes it easier to throw and pick up the ball.

This activity can be an energetic exercise for both you and your dog if you want it to be. Running around after your dog and throwing for your dog to fetch is a way used by many to keep fit and not just their dogs. A helpful two in one exercise to keep both parties healthy can’t be a bad choice!

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Getting to Know Your Cat
Author: Clark Tran

Spay or Neuter a New Cat
Millions of cats are euthanized each year in shelters due to the overcrowding of animals. Cats can easily have over 10 kittens in a given pregnancy leaving owners with problem of trying to find homes for these kittens. There is an easy remedy to this problem and that is spaying or neutering your cat. Not only is this the responsible thing to do but it is better for your cat. If unspayed female are more at risk of developing the following conditions: breast cancer, pyometra, tumors of the uterus & ovaries. While unneutered male cats run a risk of developing testicular cancer.

The Price of having a cat
When people see a cute kitten they immediately decide to adopt it. Once home they realize they have made a mistake. They are not prepared for the responsibility of a cat, not all members of the family are happy to have a cat, resident pets don't adapt well to the new addition or it just doesn't fit into your lifestyle. The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, vaccinations, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.

Checking the health of your new cat
When a household decides to adopt a cat, be it from the shelter or a breeder a great deal of time should go into selecting the right animal. Have questions about where the pet came from, how they have interacted with the staff, do the pet have a behavior issue, etc. If you are buying from a breeder, ensure they are registered with an appropriate cat council. When visiting the cattery check out the overall health of the animals. Always have everything in writing, including the final cost of the cat, health guarantees etc.

Buying purebreds from pet shops or backyard breeders
If you are buying a cat from a pet shop or a backyard breeder there is probably little chance that a proper screening of genetic problems has taken place. Pet shops generally charge more for purebred kittens than a registered breeder would. Not only this, but they most likely won’t have certified paper to ensure their authenticity and health. As a result, you may be buying a cat that could have substantial medical bills in the future or even pass away suddenly.

Seek veterinary help
People don't realize the seriousness of a medical condition & fail to take appropriate action & get the cat to a vet. This may be due to the lack of knowledge they posses or funds. Cat owners should look into the cost of having pet health insurance or a special Cat Fund prepared in case of emergencies.

Flea Control Product
Unless recommended by your veterinarian, cats should be treated with a cat flea treatment only such as Frontline. Pet owners think they will save money by sharing their dog’s flea control product with their cats. This can prove fatal as cats are extremely sensitive to pyrethrins & pyrethroids which are often in dog flea products. The use of these on cats can result in death.

An appropriate diet
Cats have very specific dietary needs and as such need a balanced diet. There are many commercially available brands of cat food available which will fulfill your cat's dietary requirements. Don't attempt to feed your cat a home-made diet or other human consumed foods unless you have spent a great deal of time researching, as certain food s can do more harm than good.

Your roaming cat
Some owners feel that having your cat roam outside the home is beneficial for them. In actuality it may do more harm as free roaming cats & their lifespan is considerably shorter than that of indoor only cats, or cats with limited/supervised access outside. Outdoor cats run the risk of being highly stress by been hit by a car, attacked by another cat or dog, plus many other dangers they encounter which is very traumatizing.

Declawing VS not Declawing
Declawing has been a heated debate for many veterinarians, cat advocates, and owners alike. Some veterinarians consider declawing a "routine" surgery, while cat advocates consider it cruel, inhumane, and unnecessary in almost every case. Declawing is not for everyone and cat owners should have all the facts before making this decision.

Litter Box Maintenance
Cats will use a litter box only if it is kept clean, and if the litter is not scented or pleasant to the cat’s feet. Carefully maintaining your cat's litter box will almost guarantee that you will not be faced with litter box avoidance problems. Don’t try to over clean the box with disinfectant or bleach as cats are very sensitive to these and other chemicals. It is also recommended to have an automatic litter box to help in reducing the maintenance. If your cat suddenly starts urinating outside the box despite your careful maintenance, you should immediately suspect a urinary tract problem and call your veterinarian.

