A 2 year-old girl was found crushed to death by a pet python in Florida. The Burmese python was found wrapped around the child’s body and had bitten the girl several times on the upper arms and forehead.
According to the report in the St. Petersburg Times, the family was known to the police for drug related offences, and did not have a registration to keep a pet python as required by the State law. The snake was not kept in a locked terrarium as required by law either.
It seems that this is a case of gross negligence by the snake owners and prosecution is being considered by the officials, but even if the courts do punish Darnell and Hare for their negligence it is too late for little Shaiunna.
DCF have moved to have the pair’s other two children removed from the home after the attack.
But none of this helps a young girl who was the victim of the snake attack. Nor does it help the image of snakes. Prior to this there had never been a confirmed death-by-Python in the State of Florida.
There are several other incidents of pet Pythons killing family members in the U.S.A. A one year-old boy was killed 1982 by an eight foot python in Nevada. In Colorado a fifteen year-old boy was killed by an 11 foot python in 1993. 1999 saw a three year-old girl killed by a pet 7 foot python in Illinois. And in 2001 an eight year-old girl was tragically strangled by the family pet python in PA.
Snakes are not to be treated with complacency – they incredibly powerful and have no sense of loyalty that is characteristic of animals such as cats and dogs.
An increasingly popular trend in weddings is to walk down the isle with your pet in tow. Of course your pet will need their own pet costume.
It is natural that you would want all you family at your wedding, and with animals playing such an important role in families today they deserve their invite to the big occasion. After all, they are going to a part of the newly blended family and what better way to be made to feel welcome and at home?
Perhaps this is also an increasing because the age that couples are wedding today has on average increased. So pets have been the major part of each individuals life for a longer period of time and are expected to feature more in the major life events.
The winner appears to be pets. Once just props in country wedding backdrops, pets are now dressed in the doggie version of Versace, Gucci, or Klein. Dressed to the nines and standing front and centre.
This new trend of pets at weddings is wonderful when all is going well. It is the job of the wedding planner to make sure that all goes well. The wedding planner has a lot of new responsibilities – like pet pottys.
I am sure they charge accordingly, and everyone is happy. So how about your big day – are you making room for the pets?
The latest AP/Petside poll reveals just how passionate we are becoming about our pets – and just how close pets are to dominating family life.
Of the more than 1100 respondents, 49% said they have used human names for their pet, while 30% say their pet shares the bed with them. Continue Reading »
Man Killing His Dog With Kindness Banned From Pet Ownership
Brighton Magistrates’ Court ruled that Ronald West, the 63-year-old owner of Taz was not fit to be in charge of a dog.
The crime that West committed was “failing to ensure the welfare of an animal,” or in layman’s talk – he overfed his dog. The five-year-old border collie was ruled dangerously over-weight after tipping the scales at 88lb (twice the weight considered normal).
To be fair, this was not a first offence punishment. West had ignored repeated orders to improve the dog’s diet. The initial complaint was registered in December of last year.
The conviction will cost West £1,477 and the right to own animals for the next 12 months. He will also loose Taz. The border collie has already shed 30lb since being removed, and can now run for an hour – rather than the laboured 10 minutes at its heaviest.
What do you think of the new craze sweeping the pet world – soft and cuddly pet urns?
With up to 70% of all pets being cremated many people are looking for better ways of interring their beloved pet. After all, having your pet in cold hard metal monument seems a little removed.
Patricia Moore lost Samatha the dog and decided to recreate the way we view pet urns.
No longer are they cold, hard, and often ugly urns. Now they are cute, soft and practical.
The idea proved so popular with Patricia’s friends that they managed to persuade her to put her “Soft-Hearted” pillows into production.And now you too have the option of keeping your pets close to your heart with the huggable urns.
Sleeping with your pets ashes has taken off with the “Soft-Hearted” brand of pillow. The pillows are made from soft microfibre which are guaranteed to keep the ashes locked safely inside.
