Pets Keepers Guide Forums - All Forums

shelters

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:44:52 +0000

You can find shelters that have many types of pets. Dogs, cats, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, rabbits...it just goes on and on. It is nice there are places for some of the homeless animals to be cared for to give them a shot at getting a home. But do you know there are people that actually bash shelters? These people accuse shelter workers of liking to kill the animals that have to be euthanized. These people accuse shelter workers of wanting to kill them. These people think every shelter should be no kill. That it is just a simple matter of not killing these unfortunate animals. End of problem, no animal has to get euthanized. I would be willing to bet the people that feel this way never volunteered in a shelter at all. They do not grasp the numbers. They do not get how most of these shelters run on mostly volunteers and donations. The ones that are funded do not get nearly enough to keep up with expenses. They do not get how it breaks the hearts of the workers that have to do the euthanizing of these animals or to pick which ones have to die today. These people want to sit at home and complain about the very people that are trying to help! I used to volunteer before I became so ill. I have friends that still volunteer. People don't volunteer because they like being up to there elbows in dog and cat feces, they do it because they care about the animals. About 5 to 7 million animals enter our shelters yearly. Roughly half are euthanized. The people doing the complaining have never been able to explain to me (because I have asked) how they would make sure all those animals were cared for. Where would we put them? The shelters stay full. Who would pay for the food? The medical care? Why would a dog or cat want to live in a very small enclosure for several years? Who would walk all the dogs so they didn't have to eliminate on themselves all the time? The shelters need volunteers to clean cages, bathe animals, walk dogs, clean litter boxes or just play with the animals, do some obedience training. A trained dog is more likely to get a home. The shelters need donations, money and/or supplies. Bleach, laundry soap, towels, paper towels, dog shampoo, toys, crates, old newspapers, plastic bags. Check out your local shelter, they have wish lists of things they need the most at any given time. If you have time to volunteer, do so. If you don't have time, donate something. Go to a second hand store and pick up some sheets, towels, blankets. I sometimes go to Aldi's and can donate several things off the wish list for $20.00 To those of you that complain, STOP IT! Get off your duff and HELP instead.

spay/neuter

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:21:36 +0000

I posted this here because it about both dogs & cats but could probably apply to other pets as well.
There are many reasons to spay & neuter our pets. Most of those reasons die in shelters. Dogs and cats reproduce at a rate that far surpasses humans. There are 3 to 4 million dogs and cats that are euthanized every year because they do not get adopted. That number could be greatly reduced if people would become more aware, more responsible. People need to take responsibility for their pets. Either be consistent and diligent and prevent you pets from breeding or have them spayed/neutered. The " I can't afford to have Fluffy spayed." That just doesn't fly. 1) There are low cost spay/neuter programs all over the place. 2) If you can't afford to do even that you really should not have a pet to begin with. It is our responsibility to take care of our pets. If you can't afford a low cost spay how will you pay a vet for an illness or injury? Another way to reduce the numbers killed is to stop buying from back yard breeders/puppy mills and pet stores. Yes, those pet store puppies and kittens come from back yard breeders/puppy mills, I don't care what the store manager tells you. No reputable breeder will sell to a pet store! If people stopped buying from them, they would have to stop breeding. Their is NO profit in taking pups and kits they can't sell to a shelter. Beside the population control there are health benefits to spaying/neutering. Spaying your female will eliminate uterine infections and pyometra and also greatly reduce mammary cancer. Neutering your male will eliminate testicular cancer that is common in older intact males. It will keep your female from going in heat and bleeding and the male from wanting to roam because he smells that female in heat from MILES away. If neutered early enough your male will probably not start marking all over your house. There are risks with any surgery but the risks are so minimal and the benefits so great. I am a senior that has had dogs & cats all my adult life and they have every one been spayed/neutered and there has never been a problem because of it.

Cat overpopulation

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:38:49 +0000

Just want to throw out a "few little reasons" people really should be more diligent in not letting their cats reproduce. 1 Queen and her kittens can produce roughly 400,000 cats in about 7 years! Between 6 & 8 million dogs and cats enter our shelters every year. EVERY year. About half will be killed simply because there are not enough homes to go around. Did you know cats can get pregnant as early as 4 months old? Did you know also that cats can have a litter 2 to 3 times a year at an average of 4 to 6 kittens at a crack? The problem is so bad there are roughly 60 million feral cats running around. Cats with no home, not in shelters, just running wild, being starved and spreading diseases. These are statistics are in the USA. Do you know the numbers for your country? Maybe it would be worth some research. To solve the problem and it IS a problem People need to assure their cat does not reproduce. Either do not let it run around when in heat or spay your females. If you have males that go outside, neuter them so the do not add to these numbers. If you have both males & females living in your home, spay & neuter. There are roughly 45 cats for each 1 human. Do you think they will all get a home? Be part of the solution, not a part of the problem.