Franklin Pet Memorials
“Remember them with a custom solid bronze memorial.”

Contact: Cynthia Linnon
191 Howard Street Franklin, PA 16323
clinnon@franklinbronzeplaques.com
814-346-7205 ph 814-346-7047 fax


Western Saddles: Top 7 Buying Mistakes
Author: Beth Stefani

Buying the wrong western saddle is a very common occurrence in the western riding world. It's also a very expensive learning experience. You can skip this painful lesson by avoiding the top seven western saddle buying mistakes.

1. Buying Pretty. While we'd all like a nice looking saddle, letting looks drive your buying decision is asking for trouble. The quality of the saddle materials and the construction are far more important than the look of a saddle. A poorly made saddle can look awfully pretty, especially to the uninitiated. Don't fall for this one.

2. Buying Image. Have dreams of riding the range and working the cattle drive? Or maybe riding to an NFR championship buckle in barrel racing? While the cowboy and cowgirl dreams and imagery can be strong and enticing, don't let those images determine your saddle choice. Choose a saddle type that fits the actual type of riding that you'll be doing.

3. Buying Cheap. Cheap saddles are not a bargain. Poor quality materials and construction will shorten saddle life, and, more importantly, will cause discomfort and impair movement in your horse. If you can't afford at least a middle-of-the-road new saddle ($500 and up), then buying used is a great solution. Quality saddles last a long time, making buying a "pre-owned" saddle a smart buy.

4. Buying Dumb. You need to educate yourself on some saddle basics before buying. Ride in as many different saddles as you can. Talk to all the horse people you know about their saddles. Pick the brain of knowledgeable saddle folks. And, always, before purchasing a saddle, know the seller's tryout and return policies.

5. Buying Selfish. You found a saddle that's high quality, pretty, and fits you well. You're all set right? Wrong. You're forgetting one very important partner in this deal - your horse. If the saddle doesn't fit your horse well, than the rest doesn't matter. Make sure you understand the basics of horse fit and determine beforehand whether the saddle will be a good fit for your horse.

6. Buying One-Size-Fits-All. While you shouldn't need a different saddle for every horse you ride, one saddle will not fit every horse you run across. The best approach is to choose a saddle that will fit the basic physical type of horse that you'll ride. For instance, I ride Quarter Horses that are on the smaller size. I have a saddle that will fit most horses of this type. If you ride more than one type of horse, you'll need multiple saddles.

7. Buying Brand (or Endorsement). This one is a little trickier. Buying a well-established brand is not a bad idea. You just need to be aware that a number of saddle brands have been around a long time and the quality of their saddles have varied significantly over time. The quality can also vary over their current product lines. Never just blindly buy by brand without thoroughly inspecting the quality of the saddle in consideration. Additionally, celebrity endorsement can seem like a stamp of approval, but it really doesn't mean more than that the celebrity is receiving payment for use of his or her name. Very few celebrities have any input into the design and construction of the saddles bearing their name.

Many riders have a tack room full of saddles that didn't work out. Others are constantly buying and selling saddles in search of just the right one. It doesn't have to be this way. If you do your homework beforehand to truly understand your horse's and your own needs, you can purchase the one saddle that will be a match for you, your horse, and your riding activities.

Click here to visit The EZ Online Shopping Network of Stores!

