As a young girl, I used to see a dog every day on my way home from school. There was something about him. He had a short coat and was tan in color. For my stories sake, we’ll name him Jake as I never did know his name. Jake was always tied to an apple tree that was a distance from his owner’s home. There was an old dog house in the dirt by the tree. For whatever reason, I never saw Jake in it although it did appear to be too small for him. There was a dirty metal bowl by the dog house. I can recall asking myself how he could drink water and have food in the bowl at the same time. Such is the innocence of a child.

It didn’t matter what season we were in, Jake was always there, tied to that tree. I think what drew me to Jake was his tell tale body language. I don’t know how old he was but his demeanor said “old.” Jake always looked beaten. By that I mean his head was normally hung below his shoulders and his tail always tucked under him. When he looked at me with those big brown eyes I saw sadness. You see, Jake never had toys to play with or children to run with. He never looked like he had a bath or had been brushed. I shudder to think what his teeth looked like or when the last time was that his nails were clipped. His eyes told me that his spirit was broken.
I walked past Jake for many years until one day he was no longer there. I don’t know what happened. I guess as a child I didn’t want to know.

I have never forgotten that dog and blame myself for not speaking up. You see, even as a child I felt there were injustices in the world. I think this is why I fight the injustices of pets today. You see, the Jakes of the world have no choices to make. They don’t get to pick the family, labeled their owner. They are pulled from their mom’s and placed in an environment that is not of their choosing. Many times after the newness of a pet wears off, their lives become one drawn out state of loneliness and deprivation.
I tell you this story because I want people to be aware that “Pets are human too.” Like us,they have physical and emotional needs that must be met. Because of this, we all need to look long and hard at ourselves to determine whether a dog or cat or any other animal should be placed in our homes.

Remember, pets don’t have a choice in the matter of “ownership.” Pets do however,deserve and have a right to be happy, living in a home of love and respect.

To look at a site that really cares about your dogs and cats go to: pawssosweet.com/ pawssosweet.com

Cathy Stupak is a lover of animals. She has two Cornish Rex cats named Jake and Callie. They have been a part of her life now for 7 years. Cathy owns an online business at pawssosweet.com/ pawssosweet.com. This site was created out of love and is for those families that treat their pets as one of them.
Cathy enjoys flower gardening and spending time with her family.

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Tags: loneliness

You love your cats for the companionship that they provide. A sympathetic ear, great listening skills, and boundless affection are all great side benefits of cat ownership, but your cat may actually be doing more for you than you think. Recent studies have shown that keeping pets has a positive impact on your health and well being, especially when that pet is a cat.

General Health Benefits

Studies have proven that having contact with a pet is very calming and soothing, and have backed up this conjecture with medical facts. Vital signs taken after an individual’s interaction with a pet show positive effects on the blood pressure, pulse, and breathing frequency, and the results of these tests are surprisingly similar to the body’s condition after deep meditation. Some studies have even indicated that having pets reduces stress and results in a lowered risk of heart disease.

Cats and dogs – but especially cats – have been used in some hospitals and nursing homes as a kind of therapy for the bedridden and ill. The warmth of their furry bodies and open, purring friendship can drastically influence a person’s state of mind for the better. A study conducted in the states of New York, Missouri, and Texas found that nursing homes that allowed pets had lower medication costs than those that didn’t.

Lowered stress and increased calmness could be the cause, but studies over the last twenty years have also shown that people who own pets are much healthier than their non-pet owning counterparts; they are often less-prone to minor illnesses like colds and influenza, score better on psychological tests, and claim to feel a greater sense of well-being.

Children and Cats

Adults are not the only ones who benefit from caring for a cat. Children who have participated in the raising of a pet have shown higher self esteem levels, better social skills, and a greater sense of responsibility toward others. For young children and infants, exposure to cats at a young age can also help the child develop resistance to allergens and asthma.

Seniors and Cats

Older adults often lack companionship, social connections and opportunities for recreation during their retirement years. Owning a cat can significantly boost the health and happiness of a senior, giving them a feeling of purpose and the knowledge that they are needed.