The pillows are able to accommodate the ashes of a pet of up to 150 pounds. However, with larger animals some pet-lovers opt to just keep a portion of the pets remains in the pillow in order to minimize the Soft-Hearted pillow’s weight.
You can expect the pillow to feel soft, although it will have a firm “heart” that you may or may not feel depending on the size of your pet. The pillow itself is about 4 inches thick and 14 inches square.
So what do you think of the cuddly pet urns?
Are you in favour of keeping your pet much closer to your heart after it passes, or do you think this is just another crazy fad (one that the majority of pet lovers seem to be opting for) ?
What do you do when your dog fetches a live hand grenade?
This is exactly what a women in Berlin had to figure out when her dog brought back a trophy from WWII. The grenade, a US relic, was retrieved while the woman was out walking her dog.
The happy dog trotted to its 40 year-old owner with the grenade in its mouth. Unfortunately, the woman was not as pleased with the dogs treasure as perhaps the dog was expecting. She regonized that the object was most likely a hand grenade.
What was her reaction?
She ordered the dog to take the grenade back by the stream and drop it. Fortunately for all concerned the dog obediently obliged.
Local authorities were able to diffuse the live grenade without casualty.
It pays to have an obedient dog when you live in an old war zone!
Hurricane Katrina Survivors Jessie Pullins And J.J. The Dog Reunited
A remarkable story about a man and his dog, who were separated when the New Orleans town was officially closed ahead of the hurricane, has been captured on film.
Pullins says J.J. recognised him immediately at the airport despite a 4 year separation. The dog had been rescued during the huricane aftermath and flown to California for adoption.
The film follows the desperation of a man who lost his wife to cancer and recovered from a drug addiction whose beloved companion was named after his wife. Then to loose his dog in tragic circumstances and have to go through the courts to have his dog returned.
Film director Geralyn Pezanoski wanted to show the complicated nature of what happened to pets and their families and their adoptive families. The film “Mine” is due to be realeased by PBS next year and shows the mercy mission that animal lovers organised to save hurricane stranded pets. And it shows the pain of animal lovers whose pets were kidnapped.
A similar case happened locally where a man died while out jogging with his dog. The dog was adopted out before the family of the deceased man found out. Not only did they loose a son and brother, but they also lost the dog that was a family companion when the new owners refused to give him up.
Cases like these have no winners, only loosers. They are tragic beyond measure. But I can’t help but think the new owners have lost sight of something when they refuse to hand back animals that have been a loved member of another family for years. Surely?
Although I consider myself reasonably brave, the thought of trying to get one of our cats anywhere near a bath has next to no appeal whatsoever!
So when I came across a blog titled:
How to bathe your cat
I just had to pop along and see exactly how the person suggests you go about bathing a cat. Do they suggest a suite of armour? Or perhaps a tranquilliser gun?
Not so.
Chris Carson of the Phoenix Examiner suggests two methods.
The first method is to use Baking Powder. And it requires that you rub liberal amounts of Baking Powder on your kitty and pop them in the oven … no .. wait! She actually suggest you cover them in Baking Powder and then just comb it out.
I am not sure how much your cat will like Baking Powder showers, but I am picking I have more of a chance with that method than getting ours anywhere near water.
Method two – speaking of water.
Chris actually suggests a 9 step method of bathing your cat with water. It all sounds perfectly harmless – at least it does until you get to step 9.
Step 9:
Use the hydrogen peroxide to treat the cat scratch and bite wounds you received during the bathing process.
Ok .. so I guess she is really pushing for the earlier mentioned Baking Powder showers rather than actually suggesting a regular dose of hydrogen peroxide for loving cat owners?
Well you be the judge .. you will find her instructions on how to bathe a cat here
Nitro Takes Forced Retirement From The Police Force.
The four legged Aberdeen crime fighter was blind sided by budget cuts. A K9 officer who had a life dedicated to the service was deemed expendable when cost cutting measures were made.
Sky-rocketing unemployment levels hit 14% which means the tax revenue has taken a hit. At a sprightly 6 years old, Nitro is not ready for retirement and you can imagine the feeling of rejection he suffers as his partner goes off to work each day alone.