Dog People vs Cat People

Cat People vs. Dog People ... They Really are Different
MarketWatch

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Oct 27, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Cat people worship felines like pharos; dog people talk to hounds like people. New research shows that cat and dog people really are different -- in marital status, economic standing and education among other things.
"Our studies have shown that there are some interesting differences between cat owners and dog owners," says James Flanigan, head of marketing at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). "Our surveys show that single people are more attracted to cat ownership, while dog owners are married with children. While the demographic information is interesting, some of it is concerning, too." http://www.avma.org
The AVMA conducts surveys of pet owners every five years, and publishes the results in the U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook. In the 2007 edition, the image of a dog as a family pet is shown to be true: 67.0 percent of dog owners are married compared to 61.8 percent of cat owners, and 52.6 percent of dog owners are families of three or more, compared to 47.0 percent of cat owners.
"One of the most concerning differences among cat and dog owners is cat owners are much less likely to seek veterinary care for their animals, they spend less, and this divide seems to be growing," Flanigan explains.
The Sourcebook shows that 82.7 percent of dog owners made at least one annual visit to a veterinarian, compared to 63.7 percent of cat owners.
As for what is America's favorite pet ... it depends on how you read the most recent pet demographic statistics. There are more cats, 81.7 million compared to 72.1 million dogs, but there are more dog owners, 43 million compared to 37.5 million cat owners. This is because cat owners are more likely to have more than one cat.
For more of these fascinating statistics from the U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook, visit http://www.avma.org/reference/marketstats/sourcebook.asp.
SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association
http://www.avma.org

Safe Pet Travel Should Be a Treat Not a Trick
Author : Bark Buckle UP - The Earth Times

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Bark Buckle UP recommends that with the
onset of Halloween, loving pet owners treat their animal to comfortable and
proven travel safeguards. "Let's celebrate the holidays safely and
responsibly by buckling-up our pets when driving. Protecting them and others
is a gift everyone should consider," says Christina Selter, Bark Buckle UP
spokesperson.

"Seat belts protect millions of people every day," said Christina,
nationally recognized pet safety advocate and founder of Bark Buckle UP. She
buckles up her dog Betty, even if she's just driving to the supermarket. "In
the event of an accident, an unrestrained pet can escape and be hit by another
vehicle, cause another collision, or attack emergency crews trying to reach an
injured party. It only takes a few minutes to safeguard your pet and by
properly securing them, you are protecting yourself, your passengers, and your
pet from injury, not to mention protecting other drivers and first responders
trying to help."

American families consider their pets to be part of their family and take
them along on Halloween so here are a few pet safety tips:

"It's just simply a law of physics," states Selter. When driving 35 mph,
a 60-pound unrestrained dog will have an impact force of 2,700 pounds.
"Imagine a baby elephant riding in your back seat, slamming into your car
seat, windshield or passenger." Even if the animal survives, it can impede
the progress of first responders who need every moment to safely care for
accident victims. Pet restraints offer several advantages -- they help
protect pets in the event of a collision; keep pets from running loose and
distracting the driver; and prevent pets from escaping the car through an open
window or door.

BarkBuckleUP.com was formed to advocate safe pet travel solutions. They
have become experts in recommending pet equipment that helps protect pets and
people during travel. Pet Safety is key to a happy Halloween.

SOURCE Bark Buckle UP

DogTime.com Picks Top Pet Gifts for the Holidays
MarketWatch

Holiday Gift Guide Features DogTime Editors' Recommendations in Ten Categories, From Eco-Friendly to Charitable