Benefits of having pets and why people own pets

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:28:56 +0000

So what are the benefits of owning pets in general? Why do people own pets? What are the benefits of owning each individual species? Such as having a dog, or having a cat, or having an aquarium, etc.

Can any of you make a good list with detailed benefits?
It doesn't matter even if you can just provide information on a single species.
You can state your opinion, as well as the proven research from studies. In the case of posting information from studies, please provide links to the sources.

Did you always have to train pets for litter box?

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:09:12 +0000

Did you always have to go through litter box training with your pets?

I wonder if dogs and cats are just "natural" to use litter box, or if they also gave you a hard time too at the beginning.

Rabbits are certainly not "natural" at it. My cousin had a rabbit and she refused to use litter box no matter how he tried to train her. I was helping my cousin looking for information online, and we tried all kinds of methods mentioned online but none worked.

That came at a price to the rabbit herself. She was locked up in a cage most of the time instead of having her around like a house cat, because she always take a big dump in a corner when she was let out. My cousin even tried to move the litter box to where she took the dump previously, but she still would just do it right beside the litter box. Although, rabbits poop are not wet at all, it was easy to sweep away those little round "balls".

house training a young pup

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 02:48:21 +0000

When house training your new puppy remember they are babies, they can only hold themselves for so long. Generally they can hold out for 1 hour for each month of age. Therefore a 3 month old pup can only hold itself for 3 hours. When training it is best to leash your pup and take him/her out, not "send" the pup out. You have to be there when pooch does the deed so you can praise the pup, right then. Let the pup it is a job well done. There are key times a pup needs to be taken out. When pooch wakes up from any sleep time & at bed time. After eating and/or drinking. After playing, exercise stimulates the "need to go" Plus there are the odd times when a pups gotta do what a pups gotta do. You have to learn the pups behavior when looking for the spot to go. Pups should not have the run of the house till it is trained. You should keep the pup in the room with you so you can keep an eye on pooch. When you see the search, get 'em outside. If you catch the pup making a pile or puddle, just say "NO!", pick pooch up and get 'em outside. Use an enzyme cleaner (Natures Miracle or Simple Solutions)(pet store) to clean up. Do not let the pup see you cleaning up, it gives them the idea that is your job. Outside is okay, just not inside. If you are diligent & consistent they catch on pretty quick. You need to keep pooch contained at night. Either crate or put the pup in a bathroom. But remember the 1 hour rule. You should get up and take 'em out at night. You can also teach the pup to go on command by picking the word you will use for each function, when the pup is about to go repeat the word till the pup starts going then tell 'em what a good boy/girl they are. You can also teach them to ring a bell when they need to go by mounting one low on the door frame and ring it with the pups foot when you go out.

Dog overpopulation

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 22:57:42 +0000

Not to sound like a "dog with a bone" here, but did you know there are way too many dogs born? Over 800,000 every day! How many human babies born per day? Just under 11,000. Does that sound like all the dogs born get a home? No, it doesn't. Something needs to be done to reduce the number of dogs born. Our shelters are full of adoptable, healthy dogs/pups. But sadly many (3 to 4 million a year) will be euthanized instead of getting that loving home. Yet people keep breeding their pets! People do not look at the big picture. By breeding their pets they are contributing to the gross overpopulation of dogs. Some will tell you, "I'm finding homes for all my pups." However, if their dog has 8 pups that is 8 dogs already born that will not get a home. Plus those pups will be creating more pups. 1 bitch and her pups can create roughly 67,000 pups in just 6 years. People need to wake up! They need to realize by breeding Fluffy and Fido they are being part of the problem. People need to either be responsible and keep their dogs from breeding or, if they can not be that diligent, spay/neuter their dogs. They also need to realize by supporting back yard breeders/puppy mills (BYB/PM) they are contributing to the overpopulation problem. BYB's/PM's are breeding dogs to make money. They do not do the genetic testing to see if that particular dog will pass on problems common to the breed. Many breed dogs too young, too old, too worn out. People need to stop buying from these people. If they can't sell their pups they will eventually stop breeding them. People need to learn the difference between BYB's/PM's and reputable breeders. Many of the BYB's/PM's have great looking websites. If you go to them all looks good. Not all are the filthy, starving messes you see in the media. However they still over breed, do not test and breed their bitches way too much. People also need to know a "anything doodle" is not a real breed. The so called designer dogs are nothing but mixed breeds, mutts. Do mutts make great pets? Sure. Are they worth hundreds of dollars? Only in the BYB/PM dreams. Yet people are, for what ever reason, buying them for huge prices. Teacup's? Go to the breed of your choice's National Breed Club. Try to find a "teacup any dog." The BYB's/PM's breed runts to runts to get the abnormally small dogs again to put a huge price on and sell to people. BTW, the National Breed Club's are a great way to find reputable breeders. Remember this, a reputable breeder will not sell on line. A reputable breeder does the genetic testing. They can trace their dogs for several generations. A reputable breeder has a lifetime take back policy where as at any time during the dogs life you have to give the dog up the breeder will accept the dog back. You will get a life time of support from a reputable breeder. If you have problems, they will give you good advice.