Once the story of Nitro got out donations started pouring in. At a cost of almost $6,000 to fund Nitro’s job it is no small sentiment that the public are committing to. But they seem to be up to the challenge.
Police chief Bob Torgerson says the reaction of the public has been so overwhelming that the chances are good that K9 officer Nitro will be back on the beat in the near future.
This is good news given the shorted sightedness of firing a police dog. No doubt it cost less to fire a dog than anyone else on staff, and there was undoubtedly no management looking to take a pay cut . . . but the cost of training a K9 officer must be significant. To lay one off for no good reason seems absurd. Buy at AllPosters.com
Southwest joins JetBlue Airways with pet friendly travel. Although Southwest are allowing a small cat or dog on board for a low $75 one way, they are hiking the cost of unaccompanied minors (from free to $25) and overwieght or extra baggage (from $25 to $50).
So from June 17th it is welcome PAWS (Pets Are Welcome on Southwest) and move over kids. Under cutting JetBlue wasn’t Southwest’s only plan, naming their pet fares PAWS also sounds a lot like the the JetBlue JetPaws airfares.
Although JetBlue Airways charge $100 each way for their pet seats, they do offer frequent-flier points which is something Southwest Airlines do not do.
So it is good news for pets – allowed to travel upfront and not allowed to travel in the cargo hold – but not so good for kids and baggage who are subsidising the pet fares.
Can you imagine what it is like living in a cage? If you have done jail time you might appreciate that you will feel bored after just a few minutes so you can probably understand how your pet bird feels like being locked-up the whole day. That is why to prevent them from harming themselves, you should know how to choose the right toys.
Choosing a toy: make sure that this is the right size for your bird. Small toys are not good for large birds because they could swallow and choke on it.
One safe toy for both small and big birds is the swing. This will allow them to sway back and forth to pass the time.
A ladder is a great toy to give your bird some exercise as they climb up and down.
Large birds like to play with puzzles and mazes. As an added incentive, see to it that there are nuts inside which they can get as a reward for being able to finish the game.
If your bird plucks its feathers this can be harmful. So the best toy to get is the kind that are preened. Most of the preened toys are made of cotton fabric. The downside to using this is that type of toy is that it will eventually fray due to wear and tear.
When this happens, remove it immediately and have it replaced with a new one because the threads could tangle around their neck or toe.
An option to the preened toy made of cotton is the one made from feathers that are considered to be safer since loose threads will never happen.
Other toys you can give your pet bird include children’s wooden blocks, paper towel tubes and tongue depressors.
Having a selection of toys allows you to create a play gym for your pet bird by buying several of these and putting it together and placing this inside their cage.
You should make sure there is sufficient room so the bird can rest and do some other stuff when they don’t feel like playing.
Toys not safe for birds.
Toys with small parts should never be given because they could swallow it and there could be fatal consequences. It should also not have any bells or split rings.
Mirrors or anything that has a reflective surface are also said to be bad because the bird may bond to its own reflection and become unfriendly to people.
Your pet bird needs time to unwind and providing them with toys is one way to keep them from being unhappy and bored especially when they are left alone.
Ok … Maybe the dog didn’t set fire to the house – but its water bowl did!
Or so the Seattle fire department say.
A partially filled glass water bowl suspended over the wooden deck appears to have been just the right shape and distance from the deck when the sun reached exactly the right angle to cause a concentration of suns rays. As every kid knows, if you concentrate the rays of the sun you can burn a hole.
The family was out when the glass bowl on the wire stand appears to have caused the fire. The neighbours alerted to rising smoke were able call the fire brigade in time to limit the damage – however, the estimated cost of the fire is reported to be $215,000.
Although an unusual occurrence, it is not unheard of for fires to be caused by water bowls and even plastic water bottles. So if you have a clear glass bowl or clear plastic bowl for your pets – make sure you don’t leave them in the sun!