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 28, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- More than half of dog owners buy a gift for their dog during the holidays. DogTime.com ( http://dogtime.com), the #1 online vertical media network in the pet market with 8.2 million unique visitors a month(1), makes it easier to sort through the myriad pet products on the market via its 2008 Holiday Gift Guide.
"Pets are receiving top billing on holiday shopping lists, alongside family and friends," says DogTime.com editor Amy Gurvitz. "Our top picks for the season range from gifts that are good for the environment and your pet to products that benefit pet charities, rescue organizations and shelters with their sales."
DogTime's 2008 Holiday Gift Guide ( http://dogtime.com/holiday-dog-gift.html) includes the top ten dog gifts in the following categories:
Charitable: Many animal charities need donations and the holidays are a great time to support your favorite non-profit. Gifts on DogTime's charitable list truly keep on giving -- first to the recipient, and then to the organization benefiting from the sale, including the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the ASPCA.
Eco-friendly: The desire to "go green" has impacted the way people shop for everything from clothing to food to cars to pet products. DogTime surveyed the green scene to round up the top dog gifts that are safe for pets and the environment.
Edible: Tasty dog treats may not last long, but are sure to be enjoyed by most any canine. From doggie "beer" to fortune cookies to gourmet biscuits, DogTime has presented a selection of unique edibles.
Luxury: Whether a gift for the pampered pooch or a splurge for a special dog, DogTime's luxury gift picks celebrate couture for the canine set, including a Gucci harness, Louis Vuitton carrier, and a $900,000 dog collar that features an 8.5-carat sapphire and more than 600 hand-set diamonds.
Clothes: Today it seems dogs have as many wardrobe options as their human companions. From designer polo shirts to hand-knit sweaters, DogTime has selected wearable gifts in all shapes and sizes.
Collar and leash: Featuring designs ranging from giraffe prints to polka dots, DogTime's top accessories are sure to impress every pooch at the dog park.
Toys: DogTime's dog toy category is packed with the best toys to chase, puzzles to solve, and ropes to tug.
Big dogs: Gift items from clothing to toys that are customized to fit the desires and needs of larger dogs, including an "I had a nightmare I was a Chihuahua" t-shirt.
Small dogs: Chihuahuas and Yorkies have different needs than their larger dog friends; captured in this list are mini tennis balls, a care seat, and even a dog stroller.
For dog lovers: Whether shopping for a dog-loving friend, or for something for yourself as a gift from your dog, these picks range from cuff links to books to items for the home and are sure to bring a smile to any dog lover's face.
In addition to DogTime's Holiday Gift Guide, the site offers a range of holiday-related content, including how to plan a dog party and Howliday dog cookie recipes.
Facts About the Holiday Pet Market (2):

-- There are 74.8 million dogs in the United States
-- 56% of dog owners buy a gift for their dogs during the holidays
-- In the past decade, dog owners giving pets a gift has increased by 12%
-- The average amount spent per dog gift is $10. More than $400 million
will be spent on dog gifts this holiday season

Sources: 1. Media Metrix 2.0, comScore Inc. 2. APPMA National Pet Owners
Survey 2007-2008

Contact:
Becca Rosati
415-515-9156 (mobile)
becca@voxpopulipr.net

SOURCE DogTime.com

Notes from the CEO: Money Saving Tips for Pet Lovers
Brenda Barnette, CEO of the Seattle Humane Society makes a weekly appearance on KOMO 4 TV News. Her notes from these appearances are an occasional feature on our blog.


Select the Right Pet

food, medical expenses, toys, accessories, training and time.
Smaller pets such as mice and hamsters are much less expensive to keep than larger pets like dogs. The also require less attention.
Consider adopting a pet from the local animal shelter rather than purchasing from a pet store or breeder. They will be much less expensive and you are giving an orphaned animal a new chance at life.

Food

Always feed your pet the correct amount of food. Overfeeding your pet wastes food and may cause health problems that increase veterinary costs.
Buy large bags of pet food versus smaller bags and store in an airtight container to preserve freshness. You may pay up to 40% less per pound!
Use coupons and search the Internet for special discounts and promotions on food and other items you need on a regular basis. You can also call the company who produces the pet food you buy and ask for coupons. They will often send a generous supply.
Take good preventative care of your pet to prevent future health problems by investing in good quality food.


Veterinary Services

Vet fees can vary dramatically. Take the time to call and compare local vet fees. Choosing your vet solely on the lowest prices, however, should be avoided. You want a vet that you can trust with your pet's life. Ask your friends and neighbors who have pets for a recommendation. You can also post a question on Craig's List to get recommendations from other pet lovers.
Get the proper treatments and vaccinations for your pet when they are recommended to keep your best friend healthy.
When your pet gets sick, take care of them right away to help prevent costlier treatment in the long run.
Brush your pet's teeth. If you get in the habit of brushing your dog's teeth, and keeping plaque off, then you dog will not need a dental cleaning as often. Dental cleanings also require your dog to be anesthetized, which presents some risks.

