How to Choose The Right Dog For You

Originally posted on: Wednesday, March 10, 2010

So you have decided to get a dog. Now is the time you should decide what is the right dog for you and your family. Do you want a Purebred, Designer, or a Mutt? Do I use a Breeder, Pet Store, Pound/Rescue Shelter? There are so many things to take into consideration when making your choice. Do you have children? Do you have your own home with a nice yard, or do you live in an apartment in the city? Do you have any experience with dogs? These are important questions you should be considering before you make your decision.

If you are looking for a Purebred dog, please investigate the breed you are interested in. Each breed has unique qualities that may or may not be a good fit for you. Lets take a Jack Russell Terrier for example. They are a very intelligent and hyper breed dog that needs a lot of interaction with its owner. This is not the type of dog you would want to leave alone all day long in an apartment. If you have children a great breed would be a Golden Retriever. They have a wonderful deposition, are gentle, and make a great family dog. Another thing to take into consideration is health issues. Many purebred dogs have a predisposition to certain medical conditions and illnesses. So please investigate the breed you are interested in to make sure it is a good fit for your family. The last thing we need is another dog at the shelter looking for a home.

If you decide you want a Purebred, PLEASE use a reputable Breeder. There are many websites today where you can get that information. When you have selected a breeder, go and visit the dog kennels and meet the breeder. See what the kennel conditions are like. Meet the dogs and take notice of their appearance, temperament, and behavior. Ask questions of the breeder about his/her experience. The last thing you want to do is go to a Pet Store to purchase a puppy. Most (but not all) of these poor animals come from Puppy Mills. I am sure you have either read or heard what the conditions of most of these places are like. Why they are aloud to exist is beyond me. (sorry just my opinion)

Lets look at getting a dog from the pound/rescue shelter. Believe it or not, there are thousands of poor dogs looking for good homes. You would be surprised at the Purebred dogs at shelters. With hard economic times the way they are, many people have had to give their beloved pet to a shelter because they could not afford to care for it anymore. Some have lost their homes and could not bring their pet to their new apartment. Others have gone and purchase a Purebred dog that was the wrong fit for their family and decided they did not want it anymore. What I am trying to get at is there are thousands of great homeless dogs available for adoption that would be a perfect dog for your family. There is nothing wrong with most of these dogs. So please make sure you take what I have said into consideration when deciding which is the right dog for you.

About The Author:

Barbara Young - I am an avid animal lover. Dogs are my passion. I wanted to promote good products and information to try and help these wonderful animals. I am not a Titled Dog Professional, however I do have over 50 years experience owning dogs. To help me get the word out I created a website called http://www.busterscaninesupplyoutlet.com. I have a great Links Page to assist you with choosing the proper pet for you and your family. After you have chosen the right pet, I can assist you with quality products.

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

Reminders When Traveling With Your Dog

Originally posted on Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Learning how to travel with your dog can make the experience less stressful and a lot of more enjoyable! Traveling with your pooch can be a major hassle if don’t make all the right choices. It should be planned ahead of time so you wouldn’t ruin your family weekend getaway or long vacation.

If you’ve decided to carry your dog during the trip, here are a few reminders that you can do to ensure a safe travel experience:

Buy a dog tag or collar with identification

Your dog needs to wear a collar or tag with all the necessary identification in it. A microchip may also be beneficial for additional security. The tag should contain your dog's name, your name, and your home phone number, as well as proof of rabies shots. Keep your dog's collar and tag on whenever you’re outside. No matter how well behaved your dog may be, there’s always a chance that he may accidentally get lost or get away from you. All the information on your dog tag will be very important as you travel or decide to leave your pet at a kennel.

Safety first

Always remember safety first. To ensure your dog’s safety while he’s in the car, purchase a dog car seat. With the use of this equipment, your furry friend will be safer and more comfortable if your car makes a sudden stop.

Train your dog

Before you travel, your dog should have basic training so he will be well-behaved during the trip. It is a good idea to make your first few trips in the car to somewhere fun for your dog before embarking on a long trip. Take your dog to a park so he associates a car ride with something fun.

Bring all the necessary dog supplies

When taking a long trip, don’t forget to pack all the necessary supplies for your dog. Among the essentials include water, dog food, treats, his collar and leash. You should also bring your dog’s favorite toys and plastic bags for his poop. Also, he sure to bring any medications your dog needs.