Birds with behavioural problems usually have social problems too. Sometimes behaviour issues with birds can be brought about by lack of interaction with owners, conflict with other animals or just because of sickness. It is important to identify the reasons why birds are showing negative behaviour so that you can eliminate the stress from your birds life.
Positive reinforcement is an effective method to train and tame birds. Positive reinforcement focuses on what birds want like food, a scratch, verbal praise, comfort and other similar things. Negative reinforcement, of course, is the opposite of this and is rarely successful in the long run.
Tips to treat negative bird behaviour:
Frown at bad behaviour. Birds can pick up facial expressions and body movements. The best method of showing dissatisfaction towards your pet bird is by your body movements. Maintain eye contact when doing this.
Turning your back on your birds or ignoring them also discourages them from bad behaviour as birds are a social creature.
Tell your bird what they did was wrong in a low tone. But be concise and short as possible. Too much negative attention can have negative effects on your pet.
Never hit a bird. Birds have fragile bones, physical force may injure them fatally. Bird abuse is also a cause of aggressive and vicious behaviour.
Never compromise your birds health when disciplining them. Examples would be insufficient food and water supply, neglecting the cage and even bathing them. This can result into deep emotional and physical injuries.
When giving birds food as rewards for their good behaviour, choose a food which they enjoy but rarely eat. Just be cautious of offering treats with too much sugar and fat. Alternative treats could include petting, and scratch them as positive reinforcements.
Severe aggression and viciousness may need to be treated with mood-modifying drugs. When having problems with your birds you can consult your avian behaviourist or your vet. However, any treatment will be ineffective if the issues causing the bad behaviour have not been addressed.
If you have notice any unusual or aggressive behaviour with your bird take them to your vet to make sure that medical issues are ruled out, as these can often result mood shifts in a bird too.
Do not be disappointed if your birds are not showing improvements immediately as attitudes don’t change overnight. Just as when disciplining children, consistency is the key when training your birds. Birds would understand what you would like to happen when you start being consistent with your method and ways.
Balance is the key to disciplining your pet birds. Of course you wanted to correct bad behaviour, but it is equally important to reinforce of point out the good behaviour.
This method may require hard work, patience and love. It may take a long time, but when you look at your happy pet bird, I think its going to be worth it.
The estimated direct medical costs of dog bites per year equalled $164.9 million in the USA toward the end of the 1990s according to CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] research.
That does not take into account the lost production time of the people involved.
Summer is traditionally a dangerous time for US postal workers. The US postal service is issuing a plea for dog owners to ensure their dogs are safely restrained at all times.
Some people may think it slightly humorous to think of the postie being chased down the street by a dog. But the average cost to USPS in Colorado and Wyoming last year was $5,000 per dog bite victim, taking into account medical care, lost work time, operational and other costs. The total insurance cost in the US for dog bite victims is estimated to be around $2 billion.
However, that is not the worst of dog bite statistics:
1,000 Americans per day are treated in emergency rooms as a result of dog bites. In 2007 there were 33 fatal dog attacks in the USA. Most of the victims who receive medical attention are children, half of whom are bitten in the face. ~ dogbitelaw.com
This disgraceful state of affairs must stop!
The majority of dog bites are preventable either by way of proper handling of dogs, education of dog owners, and education of children.
For a downloadable PDF file on community dog bite prevention click here.
Lets stop this madness now. For the children’s sake if nothing else.
If you have been considering owning pet birds but are still not sure what to expect once the bird moves in, then you should know about the top issues affecting bird owners.
Choosing the right kind of bird to match your lifestyle is the first thing that you will want to research. Each species vary in terms of talents, time requirements and other vital factors that you must be ready to face once you accept the role or being their master.
The three biggest factors in bird ownership are:
1. Budget considerations. The price of your chosen bird will depend on the species and where you will buy it. That is only the beginning of your expenses. Your next expense will be a cage and the necessary toys and other things to help them become more active and happy. Of course food will be an on-going expense as well.