Tell me about your favorite dog, past or present

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:45:35 +0000

It is hard to pick but I guess I would have to go with a German Shepherd my dad bought when I was a kid of 5 years old. This dog had been trained for a seeing eye dog but failed the course because he had a playful streak that could not be over come. He did his lessons great but when he saw kids playing he was too excited about that so he was sold. My mom said he was the best babysitter she ever had. I could play in the yard without her worrying so much about me. He would not let me in the road. Even though we lived in the last house on the lane and the only traffic was people that came to our house I was NOT getting in the road. Also, there were rattle snakes. He would circle me every few minutes and if a snake was nearby he would grab my wrist and take me to the house. Then he would kill the snake. Once one got close before he knew it and he killed it right next to me. When my mom folded clothes that went upstairs she would put a stack on the stairway to take up when she was going later. She had to stop doing that. Things do not belong on a stairway, they are a trip hazard and Bullet would take the clothes up stairs and shove them in a corner. Nothing stayed on the stairs. Once when I was outside playing Bullet was off in the barn, a dog I did not know came into they yard. Their was a neighbor boy playing with me. The dog bit that boy and had started toward me. I screamed for Bullet and he came running, leaped over my head and landed on that dog. After a short fight the dog left. I was 5, I don't know if they ever found the dog and tested for rabies or not. I know Bullet was fine. Another time after we moved into town a neighborhood bully was, well, bullying me, kicking the spokes on my bicycle and Bullet grabbed the kids pant leg and while growling something vicious pulled the kid away without touching the kid, just his pant leg. Of course the boy was scared and yelling at me to get my dog off him. I ask the kid,"you going to leave me alone?" "Yeah, yeah, I'll leave you alone." Come on Bullet.
I loved that dog. He loved playing foot ball. Would tackle me gently but would take my dad to the ground! He pulled my sled in the winter and wagon in the summer. I still miss that dog.

Guess where I am now from the photos?

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:08:37 +0000

I have been out of the country for the last a few months.

Although someone asked, I will not give away my current location easily.

The following photos were taken just a few miles from my current spot!
Take a guess where I am?

Brainstorm/information help?

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:07:45 +0000

I was meaning to do this last week, but a few things came up and I was a little side-tracked offline - but I need some help and input from the dog lover's here.

There's a BBQ at my local community centre here next week. Where the public can express some ideas or bring things into discussion that they'd like to see around the neighborhood and I've been excited to go because I thought perhaps I could offer some volunteer work for some programs. As some may have seen me mention one or two times...Australia really isn't all that "up to speed" with the BYB/puppy/kitten mill problem and so I was thinking about suggesting to hold a information course...or something, I'm not sure what the correct term would be.

Basically, I wanted a few "dog" ideas and after talking to a colleague friend of mine earlier today, she gave me a few great ideas to perhaps ask for an optional donation for a local no-kill shelter. Of course, this is all volunteer just as much as anyone else who works at the centre, but I thought it might be helpful for the community. Perhaps an information seminar of sorts, broken up into a couple of sessions? I've done event organizing before, just not something like this.

I was thinking of something like basic puppy care and first step training too, without dogs of course...but even then I'm not an "educated" trainer. Though, I have been looking into some courses in order to become one.