Cats are ideal pets for seniors as they are relatively low-maintenance in comparison to dogs. They don’t need formal exercise like regular walks, or constant trips to the backyard, since they take care of their own exercise routine during play and confine their bathroom habits to a single area.

Cat ownership has been shown to improve the general health and well-being of men with HIV, reduce the loneliness of single women living by themselves, and even help victims of heart disease recover more quickly after a heart attack. Next time you’re cuddling with your cat on the couch, tossing that rubber ball across the linoleum for the sixty-third time, or even cleaning a hairball off the rug, remember that your cat might be doing a lot more for you than you think.

BoutiqueKittens.com Boutique Kittens
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Tags: kitten, loneliness

The African Gray parrot originated from the wilds of Western and Central Africa. Their existence dates back history 4,000 years ago, seen in Egyptian hieroglyphics depicting parrot pets of ancient pharaohs. Royalties and affluent Roman families kept parrots in ornate cage, so, with the Portuguese sailors who have African Gray pet parrots when the travel on their colonial conquest voyages.

African Gray has two sub-species; the (1) Congo African Gray (Scientific name - P. e. enthacus), and (2) Timneh African Gray Parrot (P. e. timneh). Both sub-species of the African Gray resemble in color, the difference is that the Congo African Gray color shades are deeper than that of the Timneh African Gray.

Obviously, dominant plume hue defines its descriptive-name “Gray;” full tail is red (crimson), bills are charcoal gray, and white background surrounding its eyes. It’s a bit smaller than the Blue and Gold Macaw, and measures 13 inches (33 cm) in size. Weight ranges from 380 to 550 grams.

Acknowledged among the most intelligent birds on earth, it is reputed to excel in talking abilities. It has a life expectancy of 50 to 60 years; twice or thrice compared to any other animal pet, favorable to pet selection for one who desires to get life-long pet companion. Sex is indistinguishable among its kind except if it under goes surgery, or thru DNA tests.

Birds are on sale for so many reasons. There is a great demand for any kind of pet in the entire world. Rich nations whose citizens are not endowed with big families resort to pets for companions. In cases like it, birds who have extended life span comes first in the list of relevant life-time companions to ease pain and loneliness of being alone.

Reasons for Patronizing Sales of the African Gray Parrot

1. This parrot is best in mimicry, regarded most intelligent of all birds.

2. The lengthiest life span among birds; some only last up to 30 years, maximum life of African Gray is 60 years old.

3. Could adapt easily on common fruits, vegetables and nuts as in the wilds, in its human captivity environment.

4. Capable in associating human words with their meanings to certain degree.

5. Claimed by long-time owners as comparable to having a 5-year old child as a companion.

6. Very faithful and devoted for its tendency to bond to only one person, when there were no chances of intermingling with different peoples.

The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species announced that sale of all parrot “catch,” direct from the forests, are illegal.

Breeders of the African Gray parrots in captivity hand-rear them for the benefit of pet traders. Hybrid African Gray parrots are promoted on pet shops, on the websites and seldom by individuals who incidentally are forced to part with their bird due to unavoidable reasons in their lives.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Pet Parrots, please visit pet-parrot.articlekeep.com pet-parrot.articlekeep.com

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Thank you for visiting. You’re either reading this because you just got a new toy breed puppy, or planning on getting a new toy breed puppy. Well, you’ve come to the right place. These small dog breeds need special attention and care when they are puppies. Within this article, you will get thorough instructions on almost everything you need to know to ensure your toy breed dog stays healthy, along with tips on potty training. Please keep in mind that this article was not written by a veterinarian. The information from this article is my opinion which comes from years of personal research and experience dealing specifically with toy breed dogs. Always consult a veterinarian for any questions regarding your dog.

We personally own Yorkshire Terriers (Yorkies), and have grown a vast amount of experience dealing with this fantastic breed. Below is our sweetie, “Munchkin”, weighing in at just 1.5 lbs at over a year old. Despite her weight, she’s as healthy as can be.

The following information can pertain to any toy breed dog. There are countless joys of owning these little guys and girls, however, toy breeds need special attention during the young stages of their life. From young, we are referring to 8 weeks to one year old. If you have come across a breeder that sells pups before they are 8 weeks old, LEAVE! Small breed dogs must stay with their mothers for AT LEAST 8 weeks. Preferably, a puppy can leave their mothers at around 10-12 weeks. You can read more about choosing the right toy dog breeder here.