Be prepared always

Emergencies can happen while you’re traveling with your dog, so you need to make some additional preparation. Planning your trip can make any form of emergency less stressful. Prepare a list of veterinary hospitals in the area where you’ll be staying, along with a detailed map.

Andrei Smith writes for Midwest Homes 4 Pets, a company that offers a huge selection of dog crates, pooper scooper and dog training crates. For details, please visit MidwestHomes4Pets.com or contact the Toll Free Helpline: (800) 428-8560.

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

10 Amazingly Smart & Productive Animals Humans Can Learn From

Originally posted on: Wednesday, May 26, 2010

 

Humans have proven themselves to be the planet’s most dominant species, due to our highly developed communication, critical thinking and predatory skills. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have any competition. There are plenty of animals that we can learn from by watching the ways in which they communicate and learn from each other. While you struggle to become a more efficient student for your online college classes, try taking a cue from these 10 amazingly smart and productive animals.

1. Octupi and squids: Cephalopods — octopi, squids and cuttlefish — may be some of the smartest animals in the ocean. After studying them, scientists have deduced that cephalopods are always trying to stay busy, as they hate being bored. They use tools, are efficient eaters, and can learn new skills.

2. Dolphins: Dolphins may love humans just as much as humans love dolphins. The highly collaborative marine mammal is also incredibly intelligent and communicative and may actually be the second-smartest animal in the world, just after humans. Their brains are 4-5 times larger than other animals’ brains who have similar sized bodies. They also have a well developed neocortex which helps them process emotion, recognize themselves in a mirror, demonstrate an ability for cultural learning, and understand abstract concepts.

3. Pigeons: Although they’re often associated with dirty, crowded urban environments, pigeons are productive animals with high intelligence. They have highly developed memories, recognize themselves in a mirror, and can identify even subtle differences between different objects.

4. Pigs: Pigs are known to compensate for their mud-slinging, trough-eating ways by demonstrating high intelligence, but did you know just how smart pigs are? They’re very social and even emotional animals that can "play" computer and video games at least as well as chimpanzees. They have an excellent sense of direction and learn from each other, when they’re not trying to trick each other.

5. Rats: Rats may be one of the most abhorred creatures on Earth, but they’re still pretty smart and very resourceful. Rats are extremely adaptable and can almost always find an escape route, which is why they’re so resilient.

6. Squirrels: A slightly cuter version of the rat is the squirrel, another cunning rodent. Squirrels sometimes trick spying animals by pretending to hide their food in one spot, and then really finding a safer place for it when no one’s watching. After months have passed, squirrels can remember the exact place they stored their food, sometimes using clues to help themselves.

7. Crows: Crows may have annoying calls and scare away other, more attractive birds, but they’re so smart that even humans could learn something from them. Crows are very resourceful animals that turn all kinds of objects into usable tools for getting food from hard-to-reach places. They also have great respect for their elders, and watch older birds when they want to learn a new skill.

8. Bees: Bees have shown scientists that they are very in tune with the natural world, not just including pollinating flowers. They use the sun for direction, are punctual, and also have the ability to learn colors, sounds and even exact places. And if you’ve ever noticed a bee’s seemingly erratic flying pattern, you’ve actually watched it communicate to other bees the specifics of the food they’re finding.

9. Dogs: Scientists are still discovering just how smart dogs are. They’ve already proven to be loyal, good communicators and may have decent memory, and now scientists believe that dogs may have the ability to understand someone else’s point of view. Through tests, dogs have also proven to understand concepts and form real perceptions of things.

10. Elephants: Elephants are widely regarded as smart, efficient animals that use tools, groom themselves, and have even inspired robotics. A new robotic arm was modeled after an elephant’s trunk, which can pick up nearly any type of object and seamlessly move it and use it as needed. Elephants also have large brains — weighing around 5 kilos — and use objects to protect themselves, either as weapons or to intimidate their attackers.

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.

Simple Tips On Cleaning A Pet Cage

Originally posted on: Friday, November 19, 2010

Link to original post: Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com/.

Cleaning your pet’s cage is one of the keys to keeping your pet healthy at all times. It will make your pet’s living space free from germs and foul odor, making it a comfortable environment to live in. It can also minimize the chance of bacterial and fungal infections to your pet.