Toys

You can make toys--a tennis ball (or two) inside a cotton tube sock. If your dog eats socks, this is the kind of toy that requires some supervision. Go to our website, www.seattlehumane.org for more toy ideas.
Cats love to chase ping pong balls or to play in a paper bag.
Shop for pet toys and equipment at garage sales or flea markets and get them at a fraction of the price of new items.

Exercise

If you have a dog, you have an exercise buddy. You can save lots of money by cancelling your gym membership and going on regular walks with your dog. The best part is both you and your dog receive the physical and mental benefits of walking. No expensive equipment required--just grab your leash and go!

Upkeep

Learn to groom your pet yourself. Your local library or the Internet will have information on how to properly groom your pet. Although certain pets need special grooming care, most pets you can groom yourself and save the expense of paying a professional.

Brenda F.Barnette
Chief Executive Officer
Seattle Humane Society

Welcome Birdfeeders.com - Perky Pet™ Launches New Website!
PR WEB

The recently launched Birdfeeders.com web site, formerly under the PerkyPet.com URL is the new wild bird headquarters for all of your birding needs and questions. From birding tips and advice to an extensive offering of birdfeeders, bird baths and bird accessories – it's all there!

(Vocus/PRWEB ) October 28, 2008 -- The recently launched Birdfeeders.com web site, formerly under the PerkyPet.com URL is the new wild bird headquarters for all of your birding needs and questions. From birding tips and advice to an extensive offering of birdfeeders, bird baths and bird accessories – it's all there!

Take a Glance to the New Birdfeeders.com!
Bird enthusiasts as well as beginning bird hobbyists, can log on to the new Birdfeeders.com site from their computer for expert information on birdwatching, birdfeeding, and bird conservation. A comprehensive bird library, encompassing a variety of wild birds, hummingbirds and orioles, is now available online as well.

What type of birdfeeder is good for me? What is the best seed to use to fill my birdfeeder? Where do hummingbirds migrate? The answer to these questions and many more can be found at Birdfeeders.com, your #1 wild bird destination.

Birdfeeders.com is also the online home of four industry leading brands. Perky Pet™ brand birdfeeders focus on quality and high functionality. Birdscapes® brand represents eye-catching birdfeeders, reflecting the hottest trends in the market. Garden Song® is geared towards the beginning hobbyist, and Avant Garden® reflects designs inspired by both new trends and classic traditions from around the world.

Also, don't forget to check out the Birdfeeders.com eStore, which offers several features for a satisfying shopping experience. To put your mind at ease, all transactions are protected by Verisign®'s Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology - one of the most prevalent and secure systems available online. Also, the new site is tested daily to pass the McAffee® SECURE Security Scan. So log on Now!

For more information, please visit:

Birdfeeders.com Web Site
Birdfeeders.com Bird Library
Birdfeeders.com Hummingbird Migration Map
About Birdfeeders.com:
Birdfeeders.com is Perky Pet®, Birdscapes®, Garden Song®, and Avant Garden® - four strong brands recognized as world leaders in the wild bird feeding category! We offer the broadest and deepest selection of quality bird feeding products at competitive prices. Perky Pet®, Birdscapes®, Garden Song®, and Avant Garden® are registered trade marks of Woodstream Corp.

About Woodstream Corp:
Woodstream Corporation is a long-standing, privately held company and a leading manufacturer and marketer of quality-branded wild bird feeders, rodent control products, caring control products for pets and wildlife & natural solutions for lawn.

PetSmart


Absent-Minded Dog Lover Reunited with Pet
The Daily Times

A Chinese pensioner has been reunited with his pet dog - a month after he left it in his car and forgot where he parked it. Wang Zujun, 80, had left his three-wheeler to be repaired - but then couldn’t remember the name or address of the garage. The garage owner left it parked outside a shopping centre in Chengdu after Wang never turned up to reclaim his car. Local traders kept the dog alive by feeding it scraps of food through a gap in the window of the vehicle, reports the Sichuan News Network. Eventually, as the smell from the parked vehicle got worse and worse, they smashed the lock to try to free the trapped animal. But the dog only cowered inside - so the rescuers instead took documents from the car which gave them Wang’s name and address. The pensioner told them he had spent the last month scouring the city for the car - and his beloved dog - but had been looking in the wrong direction. “Each morning, I would go out and look for them. The tricycle is nothing to me, but my dogs are my only companions,” he said. When Wang was finally led to his car, the dog started barking wildly and, at the sound of his master’s voice, jumped from the vehicle into his arms. ananova