Hypoglycemia

The most important condition to look out for when you first get your puppy is known as hypoglycemia. This condition appears most frequently in toy breed dogs such as Yorkies, Maltese, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas etc. According to the US National Laboratory of Medicine, hypoglycemia is the sudden drop in the concentration of glucose (sugar) in the blood below normal levels. Although most commonly seen in puppies 5-16 weeks of age, adult “teacup” dogs can encounter this problem if not properly cared for. This condition occurs more frequently in smaller dogs due to the lack of muscle mass of “teacup” dogs. Less muscle mass equates to a tougher time in storing glucose, making toy dog breed more susceptible to hypoglycemia.

Your pup’s body utilizes glucose as the main source of energy. As long as your puppy eats on a regular basis (see the section on feeding below), their glucose levels should remain stable. However, certain events can speed up the onset of hypoglycemia such as stress, low body temperature, poor nutrition, change in food, and infections. (Please read below on easing your puppy into their new environment). Signs of hypoglycemia include laziness, lethargicness, drowsiness, stumbling around, shivering, depression, and in severe cases, a coma like state. One of the best methods for checking hypoglycemia involves feeling the gums. A healthy puppy’s gums will feel warm and have a nice pink color. If your puppy’s gums feel cold and look white, your puppy could be experiencing hypoglycemia.

If you notice any of the above mentioned symptoms, immediately feed them a high sugar supplement such as Karo syrup, Nutra-Cal or Nutri-Stat. Karo syrup can be found at most grocery stores, and the other two supplements at most pet stores. Since Karo syrup is mainly composed of glucose, this would be the preferred supplement to treat hypoglycemia. Simply place a dab of Karo syrup on your fingertip and allow the puppy to lick it off. Sometimes a puppy will refuse to lick the syrup from your finger. In this instance, gently open the puppy’s mouth and scrape the syrup off the back of their front teeth and allow them to swallow. Repeat the process a couple times until the gums turn back to normal, or until the above symptoms have passed. Most puppies can recover from mild hypoglycemia within 10-20 minutes. In severe cases where your puppy appears to be going into a coma like state, immediately bring them into to your local animal hospital while having a passenger force feeding them with Karo syrup on your way there.

All in all, severe and non-severe cases of hypoglycemia can be avoided by:

1. Paying close attention to your little puppy
2. Proper feeding
3. Rest

We recommend checking their gums every few hours just to ensure that your little one stays healthy. If you work during the day, come back at lunch or as often as you can to check on your puppy’s health. The next section will discuss methods on easing a puppy into a new environment to help alleviate rapid onsets of hypoglycemia.

The First Few Days After You Bring Your Puppy Home

When you first bring your new puppy home, they may experience some nervousness in their new environment. Everything from new sights, smells and people can be peculiar to your new puppy. You should allow them to explore their new surroundings and encourage them to play. Speaking quietly and calmly can help alleviate some nervousness and accommodate them to your voice. With a little patience, your new puppy will soon become acclimated to their new environment and enjoying their new home.

Purchasing a playpen will come in handy at night and at times where you cannot keep a good eye on your dog. Keeping your puppy in a playpen is not cruel; it only keeps them from getting into trouble when you can’t keep a proper watch over your dog. Remember, puppy’s can cause mischief faster than you can blink!

A good size playpen for toy breed puppies is about 3’ x 5’. Even a bit smaller size playpen will suffice. The point is to give your new puppy a nice place sleep and play, along with an area to go potty. Any larger, and your puppy can confuse where they sleep and where they use the bathroom. A bed for small dogs along with some soft baby blankets will be adequate for a sleep and play area. Also give your new pup some plush toys specifically for small dogs to play with. On the opposite side of the playpen, place a puppy potty pad or a few pieces of newspaper for them to handle their bathroom business. It is important to keep the bathroom area as far away from the sleep and play area. This helps them to discern where they should sleep and where they should go potty. A nice gadget to go along with the puppy potty pads is a potty pad holder. These work great on preventing them from shredding up newspapers and pee pads.