But what I wanted to ask opinions and advice on, is what else could I offer to do pet-related? Mainly dogs, because I'm more familiar with them. Maybe a dog walking group? Exercise, social interaction between owners and dogs, and making new friends? I should note that a lot of people who attend the community centre's programs are retired or seniors so it won't be many people who would be into anything huge...plus it's a small centre. But, we'll see how the gathering goes with who's participating. For example, they hold cooking classes there each week, obviously not taught by an actual chef. Lol. Stuff like that, but well...animal related.

Another thing I'd like help with...is research information. A little similar to what, BW had a thread about recently with the "number game". Statistics on the dog population overload. I know a few basics (and a few extra now thanks to BW's post) just not all to be informative. How to recognize a BYB, how to um... gently inform them that their "puggle" or "schnoodle" doesn't technically exist. The dangers of designer breeds, that sort of thing.

Is there anything else that I should include? I'll be taking a list of ideas with me so any extra suggestions you can come up with, would be GREATLY appreciated. And of course, I'll definitely give credit and thanks!

Pets articles & photos are needed

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:11:48 +0000

We are in process of launch our official homepage, which by then we will have our "library" section enabled. The day is near!
Now we are in need of quality articles.
If you are knowledgeable about a certain pet, please write something about it.

You can do one or more of the following
1. Beginners' guides about a certain pet would be a good start.
2. Your personal unique experience with original content will be greatly appreciated.
3. A very informative product review or a retail shop review is also welcomed.

If selected, your work will be in the "library" section of the web site with credit to you if you wish.
Whatever you write, please make it a quality informative article with your own words. Please proof read it.
If anyone is up to the task, please PM me and let me know what you are working on.

We are also in need of high quality pets photos. Preferable with nothing else but the pet in the photo. Please only provide your own photos. We do not want any copyright issues.

If you have any question or comment, feel free to ask.

squirrel as a pet

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:55:27 +0000

Well, it is not exactly a pet in the following photo.
I took this photo at the Grand Canyon a few years ago.
It is about a squirrel drinking water from a water bottle hold in someone's hand (not my hand). I should have taken a video instead...

While it is uncommon, squirrels can indeed make cute pets. I've heard the story of someone's squirrel would wait for the dude to come back from the work every day, so he could go out to take a dump instead of doing it at home. He would also stay inside the guy's front pocket during the winter when they go out together, because it is cold outside.

They are smart little creatures.

Most popular pets

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:37:46 +0000

I found the following data

Household in the U.S. that
Own a Pet (millions)

Dog 44.8
Cat 38.4
Freshwater Fish 14.2 <------------------- (I am one of them)
Bird 6.4
Small Animal 6.0
Reptile 4.8
Equine 4.3
Saltwater Fish .8

Total Number of Pets Owned in the U.S. (millions)
Freshwater Fish 142 <------------------- (Over 70 of them are from me)
Cat 88.3
Dog 74.8
Small Animal 24.3
Bird 16
Equine 13.8
Reptile 13.4
Saltwater Fish 9.6

Guess which kind of pet owners are spending the most? A manager who works for petwarehouse.com claim their aquarium sector is the strongest due to the most numerous pet is the fish.

What treats do you give to your cats?

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:23:29 +0000

What kind of treats do you give to your cats? How often do you use the treats? Do you give in when the cats keep bugging you for it?

How much time do you spend on your computers?

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:35:15 +0000

On the average, how much time do you spend on your computers daily?

For me, it is too much!

Study (when I was still a student), work, entertainment, most of them are done on a computer. For the last ten years, over 3 years were spent in front of a computer for me.

The daily average is probably 8~10 hours!

I can't live without a computer now.

Home made dog food recipes?

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:31:03 +0000

Do you think if those home made dog food recipes are necessary?

If so, would you take the time to make "home cooking" dog food for your dogs?

Emergency Planning For Pet Owners

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:32:07 +0000

I volunteer with a national organization that does emergency animal sheltering for disasters and criminal siezures. When we're not involved in a response, we are encouraged to go to pet or community safety events to educate people on how to have a disaster plan for their pets. Since so many pet owners don't think beyone grab the pets and go, I accepted an offer from a Wisconsin dog forum called Wisconsin Wags to post a series of articles on emergency preparedness on their site. With the permission of this administrator, I will be re-posting them to this forum. As a pet owner (cats), a disaster responder, and the daughter of a fireman, I would like to think I know a lot about this subject, but I know I am not a complete expert. I welcome your comments, questions, and suggestions.