You must be able to sustain their nutritional requirement so that they will have the energy to last long as your companion. You should also anticipate visits to vets and associated medicines that they need. When buying your bird, you must select the right store and the right breeder so that you won’t run the risk of acquiring birds that are unhealthy and sickly.
2. Time commitment. If you cannot afford to allocate time to care for your birds, you should not continue with the purchase. Although some breeds do not necessarily have to be pampered if you cannot afford large amounts of regular time investments. You can also choose the breed based on their life spans. This way, you can opt for those that live longer if you want a pet for many years to come.
3. Noise level. In choosing your birds, you must also consider your neighbours. Larger parrots like macaws and cockatoos tend to be more noisy. If you want the kinds that you can keep in setting like town houses and condominiums, you may want to opt for lovebirds and budgies. Or to be more on the safe side, you may want to settle for the likes of doves, canaries and finches.
These are all essential matters in choosing the kinds of pet bird that will be ideal for your lifestyle and the quality of commitment that you can afford to give.
Before choosing a pet bird you should consider the responsibilities that will come with being a bird owner. There will be a financial and a time commitment required. Although you may not need to walk your bird every day like a dog, they do still require daily care – which can be a tie that may not suite your lifestyle.
If you decide to make the commitment to be a bird owner you may choose from the following popular species of birds.
Cockatiels.
Cockatiels are known to be delightful breed that can be very entertaining. They are part of the family of parrots that hail from Australia. Cockatiels are known for their singing and whistling abilities. They can also learn how to talk, but they often prefer to whistle. They also tend to mimic the usual sounds that they hear, making them appear quirky and fun. They can easily pick up sounds like the barking of dogs or the telephone ringing. As they are a larger bird Cockatiels are easier to care for than some smaller varieties. The life expectancy of cockatiels can be up to 20 years and they come in a variety of colour combinations.
Lovebirds.
Lovebirds are among the smallest species of parrots in the world. They have personality as well as intelligence and that is why most owners will not trade them for the larger parrots. Lovebirds are not a demanding bird and they are beautiful to look at. These are an ideal choice of bird for people who live in apartments and condominiums because they are fairly quiet. Their size can be around six inches high and their life expectancy can be about 20 years.
Parakeets.
The most common Parakeet, the Budgerigar (Budgie), is the best bird choice for children. This is especially true if it is the first pet the child has owned. There are a variety of pretty colors to choose from in the Parakeet family. They do not require as much space as the larger parrots. Although they are small they are a very intelligent bird. Parakeets can whistle as well as sing and they can also learn few words. They have a life expectancy of around 14 years.
Canaries and finches.
Measure 5 inches tall or less, these birds require much less space. They are also known as waxbills or softbills. Canaries thrive in small flocks and are a very social bird. However, they require little human attention making them a perfect companion for those who cannot afford to spend lots of time catering to their birds activities, yet who still want the experience of living with birds. The lifespan of canaries and finches may reach up to 10 years if they are properly cared for.
African Greys.
These amazing birds are chosen as a lifetime companion because they can live up to 70 years. They are known as the most intelligent of birds and they can learn around 2,000 words if trained well. They are smart but they also tend to be demanding. They will get bored and lonely if you do not take time to engage them in stimulating activities. Your efforts will be well rewarded because these are affectionate in nature. But you should think very carefully before choosing such a commitment as an African Grey.
So choose from the list the kind of pet bird that will best fit your life now, and the plans you have for the future. Make sure that as much as you will enjoy their presence, you will also be able to give them what they require from you.
While Chihuahuas tend to be healthy there are several Chihuahua specific health issues that you should know about before committing to one. Some of the common genetic problems include Patellar Luxuation, eye problems, hypoglycaemia, heart disease and tooth and gum ailments. Chihuahua health is a concern for all Chihuahua owners.
Luxation of the patella, is medical speak for dislocation of the kneecap. It is a common hereditary health problem with Chihuahua that is also shared with other small breeds. Patellar luxation can occur in varying degrees – it can be minimal or debilitating. Young dogs are often able to compensate for this deformity, and you may not notice your dog has knee cap problems. However, the condition gets worse over time and will become obvious as the dog ages.