When it comes to bed time, your puppy will be accustomed to sleeping with their brothers and sisters. The abruptness of sleeping alone can invoke a feeling of loneliness causing them to cry for the first few nights. When your puppy cries out, simply touch their nose and tell them ‘no’ in a soft but stern voice. Many people make the mistake of running to hold their puppy as soon as they hear crying. However, you are actually letting them know that crying gets them what they want. In this situation, your new puppy is training YOU!

For the complete article including feeding and potty training tips, please visit:
swankpets.com/toy-breed-puppy-care-101-a-4.html swankpets.com/toy-breed-puppy-care-101-a-4.html

Michael Hsiao is the owner of swankpets.com swankpets.com an online luxury boutique an information site for small dog owner. He has 5 years of experience raising Yokies puppies, and has done a lot of personal research regarding proper small breed dog care.

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Tags: chihuahua, dog breed, dog breeds, loneliness, potty training, yorkshire terrier

Our dogs make sacrifices to live in a human society. They are dog’s decedents, of Wolves.
As I have mentioned there are behavioral characteristics to each breed. An experienced breeder will be able to educate you of the upside and the downside of the individual breed you are researching. I do plan to go into individual breeds in a little more depth later on.

Before bringing the puppy home the stage needs to be set. You need to begin immediately to both socialize and house train the new arrival. Things can go from bad to worse very quickly, if you are not prepared. There are as many methods of training a puppy, as there are dog owners, and each is happy to give advice. That is of course what I am untimely doing, giving advice.

When the puppy is introduced to your home on the first day, try not to let him become overwhelmed with new people and new things. The first few nights a puppy is away from mom and litter mates will be frightening. He will be scared, and lonely. Make him as comfortable as possible. Which is why I suggested that you’re first few days should be devoted to this transition, take a few days off of work if possible. The few days you investment in this, will be the basis for the next 10 to 16 years.

So try to establish a routine as soon as possible. No matter how sorry you are for the puppies loneliness do not allow him to do anything now that you will not want later. Do not allow the baby to sleep on your bed for example, unless you want to share the covers with him from now on. I personally prefer my dog on the bed, to me there is something soothing about a snoring dog.

The worst thing you can do is yell at or scold a scared puppy for crying. That would teach the puppy to fear you instead of learning to trust you. As the days pass the youngster will begin to become more comfortable. However, now is not the time to rest, the journey is just beginning all of the youngster’s care is your responsibility, mental as well as physical.

I mentioned wolves. The truth is the human family is disorderly compared to an average wolf pack. We are very inconsistent, one day a behavior may be accepted, and the next day the same behavior may be punished. The tone of voice may mean one thing while the body language says something else. That is why the puppy must see you as leader and you must give rules to follow otherwise he will take the lead and do as he pleases. He would not be wrong just confused about what is expected.

Confinement is important because in the beginning the puppy should never leave your sight. You will need to be constantly vigilant for the signs of elimination. So when the time arrives you will see it coming and you should have a plan in place. The puppy should be given one place in the yard to relieve himself, at first you will probably need to quickly carry him there. Naturally when he gets older you can walk him to the place. The usual times to be diligent of are after he eats, after he wakes up and after play. Repetition will win, and eventually he will get the idea. Most dogs are clean and soiling the house is not really natures plan.

So you will need to establish a schedule for eating, drinking, and outside time. The house training will depend on the schedule. The puppy will need to be taken to the potty area every few hours until at least 16 weeks of age. This is because they have little control over their bodily functions, just like a human child. After eating, drinking, napping, and playing, in addition to the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. Even after house training the puppy still needs to have access to the potty area at least three times a day.

If you work ten-hour days, your life style would be very unfair to a social animal, and my advice is to consider some other hobby. Stamp collecting comes to mind. I don’t want to sound horrible. My feeling is, the dog is usually the victim, and people can care for themselves

Diana Shields
bestdogbreeds.net/pets bestdogbreeds.net/pets
Dog Trainer and Owner Of Several Breeds.
(c) 2007 All Rights Reserved

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Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, loneliness