1. Wake Up Call
6/21/2010 I was watching weather reports about the tornado that hit Eagle, WI. A reporter was covering the story from the Incident Command Center at the Eagle Fire Station. He was interviewing survivors, including a family with two dogs who was waiting for friends to come pick the family up. Others told stories like, "We grabbed the cat and dog and got to the basement just in time."

What if that had been you? What would you have done? Could YOU have gotten all or your animals to the basement in time? Do you have extra supplies and food down there in case you have to survive until roads are cleared and help can get to you? Do you have a first aid kit with only pet-safe items in it, and do you know how to use it? Could you control bleeding, know what to do about an impaled object, or stabilize a broken limb until you could get your pet to a vet? If your regular vet is shut down, do you have your pet's medical records so another vet could get up to speed quickly? If your house is damaged and your pet panics and escapes, are they wearing ID tags? Are they microchipped in case the tags come off and get lost? Do you have current ID photos in your emergency kit so you can make up a Lost Pet poster or identify your pet with Animal Control? What about after you get out; if your homeowners policy will pay to house you while repairs are being made, does that include your pet?

It's a lot to think about. Most people don't think beyond escaping the immediate threat. As I like to say, there's more to evacuation than put the dog in the car and go. Tune in regularly and we can get the pet community better prepared. Just because we don't get hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, or major wildfires here in the upper midwest doesn't mean we don't need it. Those of you who do live in disaster prone areas know you will need to be prepared. So maybe you can glean some additional suggestions from this that will be usefull. And people, don't forget that man-made disasters can strike anywhere, any time!. Remember; you are your pet's first line of defense in an emergency.

3/11/2012 Today is the one year aniversary of the huge earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Pay attention to all the documentaries that are being re-run. Remember the VERY disaster-prone spring and summer of 2011 with the floods, tornados, an east coast hurricane wildfires, and severe drought. With the recent huge outbreak of tornados accross the midwest, it's looking like this year might be lively too. GET READY!

Dog Food Dilemma...advice, help?

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:53:52 +0000

Okay, so I'm having a bit of an issue right now. Actually, I've been having it for quite a while, but in all honesty I don't trust the vet's opinion as some dog people here may know...they push brands that fund them such as Science Diet. Mine pushes both Science Diet, and Royal Canin. And frankly, I like the fact my vet praises me for having Ori and Jas are on Royal Canin, but I still feel they do it for business as well...I've been hearing more bad things about it than good. To the point even I'm ashamed to tell others what they're on and I won't even recommend it to others myself.

However, I've been looking at two other brands since, and comparing, but for a number of reasons. Jasmine being 15 months old now, is not growing properly. I've tried asking my vet what in the world is going on, and they keep telling me that because she's on Royal Canin, she's fine. However her head is way too small for her age and breed, while her height is pretty standard and expected, she's not "stocky" like her line is supposed to be as an English Cream.

I don't know how to explain it, and photos really do not help as she looks different in reality than she does on film...but her head is half the size of Ori's and he's of a different bloodline which isn't a "stocky" line. So I just know something is going awry here. I've been thinking of switching her back to the puppy variety just for a few months, as she was switched to "adult" a little earlier than the recommended 15 months of age. However, if I do switch back...I'm thinking of it being to something else. Only that the only "better" and more recommended brands I know and like are almost impossible to find in Australia. Taste of the Wild being one, which is only found in one store in the whole country, and sadly...nowhere near me. The other being Blue Buffalo, which despite searching, doesn't seem to be here at ALL.

There's two holistic brands I've just enquired about, but neither are grain-free (not that Royal Canin is grain-free anyway, but still) and I haven't a clue anything about them, except that one is Canadian and the other is Australian-made. Which I have to say, the latter makes me a little wary because I'll admit, Australia's knowledge on a lot of dog or pet care in general isn't anywhere NEAR where it is in the US from what I've seen. Even most of the vets make me terribly nervous because I honestly don't think they know or care very much. Yes, I'm probably slightly paranoid. Lol. The fact that NONE of the pet supply stores or vets sell grain-free foods should tell just as much, though.

So I need some advice if people could. Should I just stick with Royal Canin and switch Jasmine back to puppy variety for a short while? The woman I spoke to on the phone at the pet supply store did say she could be on the puppy variety for up to 2 years old and that might give her the growth spurt she so desperately needs at her age now. Or should I still keep looking elsewhere?