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Dog Coat and Dog Fur Maintenance
Author: John Williams

Your dog’s fur is a very important aspect of your dogs life, keeping it clean and in good shape is a good way to keep your dog happy, healthy, and clean. If you don’t keep your dogs fur in good shape it will only be a mater of time before tangles and knots appear in your dog’s coat picking up insects, pests, and causing discomfort for your dog.

Different dogs have different types of fur and with so many cross breeds and different looking dogs, naming all the different types of fur would be impossible. There are many different types of dog fur, some will look after themselves more than others but the general rule is that a longer dog coat will normally tangle and know easier than others.

To maintain your dog’s fur and keep it looking as it should, lots of grooming may be needed so this should be taken into account when buying a new dog. But grooming does not need to be a chore you have to do for your dog because grooming is proven to be a great bonding between owner and dog and creates trust and comfort for your dog making them a lot easier to train.

Step one is to get a good comb for your dog ensuring that there are no sharp edges and that your dog is comfortable with you using it without hurting him/her. Your vet or local pet shop many be able to help you and give you advice with choosing the correct comb but this will be a deciding point in whether your dog will enjoy you doing it or not.

After you have chosen your comb, grooming should happen often and you should do it thoroughly each time, ensuring all knots and angles are removed, if you haven’t yet combed your dog’s fur then it may be difficult to start so do a bit at a time to ensure you don’t discourage your dog and make them not like the grooming process.

After the initial combing, the more often you groom your dog the easier it will be, leaving it for long periods of time is not advised because this means it is more likely to hurt your dog when it eventually does get done. If your dog is finding it tough going then maybe a dog bath is needed to make it easier to detangle and add to your dog furs health.

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Top Cat Breeds And Tips On Responsible Cat Breeding
Author: Ken Charnely

Cat breeding is not as easy as just letting cats mate. Breeding is not just about choosing cats to produce adorable kittens to earn money. To breed cats is not the same as to produce them. Breeding encompasses that stage.

Breeding cats involves scientific and systematic concepts. Producing cats involves only common sense. Breeding cats has an emotional aspect to it. Fulfillment does not come from mere moneymaking. Sacrifices have to be made to achieve the breeder's goal: to safeguard the welfare of the cats.

A lot of things must be taken into consideration before breeding cats. Here is a guide to help us better understand the dynamic process of cat breeding.

- A cat breeder's concern is the preservation or improvement of cat pedigree.

This is a serious matter. Selection of the parent cats is done on the basis of health, quality traits and reproducing capability. A breeder will never pair cats carelessly.

- A cat breeder is dedicated to learn more about cats.

A lot of things must be learned regarding cat breeding. Latest researches must be employed to properly select the cats to be bred. The welfare of the cats depends on how much the breeder knows.

- A cat breeder makes plans.

Breeding does not involve hasty actions.

- A cat breeder has to follow rules set by the government.

Breeders are obliged to register their cats to their respective breeds. Certain taxes are imposed to hobbyists and to businessmen alike.

- A cat breeder's primary motive is to take care of cats. Monetary motives come after this.

A cat's life is more important than money. And it is more rewarding to see the kittens grow. The money earned is just an additional reward.

- A cat breeder's responsibility to the cats does not end.

His care for his cats does not end when the kittens were sold.

- A cat breeder holds the future of the cat's offspring.

Whatever a cat breeder does affects the life of the kittens, thus extra care must be given by cat breeders when making decisions.

- A cat breeder knows when to stop breeding.

Breeding is not just about having many cats. It is about taking care of all of them.

After learning about these things, it can be concluded that breeding is an arduous task indeed. However, for those who are cat breeders at heart, all these hardships are worth the kittens they bred (not produced)!