Cleaning cages is not a fun chore, but doing it as organized as possible will make the task less of a chore. Here are some simple tips when cleaning an animal cage:

Being systematic is really the solution to a much hassle-free cleaning process. Whenever you need to clean your pet’s cage, better transfer your pet to a safe place where he or she can feel comfortable during the cleaning time. You can put your pet in another cage while you are doing the cleaning. Bringing him or her in the yard or any confined space would be a good idea to avoid getting distracted.

Afterwards, start removing all the things inside the cage. Throw all the trash and dirt away. Be meticulous in getting rid of all the left-overs and animal wastes inside the cage. Clean up all the solid material first. Then, proceed to washing the litter pans, feeding bowls, toys, and other accessories. Don’t forget to clean the bedding. You can use fabric softener so that the bedding will be soft for your beloved pet.

Take extra time in cleaning the removable trays. Make sure you also disinfect the wire bottom and wipe it to remove any lingering poop or urine smell.

Bear in mind that the aim in cleaning your pet’s cage is to kill the germs, so it’s better to use hot water and proper cleaning agent when scrubbing the cage. To ensure the cage is cleaned very well, purchase a cage cleaner, which can be in the form of powder, wipes or spray bottle. Make sure it’s made from non-toxic materials. Use only the products that are proven safe for animals.

Whether you own a dog, cat, or any other animals, it is always important for you to make your pet’s cage clean. Doing this task regularly is essential to the health and well-being of your pet.

Andrei Smith writes for Midwest Homes 4 Pets, a company that offers a wide array of rabbit cages, bird cages and small animal cages. For more details, please visit MidwestHomes4Pets.com or contact the Toll Free Helpline: (800) 428-8560.

Added to post by Music My Pet:
When cleaning cages, pet carriers or other bedding, play Music My Pet CD's for additional stress relief for both you & your pet! 

Bravo! Issues Nationwide Recall of Pig Ears Dog Chews

This article originally posted on:

JUNE 4, 2011

in NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 3, 2011 – Bravo! is voluntarily recalling select boxes of Bravo! Pig Ears Chews because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The products affected by this recall includes only Bravo! 50 ct bulk Oven roasted Pig Ears Product Code: 75-121 Lot # 12-06-10.

Salmonella can affect animals and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any other surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms including, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare provider.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with the product. Bravo! is issuing this action out of an abundance of caution and sincerely regrets any inconvenience to pet owners as a result of this announcement.

Bravo! Pig Ears were distributed to retailers on the East and West Coasts. They were shipped to distributors and retailers between January 1 and February 28, 2011, where they were available for purchase.

The recall is the result of routine sampling program by the Washington State Department of Agriculture which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has no product left in inventory from this batch of pig ears. Consumers who have purchased any of these pig ears are urged to return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions about the recall, should visit www.bravorawdiet.com or call toll free 1.866.922.9222 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.

Family, Pets, Travel…Music My Pet.

By Tim Gallagher, Senior Editor (Music My Pet News)

Courtesy of: FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Liz Noffsinger

 http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=481

As the summer travel season begins it's time to think of everything you need for that road trip.

Our pets are as much a part of our family as anyone else.  It’s no surprise then that we take our pets with us when we travel.  Whether it’s around the corner, a family vacation or a trip across country, we take our pets in our cars wherever we go!  We buckle our kids up.  We buckle ourselves up….but the family pet is usually free to roam.  Some have begun to address this problem with various pet restraint methods including pet carriers, restraint straps and other devices. 

 

I can remember when I was younger, while traveling to New York on the highway; quite often we saw cats bouncing around in other cars or dogs panting with their heads outside the window. I bet both the drivers and their pets wish they had Music My Pet!

Music My Pet to the rescue.  Many of our customers have told us (see our testimonial page) that they use Music My Pet when they take their pets with them for a ride in the car.  They report that their pets are much more relaxed and more likely to fall asleep instead of romping around in the back seat.  This makes for a safer ride for both you and your pet.  Pet owners can concentrate on driving without being distracted by restless pets. Music My Pet will be music to their ears and serenity to yours.

At Music My Pet we think, a calm pet is a safe pet!  Happy travels.

Letter from Buckingham Palace

Letter from Her Majesty's assistant (see below)

While we didn't receive any feedback from Queen Elizabeth II directly, it's nice to think that perhaps the Queen's dogs (Linnet, Monty, Willow, Holy Cider, Berry, Candy & Vulcan) are listening to Music My Pet as we blog.