I'm not entirely sure that it's the food causing the problem but I can just tell something is off, and the vet refuses to listen to any of my concerns. Their excuse is either that she's female, or that she'll be a smaller Golden...but annoyingly her parents aren't as small as her, when Ori was her age he WAS fully grown. I mean, as least he had an endearingly "fat head" when he was hitting the 5 month mark.

Jasmine and Ori are really the only two dogs I've raised from puppies to adult, so I'm still VERY new at this and normally I wouldn't worry if Jasmine wasn't as old as she was now...but she should not be this small at her age. Her parents, grandparents and great grandparents were fully built and proportioned, she comes from champion lines and she was NOT the runt. So what the heck is the deal and how can I boost her up?

Height-wise, she's fine. But her head is small compared to what it should be, her tail still looks like it hasn't "bushed-out" and she's VERY lanky for her more "stocky" supposed-to-be stature. If I didn't know any better (which I do, thankfully) I'd say she was looking like a scrawny mutt or she was still in her 5-month-old awkward stage.

Okay, I'll leave these here so I don't ramble on any more...

Happy Birthday revyCoasourry !

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:29:20 +0000

I hope you have a wonderful day!

List of Online Pet Stores

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 11:37:28 +0000

Here is a list of online Pet Stores

PetMountain.com

Petsolutions.com

thatpetplace.com

Petstore.com

marinedepot.com

Petstores.com

drsfostersmith.com

PetSmart

Petco.com

animalden.com

What pets are the easiest and the hardest to take care of?

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 07:54:30 +0000

In your opinion,
1. What pet is the easiest to take care of?
2. What pet is the hardest to take care of?
3. What pet is the cheapest to take care of?
4. What pet is the most expensive to take care of?
5. What pet do you have so spend the most time on/with in order to take care of it?
6. What pet can you spend least time on to take care of it?
7. What pet is the laziest?
8. What pet is the most energetic?
9. What pet is the #1 attention whore?
10. What pet is #1 anti-social?

You only need to state one pet for each question.
Please explain each of your choices.

Do you have a plan in place incase anything happens to you?

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 02:31:30 +0000

I'm curious as to what plans people have if anything(God forbid!) happens to you.
A good friend of mine lived alone with her two dogs with the plan that her daughter would take her two dogs if anything happened to her.
After the funeral, I got a call from the daughter telling me she in no way wanted the dogs and unless I took them, she was going to take them to the shelter. I was shocked since I thought she liked the dogs, and promised to care for them. She was blunt and stated..I never thought mom would go before those dogs!
So I have the dogs and while they need some work, they are a couple of goof balls that are quickly becoming a part of our family!
I have talked to my kids and I know all our animals will be well taken care of if something were to happen to us, what plan do you have in place?

Turtle - A pet you can pass on for many generations

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:31:55 +0000

I believe the longest living pets are the turtles.

Some people don't seem to realize that most turtles are carnivore. They require meat to survive.

I just saw someone asking questions about turtle online and he said he was feeding the turtle bread!
Wheat flour is worthless and just empty nutrition to a turtle.

When I had a turtle during my childhood, at first I didn't know better either...until my little "peaceful" turtle ate my two of my goldfish.
We didn't have internet back then to do research that easily.

Ever since that happened, I fed my turtle mostly raw pork, sometimes fish meat. He seemed to be really happy and excited every time I fed him. He would use one claw to keep the meat in place, while pull the other end with its mouth.

I had it for quite a few years, until one day he escaped!

My aunt has a turtle for more than 25 years. Nobody knew how old the turtle was when she got it. One time at a furniture store, the owner told me his turtle is well over 30 years old when I asked.
They can live for hundreds of years in fact. You can pass this pet on for generations!

Are your dogs friendly to your guests?

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:59:57 +0000

How did you do it so they don't bark or show unfriendliness toward your visitors?

My aunt has a little dog always bark at me every time he see me. I thought he'd know me by now. On the other hand, he is afraid of my aunt, and would turn and run back into the little dog house when she show up.
Is there something I can do to make him more friendly toward me?

Numbers game!

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:11:34 +0000

Lets play a numbers game.
Do you know how many dogs:
1) are euthanized in our shelters each year?
2) are born for each one human?
3) get their forever home?
4) received at shelters have been spayed/neutered?
Forgot one question:
5) How many pups can one female and her offspring produce in just 6 years?