Cats are best bought from responsible cat breeders. Hobbyists choose to own purebred cats because their temperaments are more predictable than cats with unknown pedigrees.

If you are getting a cat from a cat breeder, ask him about the number of cat breeds that he has so you can choose from them. Also, ask him how many years he has been breeding cats and whether he can give you a health guarantee and complete papers for the cat.

Top cat breeds:

If you want to show off your cat then it is best to choose from among the top five cat breeds throughout the world.

1. Persian-Persian cats are called Persian for their country of origin. Persians have a long coat, sweet personality and have the ability to blend into the household. These are the qualities that made Persians one of the top choices of cat lovers. However, its long coat requires daily combing to avoid tangles.

2. Maine Coon-These are long-haired cats with good mouse hunting skills. These cats are good companions for children.

3. Exotic-This breed can offer you the better of two worlds. The Exotic cat has the look of a Persian cat, but it has short hair, making it easy to groom. They look like teddy bears with their thick and short coats. These cats are sweet and good companions like the Persians.

4. Siamese-Siamese cats originally came from Siam or Thailand. This cat possesses an aristocratic head, looks almost like a deer because of it's stiff ears, and has a short coat. Siamese cats have long bodies, long legs and long necks.

5. Abyssinian-These cats are very elegant-looking, much like the cats portrayed in Egyptian sculptures. Abyssinia is the former name of Ethiopia. However, Abyssinian cats did not originate in Ethiopia. They got the name because the first cats of Abyssinian breed, which were exhibited in England, were from Abyssinia.

No matter what your choice of a cat breed is, make sure that your cat is healthy and that it has already been weaned. The ideal age to get a kitten is about 14 weeks, when their immune systems are already developed.

Franklin Pet Memorials
“Remember them with a custom solid bronze memorial.”

Contact: Cynthia Linnon
191 Howard Street Franklin, PA 16323
clinnon@franklinbronzeplaques.com
814-346-7205 ph 814-346-7047 fax


New Book Holds Dogfighters, Puppy Tossing Marines and Cesar Millan Followers to Equal Task

Satirist Nola Lee Kelsey takes on more than the commonly touted animal rights issues in new book.

Hot Springs, S.D. (www.DogsEyeViewMedia.com) October 15, 2008 - Today Nola Lee Kelsey's fifth book, "Dogs: Funny Side Up!" will be released, or unleashed, to the reading public. Her collection of no-holds-barred humor essays are based on Kelsey's work from Best Friends Animal Society's ‘Dogtown' to her experiences rescuing Temple Dogs in Northern, Thailand.

Caution! This is not your grandmother's collection of warm and fuzzy shelter dog tales for the soul. Kelsey's satirical wit delivers a wildly irreverent bite to your funny-bone and won't let go! From Dogtown to Bangkok, Kelsey's knack for recounting uproarious, yet bizarrely educational tales, offers readers an outrageously fresh perspective on the world of animal rescue and a life spent among man's best friends.

In "Dogs: Funny Side Up!", Kelsey writes, "After two decades of working at, and volunteering for, every ilk of animal rescue, in addition to attending seminars on founding sanctuaries, and driving past many more, I fancy myself quite knowledgeable on the basics of sanctuary operations. This is precisely why I don't start one."

According to Kelsey, "There is something very freeing about not being associated with a non-profit right now. So often dog writers have to walk on egg shells, in order to not offend potential donors."

About her irreverence towards fans of Nat Geo's beloved "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan, Kelsey says,"I have seen too much harm come to animals as a result of armchair dog trainers attempting Mr. Millan's techniques. I make no apologies for speaking my mind. All I can do is hope that when this bitter pill is sweetened with humor, his followers will swallow hard and step up to reality. It's a TV show!"

Kelsey also feels that her use of biting humor will educate a different breed of dog owner about animal related issues. "Not everyone can handle reading sad tales of abuse or even immersing themselves in page after page of warm-hearted prose. It's worth remembering why we love dogs in the first place. Dog's are just plain fun."

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