Checking your Chihuahua for Luxation of the Patella – The dislocation usually occurs on the inner side of the patella (knee cap). The ligaments stretch over time until the patella is not where it is supposed to be. It then can “pop” in and out of place very easily. Treating your puppy as soon as the problem occurs can save your older Chihuahua from being crippled. Because Patellar luxation is an inherited trait dogs with the condition should not be bread.
Another common Chihuahua health is the “Reverse Sneeze.” If your Chihuahua sneezes, snorts, honks and wheezes it may well be afflicted by this deformity. The condition is caused by an elongated soft palate that becomes temporarily misaligned. This deformity is especially common in toy breeds. A reverse sneeze can occur in instances such as pulling hard on a leash, drinking too fast or getting overly excited.
Chihuahuas can also be prone to Hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia is where the Chihuahua’s blood sugar level drops to an extremely low level causing “sugar shock.” When levels of glucose drop quickly, the dog’s body and brain are deprived of essential nutrients. The symptoms of Hypoglycaemia are weakness, seizures, coma, and in severe cases, death.
Chihuahuas are prone to Hypoglycaemia because they are so small. Puppies are especially prone to Hypoglycaemia. Triggers for attacks include stress, illness, lack of food, or by using up stored energy without it being replenished.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is another ailment Chihuahua are prone to. This is a collective term comprising a group of hereditary degenerative lesions of the retina. PRA is commonly characterized by night blindness. When both eyes are affected dogs eventually become totally blind. Central PRA (also called RPE dystrophy) is characterized by accumulations of pigment in the layer of pigmented lining of the retina which eventually results in total blindness.
Chihuahua are also genetically predisposed to Cystinuria (crystals formed out of amino acid called cystine). Traces can be found in the urine and eventually a build up will lead to stone formations in kidneys and bladder. The stones can result in irritation and infection.
Signs your Chihuahua has Cystinuria include blood in the urine, difficulty and pain in urinating, and small frequent amounts of urine. If a stone completely obstructs the urethra it prevents the passing of urine. This is more common in male dogs than female, and may cause kidney failure, vomiting, depression, or loss of appetite.
If you are looking to purchase a Chihuahua you can have a vet check for signs of many of these health problems which will save you a lot of money and heart ache down the road.
Chihuahuas have become a popular fashion statement in our culture. Celebrities carry them around in their purses and movies are made about them.
Before you rush out and buy a Chihuahua you should know these ten facts.
1. The first fact to know about Chihuahuas is that Chihuahuas need lots of attention. You should be prepared to play games, interact, and talk to your dog. Chihuahuas are a very social breed of dog and they bond strongly with their owners. They are not dogs that enjoy being alone at home all day.
2. Chihuahuas will compete with your children for attention. These dogs have a low tolerance for noise, even though they are able to make a din of their own. You should also know that Chihuahuas can be biters. While they do not inflict serious damage most of the time, it is not a breed that makes sense if you have young children.
3. Chihuahuas don’t like changing homes. They are happy living their lives in one place. So, if you are a highly mobile family, you should consider a different breed. If you do move homes, you should be prepared for it to take some time for your dog to settle in it’s new location.
4. Chihuahuas don’t like other pets in the home. Goldfish might be the one exception. Any other animals competing for your attention and your Chihuahua will not be happy. Chihuahuas often stand up to dogs twice their size. You should be prepared for a lot of fights if you have other pets in the home.
5. Contrary to the images that celebrities project with their “pocket pets,” Chihuahuas don’t like to be carried around. They enjoy running, walking, and playing, not being a fashion accessory.
6. Chihuahuas do not travel well. If you are going across country in either a car or aeroplane, expect problems from your pooch as they do not like being confined to a carrier.
7. Chihuahuas like their personal space. The dog is very territorial and can dominate its space. You should expect the breed to be quite aggressive if a family member intrudes on what the dog has defined as his or her space.
8. Chihuahuas can jump. You will be surprised at just how much trouble a Chihuahua can get into in your kitchen! They can jump more than two feet from a standing position. Keep this in mind when you are stocking shelves.
9. Chihuahuas get cold very easily. One thing every owner should know about Chihuahuas is that their short hair and bony frame means that they don’t retain heat well. If you live in a cold climate, buy sweaters and coats to keep them warm. Also, give them a warm bed with blankets if needed. If they’re cold, they can throw a tantrum.
10. The Chihuahua is highly strung. To keep him or her in line, it is important to keep their most common personality traits in mind when making training decisions. Before buying a Chihuahua, know as much about the dog’s background as possible.
Remember these 10 things about Chihuahuas before you make the decision to buy one. Buy at AllPosters.com
Respected Attorney And Political Consultant Admits Weakness
In our modern busy world of high powered executives and corporate climbers we do not expect to hear of men mourning the loss of a cat.
This is exactly the emotion that Michael Yaki, a man once senior aide to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and currently working as a political advisor, exposes on his latest blog entry.
Why should we be surprised that a formidable opponent in the court room has a soft spot for his family pets?
Perhaps it is because we live in a world where men do not cry without fear of exposing a weakness. Maybe it is because grown-ups should know that animals only have a short lifespan and we should expect their deaths. Or is that we don’t have time to stop and mourn every time an animal dies.
I congratulate someone as high profile as Michael Yaki who can publicly admit that his cat, Delos, had a special place in his heart and in passing Delos has left hole that will not easily be filled.
Delos - Sadly Missed
Pets are completely dependent on us for food and shelter, medicine and comfort. In exchange, they give far more in return than we could ever provide — unconditional love. And in our crazy, stressed out, burnt-out lives, that is something irreplaceable and, indeed, indispensable. Perhaps there is more to that civilization myth than meets the eye.
The rewards of keeping a pet are great.
The cost of loosing a pet is often underrated.
Only when more people are brave enough to share the impact their pet has had, and the pain their passing has caused, will it be socially acceptable to cry in public over the loss of a family pet.
Yes, this is the computer age where everyone is connected.
The owners of Bob the cat are happy that they were connected to Facebook when they get a message 2 years after their beloved cat went missing.
Although Bob was “chipped” the information was out of date. However, Amber Wallin, who found Bob, was determined to track down the cat’s owners. When all else failed she turned to Facebook (as you do).
Facebook To The Rescue
“All of a sudden, out of the blue, we get an e-mail saying, ‘Hey, we found your cat,’” says the excited Shane Meide. An emotional Nicole adds “It brought tears of joy, it really did. My stomach just jumped because I thought it was fabulous.”
The moral if of the story is don’t give up hope until you have tried Facebook! You just never know in this world where everyone is connected to a keyboard.
It seem the inside information from Michelle Obama we published earlier about the First Dog being a Portuguese Water Dog was correct.
The Obama family have indeed chosen a six-month old male Portuguese water dog.
"Bo"
The secret meetings between the Obama family and potential First Dog candidate “Bo” are finally over, with Bo expected to join the White House administration on Tuesday.
One election night promise due to be fulfilled – is this the beginning of many more election promises going to be fulfilled, or is this high point of President Obama’s career? Time will no doubt tell.
In the meantime we wish Bo and the rest of the Obama family many happy years together.
Do animals go to heaven? In the scope of war, disease and poverty, it may seem to be an insignificant question, but for Rob Gierka, it is something he must confront almost every day.
Travelers hitting the road around Washington this summer will notice lots of changes born of the recession — from lower menu prices to more child- and pet-friendly B&Bs and more hotel rooms available last-minute. This spells good deals for tourists but struggle for small-business owners, who are trying to find new ways to stay alive.
(ARA) - Most people consider their dog to be more than just a pet. Dogs are true members of the family. So when your dog is itching uncontrollably, it is frustrating not to know what's wrong. Once owners rule out the possibility of fleas, they are often left with questions unanswered.
